Harper is one of our resident avid readers and book finders!!! AND YAY!!! OUR VERY FIRST READERS BEST LIST OF THE YEAR!!! Send yours in and I will immortalize it on my blog. 😉
Harper says:
It’s December already and I couldn’t find 10 books that I absolutely loved to form my 10 Best of 2021. That’s a first for me. I don’t know what happened.
But this year I went on a reverse harem/omegaverse binge, so I have many recommendations on that front (if someone is interested in more I actually created a list on Goodreads).
My top 5 of this year:
1. Pack Darling – part 1 by Lola Rock
The second part of the duet comes out on Jan. 18. And the author shared a short story on Fated and Claimed anthology that is basically a prequel and she shared the first chapter of the second book on her FB group. This book is simply amazing and made so many people crazy for more. It’s a sweet omegaverse that has the same feel as Lola and the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon. SIDENOTE: What she told us when she first discovered it:
Yesterday I read Pack Darling and loved it!!! It’s a reverse harem omegaverse with no shifters. It’s a bit of a bully romance but not really, because the males treat her well pretty fast (with some not-so-sweet moments along the way). It’s a duet and the second one is coming up in September.
It reminded me of Lola and the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon, but it was even better. It’s a reverse harem that focuses essentially on the relationship dynamic without all the paranormal and dark stuff. Kathryn Moon describes it as Sweet Omegaverse and that’s exactly it. Loved it.
If you guys know any similar books, tell me, please! The omegaverse lists on Goodreads are full of dark bully reads.
2. Bad Girl by Sam Hall
It’s the second book on the Seasons series, but can be read as a standalone. I actually was disappointed with the end of the first book, so if you have to choose, go straight to this one. This is another sweet omegaverse. It’s crazy good. The writing, the plot, and the steam are really well done! It’s a duet and the second part comes out Jun 30, 2022, with a chance of being released earlier. If you want a book FULL of steam, this is the one for you! SIDENOTE: What she told us when she first discovered it:
I think you guys are not into the sweet omegaverse addiction going on, but I swear its soooo good. Its the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. Its a reverse harem with mm, a very sweet love story and very STEAMY scenes.
3. Bad Alpha by Kathryn Moon
The last omegaverse of the list. This is book number 6 on the Sweet Omegaverse series. Kathryn Moon just knows how to write, so her books are a given almost every time. SIDENOTE: What she told us when she first discovered it:
Bad Alpha by Kathryn Moon came out yesterday. It’s from the same author of Lola and the Millionaires. It’s a reverser harem omegaverse full of action. The h is an alpha assassin and her mark is an omega. I’m 90% in and really liking it.
4. Life’s Too Short (The Friend Zone, #3) by Abby Jimenez
Very sweet light read that discusses heavy topics. Can’t recommend it enough.
5. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
No list of mine is complete without some Christina Lauren. This is another contemporary romance, sweet, funny, and hot.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
In that case, let me add 5 more to complete the 10
The next 5 weren’t released in 2021, but I read this year
6. Lola & the Millionaires Part one and two. by Kathryn Moon
I think Kathryn Moon was the one to make the sweet omegaverse sub-genre popular. These two books were the beginning of an addiction for me. SIDENOTE: What she told us when she first discovered it:
A while back I was looking for a reverse harem that focused on the relationships and wasn’t academy/high school/paranormal. Do you guys remember? It turns out I found the perfect combination. Lola and the Millionaires (two parts) by Kathryn Moon. The title and cover aren’t the best. It should be changed ASAP to get more readers. But it’s a “sweet omegaverse” (not dark).
The author explains that is not paranormal but has bonding, alpha, omega, beta, nesting, knot, and NO shifters. So just the best part of paranormal romance basically hahaha Every relationship develops at a natural pace (1 h and 6 H) and I really believed in them (there was just 1 H I didn’t like very much).
It’s very steamy with some MM action (but nothing too graphic). The action is kind of ridiculous but I was able to ignore it considering that 90% of the book is about the relationships in the pack.
There is one book in the series before this one but is not as good and you don’t need to read it to understand this story.
I recommend it!! If you guys know any book like this one, please tell me!!
7. Carry the Ocean by Heidi Cullinan
This an mm story with autistic characters. So so beautiful. Can’t miss this one. SIDENOTE: What she told us when she first discovered it:
Just finished Carry the Ocean by Heide Cullinan. Another sweet sweet love story between two men, one autistic and another with severe depression and anxiety. This is a truly insightful story.
It concentrates a lot on the battles the brain of people with autism and depression put them through. And still has a lot of swoon and steamy moments.
8. In Front of God and Everyone (Pay it Forward, #1) by Nealy Wagner <— SIDENOTE!!! This is now called “Goodbye Paradise” by Sarina Bowen. Go figure!!! 😀
Another mm about two Hs that escaped a cult. Another one that will warm your heart.
9. The Sweetest Oblivion and The Maddest Obsession by Danielle Lori
Mafia arranged marriage.
10. Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon
Based on a true story. Another brave lady that fought during WWII.
MARYSE’S NOTE TO OUR FELLOW READERS: Have a Best of 2021 list for me? Send it to me here. 🙂
Like Harper’s book style? Check out more of her favorites:
- Reader Favorites – Harper’s Top Ten Best Books of 2019 List
- Reader Favorites – Harper’s Top Ten Best Books of 2020 List
- Reader Favorites – Harper’s Best of 2021 List
➔➔➔ Looking for more recommendations? Browse all of the reader favorites lists here on the blog. 😀
➔➔➔ Looking for my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star and 4 star reviews or my favorite book lists here 😀
I am so happy for this time of year. Time git everyone’s best of. I will work on mine s as d Thank you Harper for setting the pace.
Yay Rochelle!! I can’t wait to get it!! 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to put this together. Just added a few new to me book to my list and excited to see I had a couple I hadn’t read yet. Yeah!!
I totally understand about not finding a top 10.I tried too as well but I think the books just didn’t do it for me this year.
I suffered from this too, this year. I received your and will be putting it up within the next day or so. YAY Shaleen!!!! 😀