Despite the fact that I have 100+ books sitting on a cart waiting to be read (let’s not even get into the ebook situation…), I’m already looking ahead at some releases for next year. Most of these are on my NetGalley shelf, or are ones I found there but didn’t request, and the rest I found somehow on Goodreads. Unfortunately, there was at least one book that was supposed to come out this year that never did, so I’m hoping it’ll be out soon in 2022.

I don’t really have any on my list past July (I think, maybe one or two) so I’ll just be grouping these into sections by month. And looking at this list, it seems April is the month with the most books that I’m interested in, which is good because my birthday is in May (hehe).

January

Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson

January 18th

Meet Nora Hughes―the overworked, underpaid, last bookish assistant standing. At least for now. When Nora landed an editorial assistant position at Parsons Press, it was her first step towards The Dream Job. Because, honestly, is there anything dreamier than making books for a living? But after five years of lunch orders, finicky authors, and per my last emails, Nora has come to one grand conclusion: Dream Jobs do not exist.

With her life spiraling and the Parsons staff sinking, Nora gets hit with even worse news. Parsons is cutting her already unlivable salary. Unable to afford her rent and without even the novels she once loved as a comfort, Nora decides to moonlight for a rival publisher to make ends meet…and maybe poach some Parsons authors along the way.

But when Andrew Santos, a bestselling Parsons author no one can afford to lose is thrown into the mix, Nora has to decide where her loyalties lie. Her new Dream Job, ever-optimistic Andrew, or…herself and her future. (Goodreads)

I’m not sure if I’ll get to this book right away in the new year, but I do love this premise as it’s one of the bookish ones of this coming year (and I love books about bookish people). No matter when I get to it though, I’m expecting to love it… so I hope it lives up to that expectation.

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Getting His Game Back by Gia de Cadenet

January 25th

Khalil Sarda went through a rough patch last year, but now he’s nearly back to his old self. All he has to do is keep his “stuff” in the past. Real men don’t have depression and go to therapy–or, at least they don’t admit it. He’s ready to focus on his growing chain of barbershops, take care of his beloved Detroit community, and get back to being the ladies’ man his family and friends tease him for being. It’ll be easy . . . until Vanessa throws him completely off his game.

Vanessa Noble is too busy building a multimillion-dollar tech career as a Black woman before age thirty to be distracted by a relationship. Not to mention, she’s been burned before, still dealing with the lingering hurt of a past breakup. Besides, as her friends often remind her, she’ll never find a man who checks all the boxes on her famous List. Yet when she desperately needs a shape-up and happens upon one of Khalil’s barbershops, the Fade, he makes her reconsider everything. Khalil is charming, intelligent, sexy, and definitely seems like he’d treat a woman right . . . but he’s not Black.

Vanessa may be willing to take a chance on Khalil, but a part of him is frustratingly closed off, just out of her reach. Will old patterns emerge to keep them apart? Or have they both finally found a connection worth throwing away the playbook for? (Goodreads)

This sounds like it’ll be a great book. And if it is, I expect it to become a movie. Not that I’m always about adaptations, but there is something about seeing these characters come off the pages and onto the screen that I can’t help but love when it’s done right. Also, yay for a diverse woman of color kicking ass in her career in this one!

February

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

February 1st

Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force.

Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.

Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom? (Goodreads)

I remember seeing this a while ago and pointing it out to one of my coworkers because she’s a fan of Ms. Sepetys, but I’ve never read any of her books. However, I just saw this one again on Goodreads and actually read the summary… and now I have to read it. Especially since I have Romanian roots somewhere on my paternal grandfather’s side of the family.

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Nine Lives by Peter Swanson

February 15th

Nine strangers receive a list with their names on it in the mail. Nothing else, just a list of names on a single sheet of paper. None of the nine people know or have ever met the others on the list. They dismiss it as junk mail, a fluke–until very, very bad things begin happening to people on the list.

First, a well-liked old man is drowned on a beach in the small town of Kennewick, Maine. Then, a father is shot in the back while running through his quiet neighborhood in suburban Massachusetts. A frightening pattern is emerging, but what do these nine people have in common? Their professions range from oncology nurse to aspiring actor, and they’re located all over the country. So why are they all on the list, and who sent it?

FBI agent Jessica Winslow, who is on the list herself, is determined to find out. Could there be some dark secret that binds them all together? Or is this the work of a murderous madman? As the mysterious sender stalks these nine strangers, they find themselves constantly looking over their shoulders, wondering who will be crossed off next… (Goodreads)

At first this was starting to sound a lot like And Then There Were None, but it quickly took a little twist since none of these people even seem to meet. I still want to read one of Swanson’s other book, Eight Perfect Murders, I just think I need to be in the right mood for these two.

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The Chandler Legacies by Abdi Nazemian

February 15th

Beth Kramer is a “townie” who returns to her sophomore year after having endured a year of judgment from her roommate, Sarah.

But Sarah Brunson knows there’s more to that story.

Amanda Priya “Spence” Spencer is the privileged daughter of NYC elites, who is reeling from the realization that her family name shielded her from the same fate as Sarah.

Ramin Golafshar arrives at Chandler as a transfer student to escape the dangers of being gay in Iran, only to suffer brutal hazing under the guise of tradition in the boys’ dorms.

And Freddy Bello is the senior who’s no longer sure of his future but has fallen hard for Spence and knows he has to stand up to his friends after what happened to Ramin.

At Chandler, the elite boarding school, these five teens are brought together in the Circle, a coveted writing group where life-changing friendships are born—and secrets are revealed. Their professor tells them to write their truths. But is the truth enough to change the long-standing culture of abuse at Chandler? And can their friendship survive the fallout? (Goodreads)

I’m a sucker for books that take place at a boarding school, so you can bet your life savings that I requested this one on NetGalley. I’m probably going to start it as soon as I can so my review can be up by the beginning of its release month.

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Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

February 15th

Savannah Cade is a low-level editor at Pennington Publishing, a prestigious publisher producing only the highest of highbrow titles. And while editing the latest edition of The Anthology of Medieval Didactic Poetry may be her day job, she has two secrets she’s hiding.

One: She’s writing a romance novel.

Two: She’s discovered the Book Nook—a secret room in the publishing house where she finds inspiration for her “lowbrow” hobby.

After leaving her manuscript behind one afternoon, she returns to the nook only to discover someone has written notes in the margins. Savannah’s first response to the criticism is defensive, but events transpire that force her to admit that she needs the help of this shadowy editor after all. As the notes take a turn for the romantic, and as Savannah’s madcap life gets more complicated than ever, she uses the process of elimination to identify her mysterious editor—only to discover that what she truly wants and what she should want just might not be the same. (Goodreads)

Um… I need this book like, five months ago! I love books about writers and publishing (also bookstores and librarians). This book sounds like it’s going to be quirky and funny; just basically an overall great rom-com read that I need in my life very soon.

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The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

February 22nd

Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up – to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this? – he’s not there.

The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Jess may have come to Paris to escape her past, but it’s starting to look like it’s Ben’s future that’s in question.

The socialite – The nice guy – The alcoholic – The girl on the verge – The concierge.

Everyone’s a neighbor. Everyone’s a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling. (Goodreads)

I still have to read Foley’s other novels, but I’ll just start with this one as I have already gotten approved for my NetGalley copy. I can’t wait to start it because it takes place in one of my dream destinations and it just sounds like it’ll be a fantastic read.

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Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher

February 22nd

Everyone else in the tiny town of Enfield, Texas calls fall football season, but for the forty-three members of the Fighting Enfield Marching Band, it’s contest season. And for new saxophonist Anna James, it’s her first chance to prove herself as the great musician she’s trying hard to be.

When she’s assigned a duet with mellophone player Weston Ryan, the boy her small-minded town thinks of as nothing but trouble, she’s equal parts thrilled and intimidated. But as he helps her with the duet, and she sees the smile he seems to save just for her, she can’t help but feel like she’s helping him with something too.

After her strict parents find out she’s been secretly seeing him and keep them apart, together they learn what it truly means to fight for something they love. With the marching contest nearing, and the two falling hard for one another, the unthinkable happens, and Anna is left grappling for a way forward without Weston. (Goodreads)

This sounds adorable and heartbreaking all in one sitting. Gimme it! I can’t help but love the struggle of teens fighting for love when one or both of them has strict parents and forbids them to see the other, and the whole marching band aspect sounds kind of cute. But that last sentence of the synopsis has me hooked for sure.

March

A Brush with Love by Mazey Eddings

March 1st

Harper is anxiously awaiting placement into a top oral surgery residency program when she crashes (literally) into Dan. Harper would rather endure a Novocaine-free root canal than face any distractions, even one this adorable.

A first-year dental student with a family legacy to contend with, Dan doesn’t have the same passion for pulling teeth that Harper does. Though he finds himself falling for her, he is willing to play by Harper’s rules.

So with the greatest of intentions and the poorest of follow-throughs, the two set out to be “just friends.” But as they get to know each other better, Harper fears that trading fillings for feelings may make her lose control and can’t risk her carefully ordered life coming undone, no matter how drool-worthy Dan is.

Blood, gore, and extra-long roots? No problem. The idea of falling in love? Torture. (Goodreads)

This sounds delightfully quirky and cute. Although I’m not sure if I’ll be that interested in reading about dental students, it’s definitely not an occupation most characters have in the books I’ve read (or ever). Not a high one on my list, but I’m interested to see the reviews for this one and reading it eventually.

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If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher

March 8th

Violet Covington pens Dear Sweetie, the most popular advice column in the state of North Carolina. She has an answer for how to politely handle any difficult situation…until she discovers her husband, Sam, has been cheating on her. Furious and out of sensible solutions, Violet leaves her filter at the door and turns to her column to air her own frustrations. The new, brutally honest Dear Sweetie goes viral, sending more shock waves through Violet’s life. When she burns Sam’s belongings in a front-yard, late-night bonfire, a smoking-hot firefighter named Dez shows up to douse the flames, and an unexpected fling quickly shows potential to become something longer lasting.

A lot of people want to see the old polished Violet return—including her boss, who finds her unpredictability hard to manage, and Sam, who’s begging for another chance. But Dez appreciates Violet just the way she is—in fact, he can’t get enough of her. The right answers don’t come easily when Violet finds herself at her own personal crossroads. But maybe, by getting real, Violet can write her own happy ending. (Goodreads)

I love that the main character is an advice columnist and how something in her personal life changes her voice and basically changes her life. This just sounds like a really good book and if you ask me (ha), it might also make a great movie.

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The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart

March 15th

It’s been three months since The Night on the Bathroom Floor–when Lily found her older sister Alice hurting herself. Ever since then, Lily has been desperately trying to keep things together, for herself and for her family. But now Alice is coming home from her treatment program and it is becoming harder for Lily to ignore all of the feelings she’s been trying to outrun.

Enter Micah, a new student at school with a past of his own. He was in treatment with Alice and seems determined to get Lily to process not only Alice’s experience, but her own. Because Lily has secrets, too. Compulsions she can’t seem to let go of and thoughts she can’t drown out.

When Lily and Micah embark on an art project for school involving finding poetry in unexpected places, she realizes that it’s the words she’s been swallowing that desperately want to break through. (Goodreads)

As with boarding schools, I’m also a sucker for angst, and this book seems like it’s full of it. I’m expecting that this book might have some tear-jerking moments… I’m not sure. I guess I’ll see what happens when (and if) I get around to reading it this year.

April

Sense & Second-Degree Murder by Tirzah Price

April 5th

When eighteen-year-old aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood discovers her beloved father slumped over the desk of his office study, she knows his death means dire straits for the Dashwood women. To make matters worse, an outdated will entails his estate—including Norland & Company, the private investigation firm where her younger sister Marianne worked as her father’s partner and protégé—to their half-brother and his haughty wife, who waste no time in forcing the Dashwoods out of their home and into a cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.

But before they go, the Dashwood sisters make a startling discovery that points to foul play, and the killer might be family.

Obviously, the girls must investigate. It could be dangerous; it could ruin their reputations; and most importantly, it won’t bring back their father. But if the Dashwood sisters can combine their talents and bring their father’s murderer to justice, it may bring them all some comfort—and it might even lead to love. (Goodreads)

This one is probably the top of all my anticipated releases because I loved Pride and Premeditation, so I was very happy to hear that this one was coming out. I need to read Sense and Sensibility first, but at least I have four months to do that before this one comes out. And trust me, I will be getting this as soon as I possibly can.

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Lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan

April 5th

Joan Blakely had an unconventional childhood: the daughter of a globe-trotting supermodel and a world-famous artist. Her artist father died on 9/11, and Joan–an art historian by training–has spent more than a decade maintaining his legacy. Life in the art world is beginning to wear on her–and then one fateful afternoon her husband drops a bombshell: he’s fathered twins with another woman.

Furious but secretly pleased to have a reason to blow up her life, Joan impulsively decides to get out of town, booking a last-minute trip to Paris as an art courier: the person museums hire to fly valuable works of art to potential clients, discreetly stowed in their carry-on luggage. Sipping her champagne in business-class, she chats up her seatmate, Nate, a good-looking tech nerd who invites her to dinner in Paris. He doesn’t know she’s carrying drawings worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

But after a romantic dinner and an even more romantic night together, Joan wakes up next to her new lover to discover the drawings gone. Even more shocking is what’s been left in their place: a sketch from her father’s journals, which she thought had been lost when he died on 9/11, and a poem that reads like a treasure hunt.

With Nate as a sidekick, Joan will follow the clues all over Paris–from its grand cathedrals to the romantic bistros to the twisty side streets of Monmarte–hoping to recover the lost art, and her own sense of adventure. What she finds is even better than she’d expected. (Goodreads)

An adventure in Paris… sign me up. This book isn’t like one that I normally read, but it’s not totally out of my circle of genres either. I’m definitely ready for this adventure in Paris, since it’ll probably be years before I ever go myself.

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Heartbreak Symphony by Laekan Zea Kemp

April 5th

Aarón Medrano has been haunted by the onstage persona of his favorite musician ever since his mother passed away. He seems to know all of Aarón’s deepest fears, like that his brain doesn’t work the way it should and that’s why his brother and father seems to be pushing him away. He thinks his ticket out is a scholarship to the prestigious Acadia School of Music. That is, if he can avoid blowing his audition.

Mia Villanueva has a haunting of her own and it’s the only family heirloom her parents left her: doubt. It’s the reason she can’t overcome her stage fright or believe that her music is worth making. Even though her trumpet teacher tells her she has a gift, she’s not sure if she’ll ever figure out how to use it or if she’s even deserving of it in the first place.

When Aarón and Mia cross paths, Aarón sees a chance to get close to the girl he’s had a crush on for years and to finally feel connected to someone since losing his mother. Mia sees a chance to hold herself accountable by making them both face their fears, and hopefully make their dreams come true. But soon they’ll realize there’s something much scarier than getting up on stage—falling in love with a broken heart. (Goodreads)

This one isn’t the highest on my list, but if I get a chance to read it, I would definitely love to. I may not be a musician, but I do love books that focus on them since I would be one in another life if I could. I guess books are the best way to live that other life, right?

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All the Best Liars by Amelia Kahaney

April 5th

Tic-tac-toe, three girls in a row. Nine years old and inseparable. Friends for life, or so they think . . .

Best friends Syd, Rain, and Brie grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in the stifling California desert, desperately wishing for a way out.

When a deadly fire is set two weeks before the end of high school, nothing will ever be the same. In the end, each of them will escape—but not in the way any of them expects. One will do it by dying, another by lying, a third by taking the fall.

With gorgeous, taut prose and twists to the very last page, All the Best Liars alternates between the present and the past to unravel the truth behind the fire and the cost of the secrets at the heart of their friendship. (Goodreads)

I mean, who wouldn’t want to read this? That synopsis is very intriguing. I love a good contemporary mystery, and especially one where friendships are put to the test.

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Love From Scratch by Kaitlyn Hill

April 5th

This summer, Reese Camden is trading sweet tea and Southern hospitality for cold brew and crisp coastal air. She’s landed her dream marketing internship at Friends of Flavor, a wildly popular cooking channel in Seattle. The only problem? Benny Beneventi, the relentlessly charming, backwards-baseball-cap-wearing culinary intern–and her main competition for the fall job.

Reese’s plan to keep work a No Feelings Zone crumbles like a day-old muffin when she and Benny are thrown together for a video shoot that goes viral, making them the internet’s newest ship. Audiences are hungry for more, and their bosses at Friends of Flavor are happy to deliver. Soon Reese and Benny are in an all-out food war, churning homemade ice cream, twisting soft pretzels, breaking eggs in an omelet showdown–while hundreds of thousands of viewers watch. (Goodreads)

Reese can’t deny the chemistry between her and Benny. But the more their rivalry heats up, the harder it is to keep love on the back burner… (Goodreads)

This is definitely up my alley. I love YA romance. I write it, I read it, it’s life. Plus, this is an adorable cover and premise, so how can I not want to read it?

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Jagged Little Pill by Eric Smith

April 26th

Adopted Frankie struggles to see eye-to-eye with her mother—who would rather ignore a problem and preserve their “perfect” life than stand up for what’s right. Jo just wants her mom to accept her queer identity—and is totally crushed when Frankie, the only person who really gets her, finds herself infatuated with someone new. Phoenix tries to find his place at the new school and balance wanting to spend time with Frankie but knowing he also has to help out with his sick sister at home. Bella wants to enjoy the end of high school and just head off to college without a hitch. Everyone expects Frankie’s brother Nick to be the golden boy, but even though he just got into his dream school, he’s not even sure he’s a good person. Each of their stories intersects when Bella is sexually assaulted at a party, and it looks like the perpetrator might get away with it. (NetGalley)

I’m not sure if I’m going to like this one or not. I’m not even sure if I’ll get around to it in 2022, if I’m being honest. But it seems interesting and I’ll give it a shot at some point. Plus, I love the cover.

May

How to Be the Best Third Wheel by Loridee De Villa

May 3rd

After spending summer vacation in the Philippines with family, Lara returns to school eager to catch up with her close knit group of girlfriends. But within minutes of reuniting with her friends, she learns that not one, not two, but all three of them are now in relationships that blossomed over the summer. And to make matters worse, Lara’s long time frenemy, James, won’t stop bugging her in class and eventually forces her into tutoring him everyday after school.

Surviving high school was never easy to begin with, but with occupied friends, a hectic Filipino family, and her annoying childhood enemy pestering her more than ever, Lara tries to juggle everything, while trying to figure out her own place in the chaos. (NetGalley)

Okay, one, this comes out on my birthday… so I needs it. Second, the title is the story of my life; I have to read it no matter what. Whether NetGalley approves me or not for this one, I will read it in 2022. As to whether I buy it or not, I’m not sure. Only time will tell.

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See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

May 3rd

Barrett Bloom is hoping college will be a fresh start after a messy high school experience. But when school begins on September 21st, everything goes wrong. She’s humiliated by the know-it-all in her physics class, she botches her interview for the college paper, and at a party that night, she accidentally sets a frat on fire. She panics and flees, and when she realizes her roommate locked her out of their dorm, she falls asleep in the common room.

The next morning, Barrett’s perplexed to find herself back in her dorm room bed, no longer smelling of ashes and crushed dreams. It’s September 21st. Again. And after a confrontation with Miles, the guy from Physics 101, she learns she’s not alone—he’s been trapped for months.

When her attempts to fix her timeline fail, she agrees to work with Miles to find a way out. Soon they’re exploring the mysterious underbelly of the university and going on wild, romantic adventures. As they start falling for each other, they face the universe’s biggest unanswered question yet: what happens to their relationship if they finally make it to tomorrow? (Goodreads)

Another birthday release! With a cute cover! I’m not sure if I’ll buy this one either, I still have some of Solomon’s other books to read, so I’m not sure if I even am a fan of her books, but they all sound cute enough. This one included. Also, timeline books intrigue me, especially ones where you get to do things over… and over.

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A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan

May 10th

Mina Rahman has a plan for her future:
• Finally win the Golden Ivy student film competition
• Get into her dream school across the country
• Leave New York City behind once and for all

Mina’s ticket to winning the competition falls into her lap when indie film star—and known heartbreaker—Emmitt Ramos enrolls in her high school under a secret identity to research his next role. When Mina sets out to persuade Emmitt to join her cause, he offers her a deal instead: he’ll be in her short film…if she acts as a tour guide to help him with a photography contest.

As Mina ventures across the five boroughs with Emmitt by her side, the city she grew up in starts to look different and more like home than it ever has before. With the competition deadline looming, Mina’s dreams—which once seemed impenetrable—begin to crumble, and she’s forced to ask herself: Is winning worth losing everything? (Goodreads)

I love stories about filmmakers more than musicians… since that was once an actual dream of mine. I’ve grown out of wanting to be a film-maker (and instead do the occasional side job of sports reels) but I will always appreciate the cinematic arts and those who pursue it relentlessly.

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It’s All in How You Fall by Sarah Henning

May 31st

Gymnast Caroline Kepler has three state balance beam titles, a new trick even most elites can’t do, and chronic, undeniable back pain. While she might never be an Olympian, she has dreams of leveling up to elite, making Nationals, and competing in college. But when one epic face-plant changes all that and Caroline’s back pain goes from chronic to career-ending, her dreams are shattered and her life is flipped upside down.

Enter Alex Zavala, a three-sport athlete who’s both incredibly cute and incredibly off-limits. He offers to give Caroline a crash course in all the sports she’s missed, and she has an offer for him in return: For every sport Alex teaches her, she’ll play matchmaker for him. Deal done, Caroline “dates” new sports with Alex for the rest of the summer, which is loads more fun than wallowing in despair. Just as Caroline starts to see herself as more than her past athletic successes, she picks up something she didn’t bargain for: a big fat crush on Alex. Turns out life was way easier when it was just layout-fulls and beam burns… (Goodreads)

This is another that might not be as high up on my list as the others, but I really enjoyed Sarah Henning’s book Throw Like a Girl, so I’ll definitely read more of her books. Plus, I do actually like some sports fiction, since I’m a sports fan.

June

As Seen on TV by Meredith Schorr

June 7th

Emerging journalist Adina Gellar is done with dating in New York City. If she’s learned anything from made-for-TV romance movies, it’s that she’ll find love in a small town—the kind with harvest festivals, delightful but quirky characters, and scores of delectable single dudes. So when a big-city real estate magnate targets tiny Pleasant Hollow for development, Adi knows she’s found the perfect story—one that will earn her a position at a coveted online magazine, so she can finally start adulting for real . . . and maybe even find her dream man in the process.

Only Pleasant Hollow isn’t exactly “pleasant.” There’s no charming bakery, no quaint seasonal festivals, and the residents are more ambivalent than welcoming. The only upside is Finn Adams, who’s more mouthwatering than the homemade cherry pie Adi can’t seem to find—even if he does work for the company she’d hoped to bring down. Suddenly Adi has to wonder if maybe TV got it all wrong after all. But will following her heart mean losing her chance to break into the big time? (Goodreads)

This probably isn’t too high on my list, but it seems like it’ll be really cute. Plus, I love that the main character is a journalist, which I think will add a fun aspect to her character.

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Love & Other Great Expectations by Becky Dean

June 14th

Britt Hanson has always preferred scoring goals on the soccer field to analyzing dusty old books. But when an injury ends her dream to play in college, she jumps at the chance to compete in a scavenger hunt in England that takes her to the locations of classic novels—the prize money would change her life!

There she meets bookish and very British Luke Jackson. He can’t actually help her with any of the clues (against the rules), but something about Luke compels her to invite him to join her. She wouldn’t mind getting to know him—and listening to his accent.

To win, Britt must outwit three smart competitors who aren’t afraid to play dirty while solving clues and traveling around the English countryside. Along the way, Britt learns that sometimes you have to follow the map and other times, you need to throw caution to the wind and see where the cobblestoned road takes you. (NetGalley)

I’m hoping I get approved for this one because it seems like it’s an adorable story. And who doesn’t love a guy with an accent? I can just tell I’m going to like this one, and probably a lot.

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The Silence That Binds Us by Joanna Ho

June 14th

Maybelline Chen isn’t the Chinese Taiwanese American daughter her mother expects her to be. May prefers hoodies over dresses and wants to become a writer. When asked, her mom can’t come up with one specific reason for why she’s proud of her only daughter. May’s beloved brother, Danny, on the other hand, has just been admitted to Princeton. But Danny secretly struggles with depression, and when he dies by suicide, May’s world is shattered.

In the aftermath, racist accusations are hurled against May’s parents for putting too much “pressure” on him. May’s father tells her to keep her head down. Instead, May challenges these ugly stereotypes through her writing. Yet the consequences of speaking out run much deeper than anyone could foresee. Who gets to tell our stories and who gets silenced? It’s up to May to take back the narrative. (NetGalley)

This one just sounds interesting. It’s obviously got a lot of angst going on, and it tackles racism and stereotyping, which is very relevant to today’s culture. I’m definitely trying to diversify what I read, so this sounds like a great one to try to read this year.

July

A Disaster in Three Acts by Kelsey Rodkey

July 5th

Saine Sinclair knows a little something about what makes a story worth telling.

Your childhood best friend refuses to kiss you during a pre-adolescent game of spin the bottle? Terrible, zero stars, would not replay that scene again. The same ex-friend becomes your new best friend’s ex? Strangely compelling, unexpected twist, worth a hate-watch. That same guy–why is he always around?–turns out to be your last shot at getting into the documentary filmmaking program of your dreams?

Saine hates to admit it, but she’d watch that movie.

There’s something about Holden that makes her feel like she’s the one in front of the camera–like he can see every uncomfortable truth she’s buried below the surface. Saine knows how her story’s supposed to go. So why does every moment with Holden seem intent on changing the ending? (NetGalley)

Honestly, I had my own Holden back in the day. My ex-childhood best friend dropped me like a hot-potato (and for no good reason) in fifth grade, then continued to be in all of my homeroom classes (and a few others) from 6th-10th grade. The only difference is my story didn’t end like I’m sure this one will, but I’ll have to read to find out, right?

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Nothing But the Truth by Holly James

July 12th

It’s the eve of Hollywood publicist Lucy Green’s thirtieth birthday, a day she hopes will bring the promotion she deserves and a proposal from her boyfriend. But he stands her up for a date, not for the first time, leaving Lucy alone at the bar—or at least, alone with the handsome bartender on the other side of the counter—so she makes a rueful wish over her cocktail for a perfect birthday. But when Lucy’s wish is granted in the most unexpected way, things go terribly awry, as things often do when wishes come true…

When Lucy wakes up on her big day, she can’t seem to force herself to go through her rigorous fitness and beauty routines—things she usually tells herself she likes. She has no desire to eat only a spoonful of yogurt for breakfast and she simply can’t bear to put on the uncomfortable shapewear needed for the power outfit she had planned for work.

When Lucy arrives at the office, she realizes that not only can she no longer lie to herself, she can’t lie to anyone else, either. Not her clients, not her boyfriend, not her creep of a boss. Now that she can’t hide how she feels, Lucy must confront all the injustices—small and large—she’s faced on a daily basis at work, in her relationship, and in every other aspect of her life…and the truth is going to come out in a big way. (Goodreads)

This kind of sounds like a modern Liar, Liar, and I’m all about it. As much as I enjoy young-adult fiction, I’m a fan of new-adult fiction as well, as I’m in that actual age group where the main characters are 25-35 years old and just figuring out life or restarting their careers. 

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Meet Me in the Middle by Alex Light

July 12th

Eden had her best friend Katie—she didn’t need anyone else. But then there was Truman.

Katie’s older brother, the artist. The recluse. The boy with the innocent smile and the dangerous eyes.

Eden had never really known Truman—not until the night of Katie’s accident. That was the night they’d finally let each other into their orbits—only to have the sky come crashing down on them.

With Katie in the hospital and Truman fleeing from his grief without a word, Eden is left alone to grapple with her own pain. But when Truman returns to the city, can Eden let him back into her life knowing that their first kiss is what tore their world apart? (NetGalley)

Ahh, again with the angst. Also, the whole “best friend’s brother” trope which I’m pretty sure I’ve never read, but think I’ll like. It’s basically a forbidden romance and that’s one of my favorite tropes. This should be an interesting mix.

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You, Me, Our Heartstrings by Melissa See

July 16th

Daisy and Noah have the same plan: use the holiday concert to land a Julliard audition. But when they’re chosen to play a duet for the concert, they worry that their differences will sink their chances.

Noah, a cello prodigy from a long line of musicians, wants to stick to tradition. Daisy, a fiercely independent disabled violinist, is used to fighting for what she wants and likes to take risks. But the two surprise each other when they play. They fall perfectly in tune.

After their performance goes viral, the rest of the country falls for them just as surely as they’re falling for each other. But viral fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. No one seems to care about their talent or their music at all. People have rewritten their love story into one where Daisy is an inspiration for overcoming her cerebral palsy and Noah is a saint for seeing past it.

Daisy is tired of her disability being the only thing people see about her, and all of the attention sends Noah’s anxiety disorder into high speed. They can see their dream coming closer than it’s ever been before. But is the cost suddenly too high? (Goodreads)

This one sounds too perfect to not be on my anticipated list, so here it is. I’m expecting this one to be good and I’ll be very disappointed if it’s not.

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Accomplished by Amanda Quain

July 26th

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Georgiana Darcy should have been expelled after The Incident with Wickham Foster last year – at least if you ask any of her Pemberley Academy classmates. She may have escaped expulsion because of her family name, but she didn’t escape the disappointment of her big brother Fitz, the scorn of the entire school, or, it turns out, Wickham’s influence.

But she’s back for her junior year, and she needs to prove to everyone—Fitz, Wickham, her former friends, and maybe even herself—that she’s more than just an embarrassment to the family name. How hard can it be to become the Perfect Darcy? All she has to do is:

– Rebuild her reputation with the marching band (even if it kills her)
– Forget about Wickham and his lies (no matter how tempting they still are), and
– Distract Fitz Darcy—helicopter-sibling extraordinaire—by getting him to fall in love with his classmate, Lizzie Bennet (this one might be difficult…)

Sure, it’s a complicated plan, but so is being a Darcy. With the help of her fellow bandmate, Avery, matchmaking ideas lifted straight from her favorite fanfics, and a whole lot of pancakes, Georgie is going to see every one of her plans through. But when the weight of being the Perfect Darcy comes crashing down, Georgie will have to find her own way before she loses everything permanently—including the one guy who sees her for who she really is. (NetGalley)

I can’t not be anticipating this one after reading Pride and Prejudice last year (as well as at least one retelling of it). Only this focuses on Georgie Darcy, instead of her elder brother, and she seemed like a good character that we should’ve gotten more of. So, I’m pretty glad for this book, even if it’s a modernized version of her.

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Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor

July 26th

Beatrice Quinn has spent sixteen very serious years studying to get into Oxford University. Homeschooled and a whiz at statistics, Beatrice knows that she belongs at Oxford, where she will finally find people who understand her. She thought the hardest part would be getting in, not convincing her parents to let her go. They’ve put a halt to her plans until she can prove she’s able to make friends with people her own age and function in social situations. Their solution: Shakespearean theater camp and a detailed list of teenage milestones to check off. She has six weeks to show her parents she can pull off the role of “normal” teenager and won’t spend the rest of her life hiding in a library.

Unfortunately, hearts and hormones don’t follow any rules, and there is no textbook for teenage interactions. When she’s adopted by a group of eclectic theater kids, and immediately makes an enemy of the gorgeous popular son of the camp founders, she realizes that relationships are trickier than calculus. As the summer draws to an end, and with Oxford on the line, this girl genius stumbles through illicit parties, double dog dares, and more than your fair share of Shakespeare. But before the final curtain falls, will Beatrice still feel like Oxford alone is enough? (NetGalley)

This one sounds quirky and the main character sounds kind of relatable… in the sense of needing to make more friends (in her parents eyes). I was that way as a teen, but it was more that I was selective about friends (and still am) so I guess it might not be as relatable. Oh well, this book still sounds good though.

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Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee

July 26th

Lizzy “Overachiever” Chung, Esq. has her life mapped out neatly:
* Become a lawyer. Check.
* Join a prestigious law firm. Check.
* Make partner. In progress.

If all goes to plan, she will check off that last box in a couple years, make her parents proud, and live a successful, fulfilled life in L.A. What was not in her plans was passing out from a panic attack during a pivotal moment in her career. A few deep breaths and a four hour drive later, Lizzy is in Weldon for three weeks to shed the burnout and figure out what went wrong. And what better place to recharge than the small California town where she spent her childhood summers with her best friend, Jack Park.

Jack Park didn’t expect to see Lizzy back in Weldon, but now he’s got three weeks to spend with the girl of his dreams. Except she doesn’t know of his decades-long crush on her–and he intends to keep it that way. She’s a high-powered attorney who lives in L.A. and he’s a bookkeeper at his family’s brewery who never left his hometown. He can’t risk their friendship on a long shot. Can he? When Lizzy decides that the local bookstore needs a little revamp, of course, Jack is going to help her bring it back to life. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore there might be more than just friendship among the dusty shelves and books…

Sometimes the path to the rest of your life has been in front of you all along. (Goodreads)

I kind of have a liking for lawyers or aspiring lawyers in fiction, so I’m excited to read one that has a female character with aspirations to be one. Plus, there’s a bookstore, so double points to this book already (at least for wanting to read it). I’m not happy that it’s coming out in July, but I guess with all those April books, I’ll need some time to read them (maybe) too keep me busy for this one (and others).

August

Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus

August 30th

Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favorite teacher—a story that made headlines after the teacher’s body was found by three Saint Ambrose students in the woods behind their school. The case was never solved. Now that Brynn is moving home and starting her dream internship at a true-crime show, she’s determined to find out what really happened.

The kids who found Mr. Larkin are her way in, and her ex–best friend, Tripp Talbot, was one of them. Without his account of events, the other two kids might have gone down for Mr. Larkin’s murder. They’ve never forgotten what Tripp did for them that day. Just like he hasn’t forgotten that everything he told the police was a lie.

Digging into the past is bound to shake up the present, and as Brynn begins to investigate what happened in the woods that day, she begins to uncover secrets that might change everything—about Saint Ambrose, about Mr. Larkin, and about her ex-best friend, Tripp Talbot.

Four years ago someone got away with murder. The most terrifying part is that they never left. (Goodreads)

With the exception of her latest book, You’ll Be the Death of Me, I’ve loved McManus’s books and look forward to the new ones. She has quickly become an amazing YA mystery writer and I always enjoy the twists that she throws into her stories.

No Official Date as of Yet

Buried Secrets (Daphne and Velma #3) by Morgan Baden

Release date: TBD

There’s big news in the town of Crystal Cove: A TV show based on the town’s mysterious past is filming in the Haunted Village. Many of the hottest teen TV stars are on set.

Daphne is excited; she’s been hired as a writer’s assistant on the show. Meanwhile, Velma is less than thrilled about all the Hollywood types milling around her parents’ property.

But before the shoot begins, Daphne’s mom – a producer on the show – starts receiving threatening letters. Next, the sabotage begins. And then, when the showrunner reveals that he’s discovered a long-buried secret about the town’s past, sabotage turns to theft, then to arson, and eventually to murder.

Daphne and Velma know that digging up the past can be dangerous . . . especially when some families in town have profited from the past for so long. Can they uncover who’s behind all this murder and mayhem . . . and discover what secret from the past they’re protecting? (Goodreads)

This one got pushed back in publishing because of the you-know-what virus and I’m still raging about it. I love all things Scooby-Doo and this series on my two favorite girls is no exception. In fact, I probably love it more because it focuses on Daphne and Velma’s girl power. So I’m really, really hoping that this will get an official date soon, or just appear on the shelves one day while I’m at the bookstore (which is how I found the first Daphne and Velma book).

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So, I think that’s all for my list, which was a lot more than I thought! I had to go through my NetGalley shelf and my Goodreads TBR list to make sure I hit all the books coming out in 2022 that I’m aware of. Though that last one is questionable, but given that it was supposed to be out in June 2021, I’m hoping it’ll be out in the early months of this new year. 

Of course, this list doesn’t include any that are coming out past July, so I might have to do a second list of 2022 books halfway through the year. Why are there so many books, but so little time to read them all?

What are some of your anticipated releases of 2022?