No doubt about it, 2020 has been rough for all of us, but the one thing that helped get us through are romance novels! Books offer an escape when you can’t escape and romances offer a guaranteed happily ever after – just what we need!
With Bridgerton, based on Julia Quinn’s romance novels about to debut on Netflix on Christmas Day, it’s a very exciting time to be a romance fan. No better time to talk about our favourite romance novels of the year! The novels are listed in the order they were read.
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn
This contemporary romance was a delight! This novel tells the love story of Meg and Reid and also gives you all new reasons to love New York City. Definitely going back to New York post-COVID. You will fall in love with Reid right along with Meg. Read our full review here. This book can be purchased at Kobo or Amazon.
Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James
Eloisa James is one of our favourite historical romance writers and Say Yes to the Duke is the fifth book in her The Wildes of Lindow Castle series. This book tells the story of Lady Viola Astley, the shy, wallflower of the Wilde family – we were excited for this book and James did not disappoint! Thoroughly enjoyed her meet cute with Duke of Wynter. Read our review here. Say Yes to the Duke is available for purchase now from Kobo and Amazon.
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon
We can’t lie, this contemporary romance by Farrah Rochon is tied with Spoiler Alert, discussed later as our favourite romance of the year! The heroine Samiah Brooks is one of my favourite heroines EVER and she has some awesome friends too. Samiah finds her perfect match in Daniel Collins, he is dreamy!! Read our review here. You can purchase The Boyfriend Project on both Kobo and Amazon.
One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean
Yes, this historical romance was published in 2013 but we couldn’t resist adding it to this year’s list as that is when we had the pleasure to read it. We ADORE Pippa Marbury!! The girl just wants to learn! And she has chosen a man by the name of Cross to teach her. Have to admire a heroine who requests ruination. This summer we took part in a Summer of Sarah MacLean event and this was our favourite of all of MacLean’s amazing books. Read our review here. You can purchase your own copy of One Good Earl Deserves a Lover on both Kobo and Amazon.
Capturing the Cowboy by Julianna Foxe
Julianna Foxe’s contemporary romance Capturing the Cowboy brings together a city girl Cassie with cowboy Jake Wilder and it’s AMAZING. This is the second book in Foxe’s Copper Valley Ranch series. I adored Jake’s reaction to meeting Cassie. Both characters grow throughout this book and it’s a joy to watch. Read our full review here. You can purchase this book from Amazon.
Paradise Cove by Jenny Holiday
This book was the second in Jenny Holiday’s contemporary romance Matchmaker Bay series and I adored it!! This book is about life after loss. Both the hero and heroine are coming from different places of loss but this book shows how there is hope, life can continue, you can find love – and really what more do you need a great romance? Sexy times? Well, Nora and Jake excel at those! Read our full review here. You can purchase Paradise Cove and a little of that hope we all need right now on the Kobo and Amazon websites.
You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria
We read this contemporary romance over Labour Day weekend and it is the perfect summer novel! A little telenovela, a little real life rom com and an interesting story with a few mysteries to discover as well. This book brought the happy. It was a joy to read Jasmine Rodriguez and Ashton Suárez interactions on and off set! You can purchase You Had Me at Hola from Kobo and Amazon.
The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
This contemporary romance was a little creepy and a little out of the regular comfort zone – but it’s proof of why you should read outside your comfort zone. THIS BOOK WAS AWESOME. I loved everything about it!! I especially love how Samuel loved Alva. Sigh. You so have to read this book to see! Read our full review here. You can get your copy at Kobo or Amazon.
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
This contemporary romance is tied with The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon for our favourite romance novel of the year! This book has EVERYTHING – fanfiction, HUGE shoutouts to the Jamie/Brienne fandom from Game of Thrones and one of my all time FAVOURITE heroines April Whittier. This book has it all!! Things that will make you cheer, things that will make you cry and everything in between!! This book is for members of fandoms, for fat women who deserve to be seen and loved and for everyone who loves romance!!! You can purchase Olivia Dade’s stunning book Spoiler Alert at Kobo and Amazon.
Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye by Jacquelyn Middleton
Last but certainly not least, is Jacquelyn Middleton’s contemporary romance Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye. This novel came out in November and we had been excited for almost a year. It DID NOT disappoint!!! From the meet cute in an Ikea, Tarquin and Leia have the most wonderful, amazing romance. Both characters are terribly interesting in their own right but they are so so marvelous together. I love them both SO MUCH. This book has so many small elements of awesome too – Leia’s Canadian snacks, Tarquin’s love of Star Wars and the terribly interesting supporting characters. It is a DELIGHT!! You can get this fabulous book on Kobo and Amazon.
We so hope you enjoyed this list. The list was based on what we read this year, there are still so many to read on the To Be Read BOOKSHELVES! What an amazing problem to have 😉 Please feel free to share what romance novels were your favourites in 2020. Happy Holidays!!
