analysis of the 18th annual reader survey
thank you voters for once again supporting aar’s annual reader survey. thanks also to those who posted on their websites, on facebook, on twitter or simply told friends, co-workers and family.
You are reading: Top romantic books 2014
As you know, this year we added some new categories: Best Adult Romance, Best Young Adult Romance, and Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements. we also split the paranormal category into two categories: best paranormal/time travel and best sci-fi/fantasy. unfortunately, there were not enough votes to declare a winner in the last category. and there were also not enough votes to declare a winner in the best female/chick lit fiction category.
but all other categories had winners and some honorable mentions. in fact, the most competitive category was the best romantic couple, which finished tied with three honorable mentions. (note: honorable mentions are awarded when the second (or third) place title receives within 20% of the votes cast for the winner).
As is often the case, some authors published two or more books a year, so their votes were split between multiple titles, but fortunately, some of those authors won independent awards. some winners have won before, but this year we have quite a few new authors to congratulate.
The winner for best romance book of 2013 was the luckiest lady in london by sherry thomas, which also won best historical romance set in the uk, best love scenes and tied for best couple for the characters. by louisa cantwell and felix rivendale. in 2012, mrs. Thomas published three books, but managed to win best tearjerker film (and an honorable mention for best romance novel set in the uk) for ravishing the heiress. aar readers clearly enjoy his writing.
best romantic suspense book went to pamela clare by surprising distance and the characters of laura nilsson and javier corbray received honorable mention for best couple. first strike, mrs. clare’s prequel to striking distance, starring the “best couple” characters, won best short story.
for the fourth year in a row, julie james won the award for best contemporary romance book with love irresistibly. and that book’s main characters, Brooke Parker and Cade Morgan, tied for best couple. Additionally, Brooke Parker received an honorable mention for best heroine.
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for the second year in a row, sarah mayberry won best romance. this year, the winning title was the other side of us.
for the second year in a row, best kicking heroine went to ilona andrews’ character; this year it’s kate daniels in magic rises. Andrea Nash won last year in this same category for gunmetal magic.
Back in the winner’s circle for Best Paranormal is Nalini singing for Heart of Obsidian. (Ms. Singh’s 2009 release, Marked by Fire, won this category in 2010.) and Heart of Obsidian hero Kaleb Krychek won the award. to the best tortured hero. Also, from Nalini Singh, the characters of Elena and Raphael in The Archangel’s Legion earned an honorable mention for best couple.
courtney milan’s field of purple water and sebastian malheur in the conspiracy of the countess were chosen favorite heroine and favorite hero. The Countess Conspiracy also won honorable mentions for best UK historical setting and best tearjerker film.
and now for the novice authors (in the aar survey):
emma chase won not only best debut author, but also funniest romance for tangled.
best historical outside the uk went to jeannie lin for the lotus palace set in the tang dynasty of china in the 800s. this is really a competitive category as books set everywhere except the UK they have to fight.
chocolate lover laura florand won best tearjerker film for snow-kissed.
in one of our new categories, the best novel with strong romantic elements went to the rosie project by graeme simsion.
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The new adult and young adult categories also won first-time authors. Sophie Jordan’s foreplay for Best New Adult and Eleanor & park by rainbow rowell.
best erotic/romantic went to anne calhoun for uncommon passion.
an honorable mention also goes to sarah maclean’s a good earl deserves a lover for best love scenes and another honorable mention for best couple (philippa marbury and cross) from the same book .
Last but not least, j.d. robbs character eve dallas won honorable mention for best kicking hero in calculated in death and thanks in death.
As usual, we look forward to hearing your feedback on the winners on the aar forums. Here are some questions to get the conversations flowing:
aar pollsters: linniegayl, leeb and cindys
again, we look forward to reading all of your feedback on the results on the aar forums. To start the conversation here are some questions to consider:
Any big surprises? Did any of your choices win? Will you read any winning titles if you haven’t already?
post on the forum let’s talk about romance novels
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