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Readers' Most Anticipated Books for February
At the beginning of each calendar month, Goodreads’ crack editorial squad assembles a list of the hottest and most popular new books hitting shelves, actual and virtual. The list is generated by evaluating readers’ early reviews and tracking which titles are being added to Want to Read shelves by Goodreads regulars.
Each month’s curated preview features new books from across the genre spectrum: contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mysteries and thrillers, sci-fi and fantasy, romance, horror, young adult, nonfiction, and more. Think of it as a literary smorgasbord. Check out whatever looks delicious.
New in February: Romance veteran Ali Hazelwood returns with an aquatics-themed love story in Deep End. Outdoors specialist Callan Wink chronicles a strange heist at Yellowstone National Park in Beartooth. And debut author Neena Viel brings good advice to the horror-thriller genre with Listen to Your Sister.
Also on tap this month: historical fiction in 16th-century France, court intrigue in the realm of faerie, and much-anticipated new novels from Anne Tyler and Jojo Moyes.
Add the books that catch your eye to your Want to Read shelf, and let us know what you're reading and recommending in the comments section.
British author Jojo Moyes introduces the rather desperate Lila Kennedy, who has various knotty problems: Her daughters are in trouble, her house is falling apart, and her elderly stepdad is apparently now her new roommate. So, naturally, this is the precise moment when her biological father shows up, 35 years late. Moyes (Me Before You) has a ferociously loyal readership, and you can safely expect her usual brilliant character work.
Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist and literary critic Anne Tyler (The Accidental Tourist) specializes in finely detailed evocations of life on our swiftly tilting planet. Her latest novel, Three Days in June, is just that. The book profiles Gail Baines, mother of the bride, in the days just before and after her daughter’s wedding. When a secret is revealed concerning the would-be groom, things get suddenly and severely complicated.
Do any of us ever love music as deeply as we did in our early twenties? That’s the rhetorical question in Holly Brickley’s debut novel, Deep Cuts, a love story with a built-in soundtrack. Berkeley, California, 2020: Music obsessive Percy Marks meets songwriter Joe Morrow, sparking a personal and artistic relationship that puts them on the rocky path to indie rock glory. Early readers are likening the vibe to Sally Rooney and Gabrielle Zevin.
Orphaned French noblewoman Marguerite de la Rocque was supposed to live a life of luxury and privilege. But after her appointed guardian steals her inheritance, he strands her and her lover on a deserted island off the coast of New France (modern-day Canada). Inspired by real-life events, this intriguing novel from author Allegra Goodman (Sam) blends historical fiction and survival story into a harrowing journey of strength and resilience, circa 1542.
Another novel mined from the historical records, The Queens of Crime is inspired by an actual incident in the life of crime novelist Dorothy L. Sayers. The gist: Five successful female crime writers decide to prove their worth by tackling a real-life murder case in 1930s London. Also on the team: Agatha Christie and Baroness Emma Orczy, creator of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Author Marie Benedict (The Personal Librarian) specializes in true stories of inspirational women in history.
Brooklyn author and Alabama native Erin Crosby Eckstine is generating a wave of remarkable enthusiasm for her debut novel, designed to be a work of “speculative historical fiction.” Set on an Alabama plantation just before the Civil War, the book introduces 16-year-old Junie, spirited and brave—and enslaved all her young life. When Junie makes a fateful decision, she raises the ghost of her dead sister Minnie, who brings knowledge from beyond the grave that might just set them both free.
Literary agent Camilla Deschamps has just returned from maternity leave. Dropping off her daughter at the nursery, she gets some rather stressful news: Her husband is involved in a hostage situation developing in downtown London. Then it gets worse: Her husband isn’t a hostage. He’s the gunman. White-knuckle suspense specialist Gillian McAllister (Wrong Place Wrong Time) recounts a bad day gone entirely off the rails. Oh, and wait for the twist.
Winner of this month’s unofficial Best Cover Art contest, Listen to Your Sister tells the story of three desperate siblings and an extremely unfortunate cabin-in-the-woods experience. Twentysomething Calla Williams is tired of taking care of her wayward younger brothers, but it looks like she’ll have to get them out of one last supersize (and possibly supernatural) jam. Author Neena Viel’s debut is being hawked as a horror/thriller in the vein of Jordan Peele, and early readers are drawing comparisons to Tananarive Due, Mona Awad, and Stephen King.
When Theodora Scott arrives at the luxurious winter retreat of her new lover, Connor Dalton, she finds that the place feels strangely familiar. Which is weird. Then she finds a photo of herself, as a child, in a derelict cabin. Also weird, in a blood-freezing, red-alert kind of way. Kate Alice Marshall (What Lies in the Woods) continues the rich tradition of the cold-weather thriller with this sinister story of powerful rich people, fuzzy childhood memories, and profoundly disappointing dating outcomes.
Steeped in the awe-inspiring beauty of the American West, Beartooth invites readers to a hand-built timber cabin on the outskirts of Yellowstone National Park. Two desperate brothers, eager to stay out of sight and off the grid, agree to a highly unusual and extremely dangerous heist of the park’s natural resources. Bonus trivia: Author Callan Wink knows whereof he speaks. The novelist works as a fly-fishing guide on the Yellowstone River in Montana.
Canadian author Heather Fawcett returns to her wildly popular fantasy series concerning a brilliant folklore scholar whose studies lead to the secret heart of Faerie. In this much-anticipated third installment, the estimable Professor Wilde—now queen of a magical but deadly realm—must navigate the treacherous obligations and court politics of her new position. Also, her fiancé’s vicious stepmother keeps trying to kill her. Potential in-laws. They’re the worst.
Book three in Brynne Weaver’s Ruinous Love Trilogy continues the series’ tradition of standalone but interconnected adventures in dark comedy, weird romance, and creeping horror. Weaver’s unique story cycle features contract killers, indie rock musicians, circus motorcycle performers, small-town doctors, multiple POVs, indiscriminate murders, and improbably happy endings. Please note that these are dark romances—potential newcomers will want to peruse previous books in the series to get a sense of things.
Romance-aisle veteran Ali Hazelwood (The Love Hypothesis) switches gears yet again with her latest love story, a sports-themed romance about a college fling that drifts into dangerous waters. Stanford platform diver Scarlett Vandermeer knows all about jumping into the deep end. But when she meets the new swim team captain—world champion Lukas Blomqvist—Scarlett may finally be in over her head. As you’ve probably intuited, Deep End is recommended for readers who like extended swimming metaphors.
In 2024, Kristen Ciccarelli’s YA romantasy Heartless Heart won an enthusiastic readership (and a GCA nomination) with its story of a witch, a witch hunter, and a percolating but unlikely romance. In this sequel novel and concluding volume, vigilante witch Rune Winters must team up once again with dedicated witch hunter Gideon Sharpe—this time around, to stop a cruel tyrant from assuming ultimate power. Rune and Gideon have a complicated past and a dicey future. This is why it’s important to stay in the moment.
With her 2003 memoir, She’s Not There, writer and professor Jennifer Finney Boylan was among the first American transgender authors to break through into the national and international conversation. Boylan’s new book explores the recent past, fraught present, and potential future of gender issues. The book also expands on Boylan’s personal experience since the publication of the first book—as a scholar, activist, parent, spouse, and citizen.
Which new releases are you looking forward to reading? Let's talk books in the comments!
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Feb 01, 2025 02:29PM
excited for deep cuts!
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I'm so excited about almost all of them! I learned about them through NetGalley and I'm hoping I am able to get an ARC for most! I hope they are all as good as they sound!
Junie sounds like it's gonna be AWESOME
Out today, Their Dying Embrace, by Helen Phifer.
Three Days in June and Killing Cold look interesting
Cleavage caught my eye the most as my son is navigating dating a girl who has just announced they're trans.
I am excited to read many of the booked and forward to sitting and reading.
Savannah wrote: "Junie sounds like it's gonna be AWESOME"Got it in my Aardvark box 🙂 so excited!
I have so many of these on my TBR! Isola sounds incredible. I'm a sucker for a good isolation thriller, so I'm keeping an eye out for A Killing Cold.
It’s nice that it’s mostly women authors but why are they mostly white? Only one book listed that was written by a person of color. Should be standard and a no brainer at this point to have a list that’s diverse
“Queens of Crime” had me when it mentioned Dorothy L. Sayers. Will definitely be reading it soon!
Finally able to read A Call of Earth and it is fabulous! Never have I been so completely submerged and utterly lost as I find myself in this story….
“Isola” caught my eye as I love stories inspired by true events.
Looking forward to reading Marie Benedict’s new book. Have really enjoyed all her books!
Great recommendations. Can't wait to get the new Moyes and Benedict books.
Em wrote: "It’s nice that it’s mostly women authors but why are they mostly white? Only one book listed that was written by a person of color. Should be standard and a no brainer at this point to have a list ..."They don't -- and shouldn't -- base the best books based on skin color of the author. It's based on the best books! I wouldn't want it any other way, since I'm searching for good books!
I don't care about author color.
A Killing Cold is fantastic so far! Famous last words is up next and I’m stoked for it.
Just curious. No criticism at all. Who comprises the Goodreads’ crack editorial squad?
