*The books eligible could be published in any year, they simply had to be read by me in 2021. Clicking on book cover brings you to my review
Nominees:
1. Merry and Rob - Unbound by Cara McKenna
She scared him for knowing, but she scared him more for the way she’d smiled when she’d asked it. That she could read Rob’s thoughts, the ones that came second only to the urge for a drink in their ability to unnerve him, the ones that had haunted him his entire life, and . . . and smile. That she could find some measure of delight and curiosity in it, when all it had ever brought Rob was shame and rejection.
Stripped down to a trope, they are Sunshine and Grumpy but McKenna is a master at layers and emotions, so we get so much more. This couple was the epitome of being loved for yourself and through that love, accepting.
2. Nora and Will - Love At First by Kate Clayborn
She thought about his laugh and his way of making conversation with almost anyone; she thought about the secret, tender heart that hid behind his practicality, and she thought about how he pushed her, so gently, in the directions she always wanted to go herself. She thought about the way she wanted him, the way she could be a certain version of herself with him, some different from who she was with anyone else in her life, ever.
These two were an enemies-to-lovers that was all about the gentle emotions. They were quiet, soft, and subtle and broke my heart in the little details of their feelings.
3. Mrs. and Mr. Weaver - A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant
Mrs. Weaver nodded once as her husband, beside her, put a coarse knuckly hand over hers.
This is my awards show, so I do what I want and what I want is to nominate a couple that isn't even a secondary romance. I don't think Grant is writing anymore and it's probably best because I can not guarantee that I wouldn't be yearly, monthly, weekly, DAILY asking begging if she was going to write a novella about Mr. and Mrs. Weaver. The love and strength between these two that seems to only have grown from the life they've lived, just Gah!
4. Beatrice and Devlen - An Unlikely Governess by Karen Ranney
He folded his arms, ignoring the cold as he watched the carriage begin the descent to the village. She was going to be a problem.
Starting off not even knowing who Beatrice was going to be paired off with to them getting a nomination, is quite the journey but these two made it. They were both stoic and with Devlen falling first and me as the reader catching the subtle ways he was jonesing for her, their romance hit me hard in the second half.
5. Layla and Sam - The Marriage Game by Sara Desai
His eyes darkened, smoldered. Electricity sparked between them. She had a curious urge to lean up and kiss him. It made no sense. This was Sam. The man she loved to hate.
I love my banter and by-play and this couple had this in spades sparking up the pages. The beginning had this couple being delightfully snappy and flirty, dialogue I'll always show up for.
6. Annie and Brendon - Hang The Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur
“He looks at you like you hung the moon.”
This couple was pretty low angst and Brendon was pretty much open about his feelings for Annie, I love a big-hearted hero. Annie had some vulnerabilities that Brendon went about soothing in the sweetest of ways.
7. Ilsa and Felix - A Scot to the Heart by Caroline Linden
There was no one else in the room. It was only the two of them, moving about each other more and more slowly and deliberately, every touch lingering, every glance heated. Then there was no music, just the thud of his heart and the husky invitation of her whispers as she tugged at his clothing, pressing against him as he undid the laces on that scarlet gown and tasted her skin . . .
If you've followed me for a while, you'll know that I usually favor angsty hard won love but Ilsa and Andrew had a light and easy fall in love that was warming in its own way. They have beginning heated attraction but they also so clearly become friends through it all. I feel like I don't read enough stories that have the leads being so light-hearted with each other and then the way the eye contact starts to get heated and they both realize they love the person they are having such fun with, gives the romance such a great different dimension.
8. Lil and AJ - The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bell
He took a step closer and she tilted her chin up to keep eye contact. “Stop this foolishness,” he said. “Take me home with you.”
Something sharp and scared flashed through her eyes but was gone in an instant. “You won't stay.”
He leaned in bringing his lips closer to hers, and she strained up toward him, even if she wasn't aware of it.
“I will.” He spoke softly, his mouth only inches from hers.
This was another grumpy/sunshine duo, if you can't tell, one of my favorite. I enjoyed how easy, sweet, and sexily taunting AJ could be with Lil and how her grumpiness delighted and egged him on (gah, I love the poking of the bear!). Lil's tough but AJ teasingly coaxing her out of her cocoon created some sweet scenes.
9. Madeline and Gryff - A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman
He shouldn’t be goading her, of course. It could only lead to trouble. But teasing her was a pleasure he’d missed out on for three long, miserable years. The memory of her face was something he’d fallen back on when times were particularly hard. Wounded, exhausted after battle, he’d often reminded himself to stay alive, if only to spite her. To tease her just one more time.
I guess that quote is just showing me staying on brand with what I like between my couples, lol. This couple's teasing and back and forth always had a lightness and little sizzle that made you want them to never leave each other's side because they were a fun couple to be with.
10. Mariana and James - After Dark with the Duke by Julie Anne Long
Holding her was the only comfort he’d truly known. Possibly the only peace he’d truly known. Because peace was being known.
Oof, this couple had some excellent chemistry. With age gap, there was also some enemies-to-lovers and what made this couple work so well, were their conversations. Sure, they heated up some sheets but mental attraction that developed all that steam and sexual tension stole the show for me.
Winner:
Merry and Rob
Write to arrange a date if you like, or to tell me to fuck off. But unless I hear from you, I’ll be waiting every Tuesday, hoping maybe I’ll see you walking toward me down the pavement.
This was very close between Merry and Rob and Nora and Will. They just edged them out because of how teeth gritting the emotion was between them and they the way their puzzle pieces so perfectly fit together. I mean, my gawd!, did these two have an emotional wreckage journey to get together. I'm kind of glad not all romance stories hit me this way because I'd never be able to survive reading so many of them.
2020 Winner
What couple was your favorite from 2021?
And finally, next time, Favorite Contemporary, Historical, and Book of 2021...
