Looking for your next great romance read? Here are ten novels I recently read that earned a five star rating from yours truly.
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Much Ado About Dukes by Eva Devon
Buy it here. | Read my full review here.
Wow, what a book! The romance was lovely, but the storyline really hit home for me. This was the perfect example of how to be a good ally, and how to defeat patriarchal beliefs that hold men back when it comes to making important emotional connections. It was a clear 5 star read for me!
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Buy it here. | Read my full review here.
Wow, what an emotional read. I read the first chapter in bits and pieces over a day or two, then sat down on a Monday and between slow periods at work and an evening staying up past my bedtime with one too many glasses of wine, I devoured this book. I wasn’t sure if I had a hangover the next morning from the wine, the tears I cried, or the book itself. Ultimately, I loved that this was a story of forgiveness. All of the characters hurt one another – Sam hurts Percy and Delilah (Percy’s friend), Percy and Charlie hurt Sam, Delilah and Percy hurt one another. But in the end, these best of friends are able to forgive one another every time and always come back to one another, which I think is so true of the friends we make during adolescence. Every Summer After is romantic and sad and beautiful. It was everything teen me wanted to read with some steamy adult moments thrown in as well, though I think it’s appropriate for teens who can handle that sort of material. This was a one-of-a-kind novel about friendship, soulmates, and second chances. I rate it 5 stars!
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
Buy it here. | Read my full review here.
What an emotional read. The first third of the story is pure hurt/comfort goodness and I could not stop crying every few pages. Once our hero and heroine worked out how they could remain in one another’s lives, if only temporarily, the tone cheered up a little, but there was still plenty of angsty romance goodness. And as I am led to believe is common for this author, the side characters added so much heart and humor to the story. This emotional, romantic read is my favorite romance of 2022 so far and I rate it 5 stars.
Scoundrel of My Heart by Lorraine Heath
Buy it here. | Read my full review here.
The plot of this one was full of detail that I fear I cannot go into too much detail about without telling the entire story. But rest assured the passion is still evident between Griff and Kathryn. This is a slow burn with a few angry kisses before the two give in to their passion after a moment of danger. But is losing a place that feels like home worth it for Kathryn to be with the man she loves? And can Griff set aside his experiences, beliefs, and prejudice about himself in order to accept that he really can make Kathryn happy? This was a stunningly angsty and romantic book that threw me back to some of my favorite closed door romances I read in my teens and early twenties, with the benefit of some steamy scenes. I cried so much and enjoyed every moment of it. This was truly a 5 star read for me.
The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath
Buy it here. | Read my full review here.
Simply wow. This book starts off as a slow burn, and burn it did. I was rooting for these two to just kiss already from page one. Once they did, they couldn’t stop, and it was a pleasure to read. While the secrets were a little convoluted and I wasn’t pleased with Kingsland’s initial reaction to Penelope’s, ultimately these two loved one another to be supportive and make it work. I was swept up in this emotional story about two smart, efficient people who thought they knew what they wanted in life only for them to have their plans turned upside down by love. Besides, there’s something about thinking of these characters by their last names for most of the book that just does something for me. This was a true 5 star read for me.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Buy it here. | Read my full review here.
I am so here for 30-something romances. I particularly appreciated the representation of a couple not wanting to have children. (I want kids of my own one day, but marriage-and-babies epilogues make me GAG.) Finally, while most of the book takes place in Sunshine Falls, Nora’s constant reflection on NYC, my place of residence, was a true love letter to the city – or at least Manhattan and Brooklyn. This was a true 5 star read for me and I’ll be sure to check out more of Henry’s work.
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
Buy it here. | Read my full review here.
The chemistry between these two was on point from their first meeting. This was a super steamy, memorable read and I cannot wait to read about Luz Alana’s friends in the rest of the books in this series! I rate it 5 stars.
The Runaway Duchess by Joanna Lowell
Buy it here. | Read my full review here.
This is a wordy novel for sure, but I appreciated that. It took me ten days to get through the first 100 pages, but then I read the remaining over 200 pages in less than 24 hours. If you like romance novels with lots of pining, this one’s for you. Though Lavinia remains entirely herself – creative, capricious, and a little cruel – her love for Neal and his family helps her to realize that the brand of femininity she’s been forced to practice all these years is not something she has to adhere to. I liked that she developed so much as a character while still remaining herself. This was truly one of my favorite reads of 2022 so far and I rate it 5 stars.
Electric Idol by Katee Robert
Buy it here. | Read my full review here.
I absolutely adored this title and can’t wait to see what else Katee Robert does with the series. I’ve heard mixed review for Wicked Beauty but will be sure to read everything in this author’s backlist.
The Bride Goes Rogue by Joanna Shupe
Buy it here. | Read my full review here.
This one was so steamy and so fun! Preston is truly a scoundrel, but Katherine can hold her own. I was addicted to Schupe’s writing while reading this one, and the excerpt for the next title in this series? Ohhhh my goodness, I am so excited! Schupe will become a must-buy from me and I can’t wait to delve into her entire backlist. The NYC setting was just icing on the cake.
What was your most recent five star romance read?
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