So if you’re here reading this then you’re wondering what my top books of 2018 were, or you’re just related to me and reading this because I forced you to... LOL. Sorry it’s way past my bed time and a little crazy gets brought out, or a lot. Whatever!
BUT my reading in 2018 mostly featured Romance, with a dash of YA and a tiny sprinkle of historical fiction. But let me tell you, I went on a major Historical Fiction binge halfway through the year and it was great! I love expanding my reading to other genres! Sadly though this year I felt like I didn't read that many books that absolutely stood out and stole my attention. Don’t get me wrong I had plenty of five star reads this year, just not many that wowed my socks off. So these that I’m about to mention are some that slightly removed my socks and one book that has officially made it to my top books of all time list! So without further ado here are my top five books of 2018!
Y’all this book brought back my faith in YA Fantasy. I devoured this book in one single sitting, and honestly I don’t think you’ll be capable of putting this book down once you start. It has everything you want in a YA Fantasy- Fae, a magical world, a handsome arrogant prince- Let me stop there because a handsome and most definitely arrogant Fae prince should be enough to make you want to pick this book up!
This book is about Jude who was only seven when her parents were murdered and Jude and her two sisters were stolen and brought to live in the High Court of the Faerie. Skip to ten years later Jude is desperately wanting to fit in with the Fae, despite her mortality. But most of the Fae despise humans, especially the youngest and wickedest Prince Cardan. Trying to win a place at court Jude must defy him and ultimately face the consequences. Jude quickly gets entangled in the palace and it’s deceptions and she must risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
If you want a five star read, a wicked Faerie Prince, and a strong female character then check out The Cruel Prince, also if you need further motivation Wicked King is coming out VERY SOON.
Number four on this list is like nothing I have ever read, and I was like 60% sure I’d hate this, but my faith in Penelope Douglas had me digging in, and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. The only time I usually like age gaps is when Mariana Zapata writes them because some other authors can make it sound a little... creepy? I don’t know but Penelope Douglas did an amazing job. This book does contain situations not suitable for younger readers so if you’re not comfortable with that it might not be the book for you, but it’s nowhere near Fifty Shades. Very calm and controlled and not overdone which Ms.Douglas also does very well. Like, I LOVE me some romance and steamy scenes, but when the entire book gets swallowed by passionate love making I rather roll my eyes then swoon.
Jordan is down on her luck. She doesn’t have the best job, the best place, or the best boyfriend, but hey she can live with that because she’s alive and surviving. On Jordan’s birthday her boyfriend “forgets” to pick her up from work and she’s left stranded. Jordan decides to make the best of her situation so she heads over to the local movie theater and catches one of her favorite classics. What she doesn’t plan on doing is meeting a man who listens to her, laughs with her and doesn’t forget her. Unfortunately he can’t forget her because he ends up taking her in when her boyfriend ends up getting them kicked out of their apartment. As the days go by it’s becoming anything but easy. The more their paths cross the more they can’t fight the attraction building. But they know they can’t give in to it because she’s nineteen and he’s thirty-eight. Wondering why he took her in? Oh yeah, forgot to mention... He’s her boyfriends father.
This book had me shook and even writing this makes me remember how much I loved this, and I really really want to reread it. This book is full of SO MUCH ANGST, and it’s a definite slow burn so get ready, get a snack and sit down because this book is one you won’t want to put down.
I had no idea what to expect when going in to this book. I just knew that I wanted all the Historical Fiction after watching the film The Guernsey and Potato Peel Pie Society on Netflix and then listening to that same book on audio. So I started googling and watching youtube videos for recommendations and The Nightingale kept coming up, so I headed to the library and checked it out, and then finished it that same day. I cried, I smiled, I felt full of happiness, and then ached with sadness. You’re in for a melting pot of emotions with this book, and one thing I’ll say is that you won’t forget about this book for a long time.
This book follows two sisters in France, 1939. Vianne is forced to say goodbye to her husband as he is sent to the front to fight, and she is left behind raising their young daughter. She is adamant that the Nazi’s won’t really invade France, but invade they do. Unfortunately Vianne is forced to take an enemy into her house, and suddenly her every move is watched. Her and her daughter are both at constant risk, and without food or money there isn’t much hope left. Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, is the complete opposite and ready to face the war head on. She meets the compelling Gaetan who shares many of the same notions and she quickly falls completely in love. When he betrays her, she races into danger and joins the resistance never giving thought to the dangerous consequences.
These two sisters journey put me through the ringer, and I was so involved in their stories. The events they go through are just so shocking and the whole book you’re hoping maybe, just maybe it won’t end on a sad note but nothing about this book was happy, beautiful yes, but not happy. Granted they’re moments of happiness, or shall I say points where you had hope, but this book teaches you something so much more then you thought it would. It's a book that's memorable and not easily forgotten. So prepare for a book hangover and a major Historical Fiction funk because this book is off the charts! IF you read one Historical Fiction book in your life, let it be this!
This book definitely left me with an impression. I closed the book and just cried on my couch for thirty minutes, and when my husband asked what was wrong all I could mutter was, “it was just so good.” So I don’t know if that says anything, but I feel like if a book can bring you to tears then it did a pretty dang good job. I’ve read a few of this authors books and they’ve been 3-4 star reads but this was a clear 5 star read no doubt about it. So if you want a book that makes you cry and laugh on the same page then this is the book for you.
Calla Fletcher left Alaska when she was only two years old. Not only did she leave the small town behind, but she also left her father, Wren Fletcher, behind too. The only life Calla has known is the one in Toronto with her mother and step-dad. But when Calla learns Wren’s days might be numbered she knows it’s time to take a trip back to the remote town where she was born. She struggles to adapt to the rugged environment, the absent father she can’t help but care for, and the burly, obnoxious and proud Alaskan Pilot, Jonah. Jonah on the other hand is convinced this pampered City girl won’t last a day. Jonah is probably right, but Calla sets out to prove him wrong. She soon finds herself forming an attachment to the small town and the burly pilot. It would be foolish to take the same path her parents tried years ago, and she reminds herself of her mothers warning: Don’t fall for one of those sky cowboys.
This book does an excellent job of distracting you, and then you’re hit RIGHT.IN.THE.FEELS. Honestly this is one of those books that you just need to go in blind and read because the overall experience is worth it!
Want to know how I know this book is one of my favorites? I read it twice this year, and after finishing the newest Mariana Zapata book I was seriously considering reading it for a third time. Y’all Mariana Zapata blessed us with TWO books this year, this women is a Goddess! This is the best book I have read in a LONG time. I don’t know why it appealed to me so much, but it just did. I loved everything about this book and I’m pretty sure it had every single trope/plot line that I love in a book. This book was just as good as it was the first time I read it, and I’m pretty sure when I read it a third time (because let’s be honest, I will) I’m sure it will still be just as amazing.
Jasmine Santos has been down on her luck and can’t believe that this is what seventeen years of figure skating has come to. She knows her window to compete is coming to a close so she does the one thing she never thought she’d do. Make a deal with the devil himself, Ivan Lukov.
This is a shorter summary but it's all you need, and y’all I’m telling you GO.READ.THIS! It’s an enemies to lovers SLOW BURN, and if you’ve ever read a Mariana Zapata book you know she won’t disappoint, and she brings the word slow burn to a whole other level. Ivan Lukov though *SIGH* , he is the perfect blend of cocky and sweetly naive. I just love him, and this book. (if you can’t tell ) This has moved on to my favorite books of all time list and I don’t think it’s going to leave any time soon. So if you’re looking for a book with an animal loving, sarcastic ass and a strong independent woman that curses like a trucker then this is the book for you! Also it’s so much more then that and alright I’ll shut up because I could write a book on how much I LOVE Ivan Lukov.
YAY I finally finished! These were my top books of 2018! I read a lot of other five star reads that were pretty good, but these were the books that stood out to me and made an impression. Some honorable mentions are The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang and Luna and The Lie by Mariana Zapata, and they were both just as amazing and I would have done a top seven but I felt like that’s just an odd number?. (EVEN THOUGH FIVE IS AN ODD NUMBER) I clearly need to go to sleep now. I hope you guys enjoy them if you decide to pick them up, also let me know what your favorite book of 2018 was!
Well guys I’m off to go read From Lukov with Love for the third time...........
y’all did this to ME!!!!!!
5. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Y’all this book brought back my faith in YA Fantasy. I devoured this book in one single sitting, and honestly I don’t think you’ll be capable of putting this book down once you start. It has everything you want in a YA Fantasy- Fae, a magical world, a handsome arrogant prince- Let me stop there because a handsome and most definitely arrogant Fae prince should be enough to make you want to pick this book up!
This book is about Jude who was only seven when her parents were murdered and Jude and her two sisters were stolen and brought to live in the High Court of the Faerie. Skip to ten years later Jude is desperately wanting to fit in with the Fae, despite her mortality. But most of the Fae despise humans, especially the youngest and wickedest Prince Cardan. Trying to win a place at court Jude must defy him and ultimately face the consequences. Jude quickly gets entangled in the palace and it’s deceptions and she must risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
If you want a five star read, a wicked Faerie Prince, and a strong female character then check out The Cruel Prince, also if you need further motivation Wicked King is coming out VERY SOON.
4. Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
Number four on this list is like nothing I have ever read, and I was like 60% sure I’d hate this, but my faith in Penelope Douglas had me digging in, and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. The only time I usually like age gaps is when Mariana Zapata writes them because some other authors can make it sound a little... creepy? I don’t know but Penelope Douglas did an amazing job. This book does contain situations not suitable for younger readers so if you’re not comfortable with that it might not be the book for you, but it’s nowhere near Fifty Shades. Very calm and controlled and not overdone which Ms.Douglas also does very well. Like, I LOVE me some romance and steamy scenes, but when the entire book gets swallowed by passionate love making I rather roll my eyes then swoon. 
Jordan is down on her luck. She doesn’t have the best job, the best place, or the best boyfriend, but hey she can live with that because she’s alive and surviving. On Jordan’s birthday her boyfriend “forgets” to pick her up from work and she’s left stranded. Jordan decides to make the best of her situation so she heads over to the local movie theater and catches one of her favorite classics. What she doesn’t plan on doing is meeting a man who listens to her, laughs with her and doesn’t forget her. Unfortunately he can’t forget her because he ends up taking her in when her boyfriend ends up getting them kicked out of their apartment. As the days go by it’s becoming anything but easy. The more their paths cross the more they can’t fight the attraction building. But they know they can’t give in to it because she’s nineteen and he’s thirty-eight. Wondering why he took her in? Oh yeah, forgot to mention... He’s her boyfriends father.
This book had me shook and even writing this makes me remember how much I loved this, and I really really want to reread it. This book is full of SO MUCH ANGST, and it’s a definite slow burn so get ready, get a snack and sit down because this book is one you won’t want to put down.
3. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I had no idea what to expect when going in to this book. I just knew that I wanted all the Historical Fiction after watching the film The Guernsey and Potato Peel Pie Society on Netflix and then listening to that same book on audio. So I started googling and watching youtube videos for recommendations and The Nightingale kept coming up, so I headed to the library and checked it out, and then finished it that same day. I cried, I smiled, I felt full of happiness, and then ached with sadness. You’re in for a melting pot of emotions with this book, and one thing I’ll say is that you won’t forget about this book for a long time. 
This book follows two sisters in France, 1939. Vianne is forced to say goodbye to her husband as he is sent to the front to fight, and she is left behind raising their young daughter. She is adamant that the Nazi’s won’t really invade France, but invade they do. Unfortunately Vianne is forced to take an enemy into her house, and suddenly her every move is watched. Her and her daughter are both at constant risk, and without food or money there isn’t much hope left. Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, is the complete opposite and ready to face the war head on. She meets the compelling Gaetan who shares many of the same notions and she quickly falls completely in love. When he betrays her, she races into danger and joins the resistance never giving thought to the dangerous consequences.
These two sisters journey put me through the ringer, and I was so involved in their stories. The events they go through are just so shocking and the whole book you’re hoping maybe, just maybe it won’t end on a sad note but nothing about this book was happy, beautiful yes, but not happy. Granted they’re moments of happiness, or shall I say points where you had hope, but this book teaches you something so much more then you thought it would. It's a book that's memorable and not easily forgotten. So prepare for a book hangover and a major Historical Fiction funk because this book is off the charts! IF you read one Historical Fiction book in your life, let it be this!
2. The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker
This book definitely left me with an impression. I closed the book and just cried on my couch for thirty minutes, and when my husband asked what was wrong all I could mutter was, “it was just so good.” So I don’t know if that says anything, but I feel like if a book can bring you to tears then it did a pretty dang good job. I’ve read a few of this authors books and they’ve been 3-4 star reads but this was a clear 5 star read no doubt about it. So if you want a book that makes you cry and laugh on the same page then this is the book for you. 
Calla Fletcher left Alaska when she was only two years old. Not only did she leave the small town behind, but she also left her father, Wren Fletcher, behind too. The only life Calla has known is the one in Toronto with her mother and step-dad. But when Calla learns Wren’s days might be numbered she knows it’s time to take a trip back to the remote town where she was born. She struggles to adapt to the rugged environment, the absent father she can’t help but care for, and the burly, obnoxious and proud Alaskan Pilot, Jonah. Jonah on the other hand is convinced this pampered City girl won’t last a day. Jonah is probably right, but Calla sets out to prove him wrong. She soon finds herself forming an attachment to the small town and the burly pilot. It would be foolish to take the same path her parents tried years ago, and she reminds herself of her mothers warning: Don’t fall for one of those sky cowboys.
This book does an excellent job of distracting you, and then you’re hit RIGHT.IN.THE.FEELS. Honestly this is one of those books that you just need to go in blind and read because the overall experience is worth it!
1. From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata
Want to know how I know this book is one of my favorites? I read it twice this year, and after finishing the newest Mariana Zapata book I was seriously considering reading it for a third time. Y’all Mariana Zapata blessed us with TWO books this year, this women is a Goddess! This is the best book I have read in a LONG time. I don’t know why it appealed to me so much, but it just did. I loved everything about this book and I’m pretty sure it had every single trope/plot line that I love in a book. This book was just as good as it was the first time I read it, and I’m pretty sure when I read it a third time (because let’s be honest, I will) I’m sure it will still be just as amazing. 
Jasmine Santos has been down on her luck and can’t believe that this is what seventeen years of figure skating has come to. She knows her window to compete is coming to a close so she does the one thing she never thought she’d do. Make a deal with the devil himself, Ivan Lukov.
This is a shorter summary but it's all you need, and y’all I’m telling you GO.READ.THIS! It’s an enemies to lovers SLOW BURN, and if you’ve ever read a Mariana Zapata book you know she won’t disappoint, and she brings the word slow burn to a whole other level. Ivan Lukov though *SIGH* , he is the perfect blend of cocky and sweetly naive. I just love him, and this book. (if you can’t tell ) This has moved on to my favorite books of all time list and I don’t think it’s going to leave any time soon. So if you’re looking for a book with an animal loving, sarcastic ass and a strong independent woman that curses like a trucker then this is the book for you! Also it’s so much more then that and alright I’ll shut up because I could write a book on how much I LOVE Ivan Lukov.
Well guys I’m off to go read From Lukov with Love for the third time...........
y’all did this to ME!!!!!!
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