Tag: Holly’s Best of Lists

Best of 2023: The Authors

Posted January 19, 2024 by Casee in Features | 1 Comment

Casee

Suzanne Wright: Suzanne Wright was a new-to-me author in 2023. Her books are so engaging that I had difficulty finding books to read after I glommed her backlist. I was just pulled in every single time. I’m generally not someone that re-reads books, but I’ve re-read almost all her books.

J.T. Geissinger: J.T. Geissinger was also a new-to-me author this year. I’m not a fan of mafia stories and didn’t know that I had picked one up. Her writing is so good that I decided I had to have more. I love her.

Sherilee Gray: Yet another new-to-me author. Sherilee Gray writes in almost every genre and I couldn’t get enough.

Lucy Score: Lucy Score has been a favorite of mine for years, but I really feel like this year, she really shined.

Georgia Lynn Hunter: And my last new-to-me author on this list. Her books reminded me of Sherilee Gray and I was thrilled to find another author that I loved.

Honorable Mentions: Nalini Singh and Victoria Ashley.

Holly

Ilona Andrews: The GOAT. I adore this duo. There’s nothing they’ve written that I don’t love. Sigh.

Suzanne Wright: I’ve read Wright for years, but I really binged her books this year. I love her blend of strong female leads, supportive (yet alpha) males and humor/drama. These aren’t light books, per se, but they leave me feeling happy every time.

Michelle Manus: I don’t love all the books I’ve read by Manus, but I can’t deny that I always finish them wanting more. The Nyx Fortuna series in particular is addicting and beloved.

Lucy Score: Another author I binge-read in 2023. I absolutely adored several of her books. While I didn’t love every single title, I know what to expect when I pick up one of her books.

Kenley Davidson: This was a new-to-me author in 2024. She has a giant backlist and I found it easy to fall into her books. The fairytale feel hit just right with me this year. Fair warning, the spice level is nil, but I found I didn’t mind since the stories were engaging.

Honorable Mentions: Dianne Duvall and Rachel Bach.

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Best of 2023: The Series

Posted January 2, 2024 by Casee in Features | 1 Comment

Casee

Dark in You by Suzanne Wright: This series is my ALL-TIME FAVORITE series of the year. Suzanne Wright was a new-to-me author this year and I gobbled up almost everything she has written. This series is so well written and the plot(s) just never get old. If I could recommend a series, this one would be it.

The Thornheart Trials by Sherilee Gray: I love witchy books and this series is everything. I love the sister and family vibe here. I can’t wait until the next book comes out.

Night Prowler by J.T. Geissinger: This series was gritty and very interesting. I was obsessed from the first book to the last.

The Mercury Pack by Suzanne Wright: Suzanne Wright ftw this year. This was the first series that I read by her and I was hooked.

Fallen Guardians by Georgia Lyn Hunter: A new-to-me author in 2023, I was hooked on this series. I really hope that she continues the series because it’s really good.

Honorable Mentions: Knights of Hell by Sherilee Gray.

Holly

Nyx Fortuna by Michelle Manus: This series is Innkeeper Chronicles meets Polaris Rising. I love the action and adventure, but I also love the bond Nyx forms with her Station, her crew and those select few who come into her life. I was hooked from page one and can’t wait for the next installment.

Dark in You by Suzanne Wright: Casee forced me to read this and I’m so glad she did. I’m a fan of SW anyway, but this series was truly wonderful. I do think the first four books could have been cut down to three, but I can’t deny I enjoyed the overall progression of the story-arc of the way things continued in later books. I’m really looking forward to the spin-off series that’s planned for 2024.

Kate Daniels: The Wilmington Years by Ilona Andrews: Kate Daniels. Curran. Conlin. YAAAAASSS.

Clecanian by Victoria Aveline: This was a sci-fi series I came upon randomly. I really enjoyed certain aspects of the first few books, but I lapped up the later books. As the political world evolves, the stakes are higher and my emotional investment rose with them.

Gate of Myth and Power by K.M. Shea: It was great to return to Magiford and read a trilogy featuring new characters. I liked the resolution in this one and was anxious for each new release.

Honorable Mention: Paradox by Rachel Bach.

What were your favorite series in 2023?

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Best of 2023: The Books

Posted January 1, 2024 by Casee in Features | 2 Comments

It’s that time of year again. The time where we come together and look over the books that we’ve read over the course of 2023 and list our favorites. Today’s list will include all of our favorite books of 2023. Join us for a week of reflecting on our favorite books, authors, and series.

Casee

Pretend You’re Mine (Benevolence #1) by Lucy Score: This book was everything to me. It was so angsty, but it didn’t go over the top to where I felt like I couldn’t read it. Harper and Luke were just everything I love in a romance. It was spectacular.

A Trial by Blood (The Thornheart Trials #3) by Sherilee Gray: This book is part of one of my #1 series of 2023. I love the witchy aspect of these books. Rose and Ronan had to fight so hard for their chance, but they got it.

Winter’s Awakening (Warlords of Empyrea #2) by Georgia Lyn Hunter: Honestly, I don’t remember much about this book, just the good feeling that you remember when you do think of it. I do remember the hero was really amazing.

When He’s Sinful (Olympus Pride #3) by Suzanne Wright: Oh, Camden. I adore Camden. I adore Aspen and Camden. I could literally read this book (or listen to it) over and over again.

Omens (Dark in You #6) by Suzanne Wright: Khloe was so annoyingly lovable and I just adored how Keenan handled her and all her craziness. Honestly, I could also read this one (or listen to it) over and over again.

Honorable Mentions: The Price of Scandal by Lucy Score, Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout #1) by Lucy Score, Burn (Dark in You #1) by Suzanne Wright.

Holly

The Faceless Mage (Legends of Abreia #1) by Kenley Davidson: This was a new-to-me author that I found via Kindle recommendations. I really enjoyed it. It reminded me a lot of The Bridge Kingdom. I was invested from page one.

Protecting What’s Mine (Benevolence #3) by Lucy Score: I really loved everything about this book; the small town setting, the trauma both MCs were dealing with, the found family aspect. I liked the rest of the series, but this is my favorite of the three.

Magic Claims (Kate Daniels: The Wilmington Years #2) by Ilona Andrews: It’s a Kate Daniels book by Ilona Andrews. Need I say more? Of course not, but I will anyway. I’ve been waiting for Kate to take the gloves off for years. I CANNOT WAIT to see where things go from here.

Body Check (Blades Hockey #4) by Maria Luis: This was another new-to-me author. Unfortunately, other books I read by her after this didn’t work for me, but I really loved this reunited lovers story.

Guardian of Torment (Nyx Fortuna #4) by Michelle Manus: This is such a great series. I came to it late, but I still feel like I had to wait forever for this book. I love the direction things are heading and I really love Nyx.

Honorable Mentions: When He’s Torn (Olympus Pride #5) by Suzanne Wright, The Price of Scandal by Lucy Score, Hunted (Dark in You #9) by Suzanne Wright.

What were your favorite books in 2023?

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Best of 2022: The Rereads

Posted January 12, 2023 by Casee in Features | 3 Comments

It’s that time of year again. The time where we come together and look over the books that we’ve read over the course of 2022 and list our favorites. We decided to switch it up this year. Today’s list will include all of our favorite rereads of 2022. Join us for a week of reflecting on our favorites and not so favorite reads, authors, heroes, heroines, and series.

Casee

Devil in Winter (Wallflowers #3) by Lisa Kleypas: I picked up this book before Devil in Spring because I wanted to remember how sweet Sebastian & Evie were. It did not disappoint the second time around.

Saving Grace by Julie Garwood: Saving Grace is like pulling on a comfortable old sweater. I love this book from beginning to end. Every time I read it, I love it a little more.

Oracle’s Moon (Elder Races #4) by Thea Harrison: Khalil & Grace are such an unlikely couple. I love how Khalil gets to know Grace & fully admits he was wrong about her. I love the family dynamic. I really just love everything about this book.

Angels’ Blood (Guild Hunter #1) by Nalini Singh: The book that started the AMAZING Guild Hunter series. This was my first reread of this book & I decided to listen to it on audio. It me an entire different aspect on the series when I listen to it on audio.

Sweet Dreams (Colorado Mountain #2) by Kristen Ashley: This is another book that is an old favorite. Anytime I can’t figure out what to read, this book has always been there for me.

Honorable Mentions: The Wedding by Julie Garwood, The Secret by Julie Garwood, and Ride Steady (Chaos #3) by Kristen Ashley.

Holly

Saving Grace by Julie Garwood: This may be my all time favorite Garwood novel. I love watching Johanna find her feet and come into her own. The underlying message about female empowerment really speaks to me.

The Wedding by Julie Garwood: Brenna and Connor are so different, and yet work so well. I love the overall story-arc and the way they clash but still come together.

Wildfire (Hidden Legacy #3) by Ilona Andrews: This is probably my most re-read book of 2022. I love everything about it and find myself gravitating toward it when I need a comfort read.

Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss, #1) by Nalini Singh: The first time I read this book I didn’t love it. I read is a second time and it was like the sun came out. I don’t know why, but that second read really worked for me. I’ve read it several times since then, but this year I rediscovered my love for it and read it on three separate occasions. Folly, FTW!

Night Unbound (Immortal Guardians, #5) by Dianne Duvall: This is my favorite book in the series. I really loved Zach and Lisette and I ended up reading this several time throughout the year.

What were your favorite rereads in 2022?

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Best of 2022: The Authors

Posted January 11, 2023 by Casee in Features | 1 Comment

It’s that time of year again. The time where we come together and look over the books that we’ve read over the course of 2022 and list our favorites. Today’s list will include all of our favorite authors of 2022. Join us for a week of reflecting on our favorites and not so favorite reads, authors, series, and rereads.

Casee

Katie Reus: KR was a new-to-me author this year. I loved every.single.one of her books. I can’t get enough of her.

Abigail Owen: AO was also a new-to-me author this year. I really enjoyed her writing & her Inferno Rising series.

Dianne Duvall: Yet another new-to-me author, I really enjoyed all the books I read by DD.

Nalini Singh: Although I didn’t love Archangel’s Resurrection, I loved Storm Echo. It was classic Nalini Singh.

Georgia Lynn Hunter: My fourth new-to-me author on this list–I love her stories & her writing!

Honorable Mentions: Claire Kinglsey, Rebecca Zanetti, and Lisa Kleypas.

Holly

Dianne Duvall: Duvall was probably my best find of 2022. I hadn’t read her before and it was great having a huge backlist to glom. Her books aren’t all 5 star reads, but they were entertaining and kept me engaged.

Michelle Diener: I’m so glad I discovered Diener and was able to binge read the Class 5 series.

Lucy Score: Lucy Score’s books remind me of early Kristen Ashley. I love the way she brings her characters to life.

T.A. White: I had read White prior to 2022, but I discovered a new appreciation for her world-building when I read The Firebird Chronicles.

Ilona Andrews: I probably read Ilona Andrews the most in 2022. I reread the entire backlist plus some. The word-building and consistency makes for a rich and rewarding reading experience every single time.

Honorable Mentions: Kate Canterbary, Lorraine Heath and Nalini Singh.

Who were your favorite authors in 2022?

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