My Favourite 20 Books of 2020

Did the book grab my attention? Did the story keep my attention? Was the narrative immersive? Did the plot tug at all my emotions? Does my mind wander back to the story weeks or even months after reading? If the answer is yes to all those questions, then it’s a great book for me and becomes a favourite read. In 2020 there were a few stories that really gripped me and had me excitedly looking forward to the time spent within the pages. Some of these stories I paced so I could linger in the enjoyment longer. Others I raced through because I HAD to know what happened next.

Here are my top 20 reads of 2020

My Favourite Cozies

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1. Frozen Stiff Drink by James J. Cudney was my first cozy mystery of the year and was quite the attention grabber. The twists and turns of the story had me anxious to know who the culprit was.

2. A Spell for Trouble by Esmie Addison is the first book in a new series. I found it on NetGalley and was hooked from the first couple of pages. I hope to catch up with the Enchanted Bay gang later this year!

3. Deception by Gaslight by Kate Belli is a historical mystery that oozed intrigue and history mixed with romantic undercurrents. I loved it and hope to read more in this series soon.

4. A Matter of Love and Death by Carmen Radtke was an author request I’m thrilled I accepted. The Australian depression-era setting was well-described and the romance between Jack and Frances was charming.

5. Abide With Me by Jane Willan was one of my last cozies of 2020. I’m so glad to have been introduced to this charming, well-plotted series. I loved the Welsh setting and adored Sister Agatha.

My Favourite Romance Reads

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6. Wicked Intentions by J.T. Geissinger was a fabulous romantic suspense I discovered through a 2020 Romance Book Challenge. The chemistry between Ryan and Marianna sizzled and the mystery was gripping.

7. Poppy’s Place in the Sun by Lorraine Wilson was an early 2020 read and one of my favourites. The divine South of France setting, the delicious chemistry between Poppy and Leo and the cutest dogs… perfection!

8. Jojo’s French Escape by Lorraine Wilson follows on from Poppy’s story. Jojo’s battle against cyber bullying is inspiring and her romance with Cal is sizzling. Top it off with cute dogs and mouth-watering food! Yum!

9. Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas was my favourite of the Wallflowers books. Sebastian and Evangeline are possibly the best pairing I read in all of 2020. Romance, drama and a touch of suspense… I loved it!

My Favourite Contemporary Stories

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10. With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo was the first YA contemporary that really gripped me. I loved the characters, the writing style, the themes and the audiobook. As for the food… just wow.

11. Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst was one of my last reads of 2020, but certainly one of my favourites. I adored the setting, loved the writer’s angst storyline and really enjoyed Maggie. But now I want more wine!

12. Bridget Jones’s Baby by Helen Fielding was always going to be favourite as I adore all thing things Bridget. I just can’t believe it took me so long to read this one.

13. Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland made me hide away from my family one Sunday because I simply would not be parted from the book. It’s that good but… umm… have your tissues handy!

My Favourite Fantasy Novels

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14. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo captivated my senses from the first chapter. I couldn’t believe how invested I felt in this story. The Grishverse is truly amazing and this is a great intro to that world.

15. Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo completes the Shadow and Bone trilogy and is very inch as dramatic and emotional as I could have wanted. The surprise twist at the end completely threw me and I loved it!

My Favourite Christmas Reads

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16. Starry Skies Over the Chocolate Pot by Jessica Redland was a favourite when I read the first version and is even more entrenched as a most perfect Christmas read after I read the updated version. I LOVE it!!!!

17. Christmas at the Marshmallow Cafe by CP Ward was 2020’s surprise Christmas love. A marshmallow cafe in a Christmas theme park with a darling heroine who more than deserves a break in life… yes please!

My Favourite Histoicral Fiction Books

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18. When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton scored high marks for historical accuracy and emotional pull. I was fascinated by Beatriz’s life in the 1960s and even in the present day.

19. From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon… oooh… wow. I still get tingles, almost a year later, just thinking about this book. Just wow. My heart was literally beating hard while reading some of the chapters!

20. Zorro by Isabel Allende was a most perfect escapist read. The history teacher in me gloried in the setting and the little girl, who adored Zorro, basked in the fantastical adventure of the story. Just the name Diego de la Vega inspires tall tales of life in colonial Mexico.

It is fitting that I ended this post with From Sand and Ash and Zorro as it was between these two for the book I enjoyed most in 2020. They are two very different books and both stories are permanently sealed in my bookish heart. However, Zorro has just the slightest edge… perhaps because it is a ‘lighter’ story and perhaps because I’ve been half in love with Zorro since I was little! Lol. Either way both of those stories, as with every one on this top twenty list, helped make last year just that little bit more bearable. Gotta love these amazing authors who provide us with vital moments of escape!