What a year! I read less than I did in 2020, and I also read more of romance, specifically historical romance. It was easier to pick my favorites because I was so focused on my genres. I read a lot of mediocre books, which is fine.
I break down my lists by books that came out this year and ones that came out previously. (Backlist)
Historical Romance -2021
Bombshell by Sarah MacLean
This is Caleb and Sesily’s story – two characters who’ve been simmering in the wings in previous books. So glad they got their own story, and it’s the start of a brilliant new series. I was so swept up in this love story and I’m so glad I finally found a MacLean that resonates with me.
The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller
Right after I returned this book to the library, I downloaded the audiobook and started listening again. This second-chance romance takes place in Paris in the 1870s between a Prima Ballerina and an American brain surgeon. There are ghosts and family secrets, but it’s charming. This could almost be Historical Fiction but there is just enough romance to keep this HR.
To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters
I love books where the main characters think they’re great at sex, but then they realize they’re not and they ask their friends for help. I also love Widows in Historical Romance. Great banter and so much heart.
The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe
Skip the first book in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series and go straight to this one. This “teach me to seduce” romance was fun, charming, and so sexy.
Historical Romance – Backlist
Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas 2010
She writes to him while he’s at war, posing has her friend who had promised to correspond with him before she got bored. I devoured this and the plot just wrapped up in such a nice, succinct way. This might be my favorite Kleypas novel.
Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker 2020
If you don’t like books with lots of sex, then this is my rec for you! So compelling and emotional, but without being too melodramatic. The main characters had so much chemistry, which is saying a lot because they barely even kiss.
Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt 2012
Virgin hero who’s also a masked vigilante at night? And a teacher of orphans by day? Catnip for me. This series is a bit darker, but I love the complexity of it.
Wilde in Love by Eloisa James 2017
I listened to this while I was so nervous about getting my Covid shot. It was just what I needed to calm my nerves and help me relax. It’s a celebrity romance and the characters communicate so well. Not too angsty but very swoony.
Contemporary Romance
A Lot like Adios by Alexis Daria
This is technically a second-chance romance but the couple gets back together right away (great if you’re impatient for the steamy bits). It’s more of a “will they stay together” type plot. Lots of great steam and great banter.
Float Plan by Trish Doller
Anna loses her fiancé to suicide. They had planned to sail around the Caribbean together and so she decides to do it alone. Quickly she realizes she does need help, so she enlists Keane to help her. This one is heavy, but hopeful.
People we Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
This book hit every beat for me. Its premise is simple: two friends go on vacation every year and fall in love. This is a book I recommend to people who don’t read a lot of romance. It’s so accessible and poignant. A true gem.
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
The author took a long time to write this and it shows. Every part of this was done with such care and thought. It’s an emotional journey of love, grief, acceptance and caring. It almost could be literary fiction, but that wouldn’t be fair to the book boyfriend in this, who blows everyone else out of the water.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
The hype is real. This romance set in academia doesn’t do anything new, but it executes all the tropes in the most sparkly, engaging way. The writing was so effective that I suffered a lot of second-hand embarrassment and had to take breaks to cope. A few heavy parts, but mostly just fun.
Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
There’s a twist revealed early on that really intrigued me. I love Hogle’s storytelling and the emotions of this story. Such a strong sense of place and great anxiety rep. I also love how Hogle treats the struggles of blue-collar work with dignity and nuance.
Contemporary Romance – Backlist
Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams – 2020
I could not put this book down. Friends to lovers done right. What really got me was the family relationships in this book. This is my favorite in the Bromance Bookclub series for sure.
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade – 2020
I laughed, I cried, I loved this novel that blends Greek Mythology, fanfiction, and romance. I would not recommend on audio though since there are a lot of texts and emails that don’t translate well to that format.
Meg Loves Words 