Top Romances of 2009 by Janet
We will be posting our Top 10 of 2009 this entire week. Today’s list is from Janet (aka Robin). The list is unranked. You can find more of her reviews here.
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I hesitated about making a list this year, since my reading was largely dictated by what I volunteered to review. Consequently, there are many, many wonderful books I haven’t yet read and some books I did love that I didn’t put on this list, either because they were not straight Romance (Sinful Life of Lucy Burns, Dead and Gone), because they just didn’t stick with me with way other books did, or because I wanted to make room for a book that I think might be otherwise overlooked. So rather than my “Top Romances of 2009,” this list is more “10 Memorable Romances I Read in 2009” — and they’re books I heartily recommend to the DA readership.
- Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
- Demon Forged by Meljean Brook
- Courtesan’s Wager by Claudia Dain
- Bound By Your Touch by Meredith Duran (review by Jane)
- Never Love A Lawman by Jo Goodman
- Highland Rebel by Judith James
- Indiscreet by Carolyn Jewel
- Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas (haiku review!)
- Double Play by Jill Shalvis (no review)
- Hunt Her Down by Roxanne St. Claire
Three of your books chosen are in my personal top 10 for 2009 :D
I loved Smooth Talking Stranger and really enjoyed Never Love a Lawman as well. I hope Goodman writes another book set in that town. Does anyone know if Kleypas is writing another contemporary? There’s one Travis brother left, right?
@Jennifer Estep:
I heard she has plans for that brother but she’s going to start a new trilogy based in the pacific northwest in an Island I think. Its 3 brothers and its going to be in the 3rd person but I have enjoyed all her contemps and I agree Smooth Talking Stranger and a couple of others are def in my top ten too :D
Absolutely adored Never Love a Lawman, and I had never read anything by Jo Goodman before this. Tough act to follow.
Smooth Talkin’ Stranger…… MmmmhmmmMmmm…. Kleypas needs to write more contemporaries. She’s fabulous!.
I’m struck by how many of the books on your list I have not yet read. Besides the Duran, which made my list, I have read the Jewel, which was a contender for my list, and the Ashley, which I liked more mildly, but not any of the other seven. I wanted to read some of them, but didn’t get a chance to.
@Has:
Thanks for the info!
Even though it didn’t make the romance list, I was glad to see your mention of The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns. The story was so clever and unexpected and I hope author Elizabeth Leiknes has more in store for us.
@katiebabs: Yeah, it’s always difficult to make these lists, especially when you have a lot of good books you want to honor.
@Jennifer Estep: I definitely don’t think you’ve seen the last of the town Goodman created in Never Love A Lawman. And thanks to @Has for the info on the Kleypas series; Joe’s recovery from the boat accident at his father’s struck me as the perfect set up for his story!
@Bonnie: I think I actually prefer Kleypas’s contemps to her historicals; for some reason her voice just seems to confident and natural in them. As for Goodman, you remind me that I need to write my “if you like” post for Goodman — she has sooooo many wonderful books!
@Janine: It’s the same for me with your list; seven of the book you list I haven’t yet read. Although I did buy the Richardson series when Harlequin had its 50% off sale a few days ago.
@Darlynne: For me, Lucy Burns was one of the nicest reading surprises of the year. But I definitely wouldn’t recommend it as a Romance. ;)
A few of the books you mentioned will also be on my ‘Best of 2009’ list.
Thanks for reminding me of The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns! I liked the sound of it when it was reviewed and meant to add it to my Christmas wish list.