*The books eligible could be published in any year, they simply had to be read by me in 2022.
Clicking on book cover brings you to my review
Nominees:
1. Yue-ying - The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin
Sold as a child with her sister, Yue-ying was forced to be a prostitute and then later maidservant to Mingyu, her sister who was able to purchase her. Yue-ying obviously has PTSD and is closed off because of her prior experiences and when we get a rich frat boyish (he's posing) start to show her attention, it makes her want to believe and hide. Yue-ying is that character who will crack your heart and give you that hurt-emotion that romance genre masochists like me love to read; watery-eyes, heart-clenching, but ultimately uplifting in the endurance of humans and love.
Honorable Mention: Huang
2. Luz Alana Heith-Benzan - A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
Luz inherits part of her family's distillery and must leave for Europe to build its expansion, while also caring for her sister. She meets another brandy distiller and sparks fly. She catches my attention because she had so much strength but that little vulnerability makes me respect her strength even more. Luz was a notable leading lady, she never shied away from who she was and fought to create her place in the world.
3. Ned Wentworth - Never a Duke by Grace Burrowes
Ned! I've been waiting for his book ever since he showed up in #1, this is #7. From being imprisoned in Newgate to being, basically, adopted by a Duke's family, Ned has had quite a journey in this series. He can't quite shed that adopted kid feeling of never being fully a part of the family (there's a heartfelt talk with the Duke about this at the end) and so he has that self-depreciating humor. He's gentle and flirty, and I loved him.
4. Mingyu - The Jade Temptress by Jeannie Lin
A powerhouse. I really, just, she's everything I want to read in a heroine. Sold by her parents, forced to be a courtesan, tries to save her sister the best way she can, puts herself in danger to save a little girl, years of swallowing her emotions to survive, and then having the courage and strength to stand up when she could. Her developing the ability to trust Kaifeng and open herself up to their love made me an emotional wreck.
Honorable Mention: Constable Wu Kaifeng
5. Faelan Savigar "the Devil Earl" - Uncertain Magic by Laura Kinsale
I like to rag on old school heroes, so, while he had his moments, I thought I should do a little shoutout to Faelan. One of those hurt, damaged heroes who's emotions are given in the subtleties. We all know I'm a sucker for broody grump who loves fiercely. He's considerate to the younger heroine and while his double speak goes above her head sometimes, it's gentle teasing.
6. Rajneet Kaur Hothi - The Legal Affair by Nisha Sharma
Betrayed by her, now, ex-husband, Raj was a great strong character. I liked how the author showed her showing up alone to America at eighteen with those vulnerabilities and then built up her character. Raj also owned her sexuality and I liked how that, at times, had the hero having to step up to her level.
7. Eva Mercy (Genevieve Mercer) - Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Who wouldn't cheer for Eva as she blazes a writing career and balances being a single mother. A crappy childhood had Eva developing insecurities, she's one of those characters whose bursting to shine out from under her vulnerabilities. Strong, sexy, and caring.
8. Catrin - Blood and Moonlight by Erin Beatty
A seventeen year old orphan who is struggling to find herself, and oh yeah, has (sort of) witnessed a murder and maybe she's magical. A YA fantasy that incorporated all those young adult feelings of lost and trying to find yourself through Cat and with some intriguing mystery.
9. Jaye Colfax - The House on Blueberry Lane by Brenda Jackson
A man trying to get his woman back. Jaye knows he fucked up with pulling the "I just want to keep this causal" bs and he pulls out the stops to get his heroine back in his life. He doesn't want her to think he's still only about the sex, so I got antsy with his physical passivity at times but that only ramped up the sexual tension. Calm, determined, and sweet.
10. Gabriel Cunningham - A Table for Two by Sheryl Lister
My heart did some melting over how sweet Gabriel was to his Nana and his care for her, he also took the heroine on a wine tasting tour, mowed her grass, and cooked for her. Gabriel was the whole package with the romancing and supporting, giving Serenity what she needed when it was needed; a sexy competence hero.
11. Han Leung - Return to Cherry Blossom Way by Jeannie Chin
Oh, Han. He's dating the love of his life in highschool but painfully lets her go after his father dies and he stays in their hometown that she's desperate to escape and helps run the family business and support his family. The hurt and love pouring from this character as he tries to stay true to himself, support his family, and get back the love of his life, Gah!
12. Lord Sorcier, Elias Wilder - Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
A dangerous reputation to give him that mystery, a bit broody because of his past in the war, witty, and instantly takes that second look at our wallflower heroine because he sees under the surface. The hero I'm goo for. He's sweet for and to the heroine and when he says that he loves her just the way she is, well, there was some watery eyes.
13. Clytemnestra - Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
I mean, the title is her name! Another powerhouse. She is born to the wealth and power that Mingyu wasn't but she still has her limitations because of societal structure. With those limitations come challenges, pain, regret, and anger but it's how Clytemnestra collects that pain and anger and then uses it. She fought to hold on to her inner truth and I cheered her on.
Winners:
Mingyu and Han Leung
In a year where heroines had a very strong showing, Mingyu still, fairly easily, takes this. From her lost pain and anger of "I had to rescue her" to her owning her strength of “I want Inspector Xi Lun,” she declared. “I want him destroyed.” I was on an emotional wreckage journey with this character. I'll never be able to discuss this character with any normalcy because of how powerful her pain and strength shone through.
This was a battle between Ned and Han but Han takes it because he gave me those sweet moments along with some teeth gritting emotion. He loves the heroine but he's also a little angry with her, this created that push and pull I love.
2021 Winners
Who were the leads that captured your heart in 2022?
Next time, Favorite Couple...
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