This post contains affiliate links. Also, please note, some of these authors are my friends, and some of them are published by my publisher. I paid for and read these books all on my own and all my opinions are my own.
Well, friends. I haven’t been here in like a million years because honestly I have been so ridiculously busy I’ve barely had time to think and something had to give! I miss sharing all my thoughts and favorite things with all of you and I’m hoping to get back to a more regular posting schedule in the new year. But for now, I couldn’t let the end of the year go by without sharing some of my favorite books of the year with you! And of course, there are so many I have to write multiple posts. For this list and the other parts still to come, I wanted to celebrate books that aren’t going to end up on every end of the year best of list (looking at you Book Lovers!). Because now I know the total *joy* of reading all those lists and never seeing your book and I want all of these amazing people to see their book on an end of the year list, even if it is just mine! Here are some of the romance books that stole my heart in 2022! (Also, important to note that while I usually include any books I’ve read during the year as eligible for this list, no matter when they published, I think most of these are 2022 releases!)
In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae: No surprise that my podcast cohost extraordinaire made this because she is an amazing writer in addition to being an amazing human! I read ITEOL way back before it was even published and I was blown away by the heart in this book. I love these characters with my whole being and I cannot wait to see what Courtney comes up with next!
Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun: While You Were Sleeping is my favorite holiday movie, so it should come as no surprise that I fell head over heels for this modern sapphic take on it. Alison writes the most beautiful characters with the most relatable issues and I am low-key obsessed with her.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan: So yeah, you’ve probably seen this one on some lists, but I had to include it because it is so damn good. I usually don’t love marriage in trouble books (which is what I consider this one, even if they are technically divorced) because I hate thinking about my own marriage being in any kind of trouble, but this one is absolute perfection. Get ready for your heart to be ripped from your chest!
Would You Rather by Allison Ashley: I’m freaking obsessed with this book! A friends to lovers, marriage of convenience with some of the swooniest kisses I have ever read. Allison is magic and so are her books!
For Butter or Worse by Erin LaRosa: Maybe my favorite enemies to lovers of the year and you know that’s saying something. The tension, the steam, the baking show references. I am here for every single bit of it.
Birds of California by Katie Cotugno: This one seemed to be a little polarizing among readers, but I freaking loved it. I am trash for celebrity romance and I loved this spin on it. It also is one of the few books set in LA that really captured the true LA vibes. I loved it!
By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate: I know a lot of us love books about fellow bookish people and this one really captured that spirit. Even though this is the slowest of slow burns, I was so wrapped up in the story, I didn’t even care. Stellar voice, stellar plot, stellar characters.
The Good Girl’s Guide to Rakes by Eva Leigh: You all know I don’t read a ton of historical, but I can’t get enough of Eva’s books. They are so perfectly steamy and so perfectly heart-wrenching. She is a master author.
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton: Another writer and series I am absolutely obsessed with. I’ve never read anything like India’s books and they just capture me from page one.
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan: How many books can I be utterly obsessed with because this is definitely one of them! Ugh I loved everything about it from our dummy hero to our writer heroine. I would die for them.
How to Fake It in Hollywood by Ava Wilder: Have I mentioned I am trash for celebrity romance? I am, and this is one of the best. Seriously. I laughed. I cried. I had one of those moments when I finished reading when I just held the book to my chest. Enough said.
And that’s a wrap on part one! Please go buy all the books and come back soon for part two!