WhiskeyintheJar Romance: The Roms - Part 5: Favorite Leads

Sunday, February 4, 2024

The Roms - Part 5: Favorite Leads

The Roms

Favorite Leads

Sometimes characters standout on their own, separate from the story or romantic relationship. Other times a character doesn't fully shine until they are paired with their partner who brings out their best. And on rare occasions, a character becomes lost when they are paired up. Thus, you'll find, maybe I really liked a lead but not when they are part of a couple and maybe I really like a couple but not separately.

*The books eligible could be published in any year, they simply had to be read by me in 2023.

Clicking on book cover brings you to my review or GoodReads page if I didn't write one

Nominees:

1. Delana Wyatt - The Ranger by Holly Harte

Delana is trying to leave town until she turns twenty-one and can get her inheritance and not be forced into marriage by her step-father. She chooses a cowboy she's never seen before, thinking he won't be in cahoots with her powerful connected step-father and asks him to take her out of town. The guy turns out to be a Texas Ranger involved with an investigation and he has some honor hang-ups and says she has to pose as his wife to save her reputation. Anyway, what followed was Delana becoming a woman on a mission, bang the heck out of the Ranger and the only thing about this story I really liked was how horny Delana became and stayed, and she got what she wanted. Horny AND accomplished goals, Queen.

2. Lelia Syed - Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah

This was a mystery/thriller story about Lelia getting charged with child endangerment by the state after she leaves her nephew in the car on a hot day and he dies. Leila's character drew me in while having me sympathize and be aghast at their family dynamic. She's the older sister and always wanted a child but has a successful career in contrast to her sister's family. The author did an amazing job making the reader feel like they knew Lelia but keeping enough back that you can never really be sure you're thinking right about what everything that has happened. Lelia was the type of character that can carry a story like this.

3. Sienna Quintanilla - The Rodeo Queen by Marcella Bell

A late twenties rodeo queen, Sienna knows what it takes to stay at the top but also starting to worry about aging out. She's hosting a reality rodeo show and finds herself wanting to test that morality clause when Diablo Sosa shows up (I do not blame, his name is Diablo, we're all only human here). Sienna's Cuban, so along with sexism, she deals with racism and with the characters spending a fair amount of this story in their heads, I felt like I really got to see the depth and layers to her character. The story shows her growth and coming fully into her own and I liked how that growth delivered a very sweet and heartfelt ending scene.

Honorable Mention:

Diablo Sosa

4. Sam - Hideaway at Silver Lake by Jennifer Greene

Oh, Sam, such a sweet guy! Sam calmly and sweetly takes care of Poppy, not overbearingly or controlling, but simply doing the things that need to get done, cleaning her car off for her, cooking, getting her tucked in on the couch to get her to sit down and putting a wine glass in her hand, giving her the taking care of and spoiling she needs. Putting a wine glass in my hand? Swoon.

5. Levi Fanning - Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Another sweet guy! (Look, he owned the most adorable Pittie, he gets a nom by association of Hank) Levi was a rebel rouser as a kid and had a black sheep reputation, but became a calm, quiet, stay to himself adult. I liked how he complimented the female main character, calming and centering her, and he worked through his issues to be better for her.

6. Annabeth Winfield - A Rogue at Stonecliffe by Candace Camp

Annabeth met the love of her life young and when they are supposed to get engaged, he instead, disappears, with no explanation to her. This causes her to doubt herself and feelings and when he finally returns twelve years later, I could feel the hurt and love from her character. I enjoyed how Annabeth's character did show some growth when she realizes that she has just been letting other people dictate her life, she didn't fight for Sloane when he first left her. I liked how this had Annabeth taking more agency at the end and fired up her character.

7. Talhan Catullus - The Evergreen Heir by A.K. Mulford

A fey warrior but also the most understanding and perfect person for his mate Neelo, who takes way too long to see they're perfect for each other (I mean, it works for the story but, as the reader, I cursing their restraint!). Childhood friends but because of wars, they haven't seen each other for while, Talhan ends up winning Neelo's hand in marriage because of a competition Neelo's mother set-up. However, Talhan understands he must win Neelo over by gaining their trust, which he does with several little moments that slowly show Neelo what they mean to Talhan.

8. Keaton Sax - Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen by Stefanie London

The older brother of the female main character's bestfriend, Keaton already had a leg-up on the competition because I'm a sucker for that dynamic, they also had a past moment that almost saw them taking that first step but got cut off. Keaton was a widower who was still dealing with some grief but the real clencher about the character, will have you falling for him because of how he loves his family, the way he drops everything to take care of and help his sister Leah, she has multiple sclerosis, will burst your heart.

9. Ruan Kivell - The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong

The female main character is in the English countryside to deliver some books and check up on a friend, when she finds herself in a Gothic mystery story. Ruan is the countryside's Pellar (a good witch) and he is the mysterious dashing, brooding, dry humor, sparking with our gal that adds the right amount of romance. I wanted to know everything about this character! Unfortunately, he kind of stays a little in the shadows but, I don't think this is the end of their story and we're (hopefully!) going to see him again and I can satisfy some of this thirst.

Winners:

Leila Syed and Talhan Catullus

I can't stop thinking about Lelia, she was smart, strong, and vulnerable, a character that had layers and emotional depth in all the best ways. The story is, mostly, told all from her point-of-view but I finished this and was like "Wait,". I knew this character and yet, I have some lingering questions. It's so perfect for the type of story this is.

I want everyone to have a partner like Talhan, we all deserve to be loved so perfectly. He just so calmly, lovingly, and stoutly, stood beside Neelo as he waited for them to trust in him and their love. The patience, actions, and hotness, perfect romance shared lead.

2022 Winners