Welcome back for the second part of my Books of the Year. Today it’s the turn of romance, and my tribute to some of the wonderful books and authors I’ve read this year. And please don’t get the impression that this is in some way the runners-up list – it most emphatically isn’t, and the choice of which books to include and which to leave out was every bit as difficult. In fact, as this is the genre I read the most, it was possibly even more difficult! The quality of books within this wide genre is – and always has been – quite exceptional. It’s been such a pleasure this year to discover new books from authors who have been on my “must read” list for a very long time, and to discover others you’ll most definitely be finding again among my reviews and recommendations.
Let’s make it another 18, shall we? Again, they’re not in any particular order – and all links are to my reviews…
What Happened To Us? – Faith Hogan
The Winter That Made Us – Kate Field
Watch for Me by Candlelight – Kirsty Ferry
Take Me, I’m Yours – Lizzie Lamb
That Summer at the Seahorse Hotel – Adrienne Vaughan
Miss Moonshine’s Emporium of Happy Endings
Belle, Book and Christmas Candle – Sharon Booth
Callie’s Christmas Wish – Jessica Redland
A Christmas Gift – Sue Moorcroft
A Village Affair – Julie Houston
Christmas Secrets by the Sea – Jane Lovering
Arlette’s Story – Angela Barton
This Could Change Everything – Jill Mansell
The Long Walk Back – Rachel Dove
The Little Café at the End of the Pier – Helen Rolfe (to be published 24th January – my reviews are of the short story and four novellas)
The Best Boomerville Hotel – Caroline James
And just a couple of extra mentions:
- I often don’t manage to include the output of Choc Lit in my Books of the Year list, because it’s impossible to choose my favourites – and they’ve made it even more difficult this year with the introduction of their Ruby Fiction imprint. There are four of their books on this list, but I could have included so many more. Every book I’ve read that they’ve published this year – as in previous years – has been quite outstanding.
- Choosing those Christmas reads was very difficult too. There were so many vying for inclusion – I’ve been reading about Christmas since we were still in the grip of the summer heatwave. I enjoyed every single one I read – thank you everyone for every wonderful moment.
As always, I’m now having second thoughts about some of the books I’ve had to leave out of my final 36 – but you’ll find all the reviews here on Being Anne, and on all those other important platforms.
It’s been another challenging year on a personal level – and continues to be so, which is why I’m not posting quite as often as I was, or making the inroads I’d really like to into my list of outstanding reads. Although books (and reviews) have sometimes had to become my secondary priority (Mums must always come first), they will always be my favourite escape from life’s realities – thank you to everyone whose books have given me such joy over the last year.
Thank you too to those of you who’ve continued to provide such wonderful support – blogger friends, authors, publishers and readers. All those Twitter shares still never cease to amaze me, and mean so much both to me and to the authors I feature – I do try to reciprocate as much as I can, but thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
So, I wish everyone – and those you love – a most wonderful Christmas, and let’s look forward to a happy New Year. I’ll be back with my next review on 31st December.
Thrilled to bits to be on this list Anne, with some totally fabulous reads and dear author mates, thank you so, so much! Every good wish for the coming year to you and yours – and hope to see you soon. A XXX
Never a moment’s doubt, Adrienne! Wishing you a lovely Christmas xxx
You continue, Anne, to be blogger extraordinaire!! Would have written this even if I’d not been – and absolutely honoured and thrilled to be – on this lovely list. Many thanks and a happy Christmas to you and your Mum. Hope 2019 brings all you wish for.
Julie xxxx
Many thanks Julie, and wishing you and yours the loveliest of Christmases! xxx
Another wonderful selection. ChocLit do have some rather lovely books!
Thanks, Joanne! x
Thank you Anne for including my book on your list. It means so much to me and I’m sure to all the other authors you review that we have you in our corner, especially in what’s been such a challenging year for you. The best of wishes and much love for Christmas and the future to you xxx
Thank you for the lovely words, and for the immense pleasure your books have given me over the last year, Kirsty. Wishing you a lovely Christmas xxx
Thanks so much for including A Christmas Gift, Anne! Thank you for your support throughout the year, even when things have been difficult for you. Best wishes for the best Christmas you can possibly have. xx
And wishing you the loveliest of Christmases too… xxx
I have The Seahorse Hotel calling me right now! Great selection and many would have been on my top reads list too had I not opted out and gone for just three books this year.
There were moments when I wished I’d stuck with just three too, Linda – so many other books I wanted to include, but had to draw a line somewhere! And you’d love The Seahorse Hotel…
I think 2018 has been exceptional for great reads and 2019 already looks good!
Wishing you and your mum a lovely Christmas! xx
And to you and yours, Eva! xxx
Great list, Anne! I’ve read some of the above and loved them too. And now because of your list I’ve got more good reads to look forward to. I do agree with you about how reading can be a much needed escape. Thanks for all you do to spread the word. Have a relaxing Christmas and all the very best for 2019.
And wishing you the loveliest of Christmases too, Anne xx
I’m sorry to hear your year has been difficult, Anne. Wishing you and your mum a very happy Christmas, and I hope 2019 is a much more settled one for you both.
(And thank you so much for including Miss Moonshine in your outstanding list. I’ve read many of your favourites and it’s an honour for us to be included.)
Merry Christmas, and very happy reading in 2019! xx
I so loved Miss Moonshine, Helena – wishing you and yours a lovely Christmas! xx
Wow. Big Soggy Solstice Sunday to you Anne. I really value your opinion and its a great honour to appear alongside some of my RNA mates, too. You’ve had a difficult year and so I appreciate the effort you’ve put into this blog post. Happy Christmas and hope that we meet up in 2019 so that I can thank you properly.
There were times i regretted starting putting together this list, Lizzie – but the inclusion of Take Me, I’m Yours was never in doubt. Have a lovely Christmas, and see you next year xxx
It’s a huge honour to see The Winter That Made Us and Miss Moonshine on this list, Anne, in such wonderful company. This is just the spur I need to get on with my next Miss Moonshine story! Have a lovely Christmas. x
I loved them both, Kate – and I’m very much looking forward to seeing what comes next for you. Have a lovely Christmas xxx
Thrilled and honoured to see Callie’s Christmas Wish on your list. Thank you so much and wishing you all the best for a better 2019 than 2018 has been for you xx
Thanks so much Anne for including The Best Boomerille Hotel on your prestigious list. Huge thanks for all your time and support and for being such a brilliant reviewer and blogger. Wishing you and Mum the best of everything for 2019, much love xx
Thank you so much fir not only reviewing Take Me, I’m Yours but fir featuring it in Tor parade if your favourite reads of 2018.
Delighted to have The Long Walk Back featured X wishing you all the luck and love for 2019 XX