Hello lovely bookworms! It’s time for another segment of Top Ten Tuesday! I hope you’re all having a great day so far.
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and has been moved to That Artsy Reader Girl since January 16, 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
This week’s topic is Books That Surprised Me (Good or Bad). I don’t want to bash on the books I didn’t enjoy as much as I thought I would, so I’ll be sharing some of the amazing books I’ve read and completely took my breath away!
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover – This is the first book I read by CoHo and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I actually didn’t really know anything about this book. I think I downloaded it when it was free and kind of forgot about it for a long time. I had heard great things about CoHo’s books, but didn’t realize just how addictive and amazing they really are! Hopeless is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read and will always have a special place in my heart. It’s beautifully written, heartrending, and the FEELS are absolutely the BEST!!!
Where I Found You by Heidi R. Kling – When I read the synopsis for this book, I knew that I would really enjoy the story. I just didn’t expect to absolutely fall head over heels in love with it. It’s one of the best books I read last year and I honestly cannot wait to read the sequel. This book made my heart hurt, but in the most amazing ways. It’s such wonderfully aching and beautifully written story about hope, forgiveness, and love. It was funny, sweet, fascinating and inspirational. Just love this book so much!
Pen and Xander by Laekan Zea Kemp – It took me a while to get into this book because I was having a difficult and stressful time at work. I was really enjoying the story, so rather than force myself to get through it, I read a few chapters every other day or so and let me tell you… those few chapters made me feel a little better. It motivated me to keep pushing through whatever I was dealing with and focus on what’s truly important in life. This book is so well-written and absolutely full of heart. It’s a book that inspires, teaches, and comforts you in the best possible way. It made me feel so many emotions and I’m just so in love with this book and everything about it.
Doon by Lorie Langdon and Carey Corp – I picked up the first two books of this series because I loved the covers. They’re absolutely gorgeous and I really just bought them for that. I did however read the synopsis and had an idea of what the series was about — magic, romance, time travel, and ridiculously handsome guys. I knew I would really like the series… just didn’t know I would completely love the series and end up binging. It’s also one of my favorite series and can’t wait for the T.V. adaptation!
A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck – I thought this book would be adorable and cutesy and lighthearted. Well, it certainly had those moments, but this book hit me so hard I didn’t know what to do with all the FEELS! I honestly love this story so much it hurts. This book is hilarious, sweet, and so so BEAUTIFUL!! The emotional depth was so wonderfully executed and I cannot get over how amazing this is!
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer – Of course I had to put this here. I loved the movie and was really interested in reading the books. I had a good feeling I would really enjoy the books. Just didn’t know I would be so damn addicted to the series that I ended up reading the entire series in the span of 4-5 days. AND during my midterms week too. I probably didn’t even really sleep that week and I can’t remember if I studied all that much. I did really well on my midterms though and I had so much fun reading this series. It’s also what got me back into reading again, so I’ll always have a soft spot for this series.
A Messy, Beautiful Life by Sara Jade Alan – This book is so INCREDIBLY AMAZING. How can something so upsetting and heartbreaking be so full of life and laughter?! I knew going into this book that I would get very emotional and cry until my eyes hurt, but I was actually laughing… A LOT. I mean there were plenty of tears involved don’t, but this book filled my heart with so much hope and joy. By the end, I just wanted to give everyone I love a big hug and never let go. Everything about this book is just so achingly beautiful. I love this story with all my heart and can’t recommend it enough.
Above the Sky by J.W. Lynne- The synopsis for this book sounded intriguing and fun so I had a good feeling I would really like it. Well, this book is undeniably amazing!!! It’s imaginative, detailed, and deeply moving. I have to admit, after reading a few pages I didn’t know what to think or what to really expect. Then out of nowhere… BOOM!!! My heart couldn’t keep up with ALL THE FEELS and it just didn’t not stop.
No Ordinary Star by M.C. Frank – I heard amazing things about this series and I couldn’t wait to finally read it. I was so excited when I got picked to be on the street team and received an ARC. This book is exceptionally unique and just so lovely! Gorgeous storytelling, wonderful world building, fantastic characters, and a fast paced intriguing plot that had me hooked from the very first page. I absolutely love this series!!!
Vicarious by Paula Stokes – This was one intense, twisted and mind-blowing ride! I wasn’t sure what to really expect since I was never a fan of mystery and thrillers. I do really enjoy Paula’s writing style and I wanted to read outside my comfort zone, so I picked this up. I actually didn’t even read it until I was approved on Netgalley for the sequel, Ferocious. Well, I definitely have no regrets! This book/series is haunting, riveting, and absolutely fantastic. Had me flipping the pages wayyyy past my bed time and I loved every moment!
I hope you enjoyed reading this week’s Top Ten Tuesday. What are some books that surprised you? Good or bad? Leave your comments and links down below so I can check out your posts!
Have a great day!
“I want to be the friend you fall hopelessly in love with. The one you take into your arms and into your bed and into the private world you keep trapped in your head. I want to be that kind of friend. The one who will memorize the things you say as well as the shape of your lips when you say them. I want to know every curve, every freckle, every shiver of your body. 
“Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway.”
“So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s going to be really hard; we’re gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me… everyday.” 
And I’m not ready to tell you I’m in love with you, because I’m not. Not yet. But whatever this I’m feeling – it’s so much more than like…And for the past few weeks I’ve been trying to figure it out. I’ve been trying to figure out why there isn’t some word to describe it. I want to tell you exactly how I feel but there isn’t a single goddamned word in the entire dictionary that can describe this point between liking you and loving you, but I need that word…”
“His hands are holding my cheeks, and he pulls back just to look me in the eye and his chest is heaving and he says, “I think,” he says, “my heart is going to explode,” and I wish, more than ever, that I knew how to capture moments like these and revisit them forever. 
Sincerely Karen Jo 