This year, I found myself struggling more than usual to write my reviews. Not because the books were bad....quite the opposite, actually. The magnitude of the words I read this year had me scrambling to hope and wish my words made a mark just as the author's words had. I wanted my reviews to do their books justice. To convey the feelings these authors purged onto the pages of their manuscripts...I wanted my reviews to adequately purvey what they did to me.
Some of these books fit into multiple categories, so I had to switch it up this year and just list off favorites and not break them down into categories. I couldn't choose just one in a few cases, but these books/couples are the ones that touched me the most....the ones that will stay with me and continue to invade my mind.
I hope you enjoy this list.
~Bee
I hope you enjoy this list.
~Bee
SOMETHING IN THE WAY SERIES by Jessica Hawkins
"It's books like this one, series like this one, that remind me how much I love reading and reviewing."
This series hit me in a multitude of ways. It was a forbidden romance that really tugged at my heartstrings. There were so many volatile feelings that I felt while reading this one, I was shocked I made it through. The angst alone gripped me, but the emotions seared my heart. I was spitting mad at one character, in love with another, all the while raising a fist at yet another. But, the fact that it sits on my list is proof positive of the ability of Jessica's writing and how well she can weave a story that can make you remember that feeling of falling in love for the first time, your first kiss, your first touch. This series was such a great ride! Just announced, a fourth book in the series called Lake + Manning and that will be coming February 13, 2018!!
My reviews:
Something in the Way: http://bit.ly/2mpydwI
Somebody Else's Sky: http://bit.ly/2qc0xjt
Move the Stars: http://bit.ly/2yBD7MK
Add the series to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2mnAMiz
GRIP by Kennedy Ryan
"The words in this book emote more than anything I can describe and this love story will haunt me for a long time."
Ok, I just need to take a minute and breathe through this one. This entire series was such a memorable read, I am pretty sure I can almost talk anyone through it! Maybe. Possibly. When I say emotional overload, this series comes to mind. It was beautiful. It was lyrical. It was emotional. It was painful. But, my gosh....it was amazing. Social aspects included, the journey that Grip and Bristol went through was nothing short of passionate and awe-inspiring. It was a responsible series dedicated to truth and emotions in the cleanest sense of the word. This was a three book series and they must be read in order.
My reviews:
Flow and Grip: http://bit.ly/2mxgFP2
Still: http://bit.ly/2xKPEL7
Add the series to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2CfGmZO
WHEN LIFE HAPPENED by Jewel E Ann
"This book was full of truths and realities and trust beyond all measure."
My gosh.....this is one of TWO favorite standalones of the year. This book, it wrecked me. I read this book and gasped so hard!! The twist in this one set me up and made me fall head over heels....for him. Now, one thing I have learned is that Jewel E Ann never disappoints. She has wowed me with all of her stories and I am officially in love with her words. Officially. I will easily and happily trust her with my heart, willingly handing it over with each book I read of hers. I have read 3 of her books, and I honestly cannot wait to read more because she always has a way of hooking you in, turning you upside down, yet righting you in the end. I love the way she tells stories!
My review: http://bit.ly/2szQiIn
Add to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2nzoalZ
THE UNREQUITED by Saffron Kent
"This book was nothing I expected and everything I needed in a new-to-me author....it blew me away!"
For my first read by this author, I was taken aback. I was slack-jawed. While this was her second book, this was my first read by her and I was smitten. The quirkiness to her characters; the cadence to her words; she sucked me right in and held me close while she took me on a CRAZY ride with some very interesting characters. I have read more from her since, and her characters always have such a depth to them that is so different. I really enjoy her writing! This book was a ride on the wild side with Layla and her pursuit of Thomas, but it was a page turner for me and one that I have recommended time and time again!
My review: http://bit.ly/2tOBTJa
Add it to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2twwxo4
Oh my WOW. This was the most painfully beautiful duet I have read all year. Amazing. It pulled on every single emotional string my heart had to give. I was heartbroken, but falling in love. What a contradictory feeling, but that's exactly what happened in this series. Logically, I felt one way. Mentally, I felt another. Emotionally, I was torn. That should tell you something about Aly's words. I feel like she used them against me....making my mind truly war with my heart. It was such an amazing story and one that I will happily hold anyone's hand through.
EXP1RE and ETERN1TY by Erin Noelle
"Maybe I was awestruck. Maybe I was pulled in wondrously. Either way, I was able to enjoy this story with a smile on my face."
I do not read fantasy at all, ever. For a book to take me on a journey, to allow me to escape my own mental capacity for belief, that says something, but to be on my favorites list?? Erin did that with this duet. I loved these characters SO much. The love and the trust that Lyra and Tavian had for each other was beautifully written, and that makes me so excited to say I have my first fantasy favorite. With all the drama that happened, the love story was written beautifully and was not overshadowed. This duet was a fascinating read.
My reviews:
Exp1re: http://bit.ly/2hEOOZo
Etern1ty: http://bit.ly/2BP6xEZ
Add the series to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2lxDiQL
IT'S YOU by Katy Regnery
"I don't take many liberties with my imagination in that aspect so when I read this one, I just let go. What a treat. "
The duet straddles my yearly favorites list with the first book on my Favorites List for 2016, but the second book on my Favorites List for 2017. Katy has sat on my favorites list a few years in a row now, between her modern fairytale series and this PNR series. I don't often read (if ever) Paranormal Romance, so this was a step on the wild side for me....literally. I knew that Katy could easily spin a story of love, so trusting her to take me away wasn't really a problem. But believing, understanding, wanting more in a story that tested my boundaries in this unknown-to-me world? Katy gave me more than I could have ever imagined, and I am so glad I read this story. I loved Jack and Darcy, and I cherish this signed duet that sits happily on my shelf.
My reviews:
It's You, book 1: http://bit.ly/2isDLAl
It's You, book 2: http://bit.ly/2j51aIY
Add the series to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2lzX2TB
CLAM JAM and BLUE BALLS by RC Boldt
"RC Boldt is a special brand of funny. She just has this knack for putting you at ease in a situation that could be completely embarrassing, but is most definitely comical."
These books were the funniest books I read all year.....seriously, laugh out loud hilarity was enjoyed throughout both of these books!!! While the titles originally scared me off, the writing itself was a welcome hello to RC Boldt's style of writing. I have read every book of hers since, and that should tell you something. I enjoy her writing very much. Her stories are fresh and new, and her penchant for witty humor is not to be missed. I really, really, REALLY loved these two stories and it was fun letting go and giggling with both of these. I don't read a lot of comedy, but this duo ranks right up there as two of my favorites of all time for funny books. Truly, wit and sarcasm galore!!
My reviews:
Clam Jam: http://bit.ly/2iXSZih
Blue Balls: http://bit.ly/2vhrCYi
Add them to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2lupVl7
THE MARRIAGE PACT by K Larsen and Mara White
"I am still on a broken-hearted high from this book, as K and Mara know how to really bind your heart to their story and make you fall in love. Without choice, you FALL hard."
I don't cry often, but when I do, I will tell you ALL about it. Oh dear, I cried with this one!! Oh my gosh...this one got me really good and I was not able to stop the tears. When I think of true love, this book comes to mind, and has quite a bit this year. I am very lucky this year because I have read some really good books, but this one stuck with me because of the content and the characters' actions. The way this entire love story played out really kept me biting my nails. This one also left me brokenhearted, but in such a memorable way. I loved Ryan and Jackie's love, and K and Mara told this story with heart. So good. So sad. So amazing.
My review: http://bit.ly/2nT9Ghp
Add this book to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2lkBhK7
RETURN TO FALCON RIDGE by DL Roan
"By the time it was all said and done, this book was dynamic, it was emotional, and it was HOT."
One of my favorite ongoing sagas is This McLendon Family and I have followed this series since October of 2013. I am fully and completely, 100?% wholly invested in this family and all their stories. I have favorite characters and I have favorite books in the series, but I have loved this entire series as a whole. This series started out with a polyamorous relationship in the first book, but the series touches on many different types of relationships with this book being a ménage. I loved that I got to see some of my favorite characters from previous books come back in this one. This series is so different than any I have read and I am just in love with every family member. I push this series all the time and it's for good reason. DL Roan is always a sexy read, with some tears and angst thrown in. She always delivers a well rounded story. I'm sadly aware there is only one more book in this series left to come. I will treasure it.
My review: http://bit.ly/2k1dqdE
Add this series to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2q87kjD
Once again, Jay McLean tempted me into reading another YA book. I always say I don't like this genre because I end up hating the characters and their maturity, or immaturity as it usually ends up being, but Jay McLean always makes me rethink that statement and makes me fall in love with her story and her characters. The drama is real. The characters are real. The story is always compelling. I am really enjoying her stories and am willing to admit I am looking closer at the YA genre.....as long as she writes them, I will read them.
My review: http://bit.ly/2zTSMs9
My review: http://bit.ly/2szQiIn
Add to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2nzoalZ
THE UNREQUITED by Saffron Kent
"This book was nothing I expected and everything I needed in a new-to-me author....it blew me away!"
For my first read by this author, I was taken aback. I was slack-jawed. While this was her second book, this was my first read by her and I was smitten. The quirkiness to her characters; the cadence to her words; she sucked me right in and held me close while she took me on a CRAZY ride with some very interesting characters. I have read more from her since, and her characters always have such a depth to them that is so different. I really enjoy her writing! This book was a ride on the wild side with Layla and her pursuit of Thomas, but it was a page turner for me and one that I have recommended time and time again!
My review: http://bit.ly/2tOBTJa
Add it to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2twwxo4
"The reality of the pain, the scariness of the possibilities, and the depth of the emotions I felt for these characters....my gosh. I didn't want to put these books down!!"
Oh my WOW. This was the most painfully beautiful duet I have read all year. Amazing. It pulled on every single emotional string my heart had to give. I was heartbroken, but falling in love. What a contradictory feeling, but that's exactly what happened in this series. Logically, I felt one way. Mentally, I felt another. Emotionally, I was torn. That should tell you something about Aly's words. I feel like she used them against me....making my mind truly war with my heart. It was such an amazing story and one that I will happily hold anyone's hand through.
My review: http://bit.ly/2pHHpil
Add the duet to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2tjcCZx
"Maybe I was awestruck. Maybe I was pulled in wondrously. Either way, I was able to enjoy this story with a smile on my face."
I do not read fantasy at all, ever. For a book to take me on a journey, to allow me to escape my own mental capacity for belief, that says something, but to be on my favorites list?? Erin did that with this duet. I loved these characters SO much. The love and the trust that Lyra and Tavian had for each other was beautifully written, and that makes me so excited to say I have my first fantasy favorite. With all the drama that happened, the love story was written beautifully and was not overshadowed. This duet was a fascinating read.
My reviews:
Exp1re: http://bit.ly/2hEOOZo
Etern1ty: http://bit.ly/2BP6xEZ
Add the series to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2lxDiQL
IT'S YOU by Katy Regnery
"I don't take many liberties with my imagination in that aspect so when I read this one, I just let go. What a treat. "
The duet straddles my yearly favorites list with the first book on my Favorites List for 2016, but the second book on my Favorites List for 2017. Katy has sat on my favorites list a few years in a row now, between her modern fairytale series and this PNR series. I don't often read (if ever) Paranormal Romance, so this was a step on the wild side for me....literally. I knew that Katy could easily spin a story of love, so trusting her to take me away wasn't really a problem. But believing, understanding, wanting more in a story that tested my boundaries in this unknown-to-me world? Katy gave me more than I could have ever imagined, and I am so glad I read this story. I loved Jack and Darcy, and I cherish this signed duet that sits happily on my shelf.
My reviews:
It's You, book 1: http://bit.ly/2isDLAl
It's You, book 2: http://bit.ly/2j51aIY
Add the series to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2lzX2TB
CLAM JAM and BLUE BALLS by RC Boldt
"RC Boldt is a special brand of funny. She just has this knack for putting you at ease in a situation that could be completely embarrassing, but is most definitely comical."
These books were the funniest books I read all year.....seriously, laugh out loud hilarity was enjoyed throughout both of these books!!! While the titles originally scared me off, the writing itself was a welcome hello to RC Boldt's style of writing. I have read every book of hers since, and that should tell you something. I enjoy her writing very much. Her stories are fresh and new, and her penchant for witty humor is not to be missed. I really, really, REALLY loved these two stories and it was fun letting go and giggling with both of these. I don't read a lot of comedy, but this duo ranks right up there as two of my favorites of all time for funny books. Truly, wit and sarcasm galore!!
My reviews:
Clam Jam: http://bit.ly/2iXSZih
Blue Balls: http://bit.ly/2vhrCYi
Add them to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2lupVl7
THE MARRIAGE PACT by K Larsen and Mara White
"I am still on a broken-hearted high from this book, as K and Mara know how to really bind your heart to their story and make you fall in love. Without choice, you FALL hard."
I don't cry often, but when I do, I will tell you ALL about it. Oh dear, I cried with this one!! Oh my gosh...this one got me really good and I was not able to stop the tears. When I think of true love, this book comes to mind, and has quite a bit this year. I am very lucky this year because I have read some really good books, but this one stuck with me because of the content and the characters' actions. The way this entire love story played out really kept me biting my nails. This one also left me brokenhearted, but in such a memorable way. I loved Ryan and Jackie's love, and K and Mara told this story with heart. So good. So sad. So amazing.
My review: http://bit.ly/2nT9Ghp
Add this book to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2lkBhK7
RETURN TO FALCON RIDGE by DL Roan
"By the time it was all said and done, this book was dynamic, it was emotional, and it was HOT."
One of my favorite ongoing sagas is This McLendon Family and I have followed this series since October of 2013. I am fully and completely, 100?% wholly invested in this family and all their stories. I have favorite characters and I have favorite books in the series, but I have loved this entire series as a whole. This series started out with a polyamorous relationship in the first book, but the series touches on many different types of relationships with this book being a ménage. I loved that I got to see some of my favorite characters from previous books come back in this one. This series is so different than any I have read and I am just in love with every family member. I push this series all the time and it's for good reason. DL Roan is always a sexy read, with some tears and angst thrown in. She always delivers a well rounded story. I'm sadly aware there is only one more book in this series left to come. I will treasure it.
My review: http://bit.ly/2k1dqdE
Add this series to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2q87kjD
"This book, this story....it snuck up on me. It quietly kidnapped my mind. Quietly. Effortlessly. This was a one-sitting read, and I was blown away."
Once again, Jay McLean tempted me into reading another YA book. I always say I don't like this genre because I end up hating the characters and their maturity, or immaturity as it usually ends up being, but Jay McLean always makes me rethink that statement and makes me fall in love with her story and her characters. The drama is real. The characters are real. The story is always compelling. I am really enjoying her stories and am willing to admit I am looking closer at the YA genre.....as long as she writes them, I will read them.
My review: http://bit.ly/2zTSMs9
Add it to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2sBFwU2
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I always like to name off the couples that I loved falling in love with....all while they fell in love.
Manning and Lake from Something in the Way by Jessica Hawkins
Grip and Bristol from Grip by Kennedy Ryan
Jack and Darcy from It's You by Katy Regnery
ALL LINKS USED ARE AFFILIATE LINKS
ALL TITLES ARE HYPERLINKED TO AMAZON FOR PURCHASE
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