Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances

December 28th, 2016 Kimberly Feature 26 Comments

28th Dec

2016 romances

In 2016 I read 265 books and you’ll find many romances listed in that number. I love romance whether it’s a small-town romance or served on the side in a mystery thriller. Listed below in no particular order are ten romances that were among my favorites this year. Grab a cup of mocha coffee and enjoy. Maybe you’ll find your next book boyfriend.

Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances
The Hating Game
by Sally Thorne
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame

Debut author Sally Thorne bursts on the scene with a hilarious and sexy workplace comedy all about that thin, fine line between hate and love.

Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
2) A person’s undoing
3) Joshua Templeman

Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She’s charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual.

Trapped in a shared office together 40 (OK, 50 or 60) hours a week, they’ve become entrenched in an addictive, ridiculous never-ending game of one-upmanship. There’s the Staring Game. The Mirror Game. The HR Game. Lucy can’t let Joshua beat her at anything—especially when a huge new promotion goes up for the taking.

If Lucy wins this game, she’ll be Joshua’s boss. If she loses, she’ll resign. So why is she suddenly having steamy dreams about Joshua, and dressing for work like she’s got a hot date? After a perfectly innocent elevator ride ends with an earth shattering kiss, Lucy starts to wonder whether she’s got Joshua Templeman all wrong.

Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn’t hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

2016 Fave REREADABLE ROMANCE snarky SWOON

This book wasn’t even on my radar but a fellow blogger piqued my curiosity and when presented with an opportunity to review it I jumped. I am so glad that I did. If you love haters to lovers romances with snark, humor, and well-developed characters then this romance is a must! Read my review HATING GAME

Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances
Everywhere and Every Way
by Jennifer Probst
Series: Billionaire Builders #1
Narrator: Sebastian York, Madeleine Maby
Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameOne Flame
Narration: 4 cups

Hot on the heels of her beloved Marriage to a Billionaire novels, New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst nails it with the first in an all-new sexy romance series featuring red-hot contractor siblings who give the Property Brothers a run for their money!

Ever the responsible eldest brother, Caleb Pierce started working for his father’s luxury contracting business at a young age, dreaming of one day sitting in the boss’s chair. But his father’s will throws a wrench in his plans by stipulating that Caleb share control of the family business with his two estranged brothers.

Things only get more complicated when demanding high-end home designer Morgan hires Caleb to build her a customized dream house that matches her specifications to a T—or she’ll use her powerful connections to poison the Pierce brothers’ reputation. Not one to ignore a challenge, Caleb vows to get the job done—if only he can stop getting distracted by his new client’s perfect…amenities.

But there’s more to icy Morgan than meets the eye. And Caleb’s not the only one who knows how to use a stud-finder. In fact, Morgan is pretty sure she’s found hers—and he looks quite enticing in a hard hat. As sparks fly between Morgan and Caleb despite his best intentions not to mix business and pleasure, will she finally warm up and help him lay the foundation for everlasting love?

Brothers Fave Narrator SWOON SEXY

HGTV lovers will adore this romance. Read my review: EVERYWHERE AND EVER WAY

Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances
Don't Tempt Me
by Lori Foster
Series: Guthrie Brothers #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: BEA, Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame

Love comes along when it's least wanted - Jason Guthrie has no time for entanglements—between helping out his widowed brother and teenage nephew and getting his hometown back on its feet, his days are spoken for. But his nights are another story… And when his lovely new neighbor, Honor Brown, reluctantly accepts his help in remodeling her house, Jason finds himself wishing his handyman skills could knock down the defenses she keeps building around herself.

Martial arts teacher Sullivan Dean knows real danger when he sees it—even when it takes the form of the gorgeous blonde helping her friend move in across the street. After putting his wayward past behind him to focus on teaching control to troubled kids, Sullivan has learned to avoid party girls like Lexie Perkins. But Sullivan can't seem to keep his hands off the real woman behind that flirty charm—or keep his heart from landing at her feet…

SEXY Brothers Small-town ROMANCE

I loved this small-town, next door neighbor romance and cannot wait to go back. Read my review of DON’T TEMPT ME

Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances
Roadside Assistance
by Marie Harte
Series: Body Shop Bad Boys #2
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameOne Flame

Underneath the axle grease and tats-He's a gentleman
Foley Sanders figured he'll always be content with a life of cars and casual hookups. Until a run-in with Cyn, a statuesque firecracker with a hate-on for men, leaves him bewitched and intrigued-much to her annoyance.

Maybe Cynthia Nichols was a little hard on Foley, that muscular, tattooed, super-hot mechanic next door. But she's tired of feeling defensive about her size and has sworn off men. She's got a new job, new life, perfect plan. Foley has trouble written all over him-no way is she going to fall for his charms.

Foley might look like a bad idea, but underneath, he's all gentleman. Too bad Cyn's not buying it. What's a bad boy to do when the goddess of his dreams won't give him the time of day?

2016 Fave ROMANCE smartfunny Truffles

Roadside Assistance by Marie Harte is one of those books that captured my heart. The second book in the Body Shop Bad Boys series, Harte touched on body issues with a heroine I flat-out adored. Foley our hero is far from polished and speaks his mind, but the boy is all heart. I laughed, swooned and cried. Read my review of ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances
Do You Want to Start a Scandal
by Tessa Dare
Series: Spindle Cove #5
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame

On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.
•Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan?
•Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall?
•Perhaps the butler did it.

All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.

But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit … and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past.

Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?

SWOON historical smartfunny

It’s Tessa Dare need I say more?  I absolutely adored our heroine Charlotte Highwood. Intrigue, passion, and a swoon-worthy guarded rake can be found within the pages who could ask for anything more. Read my review of DO YOU WANT TO START A SCANDAL

Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances
Let Me
by Cecy Robson
Series: O'Brien Family #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameOne Flame

Once he was broken beyond repair. Now this MMA contender is fighting to be a better man—for her. RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O’Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson “has the hottest brothers ever!” And in Let Me, it is Finn’s turn to discover how love can heal the deepest wounds.

A mixed martial arts star on the rise, Finn O’Brien dismantles his opponents with brutal precision. And yet beneath his fierce persona, Finn is raw from a trauma he’s buried for years . . . until the day his deep-rooted rage erupts and lands him in court-mandated therapy. Finn’s not one to bare his soul, but if talking it out means meeting beautiful women like Sol Marieles, he’ll give it a shot.

Sol is working toward her masters degree in psychology, and already she feels like she’s in over her head. With an important internship on the line and a scary family situation demanding her attention, the last thing Sol needs is Finn around to distract her. The man is ripped and seriously sexy yet it’s his troubled side that warns her to keep her distance. But their attraction is intense, and he clearly has the heat to see how far and fast their passion takes them.

Alone, Finn and Sol have been fighting to find happiness in their lives. Together, there’s no stopping them as they face their greatest challenges—not in the ring, but in their hearts.

Truffles hot Sweet ROMANCE Brothers

The romance was wonderful from the delicious banter between them to the sweet, steamy scenes that melted my kindle.  Read my review of LET ME

Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances
Fly With Me
by Chanel Cleeton
Series: Wild Aces #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameOne Flame

From the author of the Capital Confessions Novels comes the first in the steamy Wild Aces Romance series.

U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Noah Miller—call sign Burn—loves nothing more than flying hard and fast. When he meets a gorgeous and sassy woman while partying in Las Vegas, he immediately locks on to her.

Jordan Callahan owns a thriving clothing boutique, but her love life is far less successful. Her luck changes when six feet, two inches of sexy swagger asks her to dance and turns her world upside down.

One scorching weekend becomes an undeniable chemistry that they can’t leave in Vegas. But the long distance relationship and their different lives threaten to ground their romance. And when the dangers of Noah’s job become all too real, Jordan learns being with a fighter pilot means risking it all for a shot at love…

SEXY All Nighter Truffles TEARJERKER

The Wild Aces series rocks my friends. I love these men and the women they fall for. Sexy, heated and filled with heart, tears and swoons I devoured their story in a single sitting. Read my review of FLY WITH ME

Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances
Well Hung
by Lauren Blakely
Narrator: Sebastian York
Length: 6 hours and 48 minutes
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameOne Flame
Narration: 5 cups

Here’s what you need to know about me — I’m well-off, well-hung and quick with a joke. Women like a guy who makes them laugh—and I don’t mean at the size of his d*ck. No, they want their funny with a side of huge… not to mention loyal. I’ve got all that plus a big bank account, thanks to my booming construction business. Yup. I know how to use all my tools.

Enter Natalie. Hot, sexy, smart, and my new assistant. Which makes her totally off limits... 

Hey, I’m a good guy. Really. I do my best to stay far away from the kind of temptation she brings to work.

Until one night in Vegas… 

Yeah, you’ve heard this one before. Bad news on the business front, drowning our sorrows in a few too many Harvey Wallbangers, and then I’m banging her. In my hotel room. In her hotel room. Behind the Titanic slot machine at the Flamingo (don’t ask). And before I can make her say “Oh God right there YES!” one more time, we’re both saying yes—the big yes—at a roadside chapel in front of a guy in press-on sideburns and a shiny gold leisure suit. 



But it turns out what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas. And now, my dick doesn’t stay in my pants when she’s around. I try to resist. Honest. But the more we try to keep our hands to ourselves, the more we end up naked again, and the more time I want to spend with her fully clothed, too.

The question now is…do I take this woman to be my ex-wife?

Fave Narrator hot smartfunny Sweet

Blakely delivers adorkable, hot and funny romances that leave me grinning like a fool. Check out my review of WELL HUNG

Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances
Lover Awakened
by J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #3
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameOne Flame

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Of these, Zsadist is the most terrifying member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion—until he rescues a beautiful aristocrat from the evil Lessening Society.

Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for one another begins to overtake them both, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now, Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past, and find a future with her…

2016 Fave TEARJERKER SUSPENSE Truffles

Fantastic, engaging, and an emotional ride from beginning to end Lover Awakened is a story I would gladly read again. Zadist oh man, all the feels! Read my review of LOVER AWAKENED

Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances
A Sorceress of His Own
by Dianne Duvall
Series: The Gifted Ones #1
Narrator: Kirsten Potter
Length: 11 hours and 25 minutes
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame
Narration: 4.5 cups

Since the day Lord Dillon earned his spurs, rumors of his savagery on the battlefield have preceded him into every room, stilling tongues and sparking fear. Weary of battle, he wishes only to find a woman he can wed who will approach him not with fear, but with the tenderness that has been absent from his life for so long. Yet only the wisewoman seems invariably at ease in his presence. For seven years, Alyssa has been by Lord Dillon's side-counseling him from the shadows, healing him, and staving off the worst of his loneliness. Blessed-or cursed-with gifts that label her a sorceress, she is forced to conceal her youth and the love she harbors for him, leading Dillon and his people to believe she is the same wisewoman who served his father. All is revealed, however, and passions flare when an enemy threatens Dillon's life and Alyssa sacrifices everything to save him. When Dillon discovers that the wisewoman is far from elderly, he is instantly entranced. And, as he and Alyssa work together to defeat an enemy bent on destroying them both, Dillon will risk anything-even the wrath of his king-to be with her.

historical 2016 Fave ROMANCE Fave Narrator paranormal

I loved this tale from the setting to the characters. Duvall is an auto-buy for me. Dillion and Alyssa are one couple you’ll want to spend time with. Read my review of A SORCERESS OF HIS OWN

Caffeinated Top Ten Romances Read in 2016. Grab a cuppa and discover your next book boyfriend Click To Tweet
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

26 Responses to “Caffeinated 2016 Top Ten Romances”

  1. Cecy

    OMG. I’m so honored to have made your list and to be listed among some of the best authors in the business. Thank you so much, Kim!

  2. Lorna

    Okay I caved just now and bought The Hating Game. I have read so many good reviews. I am half way thru Don’t Tempt Me. I loved Lover Awakened. I think I bought Sorcerer of His Own when I read your review- now I just need to read it. You had a great year with 265 books!

  3. Nise'

    I saw The Hating Game at the library and didn’t pick it up. Next time I go, I’ll check and see if it is still there. Liked Everywhere and Every Way, I’ll listen to anything narrated by Sebastian York.

  4. Melissa (Books and Things)

    LOVED Lover Awakened. I think it was my fave that I’ve read. You are also not the only one to have made me curious about the Mating Game this year. I really need to get to that one. It is something I probably would have just skimmed over and passed by otherwise. 🙂 Have a great New Year!

  5. Sophia Rose

    I’ve only read three (Cecy, Chanel, and JR) off your list, but I do remember enjoying the reviews for the others and adding two of them to my wish list. 🙂

    It was a good year of romance books.

  6. Bookworm Brandee

    LOL You know what I’ve realized looking at this list (and your top 10 audiobooks)?? You’re responsible for quite a bit of my book buying! 😀 Well, I’ll be getting to all those you’ve nudged me into procuring this next year since I’m going to be very strict with myself on book buying. I’m so happy you had such a great romance reading year, Kimberly! And I can’t believe you read/listened to 265 books!!

  7. Cyn

    Fantastic list, Kim! There’s definitely a few of these that I need to add to my TBR ASAP! So glad to see you loved The Hating Game and Do You Want to Start a Scandal! Well Hung totally cracked me up!

  8. Katherine

    Just added Everywhere and Every Way to my TBR. I remember thinking it sounded really good but for some reason I didn’t add it. I’ve scheduled the Tessa Dare book for this year so that it will get read. How can I pass up Regency Clue? Great list!

  9. kindlemom1

    Glad you found so many great reads in romance this year Kim, for whatever reason this just hasn’t been my genre this year but maybe next year I can pick a few of these up and enjoy them. 😉

  10. Quinn's Book Nook

    I loved so many of these! Do You Want to Start a Scandal and Roadside Assistance are my favs on this list. I didn’t love Don’t Tempt Me, but I do love Lori Foster. I still need to read The Hating Game.

  11. Julie

    Oh man, I haven’t read any of these books! I am going to have to check some of them out soon! My “Best of 2016” list was all romances too since that primarily what I read this year. I’m going to try to mix it up a little more next year. Great list!

  12. Maureen Beatrice

    Ow.. So many books I still have to read!! I haven’t read any of these but they sound really good and some have been on my TBR for a while! I hope I’ll can read atleast some of days in 2017!
    Great list Kimberly! 😉

  13. Melanie Simmons

    I haven’t read most of these. I think the only one I’ve read is BDB. I’ve heard really great things about many of these. I know there are some that are on my TBR.

  14. Vanessa

    I’m sucker of romance too and this list is just massive! They are mostly in my TBR and I can’t wait to read them soon 🙂