January is flying by and because I skipped my January BOTM box (gasp), I’m not so patiently waiting for February releases to drop! Even with February being the shortest month of the year, the list of books I’m excited for releases in February is not short. I’ve been lucky enough to received a bunch of my Most Anticipated February releases so far, and as I make my way through them I’ll be posting my reviews. So be sure to check our my full reviews and most anticipated lists for even more books to add to your TBR.

February 2022 MOST ANTICIPATED

Just like in January, I think we’re going to see less add-ons than we were seeing at the end of 2021. I feel BOTM is moving back to their traditional 5 picks with maybe 2 add-ons. February is also Black History Month and Valentine’s Day falls within the month as well, so I expected to see a solid romance pick for the holiday, and potentially a handful of new releases by African American authors.

Whether or not these are actually picks, only time will tell. Even if they are not, all or most of these are on my February Most Anticipated New Releases list and my Winter 2022 Most Anticipated.

WINTER 2022 MOST ANTICIPATED

When the picks are announced and you find you have space in your box still, make sure to also check out my most recent version of BOTM Add-On recommendations HERE, because who couldn’t use even more books!

Keep in mind that these are simply predictions and books I hope get chosen. I could get these completely wrong but the anticipation and guessing is part of the fun right?!

Mystery & Thriller

As always, there are lots of thriller and mystery choices that fall within BOTM’s wheel house. Woman Last Seen was a fairly good read, that has many of the features you’re traditional BOTM Thriller encompasses. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see this as a pick.

REVIEW | WOMAN LAST SEEN

The Family Chao, is not your traditional thriller and leans more into the mystery genre. It’s high on my anticipated list and I’m really hoping that BOTM branches out their mystery genre to pick it up.

Beneath the Stairs sounds like another traditional BOTM thriller pick but it dives a bit into the horror genre. BOTM traditionally strays aware from Horror books so only time will tell if that aspect will keep it from being a main pick in February.

Both Lucy Foley and Mia P. Manansala would be repeat authors and I’ve added them as add-on predictions. It’s possible The Paris Apartment will make it to the top five picks but I doubt it.

As for Homicide and Halo-Halo, it would be the second in a series and BOTM ‘s track record for providing sequels is low but not unheard of. It’s a cozy mystery and if that’s your thing you’ll probably enjoy this installment.

REVIEW | HOMICIDe AND HALO-HALO

Literary & Contemporary Fiction

Lots of great picks this month in the Literary and Contemporary genres and I think all four of these would make great picks. I’ve only read The Bright Side Running Club so far, but have Mercy Street lined up on my Kindle currently.

The Bright Side Running Club is the perfect mix of uplifting and emotional. It’s seems like a lighter read even though the subject matter is a little hard to swallow. But I really enjoyed this one and could totally see it being a BOTM pick.

The Selfless Act of Breathing is being compared to Transcendent Kingdom which was a BOTM, which is why I find it likely it’ll make an appearance as a main pick.

Miss Pearly’s Girls doesn’t have alot of media surrounding it, but those who have read it say it’s a fabulous story about family dynamics and really captures the way that family secrets can fracture relationships.

Mercy Street follows a doctor at a women’s clinic and quite honestly I feel this is such a timely novel for what’s going on in the US right now in regards to women’s health. I’ll be reading this one this week so be on the lookout for my review.

REVIEW | THE BRIGHT SIDE RUNNING CLUB

Historical Fiction

My choices for this month’s Historical Fiction pick are completely different. The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post is giving me all of the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes, while The Shadows of Pecan Hollow is being compared to Valentine. Also Pecan Hollow is set in Texas, and I’m always a sucker for a Texas setting.

I have copies of both on my Kindle currently, and I’m hoping to read them this week, so be sure to check back for my reviews.

Fantasy

A Lullaby for Witches could actually fall under Historical Fiction as well but with the witchcraft aspect I’m putting it as a Fantasy prediction. It’s getting excellent reviews and is another book that is currently lined up on my Kindle.

Romance

All three of my picks for February’s Romance pick would be perfect for BOTM. Both Josie Silver and Rebecca Serle would be repeat authors, so I feel these could be add-on picks rather than one of our main picks. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care comes out at the end of February and has a LGBT component to it, author Blake would be new to BOTM and I think it would be a great pick.

Already Available

Black Cake is a February 1st release and was one of January 2022’s BOTM picks. It’s a fabulous read, and I have yet to put up my review but I highly recommend it.

I hope you found a book that you are truly excited about in this post. Let me know which other new releases you are excited for this month or that you’re hoping are BOTM picks, by commenting below or by messaging me on Instagram @speakingof_books. Don’t forget to follow me to get weekly updates and new reviews!

Happy Reading!

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