And the winners of the AAR Annual Reader Poll 2016 are….
This year’s Annual Poll results are finally here. We thank the many many readers who responded to our survey. The format of taking nominees and then creating a ballot with the top vote getters was a success. Our hard working pollsters–thanks LinneGayl and Lee–tabulated thousands of votes. We plan to run our poll similarly next year.
We will make a few changes, however. It’s clear that allowing books to nominated in multiple categories can create a situation where one author and/or book wins big time. Which is what happened this year. (This will make you happy if you love Nalini Singh which, clearly, many many of our readers do.)
Here, then, are the winners of the 2016 Annual Reader Poll.
NOTE: Honorable mentions have traditionally been given when a book receives at least 80% of the votes of the winner.
Best Romance
Winner: Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh
Honorable Mention: Archangel’s Enigma by Nalini Singh (Our DIK review is here.)
Honorable Mention: A Seditious Affair by KJ Charles (Our DIK review is here.)
Favorite Funny Romance
Winner: My Kind of Wonderful by Jill Shalvis
Honorable Mention: Rock Hard by Nalini Singh (Our DIK review is here.)
Favorite Tear-Jerker Romance
Winner: Only a Kiss by Mary Balogh (Our review is here.)
Honorable Mention: Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh
Most Luscious Love Story
Winner: Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt (Our review is here.)
Honorable Mention: Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh
Best Erotica / Romantica Romance
Winner: Harlot by Victoria Dahl
Honorable Mention: For Real by Alexis Hall
Most Tortured Romance Hero
Winner: Noah St. John in Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh (Our DIK reviews are here and here.)
Best Kick-Ass Heroine
Winner: Kate Daniels in Magic Shifts by Illona Andrews
Honorable Mention: Zaira in Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh
Best Romance Hero
Aden from Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh
Best Romance Heroine
Winner: Charlotte Baird from Rock Hard by Nalini Singh
Best Romance Couple
Winner: Aden and Zaira in Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh
Best Paranormal Romance
Winner: Archangel’s Enigma by Nalini Singh
Honorable Mention: Magic Shifts by Illona Andrews
Best Fantasy Romance
Winner: Burned by Karen Marie Moning
Honorable Mention: Radiance by Grace Draven (Our DIK review is here.)
Best Science Fiction Romance
Winner: Sirens Call by Jayne Castle
Best Historical Romance set in the U.K.
Winner: Only a Kiss by Mary Balogh
Honorable Mention: A Seditious Affair by KJ Charles
Best Historical Romance set outside the U.K.
Winner: This Gun for Hire by Jo Goodman (Our DIK review is here.)
Best Contemporary Romance
Winner: Rock Hard by Nalini Singh
Best Category Romance Book
Winner: Playing by the Greek’s Rules by Sarah Morgan (Our review is here.)
Honorable Mention: Pursued by the Rogue by Kelly Hunter (Our DIK review is here.)
Best Romantic Suspense
Winner: Seduction Game by Pamela Clare (Our review is here.)
Honorable Mention: Dead by Midnight by Pamela Clare
Honorable Mention: The Other Side of Midnight by Simone St. James (Our DIK review is here.)
Honorable Mention: Consumed by Fire by Anne Stuart (Our review is here.)
Best LGBTQ+ Romance
Winners: (a tie): A Seditious Affair by K.J. Charles and Him by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen
2015’s Best Debuting Romance Author
Winner: Anna Harrington
Best Young Adult Romance
Winner: The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas (Our DIK review is here.)
Best New Adult Romance
Winner: Elements of Chemistry by Penny Reid
Honorable Mention: Trade Me by Courtney Milan
Honorable Mention: The Deal by Elle Kennedy (Our review is here.)
Best Romance Novella or Short Story
Winner: Lord Dashwood Missed Out by Tessa Dare