The Best of 2017 – Lisa’s List

2017 has brought a lot of wonderful romance and a lot of wonderful literature into my life.  Here’s a list of my favorite reads of the year!

Falling For Trouble by Sarah Title

Have I mentioned that I love Sarah Title and think she writes the best light hearted humorous small town romances I’ve ever seen in my life?  This one’s the story of a failed rock star and a small town librarian, and it’s amazing.

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Beauty Like The Night by Joanna Bourne

Bourne’s spy romances have become breathtaking treats and this sixth installment in her Spymasters series absolutely doesn’t slow down for a second.  Severine is a brilliant heroine, and Raoul has all of the emotional scars and strength a reader could ever want.

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The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn

Julia Quinn has never, ever, in her writing life disappointed me. Unshockingly TGWTMBH is filled with funny characters, sweet romance and beautiful family interactions.  Cecilia is one of my favorite Quinn heroines now, and I liked her smarts and her nerve.

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Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt

Hoyt is the mistress of character driven, spicy romances.  Her heroines take no crap, her heroes are dashing, and the situations are unique.    In this final full-length Maiden Lane novel, our heroine is sprinted away from a near debasement by our nude hero, who’s shot for his troubles, and things don’t get any duller from there.  While this fantastic series has come to an end, it’s enough to make one long for her next series to arrive!

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Dirty Dancing At Devil’s Leap by Julie Ann Long

Long has become the queen of comedic contemporary romances over the past couple of years; while I liked Wild at Whiskey Creek a little bit better, this is still a funny, stellar story about childhood pals battling over full ownership of a spread of land that’s the hero’s birthright and the heroine’s hope for a solvent future.

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The Strawberry Hearts Diner by Carolyn Brown

I sometimes refer frequently to romance films when I recommend novels.  This one reminds me of the best of nineties romance picture you’ll ever see; you will picture Ashley Judd, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts as the hardscrabble southern women making a living off of pies and faith as one unspools in your lap.

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Someone To Hold by Mary Balogh

No one does it like Balogh (who published two books this year).  I felt like this was by far the strongest and most enjoyable of the two Westcott books released this year.  Camille’s story is a beautiful one that sinks much deeper than the hate-at-first sight romance with Joel, though that is captivating too.

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The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick

It’s always great to witness one’s favorite author branch out of romance in a way that pays proper tribute to their talents.  In Quick’s case, she’s managed to continue writing believable romances about scarred heroes and tough women, couched within smart, well-written mysteries.  Add on a 1930s veneer and I’m on it like butter on mashed potatoes.

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Beard In Mind by Penny Reid

Reid writes human, complex characters, and this tale manages to capture both the tortured state of mind of someone suffering from anxiety, panic and self-harm issues and a warmhearted romance.  Though my favorite Reid hero isn’t Beau, he’s more than a match for the cantankerous and vulnerable object of his desire, Shelly.

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A Touch of Frost by Jo Goodman

Goodman is one of the best writers of western romance out there, and this worthy addition to her canon features all of the love and action one could ever hope to read.

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