Lou’s Top Reads of 2012

I think the first book I have to mention is EASY by Tammara Webber. I read it before it was picked up by Penguin, and I did a joint review with MiscJoy not long ago. Easy is the best of the new crop of books in the NA genre. The romance is wonderful and sweet, but I loved the message the author instills in the book about how it’s NEVER the victim’s fault for being sexually assaulted. It’s a theme that runs through the book, and seeing the heroine train in defense classes was one of the highlights. Easy most definitely should be a book pushed onto others!

Down for the Count by Christine Bell is a contemporary romance that delighted me with the characters’ witty banter and the super sexy romance. It features a heroine and hero that have a connection from childhood, and it’s sort of a friends-to-lovers book. And that’s a trope which I lurve.

One author and her book I have to mention is Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley. I feel guilty for mentioning her name because the editing in her books is a hot damn mess, but Motorcycle Man was such a cracky read with Tack and Tyra. I could talk for ages in such a muddled way about Kristen Ashley’s book, but I’ll post a link to my review of it instead.

I’m going to recommend this entire trilogy because it’s definitely among the best of the historical romance books of 2012. The Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare features wonderful romances and brilliant characters that kept me thoroughly entertained. I would highly recommend this series set in a small town near the seaside that has its own militia to which the heroes belong.

It would be amiss of me not to mention another historical romance author whose books I have adored since she debuted a few years ago. The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan is a book fans of historical romances should read. The book features a hero who was an ex-pugilist and a heroine who is a governess. A must must read for historical romance fans who are a little tired of the rich titled heroes and heroines.

My favourite YA of the year has to be Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. Seraphina is a Fantasy YA set in a world of humans and dragons. The humans and dragons have no liking for one another, and the heroine has no choice but to straddle both worlds where there’s no escape from the hatred and bigotry that’s aimed towards the dragons. Rachel Hartman is definitely one of the most talented authors to debut in 2012.

One of my favourite m/m reads of this year is Moving in Rhythm by Dev Bentham. I loved this book so pretty hard. This is a contemporary romance that has a hero who suffers from social anxiety and terrible shyness. Mark is forced to deal with his problems when he has to go look after his brother’s pregnant wife whilst his brother is deployed overseas. Mark meets his love interest, Seth, who is a dancing instructor. I loved the romance, and hopefully the author makes a return to the characters once again.

Those are the books at the top of my head for this year. I’ve probably missed a few, but I would happily re-read the above books again and again.