The post-Christmas, pre-New Year period is always a good time for looking back at the past year before gearing up to look ahead to the things we hope for in the next one. In keeping with that, the Gals have looked back our listening year and each picked the five audiobooks released in 2019 that we enjoyed the most. Interestingly, there aren’t many (any?) overlaps; we’re an eclectic bunch and have all chosen very differently – which means more titles for you to mull over and pick up (if you haven’t done so already!) As is often the case, we could all probably have come up with much longer lists (Caz has cheated by including a series!) so these really are the ‘best of the best’ and we hope that, if you’ve listened to any of them, you’ve enjoyed them as much as we have.
Please do drop by and let us know what you think of our choices – and here’s wishing all of you and yours a very Happy and Healthy 2020!
BJ
Not very many five-star listens for me this year, and interestingly, of the small number that I ranked five-stars on Goodreads, my list shows an eclectic mix of various romance sub-genres . . .
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
Narrated by Therese Plummer
I love strong heroines and this title which centers around a female firefighter had me glued to my earbuds! Definitely one of the most memorable titles of 2019 for me.
Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews
Narrated by Emily Rankin
The Hidden Legacy series has been an addicting Paranormal/UF romance series, and the latest installment centered around Catalina Baylor and Alessandro Sagredo was no exception. Definitely one of my most anticipated 2019 listens which lived up to my expectations.
What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Will Damron
This title reminded me a lot of some of my favorite time travel romances, like Outlander.
The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare
Narrated by Mary Jane Wells
One of my favorite historical romances of the year due in no small part to Mary Jane Wells’ amazing narration.
Quiet Man by Kristen Ashley
Narrated by Susannah Jones
It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of the Dream Man series (in fact, almost anything Kristen Ashley writes), so I was pleasantly surprised when she released another title in the Dream Man series in 2019. I immediately listened and was once again addicted by the Dream Man world.
Caz
I’ve probably had a better listening year than I’ve had a reading one to be honest. Quite a few of the audiobooks I’ve rated most highly here at AG or enjoyed the most have been ones released prior to 2019 that I was discovering for the first time (Adrien English – OMG, I binged listened to all five books, and the narration is fantastic!). That said, I still had trouble whittling down my choices and I’ve cheated a bit by including a series (in which all three titles were released this year) because I couldn’t really pick any one as being better than the others!
Rule Breaker by Lily Morton
Narrated by Joel Leslie
This funny, sexy, boss/assistant romance made me laugh out-loud one minute and brought a lump to my throat the next. The writing is sharp, the wit is biting, the sex is hot and the narration by Joel Leslie is absolutely wonderful.
Bitter Legacy by Dal Maclean
Narrated by Gary Furlong
This book nearly killed me. An amazing debut novel, this is a mystery/police procedural set in London and it’s an absolutely brilliant combination of superbly constructed mystery and seriously fucked-up, angsty romance and I loved every minute of it. This is quite possibly Gary Furlong’s best performance to date.
Not Dead Yet series by Jenn Burke
Narrated by Greg Boudreaux
This is where I cheated. All three books in this wonderfully original series of paranormal romances are excellent and I couldn’t choose between them. Plus – Greg Boudreaux. Nuff sed.
Where Death Meets the Devil by LJ Hayward
Narrated by Rowan Scott
L.J Hayward’s Death and the Devil series is my current obsession. In this first book, a deadly spy and a ruthless assassin are forced to team up if they’re to survive a trek across the Australian desert and evade the bad guys chasing them. This story is very skilfully told in dual time-lines, and the central relationship is incredibly well done. This first book is so far the only one available in audio, and narrator Rowan Scott – who seems to only have this audiobook to his credit – does a fantastic job.
A Wicked Kind of Husband by Mia Vincy
Narrated by Kate Reading
Really good historical romance has been very thin on the ground the last couple of years, but thankfully, Mia Vincy came along in 2018 to prove the genre wasn’t dead with her witty, sexy début novel, A Wicked Kind of Husband. I remember reading it and thinking “wow – Kate Reading would do an awesome job if this book ever comes to audio” – and clearly someone out there read my mind! Because she absolutely does :)
Kaetrin
I had a great listening year but when it came to choosing my top 5 the choices were easy. (I was aided by the fact that I knew Birthday Suit by Lauren Blakely was on Melinda’s list I admit.) My list is a mix of new-to-me authors and new-to-me narrators as well as some perennial favourites who are always entertaining (but they particularly excelled this year).
Trashed by Mia Hopkins
Narrated by Gomez Pugh
Super steamy with just the right amount of angst and fantastic narration.
American Fairytale by Adriana Herrera
Narrated by Sean Crisden
Oh so romantic! Excellent story and great narration, this one was easily one of my top listens for the year.
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
Narrated by Kwaku Fortune & Carrie Hope Fletcher
This one was a surprise packet for me. Delightful and funny. But I’m sure it would not have worked nearly so well without the excellent narration.
Under Currents by Nora Roberts
Narrated by January LaVoy
Heavy topics and all the trigger warnings but the book was entirely engrossing and the narration was excellent.
Devil’s Daughter by Lisa Kleypas
Narrated by Mary Jane Wells
Both the audio and the print version made my Best of list for 2019. West Ravenel is all the things and I adored him in my eyes and in my ears.
Melinda
These books pretty much sum up my shallow yet satisfying life – mostly funny, with some emotions but nothing too, too gritty or sob-inducing.
Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words by Tara Sivec and Andi Arndt
Narrated by Andi Arndt
This was everything wonderful and fun about romance and audiobooks – truly funny; excellent plot (former kindergarten teacher starts a podcast reading erotica – plus hunky nextdoor neighbor); superb narration. Lots of laughter.
Birthday Suit by Lauren Blakely
Narrated by Andi Arndt, Sebastian York and a full cast
This one changed my mind (mostly) about the concept of full cast narrations. I’m still not sure that would work for just any book. But this cast pulled it off so, so well! I think that also reflects on LB’s writing.
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller
What’s not to like? A hero on the spectrum, a mixed-race woman from Ho Chi Minh city lured to America by the hero’s mother, with visions of a handsome American husband and a new life. If only it were that easy, right? Excellent narration too.
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
Narrated by Andrew Eiden and Maxwell Caulfield
This book managed to grab the essence of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Chicago Stars series, the later books where all the heroes were buds, especially Match Me If You Can where they even have a book club. Plus my favorite voice boyfriend (swoooon!). Worth a credit!
Come Back to Bed by Kayley Loring
Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright
Another funny story, with a Notable Pet scene stealer, Daisy the Boston Terrier, and involving enemies-to-lovers in the form of next door neighbors in Manhattan. Not saying whether the narrator choice swayed my decision on this one.