I read a lot of romance this year, because I desperately needed the HEA to help me escape reality. Although I did nothing but reread for seemingly four months, I did squeeze in some new and new-to-me books.

The Charm Offensive (2021) Alison Cochrun  9/10

Contemporary, LGBT, Closed Door

I initially didn’t want to read this. I mean: reality TV dating show? Ew.

But It kept popping up as something I’d like, and so I decided to borrow it from the library. Then I all but devoured it in one sitting when it came in. Now I own it and have been holding off rereading, because it’s only been, like a month.

Charlie is a disaster. A famous disaster. After getting fired from the company he founded, he is in desperate need of an image rehabilitation.

Dev wants to call bullshit. A reputation of being difficult isn’t enough to blacklist you from any industry when you’re as white and male and traditionally handsome as Charlie, not to mention a certifiable genius.

And for some reason his PA and best friend thinks a reality dating show will do the trick.

“I have only drunkenly proposed to you twice, and I assumed you rejected my offers of a marriage of convenience because you intend to fall madly in love with a former Miss Alabama.”

“That… will not happen.”

“Because there is no former Miss Alabama on this season? Seems unlikely.”

This book ends up dealing with so many important subjects, from asexuality to mental health to casual homophobia and just how awful the TV industry can be.

It’s sweet, it’s affirming, and it was one of my favorite books of the year.

Garnet Run series by Roan Parrish : Best Laid Plans (2021) 8/10, The Lights on Knockbridge Lane (2021) 8/10

Contemporary, LGBT, Boinking

When I read Better than People last year, it was just what I needed. So I had high hopes for the rest of the series.

Best Laid Plans is Jack’s brother)’s romance. Charlie gave up his dreams to raise Jack after their parents died, and he ended up making a small success of the family business and generally being nearly everyone’s favorite person.

Rye is a mess, and when he inherits a house from a grandfather he never knew, he packs everything up and moves to Garnet Run. This does not seem to be a good decision.

“You need any help with…” Charlie gestured at the hardware equivalent to marshmallows, cheese, and spaghetti before him.

Like all Roan Parrish books, this is a good deal of focus on mental health, with it being treated as something that is simply a part of being alive. Although it can be read as a stand alone, the glimpses of Charlie you got in Jack’s book make the story all more poignant. It’s really just lovely.

The third book, The Lights on Knockbridge Lane is good, but wasn’t quite as good as the two stories that went before for. Neither character appeared in the earlier books–although characters from previous books did appear in this story.

This story also had a slightly different feel from the previous books in the series. Although Wes did have his own issues, most of the focus of the story was on Adam and Gus (his daughter) and how Gus wheedles her way into Wes’ house to see his exciting pets.

The kid parts were well done, which is always a plus, and Adam was written like a real parent, rather than someone with an adorable plot moppet.

It was a good story, I just didn’t love it as much as the previous two books.

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake (2021) Alexis Hall (Winner Bakes All) 8/10

Contemporary, LGBT, Mostly Closed Door

Another story with a single parent, Rosaline has been (mostly) making ends meet but she wants more, and hopes that winning THE big baking show will give her the push she needs to escape her current job and be more.

“I don’t want to be famous. I just want… enough money to pay for some things and enough people to think I’m good at baking that I might be able to get a slightly better job.”

“Truly. Yours is a hubris of Homeric proportions.”

As one expects with Alexis Hall, so tropes are subverted and things don’t go at all as you’d think they would.

Also, as one expects with Alexis Hall, there are complicated friendships and parental relationships, and things aren’t perfect, but that’s kinda lovely because life isn’t perfect.

Additionally, he was spot-on writing Amelie. I actually love kids in stories, except that so many people just get them wrong, with the kid sounding both too old and too young for their stated age. This story felt like he’d actually spent time around 8-year olds.

Sweetest in the Gale (2020) Olivia Dade (There’s Something About Marysburg) 8/10

Contemporary, Boinking

This is three novellas, all set in the town of Marysburg: “Sweetest in the Gale”, “Unraveled”, “Cover Me”

Although these are romances, they are also about the struggles of life, including grief, and dealing with a health crisis while not having insurance.

Which is a lot, but it’s well done and lovely.

Why couldn’t he seem to feel the same about his own fracture, his own pain? Why couldn’t he greet his own healing with uncomplicated relief?

So although two of the stories covered deep and painful subjects, it was done with care and concern, and ended up being soothing.

Grumpy Bear (2021) Slade James (Bear Camp) 8/10

Contemporary, LGBT, Boinking

This story ended up being a surprise.

I was pretty sure that I had no interest in reading a story set in a men’s gay nudist camp that seems to be a good deal about casual sex, but yet–it was actually sweet, and one of the characters read as demi-sexual. So there is a lot of the two getting to know each other–including a discussions about science fiction.

He was just… hugging me like he’d been missing me for ages. And I thought it, I sent it out to him with my mind and my body, without saying a word, I’ve missed you too.

It was much sweeter than I was expecting it to be, and quite enjoyable. (Even with the boinking)

The Queer Principles of Kit Webb (2021) Cat Sebastian  8/10

Historical, LGBT, Boinking

I tend to be hit and miss with Cat Sebastian stories–I love some and others don’t work for me at all.

This is one of the stories that worked.

After retiring from being a highway man and instead running a coffee shop, Kit is not pleased when a young nobleman wants him to help in a heist.

Of the young lord’s father.

One of the things I liked about this story were the little details that Percy noticed about Kit.

This time part of the web caught in Kit’s hair— which, given the state of Kit’s hair, was hardly surprising— and Kit carefully disentangled it. Then he murmured something that looked awfully like “beg pardon” to the spider.

There was a mystery as to what Percy’s father had been doing, and there was a lot of strategy and planning for the heist, which I enjoyed. Because who doesn’t love a good heist story?

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting (2021) K.J. Charles 8/10

Historical, LGBT, Boinking

Robin Loxleigh and his sister Marianne have come to London to seek their fortunes through marriage. But the young woman Robin has set his eye on has a protective uncle who seems to see through Robin and doesn’t trust him in the slightest.

“Wins fifty or sixty pounds a night.”

“That’s not huge.” It was vast amounts by normal standards, of course, entire sections of the annual accounts to John Hartlebury the prudent brewer, but mere tokens to a gaming baronet.

“It’s not breaking the bank, no. It’s the kind of money you can win at a gaming hell without attracting too much attention. The question is how many gaming hells he’s winning sixty pounds a night at, and how often.”

I don’t like enemies-to-lovers, so that made the story much harder for me to get into, but I did adore how much Robin and Marianne obviously cared for each other–and would do absolutely anything for each other, including give up their own happiness.

Not that there was anything wrong with Hart, but how Robin and Marianne would manage their own happiness as they tried to move beyond what they were was my favorite part of the story.

Apparently most of the new books I read this year were mysteries. Plus, I discovered some new-to-me mystery series that I devoured.

A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder (2019), A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder (2020), A Fiancée’s Guide to First Wives and Murder (2021) Dianne Freeman (Countess of Harleigh)

Published by Kensington Books. Cover artist Sarah Gibb

Historical, Cozy Mystery

I love the covers of these books, from the quirky cartoon-like characters to the title font.

Yeah, I know the title font is all curly and hard to read, but I love it anyway.

Fortune Favors the Dead (2020) Stephen Spotswood (Pentecost and Parker)

Published by Vintage Crime. Cover illustration by Rui Ricardo / Folio Art, Cover design by Michael J. Windsor

Historical Mystery, LGBT

This cover really evokes the feel of the book, from the WWII look to the strong noir atmosphere with the woman in heels and a red dress.

An Unexpected Peril (2021) Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell)

Published by Berkley. Cover art and design by Leo Nickolls

Historical Mystery

All of the covers in this series are gorgeous, and I really love the silhouettes as well as the mountains in the background that reflect part of the mystery.

Death at the Crystal Palace (2021) Jennifer Ashley (Below Stairs)

Published by Berkley.  Cover art Ernesto Rogata and NorthScape

Historical Mystery

Although this is a lovely cover, I actually prefer the look of the earlier books, which had a woman on the stairs, a hand on the railing as she goes.

This cover has the stairs, but there was something about the view being mostly of a hand and arm that I particularly liked.

Still, this is a perfectly fine cover.

A Wicked Conceit (2021) Anna Lee Huber (Lady Darby)

Published by Berkley. Cover art by Larry Rostant. Cover design by Emily Osborne

Historical Mystery

These covers are always gorgeous–the woman moving away from you in a gorgeous gown into an almost monochrome setting.

Murder Most Fair (2021) Anna Lee Huber (Verity Kent)

Published by Kensington Books.

Historical Mystery

The feel of these covers is quite different from the Berkley covers for Lady Darby.

These covers show how things have changed in the years between 1830 and 1920. In both, the women’s clothes help set the time period, but also how much things had changed in the intervening years.

Dead Dead Girls (2021) Nekesa Afia

Published by Berkley. Cover art by Emma Leonard. Cover design by Emily Osborne

Historical Mystery, LGBT

Another cover that evokes the time in which it is set–in this case the roaring twenties.

This book is set less than a decade after the Verity Kent books, but it’s clear just how much times have changed, in both women’s dress and how she is clearly relaxed and comfortable in a speakeasy. Yes, there were class differences, but many things shifted amazingly rapidly after the Great War.

Interlude: Snow & Winter Collection Volume One (2021) (Snow & Winter)

Published by Emporium Press. Cover Art by Reese Dante

Contemporary Mystery, LGBT

This is an entry into her Snow & Winter series (a collection of outtakes and short stories) and it perfectly matches the look and feel of the other books in the series, the monochrome washed-out view of how Sebastian most likely sees the world.

Madison Square Murders (2021) C.S. Poe (Memento Mori)

Published by Emporium Press. Cover Art by Reese Dante

Contemporary Mystery, LGBT

This is a new series set in the same world as the Snow & Winter series. Unlike the Sebastian books, we get color, however, I love how things are fractal and fractured, which gives me a feel for how the main characters brain processes and remembers things.

The Whispered Word (2018), The Book of Candlelight (2000), Ink and Shadows (2021) Ellery Adams (Secret, Book, & Scone Society)

Published by Kensington.

Contemporary, Cozy

These are a little busier than I tend to prefer but the more limited color palette helps, and the title formatting makes it clear these are part of a series.

Arsenic and Adobo (2021) Mia P. Manansala (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen)

Published by  Berkley. Cover art and design by Vi-An Nguyen

Contemporary Mystery

I know lots of people hate the cartoon / line block drawing type covers, but I really like them.

This cover has lovely bold primary colors, I like the action of her cooking (even if I don’t understand where her other arm is, or how her dachshund got up on her shoulder).

Poisoned Primrose (2020), Pierced Peony (2021), Pickled Petunia (2021) Dahlia Donovan (Motts Cold Case Mystery)

Tangled Tree Publishing. Cover Designer: BookSmith Design

Contemporary, Cozy, LGBT

Another series with a consistent design across the series and bold colors.

Plus the cat.

An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good (2018) Helene Tursten translated by Marlaine Delargy

Published by Soho Crime.

Contemporary Mystery

I love everything about this cover.

It’s perfect.

Murder Most Actual (2021) Alexis Hall

Published by Rakuten Kobo Inc. Original illustration & cover design by Monika Roe.

Contemporary, Cozy, LGBT

This is fun and queer and aside from her not wearing enough clothes in the cold and snow, pretty great.

I love the background bits of the guy falling down and the women in the window. They give you a hint as to how perfectly over-the-top this is going to be.

As in previous years, Berkley has the most great covers over-all, but Kensington was far closer than expected.

Berkley – 7
Kensington – 5
Tangled Tree Publishing – 3
Emporium Press – 2
Vintage Crime – 1
Soho Crime-1
Rakuten Kobo – 1

What Abigail Did That Summer (2021) Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London)

Published by Subterranean Press. Cover map image by Stephen Walter.

Supernatural Mystery

This is pretty clearly a Rivers of London book cover, but also there are plenty of signs it’s not a Peter Grant book. Like The October Man, the title has a backing, unlike Peter’s books, and even more noticeably, the Fox Whisperer Badge, which if you read the rest of the series you know refers to Abigail.

Trailer Park Trickster (2021) David R. Slayton (Adam Binder)

Published by Blackstone. Cover design by Sean M. Thomas

Supernatural Mystery, LGBT

This is a relatively simple cover design, but like the previous book, refers to events in the book. I also think the starkness of the nearly monochrome art is fitting for the story.

Paladin’s Grace (2020), Paladin’s Strength (2021), Paladin’s Hope (2021) T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel) 

Published by Red Wombat Studios

Fantasy

My guess is that the T. Kingfisher / Ursula Vernon designed these herself, so kudos for that!

My favorite of the three is Paladin’s Grace, with the blue and green hues, but all three covers are striking, and quite clearly the same series.

Out of House and Home (2021) Drew Hayes (Fred the Vampire Accountant)

Self Published

Supernatural

This is another self-published author with a very distinct cover style, and all of them are good–better than some traditionally published novels, really.

Fred books all have accounting papers, blood drops, an item related to the story, and the title done as an old label.

Cry Wolf (2021) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf)

Published by Carina Press

Supernatural Mystery, LGBT

This series also has a distinct look to its covers. All have the elements of earth and water and wolf prints.

It’s simple, but it’s also effective and I quite like it.

Daydream, Colorado: Blindspot (2021) Mischief (2021), Faces (2021); A.M. Rose

Self Published. Cover designed by BCJ Art & Design

Supernatural Romance, LGBT

Seeing all three together, it’s clear that the first two books are part of a series, and the third is not.

The two styles are very different, but all are good.

I think the cover for Faces especially is good, since the outlines hint at the blindness of one of the characters, but also of two people finding each other.

The other series is playful and colorful, which also works well for that series.

The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks (2021) Mackenzi Lee

Published by Tegen Books. Photo composite by Travis Commeau Cover design by David Curtis

Historical Fantasy

I’m guessing about the cover artist since I can’t find the copyright page for this book (borrowed from the library) but the design is very much like the previous two books in the series.

The dress tells you immediately this is an historical, but I absolutely love the whimsy of the font and the doodled elements.

This is hands-down my favorite fantasy cover of the year, and might be my favorite cover of any genre from this year.

The Fog of War (2021) The Quid Pro Quo (2021) A.L. Lester

Published by JMS Books LLC. Cover Design: A.L. Lester

Historical, Supernatural Mystery, LGBT

Another self-published author that does their own covers.

Simple but the design tells you this is an historical, and that the pairings are likely same-sex.

I also adore the font, and the decorations above and below the title.

A Marvellous Light (2021) Freya Marske

Published by Tor. Cover art by Will Staehle Cover design by Christine Foltzer

Historical, Supernatural Mystery, LGBT

More silhouettes. Single color. Wallpaper-type background.

It’s eye-catching and lovely.

Looking at which publishers came out on top:

self – 7
Katherine Tegen Books
Carina
Blackstone
Subterranean Press

Self published authors blew away all other publishers, which is quite impressive.

Apparently “cartoon” covers are the current big thing in romance, and I’ll be honest–I don’t hate it. I’ve never liked clinch covers, or models with the clothing falling off in a ridiculous manner. So I liked most of the covers this year.

Which means that pretty soon it will once again be shirtless men and clinging partially-clad women.

The Charm Offensive (2021) Alison Cochrun

Published by Atria Books. Cover illustration and design by Sarah Horgan

Contemporary, LGBT

This cover does an excellent job giving you an idea about the characters in the story. Charlie lost his job as a tech CEO due to his compulsive (and other) issue, and is looking to rehabilitate his image by going on a reality dating show.

Dev is a handler for THE reality dating TV show, whose job is trying to keep Charlie from losing it.

I really love how Charlie looks uncomfortable in the spotlight, while Dev is hovering in the background, waiting to come in with a quiet word.

The Love Study (2020) Kris Ripper

Published by Carina Press

Contemporary, LGBT

This cover is also cute, and the heart as an O actually fits both the concept of the podcast episodes the two are doing and the feel of the story.

I think they could have done a better job making it clear the story centered around a podcast, but at least they have the technology bits correct.

It is an appealing, eye catching cover, with bright colors and easily readable fonts.

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake (2021) Alexis Hall (Winner Bakes All)

Published by Forever. Cover design and illustrations throughout by Lila Selle.

Contemporary, LGBT

Rosaline is a single mother who loves to bake and so decided to take a chance on a popular British baking show.

This is one of the few covers I really liked that does not have a couple on the cover, but instead has Rosaline standing by herself, in the kitchen.

Despite the hearts in the background, that might make people think this was not a romance, however, as there are several things about the story that are not traditional for a romance, I think that works quite well.

I also really like the clean look of the solid background, which drew my eye to the title.

Sweetest in the Gale (2020) Olivia Dade

Published by Hussies & Harpies Press

Contemporary

This is another drawn covers, but unlike the three above, the characters are more detailed, and it’s absolutely clear this is a romance.

It’s also clear that the women (women) in these stories are plus sized, which is Olivia Dade’s thing, and absolutely fantastic.

Even though yellow is not one of my favorite colors, it works well here, and I love the dappled light.

Best Laid Plans (2021) Roan Parrish (Garnet Run)

Published by Carina Adores

Contemporary, LGBT

I love the sunrise / sunset color here.

It is interesting that all three books in this series have very different covers. Especially since the series prior to this (Riven) had covers that were very strongly all of a series.

I don’t think the elements of home renovation are quite as clear as they could be, since this house is barely visible, and the drafting lines aren’t at all clear in a smaller size, however, the wide open spaces around the couple do match the feel of the characters, that they are just a little bit apart from the world.

Especially since this isn’t initially the case with Charlie, who seems to be friends with everyone in town, but still feels isolated and alone.

A Lady’s Formula for Love (2021) Elizabeth Everett

Published by Berkley. Cover design by Rita Frangie

Historical

I really love this cover: the color, the silhouettes, the flask of bubbling chemicals. Even the mismatched fonts work for me. All of it makes it clear at a glance this is an historical with a lady scientist.

I also love the two-color look, with everything seemingly in shades of the two strong colors.

Sadly for me, the story didn’t live up to the color.

Bringing Down the Duke (2019) Evie Dunmore

Published by Berkley. Cover design and art composition by Farjana Yasmin

Historical

Another silhouette design (which I really like). Everything tells me this is an historical romance.

Although he is most likely the one in charge of the horse, she is still in front of him from the viewers point of view, and they are off doing something and having some sort of adventure. I especially love the sense of movement that comes with the horse.

I also love the font and bold blue for the title and author.

Sadly, the story wasn’t for me.

The Labours of Lord Perry Cavendish (2021) Joanna Chambers (Winterbourne)

Self published. Cover art: Natasha Snow

Historical, LGBT

I love all the covers she has done for this series. They are simple and evocative. I could probably have done without Lord Perry being in a super curly script, but at least it’s a legible even at a smaller size.

And the blue is very very pretty.

Especially the splat of paint, which very much fits with the story.

My only ding is that it’s not clear this is a romance–and a MM romance at that–which could be problematic for some readers. However, it is obvious it’s an historical, and since it’s a later book in a series, you’re probably already aware it’s a MM romance.

A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (2020) Manda Collins

Published by Forever. Cover design and illustration by Sarah Congdon.

Historical

Another book with a very pretty cover. The title font should have been easier to read, but it’s illegible at a smaller size. Just a bit of a struggle to parse initially. And like Bringing Down the Duke above I very much like the line drawings of the city behind them, as well as the two primary colors for everything.

Sadly, I didn’t like was the romance. Or much about the story.

Here is a breakdown of the publishers:
Carina – 2
Berkley – 2
Forever – 2
Atria
Self

I read some good books this month! And even some new releases!

Anna Lee Huber‘s newest Verity Kent book, was Murder Most Fair was (in my opinion) actually better than the previous several books in that series.

I’ve always liked her Lady Darby series better, but this book dealt with some of the nits I picked with previous books.

Alexis Hall has written a mystery, Murder Most Actual which is (among other things) a tribute to Clue. Although the couple in the midst of the murder mystery are married, they are at a point where they are having trouble with their marriage, and trying to decide if they should work things out or not.

Plus, it’s Alexis Hall, so what’s not to love?

I also came across the Bradfield Trilogy by A.L. Lester, which I enjoyed, even if I had some quibbles with the first book. It’s an historical paranormal mystery set just after WWI, and reading it I learned about he Scottish Women’s Hospital at Royaumont and the women doctors who served in WWI.

I also had some comfort rereads but I feel like I read more new and new-to-me books than I have in ages.

Mystery

Murder Most Fair (2021) Anna Lee Huber (Verity Kent) 8.5/10
Murder Most Actual (2021) Alexis Hall 8/10
Pickled Petunia (2021) Dahlia Donovan (Motts Cold Case Mystery) 7.5/10
Dead Dead Girls (2021) Nekesa Afia (Harlem Renaissance Mystery) 7/10
The Murder Next Door (2021) Sarah Bell 5/10

Romance

Galaxies and Oceans (2018) N.R. Walker 9/10
Rend (2018) Roan Parrish (Riven) 9/10
Sweetest in the Gale (2020) Olivia Dade (There’s Something About Marysburg) 8/10
Learned Behaviors (2020) Jayce Ellis (Higher Education) 7/10
A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (2020) Manda Collins (A Lady’s Guide) 6/10

Fantasy

Shadow Police by Paul Cornell : London Falling (2012) 8.5/10; The Severed Streets (2014) 9/10; Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? (2016) 8.5/10
Discworld Terry Pratchett: Thud! (2005) 8.5/10 ; Making Money (2007) 8/10
Bradfield Trilogy by A.L. Lester : The Fog of War (2021) 7.5/10; The Quid Pro Quo (2021) 8/10
Faces (2021) A.M. Rose 7.5/10
The Silver Mark (2019) Sarah Painter (Crow Investigations) 6/10

Not only did I read new-to-me books this, month, I even read some new releases!

What was particularly good this month? Let me tell you!

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun! THIS WAS DELIGHTFUL! First, I think it’s a decent comp for Alexis Hall’s Boyfriend Material (which I ADORE — and every time I mention it I want to reread it). Second, one of the characters is on the ace spectrum! Thirdly, despite the fact it is about being on a reality dating show, it isn’t really about being on a reality dating show. I mean, it is, but, still. Fourthly, this is AMAZING mental health rep. Both Dev and Charlie have issues that they have to come to term with, and… GAH! It’s just so lovely!

C.S. Poe has a new series that starts with Madison Square Murders and one of the main characters works on cold cases and (like most of her characters) had an issue that he has to deal with. In this case, a TBI caused him to have perfect recall of events. Which is not as good as it sounds, since he also has perfect recall of the emotions associated with those events.

I discovered a new historical mystery series. Fortune Favors the Dead by Stephen Spotswood. I am looking forward to the next book.

And then, Network Effect by Martha Wells. Because: MURDERBOT.

Fantasy

Paladin’s Hope (2021) T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel) 8.5/10
Discworld by Terry Pratchett
Thief of Time (2001) 7.5/10, Going Postal (2004) 8.5/10

Supernatural Fantasy

Trailer Park Trickster (2021) David R. Slayton (Adam Binder)
Bodyguard (2021) Dassy Bernhard (The Bodyguards) 6.5/10
“Asil and the Not-date” (2020) Patricia Briggs 4/10

Romance

The Charm Offensive (2021) Alison Cochrun 9/10
Riven (2018) Roan Parrish (Riven) 8.5/10
After the Scrum (2016) Dahlia Donovan 8/10
The Sin Bin by Dahlia Donovan
The Wanderer (2017) 8.5/10, The Caretaker (2017) 8/10, The Botanist (2017) 8/10, The Royal Marine (2017) 7/10, The Unexpected Santa (2017) 7/10, The Lion Tamer (2018) 8.5/10
Not So Cookie Cutter (2019) Aidan Wayne 7.5/10
Let Me Show You (2019) Becca Seymour (True-Blue) 7/10
Open Hearts (2020) K. Evan Coles (Stealing Hearts) 6.5/10
The Love Study (2020) Kris Ripper 6.5/10

Historical Romance

A Gathering Storm (2017) Joanna Chambers (Porthkennack) 7/10

Mystery

Madison Square Murders (2021) C.S. Poe (Memento Mori) 8.5/10
Death of a Hollow Man (1989) Caroline Graham (Chief Inspector Barnaby) 7/10
Murder in the Cookbook Nook (2021) Ellery Adams (Book Retreat Mysteries) 6/10

Historical Romance

Fortune Favors the Dead (2020) Stephen Spotswood (Pentecost and Parker) 7.5/10

Science Fiction

Network Effect (2000) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) 9/10

Audio Books

Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam: Raven Cursed (2012) 8/10, Death’s Rival (2012) 7/10
A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent, Audio Book (2013) Marie Brennan narrated by Kate Reading 8/10

It’s Ace Awareness Week, so what better way to celebrate than with a list of books with Ace characters? (Most are romances, and I have noted whether the books have sexual content and/or boinking.)

Ace-Ace Romances

Upside Down by N.R. Walker: MM contemporary 8.5/10.

Jordan has a crush on a guy who rides the same bus he does, and that guy turns out to be the leader of the local ace support group Jordan’s best friend talks him into joining. This is a comfort read and I giggle all the way through it.

Three Stupid Weddings by Ann Gallagher: MM contemporary, novella 7.5/10.

Friends to partners. When Vic asks Dom to be his date for three different family weddings he has to attend Dom realizes he can’t hide that he loves Vic.

The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter by K.J. Charles: trans-FM, historical, novella 7.5/10.

This is part of her Lily White Boys series, and is about two characters who appear in the series.

All the Wrong Places by Ann Gallagher: MM contemporary 7/10.

Brennan doesn’t understand why all of his girlfriends cheat on him and then dump him, so he goes to a sex shop looking for answers. (I swear this is ace.)

His Quiet Agent by Ada Maria Soto: MM contemporary, novella 9/10.

The terms are not used by Martin is pretty clearly a sex-repulsed ace. Arthur is ridiculously adorable and reads as demi. Martin remains an enigma through the story.

Ace-Allo Romances

Play It Again by Aidan Wayne: MM contemporary 9/10.

Sam is most likely ace. Dovid is allo. Dovid’s twin sister Rachel is a sex-repulsed ace. Long distance relationship through social media. Ridiculously sweet.

Family Matters (3^rd story) by Angel Martinez: MM supernatural fantasy, boinking 9/10.

Charon states he is ace. The ancient gods are hanging out on earth, running detective agencies and being in bands and having wineries (and running a funeral parlor).

Blank Spaces by Cass Lennox: MM contemporary, mystery, sexual content 8.5/10.

Vaughn discovers he is ace, which is why all his relationships fail (also he totally doesn’t get sexual cues). Jonah is into hookups and nothing else. They fight crime! (Well, ok, they solve a crime.)

Uncommonly Tidy Poltergeists by Angel Martinez: MM supernatural fantasy, sexual content 8.5/10.

Taro is ace and tired of dating allos. Jack (adorakable) comes into Taro’s life when they try to figure out if Taro is haunted–and if so, by what.

Thaw by Elyse Springer: FF contemporary, FTB 8.5/10.

Abigail is a sex positive and accepting ace but has not dated before. Gabriella is a famous model known for being an ice queen.

How to Be a Normal Person by TJ Klune: MM contemporary 8/10.

Casey is ace. Gus is… Gus. There is a LOT of pot smoking in this story, but it’s also awfully sweet.

Demi / Gray Ace Romances

That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert: MF contemporary, boinking 8/10.

Zach has discovered he is demi. Rae needs a fake boyfriend for a convention. It’s Talia Hibbert. Of course it’s good!

For Better or Worse by R. Cooper: MM contemporary, novella, boinking 7.5/10.

Javier is gray ace and absolutely cannot read sexual signals. He is attracted to his friend and neighbor Jimmy, who he thinks might be straight but isn’t sure.

A Gentleman’s Position by K.J. Charles: MM historical, boinking 7/10.

According to KJ Charles, Richard is demi. (This is my least favorite story of this series.)

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun: MM contemporary, FTB 9/10.

Charlie needs to rehabilitate his image after being (essentially) fired from the company he helped found. So he ends up on a reality dating show. What could go wrong? (Everything. Everything could go wrong.)

Characters that Read as Demi / Gray Ace

This is subjective on my part, so if I’m wrong, I apologize.

Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut by R. Cooper: MM contemporary, novella FBT 9/10.

Jericho reads as demi; also his niece asks him if he’s ace but he doesn’t know what ace is. Jericho also cannot read sexual signals at all, which is why I think he’s gray/demi. He’s in love with the local baker, but since he spent his entire young adulthood raising his siblings and helping to raise his niece, he thinks it’s too late to start dating.

Making Love by Aidan Wayne: FF supernatural fantasy, novella FTB 7.5/10.

Carla reads as demi or gray, doesn’t understand attraction and tries to find a love match for a succubus.

Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks) MM historical, boinking 8/10.

Martin reads very much as gray ace. I have some reservations about this being an HEA or HFN, simply because Martin has consumption, and that is cause for a very short life span. Which is not very happy.

Grumpy Bear by Slade James (Bear Camp) MM contemporary, boinking 8/10.

Coleman runs a gay clothing optional camp and doesn’t have time for a relationship. Luke states “I didn’t really do hookups. I required an emotional connection.”

Vincent’s Thanksgiving Date by R. Cooper MM contemporary, novella 8/10.

Vincent reads as demi.

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn MF contemporary, 6/10.

“Sleeping with someone feels like a big deal to me,” he says, settling back into the couch, as though he’s grown more comfortable with the subject matter than he was fifteen minutes ago. “I don’t think I could do it casually.”

Model Citizen by Lissa Kasey (Haven Investigations) MM contemporary, mystery, boinking 8/10.

“I needed a deeper connection to let anyone that close. Trust of some kind had to be established before I got into bed with anyone.”

Characters that Read As Ace

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee: Fantasy 9/10.

This is the sequel to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. Felicity has zero interest in society or marriage or love.

Turning Darkness Into Light by Marie Brennan: Fantasy 9/10.

Audrey once thought she might have had a crush on a guy (it went badly) now she is perfectly content focusing on her research and her friendships.

Ace Rep

Scenes from Quarantine by K. D. Edwards Supernatural Fantasy. Secondary ace character.

All the World’s an Undead Stage by Angel Martinez MM Supernatural Fantasy (boinking book). Secondary ace character.

Motts Cold Case Mystery series by Dahlia Donovan: Poisoned Primrose, Pierced Peony. Motts, the main character, is Ace.

Secret, Book, & Scone Society Mystery series by Ellery Adams: The Book of Candlelight introduces an ace character who seems to be staying around.

All Systems Red (Murderbot) by Martha Wells. Murderbot is definitely ace and aro.

As noted by my earlier posts, I’ve been having a difficult time recently. Which means I’ve been reading a lot.

Shockingly, it wasn’t all rereads, but also new-to-me books as well as new releases. (I was shocked to discover that myself.)

The third book in Roan Parrish‘s Garnet Run series came out. This is the book that got all the publicity for being the first MM romance published under the Harlequin imprint (the earlier books in the series were under the Carina Adores imprint). It was, perhaps, a little less angsty than the earlier books in the series, and weirdly, I much preferred the Carina covers to this one. It’s very very busy.

Another new release was Jennifer Ashley latest entry into her Below Stairs Mystery series. There is a (very) slowly developing mystery with the main character here–and some secondary romances, but the main focus is on the mystery.

The other new release was the latest Ellery Adams‘ Secret, Book, & Scone Society mystery. This series has tons of representation and even introduced an ace character in the previous book, who has remained around.

In the car we’ve been listening to Murderbot. Although the voice doesn’t seem quite right to me, we’re still enjoying it very much.

And I did have one book that I finished only because it made me so angry it ended up being a rage read. But for the most part I reread some very good books, as well as some comforting books (I highly recommend Aidan Wayne’s Loud and Clear, which is fade to black and features two characters with seemingly incompatible disabilities. (The cover totally doesn’t reflect the story.)

Mystery

Hither, Page (2019) Cat Sebastian (Page & Sommers) 9/10
Death at the Crystal Palace (2021) Jennifer Ashley (A Below Stairs Mystery Book) 8/10
The Bellingham Mystery Series Volume 1 (2015) 8/10; The Bellingham Mystery Series Volume 2 (2015) Nicole Kimberling 8.5/10
Ink and Shadows (2021) Ellery Adams (Secret, Book, & Scone Society) 7.5/10
Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions (2015/2016) Mario Giordano translated by John Brownjohn (Auntie Poldi) 7.5/10
The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks (2008) Josh Lanyon 7.5/10
Homicide in Hardcover (2009) Kate Carlisle (Bibliophile Mystery)

Romance, Historical

The Turner Series, Cat Sebastian
The Lawrence Browne Affair (2017) 8/10; The Ruin of a Rake (2017) 8/10
Lilywhite Boys, KJ Charles
The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter (2019) 7.5/10; Any Old Diamonds (2019) 8.5/10; Gilded Cage (2019) 7.5/10
The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows (2020) Olivia Waite (Feminine Pursuits)
Mr. Winterbourne’s Christmas (2018) Joanna Chambers (Winterbourne) 7.5/10

Romance

Loud and Clear (2016) Aidan Wayne 9/10
Garnet Run, Roan Parrish
Better Than People (2020) 8.5/10; Best Laid Plans (2021) 8/10; The Lights on Knockbridge Lane (2021) 8/10
The Remaking of Corbin Wale (2017) Roan Parrish 8.5/10
Team Phison Forever (2019) Chace Verity (Team Phison) 7.5/10
All the Wrong Places (2016) Ann Gallagher (Bluewater Bay) 7/10
American Dreamer (2019) Adriana Herrera (Dreamers) 7/10

Fantasy

Discworld, Terry Pratchett
Carpe Jugulum (1998) 7/10; The Fifth Elephant (1999) 8.5/10; The Truth (2000) 8.5/10

Supernatural Fantasy

Making Love (2017) Aidan Wayne 8/10
Love, Marriage, and a Baby Carriage (2016) CS Poe 9.5/10
Not Even a Mouse (2015) Dahlia Donovan 7/10
Grilled Cheese and Goblins: Adventures of a Supernatural Food Inspector (2018) Nicole Kimberling 9.5/10

Audio Books

Murderbot, Martha Wells narrated by Kevin R. Free
All Systems Red, Audio Edition (2017) 8.5/10; Artificial Condition, Audio Edition (2018) 8.5/10; Rogue Protocol, Audio Edition (2018) 8.5/10

For somewhat obvious reasons I haven’t done a monthly round-up since March.

But as I’ve actually read some new-to-me books in recent months, I figured I might try to put together a round-up post.

And I’ve read some good stuff–even a number of new releases (though I also have some I haven’t been able to read yet, like the latest C.S. Harris.)

The romance I want to make note of is Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall. He’s a phenomenal writer, and this is the first MF story I’ve read by him. It’s lovely and does lots of unexpected things.

In mysteries I discovered Dahlia Donovan‘s Motts Cold Case series which are fun mysteries AND the main character is ace! I’m still enjoying Dianne Freeman‘s Countess of Harleigh Mysteries, which is a lovely historical cozy. And I want to note that book three of Ellery Adams‘ Secret, Book, & Scone Society introduce an ace character! Plus I started a new series, with Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala which was good, and I loved all the representation in the story.

In fantasy, I am still enjoying Drew Hayes‘ Fred the Vampire Accountant series, and Out of House and Home was a nice entry. And I discovered T. Kingfisher this year, and all of her books have been delightful. (Although I think A Wizard’s Guide To Defensive Baking is still my favorite of her books so far.)

And you might want to check out some of the books I didn’t love, because my reading is off, so it might just have been a timing thing rather than a problem with any particular book.

Romance

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake (2021) Alexis Hall (Winner Bakes All) 8/10
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb (2021) Cat Sebastian 8/10
The Labours of Lord Perry Cavendish (2021) Joanna Chambers (Winterbourne) 7.5/10
The Day Pass (2021) Slade James (Bear Camp) 7.5/10
Red Dirt Heart (2014) N.R. Walker (Red Dirt Heart) 7.5/10
A Little Light Mischief (2019) Cat Sebastian (The Turner Series) 7/10
Daydream, Colorado: Blindspot (2021) A.M. Rose 7/10; Mischief (2021) A.M. Rose 7/10
Baldwin Village : One Bed for Christmas (2018) Jackie Lau 6/10; The Ultimate Pi Day Party (2019) Jackie Lau 6/10
A Lady’s Formula for Love (2021) Elizabeth Everett (The Secret Scientists of London) 4.5/10

Mystery

Haven Investigations: Model Citizen (2015) Lissa Kasey 8.5/10; Model Bodyguard (2016) Lissa Kasey 8.5/10;  Model Investigator (2017) Lissa Kasey 9/10; Model Exposure (2017) Lissa Kasey  9/10
Motts Cold Case Mystery: Pierced Peony (2021) Dahlia Donovan 8/10; Poisoned Primrose (2020) Dahlia Donovan 8/10
A Fiancée’s Guide to First Wives and Murder (2021) Dianne Freeman (A Countess of Harleigh Mystery) 8/10
Arsenic and Adobo (2021) Mia P. Manansala (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen) 8/10
Transient Desires (2021) Donna Leon (Commissario Brunetti) 8/10
The Book of Candlelight (2000) Ellery Adams (Secret, Book, & Scone Society) 7.5/10
An Unexpected Peril (2021) Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell) 7.5/10
Scandal at the Salty Dog (2021) Josh Lanyon (Secrets and Scrabble) 7/10
Ghost Light Killer (2021) Dahlia Donovan (London Podcast Mystery) 7/10
The Cook of the Halcyon (2019/2021) Andrea Camilleri translated by Stephen Sartarelli (Inspector Montalbano) 6/10

Fantasy
Paladin’s Strength (2021) T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel) 8.5/10
Minor Mage (2019) T. Kingfisher 8/10
Out of House and Home (2021) Drew Hayes (Fred the Vampire Accountant) 8/10
Where There’s a Kilt, There’s a Way (2021) Ella Stainton (Kilty Pleasures) 8/10

I read some books last month! Actually, the shock is that I read some newly published books last month!

What Abigail Did That Summer by (2021) Ben Aaronovitch was as delightful as I was hoping it would be. Lisa Shearin latest entry to her SPI Files series, The Solstice Countdown wasn’t as good as her previous books, but I still enjoyed it. And the more I think about Patricia Briggs‘s latest Alpha & Omega book, Wild Sign the unhappier I get about it. (It’s already dropped from a 7 to a 6.)

Dahlia Donovan‘s Cosplay Killer was good, although it suffered a bit after reading it immediately following her Grasmere Cottage series, because both have autistic main characters so it was impossible not to compared them.

Roan Parrish‘s newest book in her Garnet Run series, Best Laid Plans was lovely as expected, and continues with this series being much lower angst that one expects from her. And K.J. Charles‘s newest book,
The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting was as lovely as you’d expect, despite being an enemies-to-lovers.

Also: MURDERBOT!

Supernatural Fantasy

What Abigail Did That Summer (2021) Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London) 8.5/10
Family Matters (2018) Angel Martinez (Brandywine Investigations) 9/10
The Hanged Man (2019) K. D. Edwards (The Tarot Sequence) 8.5/10
Tarot Sequence novellas & stories (2020) K. D. Edwards (The Tarot Sequence) 8/10
The Solstice Countdown (2021) Lisa Shearin (SPI Files) 7/10
Wild Sign (2021) Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega) 6/10

Mystery

The Mystery of Nevermore (2016) C.S. Poe (Snow & Winter) 8.5/10
The Mystery of the Curiosities (2017) C.S. Poe (Snow & Winter 8/10
The Mystery of the Moving Image (2018) C.S. Poe (Snow & Winter) 8.5/10
The Mystery of the Bones (2019) C.S. Poe (Snow & Winter) 8.5/10
The Bellingham Mystery Series Volume 2 (2015) Nicole Kimberling 8.5/10
The Bellingham Mystery Series Volume 1 (2015) Nicole Kimberling 8.5/10
Grasmere Cottage Mystery (2018) Dahlia Donovan 8.5/10
Cosplay Killer (2020) Dahlia Donovan (London Podcast Mystery) 8/10
The Whispered Word (2018) Ellery Adams (Secret, Book, & Scone Society) 7/10
Death by Dumpling (2018) Vivien Chien (A Noodle Shop Mystery) 5/10

Mystery, Historical

A Dangerous Madness (2014) Michelle Diener (Regency London) 8.5/10
Banquet of Lies (2013) Michelle Diener (Regency London) 9.5/10
The Emperor’s Conspiracy (2012) Michelle Diener (Regency London) 8.5/10

Romance, LGBT

Waiting for the Flood (2018) Alexis Hall (Spires) 9.5/10
Best Laid Plans (2021) Roan Parrish (Garnet Run) 8.5/10
After the Scrum (2014) Dahlia Donovan 8/10
Sin Bin Series: Box Set (2020) Dahlia Donovan 8.5/10
The House in the Cerulean Sea (2020) T.J. Klune 8.5/10
Off Base (2017) Annabeth Albert (Out of Uniform) 6/10
Wheels Up (2017) Annabeth Albert (Out of Uniform) 4/10

Romance, Historical

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting (2021) K.J. Charles 8/10
The Reluctant Widow (1946) Georgette Heyer 8/10
Friday’s Child (1944) Georgette Heyer 8/10
Just a Little Wickedness (2020) Merry Farmer (The Brotherhood) 6/10
The Lotus Palace (2013) Jeannie Lin 6/10

Science Fiction

Rogue Protocol (2018) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) 8.5/10

Graphic Novel

Digger, Vol. 2 (2006) Ursula Vernon 8/10
A Flight of Angels (2011) Holly Black, Louise Hawes, Todd Mitchell, Bill Willingham, Alisa Kwitney, Rebecca Guay
Bloodlust & Bonnets (2019) Emily McGovern

It’s March. Again. Or perhaps still, I’m not sure. Whatever it is, I read a lot of books last month.

The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells are amazing. I read the second, Artificial Condition and it was just as good as the first.

If you’re interested in reading some LGBT fantasy, but don’t want to read the boinking, then I’ve got some recommendations for you. The Last Sun by K. D. Edwards (The Tarot Sequence) is a book I’d had for awhile but hadn’t read because the cover put me off. I’m sorry I waited. Another first book in a series is White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton (Adam Binder) which didn’t end as cleanly as I would have liked but is still recommended. And if you wondered how cupid operated in the modern age—and were in need of a fluffy romance, may I point you to Making Love by Aidan Wayne

It looks like Wonderstruck by Allie Therin is the final book in her Magic in Manhattan series, and it was satisfying.

And two straight-up romances that I really enjoyed were The Husband Gambit by L.A. Witt which is a fake husband story, that I found extremely satisfying, and Grumpy Bear by Slade James (Bear Camp) which was the second book in a series. Both books are explicit.

Fantasy, LGBT

Open for Business (2016) Angel Martinez (Brandywine Investigations) 8.5/10
The Last Sun (2018) K. D. Edwards (The Tarot Sequence) 8.5/10
Grilled Cheese and Goblins: Adventures of a Supernatural Food Inspector (2018) Nicole Kimberling 8.5/10
Wonderstruck (2021) Allie Therin (Magic in Manhattan) 8/10
Making Love (2017) Aidan Wayne 8/10
White Trash Warlock (2020) David R. Slayton (Adam Binder) 8/10
Heir to a Curse (2020) Lissa Kasey (Romancing a Curse) 7/10
Marked by Death (2020) Kaje Harper (Necromancer) 7/10
Powered by Ghosts (2010) Kaje Harper (Necromancer) 6/10
Bound by Memories (2020) Kaje Harper (Necromancer) 6.5/10
How to Marry a Werewolf (2018) Gail Carriger (Claw & Courtship) 7/10
Marine Biology (2010) G. L. Carriger (San Andreas Shifters) 6.5/10
Fire Water (2015) Jaye Wells (Prospero’s War)

Fantasy, Steampunk

Soulless (2009) Gail Carriger (Parasol Protectorate) 7.5/10
Changeless (2010) Gail Carriger (Parasol Protectorate) 6/10
Blameless (2010) Gail Carriger (Parasol Protectorate) 7/10
Heartless (2011) Gail Carriger (Parasol Protectorate) 4.5/10

Romance, LGBT

Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut (2018) R. Cooper 9/10
The Husband Gambit (2018) L.A. Witt 8.5/10
Dine with Me (2019) Layla Reyne 8.5/10
Grumpy Bear (2021) Slade James (Bear Camp) 8/10
It Takes Two to Tumble (2017) Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks) 8.5/10
A Gentleman Never Keeps Score (2018) Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks) 8/10
Candy Hearts (2000) Erin McLellan (So Over the Holidays) 7.5/10
Fake Date Flip-Flop (2021) Hank Edwards 6.5/10
The Hideaway Inn (2020) Philip William Stover (Seasons of New Hope) 6/10
The Hockey Player’s Snow Day (2021) Jeff Adams (Hockey Hearts) 6/10
Changing Colors & Heat Wave DNF (2018) Elyse Springer (Seasons of Love Book)

Romance, Historical

These Old Shades (1926) Georgette Heyer 9/10

Mystery

Mystery at the Masquerade (2021) Josh Lanyon (Secrets and Scrabble) 7.5/10
The Killings at Badger’s Drift (1987) Caroline Graham (Chief Inspector Barnaby) 7/10

Mystery, Historical

At Bertram’s Hotel (1965) Agatha Christie (Miss Marple)

Science Fiction

Artificial Condition (2018) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) 8.5/10

Fiction

The Weddings (2019) Alexander Chee (Inheritance collection) 7/10

Non-Fiction

An Edible History of Humanity (2009) Tom Standage 7.5/10

Well, January was a month, wasn’t it?

I read some good books this month, including several new releases and series that were new to me.

In the new releases, I was unsusrprised to discover that I loved the newest entry and Charlie Adhara’s Big Bad Wold Series, Cry Wolf. I love everything about this series, from the relationship between the two, to the mystery, to family interactions.

The other book I had pre-ordered ended up being a HUGE let down, because SHE ENDED IT IN A CLIFFHANGER. (RAGE) (HULK SMASH)

I discovered a new series, Dianne Freeman’s Countess of Harleigh mystery series, which is delightful AND goes out of its way to avoid Hollywood Endings. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

Speaking of mysteries, An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten is a whole lot, and you should definitely read it. I mean, how many books about octogenarian serial killers do you know about?

I got a lot of free romances in a holiday give away and have been slowly going through them, and there were some really good ones. Those all got individual reviews, even if they were short stories, so you can peruse them below. But I want to make note of Loud and Clear by Aidan Wayne, which was incredibly good, and I highly recommend it.

And I’m once again caught up on Lady Mechanika now I’ve read Sangre and I impatiently wait news of the next volume.

OH! HUGE surprise this month: I read and LOVED a SF story. That’d be Martha Wells first Murderbot story,
All Systems Red. It is AMAZING.

Historical Mystery

A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder (2018) Dianne Freeman (A Countess of Harleigh Mystery) 7.5/10
A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder (2019) Dianne Freeman (A Countess of Harleigh Mystery) 8.5/10
A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder (2020) Dianne Freeman (Countess of Harleigh Mystery) 8/10
The Shattered Tree (2016) Charles Todd (Bess Crawford) 7/10
Poppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders (2019) Tessa Arlen (A Woman of WWII Mystery) 7/10
Why Shoot a Butler? (1933) Georgette Heyer
The Unfinished Clue (1934) Georgette Heyer

Mystery

An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good (2018) Helene Tursten translated by Marlaine Delargy 8.5/10

LGBT Mystery

Come Unto These Yellow Sands (2017) Josh Lanyon 8.5/10

Historical Romance

A Christmas Dance (2014) Alissa Johnson 8.5/10

Romance

Grumpy Jake (2019) Melissa Blue 7/10

LGBT Romance

Loud and Clear (2016) Aidan Wayne 9/10
Getting It Right (2015) A.M. Arthur (Restoration) 8.5/10
Let Your Heart Be Light (2019) J.R. Lawrie 8.5/10
Recipe for a Curse (2021) Lissa Kasey (Romancing a Curse 8/10
Mr. Right Now (2019) Annabeth Albert 8/10
“The Uncut Wood: A Bear Camp Short” (2020) Slade James 8/10
A Midnight Clear (2020) Kaje Harper 7.5/10
Not So Cookie Cutter (2019) Aidan Wayne 7/10
So We Meet-Cute Again (2019) Geneva Vand

LGBT Fantasy

Cry Wolf (2021) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) 8.5/10
A Beginner’s Guide to Wooing Your Mate (2015) R. Cooper (Beings in Love) 8.5/10
Little Wolf (2015) R. Cooper (Beings in Love) 7/10
The Gangster (2021) C.S. Poe (Magic & Steam)
“Incidental Magic” (2021) Jordan Castillo Price 6/10
“Daydream” (2020) A.M. Rose 6/10

Graphic Novel

Lady Mechanika Volume 6: Sangre (2020) by Joe Benitez, M.M. Chen, Brian Ching, Martin Montiel 8/10
Digger, Vol. 1 (2005) Ursula Vernon 8/10
The Tea Dragon Society (2020) K. O’Neill

Science Fiction

All Systems Red (2017) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) 9/10

As I just did my yearly roundup, this is is going to be extra brief.

Romance, Historical

The Duke Who Didn’t (2020) Courtney Milan (Wedgeford Trials) 8/10
Everything I Ever Wanted (2003/2015) Jo Goodman (The Compass Club Series 7/10
The Deserted Heart (2018) Mary Lancaster (Unmarriageable) Categories: 7/10
Eight Tiny Flames (2018) Crista McHugh

Romance, LGBT

Tic-Tac-Mistletoe (2020) N.R. Walker 8.5/10
The Remaking of Corbin Wale (2017) Roan Parrish 8/10
Team Phison (2017) Chace Verity 7/10
Sergeant Delicious (2020) Annabeth Albert 7/10
Gay All Year (2020) Richard May 7/10
New Game, Start (2017) C.S. Poe
There Galapagos My Heart (2020) Philip William Stover (Love Beyond Boundaries)
Angels Sing (2019) Eli Easton (Daddy Dearest)
Love All Year: A Holidays Anthology (2020) Stacey Agdern, Hallie Alexander, Savannah J. Frierson, Felicia Grossman, Farah Heron, Celestine Martin, Ekaterine Xia

Fantasy

The Rook (2012) Daniel O’Malley (The Checquy Files) 10/10
Kitty’s Mix-Tape (2020) Carrie Vaughn 7.5/10

Fantasy, LGBT

Iron & Velvet (2013/2019) Alexis Hall (Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator 8/10
The Affair of the Mysterious Letter (2019) Alexis Hall 7.5/10
Best Laid Plaids (2020) Ella Stainton (Kilty Pleasures) 7/10

Mystery

Requiem for Mr. Busybody (2020) Josh Lanyon 8/10
The Sicilian Method (2017/2020) Andrea Camilleri translated by Stephen Sartarelli

Mystery, Historical

A Pattern of Lies (2015) Charles Todd (Bess Crawford) 7.5/10
Tales: Short Stories Featuring Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford (2015) Charles Todd 7.5/10
A Pattern of Lies (2015) Charles Todd (Bess Crawford) 7.5/10
The Bone Jar (2016) Candace Robb (Owen Archer)
A Conspiracy of Wolves (2019) Candace Robb (Owen Archer) 7/10
No Wind of Blame (1939) Georgette Heyer (Inspector Hemingway)

Comics

Heathen, Volume 3 (2020) Natasha Alterici, Ashley A. Woods

Audio Books

Blood Cross, Audio Edition (2010) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Jane Yellowrock) 8.5/10

Just to point out some last few things, including pointing out some authors that might not have made the 2019/2020 cutoff.

My favorite comic of 2020

This one was easy, Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu. The first volume was published in 2018 but I read the whole thing this year. And then read it again.

The rest of my favorite comics of 2020.

My favorite mystery of 2020

This was a little harder to choose since I read a number of good mysteries, but I think that Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian ended up on top. Cat Sebastian is often hit or miss for me, but this story hit it out of the park with all my favorite tropes.

The rest of my favorite mysteries of 2020.

My favorite fantasy of 2020

This was another hard choice, since although I didn’t read as much fantasy as I have in previous years, what I did read this year I enjoyed very much. So I went with The Immortal Conquistador by Carrie Vaughn, because it has one of my all-time favorite short stories, and is about one of my favorite characters in that series.

The rest of my favorite fantasies of 2020.

My favorite romance of 2020

This pick was just as easy as Check, Please!, since I wanted to reread it as soon as I finished it, and forced myself to wait a couple months before going back to it. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall was my favorite romance, and tied with Check, Please! for my favorite book of the year.

The rest of my favorite romances of 2020.

Since I didn’t count books published before 2019 is my end-of-the-year roundup, I wanted to take the time to point out some of the books and authors that got me through 2020.

My Highest Rated Books of 2020

10/10 Books (Re-reads)

Small Vices, Audio Edition (1997) Robert B. Parker narrated by Burt Reynolds
The Rook (2012) Daniel O’Malley

Both The Rook and Small Vices are books guaranteed to take me out of my own head.

9.5/10 New Reads

Joy (2017) C.S. Poe
Check, Please! (2020) Ngozi Ukazu
Boyfriend Material (2020) Alexis Hall

All three of these books were new to me in 2020, and all three I went back and re-read, because they were the perfect antidote to everything raging inside my brain.

Most Read Authors (minus re-reads)

These are some authors I recently discovered whose stories were precisely what I needed to read as I struggled with everything happening in the world.

N.R. Walker (Romance)
Annabeth Albert (Romance)
Alexis Hall (Romance, Fantasy)
R. Cooper (Romance)
C.S. Poe (Mystery, Romance)
Roan Parrish (Romance)
Alexia Gordon (Mystery)
Joe Benitez – Lady Mechanika (Comic)
Josh Lanyon (Mystery, Romance)
Talia Hibbert (Romance)
Layla Reyne (Mystery, Romance)

Most Re-Read Authors

There is some overlap with the most read authors, but I wanted to note that for some series there might be only one or two books that were especially good, but immersing myself in an author can be a different kind of comfort.

Sometimes it’s just about how a series or author’s writing style makes me feel.

Agatha Christie (Mystery)
Alissa Johnson (Romance)
Angel Martinez (Fantasy, Romance)
Candace Robb (Mystery)
K.J. Charles (Romance)
Patricia Briggs (Fantasy)
C.S. Poe (Mystery, Romace)
Terry Pratchett (Fantasy)
Courtney Milan (Romance)
Cat Sebastian (Romance)
Michelle Diener (Mystery, Romance)
N.R. Walker (Romance)
Sergei Lukyanenko (Fantasy)
Charlie Adhara (Fantasy, Romance)
Ada Maria Soto (Romance)

Highest Rated Authors

These are the authors who had (at least) one book I rated a 9/10 or higher.

Daniel O’Malley (Fantasy)
Robert B. Parker (Mystery)
Sergei Lukyanenko (Fantasy)
Charlie Adhara (Fantasy, Romance)
Terry Pratchett (Fantasy)
Agatha Christie (Mystery)
Ngozi Ukazu – Check, Please! (Comic)
Alexis Hall (Fantasy, Romance)
C.S. Poe (Mystery, Romance)
Aidan Wayne (Romance)
Marie Brennan (Fantasy)
Michelle Diener (Mystery, Romance)
K.J. Charles (Romance, Fantasy)
Patricia Briggs (Fantasy)
Ada Maria Soto (Romance)
Carrie Vaughn (Fantasy)
Courtney Milan (Romance)
Roan Parrish (Romance)
Angel Martinez (Fantasy, Romance)

So that’s what I read this year. It was a lot, but so was this year.

What authors and books did you turn to, to get you through everything?

The Books of 2020