Below are my top 10 books of the year! They may have made it on this list for different reasons. A relationship finally consummated. Love found. Strong women, honorable, respectful men. Funny. Emotional. Intriguing. For these reasons, and so many more, these books below are my top ten of the year.
10 (Loved) - 1 (Obsessed to an unhealthy degree)
10. Of Flame and Fury by Cecy Robson
Why: A whole book centering around a couple of days, and it didn't bore me to tears like Fiery Cross did (sorry, Diana, but it was rough). Constant action, lots of laughs, and a perfect "ending" to Taren's part of the Weird Girls Series. Cecy Robson hit it out of the park with this one.
9. Someone Like You by Lauren Layne
Why: Um ... why not? One of the most loyal, romantic men I have read this year, falling in love despite his best efforts. Two damaged people finding comfort in one another? Hot as hell sex (there is literally a part where Lincoln word fucks Daisy, and it doesn't matter how many times I read it, I combust.). An epic ending involved her favorite romantic movie and his adorable dog? Yes. Just all kinds of yes.
8. The Summer King Bundle by Jennifer L Armentrout
Why: First of all, yes, I know this is technically 3 books bundled together, BUT, since they are novellas, combined, the three stories make one story. How Jennifer managed to make me fall in love with Brighton and Caden in novellas ... make me love these stories more than the Wicked Trilogy these books are set in, is beyond me, but she did it. Their chemistry set off instant sparks, the romance is delicious, the sex is out of this world, the action is great, and sprinkled on top is our favorite Wicked character - Tink.
7. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
Why: This is the best book in the series to date. Feyre finds her mate. The romance is settle and the sex is hot as fuck. The best part is that Feyre is finally respected, and given the freedom every person deserves, nd the space to find herself.
6. Blue by Brynn Ford
Why: This book was emotionally crippling and dark, yet sexy and intriguing. Full of drama, it left quite the impression on me, and in the almost 200 books I have read this year, stands out.
5. Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L Armentrout
Why: I don't know what it is about Trinity and Zayne. Perhaps that she is temperamental, impulsive, yet strong and brave, while Zayne is calm and steady, but strong and brave like her. Their chemistry together is beautiful, and the story is full of action, laughs ... and cries. Big, fat, ugly crying.
4. Opal by Jennifer L Armentrout
Why: It's no secret if you are a regular here that LUX is my absolute favorite YA series from Jennifer Armentrout. Opal is a stand out in this series for me, though. Daemon and Katy are finally together after two books of one or the other fighting their feelings for one another, we get to see the best sides of both of them ... yet don't lose out on the back and forth bickering between them. A lot happens in this book, for the characters, and in their relationship, and in a way, is a bridge from YA, to upper YA content.
3. House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City) by Sarah J Maas
Why: This book starts out slow, what with the incredibly intricate world building, and setting up two protagonists and other side characters for what is expected to be a trilogy, but once it gets going ... holy balls! This book has mystery and intrigue, intense ... and I mean INTENSE chemistry between the two leads, and a plot that is unique in its genre and entertaining as hell.
2. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout
Why: This series is Jennifer's crown achievement. Her first high-fantasy has been a smash hit, and a bright point in a ... well ... shit-tastic year. Her world building is wonderfully done, her characters intriguing in many ways, the plot is amazing, and the romance and sex ... hell yes. Hawke and Poppy = Hot as HELL.
1. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer Armentrout
Why: It was everything I hoped for after how From Blood and Ash ended. Everything. Intriguing. Funny. Sexy. S-E-X-Y. Romantic. Action-packed.