2020 has been a paradoxical year. For me, it was actually good in terms of reading goals and personal goals. I’ve read many books this year, discovered new authors, and re-read some older favorites. It was difficult picking the 10 best romance books of 2020.
Books have certainly helped us escape from everything that’s been happening this year. Who would have thought that a deadly virus would surface – that’s the stuff for a dystopian novel, isn’t it?
I finished a course and started a new job this year. Hopefully, things will go smoothly in 2021. Anyway, here are my best 2020 Romance Books. Y’all should definitely add them to your Goodreads 2021 TBR.
Update: Editing this in April 2024, I have re-read several of these in the past three years!
From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1) by Jennifer L Armentrout
Goodreads Winner 2020: Best Romance
The Blood and Ash is a High Fantasy series, with two books out and the third releasing in April 2021.
I read the first two in October, and they left me in such a book slump. I couldn’t read any books for quite some time! The series features Poppy, a maiden, destined to usher in a new era for her world.
A series of events leads her to Hawke, her new guard, who has one duty – to protect her till her ascension. Poppy and Hawke are my second favorite JLA couple after Daemon and Katy. Their banter and chemistry made reading so fun.
The plot is nicely developed. The beginning is slow, but it picks up the pace after the 80% mark. Emotional, Mysterious, Suspense, Betrayal, everything wrapped in one book – will make you sacrifice your sleep just so you can finish it. DEFINITELY READ IT!
Um, maybe read it after all the books are out. The cliffhanger will drive you crazy.
Deviant King (Royal Elite #1) by Rina Kent
This was my first Rina Kent book, and I fell in love with it! The characters, the story, the writing style, everything! It is a New Adult Bully Romance and has some darker themes.
The story follows Elsa Quinn, a new student at the Royal Elite Academy. On her first day, she gets targeted by Aiden King, one of the four horsemen who rule the school. She doesn’t understand Aiden’s animosity towards her, and yet can’t deny the attraction brewing between the two.
Aiden is a psychopath and doesn’t have much of a moral. He is obsessive and possessive over Elsa. She doesn’t remember her past but knows Aiden’s been a part of some of her darker moments.
I liked Elsa’s character because she was strong enough to fight Aiden. I loved the suspense and the angst between the characters. The plot slowly unravels all the secrets, and it is very addictive.
I legit devoured the trilogy in two days. Definitely recommended if you can handle anti-heroes.
Rejected (Shadow Beast Shifters #1) by Jaymin Eve
Ever since Jaymin shared the book cover and blurb on her page, I had this book at the top of my list. The teasers, the cover – all the darkness wrapped in it, I was craving the book so bad!
Rejected is an amazing start to the series. It has some darker tones and I couldn’t help but root for the heroine Mera to get her revenge against everyone who wronged her.
After accidentally summoning Shadow, the wolf beast god, she finds a whole new world inhabited by Gods. The plot is amazing and unique. Mera has her own secret powers, and I can’t wait to find out her origins!
The pace is slow, and while I prefer a faster one, it works well for the book. Love the character and world development. It ends with a cliffhanger – and a good one! The next book is out in January 2021, and I’m so ready for that!
Rhapsodic (The Bargainer #1) by Laura Thalassa
I’ve had this series in my TBR for a long time. It wasn’t until I saw a post on Bookstagram with a glorious review that I decided to dive in. And I LOVED IT.
The Bargainer is a King of the Night Fae and deals in favors. One day, he is summoned by a Siren to help cover up a murder. The Siren, infatuated with the Fae, summons him whenever she feels alone, and slowly they form a bond that develops into love.
I loved the first book – I think it establishes their world really well. The chapters flit from past to present. You’ll enjoy every chapter, getting to know them, feeling and falling for them both. I love Des and Callie, their love story is like a classic.
This is one of my favorite Fantasy Reads. I’m planning to reread it in 2021.
The Devil (Devil's Playground #1) by Ashley Jade
This is one of my ‘out-of-comfort-zone’ reads. My Bookstagram friends recommended it to me. I decided to buddy read with another because I was so nervous about it.
I am glad I went in blind because seriously, this book is such a twisted one. The plot, the characters, everything is so unique. I never expected things to turn out the way it did.
All I can say is, The Devil is an amazing prequel, and it will catch you off-guard. The theme is dark, and some scenes are deliciously scandalous – so have an open mind!
But definitely pick this up! And do it on the weekend because the duet won’t let you go.
Wall Street Titan (Wall Street Titan #1) by Anna Zaires
Tell me a book has an obsessive, overly possessive, billionaire alpha male and I’ll grab it so quick that people’s heads would spin.
I am a sucker for all alpha heroes, and this duet has a sexy one.
The story follows Marcus Carelli, a billionaire looking for a wife who checks all his sophisticated boxes. Instead, he meets Emma, an introverted cat lady that he can’t stop thinking about.
Sparks fly every time they are together, and Marcus wants her badly. Emma is cautious about him but can’t deny their attraction. Since it is a Contemporary Romance, the plot focuses on the relationship between the two.
I’ve reread it twice already and I’m sure I’ll be revisiting Marcus and Emma again in 2021! It is a duet, and I so wish there was a third book.
Untouchable by Sam Mariano
Sit this one out if Dark Romance is not your thing. This one was in my TBR for a long time, and I had read all about how the first couple of chapters are brutal.
Of course, my mind can get dark and twisted, and I wanted to find out what it was. And dang, this one is not like your typical bully romance. Carter Mahoney crosses all limits that other bullies usually don’t. So be mindful of the trigger warnings.
But I loved this book! I don’t condone what happens in it, but I was sucked in, rooting for Carter to redeem himself (He doesn’t, btw). I loved the heroine too, although she did annoy me a bit. She was a perfect match for him.
Carter is an anti-hero you’ll love to hate and hate to love. He has this charm. Despite all the crappy things he does, you still end up liking him. He has a sweeter side too, but his dark past has twisted him into a darker character.
There’s some psychological aspect playing around too, and it was interesting to read about Zoey trying to figure him out. She accepted him as he was, intrigued by him even. So I guess they were a perfect match.
The book is really steamy, and if you can ignore the darker sides of it, you’ll enjoy it too.
Tormentor Mine (Tormentor Mine #1) by Anna Zaires
Right! Another slightly darker read – A stalker turned kidnapper romance by Anna Zaires. If you’ve read Anna’s Twist Me series, you’ll recognize the hero – Peter Sokolov.
This isn’t as dark as the Twist Me series (I skimmed the first book because it’s an out-of-comfort-zone book), and I loved it so much!
Peter is out for revenge against those who killed his family. Sara Cobakis is the wife of a man on Peter’s list.
Peter is intrigued by Sara, and after getting back from his mission, he follows her everywhere. Their relationship is forbidden, but Peter isn’t letting Sara go, and she is falling for the devil.
I love Peter and Sara. Sara is a strong character, and I loved getting to know her. Stuck with her stalker, she slowly gets to know him. Peter is dark but a lot sweeter in a way – taking care of Sara, affectionate, cooking for Sara after her day at work.
Tormentor Mine ends with a twist that I didn’t see coming. And the series gets better for sure! I definitely recommend picking this up if you love Dark Romance!
Monster in His Eyes (Monster in His Eyes #1) by J.M. Darhower
Monster in His Eyes series is a Mafia Romance, not really as dark as the blurb makes it out.
The plot is driven by mystery, suspense, and a lot of steam. We meet Ignazio Vitale, a man who seems like Prince Charming comes to life.
Karissa is an 18-year-old, going to college, and meets Naz one day as she is leaving her class. Is it a coincidence? Could be.
I love the series so much. The story is well-paced; the secrets unravel slowly. You know something is wrong, but like the heroine, you sink deeper till there’s no way out.
The series gets better, so that’s a plus point as well. I recommend this if you love Mafia Romance. It is definitely in my reread pile.
Den of Vipers by K.A Knight
First off, how amazing is the cover?! I really love it.
It is a Mafia RH Romance, kinda dark-ish, and full of crazy characters. The Vipers are a Mafia Gang; they rule the town and own everything in it. Then one day, a heroine turns up in their life, turning everything upside down.
So it begins when the gang abducts the heroine Roxy as payment from her deadbeat father. The guys are rough around the edges, some more so, but Roxy isn’t weak either.
Roxy is a headstrong female ready to make the guys bend to their knees. She gives back as good as she gets. And I really love how strong she is.
The plot is interesting. I enjoyed getting to know the guys on an individual level and as a group. Roxy was as crazy as them and a perfect addition to their group.
Have you read any of these books?
These are some of my top romance books of 2020, and I’m sure I’ll be re-reading most of them.
Until Next Post,
Priyanka.
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FBAA is one of my favorite books ever! And I’ve had Rhapsodic on my tbr forever too. I need to get to it ack! I’m so happy to hear how much you loved it!
YES! You should definitely read Rhapsodic! It was so interesting, Laura has an amazing writing style and I loved the plot!
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