24 Highly-Anticipated Books Hitting Shelves in 2022

A collage of the covers included in this article

2022 may still be a few months away, but it’s never too early to start planning next year’s TBR pile! Here’s a roundup of some highly-anticipated books hitting shelves next year. Some are currently available for request on NetGalley—and read in the NetGalley Shelf app!—and we’re crossing our fingers that the others will be soon!

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

Rebecca Serle explores grief and moving on through the bond of a daughter and her late mother. After her mother passes, Katy goes on their planned trip to Italy alone and there magically meets her mother as a 30-year-old—giving Katy a rare chance to get to know a new side of her mom.

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

Isabel Cañas’ debut is a suspenseful gothic novel set after the Mexican War of Independence. Beatriz lost her home and her father in the war. When Rodolfo proposes, all she can see is the safety of his country estate. But she soon discovers Hacienda San Isidro is not what it seems.

Book of Night by Holly Black

Holly Black’s highly-anticipated adult fantasy debut publishes in May and we’re counting down the days. Set in a world where shadows can be manipulated, the book follows con artist Charlie, whose world is rattled when someone from her past returns and brings danger in their wake.

Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

Margot is thrilled about her friends’ upcoming wedding and a little less excited about the fact that she’s the last single person in their group. It seems fate is offering her a second chance though when the wedding planner turns out to be Olivia, her former best friend and first love.

Gallant by Victoria Schwab

Victoria Schwab’s upcoming YA fantasy transports readers to Gallant, a manor hiding generations of secrets. Olivia is determined to learn them all and in her searching uncovers a portal to a parallel world ruled by the dark and dangerous Master of the House.

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Civil Townsend graduates from nursing school in 1973 and begins working at the Family Planning Clinic in Montgomery, Alabama. Eager to use her new skills to help her community,  she soon realizes that she must stand up for her patients in ways she never imagined.

The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth

An impending wedding brings secrets to light in this thriller. Sisters Tully and Rachel Aston are determined to uncover the truth behind the engagement of their father Stephen and Heather, a woman Rachel’s age, before he divorces their mother, who is in a long-term care facility.

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

Readers who love a good mythology retelling won’t want to miss this novel from Vaishnavi Patel about Kaikeyi from the Indian epic Ramayana. Patel takes a closer look at Kaikeyi’s journey from princess to warrior to queen, exploring her desires to carve out her own path in the world.

I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson

Kosoko Jackson’s adult rom-com debut finds two exes faking a relationship. Journalist Kian agrees to be Hudson’s date for a wedding, if only to mingle with important media contacts. Despite his determination to keep his heart in check, he can’t help what he still feels for Hudson.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

The memory of a kiss and a mysterious letter is all Chloe Green has after her academic rival, Shara Wheeler, disappears. Soon Chloe is collecting the clues Shara left behind in the hopes of uncovering where she went and why. Casey McQuiston’s YA debut hits shelves next May!

The Caretakers by Amanda Bestor-Siegal

Amanda Bestor-Siegal’s debut revolves around six au pairs living in a Parisian suburb and the series of events that leads to one of their own being arrested after the death of a child. Those looking for a drama packed with suspense will want to pick this one up.

Harlem Sunset by Nekesa Afia

Nekesa Afia’s second installment in the Harlem Renaissance mystery series takes place in 1927 with 28-year-old Louise Lloyd ready to put the harrowing events of the summer behind her. Her hopes for a quiet autumn shatter when someone appears to frame her girlfriend for murder.

Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchi

Tochi Onyebuchi’s adult novel debut is a sci-fi epic set on Earth in the 2050s. With the wealthy and privileged having left for space colonies, the narrative explores what life on Earth is like for those who were left behind and attempting to survive in an abandoned world.

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

Romance readers have many Alexis Hall books to look forward to: Husband Material, Something Fabulous, and A Lady for a Duke! The latter is a historical friends-to-lovers tale that begins with the Duke of Gracewood realizing his late best friend is actually alive.

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

The cover of this YA duology opener has us enchanted! Ning’s sister is dying and the only way to save her is a competition where the prize is a favor from the princess. After the death of her mother, Ning refuses to lose her sister too and prepares to do whatever it takes to win.

Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah

Oscar Hokeah’s debut novel tells the story of Ever Geimausaddle from the perspective of his family members from his Cherokee grandmother to his Kiowa cousin. They each have their own idea about who he is and who he should be—but what does Ever think?

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

After a chilling scream tears through the Boston Public Library, security guards ask everyone to remain where they are while they investigate. Four strangers sharing a table strike up a conversation, never daring to imagine that one among them is a murderer.

The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport

The first book in N.E. Davenport’s Blood Gift duology weaves together sci-fi and fantasy to tell the story of a young Black woman who takes on a series of deadly trials in the hopes of uncovering who killed her beloved grandfather and taking her revenge.

The New Girl by Jesse Q. Sutanto

YA readers, prepare to return to Draycott Academy for the next in Jesse Q. Sutanto’s mystery series. The New Girl features a new cast, including track scholarship recipient Lia Setiawan. Readers can also keep an eye out for Sutanto’s next adult release: Four Aunties and a Wedding.

Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson

Nora Hughes learns the hard way that a dream job isn’t all it’s cracked up to be in Shauna Robinson’s debut. When her editorial assistant salary is cut, Nora decides to get a second job at a rival publisher but soon finds herself torn between the two and wondering about her future.

Bet on It by Jodie Slaughter

Jodie Slaughter’s new novel follows Aja Owens, whose world feels turned upside down when she meets Walker Abbott, the newly-back-in-town grandson of the woman she plays bingo with. Romance readers, here’s all you need to know: bingo-based sex pact. Is it July yet?

Base Notes by Lara Elena Donnelly

Lara Elena Donnelly returns next year with an intoxicating thriller about a perfumer who can create scents that evoke memories. When an opportunity to grow the business arises, Vic Fowler jumps at the opportunity—despite how dangerous the job is—and starts to put together a crew.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Sue Lynn Tan’s fantasy novel draws inspiration from the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess. In this series starter, Xingyin must save her mother from the Celestial Emperor, narrowly avoiding his forces as she attempts to hone her magic alongside the Crown Prince.

The Chosen One by Echo Brown

Echo Brown blends personal narrative with enchantment in her second book, which follows the same protagonist from Black Girl Unlimited but can be read as a standalone. Echo is the first in her family to attend college, but quickly sees that Dartmouth isn’t what she thought it would be.

Kelly Gallucci

Kelly Gallucci is the Executive Editor of We Are Bookish, where she oversees the editorial content, offers book recommendations, and interviews authors and NetGalley members. When she's not working, Kelly can be found color coordinating her bookshelves, eating Chipotle, and watching way too many baking shows.

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