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Best Reads of 2022

 



As we reach the end of the first week of a new year, I have had time to look back on my reads from 2022.  It is like walking down memory lane, remembering the characters and stories that impacted me and brought me joy.  I have compiled a collection of my favorites in this post.  I have attempted to divide them into trope categories.  Some books are listed in more than one category.  Others may be listed in only one, yet could have easily been placed in multiple categories as well.  I have tried to limit it to a maximum of five per category with the exception of Single Mom.  I read a lot of them, and so many of them were excellent this year.  I had to allow for six choices in that category.  When you read as much as I do, it is nearly impossible to pick a favorite read of the year or even a favorite author.   I function better in group selection.  I have many one-click authors and several favorite tropes.

Each of these books have my review available on this blog and they can be found by searching title or by label.

I have included Amazon links for each book.  Many of these books are in Kindle Unlimited.  If you click the link and they are not in Kindle Unlimited, that means you will also be able to find their eBooks on other retailers besides Amazon.  For those new to the process, if a book is in Kindle Unlimited, eBook sales are restricted to Amazon.


As you can see from my Year By The Numbers.  I read A LOT.  I belong to a lot of ARC teams.  Some of those authors are very prolific while others only publish now and again.  I also can sign up to read books in advance as a blogger, and I try to take advantage of that when I can.  

I was fortunate to attend four book signings this year and met so many wonderful authors and readers.  In preparation for those signings I really tried to read something by attending authors.  That is how I was fortunate enough to read so many new-to-me authors this year.  

I have also worked at listening to more audiobooks this year.  I prefer audiobooks as a reread, but I also found that I like the read and listen option where I may start out in the audiobook and finsh in the eBook.




Now, on to the categories.










Finding Ivy by Claire Kingsley

The Image of You by Melanie Moreland

My Better Life by Sarah Ready

Barbarian's Heart by Ruby Dixon



Killer Instincts by Tawna Fenske

Killer Moves by Tawna Fenske

Killer Smile by Tawna Fenske

The Commander by Melanie Moreland

Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger



Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger

Faking Ms. Right by Claire Kingsley

Jock Blocked by Pippa Grant

The Last Eligible Billionaire by Pippa Grant

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey


Fumbled Love by S. Jones














I separate Celebrity from Rock Star in my list to allow for more books to be highlighted.  

Run Run Rudolph by Chelle Sloan

Irresistible Trouble by Pippa Grant

The Rebel by Lena Hendrix

Just for Show by Tawna Fenske

Hollywood Ball by Annie Dyer

Sanctum by Hannah McBride

Ace by Jaime Lewis 

On the Edge by Julia Connors

Meet Me in Los Feliz by Kelly Reynolds







The Last Eligible Billionaire by Pippa Grant

Off the Mark by Kathryn Nolan

Fall For Me by J.H. Croix

Just One Favor by Stephanie Rose

Just One Spark by Carly Phillips



I combine firefighters, paramedics, and police to create a first responder category in my list.

Rewriting the Stars by Claire Kingsley

Just for Show by Tawna Fenske

Grumpy As Hell by Marika Ray

Fall For Me by J.H. Croix

The Badge by Lena Hendrix


Forbidden can mean not allowed due to a non-fraternization policy of an employer, or something more like professor student or complicated family dynamics.

Illegal Contact by Emily Silver

Now's the Time by Harlow James

An Unexpected Turn by Stephanie Rose

The Best Kept Secret by Tawna Fenske

The Secret by Max Monroe


For me, a healing love book is one that allows one of the main characters to overcome some emotional or physical trauma that has occurred (usually both) through finding love and their HEA.



























The Lecara Duet: Her Royal Fling and His Royal Plan by Jodie Larson

Royal Reckoning by Emily Silver

Royally Not Ready by Meghan Quinn









To qualify for the series category, I had to have read the entire series in the 2022 calendar year, and it had to be complete.  









I read a TON of sports romance this year.  You will never know how difficult is was to choose five for the best list.  Check the labels #Sports and #SportsRomance to find even more recommendations.


I know this trope isn't for everyone but it is honestly one of my favorites.  I rarely turn down a read for surprise pregnancy and it always gets my attention.

Just One Kiss by Carly Phillips

Heart Keeper by Annie Dyer

Off Track by Chelle Sloan

Impulsive Love by Lea Coll

Just One Favor by Stephanie Rose



A Very London Christmas by Sara Madderson

Illegal Contact by Emily Silver

The Dealmaker by Jessica Peterson

Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score

Rival Radio by Kathryn Nolan


Well, that's a wrap.  I am hopeful that this list will help you find some new favorites to add to your TBR list. Or if you are just looking for a particular kind of book, maybe one of my favorites will be yours too.

As we move into 2023 I will be setting new goals and reading as much as I can.  One thing for certain, every year as I put this together I am reminded that I should be compiling some of this as the year progresses instead of saving it all for the end of the year.  Maybe this year will be the year I do that and I can get this out to readers before the first week of 2024.  

I wish everyone a happy, healthy, new year full of love and happily ever afters.

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