My Favorite Reads of 2022

Hey, fellow bookworms! I read almost 60 books this past year, and a lot of them quickly became some of my favorite titles. I wanted to have a place to round up my favorites, so here they are! I included the link of where to shop these titles if you want to grab a copy for yourself.

Happy reading!

1. I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

If you're looking for a very honest and poignant memoir, this is the book for you. As a millennial, I remember watching Jennette in iCarly on Nick as a kid, but had no idea what was happening behind the scenes in her personal life with her mother and family. I can imagine this book was extremely vulnerable for her to write, but it deserves every bit of accolade it received. It's truly that amazing. Click here to buy a copy of the book for yourself.

2. Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

I included this book in my blog post over the summer about my favorite books I've read so far into 2022, and I'm including it again in my yearly round-up because it is just. that. good. My best friend started a book club last spring and this was our first read of the club. When I tell you that all of us were swooning at how incredible this book was. It's a love story about two people with complicated pasts who find solace and new beginnings in each other. It's set in a small town on the coast of Maine, and has such unique and love-able characters. If you're looking for a roller coaster love story that you can't put down, this is the one for you. Click here to grab a copy of this book.

3. If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

This book was such a feel-good read, and features a plus-sized heroine (which is unfortunately rare in the book world), and she also loves fashion & style, so I knew I was bound to love it! It's also a fun, modern re-telling of Cinderella, with a few twists along the way. The main heroine ends up as a contestant on a Bachelor-esque reality dating show called "Before Midnight". The big twist? Her and the bachelor have actually met before, but no one can know. If you're looking for a light-hearted and fun read, definitely grab a copy of this book. Click here to snag a copy.

4. The Gold Rush Ranch series by Elise Silver

This series by new author Elsie Silver is so heartwarming and unforgettable, that I couldn't pick just one for this list, I had to include the whole series! 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. Click here to pick up a copy.

5. 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. There's a few unexpected twists and turns, too, that will definitely make your jaw drop. This book is a slow burn in the spice department, but it stole my heart SO FAST regardless. Click here to grab yourself a copy!

6. Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman

A lot of us first became familiar with Amanda Gorman after she read her original poem "The Hill We Climb" at President Biden's inauguration. I, like many others, immediately had to get my hands on a copy of this book of poems as soon as it came out. Amanda's collection of poetry is poignant, heartbreaking, honest, heavy and breathtaking. She talks history, grief, language, identity and living through a global pandemic and racial uprising. Do yourself a giant favor and get your hands on a copy of this book. You won't be sorry.

Click here to shop one for yourself.

7. Longshot by Kennedy Ryan

Longshot is one of those books that is so hard to get through, but is so worth it and gratifying when you do. I will just tell you ahead of time that there are major trigger warnings for graphic domestic violence (but not involving the hero! This hero is perfection). The story follows heroine Iris as she navigates an abusive relationship and finding her way out of the dark tunnel towards the light. Her chemistry with the main hero, August, is swoon-worthy, and the storyline kept me on my toes the entire time. It's a story about fighting to survive and fighting the curse of bad timing when it comes to falling in love. I would absolutely recommend this amazing story. Click here to grab a copy for yourself!

8. The Red Zone Rivals series by Kandi Steiner

This is another series where I have to include the entire set because I love all of them so much! Kandi Steiner is hands down one of my favorite authors of all time, and the world she's created in these books are so special! It follows a Division 1 college football team, and each player's journey of life on the team and falling in love. The first book, Fair Catch, has a special place in my heart because the main couple is interracial, and the heroine is the first ever female football player for a college. She faces a lot of adversity, but she's a total badass and I love her! I definitely recommend starting with that one, first! Click here to grab a copy!

9. 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. 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 that you can't put down!

Click here to grab a copy.

10. The Chestnut Springs series by Elise Silver

Clearly I can't get enough of Elsie Silver and her swoon-worthy love stories. This series is so special, and I am eating it up! I haven't read Powerless yet, because it releases in a few weeks but I have no doubt I will love it as much as I loved the first two. This series is a spin-off of one of the books from the series I mentioned previously by Elsie Silver, A Photo Finish. It follows a small-town ranch in Chestnut Springs, Canada, where the Eaton brothers work and live. The series starts off with Flawless, which follows Rhett Eaton, a professional bull-rider and rough-around-the-edges cowboy. When his agent's daughter, Summer, is assigned to make sure he behaves for the media, the two immediately clash. Their journey together is so fun, and I have really loved getting to know each of the characters in this series! I recommend starting with Flawless, you can pick up a copy here!