As you may have picked up on by now, characters are really the reason I read books. I don’t need a character to be likable necessarily, but my favorites tend to be characters that I love, flaws and all. And… if we’re honest, are probably all likable. *Shrug emoji* So, let’s talk about them!
The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan
Both Jeremy and Chloe are really fantastic characters and I love them both so much. Jeremy is just such an adorable man trying to figure out how to make sure Chloe will love him and keep him forever. Meanwhile, I was plotting how to keep them both forever. This world is actually magnificent and I wanted to keep living in it.
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
Clara, for all of her myriad flaws, reminds me so much of myself in a time a little in the past that I couldn’t help but love her and she’s stuck with me so much since I read it. We’re all on a journey, but something about Clara’s journey just really spoke to me.
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Luc is a bit of a mess and as a fellow mess, I love him so much. I really loved following his emotional journey and how he learned that he could actually rely on his friends for more than what he thought he could. I love the idea of messy people being loved because of who they are regardless of how they may or may not live up to societal ideals of functioning. Also, Oliver was such a great love interest for him and I really enjoyed the two of them together.
Archangel’s Sun by Nalini Singh
Straight up, Sharine is actually so amazing and her dynamic with Titus is to die for. I’m currently re-reading the series and it’s incredible to get her backstory from her perspective and to see her really re-learning her own power. I just… I love her so much. She’s the best. And when Titus keeps trying to modulate his voice and to keep treating her like a woman who has no fighting skills? She literally responds so beautifully every time. I love her the most. And!!! The way she is with Illiyum and Aodhan is just top notch excellence. Anyway, Sharine forever. That is all.
Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews
Honestly, both Catalina and Alessandro grew so much in this book compared to Sapphire Flames that it felt a little like we were relearning them all over again. That said, I honestly just love all of the characters in this world. I am so excited for the next book and so sad about the delay. But 2020 was rough so I 100% understand and support them taking their time!
Alpha Night by Nalini Singh
It’s really no surprise that Nalini Singh has two separate books on this list. She is so incredibly talented and I think Selenka is one of my favorites of her. She’s such a fascinating alpha and I really hope we see a lot more of her in the future because she really is so intriguing. I don’t know if it’s just that I’m used to Hawke and Lucas, but I thought Selenka’s inner emotional workings and the way she has her hierarchy set up was very unique and I wanted to spend much more time with her and the wolves.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Is Zafir the most cinnamon roll to ever cinnamon roll? Yes. I love him an absolutely exorbitant amount and I want him to be real and also, sorry, Dani, but I want him to love ME. This book is perfect. These characters are amazing.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Serapio and Xiala are aboslutely incredible and I adore them the most! I can’t even separate them out for you here because they need to be together and my heart hurts at the way we left things. That said, even separately, they are amazing. Like, Serapio has spent his entire life pretty much being prepared to sacrifice who he is for the Crow god and yet, he’s so… I don’t even know the words. He’s just great. And complex. And Xiala!!! My queen. She’s a boss and I love her. So brave and yet vulnerable but she hides it. I can’t wait for the next book!
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
The pettiness, the drama, the joy this book brought me. I love Naomi, every petty, optimistic and pessimistic part of her. She is so alive in my mind.
Pretty Face by Lucy Parker
Luc Savage and Lily Lamprey are two such sharply drawn characters and I love them both. Luc has a bit of a dumb, sexist moment at the beginning and the way that Lily deals with him and challenges his assumptions was fantastic. I loved watching Luc come to really respect and value and fall in love with Lily. And I loved watching Lily learn how to trust that people might be willing to really be there for her. Just… Such a great book.
And there’s my list of ten! Well, ten books at least. I can’t help that some of these books have characters that just shine all the way around. 🙂 Who have been your favorite characters this year? Let me know!
xx
firewhiskeyreader 