In 2021, I tried hard to post every day of the week, but did fall into some hiatuses. I’m back at that goal in 2022 and as I have posts scheduled through spring, I’m more confident about reaching that goal this year. I did manage to create a lot of content in 2021, though. Here are my posts that received the most hits last year!
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10. When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn Review
Francesca and Michael have a slow burn romance for the first half of the book before they finally consummate their relationship, but even then it takes some time for Francesca to come to terms with the fact that it’s not disloyal to John to love someone else. There are no misunderstandings between these two best friends. The only thing keeping them apart is their great love and respect for John.
9. I Read Bridgerton So You Don’t Have To
I’m a huge romance fan, especially of historicals, so when I heard about Bridgerton, the Netflix show, I absolutely had to read the books first. If you want to know what might happen in future seasons and what’s different about the show than the books, then you’ve come to the right place. I read the Bridgertons series so you don’t have to – but if you love historical romance, you should!
8. 30 Books to Read Before You Turn 30
Toay I am sharing 30 books I read before I turned 30. This is a prompt I gleaned from “60 Blog Post Ideas for Book Bloggers” by Jo Linsdell. These were all books I loved and recommend to any other fans of the genre or who just think they sound interesting!
7. You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes Review
You Love Me was not a perfect read for me, but it may have been my favorite in the series so far in that it was unique. As always, I found myself rooting for Joe, but dare I say it? Has Joe grown up a little, or has he just grown on me? I had to keep reminding myself in this one that Joe is a hypocrite with a ton of blood on his hands. It’s so fun reading from his point-of-view, because I get sucked in and see things the way he does. I want it to work out for our guy, even if he is an absolutely horrible person.
6. My FAVORITE Underrated Historical Romance Series
One of my favorite romance novel series from this era is the Pink Carnation Series by Lauren Willig. If you like romance with a plot, look no further. The series is about badass spies (and usually the ladies are doing the spying!) during the Napoleonic Wars. And while some of the novels are more tame with a couple of nice make-out scenes, many of them are completely bodice-ripping worthy.
5. My NetGalley Shelf
I wanted to share every single book on my NetGalley shelf with you, but truth be told – there are too dang many of them! Not only do I request books for personal reading and blog tours, but I also request books for my job as a children’s librarian. I decided to share the Top 10 I am excited to read with links to request them on NetGalley (if still available) and buy/preorder them on Amazon, as well as summaries.
4. An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn Review
Sophie decides to risk it all one night to attend a masquerade party thrown by Violet Bridgerton, the loving, marriage-minded mother of the Bridgerton siblings. It’s there that she meets Benedict, the second son. They immediately fall in love-at-first sight. Quinn does a great job of writing this insta-love romance. It’s totally believable and lovely, while not every scenario like this is. But Sophie has to leave at midnight, and never removes her mask. Benedict spends the next months looking for her, but can’t find her.
3. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn Review
What I really liked about this book is that Colin and Penelope don’t have to work hard for their Happily Ever After. They have been friends for years, and Penelope always has loved Colin. Finally, Colin has grown up enough to see her the same way, and it isn’t long before they get married. The rest of the book deals with them helping one another through two struggles. Penelope faces the potential unearthing of a major secret of hers that could lead to scandal. Colin deals with his insecurities in that he wants to leave a legacy, and feels unsure about doing so through his major skill, writing. Colin is a little unreasonable dealing with Penelope’s struggle at times, but it all ties back to his own jealousy/insecurity. Because I’m used to reading romances about two people pining for one another and taking ages to be happily in a relationship, it was refreshing to read a book where two people got together, then worked hard to help one another succeed in life.
2. Verity by Colleen Hoover Review
Holy CRAP, what a book. Verity by Colleen Hoover absolutely blew me away. Though Hoover is often marketed as a romance author, I would say she writes drama and suspense that is always heavy on the romance. This romantic suspense novel was dark, disturbing, and engrossing.
1. 18 Romance Tropes I Never Want to Read Again
So many of the tropes I mentioned above touch on this: “it’s okay when a woman does it,” kidnappers and victims falling in love, being treated like property, and potentially some of the other tropes as well! Abuse is never okay and an abusive character should always be portrayed as a bad guy, or potentially a reformed side character who doesn’t get a happy ending.
Thank you for reading my book reviews and other posts, bookish or not – and for supporting my blog!
