Happy New Year, readers! Thank you for coming back to this humble blog. Here’s hoping for more lovely books to read in 2023!
Anyway, what a bold statement in this header, amiright? Keep in mind - all these romance reads are what I read last year and truly enjoyed. You're going to see some newer releases and you're going to see some that are definitely not. One thing they all have in common? I loved them!
Anyway, what a bold statement in this header, amiright? Keep in mind - all these romance reads are what I read last year and truly enjoyed. You're going to see some newer releases and you're going to see some that are definitely not. One thing they all have in common? I loved them!
Bet On It
by Jodie Slaughter
Pages: 320
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was a total surprise! It was sweet and sexy (definitely do not let the illustrated cover fool you!). I loved this one, not only for it's love story, but for its inclusivity of mental health issues and people of color. It felt like a real story of real people. Truly a great read.
by Jodie Slaughter
Pages: 320
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was a total surprise! It was sweet and sexy (definitely do not let the illustrated cover fool you!). I loved this one, not only for it's love story, but for its inclusivity of mental health issues and people of color. It felt like a real story of real people. Truly a great read.
A Delicate Deception
by Cat Sebastian (Regency Imposters #3)
Pages: 288
Published: 2019
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read this book early on in the year, but I remember it hitting all the heartstrings. Much like Bet On It, I loved this read for its focus on mental health. All that in a historical romance? Yes, please. I love the slow burn sexiness of historical romances.
by Cat Sebastian (Regency Imposters #3)
Pages: 288
Published: 2019
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read this book early on in the year, but I remember it hitting all the heartstrings. Much like Bet On It, I loved this read for its focus on mental health. All that in a historical romance? Yes, please. I love the slow burn sexiness of historical romances.
About that Night
by Laura Brown (Matzah Ball Surprise #2)
Pages: 193
Published: 2021
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've reviewed this lovely book before - and you can read that full review here. But just know that I loved it because it was sweet and had representation I definitely am not used to seeing (the male protagonist is deaf) - and it was just real and good vibes here.
by Laura Brown (Matzah Ball Surprise #2)
Pages: 193
Published: 2021
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I've reviewed this lovely book before - and you can read that full review here. But just know that I loved it because it was sweet and had representation I definitely am not used to seeing (the male protagonist is deaf) - and it was just real and good vibes here.
Deceived by the Gargoyle
by Lillian Lark (Monstrous Matches #2)
Pages: 388
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was truly an escape into a whole new area for me when it came to romances - not only a monster romance, but a polyamory romance. What?? I'll be honest, polyamory/reverse harem romances didn't interest me before this read. What was different about this read? Easy - it had gargoyles in it lol - please tell me I'm not the only one who absolutely loves gargoyles?? I blame that cartoon from my childhood....
by Lillian Lark (Monstrous Matches #2)
Pages: 388
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was truly an escape into a whole new area for me when it came to romances - not only a monster romance, but a polyamory romance. What?? I'll be honest, polyamory/reverse harem romances didn't interest me before this read. What was different about this read? Easy - it had gargoyles in it lol - please tell me I'm not the only one who absolutely loves gargoyles?? I blame that cartoon from my childhood....
The Fine Print
by Lauren Asher
(Dreamland Billionaires #1)
Pages: 448
Published: 2021
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a sucker for billionaire bad boy romances. I can't explain it. I know people hate them, but for me - it's just so fantastical that it's fun to read about. My only condition with these is that the guy cannot be a bully or TOO MUCH of a jerk - I need to find some redeeming quality in the protagonist for me to want to finish the book. And this book had the perfect combination of that.
by Lauren Asher
(Dreamland Billionaires #1)
Pages: 448
Published: 2021
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a sucker for billionaire bad boy romances. I can't explain it. I know people hate them, but for me - it's just so fantastical that it's fun to read about. My only condition with these is that the guy cannot be a bully or TOO MUCH of a jerk - I need to find some redeeming quality in the protagonist for me to want to finish the book. And this book had the perfect combination of that.
King of Battle and Blood
by Scarlett St. Clair (Adrian X Isolde #1)
Pages: 368
Published: 2021
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It may be my love of vampires, but I was sucked into this story (pun totally intended). It was fun to read. Isolde specifically is a great character because she is strong, not afraid to be sexual, and - well - there's something about a character that keeps you guessing - will she kiss him, have sex with him, or just kill him?
by Scarlett St. Clair (Adrian X Isolde #1)
Pages: 368
Published: 2021
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It may be my love of vampires, but I was sucked into this story (pun totally intended). It was fun to read. Isolde specifically is a great character because she is strong, not afraid to be sexual, and - well - there's something about a character that keeps you guessing - will she kiss him, have sex with him, or just kill him?
By the Book
by Jasmine Guillory
Pages: 320
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book originally flew very under my radar. I only picked it up because one of my favorite stories is that of Beauty and the Beast. I am a sucker for Beauty and the Beast re-tellings. I actually blame it for my love of the grumpy/sunshine. The enemies to lovers trope. This version takes another turn at the Beauty and the Beast story. More sweet than spicy, but truly a beautiful book.
by Jasmine Guillory
Pages: 320
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book originally flew very under my radar. I only picked it up because one of my favorite stories is that of Beauty and the Beast. I am a sucker for Beauty and the Beast re-tellings. I actually blame it for my love of the grumpy/sunshine. The enemies to lovers trope. This version takes another turn at the Beauty and the Beast story. More sweet than spicy, but truly a beautiful book.
Promises & Pomegranates
by Sav R. Miller (Monsters & Muses #1)
Pages: 382
Published: 2021
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such an emotional and sexy ride. However, I want to put emphasis on emotional. This is a DARK romance, and I can promise you that it will not be for everyone. I feel that aspects of this book are misunderstood and I hope to go into depth with that int he future. But know this - I'm not into face-value. I like to dig for the meaning. And this book has it.
by Sav R. Miller (Monsters & Muses #1)
Pages: 382
Published: 2021
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such an emotional and sexy ride. However, I want to put emphasis on emotional. This is a DARK romance, and I can promise you that it will not be for everyone. I feel that aspects of this book are misunderstood and I hope to go into depth with that int he future. But know this - I'm not into face-value. I like to dig for the meaning. And this book has it.
Chef's Kiss
by Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine (Illustrations), Hank Jones, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Pages: 160
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a cute and lovely graphic novel. It had a little bit of everything, friend and family drama (not too bad) and a slow burn of a romance. Add to that the fact that the two guys at the forefront of the romance are also cooks? Yeah, I was sold. Real quick.
by Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine (Illustrations), Hank Jones, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Pages: 160
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a cute and lovely graphic novel. It had a little bit of everything, friend and family drama (not too bad) and a slow burn of a romance. Add to that the fact that the two guys at the forefront of the romance are also cooks? Yeah, I was sold. Real quick.
Delilah Green Doesn't Care
by Ashley Herring Blake (Bright Falls #1)
Pages: 375
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A lovely sapphic romance between two complete opposites. This is really just my reader’s catnip. Grumpy/Sunshine. Enemies/Lovers. Whatever you call it, I’m all for it. This is equal and perfect parts funny, sweet, and sexy. This read really gave me everything, and I loved the characters so much that I just didn’t want to leave this town…
by Ashley Herring Blake (Bright Falls #1)
Pages: 375
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A lovely sapphic romance between two complete opposites. This is really just my reader’s catnip. Grumpy/Sunshine. Enemies/Lovers. Whatever you call it, I’m all for it. This is equal and perfect parts funny, sweet, and sexy. This read really gave me everything, and I loved the characters so much that I just didn’t want to leave this town…
Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail
by Ashley Herring Blake (Bright Falls #2)
Pages: 368
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
…and so I didn’t! This is the second in the Bright Falls series and it follows Delilah’s stepsister, Astrid Parker. This book was also funny, but it was a lot more heart-wrenching for me. As the dedication at the beginning of the novel states, this book is for those who came out later in life. Although I don’t have that experience, I could definitely understand the overall anxiety Astrid would experience.
by Ashley Herring Blake (Bright Falls #2)
Pages: 368
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
…and so I didn’t! This is the second in the Bright Falls series and it follows Delilah’s stepsister, Astrid Parker. This book was also funny, but it was a lot more heart-wrenching for me. As the dedication at the beginning of the novel states, this book is for those who came out later in life. Although I don’t have that experience, I could definitely understand the overall anxiety Astrid would experience.
Eyes on Me
by Sara Cate (Salacious Players Club #2)
Pages: 342
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t remember how I came across Sara Cate’s Salacious Players Club series. It might have been via TikTok (for the most part, I do NOT like BookTok, but I enjoy the lists some people make “Top 5 romance books you should read!”). Anyway, Eyes on Me had me hooked! It is definitely on the, how should I say - kinky side? Basically each book in the series is concerning one of the Players (they are not all men) and their particular “kink” or preference. Definitely sex-friendly. So, either leave your judgement at the door or…just keep on walking, friend. lol
by Sara Cate (Salacious Players Club #2)
Pages: 342
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t remember how I came across Sara Cate’s Salacious Players Club series. It might have been via TikTok (for the most part, I do NOT like BookTok, but I enjoy the lists some people make “Top 5 romance books you should read!”). Anyway, Eyes on Me had me hooked! It is definitely on the, how should I say - kinky side? Basically each book in the series is concerning one of the Players (they are not all men) and their particular “kink” or preference. Definitely sex-friendly. So, either leave your judgement at the door or…just keep on walking, friend. lol
Confessions of the Funny Fat Friend
by Kelsie Hoss
Pages: 524
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was long, but it did not feel like it when I was reading. It was honestly just a lovely read about two individuals who act like adults. As in, they recognize their attraction, but understand that because they work together, they can’t give in. So, instead, they grow their friendship. It of course doesn’t go exactly as planned, but it was so lovely to see read about two people who cared so much about each other and their blooming friendship and love. Happy sigh.
by Kelsie Hoss
Pages: 524
Published: 2022
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was long, but it did not feel like it when I was reading. It was honestly just a lovely read about two individuals who act like adults. As in, they recognize their attraction, but understand that because they work together, they can’t give in. So, instead, they grow their friendship. It of course doesn’t go exactly as planned, but it was so lovely to see read about two people who cared so much about each other and their blooming friendship and love. Happy sigh.
There you have it readers! Those are the romance books I loved in 2022. I’ll be honest 2022 was really the year of romance reading for me. I’m hoping to continue that into 2023, but also incorporate more mysteries, thrillers, and horror!
Let me know what you think and what I should be adding to my TBR this year!
Let me know what you think and what I should be adding to my TBR this year!
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