Top 10 Romances of 2021

2021 reading was a wild ride! I didn’t read quite as many books as I have in previous years, but I’m okay with that. Life was hectic, busy, chaotic and full of ups and downs this past year. The books I did read were pretty amazing for the most part.

The books listed below are my favorite 10 books that I read this year. Narrowing down the choices was so hard! There is a mix of books that were published from previous years, this year and even a few ARCs that are releasing in 2022. These were all five star reads for me and I highly recommend each and every single one!

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

The Love Hypothesis had everything I love in a rom-com –
Funny scenes that had the perfect banter⁣
Fake dating/forced proximity/only one bed…need I say more?? ⁣
The tension and build up of a slow burn between the MC’s⁣
Strong willed and confident women in STEM ⁣
Consider this book to be a true rom-com with so much awkwardness that I had to constantly shut the book because I was laughing out loud so much!

Dear Enemy by Kristen Callihan

Second chance romance and so much shared history and angst between the two.
Forced proximity situations that had me laughing out loud, yet swooning at the same time.
Slow burn and so much sexual tension
While Dear Enemy is a standalone, I definitely recommend the other book in this duology – Make it Sweet which technically takes place after Dear Enemy.
Highly recommend the audiobook to Dear Enemy -it was fantastic!

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Friends to lovers
So much angst it had me swooning and tugging on my heart strings.
Timeline jumps that had me laughing and crying in equal measures and biting my nails at the anticipation of what was going to happen next.

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

A romance featuring dueling bakers and a royal wedding⁣
Great British Bake Off or other baking shows vibes woven throughout thebook⁣
A grumpy/grumbly hero (who makes contestants cry), but might have a soft heart underneath
A spunky sunshiney heroine who loves glitter and all things sweet⁣

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

A slow burn with that steam we can expect from a Tessa Bailey book
Friends-to-lovers romance⁣
Hero and heroine who are both so vulnerable but are each others greatest support⁣
Angst, swooning and a book that will make you laugh and grin while reading it ⁣
Doesn’t release until 2022 – but I HIGHLY recommend it. Definitely read It Happened One Summer to get you ready for Hook, Line, and Sinker

The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle

Enemies to lovers/bodyguard romance
Slow burn⁣
Grumpy/grunty hero that is a cinnamon roll (and can make cinnamon rolls)⁣
Fiercely loyal and funny heroine who unapologetically loves romance ⁣
A romance that has wonderful mental health representation⁣

Lease on Love by Fallon Ballard

Forced Proximity
Great friendships throughout the book⁣
Humor mixed in with plenty of angst
This book was just…sigh so great. It was such a sweet and soft romance.
And although there was a lot of humor throughout the book, there was also a lot of discussion on grief and starting over that was written so beautifully.⁣

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

A second chance romance told over the span of years
Two very head strong characters who will not settle for anything less, but want only the best for each other
Political intrigue and issues being discussed that are still affecting us including: how indigenous people are being treated, clean energy, race, gender
The sweetest, swooniest and steamiest romance!

Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday

Friends to lovers⁣
Slow burn romance⁣
Grumpy/sunshine (she’s the grumpy one)⁣
The cutest puppy⁣
Christmas-y vibes (but never felt over the top)
If contemporary romance met historical romance I feel like it would be Duke, Actually. Which sounds so strange – but works so well

The Wedding Ringer by Kerry Rea

Wonderful book about the loss of friendships, new friendships and the vulnerability that comes with both.
Sweetest romance with great banter. I had a grin on my face every time Willa & Liam were on the same page. I was constantly laughing out loud and rooting for the two to get together!
A book so profound and touching that I can’t possibly do it justice with my words – highly recommend!

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