Co-authored novels have long been part of the literary landscape, but 2025 has ignited an extraordinary wave of creative partnerships. This year, listeners have been treated to exceptional collaborations like Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben joining forces, and Nicholas Sparks teaming up with M. Night Shyamalan, bringing their unique storytelling styles together. The excitement continues into 2026 with highly anticipated pairings of Cat Clarke with V.E. Schwab, and Viola Davis with James Patterson (the latter of whom is also working on an upcoming thriller with MrBeast!). These dynamic duos are blending their distinct voices and perspectives into stories that feel fresh, inventive, and impossible to put down.
After all, whether it's sparks, suspense, or helpful insight, it's always better when two brilliant minds work together, and these powerhouse pairings prove just that.
When you pair Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, the result will be a suspenseful, supernatural love story. Their debut novel, Remain, is a deeply moving, haunting novel about healing, belief, and the kind of love that changes you. When Tate Donovan arrives in Cape Cod hoping to rebuild his life, he doesn’t expect to be drawn into a love story that defies reason—and reality. Through his connection with the mysterious and magnetic Wren, Tate begins to question everything he thought he knew about grief and the unseen threads that connect us. Part ghost story, part love story, Remain is a reminder that some connections are meant to last—no matter what. With a film adaptation next year starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor, it is assured to capture even more hearts. —Dawn G.
Christina Lauren is always an auto-download for me. This time, the best friend writing duo (Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) takes us to a private resort in Indonesia, where the setting serves as a luxurious backdrop to a fake-relationship plot, layered with complex family dynamics, corporate greed, and artistic ambitions. This one is swoon-worthy and so, so steamy. Patti Murin and Jon Root perform their third CLo collaboration, giving voice to Anna and Liam in a dual POV, and I’m already hoping for a sequel featuring some of the other characters. There is something so special about HEAs and the authors that get us there. —Patty R.
As someone who’s devoured Coben's thrillers—as well as being a part of Reese's Book Club—I was immediately drawn to this listen. The medical thriller introduces listeners to Maggie McCabe, a former surgeon who is chosen to perform a discrete, unconventional medical procedure. When the patient goes missing, Maggie finds herself thrust into a treacherous world in which her principles and survival instincts are put to the test. As if the author duo wasn’t enough, Reese also narrates along with an all-star cast featuring Chris Pine, Saskia Maarleveld, and James Fouhey (just to name a few). Gone Before Goodbye is a suspenseful listen that doesn’t disappoint. To discover more of how this duo came to be, check out my exclusive interview with Witherspoon and Coben. —Dawn G.
What drew me to Never Keep was that it’s set in the same world as the Zodiac Academy series (which I've devoured at least twice now), but introduces an entirely new, thrilling story. Written by powerhouse sister duo Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, this installment delivers the same addictive tension and high-stakes drama that made their earlier works such sensations. We dive right into the action with an intense battle scene, and from there, it never lets up. Everest and Vesper, the two fierce main characters, are at the forefront of this dark high fantasy, where morally gray characters and found family take center stage. While Never Keep has just a dash of romance, the tension between the characters and the plot twists were so palpable that they kept me hooked. With husband and wife duo Jake and Bridget Bordeaux bringing the characters and the world to life with their captivating narration, I can’t wait to see what comes next in this epic, sexy tale. —Patty R.
There's nothing more satisfying than a locked-room (or should I say "locked-island") mystery. This unique author collaboration under the pen name Evelyn Clarke was recently revealed to be none other than Cat Clarke and V.E. Schwab. The story follows six struggling writers invited to a remote Scottish island to complete the unfinished manuscript of a legendary author. But when they arrive, they discover he’s dead—and what should have been a literary dream becomes a cutthroat game of survival. Packed with secrets and sabotage, The Ending Writes Itself is already on my list for next year. —Dawn G.
Ilona Andrews delivers something truly special with This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me. The husband-and-wife writing team (Ilona and Gordon Andrews) are known for their sharp humor, immersive world-building, and unforgettable heroines. When Maggie wakes up in the world of her favorite unfinished fantasy series, she knows what’s coming—war, betrayal, and the end of the kingdom she once loved on the page. Armed with her knowledge of the story and an unwillingness to stay dead, she decides to try to change the story. What follows is dark, funny, and a completely unputdownable adventure. I couldn't help but root for Maggie as she tries to rewrite fate itself. —Patty R.
