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Happy New Year! I hope you all are having a great start to 2022!
2021 was the year I rediscovered my love of reading. I challenged myself to read 25 books last year, and I ended up reading a total of 30 books. This isn’t as many as other book reviewers or people on “Bookstagram” or “BookTok” read annually. But, I have not read more than a few books a year since graduating college. For today’s post, I’m ranking the 30 books that I read in 2021, and giving mini reviews on my top 15. If you have any recommendations for me to read in 2022, leave them in the comments!
The Lower Ranks
These 15 books are in the lower half of my 2021 book rankings. It’s that I didn’t enjoy them. I don’t really pick a book to read if I don’t think I’ll like it. These books just didn’t wow me as much as the others did.
30. Dark Russian Angel by Odette Stone
29. Rogue Gentleman by Kylie Gilmore
28. Watch Me Follow by Harloe Rae
27. I’m Calling Dibs by Harloe Rae
26. Ego Maniac by Vi Keeland
25. Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger
24. Redefining Us by Harloe Rae
23. Spark by Aleatha Romig
22. Leave Him Loved by Harloe Rae
Click here to read my full review of Leave Him Loved.
21. Losing Control by Nina Croft
20. The Change Up by Meghan Quinn
19. Chasing Love by Kat. T. Masen
18. Loner by Harloe Rae
17. Left for Wild by Harloe Rae
16. Washed Up by Kandi Steiner
Keep an eye out for a full review of Washed Up later this month!
Want to find out which books are on my TBR list? Follow me on Goodreads!
Make Me Yours by Melanie Harlow
This book is one that had added to my TBR very early on in my introduction to this new genre of books. When I finally read it, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would have. But, it’s still in my top books of the year. The story is so sweet it’s hard to not enjoy it.
Forever Lies by Jill Ramsower
The first book in The Five Families series drew me in so quickly. The way Luca and Alessia’s story progresses kept me on my toes, and there are a ton of twists and turns along the way that I did not see coming. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series in 2022.
Ask Me Why by Harloe Rae
If you’re looking for a book that is a true happily every after story, Ask Me Why is the book for you. Rooted in heartbreak on both sides, the tension between Brance and Braelyn is undeniable. This couple appears in the bonus epilogue of Breaker, and make an appearance in Something Like Hate, so I was very eager to learn their story. And they didn’t disappoint.
Cruel Paradise by J.T. Geissinger
After reading Beautifully Cruel, I wasn’t in a rush to read part 2, Cruel Paradise. But, I’m so glad I did read this book. I found it to be so much more captivating (and spicy!). If you do choose to read this book, I highly recommend still reading both books in order. You’ll have a very different perspective on the story and things will make a lot more sense.
Playing for Keeps by Kendall Ryan
Book 1 in Kendall Ryan’s Hot Jocks series grabbed me from the very beginning, and now I’m hooked on these characters and their world. The series is all about hockey players in Seattle- I mean, how could I not read that? After winning the championships, Justin and Elise make one drunken mistake, resulting in Justin looking at his teammates’ little sister a little differently. Such a good story!
All the Way by Kendall Ryan
I thought I liked Elise and Justin in Playing for Keeps, but I had no idea how much I would love Becca and Owen (Elise’s big brother). As a sexual assault survivor, Becca has trouble being comfortable around men. Owen agrees to help her move past her fears with a little… hands on help. You know where this is going.
*WARNING– This book mentions sexual assault and the difficulties of moving past it. I found the discussions and memories to be mild, and Owen is beyond caring with Becca, and is always concerned for her comfort before anything else. However, if you are unsure if this book is for you, I recommend reading several reviews to help you decide if you should read it. Feel free to DM me on Twitter or Instagram with any private questions you may have.*
Blindsided by Amy Daws
Mac and Freya’s story was so much fun to read. After a drunken game of never-have-I-ever, Freya’s insecurities come pouring out and Mac agrees to become her Love Coach. Blindsided is filled with moments of romance followed quickly by arguments between the short-tempered best friends. But what stands out in this book is the love Mac and Freya both have. Not to just each other, but to their families and friends as well. Go read it- just trust me.
Something Like Hate by Harloe Rae
SLH has a special place in my heart because it was the first book that I was given an ARC for (advanced reader copy). This enemies to lovers story is full of witty banter and of course, lots of spice.
Read my full review of Something Like Hate here.
The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart
The Plight Before Christmas is the first Kate Stewart book I’ve read, and I can’t wait to read more. This book is a perfect blend of holiday cheer, family dynamics (good and bad!), and second chance romance.
Click here to read my full review of The Plight Before Christmas.
Screwed Up by Harloe Rae
Screwed Up is the 2nd book in the Bayside Heroes series. I really enjoyed the story between Larson and Dane, and their relationship.
You can read my full review of Screwed Up here.
Fired Up by K.K. Allen
Fired Up is the 3rd book in the Bayside Heroes series, and my first K.K. Allen read. I absolutely loved this book. So far, it’s my favorite of the 4 books in the series. But, I’m currently reading Tangled Up, so that may change.
Keep an eye out for a full review of Fired Up later this month!
Keeper by Harloe Rae
Man, I love this book. Delaney’s amnesia makes her so cute (like when learning different emojis- you know the one I’m talking about). Decker is a classic alpha male with a soft, gooey inside. You can’t help but root for these two right from page one.
3. The Italian by T.L. Swan
Hot damn. The Italian. When it came time to choose which T.L. Swan book I wanted to read first, the title made this book the obvious choice for me. This book has a second part, Ferrara, releasing this year and I am so excited for it. The ending of The Italian leaves you wanting so much more, and I’m excited to see where this story is going to go with the new main characters in it. Are you going to read Ferrara when it’s released?
2. Breaker by Harloe Rae
Yup- Breaker was dethroned from my top book of the year! Breaker is the book that got me back in to reading on a daily basis again, and I love the story. This book set the bar so high that it seemed almost impossible for another book to replace it as #1. But, Harloe Rae eventually managed to outdo herself. If you like forbidden romance, slow-burn, all the feels types of stories, Breaker is a must-read.
Read my full review of Breaker right here.
1. There’s Always Someday by Harloe Rae
If you haven’t read There’s Always Someday, you’re missing out. My top book was a very close call between this and Breaker. But ultimately, I still think about Clea and Nolan every day, even months after reading the book. The key to this book comes in the form of Nolan’s 6-year-old daughter, Tally. She’s full of sass, brutal honesty, and is the biggest cheerleader for her father and Clea’s relationship. TAS has the perfect balance of family fun, romance, and pure spice. If you only read 1 book on this list, make it There’s Always Someday.
Click here to read my full review of There’s Always Someday.
What books did you read this year? Leave your recommendations for me in the comments!
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