2021 Best Of Part 3: Historical Romance
I love a good year in review. There’s something so satisfying of seeing it all laid out there, to be able to reflect on the journey, and hopefully to help others find a couple great reads. Like I’ve mentioned I’m approaching 400 titles read this year, which is pretty wild if you ask me, and totally fine if you’re speaking to my therapist.
I’m still reading (🙄obviously) at the time of writing this blog, so we might have a couple late editions, who knows. Below I’m going to call out my fave reads of the year, continuing with the Historical Romance sub-genre and will do my best to sell-em’ to y’all.
(Disclaimer: this is *my * best of 2021 reads, not books that were published in 2021!)
Get your fainting couches ready and your petticoats pressed, we’re heading back in time for some historical romance!
I will readily admit I took far too long getting myself into historical romances. They are wildly loved across Book Twitter and Reddit, and seeing so many suggested over and over again, finally wore down my defences. Tessa Dare has the esteemed position of being my first ever historical romance read with A Week To Be Wicked, and that book (much like the Wall of Winnipeg and Me) lives in my head rent free and in my heart full time.
These are great options to add to your romance reads. HR’s are some of the most delicious reads that are rife with tension, pining, spice and compelling heart-rich characters and stories. Because I am a mood reader (meaning I read what I am in the mood for) I will pair a historical after a mafia or sports romance, just to switch things up and keep things interesting, and historical’s never disappoint.
Charmed by the Past by Amiee Robinson (Free on KU)
This one gained a lot of momentum over on r/romancebooks subreddit, with a few folks posting screen grabs of some dialog and scenes that were just the perfect mix of reality and humour. Amiee has created a DELIGHTFUL read that marries time-travel, and historical romance so beautifully.
A woman researching her family tree for a upcoming family reunion is transported back in time during 1918 to a hospital where here grandfather would met her grandmother. Again a little weird to read about the Spanish Flu, but it’s not the main driver in the story.
Sarah and Jacob, my lord these two really just grabbed onto my heart and refused to let go. You’ll love getting inside of Jacob’s head and heart as he truly grapples with Sarah, and her shocking admission: she is from the future.
A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare
Okay, deep breath. I F*CKING LOVE THIS FREAKING BOOK. There, now I feel better. Tessa, sweet Tessa thank you for giving us Colin and Minerva.
A woman convinces a prolific rake (and himbo of my heart) to accompany her to a natural science symposium where she can claim a prize for uncovering and preserving a dinosaur fossil. The absolute hilarity of this book can not be undersold. Himbo Colin and Minerva with her math terms. I could literally write a tome on how much I love this book, but I will spoil the shit out of it and no one will want to read it. Please trust me when I tell you, it is SUCH a f*cking delight of a book, and you’ll be saying rhombus to yourself for weeks afterwards.
When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare
Another great story from my gal TDare. A woman with anxiety makes up a fiancé to avoid marrying and having her debut, sending letters off to her highland soldier. Little does she know that her letters end up making their way to a man with the exact name and military position she has pulled from thin air.
So imagine the absolute hilarity of Captain Logan MacKenzie showing up years later, to collect his sweetheart. As discussed, I am a sucker for a brogue and some plaid.
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
This the first in the League of Extraordinary Woman series, that centres the work of suffragettes. My feminist heart was pretty much invested from the get go, and you can’t help but root for these women in their courageous pursuit of repealing the marriage act, wherein a woman’s property became her husbands the moment they were married.
I will say, that these are big, sweeping books that are an investment in both your time and heart. This one has so much story to it that you will find yourself in some moments being totally swept away by the world Evie has created. Annabelle and Sebastian are a great historical romantic pairing, and the class divide between the two makes for some deeply angst-filled moments. Will they be able to overcome it? Pick it up to find out.
Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
This was my first foray into ‘medieval’ historical romance and it was kind of everything I was hoping for. A marriage to secure an alliance between lifelong enemy highland clans? Well sign me up and swath me in plaid.
Our heroine, Evangeline is a deaf woman, who everyone in her clan thinks is cognitively disabled. Our hero, Graeme is honour bound to secure peace for his people and swears to protect Evangeline right from the get go. He is the only one that takes the time to understand, speak and really see her and wow my flipping heart was invested from the get go. I loved watching the trust, respect and love grow between our main characters along with the respect of Graeme’s clan. Swoon.
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
A 👏 neuro-divergent 👏 main 👏 romantic 👏 lead. Y’all this freaking book is so stinking great. I dare you to not fall hopelessly in love with the entire Mackenzie Clan. But let’s first love on Ian. Who needs it the most.
Ian, a man who is on the autism spectrum, has been awfully misunderstood and mistreated under the guise of treatment. He has become a bit of a legend among society with his various “behavioural” peculiarities and hobbies. Watching him and Beth fall in love is something so special, and reading how Beth comes to love, understand and make space for Ian is all kinds of perfect. Because isn’t that what we all want? The space to be our fully expressed selves and be hopelessly loved for it?
The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley
See, what did I tell you. These Mackenzie’s really weasel their way in and make themselves at home. Cameron, Ian’s brother is the main focus of this book and we get another peek into the MacKenzie family lands.
Ainsley, our heroine is on a mission from the Queen herself, which puts her right in the path of Cam. These two really fight for each other and their love, and its not easy but ultimately you’ll close this book being glad you went along for the ride.
A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath
This was a refreshing step back from all the lords, ladies, dukes, duchesses, viscounts, and marchionesses. This one is all about working class people, and travelling fairs. Thinking back on it now, it gave me a little Water for Elephants vibes, which is why I might have loved it.
Lizzie and Benedict are an unlikely pairing, and you’ll understand why I say that when you read it. Seeing his family during their prizefighting display at the fair and the tent of oddities really made for a brilliantly plotted world that will draw you right in. Plus there is a very adorable dog.