Layla’s Best of 2022
Soul Taken by Patricia Briggs
Patricia Briggs latest’s installment in Mercy series Soul Taken was a book I anticipated because I like the author. I LOVED it.
Reviewed by Kaetrin.
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A Contracted Spouse for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath
This year I did discovered Alice Coldbreath and A Contracted Spouse for the Prizefighter is her 2022 release. I love that her books are historicals but different from the rest of historicals genre now. Her heroes are regular guys, not dukes or viscounts. The heroines are also hard-working regular women, who actually ‘work.’ In this one, Thora is an actress and Clem, a former prizefighter, is a theater owner/manager. I liked the writing and the depiction of working-class characters.
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What if You & Me by Roni Loren
I loved this book. The heroine is a horror writer who has anxiety and a hero who is a fragile former firefighter. Swoon-worthy romance and a very witty heroine. The hero was yummy as well.
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The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews
Mimi Matthews’ books feature explicit sex scenes but they are nevertheless very romantic and give me satisfaction in a way a lot of chaste books in the genre don’t. Her heroines feel true to the time–they are often in desperate straits and vulnerable, but they are not boring or insipid or spineless. This book was very good. The heroine was really strong even though she appeared to be weak to everyone else and the hero was properly intimidating and yet tender.
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The Unkept Woman by Allison Montclair
A super well developed female friendship, an interesting and sometimes comic cast of side characters, a unique setting (Britain post WWII), and hard to solve mysteries made Allison Montclair’s Sparks and Bainbridge series an A+ read for me this year. That includes The Unkept Woman, Montclair’s 2022 book.
Reviewed by Jayne.
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The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O’Roark
I LOVED and devoured this book. I can’t say enough good things about the heroine—she was so strong, so well defined, so compelling and so human. A career woman and a successful lawyer who owns her power and doesn’t take any shit from anyone. A truly fantastic portrait of a modern heroine, one of the best I’ve ever read in the genre.
Reviewed by Janine.
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A Scandalous Kind of Duke by Mia Vincy
This book (it came out in September) was really good and interesting. It features an artist heroine who really is a bohemian—and an uptight, perfect seeming duke. But the pairing works and the writing sizzles and the hero, even more than the heroine, made an impression on me. While Vincy’s voice to me is not as compelling as Kleypas or Balogh or Dunmore–some of my favorite historical romance authors–she is nevertheless doing interesting things within the genre with her characterization.
Another great list, thanks, Layla. Based on all the reviews and comments, I simply must start the Sparks and Bainbridge series. The titles haven’t been on sale recently, but they sound too good to pass up. Is series order necessary?
@Darlynne:
Thank you!!! And yes you have to read the Sparks and Bainbridge series in order. But they are fantastic!!!
@Darlynne: I second what Layla says. This is a series that has built on each preceding book.
Thanks for sharing your list, Layla! Like you, I enjoyed the most recent Patricia Briggs book. I also need to get caught up on the Sparks and Bainbridge series. Off to investigate another of your choices….
I agree the Sparks and Bainbridge series is fun and should be read in order. I haven’t gotten to The Unkept Woman yet but it’s the only one I have left (I keep wanting to call it The Unkempt Woman, LOL).
Thanks for a great list of favorites! I loved The Devil You Know and The Belle of Belgrave Square. I’m putting the rest on my TBR, especially The Prizefighter one.
I discovered Alice Coldbreath in 2021 and really liked the first book in her Victorian Prizefighter series, Bride for a Prizefighter, for the same reason you liked this one. I liked the working class, slice of life story that was the heart of the book. Also since it was set at a travelling fair (like a more modern day circus) it whetted my appetite for more books in a circus, traveling carny like setting.
@TinaNoir: omg me too!! I LOVED the setting and the unique relationships. In particular how the romance unfolded alongside the heroines awakening. I am behind on posting a review of her books here but be on the lookout for it! Would love to have a discussion of her books;)
@Jenreads: thanks! I really enjoyed the belle of Belgrave square. It stood out to me because the heroine is vulnerable and some might say “weak” but I like the nuanced depiction of female agency and strength. Also the romance was very sweet— I love longing and the book did a good balance of longing and action.
@Janine: well is unkept even a real word? Lol it is very close to unkempt which changes the whole meaning of title !!!
@Kareni: yes I have to say some of the more recent mercy books have been a little stale….. the story isn’t going anywhere and I was feeling some fatigue with the characters but she did a lot of interesting stuff in the latest one— and I love sherwood. Don’t have a clue about who he really is but love a good drawn out mystery!!!
@Jayne: Jayne do you know if any more are planned in the series? I am dying to read more !!!
@Layla: Yes, there is another Sparks and Bainbridge book due out later this summer.
I just discovered Alice Coldbreath recently and she’s great. And last night I picked up “The Devil You Know” (yay, getting my money’s worth from my KU Christmas present to myself!) and devoured it! Fans of The Hating Game would probably like it.
@Darlynne: I forgot to say that the first book in the Sparks and Bainbridge series is one of the best in the series. So don’t worry about starting there—you won’t be missing out.
I’ve enjoyed Roni Loren books before so I must pick this one up!