Top Reads of 2022
Happy New Year! Time to wrap up my top reads of 2022. I’ll include my top reads by genre and then some honorable mentions as well. For some genres, it was definitely hard to pick my favorites. I read 210 books, which I’ve decided is a respectable amount, considering I spent a lot of time this year crocheting and playing Sims. I’ve also done a decide number of rereads this year, including the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh on audio.
I’ll conclude my post with new to me authors of the year.
* I’m going to mention some HarperCollins books in my post but please support those on strike for fair wages! Information on how to support and donated is here: https://linktr.ee/hcpunion
What are some of your top reads of 2022?
Contemporary Romance
Looking by Katrina Jackson
Description:
Darren and Nadia think they’re ready to add a girlfriend to their marriage, but Jourdan knows between them is exactly where she belongs.
Honorable Mentions:
- Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
- Kiss Hard by Nalini Singh
- The Hit Man by Katrina Jackson
- Heated Rivalry/The Long Game by Rachel Reid
- Always Only You by Chloe Liese
- Her Unexpected Roommate by Jackie Lau
- Scoring a Spouse by Liz Lincoln
- Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan* – so close to being my top read
- Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade* – please support the HarperCollins Strike!
- Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake
- Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese
Paranormal Romance
Munro by Kresley Cole
Description:
A human monster huntress. An immortal werewolf. Could any passion be more forbidden?
The next stand-alone installment in the electrifying Immortals After Dark series by #1 New York Times best-selling author Kresley Cole. Venture deeper into the Lore, fierce realm of the immortals—if you dare. . . .
TORMENTED IN UNIMAGINABLE WAYS
Coming off torture at the hands of his warlock captors, Munro MacRieve never expected to find his mate, or to lose her just as abruptly. Driven to desperation, the ruthless warrior uses his enemies’ own powers to reunite with her—in the distant past.
STOLEN FROM HER TIME
When a crazed werewolf crashes her wedding, Kereny “Ren” Codrina does what any cunning huntress would do: she captures him. Yet she finds herself softening toward the wounded beast—until he turns the tables and forces her into an incomprehensible future.
CAN A HUMAN AND AN IMMORTAL UNITE IN ORDER TO SURVIVE?
As danger mounts, Munro will do anything to make her undying, even sell his soul to an evil sorceress. But first he must convince his fiery mate that she belongs with him. If seduction means her survival, Munro will use every weapon in his arsenal to possess her—forever.
Honorable Mentions:
- Archangel’s Resurrection by Nalini Singh
- Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross
- Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews- please support the HarperCollins Strike!
- Storm Echo by Nalini Singh
- The Lone Wolf’s Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells
Historical Romance
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
Description:
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the teahouse…
Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society.
When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O’Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex’s not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte’s heart.
Honorable Mentions:
- The Bride Goes Rogue by Joanna Shupe– please support the HarperCollins Strike!
- The Sins of Lord Lockwood by Meredith Duran
- A Lady’s Code of Misconduct by Meredith Duran
- The Truth about Cads and Dukes by Elisa Braden
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance
The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken
Description:
In this riveting, feminist tale perfect for fans of Katee Robert and Nalini Singh, two sisters battle for a single throne, warring factions take up arms, a land is divided, and uncertain allies become very certain lovers. With subtle commentary on today’s political polarization, this riveting epic celebrates strong female characters and champions the underdog with diverse, expert world building.
Gods save the queen!
Ainsley Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters. Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt which sister must be queen. She’ll do whatever is necessary to take down the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs.
Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan has no time for human beings. And yet . . . there is something about the uncontrollable princess that he can’t ignore. Maybe it’s the way her eldest sisters underestimate her. Or her bravery facing down dragons and mad queens from distant lands. Whatever the reason, Gruff is willing to fight by this human’s side. Not only for the entertainment value, but because she’s right. Beatrix must never be queen. So whatever he has to do, whoever he has to destroy, Gruff will battle beside Ainsley. Fast. Hard. And with absolutely no mercy . . .
Honorable Mentions:
- Sweep of the Heart by Ilona Andrews
- The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
- Eclipse the Moon by Jessie Mihalik- please support the HarperCollins Strike!
- One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Mystery/Thriller
The Doll by Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Victoria Cribb (Translator)
Description:
It was meant to be a quiet family fishing trip, a chance for mother and daughter to talk. But it changes the course of their lives forever.
They catch nothing except a broken doll that gets tangled in the net. After years in the ocean, the doll a terrifying sight and the mother’s first instinct is to throw it back, but she relents when her daughter pleads to keep it. This simple act of kindness proves fatal. That evening, the mother posts a picture of the doll on social media. By the morning, she is dead and the doll has disappeared.
Several years later and Detective Huldar is in his least favourite place – on a boat in rough waters, searching for possible human remains. However, identifying the skeleton they find on the seabed proves harder than initially thought, and Huldar must draw on psychologist Freyja’s experience to help him. As the mystery of the unidentified body deepens, Huldar is also drawn into an investigation of a homeless drug addict’s murder, and Freyja investigates a suspected case of child abuse at a foster care home.
What swiftly becomes clear is that the cases are linked through a single, missing, vulnerable witness: the young girl who wanted the doll all those years ago.
Taut, terrifying and impossible to put down, The Doll cements Yrsa Sigurdardottir’s reputation as a master of storytelling tension and surprise.
Honorable Mentions:
- Peril in Paris by Rhys Bowen
- The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn- please support the HarperCollins Strike!
Nonfiction
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Description:
A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.
Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.
In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly, she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.
Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.
Honorable Mentions:
- Game of Queens: The Women Who Made Sixteenth-Century Europe by Sarah Gristwood
- Daughters of Chivalry: The Forgotten Children of Edward I by Kelcey Wilson-Lee
- Empress of the East: How a European Slave Girl Became Queen of the Ottoman Empire by Leslie P. Peirce
New to Me Authors:
- Mila Finelli
- April Asher
- Ashley Herring Blake
- Susan Johnson
- Natasha Anders
- Kelcey Wilson-Lee
- Avon Gale & Piper Vaughn
- Sarah Gristwood
- Leslie P. Peirce
- Alexandria Bellefleur
- Rachel Reid
- Hope Ford
- Sam Crescent
- Eve Langlais
- Tasha Suri
- Deanna Raybourn
- Chloe Liese
- LeTeisha Newton
- Meredith Duran
- Liz Lincoln
- Jennette McCurdy
- Rebecca Yarros
- Elizabeth O’Roark
- Melanie Harlow
- Elisa Braden
Share this:
Somewhere Lost In Books 