Favorite books of 2022

Hello you lovely people!

Today I am sharing my favorite books of 2022 with you. Each of the books listed, were 5 star reads and my favorites of each month! Of course, with each book, I will give you a synopsis and my review.


Empire of Sin- Rina Kent

Synopsis

My Boss. My Sin.

I’m not the type who has one-night stands.
It wasn’t supposed to happen, okay?
A couple of drinks and a sinful British accent later and I’m in bed with a stranger.
Of course, I left first thing in the morning because I’m a responsible adult.
An adult who has a new job that I need in order to keep my double life a secret.
Little did I know I’m not, in fact, responsible.
Because the stranger I left in bed? Yeah, he’s not a stranger after all.
He’s my new boss.
Knox Van Doren might have a charming smile, but a true villain lurks beneath it all.
And like any villain, he’ll use my sin against me...


My review
Empire of Sin is about Knox and Anastasia (Ana). Ana sneaks out to have a night of fun and meets Knox. They hit it off, and Ana runs. Little does Ana know that she will soon meet Knox again! Rina is one of my favorite authors and I have been waiting for Knox's book since the first Royal Elite book came out... AND Rina DID NOT DISSAPOINT! My boy Knox is not only hot as sin, but he is loyal and loves hard!

**NOTE: This is series of standalones**


Darling Venom- Parker S. Huntington

Synopsis

My first love ended in tragedy.

My second began with his brother.

I wasn’t supposed to be on that roof on Valentine’s Day.

Neither was Kellan Marchetti, the school’s designated freak.

We met on the verge of ending our lives.

Somehow, the tattered strings of our tragedies tangled and tightened into an unlikely bond.

We decided not to take the plunge and agreed to check on each other every Valentine’s Day until school ended.

Same time.

One roof.

Two restless souls.

We kept our promise for three years.

On the fourth, Kellan made a decision, and I was left to deal with the consequences.

Just when I thought our story ended, another one began.

They say all love stories look the same and taste different.

Mine was venomous, disgraceful, and written in scarlet scars.

My name is Charlotte Richards, but you can call me Venom.


My Review
Darling Venom is an enemies-to-lovers romance and it really breaks the mold there. The FMC's first love commits suicide and she is left to deal with the consequences... and his brother. The story is full of angst and love, and was actually a welcome reprieve from all my smutty books.


Empire of Hate- Rina Kent

Synopsis

My boss. My enemy.

I escaped my life.

Leaving everything behind wasn’t easy, but I did it.

I turned the page and flew over the ocean.

This is my new beginning.

My new chapter.

My new book.

Or so I hoped before I met my new boss.

Daniel Sterling.

Rich as sin, illegally attractive, and the face of every magazine cover.

Oh, and the reason why I escaped in the first place.

I made his high school life hell.

He won’t stop until he gives me a taste of my own medicine.


My Review
Empire of Hate is a second-chance enemies to lovers novel with a touch of unrequited love thrown in. Nicole has been in love with Daniel for the majority of her life, but he just saw her as the bitchy step-sister of his best friend. Nicole always had to put up a front, and no matter what she did, Daniel never saw saw her- he just saw what he wanted to see. After the story talks about the past, the present picks up and Nicole is meeting her boss- Daniel, who vows to make her like hell, like he thought that she did his. Things happen and truths are revealed.

**NOTE: This is series of standalones**


The Never King- Nikki St. Crow

Synopsis

The stories were all wrong — Hook was never the villain.

For two centuries, all of the Darling women have disappeared on their 18th birthday. Sometimes they’re gone for only a day, some a week or a month. But they always return broken.

Now, on the afternoon of my 18th birthday, my mother is running around the house making sure all the windows are barred and the doors locked.

But it’s pointless.

Because when night falls, he comes for me. And this time, the Never King and the Lost Boys aren’t willing to let me go.


My Review
The Never King is a retelling of Peter Pan and Wendy, but darker. It is an enemies to lovers, dark romance with a side of reverse harem. The book centers around Winnie Darling, who is kidnapped by Peter Pan on her 18th birthday and taken to Neverland, because Peter is certain that the Darling women are the key to finding something that was once taken from him. In all honesty, this book was fire! I literally couldn't put it down, which was crazy. AND yes, I read it in one day! I loved the smut, the banter, the plot, the everything! I really hated the cliffhanger, and was anxiously awaiting the next one. UGH!


Empire of Lust- Rina Kent

Synopsis

My boss. My hell.

When I slept with a faceless jock as a teen, I didn’t think I would become pregnant.

I also didn’t think I would lose that child.

Several years later, I find out that my daughter is alive and I’m given a second chance.

One problem, though.

The faceless jock isn’t so faceless anymore.

He has a name everyone fears; Kingsley Shaw.

A ruthless bastard. A heartless devil. And most importantly, my daughter’s father.

Oh, and he hates me as much as I hate him.

We’re out to destroy one another with all methods available.

Including a dangerous game of lust that might lead to our downfall.


My Review
Empire of Lust was absolute fire! Kingsley and Aspen were entertaining as enemies and even more as lovers. I was hoping that they were get their own story ever since I had read Empire of Desire, which is their daughter's story, and I was definitely not disappointed.

**NOTE: This is series of standalones**


Desperate Measures- Katee Robert

Synopsis

Once upon a time, I was a sheltered princess.

On the night Jafar takes everything from my father, he offers me a devil’s bargain—walk with my freedom and nothing else, or attempt to best him and regain my inheritance. In my arrogance, I play right into his hands. I foolishly assume I have a chance to come out on top. I’m wrong.

Now Jafar owns me, body and soul.

We fight during the day, but when night comes, we play out every fantasy I’ve never allowed myself to admit to having. I can’t hide them from Jafar, though. We know each other—and the dark desires we share—far too well. He sees to my every need, no matter how carnal or extravagant. It’s almost enough for me to be happy…

But a gilded cage is still a prison, and I’ll do anything to obtain my freedom—even betray the man I’m falling for.


My Review
I really liked the story! The chemistry between Jasmine and Jafar blew me away! In the beginning, I really didn't see the chemistry, but as the book continued, you could see it grow. I didn't like that the smut started so early on and then there was nothing for awhile. I mean, at least continue it, ya know! Or don't start it so early!! Lastly, I loved how fierce Jasmine became at the end! And of course the Daddy kink was unexpected, but a fun addition!!


Give Me More- Sara Cate

Synopsis

I’m a scoundrel

Playboy. Man whore.

Basically, I get around, and I’m not afraid to admit it.

So when my best friend opens up Salacious Players’ Club and asks me to head the construction, how could I say no?

Now we’re on a cross-country road trip touring other kink clubs, and I couldn’t be happier.

Life is good.

Then Hunter suddenly asks me to sleep with his wife…while he watches.

I’ll do anything for my best friend, but this is the one request I should say no to.

Isabel is the woman of my dreams, but she’s his.

And the exact reason I should say no is the one reason I say yes.

Because it’s not only Isabel I want.

These are the two most important people in my life, and if we go down this path, how will I ever be able to walk away?

I’m not sure my best friend understands just how much I’m willing to do for him—and why.


My Review
This is the 3rd book in the Salicious Players' Club series and it did not disappoint! It was hot! I loved the dynamics between Hunter, Isabel, and Drake! The three look good in a poly relationship!

Bradford Brawler- Sheridan Anne

Synopsis

I can’t say I’ve ever wished for someone to be bitten right on the tip of their junk by a giant bull ant before, but Tanner Morgan—the only man capable of making me want to scream and cream at the same damn time—just might be the guy to change that.

He’s infuriating in every way possible, and out of all the massive changes in my life, I thought living next to him would be the worst thing I'd ever have to deal with.

I was wrong … so damn wrong.

Finding out what Colby Jacobs did to Tanner's sister was sickening, but then realizing my best friend of thirteen years played a part in his crimes … I have no words for that kind of betrayal. Erica and Colby are dead to me, but apparently, I'm not quite as dead to them as I’d have liked to be.

“You're under arrest.”

Those words have plagued me since the moment my hands were bound behind my back, and Addison's secrets were betrayed to half the senior class. Being arrested for rape and attempted murder was not something I thought I’d ever have to deal with and I knew at that moment that this would be the biggest fight of my life.

My world is crumbling and I’m barely holding on. I’m not cut out for this. I don’t know which way is up, but I know one thing is for sure—there’s no way in hell I’m going down without a fight.

Colby Jacobs, your time is up.


My Review
I really loved seeing the progression of Tanner and Bri's relationship, and how much they both felt for each other. You could feel everything that they were feeling. Another thing I liked was seeing the side characters getting into relationships and how much Bri and the gang was rooting for them. The gang is really becoming one big family! The one thing I hated: that darn cliffhanger! I mean c'mon! It was good, but jeeze! 

*NOTE: This is a three book series**


Mercy- Sara Cate

Synopsis

I don’t want to hurt him—I just want to punish him.

It’s bad enough being the only female owner of the Salacious Players’ Club, but I’m also the only one without a kink, or so I thought.

Imagine my surprise when the kink quiz suggests that I’m not so vanilla after all.

In fact, I’m a lot more like Emerson Grant than I thought.

Just one problem—I have no idea how to be a Domme.

That is, until the app matches me with someone willing to help me learn.

He’s too young for me.

Too stubborn. Too good looking.

And, oh yeah, my friend’s son.

Beau Grant is a brat. I’d hate that about him if I didn’t love punishing him so much.

Underneath all of that attitude is a man who is misunderstood, selfless, and in need of direction.

But if he wants mercy, he has to earn it.

There are a million reasons why I should stay away, but I’m tired of doing what everyone thinks I should do.

I finally know what I want, and I’m ready to take what’s mine.


My Review
I had been waiting for Mercy to come out since I finished the last Salacious Players' Club book, and it did not disappoint! It was so smutty and wonderful written and I loved every moment of it! I love the actual relationship dynamic between the two main characters, and that they actually have one outside of their sub/domme relationship.


The Dark King- Gina L. Maxwell

Synopsis

For Bryn Meara, a free trip to the exclusive and ultra-luxe Nightfall hotel and casino in Vegas should’ve been the perfect way to escape the debris of her crumbling career. But waking up from a martini-and-lust-fueled night to find herself married to Caiden Verran, the reclusive billionaire who owns the hotel and most of the city, isn’t the jackpot one would think. It seems her dark and sexy new husband is actual royalty—the fae king of the Night Court—and there’s an entire world beneath the veil of Vegas.

Whether light or shadow, the fae are a far cry from fairy tales, and now they’ve made Bryn a pawn in their dark games for power. And Caiden is the most dangerous of all—an intoxicating cocktail of sin and raw, insatiable hunger. She should run. But every night of passion pulls Bryn deeper into his strange and sinister world, until she’s no longer certain she wants to leave…even if she could.


My Review
In The Dark King, Bryn wins a trip to Las Vegas, where she catches the eye of Caiden, who happens to be the Fae King, but shhh... humans aren't supposed to know about that! After one heck of a night, Bryn and Caiden wake up married to each other, and Caiden is super pissed off to say it nicely. He blames Bryn and accuses her of being some type of witch, because now they are not just married, they are actually tied together through blood, but since Bryn is for all intents and purposes, human, she doesn't know that. Caiden now must keep Bryn within a certain distance of himself or he will go into cardiac arrest, but of course, nooone thinks to tell Bryn what's actually going on. I am seriously in love with the dynamics between the main characters in this book. Sexy times happen between the two, and it gets super hot! I loved it and can't recommend reading it enough!!! 


Wicked- Amo Jones

Synopsis

I remember the day he walked through our front door, bloodied and broken with the kind of torment that breeds, but never dies. Papa had one rule for him. Stay away from his daughter.
He didn’t.
Years later, he crashes back into my life and tears down all of the walls I built up around myself. We’re both hiding secrets, but when the mafia world collides with the MC world, the shrapnel could destroy everyone around us.
Now the president of the Chicago chapter, not even I was prepared for his return. He's going to see that I’m no longer the precious princess of the Cosa Nostra, and I won’t play his games anymore.
He’ll play mine.
This is a story about two souls destined to be together, but who are trapped in bodies that hate each other. It’s what happens when you both let love kill you.

My Review
Oh my, where to start with this book?! It was really well written, hot, and steamy! I loved it! 


Connor- Billie Lustig

Synopsis

SHE THOUGHT THE BEAST WOULDN’T FIND OUT. SHE WAS WRONG.

I don’t regret sleeping with Connor Wolfe. At all. What I regret is trusting my birth control to keep my time with him restricted to that one scorching night.

He’s the Beast of the Boston Wolfes, the man everyone fears and the father of my child. I just haven’t told him yet. I know what kind of world these men live in. There is a reason the Wolfes control the city.

There is no way I’m exposing my unborn child to that kind of violence. I need to keep him safe. Protected from the threat that comes with being a Wolfe. So, I try my best to stay away from trouble.

What you don’t know can’t hurt you, right?

But this time trouble lands right on my doorstep. I should’ve known I’d see Connor again. That one night would link our paths together forever. Now he’s storming back into my life, looking for revenge.

And not for the reason I think he is.


My Review
I really enjoyed this book! Connor was really an Alpha, especially when he found out that the kid was his, and he really stepped up into the father role quickly.


Thank you all for reading!!!



You can find other reviews on Goodreads and Bookbub!!




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