You all asked, and I delivered! I did a poll on my Instagram asking if you guys wanted to see my favorite books I've read in 2022 so far, and the overwhelming response was yes! In full disclosure, all of these books are in the contemporary romance genre, because that's what I've been reaching for a lot lately. With the current state of the world the way it is right now, I've needed a good escape and to feel some joy, and that's what this genre brings me. But don't be fooled by the romance genre. A common misconception is that they are frivolous and shallow, but it couldn't be further from the truth. If you are a fan of contemporary romance novels, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't read one before, I encourage you to pick one up and give it a try. There's lot of joy to be found!
Here are ten of my favorites from 2022 so far. Happy reading!
1. Gold Rush Ranch Series by Elsie Silver
This series by new author Elsie Silver is so heartwarming and unforgettable. It's set in the Canadian Cascade Mountains on a horse ranch. Each set of characters has their own backstories that they are coming to terms with as they start over and find love. The small-town setting is the perfect soft & romantic backdrop for these love stories This series reignited my love for horses and made me nostalgic for the days when my family would go to the race track together! I recommend starting with the first book, Off To The Races, which you can buy here!
2. Dirty Curve by Meagan Brandy
Holy cow, y'all. My best friend Rachel recommended Dirty Curve to me after she read it herself and loved it, and I am SO glad I decided to listen to her and pick up this book. I am a total Meagan Brandy convert. This book is a college sports opposites-attract love story about the star of the baseball team and a single-mom tutor. This book is a definitely a slow burn in the spice department, but it stole my heart SO FAST regardless. Definitely grab a copy of this here!
3. Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan
Archer's Voice was the first pick of the book club I'm in, and we all FELL. IN. LOVE. with it! It's the story of a woman chained to the memory of a traumatizing past, and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with his own wounds, and the woman who helps him find his voice. It's an emotional roller coaster all about the transformative power of love. Buy this book - you won't be sorry!
4. The Campus Series by Jennifer Sucevic
Jennifer Sucevic is one of the first authors I read when I started my dive into the contemporary romance genre, and its been so fun to follow her writing career! Her latest series is probably my favorite by her so far - The Campus Series! This is a college sports series that follows The Wildcat Football team at a well known university. Each of the players has their own book and story, but they are all from the same world - just like Gold Rush Ranch and Out of Uniform. The first one Campus Player and the fourth one Campus God are my two favorites in the series, but I definitely recommend reading each one and starting at the first one. You can grab it here!
5. Fair Catch by Kandi Steiner
Kandi Steiner is one of my all-time favorite authors, and she writes killer contemporary romance novels. Fair Catch is a college sports enemies-to-lovers story that features an interracial couple - which made me love this story even more! The book follows Riley, who is the first female college football player (the feminist in me LOVED that!), and Zeke, who she's known since childhood but wants nothing to do with after a night in high school that changed everything. They are suddenly forced into proximity, where they begin to reconcile their past and face their complicated feelings for each other. I really loved this book, and recommend it, hands down! Buy it here.
6. Say Yes by Kandi Steiner
Say Yes is a book I didn't think I'd love as much as I did, but my girl Kandi Steiner came through for me yet again! This book is set in Florence, Italy in the 90's, so it was super nostalgic for that time period as a 90's kids! In this book you meet Harley, who is studying art for a summer in Italy, and strikes up a reluctant friendship with her classmate Liam. Harley carries a lot of self-doubt and perfectionism, and Liam teaches her how to let go and "say yes". I really enjoyed this book, and actually recommended it to a friend who is traveling to Italy this summer! Grab a copy here!
7. Ryan's Bed by Tijan
Ryan's Bed is a Young Adult novel by one of my favorite authors, Tijan. This book is definitely one of the heavier ones I read this year, but I really loved it. The story follows Makenzie and her journey of grieving the sudden death of her twin sister. Her family begins to fall apart, and she finds unexpected solace in a new friend, Ryan. There is a giant twist at the end of the book that made me see the entire book differently! I really loved diving into this heartfelt, emotional tale. Grab a copy of Ryan's Bed here!
(TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide)
8. Fumbled Hearts by Meagan Brandy
Fumbled Hearts is another Meagan Brandy story that captured my heart! The story is about starting over, coming to terms with your past, and learning to open your heart back up to love. This book is an emotional roller coater that follows Kalani, as she moves back to her hometown and meets Nate, the star of the football team who is determined to make his way into her heart. This books takes you on a journey of Kalani restarting her life after loss, and learning to trust again. Definitely one of my favorites! Grab a copy here!
9. Out of Uniform Series by Elle Kennedy
I read this series at the top of 2022, and it was definitely a fun way to start the new year of reading. I fell in love with this series right from the first book, which is no surprise because Elle Kennedy is one of my favorite authors in this genre. Each book features a different Navy SEAL at the base in San Diego, and their adventures of finding love and balancing deployment. All of the characters are from the same world, so you see them in each of the books as they all become friends - which I love when authors do that! Each can be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting with the first one! Grab a copy here!
10. Say You Swear by Meagan Brandy
This book absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. It is truly a roller coaster ride, so buckle up when you read this one. It's from the same world as Fumbled Hearts, but can be read as a standalone. This book follows Arianna, as she leaves for college and starts her life over after a heartbreaking summer. The future she thought was mapped out for her ends up taking a totally different turn. And then takes another turn after that. I ate this book up, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to get lost in a good love story! Grab a copy here!
Comments