Muddy Stilettos


<p>Surely we&#8217;re not the only ones who&#8217;ve had our lives utterly consumed by Amazon Prime&#8217;s <em>Off Campus</em> these past few weeks? The, ahem, very steamy hockey rom-com has turned into a viral sensation, reaching 36 million global viewers in its first 12 days – making it the streamer&#8217;s third-highest debut ever. Hunky men, fake dating, and testosterone-fuelled competition? Honestly, we get it. But with the show based on the bestselling, hit book series by Elle Kennedy, the pre-existing army of hardcore fans is certainly a big part of the success story. </p>



<p>And it seems like 2026 really is the year of the books. From <em>Project Hail Mary</em> and <em>Wuthering Heights</em> to <em>People We Meet On Vacation</em>, page-to-screen adaptations have been springing up left, right and centre. And there&#8217;s more from where that came from, with some TV and film rights being snatched up before books even hit the shelves. Here are the reads you firmly need on your radar – all set to hit a screen near you.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yesteryear-by-caro-claire-burke"><a href="https://tidd.ly/49QlBEW" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Yesteryear</em> by Caro Claire Burke</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1542" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71hhTWQYT6L._SL1500_.jpg" alt="Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke books being made into films movie rights" class="wp-image-140337" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71hhTWQYT6L._SL1500_.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71hhTWQYT6L._SL1500_-389x600.jpg 389w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71hhTWQYT6L._SL1500_-649x1000.jpg 649w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71hhTWQYT6L._SL1500_-996x1536.jpg 996w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you haven&#8217;t heard the hype around this tradwife social media influencer thriller, where have you been hiding? It&#8217;s practically had every book club around the country in a chokehold since its release in April, centring around the deeply religious, complex character of Natalie Heller Mills, who, after becoming famous online for her idyllic family ranch life, wakes up to the harsh reality of 1855, where she faces what it really means to live the trad life. But before Yesteryear even got released, Hollywood already had its eyes on the prize. In fact, there was a fierce four-studio bidding war to secure the film rights, with Amazon MGM Studios coming up trumps, spearheaded by Anne Hathaway, who is set to produce and star. Buckle in for a wild ride. It&#8217;s brilliant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-by-maggie-o-farrell"><a href="https://tidd.ly/4umVLzO" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Land</em> by Maggie O&#8217;Farrell</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1499" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Maggie-OFarrell-2024-©-Dasha-Tenditna-dasha.tenditna@gmail.com-compressed-for-website-copy.jpg" alt="Land by Maggie O'Farrell" class="wp-image-140338" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Maggie-OFarrell-2024-©-Dasha-Tenditna-dasha.tenditna@gmail.com-compressed-for-website-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Maggie-OFarrell-2024-©-Dasha-Tenditna-dasha.tenditna@gmail.com-compressed-for-website-copy-400x600.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Maggie-OFarrell-2024-©-Dasha-Tenditna-dasha.tenditna@gmail.com-compressed-for-website-copy-667x1000.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>From the literary mastermind behind <em>Hamnet</em> comes Maggie O&#8217;Farrell&#8217;s latest book. <em>Land</em> follows the story of Tomás and his reluctant son, Liam, whose family is pulled apart whilst mapping Ireland for the great Ordnance Survey project in the mid-19th century. It reaching the bestsellers list is inevitable, and <em>Hamnet</em> producer Liza Marshall, Founder of Hera Pictures, wasted zero time, already bagging the film rights. Just like <em>Hamnet</em>, Maggie is set to tackle the screenwriting side of things. In fact, we recently saw her at a book launch and talk for <em>Land</em> and her lips were very tightly sealed on possible casts, directors, and the rest of it. More Oscar nominations on the cards? Very possibly. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dear-debbie-by-freida-mcfadden"><a href="https://tidd.ly/4xiBv54" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Dear Debbie</em> by Freida McFadden</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1599" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/81phyQwjNXL._SL1500_.jpg" alt="Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden books being made into films" class="wp-image-140340" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/81phyQwjNXL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/81phyQwjNXL._SL1500_-375x600.jpg 375w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/81phyQwjNXL._SL1500_-625x1000.jpg 625w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/81phyQwjNXL._SL1500_-961x1536.jpg 961w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>Dear Debbie</em> is currently the most popular book on Goodreads that&#8217;s been released in 2026, so fans will be buzzed to hear the TV rights have been snapped up by Amazon MGM Studios to be developed into a series. Ildy Modrovich (who previously worked on <em>Lucifer</em> and <em>Tulsa King</em>) is writing and showrunning the project, alongside executive producers Gina Girolamo (<em>You</em>, <em>Pretty Little Liars</em>) and author Freida McFadden herself. Freida&#8217;s <em>The Housemaids</em> starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried totally blew up the box office this year, and we have no doubt this twisty thriller will be equally riveting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atmosphere-by-taylor-jenkins-reid"><a href="https://tidd.ly/4g9v1z6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Atmosphere</em> by Taylor Jenkins Reid</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1531" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/81O4aK6VNtL._SL1500_.jpg" alt="Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid new books with film rights" class="wp-image-140341" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/81O4aK6VNtL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/81O4aK6VNtL._SL1500_-392x600.jpg 392w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/81O4aK6VNtL._SL1500_-653x1000.jpg 653w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Taylor Jenkins Reid is absolute Hollywood hot stuff right now. Not one, not two, not three&#8230; okay, we&#8217;ll just tell you &#8211; but FIVE of her books are being adapted for TV and film, including her latest release <em>Atmosphere,</em> which came out in 2025. You may have already watched <em>Daisy Jones &amp; The Six</em> on Prime (if not, do!), but other notable adaptations of hers include <em>The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo</em> (with Anna Kendrick set to direct), <em>Malibu Rising</em>, <em>Carrie Soto Is Back</em> (with the legendary Serena Williams as executive producer) and <em>Forever, Interrupted</em> being turned into a TV series starring Laura Dern and Margaret Qualley. Phewww. Talk about the big screen treatment. We&#8217;ll be seated.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broken-country-by-clare-leslie-hall"><a href="https://tidd.ly/4g9v65W" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Broken Country</em> by Clare Leslie Hall</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1538" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/817jfSeK-DL._SL1500_.jpg" alt="Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall new books with film rights" class="wp-image-140344" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/817jfSeK-DL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/817jfSeK-DL._SL1500_-390x600.jpg 390w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/817jfSeK-DL._SL1500_-650x1000.jpg 650w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/817jfSeK-DL._SL1500_-999x1536.jpg 999w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>Broken Country</em> has been dominating our Instagram feed ever since it came to shelves last summer. But a year before that, Sony&#8217;s 3000 Pictures and Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, had already acquired the film rights to turn the bestselling novel into a major feature film. They are the same folk who brought <em>Where the Crawdads Sing</em> to the screen, so expect something pretty special. Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter are producing the sweeping love story that follows Beth – a woman living on a sheep farm in Dorset with her husband, Frank – as she navigates her marriage after the tragic death of their young son. Pack the tissues for this one.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-wedding-people-by-alison-espach"><a href="https://tidd.ly/43nJGPO" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Wedding People</em> by Alison Espach</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1520" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/91EReeJwIjL._SL1500_.jpg" alt="The Wedding People by Alison Espach book to screen adaptations 2026" class="wp-image-140342" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/91EReeJwIjL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/91EReeJwIjL._SL1500_-395x600.jpg 395w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/91EReeJwIjL._SL1500_-658x1000.jpg 658w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When an English professor travels to a luxury hotel in Rhode Island to kill herself, she accidentally finds herself the only guest outside of a massive, week-long destination wedding. It&#8217;s a hilarious, life-affirming novel with an adaptation currently in development, featuring directing duo Will Speck and Josh Gordon at the helm, plus Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nicole Holofcener penning the script. Again, there was a highly competitive bidding war to secure the film rights, so it&#8217;s bound to be a good&#8217;un. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fourth-wing-by-rebecca-yarros"><a href="https://tidd.ly/4ewJLH7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Fourth Wing</em> by Rebecca Yarros</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1538" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/91xBRNN9AuL._SL1500_.jpg" alt="Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros new books with tv rights" class="wp-image-140343" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/91xBRNN9AuL._SL1500_.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/91xBRNN9AuL._SL1500_-390x600.jpg 390w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/91xBRNN9AuL._SL1500_-650x1000.jpg 650w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/91xBRNN9AuL._SL1500_-999x1536.jpg 999w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s official, people, <em>Fourth Wing</em> is being adapted into a multi-season television series for Prime, produced by Michael B Jordan’s Outlier Society in partnership with author Rebecca Yarros, who is serving as an executive producer. Fan us down already. Fan casts are blowing up TikTok, with one theory pointing to <em>Off Campus&#8217;</em> Josh Heuston playing leading hunk Xaden (we see that dragon in your Insta bio, Josh). There&#8217;s already a cool team attached to the project, including Lisa Joy, co-creator of <em>Westworld</em> and <em>Fallout</em>, who is set to direct the pilot episode. Romantasy girlies rejoice!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="title"><a href="https://tidd.ly/3QdBf6x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Checkmate: Genius, Scandal &amp; the Billion-Dollar Rise of Chess</em>&nbsp;by Ben Mezrich</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1537" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71y90MhXl9L._SL1500_.jpg" alt="Checkmate: Genius, Scandal and the Billion-Dollar Rise of Chess by Ben Mezrich book to screen adaptations 2026" class="wp-image-140367" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71y90MhXl9L._SL1500_.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71y90MhXl9L._SL1500_-390x600.jpg 390w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/71y90MhXl9L._SL1500_-651x1000.jpg 651w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you loved the chess theatrics of <em>The Queen&#8217;s Gambit</em> way back in 2020, then you&#8217;ll love <em>Checkmate</em>. The book by Ben Mezrich (author of <em>The Social Network</em>) dives into the controversial 2022 head-to-head match between Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, then world champion, and Hans Niemann, during which Hans was accused of cheating. Yikes. It&#8217;s so bonkers, Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder and A24 have all jumped aboard to produce the movie. Who knew chess could be so cut-throat? We live for the drama.</p>



<div style="height:34px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p><em>Words by Ellie Ball</em></p>



<div style="height:34px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<div style="height:34px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/gotta-have-it/best-new-books-coming-this-year/">Ones to watch! Hottest new book releases for 2026</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/literary-travel-reading-retreats/">Literary travel: the wellness breaks everyone’s booking right now</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/film-tv/classroom-classics-new-film-tv-adaptations/">Back to school: The curriculum classics storming the big screen</a></li>
</ul>


Lights, camera, adaptation! The hottest novels coming to the screen

You may also like