Joining up with ThatArtsyReadergirl
I’ve chosen to list some books I read in 2022 with strong romance elements. I usually now leave the outright romance books but I love a good story with a strong romance element.
Looking at these books and you think you could recommend me something equally as good – go for it.
Flirting with the Beast: Jane Porter. Is pretty much outright romance but for older characters. Four stars.
State of Shock Marie Force: An ongoing series with two of the most romantic married characters in a book. Romantic suspense. 4 stars
Snowed in For Christmas. Sarah Morgan. Another pretty much outright romance but has the best grandma and family characters that would make me want to reread this one at some point. And…. set in Scotland. Five stars
Thank You For Listening. Julia Whelan. Audiobook narrators who eventually meet! It’s a Rom Com that I really recommend, but its more than that. It has wisdom and growth of character and things to think about. Five stars
The Choice: Nora Roberts. This is a paranormal fantasy set “beside” Ireland. Keegan and Breen are a pair who over three books ( this is the last in the trilogy) defeat evil and celebrate love. 4.5 stars.
Nora Goes Off Script. Annabel Monaghan. Thoroughly enjoyed this romance, loved the characters and especially the down to earth family and friends. Nora and Leo – what a pair. Bernadette and Arthur not far behind. It was cute and made me laugh out loud at times. I never saw what caused the trouble and kept wondering what on earth is going on. Well now I know! Very satisfying. Would definitely read another by this author. 4.5 stars.
Storm Echo. Nalini Singh. Another very enjoyable addition to the series. Pay/changeling/human unite in a way that brings about a welcome result. Ivan believes he is fated to have to live in a cage, but since Silence has fallen and what was once believed has altered is that actually going to happen? Soliel is a changeling delight and I really loved her story and her strength and love. I love the values of family and hope and the right use of power that underlines this book and all the series. 4.5 stars.
The Bodyguard. Katherine Center. Read in a day. Just couldn’t put it down. Feel good, warm hearted book with entertainment and sprinkles of life giving wisdom. 4.5 stars
Hana Khan Carries On. Uzma Jalaluddin. Very much enjoyed this book. A rom com, but…. The kind I like, great characters, comedic bits, interspersed with serious issues. Full of family, immigrant issues and most of all love. Highly recommend.
Dance Away With Me Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Five big fat stars. I loved this book, worth every big fat dollar I paid to get a hardback copy. I loved the characters, the serious issues covered and that Wren, she was just baby delicious. And sprinkled through was Susan Elizabeth Phillips smart, funny voice. It’s there, don’t say it’s not. I savoured every morsel of this book, This was a reread in 2022 via audiobook, every bit as good second time round. 5 stars.
I am always ready for a new Susan Wiggs book and this one publishes on the 12th of July but not available a little later internationally.
This book The Best is Yet to Come publishes on the 12th of July as well. I’ve had it reserved at the library for awhile now. It will probably be a while before it arrives, is processed and out there. If it takes too long I can buy it. Its marked as a heartwarming read and new starts and Mary from Book Fan rated it really well. Want to read it now!
Like many another reader this has been on my radar for awhile. And now it publishes July 12th as well. Bu internationally a few weeks later. The bodyguard is a woman and protecting a guy who is being stalked.
It’s awhile since I read a Buchanan series book but decided I’d give this one a whirl. It has a bodyguard as well – this time a male bodyguard for a woman who doesn’t want one. The book publishes mid July and I have put in a hold for it at the library.
I’ve enjoyed a couple of books by Heather Webber and I will certainly be wanting to read In the Middle of Hickory Lane which publishes at the end of July. It involves a grandmother/grand daughter and a garden and I suspect a little magical realism. I am looking forward to it, Maybe in print or audio.
Well obviously this has a library in it. It’s not really about the library as such, but… it is an important place in that one of the characters finds refuge there. Another loves coming there for book club and the librarian is afraid her job is going because the council are threatening to close the library.
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles presents us with the American Library in Paris in the months leading up to WW11 and during the war. Like all stories set in this era at times it is stark and heart breaking. The people suffer so much.
This one The Giver of Stars along with The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – I read both – gives us insight to the courageous librarians of the WPA Packhorse Library in rural Kentucky from the mid 1930’s to the mid 1940’s. The Appalachian mountains were challenging to say the least. I really enjoyed both books set here. Both very worth reading. I listened to The Giver of Stars which was excellent.
I’d forgotten this one has a librarian but it does. Samantha Casey is a school librarian who loves her job, the kids, and her school family with passion and joy for living. But she wasn’t always that way.
I’ve been reading The Guncle by Stephen Rowley which is exploring some serious issues, mainly that of grief and loss but with some humour and great compassion. And the main character is so engaging.
The Book Date 