It is impossible to describe how deeply Reminders of Him touched me. It’s been days since I finished the book, and I’m still thinking about it. I know that the story will continue to linger with me for quite some time. I’ve come to expect nothing less from Colleen Hoover.
Call Me Maybe is the perfect pick-me-up, and it’s presented in the most creative way. This Audible Original audiobook is more like an aural theatrical production than a traditional audiobook—brought to life with fantastic vocal performances by Luci Christian and Neil Hellegers, and with sound effects as well. When Vera is driving, you hear cars whizzing past. A text being composed is followed by the familiar “whoosh” of the text being sent. They’re eating dinner, and you can hear the sound of utensils clinking against dishes. You get the picture.
Oh Alaska, how I’ve missed you! It’s been awhile since I read The Simple Wild and the two books that followed, but I discovered that my love for the remote Alaska setting and its fictional residents hasn’t diminished one bit. The previous books (all 5-star reads for me) feature the romance between Calla and Jonah. Running Wild is all about Marie, the veterinarian who secretly loved Jonah. It’s a heartwarming story that doesn’t disappoint.
I had the pleasure of listening to the Getting Real audiobook a few months ago and loved it. You can read my review here. This sexy, hilarious, emotional romance from New York Times bestselling author Emma Chase is now available in eBook and print formats. The audiobook is included in Audible Plus.
I liked the beginning of One Night, but ultimately I just didn’t buy this story. I get how a one-night stand could turn into more nights. I get why a single mom might not want to introduce her son to the man she’s casually sleeping with. I even get why you might not want to share certain personal details with the guy at first. What I don’t get is how you can date a man for months and still not be willing to tell him your son’s name. I mean, you can tell him you have a five-year-old son but not his name? Why not just keep the fact that you have a kid a secret?
I think Taylor Jenkins Reid is a queen, and I’ve never rated her books less than 4 stars, but I was honestly bored listening to this novella. Although the concept is clever, the content and direction of the letters is pretty predictable. The audiobook alone is especially disappointing due to narrator George Newbern’s delivery. He depicts a man whose wife is cheating on him and whose life is turned upside down, yet his tone is incredibly blasé. It’s a jarring contrast to Julia Wheelan’s superb narration. I did like the ending of Evidence of the Affair, though, and I still believe the author is gifted.
Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely combine their formidable talents to create a seamless opposites attract M/M love story. The Best Men was a joy for me to read.
Washed Up is an enjoyable romance where the age gap is a significant one—Amanda is 12 years older than Greg. While her confidence is severely bruised thanks to her abusive soon-to-be ex-husband, she doesn’t wallow in self-pity, and she doesn’t concern herself with what other people might think about their age difference. Instead, the emphasis is on building their connection and Amanda’s growth as she starts a new chapter of her life. She’s mainly concerned with how her son will react to her dating his good friend.
We’ve come to the end of the Wallflowers series with a delightful story about Daisy Bowman, the American soap heiress and younger sister of Lillian. I loved every petite inch of the rebellious, romantic bookworm.
As the pandemic raged on in 2021, I found myself turning to books as an escape. In addition to contemporary romance, I read a variety of other genres: historical romance, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and women’s fiction. While the first half of the year produced some lackluster reading experiences, the latter half made up for it. Here are some of my favorite books both read and published in 2021, in no particular order.
In writing The Worst Guy, I truly think Kate Canterbary said, “I’m going to give you two of the most complicated, messiest characters I can imagine and make you fall in love with them.” If so, mission accomplished. I could not get enough of Sara and Sebastian.
Looking for a holiday romance that is impossible to put down and guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit? Look no further. The Plight Before Christmas, the utterly delightful holiday rom com by Kate Stewart, has you covered.