Caffeinated Reviewer

I adore romances from the tropes to the introduction of secondary genres like suspense and paranormal. Today I am sharing my favorite romantic reads that I devoured and/or reviewed in 2017. Please note this may include both audio and physical books. Grab a cup of cocoa and enjoy!

Top Swoony Romances I enjoyed in 2017

George Holloway has spent his life alone, exploring the treacherous beauty of the Colorado Rockies. He's the best survival expert Search and Rescue has, which makes him the obvious choice to lead Ellie Price through deadly terrain to find her missing father. There's just one problem-Ellie's everything George isn't. She's a city girl, charming, gregarious, delicate, small. And when she looks up at him with those big, dark eyes, he swears he would tear the world apart to keep her safe. Ellie's determined to find her father no matter the cost. But as she and her gorgeous mountain of a guide fight their way through an unforgiving wilderness, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a dangerous man in search of revenge. And they are now his prey . . . Contains mature themes.

Gone Too Deep made my list because of George my favorite hero of the year. If you silent, grumpy brooding heroes with big teddy bear hearts you will want to grab this one. This is the third book in the Search and Rescue series a romaic suspense series set in Colorado. Read my swoony review of Gone to Deep and then check out the Search and Rescue series.

When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules…

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:
- They will be husband and wife by night only.
- No lights, no kissing.
- No questions about his battle scars.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
- They will have dinner together every evening.
- With conversation.
- And unlimited teasing.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

The first in the Girl Meets Duke series, The Duchess Deal was filled with snark, passion, and humor. Dare brings her characters and their situation to life as she pulls me in and whisks me off to historical London. I love the arrangement trope and Dare’s twist on it with Emma and the Duke was delicious! Check out my thoughts here: The Duchess Deal

Set in New York City’s Gilded Age, Joanna Shupe’s Avon debut introduces an English beauty with a wicked scheme to win the man she loves—and the American scoundrel who ruins her best laid plans…

Lady Honora Parker must get engaged as soon as possible, and only a particular type of man will do. Nora seeks a mate so abhorrent, so completely unacceptable, that her father will reject the match—leaving her free to marry the artist she desires. Who then is the most appalling man in Manhattan? The wealthy, devilishly handsome financier, Julius Hatcher, of course….

Julius is intrigued by Nora’s ruse and decides to play along. But to Nora’s horror, Julius transforms himself into the perfect fiancé, charming the very people she hoped he would offend. It seems Julius has a secret plan all his own—one that will solve a dark mystery from his past, and perhaps turn him into the kind of man Nora could truly love.

A Daring Arrangement was my first book by Joanna Shupe, but I can assure you it won’t be my last. This is the first in the Four Hundred series set in New York City, during the Gilded Age. An English beauty with a scheme and an American scoundrel make an arrangement and I loved every minute of it from the wicked banter to the danger. Read my review: A Daring Arrangement

Dana Pembroke has been able to glimpse the future of those she touches for as long as she can remember. But she never saw Aidan coming. When the tall, dark Celt with the charming grin yet world-weary eyes walks through her door, the future she sees for him is one full of violence, danger, deception… and passion. Because amidst the terrifying battles that unfold in her visions, she also sees herself in Aidan’s arms and in his bed. Dana knows she should keep her distance, but the tender moments and laughter they share entice her even as she finds herself thrust into a world of vampires, immortals, and other preternatural beings.

Immortal Guardian Aidan O’Byrne has been hunting and slaying psychotic vampires for nearly three thousand years, so visions of bloody battles don’t trouble him. The battles Dana foresees, however, show Aidan’s brethren turning against him, so he can’t help but feel alarmed. While he spends as much time as he can with Dana, struggling to decipher her dire predictions, Aidan finds himself utterly smitten. Hope rises that he has finally found a woman who can banish the darkness and loneliness that plague him. But when vampires begin targeting Dana and a powerful enemy spawns chaos, will fate grant them time to find happiness together?

I love the Immortal Guardians series by Dianne Duvall. This paranormal romance series features a team of Immortals who protect the world from vampires and evil. Each book features the romance of one of the Guardians and Blade of Darkness was Aidan O’Byrne’s story. I was so delighted we finally got Aidan’s story. He cracks me up from his old fashion mannerisms to his awkwardness around women. Swoon! Wait until you meet, Dana. There were scenes that had me laughing so hard I cried. If you haven’t tried this series dive in. There is an overall ARC, but these will work on their own. Be warned that you’ll want to go back and read books one through six! Read my review of Blade of Darkness and check out the other Immortal Guardians books I reviewed.

Some lines should never be crossed...not even for love.
Sloan O'Malley just left her entire world behind — her family, her wealth, and even her real name. For the first time in her life, she's free. She can live the "normal" life she's always wanted. A life without fear. But there's nothing safe about her intensely sexy next-door neighbor.

Jude MacNamara has no room for innocence in his life. Only revenge. Still, he's never been able to walk away from the forbidden, and Sloan — who is every inch of pure, mouthwatering temptation — has forbidden written all over her. Only after it's way too late does he discover the real danger: claiming Sloan as his puts a target on her back. To protect her, Jude is willing risk everything...and to hell with the consequences

Forbidden Promises is part of The O’Malleys series and features Sloan O’Malley and Jude MacNamara love story. Dark, action-packed and heated I once again slipped into this world of crime, violence, and passion. This is the fourth book of the series and I cannot wait to devour the final two on audio. Read my review of Forbidden Promises and check out the rest of the O’Malley series.

Even before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Greyson Storm was a lone wolf navigating minefields. As a kid, he learned to take a hit and find safety. As an adult, he joined the military and quickly learned how to protect and defend. When the world ended, he created a mercenary camp with military precision, no entanglements, and a promise to avenge a fallen friend. As part of that vow, he kidnapped Maureen Shadow, but now that he has let her go, her blue eyes and intriguing mind keep haunting him…

As possibly the only Biotechnology Engineer still living, Maureen Shadow might be humanity’s one hope to survive the aftermath of Scorpius, making her frighteningly valuable to both allies and enemies. Even after sexual tension explodes with Greyson, she’s not sure which camp he belongs to—friend or foe? Worse yet, survival may mean thwarting his prime mission, putting her in even more peril. When danger and seduction collide, there is no safety in this new world.

The Scorpius Syndrome series is one of my favorites. It all began with a novel the Scorpius Rising and I’ve been loving this dystopian world and its characters. Strong Alpha males and kick-ass heroines with an overall story arc that adds suspense, danger, and hope in this bleak world. Storm Gathering shares Moe (Maureen) and Greyson’s romance. It’s a Romeo and Juliet story that will keep you flipping the pages and curling your toes.  You can read my thoughts here: Storm Gathering and feel free to check out more reviews of the Scorpius Syndrome series.

There are three little words most guys don’t want to hear on the first date. Not those…I mean these… “knock me up.”

This single gal has had enough of the games, the BS and the endless chase. I know what I want most, and it’s not true love. It’s a bun in the oven, and I’m not afraid to hit up my sex-on-a-stick co-worker to do the job. Ryder is gorgeous, witty and wild — and he’s also a notorious commitment-phobe. That makes him the perfect candidate to make a deposit in the bank of me.

I won’t fall for him, he won’t fall for me, and there’s no way baby will make three.
Right?

****
There are four words every guy wants to hear on the first date — “your place or mine?”

When my hot-as-sin co-worker makes me a no-strings-attached offer that involves her place, my place, any place — as well as any position — I can’t refuse. After all, my job is like a coach and my latest assignment for the good of mankind is to create a fail-safe, battle-tested, proven guide of what to do or say to get a woman to fall into your bed — I mean, fall for you. So when Nicole says she’s game to work through my list in a hands-on way, I take her up on her deal even with her one BIG condition.

There’s no way I’ll want more from one woman than any position, any where, any night? Except . . . what if I do?

Miscommunication, adorable pets, and two flawed characters had me devouring the Knocked Up Plan. Blakely has become a must listen on audio with narrators like York, Webber, and Ardnt. Sebastian York and Andi Ardnt narrate this story and I adored it. Arrangement tropes are a personal favorite and Blakely had me laughing. If you love RomComs and adorkable, hot romances you will want to grab your earbuds for this! See my review of The Knocked Up Plan and other Lauren Blakely audios.

’Tis the season for ex-Navy SEAL Clayton East to come home for the holidays―even if the mood at home is anything but festive. His father is ill. The East Ranch is in financial trouble. And now it’s on Clayton, the prodigal son, to make sure his family doesn’t lose everything.

Headstrong Abby Harper is like a mother to her younger brothers, who she’s helped raise since she was a teenager. Keeping them in line is no small task while she’s also working toward her college degree. And now that one of her brothers has been arrested for stealing cattle at the East Ranch, Abby is at her wit’s end. But there is a silver lining: Clayton East. He believes in second chances, and is willing to give one to her brother this Christmas. Letting beautiful Abby―and the inescapable longing in his heart―off the hook, however, is a whole ’nother story. Could it be that the woman of this local hero’s dreams has been back at home all along?

Christmas is over, but it’s not too late to grab The Christmas Cowboy Hero! With two romance, banter, snark and ranch life you’ll be packing your bags and heading to Texas. This is the first book in a new series by Grant called Heart of Texas. The first romance is sweet and the second romance is filled with snark, wicked banter and will leave you laughing and weeping. See my review here: The Christmas Cowboy Hero.

Rules are tossed aside when a pro football player join forces with a spitfire cheerleading coach in New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James’s brand-new romance…

Heir to Lund Enterprises and ladies’ man Jensen “The Rocket” Lund has three conditions when it comes to dating:
1) No single mothers
2) No cheerleaders
3) No medical personnel
So it makes no sense that he’s wildly attracted to Rowan Michaels, who breaks all three.

Rowan Michaels didn’t pass the rigorous requirements to become an athletic trainer and Vikings cheerleader in the hopes of landing a pro athlete: been there, done that, and she has a young son as proof that football players and fidelity don’t go hand in hand. When Rowan learns her new neighbor is Jensen Lund, the smoking-hot tight end who takes being neighborly to a whole new level, she’s grateful for the team’s strict “no fraternization” policy because the sexy man defines temptation.

But Jensen is intent on rushing straight to the goal line to prove to Rowan he’s much more than just a player…on and off the field.

I adore Lorelei James. Her books always deliver the feels I long for in a contemporary romance and When I Need You surprised the heck out of me with our hero, jock, Jensen Lund. Wait until you see what our man reads in his spare time. This is the fourth book in the Need You series and each share a different Lund siblings romance. This rule-breaking, hilarious romance with heartwarming moments will have you reaching for all the Need You books. Check out my coffee dates with When I Need You and the rest of the Need You series.

Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London. Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for...well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret...and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same - especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide...is she his biggest threat - or his promise of a happy ending?

I was late to the Bridgerton series by Julie Quinn and this year I’ve been listening to them all. Romancing Mister Bridgerton features my favorite couple thus far. Colin and Penelope had a rough start. I loved the banter between them and watching Colin fall. The series as a whole is delightful and each book shares one the Bridgerton siblings romance. Overall series ARC reveals, the siblings and secondary characters made this a standout. Narrated by Rosalyn Landor I continue to enjoy these on audio. See why I adored Romancing Mister Bridgerton and check out my other audio reviews of the Bridgertons.

In case you missed it, check out Caffeinated Top 10 2017 Audiobook Listens and Top 10 Reads for 2017

Share one of your favorite romance titles from 2017

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. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram