Going through all the books I’ve read this year and picking favorites was hard. There were a few surprises, it seems enemies-to-lovers romances has moved up my favorite trope list, and I had a soft spot for quirky PNR/Fantasies this year.

Contemporary Romance:

The One Who Loves You by Pippa Grant– Sometimes this author’s humor is over the top and too much, but sometimes she gets it just right. This new series, where a wealthy family is forced to move to a small town to save their souls and end up discovering a new side to themselves and falling in love hit just right with me. See my review here.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry– I love this author so much. This time she captured my attention with two protagonists working in the publishing industry. An agent who makes no excuses for her city girl ways, and an editor who comes home to his small town to help his family. They are both stuck in his hometown for a while and end up working on the same project. Their HEA is perfect. See my review here.

A Deal with the Devil by Elizabeth O’Roark– I discovered this author early this year when I read Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, I enjoyed that book so much that I went back and read the first book in the series, A Deal with the Devil. Hayes Flynn is a British, womanizing workaholic plastic surgeon who loves his scotch and late nights. Tali is broke and ends up as his temporary assistant, she isn’t falling for his good-looking, bad-boy persona. Their hate banter is top-notch. This couple is like oil and water, but they work so well. See my review here.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center– This book caught me by surprise. I picked it up for the female bodyguard and ended up loving the superstar-turned-reclusive actor Jack just as much. Despite some deep themes, this still felt like a lighter romance. I enjoyed it immensely. See my review here.

For Butter or Worse by Erin La Rosa– This was my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last. Rival cooking show judges who end up partnering in front of the paparazzi cameras to save their restaurants. They hate each other, then they grudgingly start to like each other, then they fall in love. See my review here.

In A Jam by Kate Canterbary- Enemies to lovers, second chance, grumpy/sunshine, small town romance… this book had it all and I LOVED IT. (There is even a foul-mouthed kid that cracked me up.) See my review here.

Historical Romance/Mystery:

Beauty and the Theif by Shana Galen– This was another book that took me by surprise. A conman, Callahan Kelly, is trying to get out of trouble AGAIN when he is recruited by a secret, elite group who works for the Crown. There he meets the secretary for the group, Bridget Murray, who badly wants to be more and go on her missions. She gets the chance when she is paired with Callahan. They are opposites who don’t really get along, then danger ensues and they grow closer until they fall in love. See my review here.

Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean- The second book in the Hell’s Belles series features Adelaide Frampton, thief extraordinaire, and Henry Carrington, the Duke of Clayborn. Opposites in every way, but somehow drawn together. A strong, independent heroine and a swoony hero, what else do you need? Maybe a wonderful caretaking, sick bed scene perhaps? See my full review here.

The Impossible Imposter by Deanna Raybourn- I will forever be in love with Veronica and Stoker. Individually and as a couple. This one ends on a bit of a relationship cliffhanger, you have been warned. See my review here.

When Blood Lies by C.S. Harris– The Sebastian St. Cyr series is still one of my favorite historical mystery series ever. When Blood Lies dives deeper into the mystery of Sebastian’s mother when he and Hero journey to France. There were some surprising developments that I’m looking to see where they go in the next release. See my review here.

PNR/Fantasy/Urban Fantasy/Science Fiction Romance:

Eclipse the Moon by Jessie Mihalik– Since this author burst onto the science fiction romance scene I’ve been gobbling up each of her new releases. This new series has everything I love- strong protagonists, enemies to lovers, found family, and lots and lots of competence porn. See my review here.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sandu Mandanna- I think this was the most charming book I read this year. I was sucked in immediately and didn’t put it down until I read the last word. A misfit witch finds her forever home with a quirky found family. The romance is quiet, but also kind of swoony. See my review here.

Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews– The last book in the Catalina Baylor/Hidden Legacy series lived up to every expectation I had. Non-stop action, all the plot threads wrapped up nice and neat, Catalina/Alessandro loving, and a wonderful epilogue. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed Arabella gets her HEA. See my review here.

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Paston– This is just as much a grief book as a romance. When her father dies, ghostwriter Florence Day is called home to help with the family funeral home. Then she sees a ghost, who happens to be the editor who she met with shortly before she received the devastating news of her father. How does a ghostwriter deep in her grief fall in love with a ghost you ask? Just trust me, this is good stuff and the HEA is perfect. (Also the secondary characters are pretty wonderful.) See my review here.

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen– Weird yet charming story of two lost souls who think they might hate each other, but find out they are the best of friends and lovers. I won’t go too deep into the plot, but just know there is secret letter writing, some awfully unique postmen, and zombies. You’re welcome for the recommendation. See my review here.

The Bladesong Druid by Annette Marie– I found this author by chance while skimming through KU offerings. Now I’m hooked. This newest spin-off of her original Guild Codex series featured the well-known Zak and a woman from his past, Saber. This is the conclusion to The Guild Codex: Unveiled and it met every one of my expectations. Non-stop action from beginning to end, beloved characters helping them out, and a pretty great HEA. See my review here.

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So that’s it for me! I look forward to more fabulous books in 2023 and gushing over them with all of you. Have a happy and safe New Year!

Cheers,

Angela