Probably the most surprising thing about my Best of 2020 list is that it does actually include some books NOT written by Gregory Ashe! I know – What a Shocker: P He’s published a phenomenal TEN books in 2020 – I’ve read nine of them and every single one of those has received DIK status, which is, surely unprecedented; I’ve never given so many A grades to a single author in a single year. But every one of those DIKs is absolutely deserved; his books are clever, funny, insightful, gritty, angsty, and romantic – and no one – NO ONE – does rip-your-heart-out-and-stomp-on-it slow burn romance quite like he does.
Ideally, I’d just put “Everything Gregory Ashe has published this year” on the list, but I can’t*, so instead I’ve just made two random choices (random because I could have chosen any of the aforementioned DIKs). The Same Breath, book one in his Utah-set The Lamb and the Lion series, features Tean Leon, a wildlife vet, and Jem Berger, a con-man – who meet when Jem is searching for his missing brother. It’s one of the author’s best odd-couple pairings; Tean is an adorable dork with a glass-half-empty outlook, while Jem is charming and much more upbeat, but of course, both of them are far more complicated than they at first seem and both have a great deal of baggage to work through if they’re going to be together. The prose in this book is some of the author’s best, the mystery is clever, and the relationship is wonderful, full of affection, longing, and off-the charts chemistry, Tean and Jem fit like puzzle pieces, filling in gaps in each other’s lives they didn’t even know they had.
Buy it at: Amazon or your local independent bookstore
They Told Me I Was Everything is book one in The First Quarto series, which is set a few years before Emery Hazard returns to Wahredua in Pretty Pretty Boys. Freshman Auggie Lopez and grad student Theo Stratford ponder the complexities of King Lear while solving a murder mystery and forging a genuine, deeply felt but complicated relationship. Gregory Ashe is king of the slow burn romance, and this looks set to be one of his best; glorious, intense and frustrating!
Buy it at Amazon, Audible or your local independent bookstore
Here are the other books and authors I enjoyed most in 2020.
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing by Charlie Adhara
I’m so NOT a werewolf person (!), but I made an exception for Charlie Adhara’s Big Bad Wolf series, and am so very glad I did; the author does a terrific job of combining high-stakes suspense plots with plenty of relationship and character development, steamy love scenes, tenderness and humour in all the books. This one sees Cooper and Park pretending to be a couple (even though they’re a real couple!) to investigate some shady doings at a couples retreat, and I loved seeing how far their relationship has come. Book five, Cry Wolf is out in January and I can’t wait!
Buy it at: Amazon or Audible
The Will Darling Adventures by K.J. Charles
It would be a strange year if there wasn’t a book by K.J. Charles on my Best of List. Well, okay so this HAS been a strange year, but there’s still a book (or two) by KJC here; the two instalments (so far) in her 1920s set Will Darling Adventures series, Slippery Creatures and The Sugared Game. A former soldier inherits his uncle’s bookshop and becomes embroiled in all sorts of shady shenanigans, during the course of which he meets the enigmatic, exasperating and aristocratic Kim Secretan, who … well let’s just say he’s not quite what he seems. An homage to 1920s pulp fiction this series bears all the hallmarks of this author’s style; fabulous storytelling and plotting, superb characterisation, a wonderfully realised setting, characteristically dry wit and British understatement by the bucketload. Oh, and lots of tea.
Buy Slippery Creatures at: Amazon, Audible or your local independent bookstore
Buy The Sugared Game at: Amazon, Audible or your local independent bookstore
Ten Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase
Without doubt the best historical romance of the year, this was worth the three-year wait! I love a bad-boy redemption story and this is a truly outstanding one that works on every level; the leads are complex, fully-rounded and engaging characters, the romance is swoonworthy and the character development –especially on the part of the hero – is stellar. It’s funny, poignant and sexy, and the author’s subtle commentary on the lack of agency afforded to the well-bred female in nineteenth century England is always spot on without being in your face.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible, or your local independent bookstore
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
I don’t read a lot of m/f contemporary romance, but the synopsis for this one caught my eye; a fanfic writer and the lead actor from her favourite show (who is also – secretly – her online writing partner) meet face-to-face after he asks her out on a date (on Twitter!); he’s instantly smitten, but she’s not so sure… it’s as though he’s acting the role of gorgeous-but-dim, and she’s not here for that. The author incorporates a lot of serious issues with a light hand, and explores the dynamics of fandom and social media really well; the chemistry between the leads is sizzling from the start and the writing is sharply focused and insightful. I loved it and devoured it in one sitting.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible, or your local independent bookstore
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Romantic, funny, silly, messy, tropey and utterly captivating, Boyfriend Material is quite possibly the best romantic comedy I’ve ever read. I can’t remember the last time I laughed out loud so much and so often as I did when reading this book. I love a good fake-relationship story and this is a VERY good one; it’s a free-spirit-meets-stuffed-shirt pairing and it works beautifully. Luc and Oliver light up the pages whenever they’re together, and running alongside the humour is a lovely story about self-worth and acceptance and the need to be true to oneself.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible, or your local independent bookstore
Against the Grain by Jay Hogan
Jay Hogan has quickly become one of my favourite authors and her latest Auckland Med. book is her best yet. In it, she develops a terrific and very ‘adult’ romance between two complete opposites; out-and-proud Sandy, who eschews labels and has fought all his life to be who he is, and elite wheelchair athlete Miller, who has spent most of his life keeping his head down, having decided that coming out on top of learning to live with a disability was one level of drama too far. The romance is superbly developed, the characters are fallible yet intensely likeable, and though they’re very different, the author shows at every turn exactly why they’re perfect for one another.
Buy it at: Amazon or your local independent bookstore
Blue on Blue by Dal Maclean
The entire Bitter Legacy trilogy is simply brilliant, all three books intricate, gripping and superbly written romantic mystery/procedural/suspense novels featuring complex but flawed (oh, so dreadfully flawed in some cases!) characters you can’t help but like in spite of yourself. Blue on Blue is the final book, and in it, the author masterfully pulls together and ties up all her storylines, while continuing the development of the relationship between PoV character Detective Inspector Will Foster and model Tom Grey, whose tempestuous romance began in Object of Desire. The mystery/suspense plotline is a cleverly woven web of lies, betrayal and misdirection and Will and Tom’s romance is filled with sexy, angsty goodness! I read this one but also listened to the whole trilogy, which boasts an outstanding performance by Gary Furlong who does the impossible and elevates these already amazing books to a higher level.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local independent bookstore
Headliners by Lucy Parker
Headliners, the fifth in Lucy Parker’s excellent London Celebrities series, switches focus from London’s Theatreland to the world of television to bring us a wonderfully sharp, funny, sexy and grown-up romance between a pair of rival TV presenters who profess to hate each other’s guts, but who, of course, doth protest too much. Lucy Parker once again demonstrates why she continues to be one of my (very few) go-to authors for m/f romance – the writing is superb, the dialogue sparkles and I love knowing that I can pick up a Lucy Parker book and feel instantly as though I’m in a place I recognise.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local independent bookstore
Common Goal by Rachel Reid
This May/December romance between a silver-fox goalie nearing retirement and a bartender sixteen years his junior is emotional, funny, all kinds of sexy and totally wonderful on all counts. Eric is recently divorced and finally ready to explore his bisexuality; Kyle has a habit of falling for the wrong men – and Eric is just his type… of course, resistance is useless! This is a gorgeous slow-burn romance between two men who are, on the surface, very different but deep down, are looking for the same thing. This one is up there with Heated Rivalry as a series favourite.
Buy it at: Amazon or Audible
In the Deep by Loreth Anne White
Although Loreth Anne White has become known for her romantic suspense novels, In the Deep is a straight-up thriller about a young woman who moves to New South Wales with her new husband, only to realise shortly afterwards that something is very, very wrong. The plot is diabolically clever, and brilliantly constructed, and the author pulls off a superb twist near the end that I didn’t see coming. In the Deep is a remarkable piece of storytelling, a riveting tale of emotional manipulation, betrayal and palpable fear that kept me glued to its pages from first to last.
*forbidden by our Publisher
I love “Ten Things I Hate About the Duke” which was first published in 2020. The novel is a witty and humorous take on the classic Jane Austen-style romance, set in Regency England. It tells the story of a headstrong young woman named Caro and the Duke of Lyons, who are forced to work together to uncover a scandal that threatens to destroy their families. The novel is known for its charming characters, witty dialogue, and fast-paced plot, and is loved by fans of the historical romance genre.
Check my romance books .
I love “Ten Things I Hate About the Duke” which was first published in 2020. The novel is a witty and humorous take on the classic Jane Austen-style romance, set in Regency England. It tells the story of a headstrong young woman named Caro and the Duke of Lyons, who are forced to work together to uncover a scandal that threatens to destroy their families. The novel is known for its charming characters, witty dialogue, and fast-paced plot, and is loved by fans of the historical romance genre.
Check my <a href=”https://www.bookavatar.com/romance”>romance books</a>
I definitely want to check out Ten Things I Hate About the Duke. Glad to hear it’s a great one. Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon was my favorite historical romance of the year on my list of Best Romance Books of 2020.
I haven’t read any Amy Harmon – I know people who love her work, but I’m not sure it’s for me. But yes, do read the Chase; if you enjoy witty, clever historicals it’s a must!
Quite a few of these are books that I also liked very much, others are on my wishlist or active TBR. Apparently we have similar tastes :-) though my tolerance for uber-angsty + violent + super-slow-burn is evidently lower.
So many people have loved Spoiler Alert and Ten Things I Hate About the Duke that I will definitely be reading them soon just to see what all the fuss is about!
I freely admit to being an angst bunny; provided it’s done well and isn’t just (mental) torture porn and makes sense in terms of the characters. Both Maclean and Ashe walk that line perfectly.
I have Headliners and In the Deep on my TBR and hope to get to them soon. I read Spoiler Alert based on your review and really enjoyed it. Great list!
I need to read that. It’s shown up on several lists!
Oh, I’m so glad to know that, Maggie!
Great list Caz! I’ve read most of these and have the Ashe, Chase, Dade, Hall and Maclean on my own list for this year. I’ve read everything else (although a different Hogan) and enjoyed all but the Parker (she just doesn’t work for me for some reason). That only leaves the newer Hogan and LAW (but “palpable fear” as a descriptor means I’ll take your word for it ;-)
For those worried about the Maclean trilogy: it is definitely romantic suspense but it doesn’t have the on-page violence that Ashe does. I’d rank it a bit easier read fwiw, and not to be missed if you like romantic suspense.
I don’t read much m/f CR, but Lucy Parker generally resonates with me – possibly because although she’s not British, she really nails the British idiom and the London of her stories, while idealised, is instantly recognisable and familiar to this ex-Londoner.
And yes, there’s certainly less on-page violence in the Dal Maclean trilogy (than in GA’s books), but the relationships are no less gut-wrenchingly angsty.
I can handle quite a lot of relationship angst ;-) But on-page, physical torture/violence generally does me in. Drives my mystery/thriller friends crazy because they love to swap books.
It goes back to when I was a kid, and people kept giving me all those “classic” sad animal tales. I hated them. And I’ll never forgive my 7th grade English teacher who assigned us the first chapter of The Red Pony to read IN CLASS. It was horrible what Steinbeck did to that poor horse; and I burst into tears in front of everyone.
The Red Pony, Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller…I got sick of the whole “killing off animals in coming-of-age stories” mess. And maybe that’s why on screen violence in movies or books is something I dislike to this day.
Replying to all of you on this thread, I think the reason I have been reading a lot of Harlequin Intrigue titles lately is that guarantee of an HEA/HFN for the hero and heroine. Unlike other forms of suspense and thrillers outside of romance, I know in advance things are going to be okay.
Like many here, I don’t think a story has to end tragically for it to be “worthwhile” or “important.” Aren’t things depressing enough in the real world without infecting our leisure reading too? As it stands, capital-R Romances of all subgenres plus solarpunk science fiction are the only genres I can think of that require a happy ending (technically, solarpunk is supposed to end on a hopeful or uplifting note, but isn’t nearly as strict in its HEA/HFN guidelines).
There’s definitely a place for sad or “literary” stories, but I don’t need any gut punches right now.
Well, all these books or series (apart from the LAW) have HEAs, they just get there in different ways, some more angsty than others. None end “tragically” so I’m not quite sure how that’s relevant to my list?
Oh, I wasn’t saying tragedy was relevant to your list. I was just piggybacking off of some of the conversations here about having to read depressing literature in school. It brought to mind larger cultural beliefs about how stories with happy endings are often considered frivolous rather than important. Plus, it reminded me of the promise of the HEA/HFN in romantic suspense, which I find makes the genre so much more palatable. Your list contains a number of romantic thrillers, so I just wanted to jump in with my comments on why I find them more appealing right now than just plain thrillers (although I do like Elmore Leonard’s work too!)
Oh, I see. Yes RS is generally working for me right now, but little of it is m/f. I keep looking, though…
No problem. I’m glad romantic suspense is working for you right now too.
For pulpy m/f fun, I like some of the Harlequin Intrigue titles, but they tend to be inconsistent on whether they are supposed to be mysteries or romantic suspense. In a way, I’m glad of the variety, but I think a traditional mystery reader might get put off by the fact that some Harlequin Intrigue titles are clearly as marketed- mysteries that the reader can solve alongside the characters who are falling in love- and others are definitely more action/adventure oriented with the mystery taking a back seat, if it’s in there at all. Since I’m not a fan of standard mysteries (see my comment to Dabney below), this generally works for me fine. But like I said, I’m never quite sure what to expect. For a Harlequin category line, that’s probably not a good sign…
So far, I haven’t had any luck getting hooked by a Harlequin RS title. I do have an older title in the line on hold at the library that concerns a game warden heroine supervising the undercover cop hero who is trying to infiltrate a poaching ring. Fascinating premise for a romantic suspense, hope it works out.
Thankfully, my English teacher gave me book lists full of Jean Plaidy/Victoria Holt, Norah Lofts, Anya Seton… I credit her for getting me into historical fiction when I was eleven!
I read thrillers as a younger person but then in the 80s many of them became horrifically, gleefully full of scenes with torture, almost all done to women. Stuart Woods–someone gave me one where a sicko rape was described in loving detail–, James Patterson (I live right by where Kiss the Girls was set–I still wish I’d never read it.) and other authors realized, depressingly, that the market for extreme violence, often sexual, against women was growing. (A reaction to the women’s movement many lit crits think.)
I moved to mysteries, mostly written by Brits and Europeans and have never looked back.
“A reaction to the women’s movement many lit crits think.”
Maybe, maybe not. Rape as a motivating factor for the hero to go after the bad guy is an old one (see “fridging” under TV Tropes), definitely pre- women’s movement. I think the difference is, you couldn’t get away with extreme depictions of violence in older literature. Violence in general, not just rape, has gotten more brutal in media since the removal of many restrictions of the past. But I don’t think people have changed so much as the rules have. Artists have always been pushing the envelope.
Speaking of mysteries, are you familiar with Louise Penny’s work? She is a Canadian author whose mysteries are set in a fictional small town in Quebec with recurring characters. I am not a mystery reader in general, but I know a couple of die hard Louise Penny fans who say her work has an old-fashioned charm.
I read the first three Penny books and then I became fatigued with how many crimes occurred in this one small town. But she is an excellent writer.
Heh heh. That’s one of the reasons I’m not much of a traditional mystery reader anyway. There are just too many series that take place in these quaint little towns that somehow have a higher murder per capita rate than the world’s most violent major cities. But more power to anyone able to sail past the required suspension of disbelief.
Also, I’m not crazy about stories centered around somebody being murdered, which tends to be the focus of most mysteries. Now and then you’ll find an outlier about solving a grand theft or arson or something, but for the most part, it’s a genre focused on the premise that someone got murdered.
Finally, I just don’t have a mystery solving mindset. I find there’s too much thinking involved for me as the reader (lazy of me, I know. But there you go). I’d rather just be taken along for a ride someplace than feeling the pressure of having to solve something before the characters do.
Thrillers are a little different for me because the focus tends to be more on the protagonist(s)’ survival or bigger picture themes like uncovering corruption or taking down a criminal ring. Yeah, there can be some crossover between the two genres, but I’m more tolerant of a mystery if it’s woven into a high-octane context, or something like that. Maybe that’s why I’ve gravitated to the Harlequin Intrigue line. While there’s generally some kind of mystery, the stories tend to exist within a larger backdrop like a secret crime organization up against an equally secret society of vigilantes, for example.
Love those Ashe novels as well – would definitely shortlist both of those. I think the anthologies were also terrific! I still haven’t read this Parker. Maybe I will!
The anthologies are great – GA is able to let his inner comedian have full rein and gets to show his guys having a bit of normality in between all the getting beaten up/shot at and people messing with their heads!
Em and Caz are my go-to’s for m/m romance recommendations and have introduced me to many great books. I really liked Spoiler Alert – I thought the storyline was fresh and unique. I also liked Boyfriend Material and Common Goals although neither was a perfect read for me. I just read Against the Grain a few days ago. I loved Off Balance (Jay Hogan’s release earlier this year) but loved Against the Grain more. The romance was wonderfully developed with main characters who really talked to each other plus it had a really thoughtful examination of choice and discrimination. I’m still thinking about the book days later! I am planning to read Ten Things soon and with both Em and Caz recommending Dal MacLean, I may need to get right on that. Thanks for a great list, Caz!
You’re very welcome – and I’m so pleased to know that my ramblings have helped you to find some good books to read ;) What you say about Against the Grain is why it had an edge over Off Balance; Miller and Sandy communicate so very well, and the examination of disablity and gender issues was incredibly good without being at all preachy.Tthe Maclean books are superb – really clever with complex, flawed characters and well written relationships and plenty of angst.
We often feel so similarly about m/m – I’m glad our reviews are steering you to some great books! You should start the Dal Maclean series right away! They are superb…but dark! Have you read the Adhara’s? Even if you aren’t into shifters! And on that note – have you read any TJ Kline? Wolfsong is superb.
*TJ Klune
and that sentence should have read …even if you aren’t into shifters, they’re such a minimal part of the overall series, I think most PNR fans would lament how insignificant they are in comparison to the characters themselves. Good stuff!
I don’t read a lot of paranormal romance but have read series that I enjoyed. I think for me it gets confusing to keep track of the rules in each world of various series. I liked Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series. I had read and loved all of Cassandra Clare’s YA series (The Mortal Instruments, etc) and she has a steampunk series (The Infernal Devices) that was one of my favorites. I bought Bec McMaster’s Kiss of Steel because of that (and Dabney’s strong recommendation) but haven’t read it yet. I bought Wolfsong on Kindle a long time ago when it was on sale based on the review here but also haven’t read it yet. I just put the first 2 Dal McLean books on my Amazon wishlist but I think I will wait until the price comes down. The Wolf at the Door is only $1.99 so I just bought it. Honestly, my real problem is buying faster than I can read. My Kindle unread folder is over 350 books! And I still buy paperback/hardback books, although not at the rate I do e-books. Sometimes I feel out of control but in a happy way? I mean, it’s books!
I really liked the Darkest London series and I’m also a big fan of the McMaster steampunk books; they’re among the best in the genre IMO. If you’re into audiobooks, the Maclean trilogy has a superb narrator – and in the UK Audible has a half price sale on; not sure where you are, but here, that might make the audios cheaper than the ebooks!
My TBR is insane. I do try to dip into it when I’m at a loss what to read next, but there’s always something shiny and new just around the corner.
I’m also a Darkest London and McMaster fan. I think I’ve read all 3 series at least twice by this point. I’ll add one more to your steampunk TBR – Meljean Brooks. Those are excellent, too!
FWIW I had Wolfsong on my TBR for a long time because of the strong reviews I’d read. But I hadn’t read any shifter stories before it and didn’t think I would enjoy it. I was wrong. I think I picked it as my favorite book in 2016? Over The Hating Game!!! The Adhara books are different – lighter maybe? And shorter! But also super entertaining/enjoyable. And the opposites attract pairing is terrific.
Another m/m author we haven’t mentioned recently is Sidney Bell. I love the Woodbury Boys series and the standalone that preceded it (Bad Judgment). I would definitely add her to your TBR. She has a new release in January. It didn’t work for me on any level – but GR readers seem to feel differently, so…
Thanks for the Gregory Ashe recs. I buy all his Somerset and Hazard books.
You’re welcome :) I think he’s one of the best writers of romance around; even though his books are mysteries with romances in them, the central characters and their relationships are just as important and are SO brilliantly done. I believe there is more H&S to come in the not too distant future. (To tide you over you should try the other series I’ve mentioned in my list – They Told Me I Was Everything and Yet a Stranger even have cameos by a pre-Hazard Somers!)
I’m not surprised by your list, except that you succeeded in keeping Ashe to only two titles. :-D
I totally agree about Boyfriend Material. One of the very best of the year for me,too, and definitely the best contemporary. The narration was exceptional and added a wonderful layer to an already great book. I also loved the Loretta Chase. It was another book full of smiles with a fantastic narrator.
I wasn’t as enamored of the Will Darling series by Charles. I have enjoyed all the other books by her I’ve read, but my dislike for Kit’s character left this flat. I plan to try again once we have the final book and I can plow on knowing the HEA is within sight.The other books on your list are already on my TBR list, thanks to your reviews along the way.
I like werewolves, so the Adhara series is an easy sell. I’ll check it out. The Bitter Legacy trilogy sounds tempting, but knowing your love for well-written, stomp-on-your-heart romances, I’m not sure! :-) Also, I’ve never read anything by Loreth Ann White, so could you recommend one of her romantic suspense titles?
Oh, there is definitely a fair bit of heart-stomping in the MacLean books, but they’re so, SO good and the audio versions are superb.
I really liked LAW’s Angie Pallorino series – I reviewed a couple of them here – and certainly recommend them. B>The Slow Sound of Silence is another good narrator be, and last year’s In the Dark is excellent, although it’s more a thriller than a romance. Her stuff can be gritty though; I know where has been the occasional “ewwww!” moment.
I really like Kim – he’s a bit of a shit, yes, but there’s always been the sense that wasn’t all there is to him, and he’s the sort of sarcastic, morally ambiguous character KJC does so well.
Thanks for the recommendation. And Kim, not Kit. Sorry! Old brain. I think I’ll have to be in the right mood not to get angry at Kim for the way he treats Will. It will help when I’m not already angry about the real world and can deal with more stress in my fictional world.
I am serious about how much I enjoy reading reviews, especially about books I know I don’t have the emotional energy to read. It gives me vicarious pleasure to read a good review of a good book.
Kim, Kit, eh, I didn’t notice – I knew who you meant :P
Good Picks, Caz!
Unsurprisingly, seven of these authors are also on my list! I agree with your choices for Gregory Ashe, K.J.Charles, Loretta Chase, Alexis Hall, Dal Maclean and Rachel Reid but, as I haven’t yet read Against the Grain, I would choose Off Balance by Jay Hogan. I thought her depiction of the ballet dancer was superb in this book.
I enjoyed Headliners, but it didn’t make my list in the way that The Austen Playbook or Pretty Face would have. (I just went on Amazon to check the titles and see that Lucy Parker has a new book due out next August set in a baking show. Alexis Hall’s next book has that setting too, so it looks like we’ll be reading lots about baking next year!)
I haven’t read the others as they didn’t appeal to me for various different reasons.
Thanks for all your great reviews, Caz – I’m looking forward to another year of them!
I’m looking for more reviews by Caz too… I add many of her reviewed books to my TBR!
Awww, thank you. I already have a pretty full Jan/Feb review schedule so there is definitely more to come from me!
100% Caz’s reviews go on my TBR list as well. Em Wittman’s, too. Read more faster, Em!
Off Balance was also a DIK for me, so it was a toss-up and had I written the list on a different day, I may well have chosen it instead.
The Big Bad Wolf series really is excellent. I’m not into shifters/werewolves either, but the wolf character spends 95% of the time in human form anyway. I almost passed on it as well, but Em’s review of the first book convinced me to pick if up and I’m so glad I did.