Each year, in January, the AAR staff comes up with lists of their favorite books published in the previous year–this year, these lists have the tag #Best of 2022. For 2022, we chose 87 books–we’ve conveniently put them all into an Amazon storefront! Then, we ask each reviewer to choose their Best book of the year–here is this list. It’s a diverse list–there’s something for every romance reader. Enjoy!
Alexandra
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
Grab the tissues – Ryan’s latest book is about a divorced couple reuniting after a number of shared losses and grief. Yasmen and Josiah have two children and a successful restaurant, but their marriage is broken. Despite the strong feelings they’ve always had for each other, losing a child and a parental figure all at once caused issues which broke down their relationship rather than binding them together. But a couple years after the fallout, they’re ready to look at each other with new eyes and see if there’s something left between them which can be saved.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop
Caroline
Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell
Ocean’s Echo is one of a couple of strong SF finds this year. Maxwell’s self-destructive hero Tennal reminded me of Miles Vorkosigan. His brain is imbued with a power he genuinely cannot handle, and his only hope may be the man with complementary powers – except the military has assigned that man to mentally enslave him. Their romance plays out against the backdrop of personal and interstellar intrigue. Another book that kept me up rubbing my eyes to try to get through one more chapter.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop
Caz
Subway Slayings by C.S Poe
Even though I didn’t struggle to find books to add to my Best of list this year, I did struggle to choose which book to include here! In the end, though, Subway Slayings won out; like its predecessor (Madison Square Murders), the mystery is complex and multi-layered, the characters are compelling and their slow-burn romance is absolutely beautiful. One of the things that makes this series stand out from the crowd is the author’s thoughtful exploration of grief and the conventions and rituals that surround it; another is the way she portrays the unique memory condition that affects its protagonist, a complicated, flawed, prickly and yet thoroughly endearing character who is quite unlike any other I’ve read. A wonderful instalment in a wonderful series, and I can’t wait for more in 2023.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop
Charlotte
Hook, Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
Sameness can be a wonderful thing. A recipe that always turns out well. A vacation spot that’s always pleasant. Tessa Bailey has a knack for delivering that good kind of sameness in her contemporary romances. Her romances are steamy, sensible (no over-the-top prose) and sincere. I always get excited when I see a new one’s on the way– and we’re getting two in the first six months of 2023!
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop
Dabney
Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young
Over the past few years, I’ve gravitated to urban fantasy and 2022 was no different. I read my favorite book of the year at the year’s end – Adrienne Young’s Spells for Forgetting. A story of true love, powerful women, unstable magic, and betrayal–it held my attention in a way almost no other book has this year. Young’s tale features adults–always a plus in my book–and her word building is dense and intriguing. The lead couple, Emery and August, share the best sort of second chance, slow burn romance and the novel’s supporting characters are indelible as well. It’s a keeper!
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop
Dolly
The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling
Even though The Kiss Curse is different from the books I typically lean toward (romantic suspense), I’m picking it as my Best Book for 2022 because I just really enjoyed it because it was happy and sexy and charming, and full of addictive characters who kept the engaging plot moving swiftly.
Buy it at Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop
Jessica
Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron by Julia Quinn
As an avid Julia Quinn fan, I had been reading about this ‘made-up novel’ in her other works for years. So of course, when it came out as a graphic novel – with illustrations by Quinn’s late sister, Violet Charles – I purchased it the day it released and absolutely adored it. It is just as ridiculous as Quinn wrote about it being in her other works and I am here for it. I laughed out loud multiple times at the antics of Miss Butterworth and her titular “mad” Baron.
Buy it at: Amazon or your local bookshop
Kayne
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabelle Monaghan
This is my favorite romance of the year. I love books with humor and the playful banter in this story made me laugh. It also has a lot of heart as Nora, Leo and the kids find love as a family, and I like to think of them on their front porch watching the sunrise.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local independent retailer
Lisa
The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews
When it comes to romance, nothing topped this one for me. Combining truly suspenseful and unpredictable gothic mystery with a lovely, swoonworthy romance and some fun child characters and you have a winner.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop
Maggie
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin
While I had several wonderful reads in 2022 this novel was easily the most memorable. Part of that was the fascinating, unique location — Lisbon during WWII. The excellent writing, scintillating plot and fascinating characters all worked to bring that time and place vividly to life.
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local bookshop
Maria Rose
Tanked by Mia Hopkins
I read all three of Mia Hopkins’ Eastside Brewery series in 2022, and Tanked gets my top spot for book of the year. It’s Angel’s turn to join the family business and find a way to balance his own challenges including a relationship with social worker Deanna. The author does an admirable job of threading in the pandemic and its aftermath into Angel’s story and their vibrant characters and realistic worldbuilding make for compelling, page turning, sexy reads.
Buy it at: Amazon, or your local bookshop
Rachel
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
This book is a true gem, and my personal favorite book of this year. Mercy and Hart are such deep characters and I really loved the world-building; the lore in this book is really extraordinary. The romance is stellar, the characters have great chemistry and both have their own conflicts to resolve, as they grow and change as people. It made me laugh and cry, which is a high bar for me. I’m putting Bannen on my auto-buy list, because I can’t wait to see what she does next.
I have a question. On this list are books described as SF ( science fiction, I assume), mystery, urban fantasy and a spy novel. Why are they listed as best romances? I admit, I read mostly historical romances with the occassional contempory thrown in, so maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t understand why other genres are on a Best Romances of 2022 list. I’m not trying to snarky; I just wonder if I have a different definition of a “romance novel” than others do.
The only one listed above that isn’t a romance is The Librarian Spy, which was categorized as Historical Fiction. Romances can have any setting, SF, Urban Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense, and still be romances. Subway Slayings is a slow-burn relationship, but is one of the romantic books I’ve read. Ocean’s Echo is a SF with a central slow burn romance. It’s the relationship that makes the romance, not the setting. If you went to a physical bookstore, all these books would be shelved in the romance section, with the one exception.
Good question, KGM. There have been few “mainstream” or “traditional” romances lately that “everybody” loves; and this year’s (pick only one) list kind of reflects that. Spend some time with each reviewer’s Best Of 2022 lists for the year (in which they name 10+ favorites) and you’ll find more of what you were probably expecting.
To answer your specific question, what you are seeing is a type of “short hand” description. Ocean’s Echo, for example, is a romance in a science fiction setting. I think this is true (a romance within the setting of another genre) of most of the other titles you are noticing as well.
The one exception is The Librarian Spy which is absolutely excellent historical fiction with romantic elements; but many would argue is not “really” a romance. It does have an HEA for one character but doesn’t focus on that couple to the exclusion of all else. Maggie’s review of the book, in fact, categorizes it has historical fiction, not historical romance. But she clearly loved the book, rightly thinks some romance readers will enjoy it (I did!), and made it her favorite of the year. Hope that helps.
Please let me know when you’d like to become a reviewer! ;)
These lists are not limited to romances. They are our Best Books of 2022–the criteria is books published in 2022 that we want to recommend. AAR reviews more than just romances! We do tend to focus on female centric stories but are not limited just to romance.
Thanks, everyone for your responses. I appreciate your taking the time to answer my question. Guess I should broaden my thinking a bit – not a bad thinking, right? :-)
should be “not a bad thing” …
I’m reading (and highly enjoying) The Belle of Belgrave Square right now (after just finishing The Siren of Sussex which was excellent). And I loved The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy – so thanks to AAR reviewers for the reviews that led me to them!
Thanks to all you wonderful reviewers for this terrific list! I take AAR’s year end recommendations very seriously. I’ve only read two of these— Subway Slayings and Ocean’s Echo. Both captivated me with their originality, their unique heroes, the quality of their writing, and their gripping stories, and they are on my “Best of” list for 2022. I look forward to trying some of the others.
Thank you!! We love compliments!
Lots of great stuff in this list, and everyone’s Top 10s this year. I’ve had some great reading experiences because of them.
Can I add a recently-read 2022 rec? (As usual I’m late to the game and was hoping for one of those “What are you reading?” ASKS.) But I just finished You Made A Fool Of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi and it definitely belongs on the best of lists it made last year. It will certainly be favorite read in 2023 for me. The prose is just . . . . so lush. I listened to the audio book and the narration is excellent, but what great source material to work from!
I have to say the plot gave me pause.
Yep. Some of the language as well. Fodder for an interesting discussion?
I actually haven’t read it. It just kinda didn’t sound like my jam–I’m not an age gap romance fan.
Vorkosigan is my favourite series, so, “ Tennal reminded me of Miles Vorkosigan” REALLY got my hopes up… unfortunately I am heroine centric. SIGH
Thank you so much for including The Belle of Belgrave Square on this amazing list! I so appreciate all of the thoughtful reviews on your site. It’s an honor to be included!
Thanks for the love. <3
Of the ones here I’ve read, several – Before I Let You Go, Tanked, and Belle of Belgrave Square – were also on my shortlist for best of 2022. There were some real winners this year!
Still need to read a couple of these; Before I let You Go is so good!
Just FYI, when I went to the Storefront to look at all the books, I clicked on “See all buying options” button for The Belle of Belgrave Square, and it immediately purchased the book instead of showing me the options. I then tried it again with The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy and it did the same thing. I actually wanted that one since it was on sale, but I returned Mia Vincy title. Anyway, I think that’s a glitch.
Ugh. It just did that to me too. I’m contacting Amazon. Sigh….
I have fixed it. It should work now.
Thank you, Dabney!
That’s a nice variety of books. I’ve read Subway Slayings (also my Best Book of 2022), and I have Ocean’s Echo and The Belle of Belgrave Square on my TBR list. I’m intrigued by Spells for Forgetting and The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, as well.
As an aside, I know the Amazon Smiles program is ending soon, and wondered if AAR’s small commissions on books sold through this site will remain active? Now that I can’t support the riding therapy center through Amazon purchases, I though I’d try to go through your storefront when possible if that program was still active.
Affiliate sales are totally separate–you were been able to do both! AAR’s not a charity, we’re a business partner with Amazon subject to their rules which we follow. So, our buy links will remain the same.
I am astonished and somewhat ashamed I haven’t read any of these other than the one I picked. Maybe we should do a 2023 book club and do one of these each month! They sound so good.
I have read at least half the books on the list and thought they were all good. It surprised me that there weren’t duplicates on our Best of 2022 lists.
Honestly, it’s the same for me – but then I don’t read much m/f, so that’s not surprising. If you do a book club, you will have to make sure to read Madison Square Murders first or Subway Slayings won’t make much sense!
Did you get around to trying Ocean’s Echo? I know you were considering it.