Top Ten Tuesday – Books I Can’t Believe I Read

toptentuesdays

 

This week’s topic for Top Ten Tuesday is – Books I Can’t Believe I Read. I usually pick books I know I’ll enjoy, so there aren’t many books I don’t really like. I’m also never ashamed I read something because if I end up liking and loving it, then that’s what’s really important. That being said, there are plenty of books I’ve read and asked myself “Why am I reading this?”  Then thought — “Oh right…because there is something so damn good about this and I just can’t stop!”

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.

Here are the Top Ten Books I Can’t Believe I Read

(But ended Up Really Loving Them… and I’m Not Ashamed)


addicted

Addicted by Zane – My best friend recommended this book and told me that I HAD to read it. She lent me her copy and once I started reading, I was completely addicted…This book is part thriller, part romance, and part erotica. I didn’t think I would like it, but I was thoroughly invested in the storyline and characters. I’ve never read anything so engaging and exciting and had me on the edge. I just can’t believe I read this while a junior in high school. Not only was this my first very adult and very out of my comfort zone novel, but I went to an All Girls Catholic High School too. I mean I read those classics like Rebecca, Jane Eyre, To Kill a Mockingbird and such that dealt with sensitive issues, but they were definitely nothing like Addicted. The entire time I was reading, I remember teenager me feeling a little “guilty” for loving the book.


Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer – I was in college when the first movie came out and I honestly have not heard anything about the books. It was actually my brother that suggested we double date and watch the movie with our significant others. I remember asking why would he want to watch something with teenage vampires. I thought the whole idea was absurd that I didn’t even bother watching the trailer. I was more concerned with my own midterms, papers, and trying to graduate on time. Well, if you’ve been following me, you know how much I love this series. I watched the movie, loved it, and read the books. After poking fun at the idea, I can’t believe I read them all in a matter of days and during my midterms week too. Yes…we all know they weren’t the best books nor were they well-written, but I loved them then, and I still love them now.


Fifty Shades of Grey Series by E.L. James –  I was a bit unsure going into this and I’m not a fan of too much sex scenes… but I devoured this series!!! I was a teacher when I picked up the books and every chance I got (during recess, lunch breaks, P.E., and even when the kids were doing classwork), I would pull this out and read it. I can’t believe I was that obsessed, but I actually really like them… so much so that I read Grey and plan on reading the rest from Christian POV.


baredtou

 

Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day – So after I finished Fifty Shades of Grey, I can’t believe I wanted to read something else that was similar. I stumbled on this series and immediately picked it up. I was completely hooked and remember really loving it. But I don’t recall all that much about the books which is why I also featured this in last week’s Top Ten Tuesday post.

 


allthebrightplaces

 

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven – I love books that make me cry, but I don’t like going into books knowing I’m going to be sad and crying. That’s why I can’t believe I read this knowing that it would devastate me. BUT… this book was absolutely beautiful and I loved it.. even if it did break my heart.

 

 


 

Menace and Grievous by J.M. Darhower – I’ve been trying to read out of my comfort zone, but I can’t believe I actually read this… and really enjoyed it. It’s a Dark Romance with plenty of graphic violence, sex, and adult situations that may be offensive. I don’t mind it in movies, but it’s something I don’t think I would like reading. That being said, I was very unsure about Menace through most of the book… I was actually a bit uncomfortable, yet I could not stop reading. Towards the end, it was really good… like seriously sooo good that I ended up reading the sequel.


hopeless

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover –  It’s very rare for me to read a book without knowing a little bit about it, so I can’t believe I just went blind with this one… BUT definitely no regrets! I don’t even think there are enough words to express how much I love this book.  I didn’t know it back then, but Colleen Hoover would become one of my favorite authors. Still, I can’t believe I read this knowing absolutely nothing. I read part of it during work so there were definitely a few restroom breaks because I didn’t want my coworkers to see my crying.

 


 

Ruby Red Trilogy by Kerstin Gier – I’m not really a fan of historical fiction. Don’t judge, but history to me is boring… never liked it in school. But Ruby Red ended up in my book shelves because the cover is so pretty that I just had to have it. Then, I discovered Bookoutlet and found Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green, so I thought why not complete the series…  I eventually gave in and decided to finally read them. I’m so glad I did because I could not put the books down. I ended up really loving the series and is now one of my favorites (yes there’s a bit of history but not much).


sparrow

Sparrow by L.J. Shen – I loved Vicious, so I decided to pick this book up. It’s another Dark Romance and when I read the synopsis — the words kidnapped, caged, and graphic violence should had me running the other way. But nope…There was a part of me that was very curious. I can’t believe that I wanted to read this one and actually finished it. Some parts were a tad bit much for me, but my overwhelming fascination had me glued to the pages. And while I didn’t love it as much as Vicious, I still enjoyed it.


 

Vicarious and Ferocious by Paula Stokes –  I love Paula Stokes, but I’m not too keen on mystery and thrillers.  It’s something I love watching, but when it comes to reading, I love adventure and fantasy and ROMANCE. But Vicarious went on sale on Amazon so I bought it just to support Paula Stokes. Months later, I signed up for Netgalley and was obsessed that I requested Ferocious without having read Vicarious. Turns out my obsession would lead me to this amazing duology. I never thought I would like mystery and thrillers… but I actually really do and I love this duology so much! Oh and there is a bit of romance that made me swoon…, but even if there wasn’t, I think this duology is absolutely fantastic!


Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Which books can you not believe you read? Leave your comments down below.

sincerelykarenjo2

Blog Tour – The Sweetheart Sham by Danielle Ellison

TheSweetheartShamTour

Hello my lovelies! Welcome to my stop for The Sweetheart Sham Blog Tour hosted by Chapter by Chapter. I am so head over heels in love with this heartwarming and incredibly sweet romance.  Don’t forget to stay until the end to read an excerpt and join an awesome giveaway!


sweetheartsham
5 ★ – DELIGHTFULLY SWEET AND AMAZINGLY SWOONY
PUBLISHED BY ENTANGLED TEEN CRUSH DECEMBER 4, 2017
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, ROMANCE, CONTEMPORARY

Purchase Links Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo 

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 Synopsis 

In a small town like Culler, South Carolina, you guard your secrets like you guard your cobbler recipe: with your life. Georgia Ann Monroe knows a thing or two about secrets: she’s been guarding the truth that her best friend Will is gay for years now. But what happens when a little white lie to protect him gets her into a fake relationship…and then the boy of her dreams shows up?
Enter Beau Montgomery: Georgie’s first love, hotter than ever, and much too much of a southern gentleman to ever pursue someone else’s girl. There’s no way to come clean to Beau while still protecting Will. But bless their hearts, they live in Culler—where secrets always have a way of revealing themselves.
Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains a hilarious “fakeship,” a scorching-hot impossible relationship, and a heartwarming best-friendship that will make you want to call your best friend right here, right now.

Review 

Set in a charming small Southern town filled with quirky and lovable characters, The Sweetheart Sham is a wonderful story about friendship, family, forgiveness, and love. It’s extremely adorable, delightfully sweet, and amazingly swoony you won’t be able to resist.  

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This book tells the story of a sassy southern belle, Georgia Ann Monroe, her handsome gay best friend, Will Montgomery, and the gorgeous boy who broke her heart, Beau Montgomery. It’s a second-chance romance, a coming out journey, and an uplifting narrative about acceptance, honesty, taking risks and LOVE. The plot was refreshing, absolutely dazzling, hilarious, and utterly heartfelt. There were so many wonderful moments that filled my heart with so much excitement, joy and hope that I didn’t want it to end.  

The characters put such a big smile on my face. They’re beautifully complex and flawed, positively delightful, and so darn lovable. Not to mention, they’re so vibrant, fun, witty, and so full of heart. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each and everyone in Culler.

I adored Will with all my heart and felt for him throughout the entire time. He’s genuine, loyal, kind, and just wanted to be happy. I’ve always been a believer that love is love and everyone regardless of who they are and what they believe in deserves to feel all the love and happiness.

Georgia Ann was such a fantastic and very likable character. I loved her spunk, perseverance, and dedication to the people she cares about. Having said that, her relationship with Will was absolutely endearing. They wanted each other to be happy no matter what and were willing to do anything to make that happen. I enjoyed their inside jokes, their bantering, and all the tender moments they shared. Their friendship was so heartwarming and sweet and just made me aww over and over again. 

Beau was a bit angsty and broody, but also ridiculously charming, funny, and caring that you can’t help but swoon over him. While he did frustrate me a bit, I can honestly say that Beau became the kind of guy I would fall in love with — the one I would bring home to meet my whole family and be my plus 1 forever. I loved his imperfections, his determination, his sincerity, and his gentle heart. The romance between him and Georgia Ann was delicious, sexy and totally steamy! They were just the sweetest sweethearts and the ending scene will surely make your heart melt.

I am so incredibly head over heels in love with this book! I smiled, laughed, cried, and felt so many wonderful emotions that left me craving for more. It’s intoxicating in the most amazing way and I honestly cannot wait to read the next installment. 

With heartwarming characters, a charming setting, and swoon worthy romances, The Sweetheart Sham by Danielle Ellison is a lovely addition to Entangled Teen Crush books! Definitely adding this to my favorite YA contemporary reads. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Excerpt

“Beau Montgomery, what on earth!” someone, I think it’s Will’s mom, says with a squeal. I can’t single it out because my heart seems to stop beating.
Everyone scoots toward the patio entrance and gathers around. Will drops my hand to move closer.
 And then I see him.
 He’s standing behind Mrs. M next to his dad, a big smile on his face, and he’s tall. Real tall. His dark hair is longer and nearly falling into his hazel eyes, definitely a length that Orry won’t like much. His jaw is strong, some muscles pressing under his polo. He looks nothing like the boy I remember.
 And suddenly I’m a little self-conscious. What am I wearing today? I can’t even remember. I could look down but that would mean looking away from him, and thenmaybe when I look back he won’t be there. I don’t know if he even sees me, but I see him. Clearly. After more than twoyears of nothing.
 “Beau, is that you, boy?” Orry calls. Beau steps around the rest of the family toward his grandpa. He’s closer now, and I can get a better look at his face. My eyes explore his features and rest on his lips, which break out into a small smile and—Dang, is it hot out here?
 “Hello, Granddad.” Orry pulls him into a hug and Beau has to lean over to reach him properly. Orry looks like a kid in his arms.
 Cheese and rice, even his voice is sexy. Deeper but still with a familiar feeling that it stirs up in me, and an accent with a hint of Georgia twang instead of South Carolina cadence.
I like it. Lord help me, I like it.
 Orry holds him out at arm’s length and examines him before giving him a pat on the shoulder. “You look more like your daddy than I expected. How tall are you?”
 “Six one, sir,” Beau says.
 “You look good, grandson, real good. Atlanta treating you well?”
 “Yes, sir, it is.”
 I want to move, but I can’t. My feet are stuck to the ground, not that I should move anyway. I don’t reckon I trust myself around him. Especially not right now when I’m not sure if I want to hug him or kick him somewhere that would hurt. I’d do a good job of it too and make darn sure my kick was as painful as him not showing up that night.
“When’s your momma coming?” Mrs. M asks him.
 “Not until closer to the wedding,” he says.
 I watch as Will hugs him. They’re both smiling, and it reminds me of before when he was here. They were inseparable—we were—and now I’m just standing here like an idiot. Which I am. Will looks in my direction, and then Beau’s eyes are on me, too. It’s even worse when he’s looking at me, especially now with a hidden glimmer in them. It’s not how he said hello to the others; it’s almost like his eyes hadn’t seen me before, and now he’s hyperaware. Just like I’ve been since his dad yelled his name.
 He takes a step toward me.

Danielle EllisonAbout the Author 

Danielle Ellison is a nomad, always on the lookout for an adventure and the next story. In addition to writing, she’s the founder and coordinator of the NoVa TEEN Book Festival. When she’s not busy with books, she’s probably watching her favorite shows, drinking coffee, or fighting her nomadic urges. She is newly settled in Oklahoma (for now) with her cat, Simon, but you can always find her on twitter @DanielleEWrites.

Follow and Connect with Danielle Ellison 

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Goodreads

Tour Schedule

Giveaway Details 

The Sweetheart Sham Prize Pack (US):

Pampering goodies (sweet southern soap and bath bombs)

a “peanut butter <3s jelly” mug

ice cream erasers

heart shaped sunglasses

a copy of “Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit” by Jaye Robin Brown

Join the Rafflecopter Giveaway

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Thanks for stopping by and reading my review. Hope you lovelies get to meet Georgia Ann, Will and Beau, and experience their lovely sweet story. Don’t forget to leave your comments down below!

Sincerely Karen Jo