We are nearly in December and I spent all weekend debating whether to buy a Kindle Fire. It was very much a want and not a need situation so I decided to work on my favourite reads of the year list instead. Last year I had a very clear favourite book which is now my favourite book, ever. I’ve recommended Heart by Nicola Hudson more times than I can recall since I first read it in January last year. I’ve read some great books this year several of which by the same author(s) so I’m having a difficult time picking a favourite. Instead of a descending order list I’m going to mention the books I’ve loved this year in no particular order.
Fault by Nicola Hudson
This is the much anticipated third and final book in Nicola’s Define series. All three books are standalone but after meeting Grace in Heart I was eager to read her story. I had over a year to wonder about the kind of guy Noah would be and how Grace was dealing with things after the events in Heart. Waiting for this book was made all the more special as my bestie finally read Curve and Heart so we were both able to theorise over Fault. Neither of us guessed where the story was going to go though!
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
The Rosie Project is one of my favourite books. I read it over a year ago long after the hype had died down and then could have kicked myself for not reading it sooner. I loved it. It took me way longer then it should have to finally read the sequel and once again I wish I’d read it sooner. I loved The Rosie Effect even more than TRP and I didn’t think it would be possible. I love a HEA so sequels make me nervous. This book made me laugh out loud in public when I wasn’t even reading it, just from remembering something I read earlier. That is the sign of a great book for me.
The Dance by Alison G. Bailey
I saw a lot of buzz from bloggers about this book when it was published. I remember thinking the cover was absolutely beautiful. It appears to be one thing at first glance but the longer you look the more cover seems to become. I was fortunate enough to win an eBook copy from a blogger and made it my next read and I’m so glad I did. I hate to think that this book could still be on my TBR list if I hadn’t won the copy when I did. I wanted to read this book on the strength of the cover and decided to go in totally blind. I didn’t read the blurb before I started or at any point during the time I was reading but the temptation was so strong. I made so many status updates on Goodreads while I was reading especially after the epic prologue and I think I highlighted just about everything Hart said. This is a very special book that gave me all the feels and I’m glad I read it.
After You by Jojo Moyes
I read Me Before You last year after hearing from so many people what an amazing book it was. It made me cry sure which makes a book memorable for me but it also made me angry. The more so the more I think about it. Also lets be honest I didn’t give it fair advantage by following it immediately up with Curve and Heart. I don’t always remember the order in which I read books but those books made such an impact on me I’m not likely to forget them. I loved the film MBY though so much so that after seeing it in the cinema and on DVD a couple of times I finally had to check in with Lou. I found myself thinking about this book in between opportunities I had to read and long after I’d finished. Ambulance Sam! ❤️ I can see myself rereading this one.
Keepsake by Sarina Bowen
Sarina Bowen has been a solid favourite author of mine now for a few years. She writes NA and Contempory sports romance and I love them all. I often get into a book slump just before each of her new releases and they are always just the thing to get me out. Any time I hit a book slump in fact I reread Sarina’s books. This year Sarina published three books in the True North series. Brand new characters that live and work at an apple orchard and ranch. Bittersweet introduced the Shipley family and farm hands Jude and Zach. I loved the passion with which Sarina writes about food, cooking and life in Vermont in these books. Just like her Ivy Years and Gravity series I loved each book more than the last. I knew from the little glimpses of Zach in Bittersweet and Steadfast (Jude’s book) that he was a special guy. Keepsake was everything I was hoping for and so much more. I loved it! If two people ever needed to find each other it was Zach and Lark. 🍎🍏🍎
Home by Harlan Coben
Harlan published two books this year, Home is not only my favourite of his books this year but I would go as far as to say it’s my new favourite book of his. This is the first new Myron and Win book in 10 years and it was like they’d never been away. It was also great to check in with Mickey, Ema and Spoon again from Harlan’s YA book series. As soon as Harlan announced Myron and Win would be returning I had some theories. Some I’m glad to say didn’t happen and others did and it was wonderful! There are certain things that are a given about Harlan’s books. That they will make me cry isn’t one of them. But Home did just that. Fun fact my review for Home on Goodreads is my most liked review!
Winter’s Curse by April L. Wood
I’ve followed April’s blog for a while now and was excited to learn she was writing a book. I’ve always loved the build up to a new release. The cover reveal, blurb reveal, teasers and being able to add the book as TBR on Goodreads. April’s debut book published on Halloween (so appropriate) this year and I started reading soon after. This a fabulous debut book and unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s so descriptive and atmospheric. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series.
Breakable by Tammara Webber
I consider myself a huge New Adult romance fan but until a few months ago I’d never any Tammara Webber books. I don’t know what I was thinking either. She’s an author I’ve been very much aware of the whole time I’ve been reading NA though. When I saw a paperback copy of Easy in a shop I knew it was finally time to start reading her books. It’s just about as wonderful a book as it gets. Easy is entirely in Jacqueline’s POV and seeing as the male POV is my favourite I was surprised I loved it as much as I did. I quickly followed Easy up with Breakable and well wow. It’s Easy from Lucas’ POV but it goes so much deeper than that. It’s a stunning example of a male retelling. I also completely loved Sweet, which is Lucas’ best friend Boyce’s book and a duel POV. I’ve grabbed the audiobooks of these three for future rereads because Zachary Webber! 😍
Blackbird Summer by Em Shotwell
I read Blackbird Summer back in February and loved it so much that I knew it would be on my favourite reads of the year list. This is another book I raved to the bestie about and she finally read. Em followed me on Instagram and I followed her right back after realising she was an upcoming author. All the teasers and tasters she posted in the run up to publication made me excited for this book and it didn’t disappoint! I especially loved Em’s short story The Chans which is the male POV of a pivotal scene in Blackbird Summer. I’m looking forward to reading more from Em next year.
Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen
I was sad to see the end of Sarina’s Ivy Years series but not for long as she announced she was working on a spin off NHL series. The first book in the Brooklyn Bruises series is a second chance romance (love!) and is Leo Trevi’s book. Leo is the brother of one of my favourite characters from the Ivy Years series, DJ. I loved Rookie Move and can’t wait to read the next book Hard Hitter in January!
I finally read my first graphic novels this year. It’s a very new reading experience to me and one I’m still getting used to much to my besties amusement who breezes through them. I loved the first two books in the Oddly Normal series by Otis Frampton and I have the third lined up. Something about a part witch-part human girl with blue hair spoke to me!
Another book series I got to share with the bestie this year was Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. After learning it was going to be adapted to a film directed by Tim Burton I knew we had to read it. Vick read the books first and I followed shortly afterwards. I struggled a little with the second book, Hollow City but she encouraged me to keep going and I went on to enjoy the third book, Library of Souls.
Last year I started reading the Meet Cute series by Katey Lovell and continued into this year. They are wonderful short stories about the first moment various couples meet. The final one tied everything together. I preordered them all and it was definitely a highlight when they downloaded on publication day. Katey also published her first full length novel this year which I throughly enjoyed. I’m looking forward to reading her new novella Three Men and a Maybe soon. I love the play on a film title!
I love finding new authors to read and this year D.R. Graham was one such author. I requested Put It Out There on Netgalley after seeing a triple cover reveal for her Britannia Beach series on the Harper Impulse Facebook page. I went on to purchase the next two books and really enjoyed them. Even more so I really loved her standalone New Adult romance, Rank. It’s about about two brothers who are bull riders. It’s opened up a whole new romance genre for me, cowboy and rodeo. I have a few books lined up already and I’m looking forward to finding more next year.
I read the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child script book and the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them screenplay book this year. I loved them! Like graphic novels this is new way of reading for me and I am excited to read more scripts and/or screenplays in the future.
I’m off to binge watch more Gilmore Girls, Season Two, which I know isn’t reading but Rory reads enough for both of us! 🙂
I had the opportunity to read an ARC of Mass Casualty by Derek Adam last month and I absolutely loved it. Today (1st June) is publication day so I’d like to share my review! 
