My Favorite Romance Reads of 2019

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What. a. year. What a week. The last eight days have quite possibly changed the romance writing game forever. So much has happened, and I don’t have the energy to go through it all, but if you want to know the dirty details, just google RWA dumpster fire and you should find what you’re looking for. I can’t even wrap my head around all of it, and as I’m just coming up on my first anniversary as an RWA member, I’m not experiencing the full impact of all the BS that’s gone down (and as of right now, I am not planning on renewing my membership). All I know is Romancelandia is in flames and the people “in charge” of RWA are dousing them with gasoline. All that being said, it has been an AMAZING year for romance. Seriously. I read so many great books this year that I had a really hard time narrowing them down. For my favorite YA reads, I listed all my 4.5 and 5 star rated books, but I have SO MANY 4.5 books on the romance list that I couldn’t list them all. So I’m bringing you all of my 5 star reads, plus some of the highlights from my 4.5 list. Basically, get your wallets ready because you’re going to want to read all of these. (Note: These books were not necessarily published in 2019, but I read them for the first time in 2019.)

5 Stars:

One and Only by Jenny Holiday: I’m always a little scared to read books set in the wedding world, since that’s my job and all, but I freaking loved this book. It’s the first in the series and it’s my favorite because I love me a broken hero and Cam is the sweetest.

The New Camelot Series by Sierra Simone: Guys. Yowza. I had no idea what I was getting into with this trilogy but holy moly. Not only will these books rip your heart out (take my advice and make sure you have access to all three before you start because you will want to read them back to back) but they will make you question your sexuality, no matter what your sexuality might be. HAWT doesn’t even begin to do it justice. Also, so many feels.

Bride Test by Helen Hoang: I can’t even imagine what the pressure must be like to follow up a book like Kiss Quotient, which was one of the most successful romance books in recent years. Bride Test lived up to the challenge in so many ways. My heart was ripped apart and sewn back together about eighty-two times in the course of reading this book. Brilliant.

Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams: This might have been the first marriage in trouble book I’ve ever read and I was pleasantly surprised by it. I love the series concept and I am super stoked to read what comes next.

Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean: I don’t think Sarah is capable of writing anything less than stellar, but this might be the best thing she’s ever written. Hattie and Whit are perfection and I loved every second of this book.

Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher: Andie makes me lol anytime I hear her on the Wicked Wallflowers Club podcast, and this book made me lol multiple times. I loved the How to Lose a Guy gender swap and I am a sucker for an “unlikable” heroine.

Well Met by Jen DeLuca: Honestly, all I wrote in my notes for this book was “Perfection.” I’m obsessed with this book, I have made plans to attend my first ren faire, and I am soooooooo excited for the next book.

Right Swipe by Alisha Rai: This book tackles so many modern issues (technology and CTE to name just two) and does it in such a gorgeous way, all while wrapped up in a beautiful love story.

Get a Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert: My only complaint about this book is that it made me want to quit writing because I’m never going to write anything nearly as good as this. Talia’s voice is perfection. I laughed, I cried, I loved it.

Blitzed by Alexa Martin: I mean, how can you not love a book that references Real Housewives and Justin Timberlake Disney Channel Original Movies? This is the third book in Alexa’s football series and I think it’s my favorite of the three. Love her. Also, she’s one of my Pitch Wars mentors so yay me!

Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole: Honestly, everything I’ve read by Alyssa Cole could be on this list, but I think Princess in Theory is my favorite. I’m such a sucker for a fairytale story and this one just made my heart happy.

99% Mine by Sally Thorne: Again, I can only imagine the pressure involved with writing a follow up to a huge success like Hating Game. But I freaking loved 99% Mine and getting to meet Sally this year was a dream (and of course, I totally bumbled and stumbled and couldn’t put a coherent sentence together, as I do, but she was lovely).

Notable 4.5 Stars:

Governess Game by Tessa Dare: So witty and cute!

Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker: Such a fun series!

Takeover Effect by Nisha Sharma: Look at that cover!

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert: Disney villains who bang, need I say more?

Honestly, I could add twenty more books to this list, but I think I’ve narrowed it down to my overall favorites. Tomorrow starts a new year and a new list and I can’t wait to see what romance has in store for me in 2020!