Over the holiday weekend, I shared the reviews for my 15 favorite books of 2022 (so far) individually. This is the complete list, showcasing just how varied those picks are! From traditional to indie, debut to fan favorites, mafia to rom com, there’s quite a range here. But each book is a contemporary romance novel released (or releasing!) in 2022 that stayed with me long after I finished reading.
Below, I’ve got a little note detailing what I loved about each book, as well as links to my reviews (often with quotes!), as well as links to Amazon. Here’s hoping that the second half of 2022 brings just as many stellar new romance books!
Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend by Penny Reid
This list wouldn’t be complete without Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend, one of the more unique and memorable books I’ve read this year. It’s beefy and a little brilliant, with a super slow burn that tortured me. I loved trying to figure out the hero, and the evolution of the relationship felt so deep and intimate. It’s lighthearted and full of swoons – and easily one of my favorite books of the year so far.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/37AVQv0
Meet Me Halfway by Lilian T. James
I’d heard some good things about this book prior to reading, but it blew me away once I dove in. I loved the authentic feel, the strangers to friends to lovers dynamic, and how the book was so heartfelt and uplifting at the same time. It’s a layered storyline that felt rich and unique, and I’ll certainly be checking out more of James’ work in the future.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MLDXIT
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
One of my top picks is the playboy tamed romance, Hook, Line, and Sinker. I’ll admit to being very hesitant to dive into this romance initially. Friends to lovers romances where the hero is a manhoe are not favorites of mine, but this was done SO well that I loved every minute of it. Bailey deftly handled our hero’s history, and the result was the ultimate swoonfest. Plus, the sexual tension was on fire! It’s another great addition to what has been an excellent series, and easily one of my favorites of the year so far.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3h7UMRf
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
While Love on the Brain doesn’t release until August, I’ve already posted my sneak peek review, and it certainly makes this list! The Love Hypothesis was one of my favorite books of 2021, so Hazelwood had a lot to live up to with her sophomore effort – and this did not disappoint! It’s original and compelling, with nerdy, authentic characters who are perfect together. Figuring out the broody hero was a lot of fun, and the whole book was exceedingly swoony. Easily one of my favorite reads so far this year.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3a4oYfe
The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Elizabeth O’Roark
While all three books in the Devil series have been great, my favorite just might be The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. It’s an angsty, forbidden romance with sexual tension that sparks off the page, and I loved how the forced proximity made the characters’ feelings come bubbling to the surface. Every bit of it was bingeable, and the book (and series!) left me wanting to read more and more from O’Roark. She’s quickly becoming a one-click author for me, and I’m not complaining.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HANt07
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
It’s a beefy beast of a book that slowly simmered into something truly memorable, and my love for it has only grown with more time and distance from the reading experience. Lucy Score has long been a one-click author for me, and this has just solidified my love of her work.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3A537gI
Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of the audiobook, and it blew me away. The story is a great mix of women’s fiction and romance, with an immersive plot and a highly bingeable quality. Whelan is best known for her narration skills, so having a book written by an audiobook narrator ABOUT audiobook narrators was such an interesting experience. The book releases on August 2nd!
Read the audiobook review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IbDA9G
Rival Radio by Kathryn Nolan
I adored the sexual tension that snapped and crackled between these characters, and Nolan really played up the opposites attract dynamic. It’s sexy and heartfelt in equal measure; a lighthearted, bingeable read. And another reminder of why Nolan has quickly become a one-click author for me!
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wEbkXV
Brutal Vows by J.T. Geissinger
I have loved EVERY book in this series – and the spinoff series too – so it was no surprise that Brutal Vows won me over in a matter of minutes. I also loved that it surprised me so much; I had my own ideas about how the book would play out, and I was so very wrong. My eyes were glued to every single page! I’m incredibly sad to see the series go, but it was a wild and steamy ride while it lasted.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BaAcIN
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
Terms and Conditions is another book that lived up to the TikTok hype, and I’m eager to check out more from Lauren Asher. It’s a marriage of convenience/office romance that ended up being right up my alley, and I loved how the hero was in so over his head. It’s only once this couple is married that our hero truly sees his girl, and that made for a rich, textured read. There’s just something about a hero who is clueless until it’s ALMOST too late; this was incredibly bingeable, and it left me wanting more from the author.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vywHLf
Those Three Little Words by Meghan Quinn
If you’d asked me six months ago, this probably wouldn’t have been the Meghan Quinn book that I expected to make this list! She is an excellent writer who usually has a book on my Best of lists, but I wasn’t sure that this dynamic was going to work for me. But it SO did! This playboy hero has a lot of work to do on himself, and it’s only once his one night stand with his best friend’s little sister results in a pregnancy that he gets his act together. I loved the combination of humor and heart (and heat!), and it quickly won me over.
Read the audiobook review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3twxyux
Good Vibrations by Kayley Loring
Kayley Loring knows how to write funny, one-of-a-kind romances that I can devour in one sitting – and Good Vibrations gave me the exact vibes I wanted from a book with that title. It made me laugh, it made me fan myself, and it made me smile. How can you ask for more than that? Loring has long been a one-click author for me, but this certainly helped cement that status.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/39Gc7zE
Funny Feelings by Tarah DeWitt
I knew very little about the plot when I decided to sample Funny Feelings, and it took only a few minutes for me to become completely hooked. It’s got such a unique feel, and I loved the layered storyline. There are funny moments paired with shots of angst, and the strong bond between the characters was a major win.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PPco40
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
It’s actually my first time reading something from Henry, and I can see what all the hype is about. Mixing women’s fiction and romance for a distinct vibe, this felt lighthearted and thought-provoking at the same time. It also features a heroine who is unlike any other, and I loved how Henry spun some tropes in new directions.
Read the audiobook review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3y8CRDg
Lease on Love by Falon Ballard
A debut that surprised me in the best of ways, I loved Lease on Love from start to finish. It’s a great romance with a side of women’s fiction, and the storyline felt fresh and authentic. Plus, roommates to lovers romances where the hero is a little mysterious are always a win! It’s young and vibrant, with heartfelt moments and lighthearted vibes. I’m excited to read more from Ballard in the future – this was a very memorable debut.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/30dwdNi
Best Romance Books I’ve Read in Kindle Unlimited (2022 So Far #2)
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