Top Ten Tuesday: Pleased to Meet You | New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2021

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.


This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic:
New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2021

It's such a great feeling to discover a new-to-you author. Especially if they have a lengthy backlist! 
I read about sixteen new-to-me authors in 2021, with varying degrees of success. A few became new favorites, a few were middle of the road, and a couple were duds. But you never know until you try, right? Here are some of the authors I discovered in 2021.



JILL SHALVIS - If you read romance, you know the name Jill Shalvis. But I'd never read her before last year. To be honest, her backlist is pretty intimidating but I took a chance on her latest release last December and will definitely be reading more.

CARIAN COLE - I read both Tied and Torn last year and was instantly hooked. Cole is definitely a new favorite and I'm dying to inhale all her words.

CHLOE LIESE - When it comes to me + Chloe Liese, it's complicated. In 2021, I read the four books that comprise the Bergman Brothers series (so far). One I really enjoyed, two were just okay, and one didn't work for me at all. Not a great average, really.

KENNEDY FOX - Once I read my first by Kennedy Fox, I was off and running. I quickly binged the Roommate Duets series (six books) and then the Bishop Brothers series (4 books). I'm sure 2022 will see more of the same.

COLLEEN OAKLEY - The Invisible Husband was okay but nothing that wowed me. I probably won't be in a rush to pick up something else from Oakley.

PIPER RAYNE - The writing duo hooked me from the first novella I picked up and I immediately started making my way through The Greene Family series. I know I'll read more and more from Rayne.

NATASHA MADISON - I read two from Madison last year and both were just okay. I decided to move on.

KATE CLAYBORN - Unpopular opinion time... I did not love Love at First. Sad to say, I was mostly bored. So a future with Clayborn does not look likely.

K. STREET - Two of three that I read from Street last year were super enjoyable. I wouldn't hesitate to read more from her.

J. DANIELS - When I "discovered" J. Daniels last year I was over the moon for Down Too Deep. But my second pick from Daniels was pretty disappointing. So the jury is still out.


HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THESE AUTHORS?

49 comments

  1. Love your title for today's post! You should have used the gif I've used! The Invisible Husband of Frick Island is on my TBR and my Kindle as well. Hope to get to it soon.

    Happy TTT!

    Elza Reads

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  2. It's good to know what you like as well as what's just-meh for you, too, I think!

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    1. I agree. It's not reasonable to expect to connect with every author's style.

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  3. Aw, I'm sorry to hear you didn't vibe with the books by Clayborn and Liese! Looks like you've discovered more new authors that you enjoyed than you ones you didn't though, so that's definitely a win! 😃

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    1. Definitely! It's not like I expect to love every book/author I try so I'm never too bothered when one doesn't work for me. :)

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  4. Chloe Liese made my list, too, and I also don't think I'll be rushing out to read more from her. I liked but didn't love her books. I definitely want to try Jill Shalvis this year.

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    1. I can see Shalvis being one that I turn to when I want something quieter and low-drama.

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  5. I really like Kennedy Fox. I read their newer cowboy series and want to read the Roommate series next.

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    1. I'm so glad I gave Kennedy Fox a try! Their books are so addicting! :)

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  6. True. Trying a new author is always a gamble. Sometimes it turns out really well, other times not so much. And, I agree, I love it when I find an author I love who has a nice, long backlist for me to explore. That's the best!

    Happy TTT!

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    1. It is a gamble but I'm never too bothered if it doesn't work out. It's not I'm going to love every single author's style. :)

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  7. I've read all but 4 of these authors before and I have thoughts for you! You should try Shalvis's Animal Magnetism series. For Madison, I loved her Something So series. She kind of lost me somewhere after that. Give Clayborn another shot with Love Lettering. I liked that one more than Love at First. I think you should try J. Daniel's Alabama Summers series next. Or the 3rd Dirty Deeds book. I feel like her books got better as they went along in each series.

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    1. Love all the recs, Deanna! :) I remember that series when I'm ready to read more from Shalvis. I've heard several people say Love Lettering was better but I think I'm done with Clayborn. I seriously did not click with her. Madison I'm on the fence about. Even the one by her I liked was just okay. Pretty average so I'm not sure I want to invest any more time when there are books I am super excited to pick up. And Daniels I can see trying again. Because Down Too Deep was seriously good!

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  8. I read a lot of Shalvis years ago and loved her. I just picked up a few of her newer ones last year and it felt like a warm hug. Still good!

    I read Clayborne's debut, Love Lettering, and I felt the same. But everyone I know loved that book.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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    1. Yeah, I've been recommended Love Lettering several times but after Love at First I just don't have any interest.

      I'm sure I'll read more from Shalvis, though.

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  9. I love trying new authors and generally have been very fortunate to read books by them I end up really liking. I really liked The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, but I do know not everyone did. I enjoy Jill Shalvis's novels from time to time. I haven't tried any of the other authors you mention. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the Shalvis novel and I'm sure I'll be reading more from her.

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  10. I haven't read any of these authors yet, but Chloe Liese has been on my TBR. I'll need to check out some of these other authors for sure!

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    1. I would say I'm definitely the oddball when it comes to Chloe Liese. Most seem to *love* her books.

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  11. Carian Cole is on my list of authors to try in 2022!

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  12. I've only read one Kate Clayborn -- Love Lettering -- but I really enjoyed it. Jill Shalvis is pretty consistently entertaining. The others are all unfamiliar, but I'm glad you've discovered some new authors to enjoy!

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  13. i recognize names but i don't think i have read any of their work.
    sherry @ fundinmental

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  14. I just read The Family you Make a few days ago and wrote a review, I loved it. May just be my favorite Jill Shalvis book yet. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/2021-reading-year-in-review/

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    1. I was really impressed with The Family You Make and I'm excited for the next Sunrise Cove book.

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  15. I've only read 2 authors from your list and only one was new-to-me. I've read Jill Shalvis before since she's one of Linda's favs and she and I just buddy read Tempting the Boss from Natasha Madison. I was on an early morning flight feeling terrible for those trying to sleep because I was laughing so loud! :) That was my first read from Madison though so... Carian Cole and J Daniels are 2 I plan on reading this year. Happy to see you enjoy Cole. :)

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    1. I'm definitely excited to explore more from Jill Shalvis. And Carian Cole... wow. I was so moved by Tied, in particular, and it was one of my favorites of the year.

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  16. I am so happy you enjoyed your first Shalvis. I love her book so much. I have read many, but these ones that lean a bit toward women's fiction have been my favorites, oddly enough.

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    1. I'm sure I'll be reading more from her, and I'll definitely get the next Sunrise Cove book.

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  17. That's a bummer about Clayborn. Love at First has such a nice cover ha. I'm way too taken by covers... :)

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    1. Right? A gorgeous cover should guarantee a great read. LOL

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  18. I'm always afraid to say I didn't like Clayborn's book last year. It was ok, but I was so happy when I finally finished reading it. Honestly, if it was about 100 pages shorter, I probably would have enjoyed it.

    Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
    https://readbakecreate.com/10-authors-i-discovered-in-2021/

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    1. I felt the same, Pam! It was okay but I just wanted to be done with it. LOL

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  19. I am amazed that you hadn't read Jill Shalvis before last year! Her books could keep you busy for a while.

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  20. Jill Shalvis is an author I'm determined to read in 2022. Colleen Oakley is the only one I've read from your list and while I thought Invisible Husband was good, it didn't make me want to rush out and read everything else she has written.

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    1. Yeah, the Oakley book left me wanting more. I have another by her sitting on my shelf but I haven't been to motivated to try it.

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  21. I am just loving seeing your list here. I absolutely adored the Carian Cole I just read and I have had such a good time with J. Daniels.

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    1. I can't wait to read even more from Carian Cole! She's really impressed me so far.

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  22. I remember loving J Daniels so much! One of her books was a top fave of mine. I would even re-read it every year... Then I read it this year and I was cringing. It sucks that a favorite suddenly becomes a non-fave.

    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. Oh no, what a disappointment! I know some people who refuse to reread for just that reason - they're worried they won't feel the same about favorite books.

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  23. Great list!! I have read a book by most these authors. Piper Rayne is new to me though. It sounds like a promising duo.

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    1. I picked up that first Piper Rayne novella on a whim and was hooked!

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  24. I've enjoyed Jill Shalvis in the past, but I don't remember loving them as much as her 2021 release Love For Beginners. I also just discovered Chloe Liese and J. Daniels last year, but only read one of their books. I really enjoyed what I read, but I'm nervous to pick up anything else seeing mixed reactions.

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    1. The Chloe Liese thing is definitely a "me thing." Everyone else seems to love her. :)

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  25. I have yet to read a book by Shavis, either. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed her. Her backlist can be overwhelming. :) I still need to read Liese. I'm actually happy to see your mixed opinions; it will help bring my expectations to a more manageable level. Ha! I'm sorry Love at First didn't work for you. I actually gave it five stars, but it is the only thing I've read from Clayborn. I'll be interested to see what I think of her other books. Great post!

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    1. True about managing expectations! When an author (or book) is so hyped it can really work against it. I hope you'll enjoy more from Clayborn if/when you get to it!

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