The Best of 2018: Maggie’s List
Another year, another list of books that I think others simply must buy and read to live happy, fulfilling lives. Or at least, to feel like they’ve read the best of the best of the year that was. This year I had a really hard time picking as the first ten months or so saw me perusing some truly amazing books. Here is my (whittled down) list of my favorite romances/romantic reads.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik A retelling of Rumpelstiltskin that captures all that is best about fantasy, fairy tales and romance this is easily my top read of the year. Heroine Miryem is the perfect match for the powerful, ruthless Staryk king and the fact that it takes them a whole novel to figure that out is a treat and treasure for the reader.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
More Than Meets the Eye by Karen Witemeyer This charming Inspirational romance has it all – heart, faith, family and fun. The tale of a young orphan girl who grows into a beautiful, charming woman and the man who falls for her despite himself, this is sure to delight any fan of the genre.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory This sensational, charming, warm, sexy romance gave me all the feels. I loved Carlos and Nikole and found this to be one of the best contemporary romances I had read in years.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole I love a good meet cute/meet crazy and this book contains one of the very best I’ve read in a long time. A tale of finding your place in the world, I loved how the author was able to combine poignant, meaningful moments with laugh out loud humor.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
A Daring Venture by Elizabeth Camden – Fabulous historical tales can be hard to come by which is why I treasure the work of this author. Able to combine real history with sweet romance, she is a master of her craft. In this Inspirational romance thriller, she continues the story of the history of clean water in New York begun in A Dangerous Legacy. Plucky Dr. Rosalind Werner is the perfect match for bold as brass Nicholas Drake and their love story is a charming combination of thrills, chills, and romance.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
The English Wife by Lauren Willig A fable of wealth and power set during the 1890s swan song of the Gilded Age this is a mystery, a romance, a coming of age story and easily one of the best books of 2018. I adored the heroines of this book and think others will love them as well.
Buy Now: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Resurrection by Karina Bliss The fourth installment in the Rock Solid series, this charming tale works well as a stand-alone novel, but the experience is definitely enriched by having read the previous books in the saga. The story of Lily Stuart (formerly known as professional girlfriend to the stars Stormy Hagen) and rock guitarist Moss McFadden, this book is heartwarming and lovely.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews This is technically a cheat since this story is more fantasy than romance, but it finishes off the love story of Nevada Baylor and Mad Rogan, so I’m counting it. While this short novella focuses on Catalina, Nevada’s sister, the first three books in the Hidden Legacy series tell Nevada and Rogan’s epic, amazing romance and I will use any chance I get to tell you to buy those books. Nevada and Rogan’s wedding serves as the back drop for this short story, and the shenanigans around it is just so them that it serves as perfect closure to that portion of the saga.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson
I know whenever I pick up a novel about World War Two that I will most likely be reading a story that has a lot of heartache and sorrow in it. I hadn’t, however, expected Hidden Among the Stars to affect me quite as powerfully as it did. A haunting, atmospheric tale of love and loss, this book will stay with you long after you have finished the last page.While the historical aspect wasn’t an easy read, the modern day love story between a single father and a charming young woman who loves to read stories to kids adds a wonderful romantic element to the tale.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Belleweather by Susanna Kearsley This novel contains two slow burn romances; the first between French-Canadian lieutenant Jean-Philippe de Sabran and the lovely Lydia Wilde in the 1700s and the second, set in modern day New England, between a young curator and the charming contractor working at the Wilde House Museum. The romance portion could have used a bit more oomph but as always, Kearsley’s moving, passionate take on history makes for fascinating reading.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble//Kobo
All of the books above have one aspect in common: Adventure. Whether it was the adventure of meeting a stranger at the worst moment of your life (The Proposal) or the adventure of moving countries to take on a challenge (A Duke by Default) or crossing worlds to find the person who is the perfect fit (Spinning Silver), each of these stories is chock full of exciting, thrilling, fly by the seat of your pants moments. Do you like adventure in your stories or would you just as soon give that a pass? If you do like adventure stories, what was the most adventurous, romantic tale you’ve read this year?
Such a great list, Maggie!
Alyssa Cole was such a great find for me this year.
Yes, my best romance finds were Alyssa Cole and Jasmine Guillory this year. The opening chapters of A Duke by Default were such a delight for me to read; I’m looking forward to whatever offerings these authors give me next year.
Caz,
Crazy, right? But yes – the book deeply resembles Rear Window and the author makes film noir references through out, though he doesn’t mention that one specifically. Very little risk taking here for Hollywood.
I like your list, but I thought the Willig book was her worst book ever! I hated it to be honest.
It’s interesting how different books hit people different ways, isn’t it? I’m reading the most highly reviewed mystery of the year right now, movie already being made with some big name stars and it is at best a meh for me, so I can understand that Willig didn’t work for me. I liked the Gothic vibe but I know that doesn’t suit everyone.
That should be didn’t work for *you*. Obviously it worked for me.!
What’s the most highly reviewed mystery of the year?
The Woman in the Window an Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller! which was called “Astounding. Thrilling. Amazing.” —Gillian Flynn
“Unputdownable.” —Stephen King “A dark, twisty confection.” —Ruth Ware “Absolutely gripping.” —Louise Penny To be released in movie format October 2019 starring Amy Adams and Gary Oldman (love both these actors). Kirkus reviews said “Crackling with tension, and the sound of pages turning, as twist after twist sweeps away each hypothesis you come up with about what happened in Anna’s past and what fresh hell is unfolding now.” Washington Post said: It’s a beautifully written, brilliantly plotted, richly enjoyable tale of love, loss and madness. The New York Times called it the first stratosphere-ready mystery of 2018. And all I can say is – watch Rear Window, the Hitchcock film that this is based on.
So… this film is based on a book that’s based on Rear Window? Um… I know Hollywood isn’t big into risk-taking, but really??
You have got to be kidding! Gillian Flynn is a DNF author for me, can’t stand her misogyny.
I couldn’t get through The Woman in the Window–nor could I stand Something in the Water, another huge seller. I do, however, adore Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl as well as books by Penny, Ware, and King, so go figure.
I finished it and I will say the second half is better than the first. The problem is that so many authors want to replicate the unreliable narration style of Gone Girl but they tend to rely on artificial constructs like drugs and alcohol. IMO, that makes the entire situation less compelling. I strongly recommend Rear Window to any classic film fan that hasn’t seen it. That’s a fantastic movie and captures a lot of nuance this novel missed.
Just a quick note, Spinning Silver isn’t a retelling of Rapunzel, but actually of Rumpelstiltskin. At least, that’s what the review description sounds like. I am certainly going to get it; I adore retelling of fairy tales.
You are totally right -Spinning Silver is (loosely) based on Rumpelstiltskin My fingers must have gotten away from me. I will ask management to change that. Thanks!.
Fixed!
The books by Willig, Kearsley and Dobson are all on my wish list.
I, too, really liked Spinning Silver and Resurrection. Novik is really hitting her stride with these fairy-tale inspired stories. I hope she continues spinning stories in this vein. And Bliss is an auto-buy for me.
I haven’t read Diamond Fire yet, but I loved the first book Ilona Andrews released about Hugh. I actually thought Hugh’s book was better than the final Kate Daniels book. There’s also some crossover between the two, so it helps to read Hugh’s book before reading the final Kate book.
Diamond Fire is part of the Hidden Legacy books, which are set in a separate universe from Hugh/Kate and company. They are favorites with a lot of fantasy romance readers, so if you get the chance to read Burn for Me (Book 1), please do and let me know what you think.
Quite enjoyed Hidden Among the Stars, it was quite sad at times. I liked Belleweather too. Susanna Kearsley always seems to find really interesting historical stories that I never knew anything about.
Susanna Kearsley’s historical knowledge awes me. She’s amazing at finding little bits of history I knew nothing about and making them interesting.
I TOTALLY FEEL THE SAME WAY!
I’m planning to read Spinning Silver over the holiday break. This review & its position in the number #1 spot on your list have finally compelled me to buy it and try it. I almost bought the hard copy at the bookstore yesterday but I waffled & ultimately decided to wait.
I’m curious – would you also recommend this to a younger reader who likes fantasy/paranormal/minimal romance YA?
Remember how old fairy tales had some dark themes to them? This book totally has those. There is a real sense of danger here, from the nasty villagers and from the Staryk. But I think that for someone who like YA fantasy, it should work. Hope you like it as much as I did.
I agree. It’s got darkness to it without having aggressive violence – I think it’s got less death and violence than Harry Potter. There isn’t explicit sex.
Okay ladies! Thanks for the information! I’ll read it and then see if I think he’d be up for it too.