Best of 2018: The Books

Posted January 1, 2019 by Rowena in Features | 5 Comments

The end of 2018 is here and with it comes a lot of reflection. Reflecting on goals, accomplishments, failures and if you’re a reader like us? Reflecting on all of the books that we read last year. Here are our top 5 books of 2018.

Casee

The Deal (Off-Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy: This was one of Rowena’s picks for me from the Summer Reading Challenge. I loved Elle Kennedy before this book. I was a little skeptical going into this book because of the first person thing. I needn’t have worried because this book was amazing. I loved Garrett Graham. I loved Hannah. They were such an unlikely couple, which is what made them so perfect for each other. It sounds really cliché, but the whole book was just fantastic.

White Hot (Hidden Legacy #2) by Ilona Andrews: White Hot is book two in Andrews Hidden Legacy series. Burn for Me is book one and was another of Rowena’s picks for me in the Summer Reading Challenge (she really did amazing, huh?). This book showed the growth between Nevada and Rogan, but also showed that Nevada was going to continue to be an independent woman. It also moved the storyline along about who was trying to take over Houston. I loved it.

Us (Him #2) by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy: I love this writing team. I loved this series. This is book two in the Him series. Jamie and Wes are amazing. I loved the two of them. Although it is a m/m romance, it was a love story, just like a m/f romance. They had the same problems that any other couple had. I just adored these two.

Seduction in Session (The Perfect Gentlemen #2) by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake: I love these two authors individually, but together? They are dynamite. I had been wanting to read this series for some time, but for some reason I didn’t pick it up. I have no idea why. This book is book two in their Perfect Gentlemen series. I loved it. I loved everything about Connor and Lara. They were so opposite that they were perfect for each other (another cliché, but it worked).

Wildfire (Hidden Legacy #3) by Ilona Andrews: Yes, I have two Ilona Andrews books on this list. How can they not be? Each book in this series got successively better with the (mostly) conclusion of Nevada and Rogan’s story in Wildfire. I loved everything about this book. I had not one complaint. From the beginning to the end, I loved it. You cannot not love this book and these two characters. It’s impossible.

Holly

Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely: Part of the reason I loved this may have been because Richard Armitage narrated the audiobook and he was amazing to listen to. Though, apart from his voice, I did love the overall story. Joy and Griffin coming together in Paris was both romantic and sexy. This was a really cute story. I loved the premise and the way their friendship developed over time.

Getting Schooled by Emma Chase: I absolutely loved this reunited lovers story. I really liked the maturity of both main characters, and how quickly they settled back into each other once they were reunited. There was some bathroom humor, and the overall tone of the story was light, but I really enjoyed the romance, and the small New Jersey town. All the characters really came to life.

Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews: Hugh was a character I loved to hate throughout the Kate Daniels series. I wasn’t sure if I’d end up falling all the way in love with him. As they come to know each other and learn to rely on one another, I found myself swept up in their story and the fight they find themselves in to protect their territory. I really hope the series continues. I’d love to see more from them.

How to Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper: I enjoyed Bael and Jillian’s romance, as well as the town of Mystic Bayou. The inhabitants of the town were so fun and quirky I couldn’t help but love them. Bael’s surprise and ignorance over how to court Jillian was hilarious, and I like that she was the one who wanted to keep things casual. There were several times I laughed out loud, and a couple times my heart just melted.

Wild Hunger by Suzanne Wright: This may be my favorite of the Phoenix Pack books. I loved how determined Trick was to find his mate and how open to the bond he was. I also really liked how patient and understanding he was with Frankie. He didn’t push her to give more than she could. It was sweet. I also liked how little drama there was in their coming together. They took their time getting to know each other, but they both accepted that they were mates right away.

Honarable Mentions: Beyond Scandal and Desire by Lorraine Heath and Lionheart by Thea Harrison.

Rowena

The Kiss Quotient (The Kiss Quotient #1) by Helen Hoang: This book is probably the book that I pimped out the most. I made all of my friends read it, or at least I really nagged them to. I got Casee and Holly to read it and they both enjoyed it so that made me happy. For me, this book was perfection. The hero, the heroine, their romance, all of it. There wasn’t anything that didn’t work for me and I am on pins and needles waiting for the next book in this series to come out.

Josh & Hazel Guide’s to Not Dating by Christina Lauren: I hesitated for a bit going into the reading of this book because there were mixed reviews all over blogland. The majority of the reviews that I was reading were not favorable. A lot of people were not on board with the heroine. She was too much, they said. When I finally forced myself to get this book read, I was surprised at how much I loved everything about this book. I didn’t hate the heroine the way that everyone else did but boy did I hella love the hero. Josh Im is where it’s at.

Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews: I read this for a buddy review with Ames and I was not expecting how much joy this book would bring to me. I read this book so fast, stayed up so late and just laughed the night away because Nevada Baylor is everything! You put her and Mad Rogan together and they made the perfect pair to me. Just fabulous read all over.

Hard Sell (21 Wall Street #2) by Lauren Layne: Lauren Layne continues to shine with her big city contemporary romances. I enjoyed the first book in this series, Hard Asset, but not nearly as much as I loved this one. Matt Cannon and Sabrina Carpenter are couples goals and their story was steamy, funny, and just freaking good.

Long Shot (Hoops #1) by Kennedy Ryan: This book made me cry buckets. It’s not an easy read by any means but holy cow was I wrapped up in August and Iris’ world and their stories. The missed opportunities, everything that Iris lives through and the emotional journey they both take to get to each other was just…everything. This book gets so much love from me because the emotional journey pays off so much in the end. Love!

Now it’s your turn. What were your favorite reads of 2018?


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5 responses to “Best of 2018: The Books

  1. Kareni

    I enjoyed your lists. I read most of the books on the first and third lists but nothing from Holly’s list.

    My favorite book of the year was The Goblin Emperor which is not a romance, nor for that matter was it published in 2018. While I enjoyed many new books none of them were standouts for me.

  2. Celine B

    My favorite books this year were One in a Million by Lindsey Kelk, Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale, Royally Matched by Emma Chase, A Girl Like Her by Talia Hibbert, The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, Melt for You by JT Geissinger, Rebel Hard by Nalini Singh, and a novella, Tikka Chance on Me by Suleikha Snyder.

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