As we wrap up 2021, it’s fun to think about all the things that happened this past year. I published my fifth book, finished book number six, and started book number seven. I watched my oldest graduate from college, welcomed the first great-niece into our family, and I transitioned into a new role with my full-time job.
As a reader, it’s also fun to think about my favorite books of this past year. Browsing back through my Kindle, I’m reminded of so many wonderful stories. I have a hard time picking a favorite because there are so many great ones out there, and it’s hard to classify just one book being the best. So here’s my list of personal favorites from 2021 (in no particular order).
Halstead House by Aspen Hadley – this sweet romance made me want to dive into the pages and visit the quaint Lavendar Island and Halstead House, which I found out was based on a real place in Galveston, Texas.
Redeeming the Cowboy by Mandi Blake was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and this cowboy story did not disappoint. I was looking forward to Hunter’s story from the beginning of this series. I’m a big fan of the underdog, and this book was the perfect wrap-up of the Blackwater Ranch series.
So You Want A Second Chance by Elizabeth Maddrey is the first book in her Billionaire series. It’s a wonderful, later in life story of two people who put their careers ahead of love. I loved how their chance meeting led them to find each other again after so many years.
Trusting the Hero by Hannah Jo Abbott is her second book in the Freedom Ridge series. This story shows that love is worth the risk when you learn to trust again and follow your heart.
First Comes Love series by Jess Mastorakos – I have enjoyed this rom-com series and just finished up the third book last week. These fun and light-hearted stories pull from characters in her other Marines series.
Resisting Rose by Tara Grace Ericson was a sweet friends to more story. I love reading a book where the characters have a slow and natural progression to love. The Bloom family never disappoints, and I look forward to the last book in this series coming out next month.
Several of the books I’ve recommended today have been part of a series that finished up this year as well. It’s sad to see some of my favorites come to an end, but it’s also exciting to know more characters, settings, and stories are on the way from these amazing authors!
My Finding Home series will finish up in January with the last book in the series releasing on January 17–Waiting for Right Now. You can pre-order your copy now!
Tell me some of your favorite books from 2021 or one you are looking forward to in 2022.
Wishing you a Happy New Year full of blessings and love!
K. Leah is a hopeless romantic and adores a good Hallmark movie. Growing up in the South, she likes her tea sweet and coffee strong. Family and faith are what matter most and she wears many hats, including being a wife, mom, and graphic designer. Other than being creative with designs or stories, she likes to spend her free time escaping reality into the pages of a sweet love story.
I would like to read “In search of a Prince” of Toni Shiloh in 2022!
I really like the cover of the girl in the floaty dress and have always loved the stories of royalty.
This year … I have not read as much as I would have liked but I loved the book “The bright Unknown”, it is not a contemporary romance but it marked me a lot.
Hi K Leah! As a retired English teacher and avid reader (about 150 books), I enjoy reading books with an unique premise. As a retiree, I have been reading less contemporary romances and more historical romances and mysteries.
While I am NOT fond of Billionaire romances, Elizabeth Maddrey has me hooked with her intriguing premise to So YOU Want to be a Billionaire series. An unique premise – Matchmaking cloaked as an Office Competition. Elizabeth Maddrey has a way with words. She weaves contemporary issues of gaming, cooperation, structure in the corporate world, and romance into a page turner. Looking forward to Elizabeth Maddrey’s upcoming release Postcards.
I became acquainted to this blog through Valerie Comer and her Farm Fresh series. Many of her readers were sad to see the Urban Farm Fresh series come to an end – Book 11 Joys of Jupiter and Book 12 Together in Thyme. Looking forward to The Farm Fresh Market Romance series.
Happy New Year and Happy Reading!
Toni is on my list of authors to read for 2022! I met her through this blog and look forward to reading her books. Like you, I haven’t read nearly as much as I’d like this year, but I’ll take a few books over zero books.
Wow, that’s a lot of books! Yes, all of Elizabeth Maddrey’s books are great!
My favorite books I read this year were:
Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson
So You Think You want to be a Billionaire? by Elizabeth Maddrey (yay for older characters, thanks Elizabeth:)
Cherished by the Rancher by Jen Peters
The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch
Next Year in Havana by c, cleeton
The Book of Lost Names by Kristen Harmel
I don’t know what my favorite book I have read this cause I have read so many good books.I have pry read 150 or more books this year
I’m looking forward to In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh.
Happy New Year! God bless. :)
I’ll have to check these out. And yes, yay for older characters!
It’s so hard to narrow them down!
Looks like that one is going to be a favorite for a few of you!
There are so many good books out there and I have also read so many good books this year, it is very hard to pick just one book. Right now I am having a hard time trying to pick which book to read next , but I will choose one , then go on to the next good book. May you and your family have a Very Happy and Blessed New Year.
I tried really, really hard to narrow down my books to the top 10, but I simply could not…lol! There are series I’ve enjoyed so I count them as one :-)
Here’s a few:
I would say my top of the top is: The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham. It may just become my re-read every Christmas!
Top series: Misty River Romance by Becky Wade
Prequel novella: Take a Chance on Me
1. Stay with Me
2. Let it Be Me
Third one to release in may 2022: Turn to Me
A few stand alones:
On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright
All that Really Matters by Nicole Deese
Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong
Both Retying the Knot & Head Over Stilettos by Liwen Y. Ho
I’ve read 122 books (and counting) this year so it’s really hard to narrow down “top” books! This isn’t all of them, of course but my list would be WAY too long for this post :-)
I’ve read sooooo many great books this year!! I’m looking forward to Mandi’s new series, and way too many others to mention here! I’ve now read 224 books this year, and am in the middle of number 225, and starting 226 tonight. I’ll be reading 225 and 226 at the same time, as one is one I’m proofreading, and the other is a “just because.” Once I finish the “just because” book, I have two ARC’s to choose from!! So, way too hard to pick good ones, cause they’re all good!!!!
I’m a prolific reader. My favorite happens to always be the one I am reading at any given time.
I have enjoyed Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant and Deadly Target by Elizabeth Goddard. There are so many that it is hard to narrow it down. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you. Happy New Year.
Thank you! It’s certainly hard to narrow them down.
I’ve read the first two Misty River books and they were good!
Wow! That’s super impressive. I’m looking forward to Mandi’s new series too.
I love that!
And I’ve found so many more books I need to add to my TBR!
There’s been a lot of good books. I really liked Diary of a Teenage Mom 11