I know we’re already a month into 2022 but I still wanted to share the 7 new book releases I’m excited to read this new year because there are SO many!

I’ve been off my reading game for the last couple of years, so this year, I want to prioritize getting back into reading. My goal is to read at least 2 books a month, so if that’s the case, I’m going to need some new books to add to my TBR. (Not that it’s not already overflowing.)

Don’t forget to let me know what books you’re looking forward to reading this year in the comments because I’d love to know!

Okay! Let’s get into this list.

Here are the 7 new book releases I can’t wait to read in 2022.

The Maid by Nita Prose

As a fan of mysteries and thrillers, it’s impossible to not have heard of this book that has taken the thriller community by storm. The Maid came out on January 4th, 2022, so thankfully, it’s already out because I cannot wait to get my hands on it!

It’s described as a traditional detective story and a cozy mystery, which I love, so I have no doubts I’ll fly through it and enjoy every second reading it.

About The Maid

Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.

Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.

But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

When I read the synopsis for this book, it reminded me of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, which I adore, and that’s exactly what I look for in a mystery/thriller. I love when detectives are involved and it has that true crime element to it. And that’s exactly what A Flicker in the Dark has.

This is another book that’s out already, it was published on January 11th, so you bet I’m getting into this one ASAP.

About A Flicker in the Dark

When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, her own father had confessed to the crimes and was put away for life, leaving Chloe and the rest of her family to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath.

Now twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. While she finally has a fragile grasp on the happiness she’s worked so hard to achieve, she sometimes feels as out of control of her own life as the troubled teens who are her patients. So when a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, seeing parallels from her past that aren’t actually there, or for the second time in her life, is Chloe about to unmask a killer?

Real Easy by Marie Rutkoski

Like A Flicker in the Dark, Real Easy has the classic detective, true crime feel to it. It involves a missing person’s investigation, a strip club, and a deadly interest.

Thrillers are my perfect recipe for getting out of a reading slump, or just trying to finish another book before the month ends, so I know I will be reading this one soon.

About Real Easy

It’s 1999 and Samantha has danced for years at the Lovely Lady strip club. She’s not used to mixing work and friendship―after all, between her jealous boyfriend and his young daughter, she has enough on her plate. But the newest dancer is so clueless that Samantha feels compelled to help her learn the hustle and drama of the club: how to sweet-talk the boss, fit in with the other women, and make good money. One night, when the new girl needs a ride home, Samantha agrees to drive: a simple decision that turns deadly.

Georgia, another dancer drawn into the ensuing murder and missing person investigation, gathers information for Holly, a grieving detective determined to solve the case. Georgia just wants to help, but her involvement makes her a target. As Holly and Georgia round up their suspects, the story’s point of view shifts between dancers, detectives, children, club patrons―and the killer.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

I’m a big fan of fantasy influenced by world mythologies, so when I learned that this book is inspired by a Chinese legend, it immediately piqued my interest.

Also, the cover is STUNNING! How could you not want this book??? It was released on January 11th, so it’s out and I am ready to get my hands on it to add this beautiful cover to my bookshelf.

About Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.

Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.

To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.

These Deadly Games by Diana Urban

This is a YA thriller that follows a deadly game (hence the title) that the main character has to participate in for 24 hours after her little sister is taken hostage.

Just from the title of the book, this book intrigued me because it gave me an idea of what it’s all about: an enthralling and mysterious game that you want to follow along with just to find out who’s behind it all.

I cannot wait to read this book since it just came out on February 1st!

About These Deadly Games

When Crystal Donavan gets a message on a mysterious app with a video of her little sister gagged and bound, she agrees to play the kidnapper’s game. At first, they make her complete bizarre tasks: steal a test and stuff it in a locker, bake brownies, make a prank call.

But then Crystal realizes each task is meant to hurt—and kill—her friends, one by one. But if she refuses to play, the kidnapper will kill her sister. Is someone trying to take her team out of the running for a gaming tournament? Or have they uncovered a secret from their past, and wants them to pay for what they did…

As Crystal makes the impossible choices between her friends and her sister, she must uncover the truth and find a way to outplay the kidnapper… before it’s too late.

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

Like I said, I love fantasy inspired by mythology, and Tahereh Mafi’s new book is influenced by Persian mythology. I haven’t read much about Persian mythology, so I cannot wait to learn all about it in this book.

I haven’t read any of Tahereh Mafi’s books since the third or fourth Shatter Me series book, so I’m also curious to see how her writing has changed. I enjoyed the Shatter Me series, but by the time the fourth book or so was released, I wasn’t as invested. However, I do like her writing style and stories, so I am sure I will like The Woven Kingdom.

About The Woven Kingdom

To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.

The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.

Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare

Last, but certainly not least, is Chain of Thorns. This is easily my most anticipated release of the year as I have been a Cassandra Clare fan for almost 10 years, and have been loving her new series, which this book is the third book in.

Unfortunately, I have to wait until November 2022 to read it! Especially with how book 2 ended. I can’t believe the release day is so far away still, but alas. That’s also why we don’t have a gorgeous cover yet. Clare teased a section of it the other day, which makes me somehow even more pumped to see the full and finished product.

Since this is the third book in the series, I’ll share the synopsis of the first book below because I don’t want to spoil any of you who haven’t read it yet…which you totally should!

About Chain of Gold

Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else.

But Cordelia’s new life is blown apart when a shocking series of demon attacks devastate London. These monsters are nothing like those Shadowhunters have fought before—these demons walk in daylight, strike down the unwary with incurable poison, and seem impossible to kill. London is immediately quarantined. Trapped in the city, Cordelia and her friends discover that their own connection to a dark legacy has gifted them with incredible powers—and forced a brutal choice that will reveal the true cruel price of being a hero.

I hope you enjoyed reading all about the 7 books I cannot wait to read this year once they are all released.

Making these posts remind me why I love to read, and get me so excited to read. I hope this post also inspired some of you to check out a book or two from this list as well.

Check out my latest blog post: My Reading & Writing Goals for 2022

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