As summer reaches its peak, July 2025 brings a new wave of gripping fiction that readers across the globe can’t stop talking about. From magical inns to murder mysteries, the bestselling lists are packed with titles that promise to keep you hooked for hours. Here are five of the most popular international novels this week (July 4th), complete with story blurbs, reader feedback, and where to find them in digital format.
1. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping – Sangu Mandanna
Blurb:
When Sera inherits a run-down magical inn in the English countryside, she also inherits its grumpy ghost, a mischievous talking cat, and a legacy she never expected. With the help of an old spellbook and a growing number of eccentric guests, Sera must learn the art of magical hospitality before the inn—and its magic—fade forever.
Reader Review:
“A cozy fantasy that feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. Wholesome, magical, and full of charm!” – Goodreads user @WitchyReader101
Platform:
Available digitally on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Kobo. Also featured in Goodreads’ trending list for the first week of July.
2. Not Quite Dead Yet – Holly Jackson
Blurb:
Bestselling thriller author Holly Jackson returns with a chilling standalone novel. When seventeen-year-old Lily wakes up in a coffin, buried alive, she must piece together how she got there—and who wants her dead. As secrets unravel and the clock ticks, her survival depends on what she remembers—and what she chooses to forget.
Reader Review:
“I couldn’t breathe for most of the book. It’s terrifying, clever, and impossible to put down. Holly Jackson never misses!” – NetGalley reviewer
Platform:
Digital copies are available via Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, Apple Books, and Libro.fm (for audiobook lovers). This title is also heavily promoted on BookTok and Goodreads.
3. Onyx Storm – Rebecca Yarros
Blurb:
In this follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, Yarros delivers another dragon-fueled fantasy romance with impossible stakes and deep emotional conflict. As war looms in the skies, Violet Sorrengail must decide who to trust, what to sacrifice, and whether power is worth the cost of love.
Reader Review:
“This book crushed me—in the best way possible. The action, the romance, the heartbreak... I’m still recovering.” – Amazon reviewer @DracoFan95
Platform:
A digital sensation on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook, with high audio demand on Audible. Still holding strong on New York Times Bestseller eBook charts despite its early 2025 release.
4. The Emperor of Gladness – Ocean Vuong
Blurb:
In this haunting new novel, acclaimed poet and author Ocean Vuong explores grief, memory, and the aching beauty of life through the eyes of a Vietnamese-American son coming to terms with his mother’s death and his own creative identity. Told in lyrical prose, this novel is a deeply personal meditation on how we survive sorrow.
Reader Review:
“Every sentence is a poem. Vuong doesn’t write stories—he paints them with words. This book is simply unforgettable.” – Goodreads review
Platform:
Available digitally through Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, and Scribd. A featured pick on Penguin Random House’s digital storefront.
5. Audition – Katie Kitamura
Blurb:
Set in Tokyo’s vibrant theater world, Audition follows a Japanese-American woman who finds herself swept into a dark psychological game between a famous director and his mysterious leading actor. Blurring the line between performance and reality, this novel questions identity, power, and the masks we wear in life and on stage.
Reader Review:
“Elegant and unsettling. Kitamura writes with cold precision, and I couldn’t stop reading. This book is eerie in all the right ways.” – Literary Hub contributor
Platform:
Digital formats available via Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Bookshop.org (eBook version). Also gaining traction on LitHub’s July recommendations.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're into heart-racing thrillers, magical escapism, or poetic explorations of the human condition, this week's top novels deliver unforgettable experiences. All five books are easily accessible on digital platforms, making them perfect for reading on-the-go—whether you're lounging at home or heading off on a summer trip.
Happy reading, and don’t forget to add these to your digital bookshelf
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