List

2022 Staff Picks: Romance

By Skokie Staff Advisory Services

Our expert staff members look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

  • A Caribbean Heiress in Paris

    2022 by Herrera, Adriana

    I stayed up way too late finishing this delightful and steamy read. I'm so happy to see diverse historical romance (more please!). Luz Alana and Evan's chemistry sizzles and pops. I can't wait to read more from this series. Highly recommended for fans of Sarah Maclean. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • Do You Take This Man

    2022 by Williams, Denise

    Do You Take this Man flipped the grumpy-sunshine trope on its head. I loved how Williams allowed her characters to be their authentic selves without sacrificing anything for love. Suggested by Amber H.

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  • A Lady for a Duke

    2022 by Hall, Alexis J.

    A sweeping historical queer romance set during the Regency era that has a transgender main character. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters and would definitely visit this world again. Sequel wishes aside, kudos to the author for incorporating not only some serious themes, but also so much joy. Suggested by Sharon.

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  • D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding

    2022 by Higgins, Chencia C.

    I really loved this novel about a couple that has to convince their families that they've fallen in love in six weeks to win a secret dating show. I was certainly convinced, as I fell in love with both of the protagonists and their families almost immediately. A fabulous twist on the fake relationship trope. Suggested by Becca.

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  • Kamila Knows Best

    2022 by Heron, Farah

    A loosely inspired, South Asian twist on Jane Austen's Emma with an incredibly sweet, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance. A great mix of self discovery, humor, and a swoony yet low-steam romance. I really want to attend Kamila's Bollywood parties! Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • The Dead Romantics

    2022 by Poston, Ashley

    Talking to and falling in love with ghosts? A town with a golden retriever as the mayor? This is the most delightfully bizarre and adorable book we've read in a long time. An expected gem. Suggested by Becca and Sharon.

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  • I'm So Not Over You

    2022 by Jackson, Kosoko

    This is a steamy second-chance-at-love romance. The dialogue is sharp and funny and you can't help but fall for a prince charming like Hudson as much as Kian did (and does). Suggested by Becca.

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  • Delilah Green Doesn't Care

    2022 by Blake, Ashley Herring

    The first in a new small-town series called Bright Falls. It’s a steamy and fun queer romance that's worth the visit. Suggested by Amy K. and Sharon.

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  • The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

    2022 by Mandanna, Sangu

    Reading this book is like the equivalent of getting a warm hug from a loved one. Utterly charming and incredibly uplifting with a sweet found family and a chaste romance. It put a huge smile on my face. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • Never Been Kissed

    2022 by Janovsky, Timothy

    A nicely plotted rom-com that’s perfect for movie buffs, fans of queer romance, and anyone thinking about their own kiss quest. I enjoyed this debut novel along with its sweetness, charm, and relatable characters. Suggested by Sharon.

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  • Digging up Love

    2022 by Blumberg, Chandra

    Dinosaurs, baked goods, and wacky relatives combine in this fun tale. There is hot and playful chemistry between the leads, but the characters never go beyond a kiss. I loved all the fun banter and the wonderful cast of supporting characters. Suggested by Lynnanne.

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  • The Romantic Agenda

    2022 by Kann, Claire

    I really loved (and loved to hate) the characters in this novel. It doesn't only cover the complexity of love but of friendship as well. This is both forced proximity and fake dating--and they worked together perfectly. Suggested by Becca.

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  • A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting

    2022 by Irwin, Sophie

    This is a fun, witty, and utterly delightful read. All the essential elements of a romance novel are there: the sparkling banter, the enemies-to-lovers trope, and the swoon-worthy resolution. We love that it successfully combines Austen's social commentary and wit into a lovely charming, chaste, and wholly original read. Suggested by Lynnanne and Rummanah.

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  • The Dachshund Wears Prada

    2022 by London, Stefanie

    Here’s a confession: I seek out books that feature adorable pets. This rom-com has a pampered pooch becoming a hotdog fashionista! The slow-burn romance between her significant humans--who also have to work through grief, change, and moving forward--is heartwarming. Suggested by Sharon.

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  • Nightwork

    2022 by Roberts, Nora

    I have found myself driving a little extra lately to calm the suspense. Who would ever think I could root for someone who steals jewels all over the world! Suggested by Cathy.

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  • Love & Other Disasters

    2022 by Kelly, Anita

    Dahlia and London dream of winning "Chef’s Special," a reality TV cooking competition show, but neither expected that they would find love. Kelly perfectly captures Dahlia's and London's passion for cooking and for each other in this sweet, heartwarming queer romance that explores the idea of being true to yourself with insight and compassion. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.

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  • Witchful Thinking

    2022 by Martin, Celestine

    An utterly charming and stirring light paranormal romance that blends magic, sweetness, and personal growth. I really hope this book turns into a series because I want more from this lovely world that Martin created. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • Heartbreaker: A Hell's Belles Novel

    2022 by MacLean, Sarah

    Sarah MacLean's Bombshell series has been something special! I loved the smart conflict that put Hell's Belles at center stage, and the fiery romance between Adelaide and the Duke of Clayborn made it hard to put this one down. Suggested by Amber H.

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  • A Brush with Love

    2022 by Eddings, Mazey

    I enjoyed this steamy romance that does a great job of discussing mental health, particularly anxiety, internalized ableism, and the struggles of women in the STEM fields. Harper and Dan's journey of friends to lovers is enjoyable with lots of witty banter and sizzling chemistry. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • By the Book

    2022 by Guillory, Jasmine

    Jasmine Guillory hits the mark with her contemporary retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It’s clever, charming, funny, and heartwarming. Suggested by Sharon.

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  • Part of Your World

    2022 by Jimenez, Abby

    Abby Jimenez is one of our go-to authors, and she nails the opposites attract trope. The meet-cute scene is one of the best that we've read. While touching on some serious issues such as toxic relationships, it handles them with care. Alexis and Daniel are incredibly likable and their chemistry leaps off the page. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.

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  • Weather Girl

    2022 by Solomon, Rachel Lynn

    Solomon has a knack for writing incredibly relatable characters with real problems. Ari and Russell's romance is incredibly sweet. We appreciated how the author sensitively and candidly explored Ari's mental health as well as Russell's atypical family dynamics and body issues. Suggested by Lynnanne, Rummanah, and Sharon.

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  • Luck and Last Resorts

    2022 by Ruiz, Sarah Grunder

    Nina and Ollie, side characters from Ruiz's debut novel Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships, get their own story in this emotional, high-seas, closed-door rom-com that gives a new spin to the marriage of convenience trope. Nina and Ollie are dealing with heavy issues, but their push-and-pull romance is what kept me glued to the pages and rooting for this couple. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • Book Lovers

    2022 by Henry, Emily

    If you’re a fan of romantic banter, absolutely put this on your to-read list. Emily Henry takes the enemies-to-lovers trope to a laugh-out-loud level. It’s clever, steamy, and engaging, but also very heartfelt. Suggested by Sharon.

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  • Sadie on a Plate

    2022 by Elliot, Amanda

    A very sweet story with delicious descriptions of food set against a Top Chef-like cooking competition show. We adored Sadie and liked her self-deprecating humor. We absolutely loved the diversity of the cast of characters, which felt natural and also spoke to the lack of inclusion in the culinary arts. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.

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