Happy New Year dear readers!
While I am not shy about kicking 2020 to the curb, it was not a total bust for those of us who enjoy reading. Publishers and indie authors continued to supply us with a fabulous selection of choices in the Austenesque, historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres.
Of the 75 books that were reviewed here last year by our dedicated staff, several were outstanding and will remain favorites. Here is a list of our highest-rated and most cherished of 2020. Follow each link to read the full review.
BEST AUSTENESQUE HISTORICAL NOVEL
- Miss Austen, by Gill Hornsby (5 Stars)
- Murder at Northanger Abbey, by Shannon Winslow (5 Stars)
- Fortune & Felicity, by Monica Fairview (5 Stars)
- The Other Bennet Sister: A Novel, by Janice Hadlow (5 Stars)
- Tempted, by Nicole Clarkston (5 Stars)
- Rebellion at Longbourn, by Victoria Kincaid (5 Stars)
- Being Mrs. Darcy, by Lucy Marin (5 Stars)
- The Rogue’s Widow, by Nicole Clarkston (5 Stars)
- A Timely Elopement, by Joana Starnes (4 Stars)
- Two More Days at Netherfield, by Heather Moll (4 Stars)
BEST AUSTENESQUE CONTEMPORARY NOVEL
- All Stirred Up, by Brianne Moore (5 Stars)
- The Jane Austen Dating Agency, by Fiona Woodfield (4 Stars)
- Jane in Love: A Novel, by Rachel Givney (4 Stars)
BEST HISTORICAL ROMANCE NOVEL
- The Winter Companion (Parish Orphans of Devon Book 4), by Mimi Matthews (5 Stars)
- Gentleman Jim, by Mimi Matthews (5 Stars)
- A Rogue of One’s Own (A League of Extraordinary Women Book 2), by Evie Dunmore (5 Stars)
- Who Wants to Marry a Duke, by Sabrina Jeffries (5 Stars)
- To Have and to Hoax, by Martha Waters (5 Stars)
- Frenchman’s Creek, by Daphne du Maurier (5 Stars)
BEST HISTORICAL FICTION NOVEL
- The Jane Austen Society, by Natalie Jenner (5 Stars)
- Bronte’s Mistress, by Finola Austin (5 Stars)
- All the Ways We Said Goodbye: A Novel of the Ritz Paris, by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, & Karen White (4 Stars)
BEST HISTORICAL MYSTERY NOVEL
- Who Speaks for the Damned (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery Book 15), by C. S. Harris, (5 Stars)
- A Stroke of Malice, by Anna Lee Huber (4 Stars)
- A Murderous Relation (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery Book 5), by Deanna Raybourn (4 Stars
BEST HISTORICAL FANTASY, PARANORMAL, OR GOTHIC NOVEL
- The Jane Austen Project, by Kathleen Flynn (5 Stars)
- In the Shadow of Croft Towers, by Abigail Wilson (5 Stars)
- A Haunting at Havenwood (Seasons of Change Book 6), by Sally Britton (5 Stars)
BEST REGENCY ROMANCE NOVEL
- A Castaway in Cornwall, by Julie Klassen (5 Stars)
- Promised (Proper Romance Regency), by Leah Garriott (5 Stars)
- Lakeshire Park (Proper Romance Regency), by Megan Walker (5 Stars)
- Forget Me Not: The Gents (Book 1), by Sarah M. Eden (5 Stars)
- School for Love, by Christina Dudley (5 Stars)
- Rescuing Lord Inglewood: A Regency Romance, by Sally Britton (5 Stars)
BEST HISTORICAL NOVELLA
- An Ivy Hill Christmas, by Julie Klassen (5 Stars)
- Schemes of Felicity: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Skirmish & Scandal Series), by Suzan Lauder (4 Stars)
- The Christmas Bride: A Chance Sisters Novella, by Anne Gracie (4 Stars)
BEST SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGY
- Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl, edited by Christina Boyd (5 Stars)
- Joy to the World: A Regency Christmas Collection, by Carolyn Miller, Amanda Barratt, and Erica Vetsch (5 Stars)
- A Very Austen Romance: Austen Anthologies (Book 3), by Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, Barbara Cornthwaite, Chautona Having, & Mandy H. Cook (4 Stars)
BEST NEW EDITION OF A JANE AUSTEN NOVEL
BEST DEBUT NOVEL
BEST NOVEL OF 2020
Congratulations and thank you to all of the talented authors who keep us supplied with great books. We are looking forward to another banner reading year in 2021.
Cheers, Laurel Ann
Austenprose is an Amazon affiliate. Cover images courtesy of the respective publishers © 2020; text Laurel Ann Nattress © 2021, austenprose.com.
Thank you for honoring “Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl” in your Best of List for 2020, Short Story Anthology. The project was a labor of love. Proud to be amongst such good company. The best! What validation for the efforts and the whisper in my head that says, “Keep on.”
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You are welcome. Best wishes for your continued success.
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Thank you for putting together this list. There may be one or two there I missed!
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So many incredible books are on this list, which makes my own book’s inclusion even more gratifying & humbling. I am so grateful for all the support Austenprose has shown my debut, from the earliest MS read and cover reveal, to a blog tour that was one of the highlights of my pub month. At such a trying time, getting the word out about books that Austenites will enjoy and derive comfort from remains such an important & appreciated task. Thank you, so much, and Happy New Year to us all xo
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Our pleasure, Natalie. Thanks again for your fabulous The Jane Austen Society!
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What a lovely surprise (and honor) to see our A Very Austen Romance anthology on your 2020 Best list. Wow! Thank you! It is a joy to share our stories, our friendship, and our love of Jane Austen.
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Congrats to Laura & Co. You know I have a soft spot for anthologies and yours was extra special. I am looking forward to the next one.
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I second Laura Hile’s thanks for including A Very Austen Romance. The AVA gals always do such a lovely job, and it was an honor to join them in this anthology.
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Wow, what a surprise! Thank you so much for posting your thoughts. I am so honored to see my babies among your picks this year. Congratulations to all the authors, and Happy 2021!
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You win the bonus prize for having two novels in the top ten, Nicole! Keep up the great work.
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Thank you for all the work you put into these lists. I have recommended your blog to several newbies on GRs who were looking for variations of certain JA books. There are quite a few here I have not read as I mostly limit my reading to JAFF. But I always know I can come here for a good recommendation. Again – thank you.
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Our pleasure. You are such a dedicated JAFF reader, Shelia, that it is a pleasure to read that you are sharing this blog with fellow readers. I hope that you are tempted to try a few on the list. Best, LA
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I’m so thrilled that “Murder at Northanger Abbey” made this prestigious list, and right at the top too! Thanks so much, Laurel! I really do appreciate it and also your steadfast and generous support of authors like me over the years. It’s lovely to have you as a partner in celebrating Jane Austen’s work and legacy.
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Congrats, Shannon. I am thrilled for you and your novel.
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These are great choices! I haven’t read them all, but what I have read, I completely agree with your selections. Thank you for taking the time to share your favorites!
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Honored that Bronte’s Mistress is in such company here. Thank you, Laurel Ann, for all you do to support authors and Austen/Bronte fans!
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My pleasure, Finola. I am so pleased to see the glowing reception of your novel.
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Very nice list. I may just have to give Julie Klassen another try and now I’m curious about Murer at Northanger Abbey. I’ll have to add that to my to-read list!
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Two great choices. I hope that you enjoy them.
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What a dazzling list! Yay to all the authors of these amazing books.
I spy a handful that I still need to get read.
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Dazzling is a perfect description. There is a lot of bling there. Thanks for all of your contributions, Sophia.
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Wonderful list! Congratulations!
denise
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I absolutely LOVED The Jane Austen Society.
Thank you for this list!
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Oh my goodness! I’m thrilled and honoured to see ‘A Timely Elopement’ among Austenprose Favourites for 2020, and in such wonderful company. Many thanks, Laurel Ann!
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Our pleasure, Joana. Best wishes on your next book.
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Hey, Laurel Ann, thank you for the great to-read list for those of us who consider ourselves readers first. But my main thanks are for considering my little novella worthy of standing up with all these fantastic books. Really fine choices fill this list, so no wonder I’m in awe. I retain many of these authors on my go-to list, and being among them is an honour. Once again, thanks.
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What a great list! I love best of year lists. Thanks for all that you and the team do, I often discover new titles via your posts :)
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