There are so many books to read and so little time. However, a few books have caught my eye and I can’t wait for their releases. Here are some books I am looking forward to reading in 2022.
Only a Monster
This is the only book on my list where I’ve never read from the author. This is Vanessa Len’s debut about love and monsters. Stephanie Garber, one of my favorite authors, has been recommending this book on instagram so I put it on my TBR.
Here is the blurb:
With the sweeping romance of Passenger and the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song, this standout YA contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, is the first in a planned trilogy.
It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.
But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.
As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .
. . . she is not the hero.
I don’t usually pick up fantasy books set in modern times but I’m hoping Stephanie Garber isn’t leading me astray. I look forward to reading it. Only a Monster is expected to release on February 22, 2022.
Love on the Brain
There was a lot of hype for the first book, The Love Hypothesis, and I was unsure if I should read it. I also don’t tend to pick up contemporary romance but when I heard the author had loosely based the couple on Kylo Ren and Rey from Star Wars… I couldn’t resist.
And it did not disappoint.
The Love Hypothesis became one of my favorite reads in 2021. It was a beautifully crafted story about two scientists who agree to have a temporary, fake relationship. Ali Hazelwood is an amazing writer and so it’s no surprise that I am looking forward to the next book.
Although it is not about the couple we were introduced to in The Love Hypothesis, I am looking forward to reading about this new couple.
Here’s the blurb:
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis comes a new STEMinist rom-com in which a scientist is forced to work on a project with her nemesis—with explosive results.
Like an avenging, purple-haired Jedi bringing balance to the mansplained universe, Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project—a literal dream come true after years scraping by on the crumbs of academia—Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.
Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. And sure, he caught her in his powerfully corded arms like a romance novel hero when she accidentally damseled in distress on her first day in the lab. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school—archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.
Now, her equipment is missing, the staff is ignoring her, and Bee finds her floundering career in somewhat of a pickle. Perhaps it’s her occipital cortex playing tricks on her, but Bee could swear she can see Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas…devouring her with those eyes. And the possibilities have all her neurons firing. But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there’s only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?
I can’t wait to read another book about scientists falling in love! I never thought I would say that phrase but Ali Hazelwood has me hooked. There is not an official release date other than “2022”. More will be announced.
The Captive Throne
I fell in love with Kenley Davidson when I first read The Faceless Mage in January of 2021. There aren’t many clean fantasy romance books so I was ecstatic to find this series. Davidson has a gift for slow-burn and tension. Her characters are remarkable and so I cannot wait for the 4th installment of the Legends of Abreia series.
The blurb:
In a royal marriage of convenience, nothing is less convenient than love.
Princess Evaraine always knew she would one day wed a stranger, but her arranged marriage to the Prince of Garimore is nothing like she expected. She never anticipated losing her heart to the man she would marry. And she certainly would not have guessed that she’d be leaving him behind within hours of their wedding.
After the arrival of devastating news, Evaraine must make her way home in a desperate—and likely doomed—attempt to save her father. One tiny shard of hope remains, but it is a hope that requires her to face the darkness alone. Far from anyone familiar or beloved. Far from the man she knows will never return her love.
But she has no choice. There is no one else to fight for the people she was born to lead… no one but the most unlikely ally imaginable.
Prince Danric of Garimore has endured the dissolution of everything he thought he knew and found himself at a crossroads where only one certainty remains—if he cannot save the woman he has pledged his life to, every other victory will seem hollow.
But how can he convince her to trust him? Forgive him? How can he even find her when she seems determined to hide?
Time is running out, and the fate of all Abreia may rest with two wary hearts afraid to trust in the one thing that could save them both.
If you love adventure, mystery, and enemies-to-lovers romance, don’t miss Legends of Abreia, a romantic fantasy series for fans of Elise Kova, Sylvia Mercedes, and Shari L. Tapscott!
The fourth book continues with Evaraine and Danric’s story and I am eagerly waiting for its release on June 28, 2022.
The Ballad of Never After
So, this is a book I am eagerly anticipating but know the least about. I loved Stephanie Garber’s Caraval series, and immediately pre-ordered the spinoff tale Once Upon a Broken Heart. This is the sequel to the spinoff and I cannot wait!
The cover hasn’t been revealed, and there is no available blurb either. The only information we have is that it’ll be released on September 27, 2022.
Otherwise, I found a small description on GoodReads which says:
The fiercely-anticipated sequel to the Sunday Times bestseller Once Upon a Broken Heart, starring Evangeline Fox and the Prince of Hearts on a new journey of magic, mystery, and heartbreak.
Anticipated indeed! I love Jacks so much and I can’t wait to see what he’s up to in this book. I hope this series has a happily ever after but we shall see.
Bride of the Shadow King
Look at that GORGEOUS cover. I will admit, I grew excited to read this by the cover art alone, haha. However, I have read quite a few of Sylvia Mercedes’ books and I know her style very well. She is a master of beautiful prose and interesting characters.
Here’s the blurb:
For fans of The Bridge Kingdom and A Deal with the Elf King, this arranged marriage romance about a human princess forced to wed a dark and desperate Shadow King is sure to entice!
A shunned princess. A reluctant king.
A marriage that could save both their kingdoms . . . but destroy their hearts.
Though she is the oldest daughter, Princess Faraine lives in the background, shunned from court and kept out of sight. Her chronic illness makes her a liability to the crown, and she has learned to give place to her beautiful, favored younger sister in all things.
When the handsome and enigmatic Shadow King comes seeking a bride, Faraine is not surprised that her sister is his choice.
Though not eager to take a human bride, King Vor is willing to do what is necessary for the sake of his people. When he meets the lively Princess Ilsevel, he quickly agrees to a marriage arrangement.
So why can’t he get the haunting eyes of her older sister out of his head?
When disaster strikes and the marriage alliance is compromised, Faraine suddenly finds herself forced to take her sister’s place . . . regardless of her new husband’s desires. Can she find a place at Vor’s side as his queen? Or is his heart forever closed to the woman who deceived him so cruelly?
Passionate and alluring, Bride of the Shadow King is an arranged marriage tale with dual point-of-view (his and hers). It’s perfect for fantasy fans looking for a touch of spice to go with the sweet in their next swoony, slow-burn romance.
Ahh! I am all about swoon and slow-burn. Those are my favorite things about romance and so I hope it delivers! This beauty will be released July 1, 2022. I can’t wait!
Those are my top five anticipated books of 2022 so far. I am eagerly anticipating their releases and I hope they interest you too.
That is all for today. Happy Reading!
Ashley Evercott 
All of these look really good! Might have to add them to my tbr too!
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