Top Reads of 2021

January 7, 2022


2021 was supposed to be our year, and while it may not have turned out the way we all hoped it would, it still gifted us with plenty of amazing books that helped us make it through! 


I don't know about you guys, but I've never been as grateful for the books I read and the authors that write them as I have been these past two years. 


How these brilliant writers keep delivering us incredible stories even in the midst of this awful pandemic while dealing with their own worries and stresses, I'll never know! 


I'm just grateful they are. 


This post is a celebration of those phenomenal individuals that helped drag our asses through last year laughing, crying, falling in love, and fucking our minds the whole way through!


*DARK BOOKS ARE SEPARATED INTO OTHER SUBGENRES, BECAUSE IF NOT, HALF THE BOOKS WOULD BE UNDER THAT HEADING. MOST OF THE LIST FITS IN MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY. *



The Society Trilogy 

A. Zavarelli &

Natasha Knight



  
Dark Captive Romance
Beauty and the Beast Vibes, 
Secret Society, 
Spice, & Suspense


Kingmakers Series 
Sophie Lark



My 2021 NA Mafia Obsession 
Favorite New to Me Author
Unique Storytelling Style
Amazing Cast
Perfect Soundtrack
Incredible Finale


Chained Hearts Duet

T.L. Smith



Captive Romance 

 Alphahole Antihero 

Fiesty Heroine 

Deception, Betrayal, 

Mafia Drama


Kingdom Fall

A. Zavarelli 



Secret Society, Steam, 
Surprises & Suspense 
Nanny/Boss Romance
More than Meets the Eye
Favorite Mafia Standalone 





North of the Stars
In Love and War #1
Monica James


Infuriating & Violent 
Dark Viking Romance Perfection 
Heartbreak, Betrayal, 
& a Possible Love Triangle 


Malibu Rising
Taylor Jenkins Reid


Set in the 80's
Sun, Surf, a Cliffside Mansion,
Emotional, Heartwrenching,  
Multi-generational
Family Drama
One Night, One Party, 
& One Big Ass Fire




The Boy on the Bridge
Sam Mariano 


Angsty, Unconventional,
Messy, Steamy, 
Emotional, & Passionate 
Second Chance Romance


Start A Fire
The Savage Crew
J. Wolf


Passionate Artists
Angsty Teenage Love
Emotional 
DubCon/NonCon


Tryst Six Venom 
Penelope Douglas 


FF Romance
Opposites Attract
Enemies to Lovers
Best Blood Related Brood





Rain
A.L. Woods


Dark, Emotional, Raw,
Realistic Romance
Filled with
Trauma, Tragedy, 
& Painful Decisions 


Say I'm the One
All of Me Duet
Siobhan Davis


Captivating, Surprising, 
Angsty, Romantic, 
Absolutely Fucking Heart-wrenching,
  Masterfully Written,
Emotional Rollercoaster Ride




Wrong 
Stella Rhys


Stepbrother Romance
Drama, Angst,
& A Whole Lot of Steam


Torment: Part 1
The Bleeding Hearts #1
Dylan Page


Dark, MC, Stepbrother Romance
Brilliant Storytelling
Toxic Relationships
Psychotic "Hero"
Twisted, Intense, 
Insanely Frustrating, 
Captivating, Emotional,
Standout Debut 


Don't Kiss the Bride
Carian Cole


Age Gap
Marriage of Convenience 
Mutual Longing
Emotional Turmoil
Incredible Writing
Breathtaking Romance


Still Beating
Jennifer Hartmann 


Gripping, Emotional, 
Angsty, Complicated
& Absolutely Beautiful
 

I'm a Creep
Jaimie Roberts 


Animal Kingdom Level Wild
MF with FF Scenes
Dark, Dirty, & Depraved Age Gap
Batshit Crazy FMC 
Stepfather MMC
Manipulation, 
Violence, Murder,
& an All Around Good Time


Lost in the Affair 
E.K. Blair


Addictive, Intense,
 Enthralling, Emotional,
Anger Inducing,
Shocking, Scandalous, 
Cheating Romance/
Train Wreck 
Based on True Story


Gothikana 
RuNyx


Student/Teacher
Gothic Romance 
Dark Academia 
Spine-tingling, Atmospheric, 
Sexy, Macabre, 
 Spooky Smorgasbord 
of Preternatural Activity 
Or Madness


Twist & Dismount 
Off Balance #4 & #5
Lucia Franco 



Age Gap, Sports Romance
 Cheating, Scorching Hot Sex, 
Gymnastics, Passion, 
Drama, Heart Shredding,
Gut-wrenching Emotion,
Maddening Frustration,
& Spectacular Writing 
An Angst Whore's Wet Dream
Favorite Taboo Romance Series of All Time




Beneath the Stars 

Emily McIntire 



Best Friend's Brother
Sister's Best Friend
Second Chance Romance
Emotional, Angsty,
& Beautiful 


Rebellious 
Kristy Marie


Angsty, Emotional,
Childhood Best Friends to Lovers,
Second Gen Romance 
I Fucking Cried, Okay?


The Closer
Kristy Marie


Marriage of Convenience
Swoonworthy, Baseball Player Hero,
Quirky Heroine, 
a Wrench, a Plant,
and an Epic Grandpa 




Evidence of the Affair 
Taylor Jenkins Reid 


Most Memorable Novella
Set in the 70's
Told in Letter Format
I Gasped Out Loud
at the Plot Twist




Forever Ago 
J Rose


Gritty, Raw, Realistic, 
Agonizing, Devastating, 
Beautiful, Tragic 
Love Story
NO HEA


Ominous 
Ecstasy #2
K.V. Rose


Toxic, Twisted,
Intriguing, Disturbing,
Kinky & Melancholy




The Silent Patient 
Alex Michael ides


Mindfucking Masterpiece 
Favorite Thriller of the Year




Crimes of Cupidity &
 For the Love of Cupidity 
Heart Hassle #3 & #3.5
Raven Kennedy 


Creative, Original, 
& Laugh Out Loud
Paranormal Fantasy 
Hilarious Heroine
Hot Harem of Alphas
Fantastic Fantasy World
Spectacular Secondary Characters


Queen of Quarantine 
Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep 
Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti 


Favorite Contemporary NA RH Series
Favorite Contemporary NA Harem
Five Star Finale
Must Read for Bully Romance Fans



The Royals of Forsyth University 
#1- #3
Angel Lawson &
Samantha Rue



Dark & Dirty New Adult
Stepbrother Taboo
Filthy Fraternity 
DubCon/NonCon
Suspense, Shocking Twists, 
& Cum Galore 
Epic Ending 
Favorite New Contemporary NA RH


Spiteful Punks & Vicious Punks
Dolls and Douchebags #1 & #2
Madeline Fay


Dark & Twisted
Poly Romance
Brutal Violence, Torture,
Heartbreaking Trauma,
Suspense, Steam,
& A Stuffed Unicorn


Broken Bonds, Savage Bonds, 
& Blood Bonds
The Bonds that Tie #1-#3
J. Bree



Favorite New Series of the Year
Slowburn Paranormal 
Powerful Heroine 
Badass Alpha Harem 
Shadow Creatures 
Supernatural Powers
Possessive Bonds
Action, Suspense,
Intrigue, & Secrets


The Death Club
Dead Men Walking #1
Caroline Peckham & Suzanne Valenti 


All Aboard the Crazy Train
2 Psychotic Captives,
an Equally Psychotic Hitman,
A Basement,
& Some Really Fucking 
Good Chocolate Cereal


Warrior Fae
Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac #5
Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti 


Favorite RH Series of All Time
Paranormal 
Favorite Harem of All Time
Epic Bromance
Phenomenal Relationship/
Character Development 
Favorite RH Authors
Fantastic Finale 




The Reckoning 
Zodiac Academy #3
Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti 



Supernatural Badasses
Student Teacher Taboo
Love Triangle 
Magical Academy 
Twin Heroines
Twice the Romance, 
Angst, Steam, and Heartbreak


Ice Planet Barbarians 
Ice Planet Barbarians #1
Ruby Dixon


Biggest Surprise Favorite 
Blue Aliens
Human Women
Cold Planet 
Language Barrier
Textured Tongues & Cocks
Perfect Plot/Steam Balance


The Savage and the Swan
Ella Fields



Hades and Persephone, 
Rumpelstiltskin, 
and The Swan Princess 
Retelling Mashup
Vengeance, Seduction, 
Bloodshed,  Heartache,
Action, Suspense,
& Swoonworthy Romance


Shadow Beast Shifters Series
Jaymin Eve




Original Shifter World
Shadowbeast
Enough Said


The Plated Prisoners Series
Raven Kennedy 



Unique & Dark
King Midas Retelling
Super Slowburn
Action, Suspense,
& Shocking Plot Twists
 

War & Famine 
The Four Horsemen #3 & #4
Laura Thalassa 


Dark, Apocalyptic Romance 
Bingeworthy Fantasy Series
Darkness, Desperation, 
Violence, Pain,
Heartache, Humor, 
Hope, & Love


The Crown of Gilded Bones 

Blood and Ash #3

Jennifer L. Armentrout 



My Fantasy Obsession 
Favorite Book of the Year
Badass Heroine
Swoonworthy Hero
Incredible Fantasy World,
Action, Revelations, Love, 
Lust, Violence, Friendship, 
Magic, Mystery, and Murder
MUST READ for 
Fantasy Romance Fans


A Shadow in the Ember
Flesh and Fire #1
Jennifer L. Armentrout 


Spectacular Spin-Off
Tied for Favorite Book of the Year
Action, Angst, Humor, 
Betrayal, Intense Emotion, Violence, 
Sex, Perfect Pacing, Rich Fantasy World, 
Twists & Turns, Brilliant Writing, 
& Baby. Freaking. Draken.




There Are No Saints
Sinners Duet #1
Sophie Lark


That Revenge Scene Tho!


The Obsession 
Filthy Rich Americans #2
Nikki Sloane


Filthy, Fucked Up Rich People 
Addictive Series Binge


A Love Letter to Whiskey 
Kandi Steiner 


Cheating, Angst &
Beautiful Writing


The Mistakes You Make &
The Deception You Weave
Maddison Kings University 
Nikki Sloane


Drama & Dirty Talk
Highly Bingeable 


Anesthetic
Dazed #1
C.M. Radcliff


It's the Drugs & Toxicity for Me


The End 


Did you see any of your favorites on our list? 

Are there any books on your favorites list that you think we need to read?

Did you find any new books for your tbr? 

We would love to know! 

Feel free to tell us in the comments!

Thank you so much for reading! Until next time! 💋




6 comments

  1. I freaking cried over Rebellious too! Loved that book so much! ��❤

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    Replies
    1. I love them and their families so much. ❤ My child was actually worried about me! I was a mess! LOL

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  2. I have a lot of your picks on my TBR list!!! Awesome list! Here's to another year of great books!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! ❤ I hope you enjoy them when you read them! 💋 Hear, hear! 🥂😂

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  3. So... I bookmarked this post lol. I'm going to have to come back to you (as always) to find out which ones I shouldn't read. But these all look so good. I can only hope 2022 is even better for y'all. Love you guys so much and I hope to see more of you this year!! ❤❤

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    Replies
    1. 😂 I'm here when you need me! We hope it's better for you too, babe! Love you the most! ❤💋

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