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Happy New Year, friends! I read so many amazing romances this past year, some of which I already recommended this past summer, so it was a huge struggle to try and narrow down my top 10 but somehow, I managed. I’ll likely need to follow up with a post about my honorable mentions because there were just so many books that I wanted to feature. I even waded into the waters of reel-making and tried my hand at making a reel to showcase this list:
The following list is not in any particular order (I had a hard enough time narrowing down this list, I wouldn’t even know where to begin with ranking them), but here are my top 10 favorite romances I read in 2021:
1. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
A grumpy/sunshine (one of my favorite tropes), enemies-to-lovers, Schitt’s Creek-inspired romance, this is a must-read if you like dirty-talking heroes and great character development.
2. Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Another grumpy/sunshine (are you noticing a pattern?), enemies-to-lovers romance with forced proximity and a whole lotta heart and depth. Find my full review here!
3. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Grumpy/sunshine, but make it academic, and add in a healthy dose of pining. Find my full review here!
4. The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle
Yep, you guessed it—grumpy/sunshine. But also really sweet and such an easy story to get wrapped up in. Find my full review here!
5. To Have and to Hate by R.S. Grey
Grumpy/sunshine (shocking, I know), with a marriage-of-convenience and age gap—so, basically, my dream book.
6. Isn’t it Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams
The Russian finally got his book! Truly the best in an already phenomenal series, this is a must-read for fans of the other books. Find my mini review here!
7. A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria
Second chance romance, bisexual representation, amazing steam—what more can you ask for? Find my full review here!
8. The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
I think this book taught me what love is. Find my full review here!
9. To Sir, with Love by Lauren Layne
This You’ve Got Mail retelling is as much a love letter to the original, as it is its own, sweet love story.
10. The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George
Pining and slow burn set against the gilded age—in short, perfection. Find my mini review here!
What were some of your favorite romances from 2021?
I received a review copy of The Charm Offensive from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has not impacted or influenced my opinions.
![Some YA recs for #TKAC2022 ✨ if three of these look familiar from last year, it’s because I will never stop recommending CEMETERY BOYS, A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER, and ACE OF SPADES. And if you’ve been around for a while, you know my love for TRULY, DEVIOUS has spanned years now. That leaves the newest addition to this list: WHITE SMOKE and y’all…you have to read it. I am rarely creeped out by books or scared by them (movies are a whole different story though, I get scared all the time), but WHITE SMOKE gave me CHILLS and absolutely spooked me. I loved it!
What are some YA books you’d add to this list?
[ID: five books are on an off-white bedspread, spines facing up towards the camera. The books are (from left to right): Ace of Spades, Cemetery Boys, White Smoke, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and Truly, Devious]](https://thehireader.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)