With so many historical fiction novels releasing in 2022, it was hard to narrow down the ones I wanted to list as my most anticipated novels! I’ve been keeping track throughout the year as I saw dates released by my favorite authors on social media or in industry publications. Be sure to follow your favorite authors, publishing houses, and bookstagrammers to stay on top of all of these releases!
Plus I’ve found several great resources for book recommendations, from podcasts to blogs to book groups like BookBub. My most dependable resource is the Thoughts from a Page podcast and Patreon group. If you love historical fiction too, be sure to check it out!
Last year, I read 9 of the 16 books I listed as my most anticipated historical fiction releases, and almost all were five stars! I hope to have the same luck this year.
All links are Amazon affiliate links. You can also find these books listed in my Bookshop.org shop, which supports independent bookstores and creators.
All books are listed by their anticipated publication dates.
Most Anticipated Releases from Favorite Authors
The Last Dance of the Debutante by Julia Kelly (release date: January 4)
One of my favorite authors from last year with her WWII novel, The Light over London, Kelly’s new book takes place in 1950s London during the last year debutantes are presented to Queen Elizabeth. It sounds like a beautiful and sweeping story. And the cover is magnificent! Check out Cindy from Thoughts from a Page’s great interview with the author to learn more.
Violeta by Isabel Allende (release date: January 25)
Allende writes epic stories that span decades and give you a glimpse into the historical events in South America. I absolutely loved her book, A Long Petal of the Sea, and am looking forward to this book written in the form of a letter from a 100 year old woman.
The Next Ship Home: A Novel of Ellis Island by Heather Webb (release date: February 8)
This novel about the early 20th century immigrants herded through Ellis Island looks fascinating! I just read her epistolary novel, Last Christmas in Paris, and loved it!
Sisters of Night and Fog: A WWII Novel by Erika Robuck (release date: March 1)
One of my favorite books last year was Robuck’s An Invisible Woman, so I’m looking forward to this new book about an American socialite and British secret agent who team up. And I love that it’s based on a true story!
The Diamond Eye: A Novel by Kate Quinn (release date: March 29)
A novel about a librarian turned sniper? Sign me up please! I can’t wait for Quinn’s latest snappy tale about a plucky World War II heroine, based on a true story.
Shadows of Berlin: A Novel by David R. Gillham (release date: April 19)
I loved Gillham’s alternate history about Anne Frank, Annelies, and this new book takes the reader from war-torn Germany to 1950s New York City.
The Good Left Undone: A Novel by Adriana Trigiani (April 26)
I absolutely loved Trigiani’s Big Stone Gap books, and this new historical fiction novel sounds intriguing, mixing two of my favorite places – Italy and Scotland! Did you know that Italian Scots were imprisoned during World War II? I can’t wait to read this to learn more!
In the Face of the Sun by Denny S. Bryce (release date: April 26)
I loved Bryce’s debut, Wild Women and the Blues, and this new book takes place during the Civil Rights era when two women set off on a cross-country journey to learn more about 1920s Black Hollywood.
Bloomsbury Girls: A Novel by Natalie Jenner (release date: May 17)
I loved Jenner’s debut, The Jane Austen Society, and can’t wait to read her latest about a bookstore in post-war London.
Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton (release date: May 24)
I’ve read all of Cleeton’s books about the Perez family and am looking forward to reading Isabel and Alicia’s stories!
New To Me Authors I’m Excited to Read
Antoinette’s Sister by Diana Giovinazzo (release date: January 11)
This premise sounds so intriguing! The sister of Marie Antoinette was Queen Charlotte of Naples, and this book is all about how she came to power and her reign.
The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis (release date January 25)
I’ve been meaning to read Davis’ novels set in New York City, and this new one about the Frick Museum looks great.
Beautiful Little Fools: A Novel by Jillian Cantor (release date: February 1)
This is the retelling of The Great Gatsby I’ve been waiting on – told from a female perspective including Daisy!
The Last Grand Duchess: A Novel of Olga Romanov, Imperial Russia, and Revolution by Bryn Turnbull (release date: February 8)
I love learning about the last Russian czar’s family so I’m looking forward to this book told through the czar’s oldest daughter, Olga.
A Train to Moscow by Elena Gorokhova (release date: March 1)
This book about post-WWII Russia looks fascinating, and I’m excited to meet the author in a virtual book club through the Thoughts from a Page patron community!
The Tobacco Wives: A Novel by Adele Myers (release date: March 1)
I’m a sucker for any book taking place in North Carolina, and this one about the tobacco industry in the 1940s sounds really interesting!
Booth by Karen Joy Fowler (release date: March 8)
I hope to get back to reading Civil War fiction by the time this book comes out. This novel is based on the true history of the infamous John Wilkes Booth and his family.
The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey (release date: March 29)
I love the premise of this book, following a wedding veil through the centuries as it dons the heads of brides such as Cornelia Vanderbilt. It would make a perfect read before visiting The Biltmore.
The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare by Kimberly Brock (April 12)
Being from North Carolina, I’m all too familiar with the story of Virginia Dare, the first baby born in the English colonies but lost forever in mysterious circumstances. This book imagines her descendents over the years and looks amazing!
The Mayfair Bookshop: A Novel of Nancy Mitford and the Pursuit of Happiness by Eliza Knight (release date: April 12)
Anything about London and books is a winner for me! And to learn about the fascinating Mitford sisters during WWII is a bonus.
The Greenbrier Resort by Joy Callaway (release date: May 17)
One of our favorite vacations last year was a relaxing weekend at The Greenbrier Resort (read my review here). I’m excited to read this new novel based on the history of the resort’s famous interior designer, Dorothy Draper!
Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Debuts
The Baba Yaga Mask by Kris Spisak (release date: April 5)
Kris edited my novel this past year, and I’m so excited to read her first novel about sisters navigating the complexities of their Ukrainian history. I love stories about sisters!
Memphis: A Novel by Tara M. Stringfellow (release date: April 5)
I love multi-generational history novels, and this one looks both heartbreaking and uplifting. Told through several generations of an African-American family in Memphis, I’m hoping this is similar in feel to one of my all-time favorites, Homegoing.
All the Lights Above Us: Inspired by the women of D-Day by M.B. Henry (release date: May 10)
Told through the eyes of five different women, this book details one of the most important days in history!
Most Anticipated Historical Romance
The Siren of Sussex (Belles of London) by Mimi Matthews (release date: January 11)
I love witty heroines who upend conventional thinking in my historical fiction, and this new series does just that. Set during the Victorian age, this heroine falls for an British-Indian tailor, pushing the boundaries of society.
A Perfect Equation (The Secret Scientists of London) by Elizabeth Everett (release date: February 15)
I really liked Everett’s first book in this series (A Lady’s Formula for Love) and enjoyed the scientific knowledge her heroines possess. It’s refreshing and quite different!
To Marry and to Meddle: A Novel (Regency Vows) by Martha Waters (release date: April 5)
I enjoyed the first two books of this series (To Have and to Hoax and To Love and to Loathe) and am eagerly awaiting this one! Some moments are laugh out loud funny!
Most Anticipated YA Novels
Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker (release date: January 4)
I’ve learned that I love retellings of the Shakespeare classic, Romeo and Juliet. Set in 2083 London, this YA dystopian retelling sounds intriguing. And it also involves time travel, one of my favorite plot devices!
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys (release date: February 1)
I’m a Sepetys completist – I’ve read all of her books! She writes gripping historical fiction novels that are fast-paced while also being emotional. This new book about communist Romania sounds thrilling!
Great or Nothing by Joy McCullough, Caroline Tung Richmond, Tess Sharp, and Jessica Spotswood (release date: March 8)
This retelling of Little Women set during World War II sounds right up my alley! And I’ve loved one of the author’s (Richmond) alternate history books.
American Royals III: Rivals by Katharine McGee (release date: May 31)
While not technically historical fiction, this third book in an alternate history series is highly anticipated!
Most Anticipated Middle Grade Novels
Northwind by Gary Paulsen (release date: January 11)
This is my son’s favorite author, and with Paulsen’s death last year, this will be his last novel. A survival tale set a century ago, this follows a young boy who sets out among the Nordic fjords on an adventure.
Louisa June and the Nazis in the Waves by L.M. Elliott (release date: March 22)
I’ve read several of Elliott’s novels and loved them. This one is about a little girl in coastal Virginia during WWII as Nazi U-boats torpedo American ships just off the shore.
Lines of Courage by Jennifer A. Nielsen (release date: May 17)
Nielsen is one of my favorite authors for middle grade readers, and her 2021 release, Rescue, was one of my top books read last year. Her latest book is about five children during World War I, a time period we don’t see much in middle grade.
Most Anticipated Romance Novels
Since I fell in love with contemporary romance novels with heft last year, here are a few that I’m preordering!
Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson (release date: January 18)
This is a debut from a fellow Virginia author, and it takes place in the bookish world! A book publishing editorial assistant falling for a bestselling author sounds like a delightful read!
Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson (release date: February 1)
With my love of Romeo and Juliet, I know I have to read this retelling set in Mexico’s Day of the Dead!
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez (release date: April 19)
I absolutely loved Life’s Too Short by Jiminez and can’t wait to get my hands on this new release!
Book Lovers by Emily Henry (release date: May 3)
Author of my absolute favorite romance read last year (Beach Read), Henry is a master at writing romantic stories that explore complex and difficult emotions. And this one about a book lover meeting a book editor in my home state of North Carolina sounds absolutely perfect for me!
Follow me on Instagram and Goodreads to learn more about what I’m reading throughout the year!
What’s your most anticipated historical fiction novel of 2022? Let me know so I can add it to my overflowing TBR list!
Hooray!
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This is a fabulous list. Love it! Thanks for the shoutout as well.
Thanks for including The Wedding Veil on this list! It’s my ninth novel but first historical, so I’m very excited! I hope you love it ❤️ xo Kristy
I can’t wait to read it! I grew up in North Carolina so Asheville holds a special place in my heart. Congratulations!
I look forward to discovering some of these in my local bookshop.
Great! Let me know which titles end up being your favorites!
Fabulous list!!!
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