Reacting to Your Favorite Romances of 2021...Do I Agree??

[@Danie499]

I think I'm the only person that wasn't crazy about The Love Hypothesis. I thought it was okay and that's about it lol

[@FeministFashionistaK]

Same! I feel like I'm missing something!

[@malene1958]

You’re not!

[@sandrarose3165]

No, you're not the only one. I listened to the audio because I love the narrator Callie Dalton, but I gave up 1/3 of the way through, then swapped it out for another audiobook. 😴

[@irishgirl982]

I absolutely hated The Love Hypothesis, and I can't understand why so many people are in love with it.

[@wallflower3473]

Honestly sameee!

[@cardigangirl]

The Sweetest Oblivion, The Maddest Obsession, and The Darkest Temptations were my favorite new author series this year. The Sweetest Oblivion was my favorite of the series. Can't wait to read more from Danielle Lori!

[@johnpauldagondong2720]

Genre-wise, The Song of Achilles is NOT a romance. Sure, there is love story. But it doesn't have an HEA, which is a non-negotiable requirement. If I were to categorize this, it would be a Historical Fiction, Fantasy Retelling, and ofc Tragedy.

[@bethsbookishreviews9374]

I read Then Came You, but kept putting Dreaming of You down. Finished it today and LOVED it!!!!! Derek Craven is amazing!!! But still love Devil in Winter more!

[@lilsmom2000]

The Spanish Love Deception is really good. I loved Aaron so much. I think the reason people haven't liked it was because they compare it to The Hating Game. It isn't the same at all. There is also some repetitive writing and as an English teacher that may bother you.

[@stavasbolidjono852]

I liked it too. But i think in comparison the Hating Game is too hyped up for me. I listened or tried to listen to the book but couldn't finish it. We all have different tastes...

[@bellafoxygobble3376]

This is way better than a Goodreads favorites. :)

[@jennxreads]

Mariana Zapata is one of my fav authors. All Rhodes lead Here was just to die for. I mean, I have enjoyed them all enough I plan to reread them. Lol

[@MoreToSan]

My favourite from this year is Marriage for One by Ella Maise (very underrated author) ❤️. Pretty bumped it is not in the list 🥺

[@KimberlysS89]

I just finished it last night and it's so good! I loved it ❤️

[@lilsmom2000]

I finished Marriage for one a few days ago. I loved it so much! Definitely in my top 5 of the year.

[@PeaceLoveBooksxo]

I loved that book! Though I read it when it came out in 2019!

[@BiyashPal]

The Made Men Series by Danielle Lori is chef's kiss 💯🔥! It's my fav Mafia series after The Cammora Chronicles. U should totally read it! Also loved The Love Hypothesis.It's a slow burn, fake dating romance novel and it's a little spicy not too much. Don't Kiss The Bride is mind blowing! Colleen Hoover always knows how to blow the mind of her readers away! Tryst Six Venom is the perfect Enemies to Lovers 👀💯. Also, the Nashville Neighborhood series is 🥵🔥! The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo is one of the best emotional and mind boggling books I have ever read till date.

[@emiliabryce7135]

If anyone wants to read No Tomorrow be ready to read the whole book. If you stop before the end you won’t understand the story. It’s long and drawn out but it’s actually pretty fitting because it deals with some heavy topics, addiction and mental health. You will be infuriated and really fed up but try to remember that that is the reality of loving (romantic or familial) someone who has these struggles.

[@theglowup9623]

the Spanish love deception is cute I think you’ll enjoy it! It’s not BAD by any means. I do however think it borders cheesy and not insta love but i don’t know he was just deeply in love with her for no real reason to me? So a really easy read that got me back into reading with cute moments but a little over the top depending on your mood.

[@zombichlerka]

The Spanish Love Deception is definitely worth the hype imo. I loved it so much!

[@cathiescathie3306]

Christina Lauren are great authors. Josh & Hazel`s Guide to Nog Dating is my favorite book they wrote.

[@crystalsbookishlife]

You definitely need to read Priest. I was skeptical too but it's amazing.

[@charmedimsosure5496]

Sinner too. Omg

[@palomamacieldoula1310]

I got really curious about her soul to take and downloaded it right away and it seem so promising its definitly got me hooked right away

[@leoniesliberi]

The Maddest Obsession is the second on in the series and by far the best, I did not enjoy the others all that much. It‘s my favourite romance of this year (I read it for the first time in January and once again a few months later). Can‘t wait for you to read it 🥰

[@sabiron7483]

yess yess yess! obsessed with the maddest obsession!! i like the darkest temptation but really disliked the sweetest oblivion!!!

[@HaDoOoShSmile]

4:00 *"the spanish love deception" i was the same as u , i read a LOT of reviews people saying it wasn't that good and kept on shaming it so i stayed away from it too long..Then i was bored one night and i found it while i was looking for something knew...so i just grabbed it...and OMG it was really, REALLY good ...it ended up one of my favorites* 🥰🥰🥰

[@allisonreilly1952]

Same!!! It was so good!!! I was just hearing about it everywhere one day so I just decided to go for it and I loved it!!! The Spanish Love Deception and Act Your Age, Eve Brown were my two favorite romances of the year!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@shumi7051]

@@allisonreilly1952 oh my gosh we have the same favs! I love both of them 😭😭😭

[@cori4727]

I don't trust anyone who doesn't read indie romance regularly when they talk about spice levels lol I remember people were saying Red, White & Royal Blue was steamy or smutty, and then I read it and I was like ??? There is no smut in that book lol. They have sex and it's on page, but it's not smut lol

[@lolapunk20]

my 5 stars this year: Troubled blood by Robert Galbraith ACOSF by sarah j maas The shop on blossom st by debbie macomber these tangled vines by julianne maclean honorable mentions: veronica speedwell series by deanna raybourn parasol protectorate series by gail carriger bridgertons series by julia quinn temptation series with spin offs confessions and prime time series by ella frank

[@brandithomas5382]

I’ve read 21 of those listed and DREAMING OF YOU by Kleypas is my fav. This year my favorite read of 2021 would have to be Little Fire by Hollee Mands. Hidden gem (fantasy which has definitely been my go to this year) or The Casanova by Swan.

[@sams.7452]

The Casanova fell short (by a lot) for me, takeover is the best in the series!

[@mirnatius]

Ah, What the Wind Knows is so beautiful. It’s one of my favorite books of all time. 🥺 Really hope you like it if you read it!

[@Danie499]

Absolutely loved that book! Favorite of the year

[@Susan_in_STEM]

One of my favorite all-time books is Knight In Shining Armor, and I reread it every couple of years, but heads up, you have to accept the spinelessness of the heroine at the start of the book. Just go with it, it's part of her arc. For 2021, I *loved* Broken Wing by Judith James (Jen of the Book Refuge raves about this) and Misadventures of a College Girl by Lauren Rowe. So many favorites though...

[@shumi7051]

Misadventures of a College Girl was so so so good. They are literally soulmates. Perfect for each other. The banter and the connection between them are chef’s kiss.

[@Susan_in_STEM]

@@shumi7051 After reading this book, I decided if ever I could be a heroine in a novel and experience that story, I'd want to be Zooey.

[@sams.7452]

Don’t kiss the bride was easily one of my favourites! I’m always on the hunt for the next best “birthday girl” and I may have found it 👀

[@alexisstankewtiz5869]

Oh that's good to hear! I ordered it from my local indie and waiting for it to come in. I was nervous I wouldn't like it.

[@sams.7452]

@@alexisstankewtiz5869 I’m so excited for you, I’d love to be able to read it again for the first time! Hope you enjoy 😊

[@amelaine82]

I LOVE Men of the North. Sooooo good! I binged the entire series!

[@gnanford]

Dreaming of You...one of my old faves. Loved Neon Gods this year and loved Sin and Chocolate series.

[@pennyhanks5303]

Still Beating was so good. I read it on Jenn's (The Book Refuge) recommendation. It's a painful situation but the author handles it so well. I loved how the title played into the book!

[@monikaliane]

Sea of ruin will have to my fav romance book of the year freaking loved it.

[@TheLoveLibrarian]

Jennifer Hartmann is my new favorite of the year! You should read this AND The Wrong Heart!

[@kayceemartin]

My favorite romance this year was Lovely War by Julie Berry. It’s a YA but still brought me to tears lol💕

[@ishikabiswas2389]

Love hypothesis is ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@melissarodriguez2062]

Lacey recommend reading The Spanish Love Deception! In few of her videos

[@pandora2658]

Mariana Zapata is always a hit or miss for me (Hits: Kulti, From Lukov with Love, Wait for It, The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. Misses: Lingus, Under Locke, Luna and the Lie,), but All Rhodes Lead Here is now my absolute FAVOURITE. Her misses usually fall flat because I think the characters are over-the-top or behave in nonsensical ways, but ARLH has her most authentic characters to date (IMO), and while there is a slow-burn romance, it makes actually makes sense for their character arcs.

[@sohinichakraborty1697]

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me was so good, I re-read it again.

[@abyssvega5105]

I like luna and the lie

[@jamesduggan7200]

Thank you, Jennifer. Happy holidays.

[@merryhaveman353]

The Love Hypothesis is the only contemporary romance I have red this year, really enjoyed it.

[@elementsofjaime]

I would love if you would do a kidnapping romance recs video because I love them too 🤣

[@macymiller8743]

I used to be obsessed I need to get into them again. All I used to read was kidnapping romances LOL

[@jf2388]

Can you recommend some to me? Without abusive heros lol

[@StarrySkies80]

I loved It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey and can’t wait for the next book, which is her sister’s book. And you can’t go wrong with Lisa Kleypas, Lorraine Heath, or Joanna Shupe. But I just finished The Spanish Love Deception and I...did not like it. It was too repetitive and long for me. I felt like I was slogging through it. We only have the heroine’s POV and her internal monologue dragged. It’s nearly 500 pages and I was just not that invested. I did finish it though, since it was so hyped. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@angelabina1629]

I also love that

[@Isa00pd]

Please, please read Still Beating!! I'm dying to know your opinion. It is literally my favorite of the year, I don't think whatever I read until the end of December will beat this.

[@Danie499]

What the Wind Knows has time travel and takes place in Ireland. I can see why people say it reads as historical but I thought the romance was so well done

[@TheLoveLibrarian]

SOPHIE LARK! One of my all-time favorite series. The Kingmakers series is a great conclusion to the Brutal Birthright/Underworld series. I just finished her new serial killer duet and it was AMAZING.

[@TheLoveLibrarian]

I want to read Loving Mr. Daniels! I've been waiting for her to release the special edition cover. I hope it lives up to the Hype.

[@lilsmom2000]

Still Beating is my favorite book I read this year.

[@jayhoon_supremacy6913]

I wna read the spanish love deception but so many ppl say its cliche???now idk anymore 😭😭

[@laurenmartin2247]

I discovered Kate Clayborn this year and read her entire backlist. I think she's criminally underrated. Also I found Lauren Rowe and she's incredible, I want to live in her books. And Sierra Simone! But my ultimate favorite was Act Your Age, Eve Brown. No book compared to how much it made me laugh with joy and cry for being seen.

[@shumi7051]

Yes yes and yes to Act Your Age, Eve Brown. That book is everything and sending hugs to you. Happy that book made you feel seen

[@samreadsbooks_13]

It would be so hard to pick a favorite. I read so many good ones. But definitely found some I'll need to pick up

[@sandrarose3165]

All Rhodes Lead Here is really good; so is Texas Destiny, Managed & Priest.

[@ekstn645]

One of my favorite releases this year was The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams! So good!!

[@PeaceLoveBooksxo]

I’m so excited to read that one!!

[@marshmallow.x9021]

My fav romance for the year has to be the bridge kingdom duology followed by the duchess deal. Didn't love love the Spanish love deception. It was ok but I absolutely adore Aaron Blackford (probably my fav fictional boyfriend ever). He made the book sooo much easier to read honestly.

[@AmyTheEarthling]

I’ve just sat watching this adding and adding to my romance tbr list 😂 can’t wait to read more of these!

[@khanrumaysa1485]

Same here, lmao

[@TheLoveLibrarian]

The Song of Achilles does NOT have an HEA, which to me doesn't make it a romance.

[@shorouk1172]

I love Managed. It is one of my favourites.

[@heatherhutchins88]

The Russian’s book in the bromance book club is my absolute fave book out of the series. He comes together as a character better in this book.

[@Squishy_is_me]

I read Lessons in Sin. A bit disappointed. I'm wondering if I should give Godwin another chance 🤔

[@freyleyce]

guys the darkest temptation is sooo good too how do people decide between the two!?! well now that i think about it the maddest obsession might be mine too lol

[@Georgia7Pap]

Hey Jess! Maybe we can read the Mariana Zapata book you haven't read for the book club. You guys have picked some dark romances maybe it would be good to have a slow burn for a change.

[@meghannsmess8345]

Lessons in Sin by Pam Godwin was SO GOOD. I am REALLY enjoying the Underworld Kings series right now. 20+ mafia books by various authors. All have been 5 Stars so far for me!

[@KatiesBookNook426]

this was such a fun video! 🥰

[@60sbaby70sgirl]

I did not enjoy No Tomorrow by Carian Cole, but I do like a lot of her books.

[@bkhhw9]

I completely agree. No Tomorrow didn’t work for me.

[@pardonthisbookaddict]

I have never read Mariana Zapata or Kennedy Ryan, because of all the hype and love around them. I had the same issue with Talia Hibbert and I’m almost done with Act Your Age, Eve Brown as I have been binging this trilogy. I’ll probably start Kennedy Ryan and Mariana Zapata next year. I just don’t know which book to start with.

[@sandrarose3165]

I discovered Mariana a few months ago and started with Lingus - because it was cheap and the hero is a porn star - LOL. Something different! I believe it was her first book. I've now read or listened to most of them. Be prepared for a very slow burn throughout most of her books and a long read. They can all be read as stand alones, but some characters from other books do make occasional appearances, so I'd advise to check out her publication order and start at the beginning. From Lucov With Love is my favourite, Kulti is good. Callie Dalton is the narrator for all and she is excellent.

[@hariniindhu6645]

Mariana...start with her.

[@cynthiajackson7602]

My favorite was Like Lover’s Do by Tracey Livesay

[@stavasbolidjono852]

You should read the Spanish Love Deception when you need some positive vibes. It's a first for the author, so don't judge too hard. But i liked it, for me it was fun and easy to read and a sweet Story.

[@athenasbibliotheca8099]

I loved Spanish Love Deception, but I fully admit to not reading much romance. I actually think this was my first adult romance.

[@courtneybarnett2751]

I feel this same way about the Bromance series. Book 2 turned me off and I'm very hesitant to continue. Also, loved the Mindf**k series. Read it a few years ago and I was surprised how much I liked it.

[@bcc2445]

am i the only one that really disliked the love hypothesis?! I feel like there were too many cliches (i mean one scene where she rubs sunscreen on him...was this book written for middle schoolers?!) and it was not even remotely spicy. I also had a problem with her sitting on his lap (a professor) at a professional event.....I am in grad school and this would be SO inappropriate like what!?!?!?!

[@FeministFashionistaK]

I hated that the heroine continually lied for the strangest reasons.

[@malene1958]

I had to DNF. Disappointing and cringing at times.

[@Danie499]

The book just did not do it for me either

[@sandrarose3165]

Nope. I didn't finish either.

[@jayhoon_supremacy6913]

YES ALL THE FORCED INTIMACY PARTS😀😃😀

[@TheLoveLibrarian]

I definitely voted for The Love Hypothesis for the Goodreads awards!! I will agree it wasn't super spicy, the sex scene was literally one chapter, lmao. I, too, didn't notice the Adam Driver fanfic. I've heard if we enjoyed this, then Heart Smart (forgot the author) is similar! I think Lacey talked about Heart Smart on her channel

[@angelsam29]

I relate to the super long audiobook anxiety! I read The Stand by Stephen King and I kid you not it was like 56 hours 😅

[@Mysterioso46]

I enjoyed the Spanish Love Deception but I didn’t love it. It might have been the audible voice but I don’t know. I loved the heroine but I couldn’t truly get into the hero. I thoroughly enjoyed the Love Hypothesis though. I enjoyed the college aspect and I loved the hero/ heroine.

[@Hannah_Rachel_and_Kotik]

Still beating is bomb. Clean your TBR, lay down and let still beating audio play. 💯

[@sassycatz4470]

Almost all of these books were not released this year, but they were the ones I enjoyed: The Life Intended (2015) by Kristen Harmel, A Matter of Class (2010) by Mary Balogh, Happily Letter After (2020) by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward, Ghosted (2017) by J.M. Darhower, Striking Romance (2019) by Lindsey Brooks, The City Baker's Guide to Country Living (2016) - Louise Miller, Sustained (2015) by Emma Chase, Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating (2018) by Christina Lauren, and The Things We Leave Unfinished (2021) by Rebecca Yarros. And those not really a romance, although romance is a subplot: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry (2014) by Gabrielle Zevin, Laura (1942) by Vera Caspary, and The House in the Cerulean Sea (2020) by T.J.Klune

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Knight in shining armor 👍 reread and would read again 🥰. Gave up on Diana Gabledon after she had the heroine kidnapped AGAIN so that she could use the word "amanuensis". I might have finished that one purchased the next one when it came out...but sold it🙂 definitely the first one is the best. The series goes downhill when the author can't keep the character's foibles from book to book.

[@avasromancebooks]

What a fun video!!💛💛💛

[@Warda-H]

‘You can do no wrong with Kennedy Ryan.’ YES! I can’t waittt for you to read The Made series by Danielle Lori! 😍

[@paulahezron9785]

Just finished the series😍waiting for the vintage club😩

[@midnightblack07]

I'm happy a few Lorraine Heath and Joanna Shupe books made it on here! They are both phenomenal and should be FAR more popular than they are in my opinion.

[@macymiller8743]

It has to be the covers!! I am going to try to read them though

[@constancapages]

The Spanish love deception is just meh, it's like any other enemies to lovers rom-com, there's nothing remarkable about it. And I didn't like how we Spaniards were portayed. I knew the author was Spanish too, so I expected to see something other than "the girl with a very loud and very large family" and "tons of food and jamón" but I was disappointed.

[@listenwithprecious]

♥️ My Darkling Duke! Hood video idea 👍🏽

[@janetmcdonald4433]

You need to read Hannah Howell's the Murrays

[@ruthiecallan7388]

Omg lore olympus!!! :)

[@TheLoveLibrarian]

Loved this video!

[@jordan_elizabeth_]

as an adam driver stan … adam in tlh is veryyy ad

[@crystalsbookishlife]

Yessss the Grip trilogy!!! 😍😍😍

[@BrynnanDunaway]

I really did love the love hypothesis and voted for it in the GR awards! I read the Spanish love deception and was SO disappointed as in actively disliked that book. SUCH a slow burn and not in a fun way. I felt like the first 1/3 of the book could have been cut out (it’s almost 500 pages 😵)

[@monaedoyle3631]

Hello. No booktubbers like yourself have mentioned books by Brigham Vaughn which is surprising. I am reading Made to Order by Brigham Vaughn and I am loving it !!!!!! Why isn’t anyone talking about this book ????

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I didn’t realize Lore Olympus was a romance 👀

[@zazamukhtar3808]

Love kate bateman's reckless match

[@cheyenneredditt9760]

The Song of Achilles was a MASSIVE let down. Their relationship was soooo boring and I went in thinking it was gonna be super Spicy, but it definitely wasn’t.

[@jayhoon_supremacy6913]

sadly i agree...maybe my expectations were too high,but as someone who cries over many books,i didn't even shed a tear while reading it lol

[@oatmeal4020]

I had super stressful may/june and luckily discovered Mariana Zapata. For like 6 weeks I listened on audio either Kulti or The Wall of Winnipeg and Me non stop, on repeat. A book a day, alternating between them. Did try the others too but always came back to these. I might have been completely catatonic otherwise...It would be criminal to say any other books were better for me this year. I do want to mention The Bronze Horseman by Paula Simons though, as an honorable mention ;)

[@bkhhw9]

I did not like No Tomorrow. It just didn’t work for me.

[@sabiron7483]

my top 6 books: The maddest obsession The mindfuck Series birthday girl tangeled twisted pride beautiful cruel

[@Hannah_Rachel_and_Kotik]

Needed to slow you down to 0.75%

[@jessicagolden1631]

I love song of Achilles however I don’t think you will like it because it’s slow and character driven

[@hesyourhope4844]

Love you ❤️❤️❤️ Ur my fav

[@lejlahodzic7068]

if you like sisters fiancé, then you’d probably like dancing with sin by Alexandria Lee it’s pretty long but i liked it

[@TxGirl_ty]

My favorites books that I’ve read this year were A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner, Reel by Kennedy Ryan, Fake Fiancé by IIsa Madden and Consolation and Conviction by Corinne Michaels

[@nylorac1984]

My top 2 favorite romances of the year are. 1. Reel by Kennedy Ryan and 2. Confessions in B-Flat by Donna Hill. I think Donna Hill did a masterful job of weaving in real history into her 1960's era romance. I also think she did a brilliant job navigating a grown and sexy relationship with two people who had different ideological views.

[@janetmcdonald4433]

22 books in the series

[@ravenluvs2read]

Think I’m the only one who didn’t like Lessons in Sin. Don’t understand the hype at all.

[@sabiron7483]

the spanish love deception is sooooooo bad!!!!!!!!!!