The Best of 2020 – Charlotte’s List
It’s that time of year when we all start looking back at the things we did (and maybe didn’t do!) during the past months, and when sites such as ours start putting together lists of what we consider to be “The Best of 2020”. This has certainly been a most unusual year, but we’re not planning on breaking with that tradition, so here without further ado, is our first “Best of” list, from Charlotte Elliott. Watch this space over the coming weeks for more, and please do drop by in the comments to let you know what YOU’d pick to grace your own Best of 2020.
The Happy Ever After Playlist (audiobook) written by Abby Jimenez; narrated by Zachary Webber and Erin Mallon
This was the first audiobook I’d listened to in a hot minute and it snagged my first DIK grade ever. I’m not usually a rock-star romance kind of girl, but this one got me. An artist who hasn’t dated since the death of her boyfriend meets an (alt) rock star who is more Bon Iver than boy band material. I loved the characters’ commitment to each other and the HEA that didn’t shortchange anybody.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible, or your local independent bookstore
The Sight of You by Holly Miller
British-published WF consistently receives some of my highest grades, but this one got the DIK. A lost young man meets a somewhat lost long woman. The speculative twist: he can see the future and he sees a very Sadly Ever After for them. One of the few tragic love stories I’ve read that made me feel heart-warmed instead of heartbroken.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible, or your local independent bookstore
Tools of Engagement byTessa Bailey
Tessa Bailey’s Hot and Hammered series ends with a small town, enemies-to-lovers winner between an interior designer and the (slightly) younger rodeo cowboy she falls for. When you just really need to feel the (loin)burn, Bailey is there for you—and with an HEA, too.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible, or your local independent bookstore
The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
Cocks and Morgan’s Royal We duology – and homage to Kate Middleton – is one of the most (re)readable things I’ve ever read. The seamless first-person narration and an ability to walk the fine line between exaggerated fun and annoyingly nonsensical that runs straight through the Kingdom of Women’s Rom Coms got this sequel on my list.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible, or your local independent bookstore
500 Miles from You by Jenny Colgan
Colgan’s fiction is like a good dancer—it won’t step on your toes by trying too hard and it’s good company as it takes you for a spin. Two nurse practitioners liaisons temporarily swap jobs—he goes to London, she goes to rural Scotland. Calling it women’s fiction doesn’t really do it justice since the story focuses on both main characters. It’s just a darn good book.
Tools of Engagement and Heir Affair are also faves of mine! I love Jenny Colgan, but I missed this one, so I’ll have to cycle back.
I’ve been really looking forward to The Best of the Year lists here at AAR. I find such lists to be super interesting and helpful. Thanks to them, I’ve found so many books I’d never have picked up otherwise. Thank you for sharing your list, Charlotte!
I love the Best Of lists! LOL I haven’t read any of these, but I do have the Jenny Colgan on my bookshelf. Something to look forward to.
The Tessa Dare book sounds like what I need to relieve a stressful day.
Tessa Dare or Tessa Bailey?
Interesting choices! I need to try the Sight of You.
THE SIGHT OF YOU looks very interesting. I’ve added it to my tbr. It makes me think of what Roger Ebert said about how impossible it would be to live fully if we knew the outcome of our lives.
Also, will there be a future post for readers to list their favorite books of 2020? I’d like to share mine, but I’d rather wait until the designated time.
Yes there will!