Hello loves!!! Is it too early to be talking about favorite reads?!? No? Maybe? Yes? How are you all doing with your reading challenges? Are you behind or ahead? Well, I’m a bit behind my Goodreads Challenge, but I’m slowly catching up! Woohoo!! I’m now only 3 books behind and have read 20 out of 115. Hopefully by next week, I’ll finally be caught up or even better, 1-2 books ahead.
While I liked and enjoyed most of them with the exception of one DNF, there are 5 awesome books that I absolutely LOVED! I’m sure this list will change within the next few weeks, but these definitely hit all the rights FEELS and were such amazing reads. So without further ado, here are my Five Favorite Reads in 2018…so far.
Our Dark Stars by Audrey Grey and Krystal Wade
While she sleeps, the whole universe changes.
Princess Talia Starchaser has it all. Wealth. Status. Adoring citizens. But on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she’s forced to publicly betray her best friend, a companion mock she’s had since birth, setting events into motion that lead to the destruction of the humans, and the princess floating through space, a remnant of a time when humans ruled over droids.
One hundred years later, half-mock captain Will Perrault and his ragtag crew discover a device floating in space. When a very human Talia emerges from its depths, Will suspects she’s the key to buying his way back into the regiment he once commanded against the last remaining rebel humans—and the ruling mock queen’s good graces.
Both Talia and Will would rather get space-tossed than trust one another, but with the queen’s forces chasing them across the galaxy and the fate of both worlds hanging in the balance, they’ll forge the unlikeliest of alliances to survive.
I just finished this book and I’m completely and head over heels in love! I love science fiction and fantasy movies and T.V. shows. There is something incredibly fascinating and exhilarating about sci-fi fantasy. However, when it comes to reading books, I tend to be a little picky and would usually choose stories with a bit of romance. Well, this brilliant book had some romance, but it was definitely the exceptional writing, awesome world building, thrilling plot, and lovable characters that won my heart. Love this book so damn much! Full review will be posted during my blog tour stop on March 23.
Pen and Xander by Laekan Zea Kemp
Pen Prado has a passion for cooking. Specifically, cooking her father’s food in her father’s restaurant. It’s the heart of their immigrant neighborhood, a place where everyone belongs, and second chances are always on the menu. Except for Pen. Despite the fact that there’s something almost magic about her food, her father can’t imagine anything worse than her following in his footsteps. And when Pen confesses to keeping a secret from her family, he fires her, ensuring she never will.
Xander Amaro is undocumented but that doesn’t stop Ignacio Prado from offering him a job at his restaurant. For Xander, it’s a chance to make amends and to sever his toxic relationship with the druglord, El Cantil–a man whose been like a father to him since his own disappeared. Soon after, his mother abandoned him too, leaving behind a void that not even his abuelo can fill. Until he meets Pen.
Both seeking a place where they feel like they truly belong, they end up finding each other, and in the face of tremendous fear and self-doubt, they end up finding themselves.
If you’ve been following me for a while, then you’ve seen me talk about this book a few times. This book is just so amazing!!! It’s incredibly captivating, well-written, and absolutely so full of heart. If you want to read my full review, click HERE.
Blood Type by K.A. Linde
A startling new vision of paranormal romance: When a human ventures into the world of vampires—a decadent milieu of blood-bonds and betrayal—she discovers that not all is what it seems.
For Reyna Carpenter, giving up her body isn’t a choice. It’s survival.
In a civilization laid waste by poverty and desperation, Reyna accepts a high-paying position with the wealthy and hungry vampire elite. Her new job is as the live-in blood escort for the intimidating, demanding, and devilishly handsome Beckham Anderson. He’s everything she expected from a vampire, except for one thing—he won’t feed off her.
Reyna soon discovers that behind Beckham’s brooding, wicked façade lies a unique and complex man. And that, in a dark and divided world, she is more valuable than she ever would have believed.
For with each passing night, Reyna can’t shake the sensation that it’s Beckham who’s afraid of her.
This book is devilishly exhilarating, pleasantly tantalizing, and deliciously sexy. I’m so happy I requested this on Netgalley even though it set me back on my TBR. I absolutely LOVED everything about Blood Type! The world building and storyline was so fascinating that I found it almost impossible to put the book down. So damn good and that insane cliffhanger will have you craving for another bite! My full review will be posted closer to the release date.
Distorted Love by T.L. Smith
I loved him from the age of sixteen.
Hated Him from the age of eighteen.
He disappeared at the age of nineteen.
We started off as enemies, then fast became lovers. But our story isn’t a happily ever after.
It was a story of a king and a peasant. Can you guess which I was? I knew we weren’t meant to be. You see, he fell in love with her first. He loved me last.
I’m not someone’s second choice. Not even for the boy who stole my heart. I’m someone’s first. Now, I just have to remember that.
This book wrecked me in the best possible way. It’s sexy, suspenseful, intense, and undeniably addictive! As much as I love lighthearted, adorable, and sweet love stories, there’s something absolutely alluring about dark romances. That being said, I’m still very wary and not everything will “click” with me. I really don’t know what I’ll like and enjoy, so I held back from requesting the sequel. There were things that bothered me and I’m still not sure how I really feel about the characters. BUT… this book had me reeling and on edge throughout the entire time. My emotions were all over the place – hate, love, anger, sadness, hope, frustration, pain. This book affected me so much more than I expected that even when my heart was breaking into pieces, I could not stop reading. I don’t know how much more I can take, but I want… no I NEED the next book!! The way things ended, I won’t be able to move on until I know what happens next. As soon as I finished reading, I immediately requested for Sinister Love and hoped I would get approved. And I did!!! Now, I’m stalking my email waiting for my ARC to arrive.
Curses and Ash by Tiffany Duane
Discover the spellbinding sequel to Coral & Bone…
A demented twin sister, a demon hijacking her powers, and a mysterious journal filled with more questions than answers—Halen needs her Guardian Dax more than ever. But if she confides in Dax, she fears he will never forgive her, not after all he sacrificed to help her vanquish Asair. Halen drowned Asair in a tornado of wings—at least, she thought she killed him. Why then does his mocking voice snake through her thoughts, enticing her to surrender her power? Maybe she screwed up—big time—but she will never allow Asair to control her magick. And when Etils’ fires threaten the Earth, suspicions surrounding Asair’s death rise, igniting restlessness within the realms. Her life in balance, Halen must race time, purge the demon’s soul before flames consume the Earth or the Tari strike first.
I really enjoyed this series, but Curses and Ash is by far my favorite book! It’s such an amazing sequel! It’s even more thrilling, suspenseful and captivating than Coral and Bone. With magical creatures, edge of your seat action, secrets and betrayal that will break your heart, and danger lurking at every corner, this spellbinding adventure had me holding my breath until the end. If you want to read my full review, click HERE.
Have you read any of these books? What are some of your favorites in 2018? Leave your comments down below.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed reading this post. Have a wonderful day!!
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.
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.
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!
