The Best of 2022 – Kayne’s List

This year I read more contemporary romances, especially books that made me laugh. I also branched out and tried more new-to-me authors, many of which made it onto my Best of 2022 list.


Nora Goes off Script by Annabelle Monaghan

This is my favorite romance of the year. I especially loved the playful banter between Nora and Leo. Nora writes a screenplay after her self-centered husband leaves her and their two children. Then Leo, famous actor and former Sexiest Man Alive comes to town to play her ex-husband in the movie. This story has heart and humor and I highly recommend it.

Buy it at: AmazonAudible or your local bookshop


Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

This women’s fiction title takes place in the 1960s as women were entering the workforce. It stars courageous Elizabeth Zott, a chemist, and single mom that ends up hosting a TV cooking show. She ends up teaching her audience about more than just recipes – she empowers women to go for their dreams. It has humor, tears, twists, and an incredible dog named Six-Thirty. I love science and this story really hit the spot but you don’t have to be a scientist to appreciate it. It’s currently being made into a new series for Apple TV.

Buy it at: AmazonAudible or your local bookshop


Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

The back and forth texts between leads Liv and Colin had me laughing out loud. Liv is the Queen of Disasters and down on her luck so her brother lets her stay with him and his roommate Colin as long as she stays out of Colin’s way. Trouble starts her first night when she gets a text from a wrong number asking “What are you wearing?” She texts back a snarky response that begins an entertaining text fest between Mr. Wrong Number and Miss Misdial. Colin’s and Liv’s romance is good, light fun.

Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop


The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

There was magic in the air while I was reading this one. This is a sweet story of a found family living at the mysterious Nowhere House. Junior witch Mika receives a note telling her to go to Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. She becomes close with her new students as well as the kind people that care for them, including Jaime, a prickly librarian. It’s heartwarming to watch them all work together to protect the children as secrets are uncovered and Jaime and Mika’s romance grows.

Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop


When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord

I stayed up late to finish this book – I just couldn’t put it down! Millie has always had one dream: to be a Broadway star. In her last year of high school, she is living with her dad and aunt and and searching for her mom who abandoned her when Millie was young. The book does a lovely job of showing Millie working on her dreams of making it big on Broadway as she deals with her high school drama club, her dad’s overprotectiveness, and the chaos that is the life of a teenager. I enjoyed watching the budding romances between several different couples, including Millie. I like this author’s humor and was totally hooked into this zany story. Extra points for the the Mamma Mia theme!

Buy it at Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop


Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

This the first STEM Romcom I’ve ever read and it has cats! The heroine, Bee, is a neuroscientist who is starting her dream job at NASA, designing a new helmet for astronauts, but there’s one problem, she’s co-leading the project with Levi Ward her nemesis from her grad school days. Their banter is funny and flirty and their attraction is smokin’ hot.

Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop


The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

This one is a YA novel about Emilie who is having a terrible, very bad Valentine’s Day which she sudenly has to relive over and over. In loop after loop, her boyfriend cheats on her, she wrecks her van, and more. It reminded me of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off mixed with a little Groundhog Day. While she is stuck in this horrible day, she keeps running into Nick, her chemistry lab partner. My favorite part of the book is their Day of No Consequences (DONC) when they had a day full of adventures. This is an easy fast read and one of the best books I read this year and I highly recommend it.

Buy it at: AmazonAudible or your local bookshop


The Reluctant Countess by Eloisa James

This is the only historical romance on my list this year.  I could really feel the love between Giles and Yasmin. Giles Renwick, Earl of Lilford, comes off cold at first and won’t consider courting Lady Yasmin because of a scandal in her past, but he soon finds himself besotted with her and dances the first waltz with her at every ball. Witty banter and swoony romance ensues. There is a nasty villain, a wonderful grandfather and a sweet ending. Historical romance lovers shouldn’t miss this one.

Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop


Sadie on a Plate by Amanda Elliot

I chose this one because it combines two of my favorite things, cooking and romance. Sadie is getting over a bad break-up when she is chosen to be a contestant on Chef Supreme, a cooking competition similar to Top Chef. She meets cute guy Luke on the plane and is surprised the next day to see him on the set of the show. My favorite parts are watching all of the chefs behind the scenes as they prepare their dishes and describe their food, which made me hungry. This is really more women’s fiction than romance but I loved seeing both Sadie and Luke’s journey and how the ending brought everything together with a fun twist.

Buy it at Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop


The Maid by Nita Prose

I love mysteries like Only Murders in the Building and Knives Out so I jumped at the chance to read The Maid . It’s an upbeat murder mystery about a maid, Molly who discovers a guest murdered in his hotel bed. Molly works at a luxury hotel in the city. She struggles with social skills and isn’t good at reading people. She ends up being the prime suspect in the investigation, so it’s up to Molly and her friends to solve the mystery The fun in this story is watching the mystery unfold.

Buy it at Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop


Visit our Amazon Storefront

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

8 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments