The Best of 2021 – Jessica’s List
After discovering a love of Harlequin Historical romances last year, I began really reading them this year and tried several new-to-me authors. This is reflected in my Best Of 2021 list as three of my four favorites were published under that banner.
A Nun for the Viking Warrior by Lucy Morris
I purchased this book because someone shared it as a joke in a reading group on Facebook and I found the blurb interesting. Now I’m in love with Viking romances. Gentle giants are my favorite and Jorund is one of the best: he was so sweet to Aimee the entire story. And this was packed with so much action I had trouble putting it down.
Buy it at Amazon or your local independent retailer
Stranded with the Reclusive Earl by Eva Shepherd
This was my second Eva Shepherd title this year and my second Eva Shepherd ever. Both were fabulous, but I preferred this one. It features a plucky heroine that can’t take no for an answer and a curmudgeonly shut-in that keeps telling her no anyway. I love nothing more than a grouchy hero and this is no different. This will for sure not be my last Eva Shepherd.
Buy it at Amazon or your local independent retailer
Wagering on the Wallflower by Eva Shepherd
This is a fabulous tale of a feisty heroine giving her hero some much needed comeuppance after dining out she’s part of a bet he’s placed. Its very She’s All That with a twist in historical romance form. I love watching a hero come to realize what a gem he has in a heroine. And I love watching a hero grovel after he’s messed up.
Buy it at: Amazon or your local independent retailer
Hero Wanted by Betina Krahn
Yet another new-to-me author, Betina Krahn has written an action-packed love story that I adored from beginning to end. It’s about redemption after the hero makes himself out to be a complete jerk upon first meeting the heroine and must make up for it. There are so many twists and turns on the road to their HEA that I could barely put it down.
Thanks for your list Jessica! I don’t think I’ve ever read any Harlequin Historicals though I know they get reviewed well here, I should rectify that!
Yay HQN
I’ve enjoyed a number of Betina Krahn’s HR titles over the years. Glad to see she is still writing and that this is a good one. The other authors are new to me!
I’m not a fan of historical romance but I do think Harlequin historical romances are a cut above a lot of the books on offer out there. Looks like I will have to pick a few of these up.
I agree that Harlequin Historical has quite a few titles that are a cut above HR competitors, but there are also some real doozies. Here are some of my picks for the good ones, in case you’re interested:
Fair warning, Harlequin Historicals have a tendency to shoehorn in an overdramatic climax in the last 10% of the book. Sometimes it works really well, but a lot of times, it feels obligatory. Other than that, I think their titles generally maintain a decent balance among history, plot, and characterization.
I loved all the Lin books and thought they were great. I am pretty sure I have Elizabeth Rolls on my TBR. Will have to check out the others.