I set a goal to read 22 books this year, and LO AND BEHOLD. I hath PASSED MY GOAL. Somehow between writing my own novels, taking care of a toddler, and bringing a second child in the world, I made time to enjoy reading as often as I could.
I’ve really enjoyed tracking books I read on Goodreads! Add me as a friend if you’d like so I can see what you’re reading and loving as well.
Books in this post are listed by genre and the order in which I read them. They’re not ranked in any way! I did note my top three favorites from this year at the end of the post, so be sure to scroll down to catch that bit.
Clean Contemporary Romance:
Royally Rearranged by Emma St. Clair. A sweet royal romance that had me yearning for spring and craving strawberries. Oh, and falling HARD for our main guy Rafe, here. Watch out! If you enjoy royal romances, you’ll love this one!
Falling For Your Enemy by Emma St. Clair. Loved this final book in @kikimojo’s ‘Love Cliche’s’ series. Sam’s wit + Rhys’s grumpy attentiveness make for a hilarious and satisfying read!
The Neighbor War by Katie Bailey. HOOKED me from the very first scene! Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope of all, and this book gave me everything I hoped it would. Absolutely hilarious MC’s (Courtney is so endearing) forced proximity, and even a dreamy trip to the Caribbean.
Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson. Picked this up at the bookstore (which I NEVER do- romance can be risky without researching content first) and I’m so glad I did! Clean, classy, and adorable- the writer in me loved that it was set in a publishing house.
Just Go With It by Madison Wright. This book was a DELIGHT! Fast paced, sweet, and swoony. Lo and Wes’s history and Lo’s chronic illness make it all believable and OH SO CUTE.
The Next Worst Thing by Sara Jane Woodley. She had me at ‘British accent’. Brother’s best friend in town for a wedding? Sign me up!
So That Happened by Katie Bailey. HILARIOUS. I died laughing at this grumpy/sunshine romcom. This one’s at the top of my list of favorites!
Complete by Kortney Keisel. Really enjoyed this friends-to-lovers romcom!
When In Rome by Sarah Adams. Pie. Small town vibes. Forced proximity. A really sweet read!
Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel. Probably the only Christmas book I’ll get through this year, but SO GOOD. I chuckled out loud many times and LOVED everything about Miles!
Clean Regency Romance:
Behind the Light of Golowduyn (A Cornish Romance) by Deborah M. Hathaway. Got swept up in this Cornish romance with a courageous heroine, a marriage of convenience, and descriptions of Cornwall that will make you want to book yourself a flight.
Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker. You know those stories that sparkle, that carry a bit of magic within them that stays with you long after you finish? This book is one of them. So beautifully written, funny, and sweet. Add a little light to your life by reading this new favorite of mine!
Games in a Ballroom by Jentry Flint. This was such a refreshing regency romance. You can’t go wrong with a good friends to lovers trope, and the unexpected playfulness in Olivia and Emmett’s budding relationship kept me guessing!
A Lady on the Chase by Jessica Scarlett. Had to see what all the Matthew hype was about and I GET IT. Love him and his grumpiness.
Young Adult:
Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber. After my youngest sister read all three books in a matter of days, I knew I had to jump back in! I’d read Caraval several years ago and picked up with book two. This series is incredibly entertaining. LOVED the magical story and characters (*cough* LEGEND).
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor. Pitched as Caraval meets The Night Circus, this one was an enjoyable read!
The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I absolutely LOVED these books. The Westing Game meets Knives Out with a good amount of romance. Some of my very favorites this year!
Once Upon A Broken Heart Series by Stephanie Garber. BY FAR my favorite books I read this year. I was simply UNWELL after reading The Ballad of Never After. DYING TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
Other:
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou. I started reading this book at the end of my second trimester, and it transformed my eating habits and the remainder of my pregnancy and postpartum plans. This book led me to doing so much research on pro-metabolic and ancestral eating…enter raw dairy, bone broth and beef liver supplements. Truly have felt nourished during this last part of my pregnancy and am so grateful to have found this book!
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. My only re-read of 2022! This book has influenced my life in more ways than I can count! So many principles that help guide my decisions around how I use my time, spend money, and prioritize my life.
Top 3 Favorites from this year:
- Once Upon A Broken Heart Series by Stephanie Garber. I will be not-so-patiently awaiting book three!
- Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker. This is one I will recommend to EVERYONE and re-read forever and ever, amen.
- So That Happened by Katie Bailey. I already know it’s going to be tough to find another contemporary romcom that can make me laugh like this one did!
Grateful to have discovered and enjoyed so many good books this year!