If you enjoyed 5 Star Reads from 2022: Part 1, or if you are just looking for a good book to read, check out Part 2! You will find sixteen more 5 star reads, some of which you may have heard of and others that may be as new to you as they were to me!  

Book Lovers

Author: Emily Henry // Narrator: Julia Whelan

Favorite July Read

I LOVED this book! This year I discovered how much I enjoy sarcastic banter in a romance book, and Emily Henry more than delivered in Book Lovers! It was possibly even better because it was an audio book. As an extra bonus, this novel was all about books, reading, and publishing, one of my favorite hobbies! (18+)

Hopeless

Author: Colleen Hoover

Favorite August Read

This book was so much better than I expected! Yes, it was a super sweet romance which I absolutely loved! But it was also twisty and was so unexpected at times, and I love the way Colleen Hoover used flashbacks to help piece everything together! I can’t wait to read the books that follow!

The Book Woman’s Daughter

Author: Kim Michele Richardson // Narrator: Katie Schorr

This sequel was such a great listen, although not quite as good as the first. (My husband would disagree.) It was a story of strength and fighting for yourself and women’s rights which spoke deeply to me as a woman. And, once again, the narrator brought this book to life!

*To read my review of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, check out my 2021 Winter Book Reviews!

The Love Hypothesis

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Books about women in STEM? Yes, please! Hot guys also in STEM? Double yes! For me, this was a new take on a romance novel, and I appreciated that! I also like that these books are written by an actual woman scientist, because I think that lends to the credibility of the facts in the story. (18+)

Small Great Things

Author: Jodi Piccoult

I am a huge Jodi Piccoult fan, and this book did not disappoint! I love how Piccoult writes about controversial topics, and as a nurse the topic portrayed in this book hits closer to home than they normally do. There are always going to be times where your actions as a nurse or other medical professional are not going to be cut and dry, where a conflict of ethics will arise. As a nurse of color, I can only imagine this would be an even greater challenge, and that is what is shown through this story. While it is a work of fiction, I think it is a great book to read to educate yourself about what has happened and still is happening in society.

It Ends With Us

Author: Colleen Hoover // Narrator: Olivia Song

My original review, found in my 2021 Fall Book Reviews: “This book! Wow! I finished this book in basically two days, and if I had had more free time it wouldn’t have taken me even that long. I loved this book from the very beginning, first because of the romance and second because of the raw truths it contained. What I thought was going to be a sweet and funny romance turned into something deeper and darker and thought-provoking. This book holds a message of being brave and bold, even in the hardest of circumstances! Thank you Colleen Hoover for sharing parts of your story and shedding light onto a side of abuse that most (including myself) don’t know anything about!” (18+)

Between Hello and Goodbye

Author: Emma Scott

I loved so many things about this book! The romance of course, but also the humor and aspect of family. I also liked that it was set predominately in Hawaii. Overall, this was a sweet, spicy, and emotional book all rolled into one! (18+)

The Match

Author: Sarah Adams

I initially chose to read this book because it is set in Charleston, SC, and that is the place I went to college and lived for several years. I didn’t have high hopes for it, other than it sounded like it would be a cute romance story. But, I really enjoyed reading it because it focused on the topic of service dogs, which is not a topic I have read in depth about before. The romance and the setting were just the whipped cream and cherry on top of the ice-cream sundae. 

The Enemy

Author: Sarah Adams

This book is the 2nd in the Charleston series, so of course I wanted to read it. It does mention characters from the first book, but it is mainly about the relationship between their friends. It was a great book, and I would definitely recommend reading it if you enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope. At the same time, I may have rated it a little high when I originally gave it 5 stars.

The Off-Limits Rule

Author: Sarah Adams

This is another Sarah Adams book, this time set in Atlanta, GA. Again, it was a cute romance, and I loved Lucy’s character because she was so funny! I also am a sucker for stories containing single parents, because I love watching the other person interact with the child. I did really enjoy this book, but I would probably give it 4-4.5 stars if I could go back in time.

The Last One You Loved

Author: L.J. Evans

What I thought was just going to be a typical romance ended up being so much more! It is a story of deep-rooted friendship and love that doesn’t require blood. It speaks of grief and trauma…and moving forward and healing. I would highly recommend this book!

It Starts With Us

Author: Colleen Hoover // Narrator: Colin Donnell, Olivia Song

This book is the sequel to It Ends With Us, and while it was different from the first, I thought it was equally as good! It did cover some of the same issues from the first, but it also covered others as well. I feel like Colleen Hoover talks about sensitive subjects in a way that is gentle but doesn’t sugarcoat things. I loved the continuation of the story! (18+)

Every Summer After

Author: Carley Fortune // Narrator: Aj Bridel

Favorite October Read

I saw so many recommendations for this book, and I finally decided to read it. I feel it was worth the hype, although I wish I had read it during the summer at the beach or by the lake! The book switches back and forth between past and present, telling the story of childhood friends with a relationship that starts sweet and, over time, turns complicated. (18+)

The Fine Print

Author: Lauren Asher

Favorite November Read

This is the first book of the Dreamland Billionaires series, and out of the two that are currently released (the 3rd is being released in February 2023!!!), it was my favorite by half a star. While both books are romances with great plots, I liked this one a little more because it has a Disney-related theme! Maybe because that is where my husband proposed to me?!? (18+)

Juniper Hill

Author: Devney Perry

This was the first book I read in The Edens series, and I didn’t realize until after I finished that it was actually the second book in the series. Despite that fact, I didn’t struggle to follow along, and I really enjoyed reading it! I thought it was just going to be a romance story, but there was a much larger plot than just a developing romance. (18+)

Archer’s Voice

Author: Mia Sheridan // Narrator: Kris Koscheski, Emily Durante

Favorite December Read

This was another book that was recommended over and over, and when I first started reading it I didn’t quite understand why everyone loved it so much. But after about a third of the way through the book, I was hooked. I love the relationship that develops between Archer and Bree over time, and I especially love how she can communicate with him when no one else can. It was a beautiful story of acceptance and the importance of not judging a book by its cover. (18+)

*(18+ indicates the book contains adult content)

What’s one book you read in 2022 that you would give a 5 star rating??? Let me know in the comments below!