Generally speaking, the characters make the book for me, so yay, I can expand upon my favorite books by listing more with an emphasis on the engaging or compelling characters who people the stories.
Last year it was mostly heroines making my list, but this year, I felt there were a bunch of heroine/hero pairs that were lights-out together and apparently I like them best when they are running for their lives based on this list.
Do Me a Favor by Christina Hovland, Romantic Comedy
Sadie, a divorce lawyer, and Roman, a combat photographer now starting a photography business are a second chance at romance, but the character who stole the show is Roman’s Babushka. His grandmother was over the top hilarious.
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick, Fiction
Single, widowed dad, Mitchell Fisher is the author’s latest average guy hero who turns out to be so engaging and easy to root for as he finds his way through life.
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner, Historical Fiction
I wanted to jump right into the story and be part of this group of people with diverse lives who came together for the love of a favorite author. My favorite was the quiet farmer, but the group as a whole were wonderful.
Archangel’s Sun by Nalini Singh, Urban Fantasy
This was the story I would have never thought to ask for, but ended up adoring loud, rough yet understanding Titus and emerging woman of steel Sharine so much. Their banter and their serious dialogue captivated me.
The Hidden Moon by Jeannie Lin, Historical Romantic Suspense
Wei-Wei and Gao were a wonderful class difference pair who made no sense on paper, yet the chemistry and every day contact made it impossible not to have them together. I loved her strong, independent spirit so much.
An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen, Inspirational Historical Romance
Richard Brockwell was a character that had to grow on me, but I was loving him dearly by the end when he got past the issue causing him to be a snot.
Arresting the Warlord by Gail Koger, Sci-Fi Romantic Comedy
Cee-Cee and Jake were a riot. His courtship sucked at first and she put him through his paces, but I had a good time with this pair as they partnered to bring down a supernatural and alien set of villains.
Legacy of Secrets by Helen Starbuck, narrated by Amy Deuchler Romantic Suspense
Evan was easy to love and his forbearance was amazing. I thought I hated the heroine for most of the book, but then Kate got over herself and her issues in the end to win me big.
Hope’s Folly by Linnea Sinclair, Sci-Fi Romance
Phillip and Rya were a stellar May-December romance and sensational partnership when the chips were down against so many enemies and an old worn-out space ship.
Jagged Edge by Kendall Talbot, Thriller
An electric, adrenaline rush of a pair of intelligent, skilled people working to solve a mystery and stay alive in the process.
What characters were memorable for you this year or make you auto-buy each new release so quick? Do Tell!
My thanks to Anne @ Books Are My Heart for hosting the Top Ten week-long event. You can visit her site and see the schedule here: https://booksofmyheart.net/2020/11/29/top-10-of-2020/
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I love it when characters really stand out in books. I’ve read about some great characters as well this year. You make me curious about Hope’s Folly by Linnea Sinclair, I’ll have to look that one up. Great lists!
It was hard to narrow it down to ten and I only counted those who weren’t already mentioned in other categories. Whew!
Yes, you would probably like those. Hope’s Folly is the third book in the Dock Five Universe series. The first two were good as was the last, but this was the best of the four books for me.
Thanks for sharing some great characters. Characters are the key factor in making a story. These lists are overloading my TBR.
Yes, a meh plot can be got through if a character/s grab the imagination.
There were so many great characters in The Jane Austen Society! I also loved Titus and Sharine!
There really were and I was thrilled to see she plans a sequel with some of the characters.
Thanks for adding CeeCee and Jake to your list!!
What a fun couple! They were a shoo-in.
I am a character driven reader, so characters are vital to my enjoyment. I have not read any of these, but they do sound intriguing.
Yes, the characters are what stick with me. 🙂
Characters really make the book enjoyable. Merry Christmas and wishing you a happy holiday.
Sure do! Thank you, Mary!
And, you have a good one, too.
I love stories when characters are on the run. 🙂 Austen Society and The Hidden Moon both look fun.
Hope you had a great Christmas!
LOL, same here! Nothing like a little death scare to get the blood pumping.
We did. Thank you, Greg! Hope yours was fab as well. 🙂
Some of these sound really good. I loved the whole “the issue that was causing him to be a snot” thing! Seriously though, I thought Jagged Edge, Secrets of Love Story Bridge, and Arresting the Warlord all sound good.
Glad to put you onto some good ones, Lorna. 🙂 LOL, yeah, I was a little punch drunk composing these. 🙂
What a great list of some of your favorite characters that you have there. I really loved Titus —-he was fabulous.
He cracked me up with his sister.
I haven’t read any of these but I do tend to enjoy a good running for your life story 🙂
Haha, me, too, since six of them were like that. 🙂
There are a few books on here I wanna read bad!
So many good ones out there. 🙂