To all my fellow readers, it has been a while. I hope each and every one of you had an incredible holiday and took some time to rest when you had a moment to yourselves. I will share an update at this end of this blog as to what I have been up to these past couple of months :)
I had a goal for 2022: read 40 novels before my 40th birthday. I ended up bypassing that goal, reading a total of 50 novels. Some were new releases this year, while others were from previous years. Originally, I was going to share my top ten from my reading list, but I kept struggling to narrow it down to ten with absolute certainty. But there was no question on my top five, so I opted to stay with that. This year was a big year for romance, and I was excited as a reader to be a part of it. I'll save my favourite for last, as I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved this book, and I hope others will consider picking it up.
PS. Keep in mind, I haven't read Every Summer After by Carley Fortune yet, so please be patient. I plan on reading it in the coming weeks :)
Number 5: Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan - Talk about a beautiful concept for a book. A story of two characters with very tragic backstories, but with absolute hearts of gold. I love the intimacy that the two characters shared and the small bits and pieces of angst that temporarily upset me but not enough to ruin the reading experience for me on multiple occasions. But perhaps my favourite part of the story is that the male main character, Archer Hale, can't speak, and Bree Prescott knows sign language. The communication in their dialogue was seemless. At times I forgot that Archer couldn't speak because of the effective way the author presents the characters' perspectives. It was beautifully executed and one many should put on their romance reading list.
Number 4: Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover - This book made me cry so much. I don't even know how to express how much I enjoyed this book. It is easily my favourite of all of Colleen's books, and I read quite a few of them (Ugly Love, November 9, Verity, It Ends with Us, It Starts with Us, etc). In fact, I'd consider myself a part of the CoHort community. However, this book hits you in the feels in a hard way. Read the synopsis, and if it intrigues you, pick up a copy and have your tissues ready. As a side note, my favourite male character in Colleen's books is still Atlas. Sorry Ledger.
Number 3: Book Lovers by Emily Henry - Henry is such an entertaining writer! I love her ability to transport me from the bustling streets of New York City to a quaint little town with Schitt's Creek style names for businesses (I won't say much, but you will laugh at her descriptions as you read). I also love that Nora and Charlie are not your typical love interests. I felt this was a definite slow burn (albeit not like in People We Meet on Vacation). I really grew to love each character and their unique traits. Be ready to laugh, cry, and everything in between.
Number 2: Hook Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey - If there were ever a book that got my music loving heart a flutter, this would be it! I read the previous book to the series, It Happened One Summer, and while I enjoyed it, I love this one even more. I relate so much to Hannah and her cute personality. I felt her statement about feeling like a supporting actress and being stuck in the background. However, what sold me on this book was Fox Thornton, the male lead. He is definitely a character with so much richness in his backstory. He is, without sugarcoating it, the type of man that every single woman is attracted to, and his track record expands on this as well. So his friendship with Hannah is such a turning point for him. I'll let the novel do the explaining for the rest of it, but it is definitely one of my absolute favourites this year. The romance scenes are definitely ones that made my heart light up like a Christmas tree, and if there is anything Bailey knows how to write, it's a steamy love scene. Enjoy! You're in for a treat!
And finally....
Number 1: With Love from London by Sarah Jio - This was easily my favourite book of the year, and given the type of year we had for contemporary romance, this was no easy feat (all the 50 novels I read had some aspect of romance in them). I was incredibly shocked and amazed to have this absolute delight given to me as a gift. For every bibliophile, this is pure literary art! It's a motherly love story between a daughter, Val, and her deceased mother, Eloise. I won't give too much away (read the synopsis to give you an idea), but be prepared for a book that just moves your heart and makes it expand more and more as you read. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm so glad I gave this book the chance it deserves. There's also love involved, but it is sweet and innocent, with no steamy situations at all. I hope you find it and pick it up. It is a permanent treasure in my bookshelf for future re-reads.
As we start off a new year, I've been focusing on traditional publishing and the submissions process, and I plan to continue doing that for 2023. I did my first submission a few weeks back to a major publishing house, and I've been drafting up new ideas for my next book (a standalone). I do intend to write a sequel to One Summer in Okanagan, but I want to give it my undivided attention when I do. If I manage to find a way to give it my focus while simultaneously writing the standalone, I'll make sure you know right away.
Once again, Happy New Year! Here's to a fantastic 2023!
My heart, forever, always,
RL Morrisseau
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