The Best of 2019 – Evelyn’s List
Full disclosure – 2019 was a fairly light reading year for me. My TBR pile is still overflowing! When making this list, I didn’t refer to anything but my memory – which books were the most memorable. After all, that is probably the best criteria for making a “best of” list. So…here goes:
Death and the Harlot and The Corpse Played Dead by Georgina Clarke
These are the first two books in the Lizzie Hardwicke series. Ms. Clarke is a new author and she launched a great series this year. Historical mystery with an undercurrent of romance is my current favorite book type and the Lizzie Hardwicke books were exactly what I was looking for this year. I honestly have no idea how Ms. Clarke will get Lizzie and her hero together but I can’t wait to see it all unfold as Lizzie continues to cleverly solve mysteries in Georgian England. This is a great series for anyone who loves mystery and romance but not much gore.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas
Ms. Thomas is an auto-buy for me – mystery, romance, YA – doesn’t matter, she always delivers. I have loved every book in this series and The Art of Theft is no exception. Charlotte Holmes is a brilliant character and Ms. Thomas writes her inner musings so beautifully.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn
I have adored Veronica and Stoker from the first few chapters of this series and A Dangerous Collaboration takes their relationship to the next level. I was not thrilled with some of Veronica’s choices in this latest book, but it was an engrossing read and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Angel in a Devil’s Arms by Julie Anne Long. IMHO this is a perfect historical romance – the hero and heroine are delightful in every way, the setting is fun, the supporting characters all have interesting parts to play and they all add to the narrative, and the dialogue is superb. Best of all, the writing is top notch. If you are an HR fan and haven’t picked this series up, give yourself an early present and order the first two books today!
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
A Wife Worth Investing In by Marguerite Kaye
Ms. Kaye writes beautiful stories and this one moved me. Her hero is struggling with PTSD and the way she crafts the tale around his internal battles is masterful. It’s a lovely romance but a heavy tale, so may not be not everyone’s cup of tea but I really loved it.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Nina Hill is such a delightful character and I found myself laughing out loud while reading her exploits. It is cleverly written with a sweet romance and the bookish quotes are awesome. I would love to hang out with Nina.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
While the premise and some of the scenes in this story were a little outlandish, I completely fell for the romance. The emails and texts between Alex and Henry are so beautiful and the unfolding of their story so lovely that I sighed happy sighs throughout the book. It was one of the sweetest romances I read this year.
Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
A “Best of 2019” for me wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers series. I didn’t start the series until 2019 and then basically devoured the first five books and anxiously awaited the last two. My two daughters (in their early twenties) and I thoroughly discussed every plot twist, shared every hilarity, and praised the genius of Penny Reid for the whole of 2019. It is rare that a book or book series captures all of us, but the Winston Brothers did!
Thank you Blackjack, I have both Lady Julia Grey and the Veronica Speedwell series on my tbr.
Death and the Harlot is on sale right now for 0.99!
Evelyn, I read 2/3 of the books on your list and totally agree with your picks. It was due to your review that I bought the first Lizzie Hardwicke and I absolutely loved both books – thank you , thank you! I also adored Red, White & Royal Blue – one of my favorite books this year. I look forward to seeing all the reviewers’ lists!
I’m so glad my review led you to Lizzie Hardwicke! Her character is so unique – I love how the author hasn’t taken any of the predictable roads with her.
For past two years or more, HR has been dismal, especially as my favourite authors (Chase and Duran) are slow at putting out books. However, I am exceptionally happy to have Vincy and Dunmore. I too have turned to historical mysteries. Not that I have a wide repertoire as I have only read C.S. Harris’s Sebastian St Cyr series, Sherry Thomas’s Charlotte Holmes series and currently reading Lizzie Hardwick. I absolutely adore her, she is an extraordinary heroine and Davenport’s appearance launched the book into a higher realm for me and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
Usha, have you read any of Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell books? They’re fun and romantic, and I think you might like them.
Great list! Have read all but Red White & Royal Blue. I tried but just couldn’t get
Into the story. Love Lizzie and want more and have long been a fan of Ms. Kaye.
Some solid picks, Evelyn!
“A Wife Worth Investing In” is now on my exploding TBR list. *Sigh* I’m never going to run out of things to read… (Why am I saying that as though that’s a bad thing?)
Not that I read books just because of their covers, but the image on “A Wife Worth Investing In” gives me an impression of how Ebenezer Scrooge and Belle in “A Christmas Carol” might have looked walking arm in arm if their relationship didn’t fall apart. Anyone else agree?
Evelyn, what a great list – I have read all of your choices and I am pleased to see Lizzie get some love! She is a wonderful character. I have enjoyed the first two books and eagerly anticipate the next one.
Georgina Clarke has talent! Definitely a highlight of the reading year – discovering a new, terrific HM writer. I’m so glad I picked it up.
I really liked Lady Derring Takes a Lover but I thought Angel in a Devil’s Arms was a real disappointment – it had no momentum and mostly consisted of the hero waffling about what he was going to do about his family. Angelique seemed to have lost the spark and the survivor’s edge that made her so enjoyable in Lady Derring.
I’m glad you enjoyed Lady Derring. For me, Angel in a Devil’s Arms was stronger. Funny how books read differently to each reader! I will definitely pick up the next book in the series. You too?
I’m sure I will because I’m a very library-dependent reader, and they will reliably buy Julie Anne Long (whereas I’ve been requesting they pick up Mia Vincy since last year… still waiting).
Oh, I am a very library-dependent reader too.
It would help if Ms. Vincy would release her books as paperbacks. I’ve found that libraries can order them easier than e-books. Plus, if she uses KDP, libraries are *NOT* an option because of contracts. I don’t know if this is the case with her, but it may be the reason why your library can’t get an e-book copy.
Nice list Evelyn! I still have to read the last Penny Reid one, I don’t want to the series to be over!
I felt that way too! I’m so glad we’ll be getting more of Cletus (and I imagine the rest of the Winstons) in future series.
Glad to see so many historical mystery series here. They are one of my favorite subgenres in romances today and there are just so many good ones out there. When I see complaints about the lack of good historical romances, I keep thinking that the abundance of historical mysteries have never been better and the romances in them are so compelling. Sherry Thomas’s Lady Sherlock is probably my favorite and I really enjoyed The Art of Theft. I really liked A Dangerous Collaboration a lot too and still keep thinking about the joys of the poison garden in this Gothic/Gothic spoof addition. Sometimes Veronica is a bit much, but I still love this series, and her, and I find it so fun. I haven’t yet read any in the Lizzie Hardwicke series, but they are on my list.
Happy to see The Bookish Life of Nina Hill here because I want to read this one soon. Great list!