2020 Besties

 

2020 has been a roller coaster of a reading year! I read some good books, I read some ok books, I started but didn’t finish a whole lotta books. (I’m glaring at you, Midnight Sun!) However, I think the success of my reading ventures had as much to do with my mood as with the books I started or finished. This year’s list looks a little different as it includes both nonfiction and my attempts to add more diverse voices to my library.

Through the ups and downs of 2020, I am so thankful for books and the escape that they provide from real life! And, I hope that 2021 brings us all amazing stories full of love and laughter! Without further adieu, I present the BFF Book Blog 2020 Besties!

 

#1 Untamed by Glennon Doyle

I originally borrowed this from the library. Then, I purchased the Audible copy and asked for a hardcover copy for Christmas. I’ve purchased and sent 3 copies as gifts through the holidays. This book has some incredible lessons and is presented with such honesty and heart. I loved this book and I think every woman should read it! (But, my Zoo loving heart has to say, I don’t really believe that running cheetahs are unhappy. But, I completely get the point she’s driving home about taming ourselves unnecessarily!)

 

#2 American Royals (And Majesty) by Katharine McGee

                              

I can not stop thinking about the premise of these books. It’s mind blowing. And, then the incredibly unique setting gives birth to this soap-operaesque drama and you won’t be able to put it down! I can’t recommend this series highly enough and I wish a. there were more books coming and b. this would become a Netflix series!

 

#3 Unforgettable by Melanie Harlow

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire Cloverleigh Farm series. The books are heartfelt and emotional. They are full of terrific, gritty, relatable stories and characters who end up with with real life HEA’s. And, Unforgettable is the perfect example of that. I love a good baseball player hero (there are 3 in the Besties list this year) and I’m a sucker for a well written adoption story. This book hit me in all the feels and I’ve re-read parts of it over again. It is just a really solid book and I highly recommend not only Unforgettable, but the entire Cloverleigh Farm series!

 

#4 The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

This book is sweet and fun but wrapped in an unexpected layer of feels and emotion. It’s a rockstar romance, but really takes a different spin on the traditional storyline. It is just a great story and it will definitely leave you with a smile on your face and a song in your head!

 

#5 The Rivals by Vi Keeland

Enemies to Lovers at its very best! This is story is absolute frothy deliciousness! It’s steamy and the banter is top notch. It’s a fantastic escape that kept me up waaaaayyyyy too late and also made a 6 hour car ride fly by! This is one 2020 release that shouldn’t be missed!

 

#6 The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

What a unexpected and joyous surprise this book was! It’s a magical fantasy that almost seems YA but tackles really complex themes of family, love, identity and belonging. It’s beautifully written and should absolutely be a must read!

 

#7 Unwind by Neal Shusterman

This book is the opposite of #6! Where House in the Cerulean Sea is sweet and calming, Unwind is vivid and disturbing. BUT, it’s still a really great story. A complete dystopian mind f&^@ this book will rock your world and make you think some very deep thoughts. It’s also the first book that my tween son has been remotely interested in discussing with me. That alone puts it on the list!

 

#8 His Royal Highness by R.S. Grey

This book is classic R.S. Grey. It’s light and fun, quick and witty and purely delightful! This book is not going to make you rethink life’s purpose, but it absolutely is going to give your brain a mini-vacation in a charming story. I loved pretty much everything about this story. This is the classic example of why I love to read lighthearted, feel good, romance! (When I checked tonight, this book was $3.99 with the audible add on for $1.99! Go get that right now!)

 

#9 Accidental Tryst by Nathasha Boyd

This is another light-hearted, feel good love story. It gives off rom-com, “chick flick” (though I hate that term) vibes. It is so well written and plays out like a romantic movie ala Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. Part of the reason that I love this book so much is that I can’t stop thinking about these awesome characters. It’s just a really enjoyable!

 

#10 Keeping Score by Alyssa Kale

This is Alyssa Kale’s debut novel, but you’d never know it! This story features another baseball player Hero who is absolutely fantastic. It’s just a really engrossing story that presents some standard tropes in whole new ways. I couldn’t put it down and it broke me out of a serious reading slump this year. If you’re struggling to get into a book, try picking this one up and giving it a try!

 

#11 The Ace and the Assistant by Jiffy Kate (And the Rookie and the Rockstar and Beef Cake!)

I read the Ace and the Assistant until I finished it at 3am this week. I haven’t done that in a long time and I loved every minute of it! This is such a fun series. The writing reminds me of Melanie Harlow, Sarina Bowen or Emma Chase. Everything I’ve read from this writing duo is really terrific and I’m adding more of their books to my TBR in the new year!

 

#12 Stone Princess by Devney Perry

This book is 3/6 in the Tin Gypsy’s series, but my favorite so far. I really liked the main characters and there is the hint of a love triangle without actually going there. It’s the famous-hero-falling-for-the-small-town-girl trope and I’m here for all of it! This whole series is really inventive and immersive. I have never been a huge fan of MC stories, but this series is the exception. Highly recommended!

 

Some other notable titles in 2020:

                             
I hope that you had some really wonderful reading escapes in 2020. And, one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to post more in the new year! But don’t forget to follow me on Goodreads as I update that with all the books as I finish them! I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months.

Best wishes for peace, health and happiness in 2021!

 

2019 Besties

 

Before we get much further into 2020, I want to be sure to recognize the best of my read/listens from 2019! I think it’s important to note that nearly all of my BESTIES this year were audiobooks. Several were listen/read combos, but nearly all of them had an audiobook component. 2019 was a WILD year for me and my family and there just wasn’t enough time for reading. But, I’m so thankful that audiobooks allowed me to enjoy wonderful romances all year long.

Of course that means I’ve been HORRIBLE about writing reviews, but you can always see what I’ve been listening too/reading on Goodreads! With that, I present to you BFF K’s 2019 Besties!

 

#1 – Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This story is so exception, you almost forget it is a work of fiction. I laughed and I cried and I just wished it were real! I can’t wait to see it all come to life in an upcoming series produced by Reese Witherspoon on Amazon Prime!

#2 – The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

(Not released in 2019, but read/listened in 2019!) I was late to this party, but so relieved I didn’t miss out. The Hate U Give was my most personally recommended book of the year. I made tons of my friends read it and still can’t get over how incredible it was. Like both of the other books in the Besties Top 3 this year, I think THuG is better as an audio than a book. The narrator brought the book to life in a way that I would NEVER have been able to in my head! (On the Come Up is fantastic too!)

#3 – Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words by Tara Sivec and Andi Arndt

This book is LMAO funny! And it’s written by two of my favorites in the book world. Plus, Andi Arndt narrating her own words in the delightful Minnesotan accent is just perfection!

#4 – The Last Wingman by Daisy Prescott

There’s not much you can say about the end of a beloved series. But, Daisy Prescott did the Wingmen proud and delivered a wonderful conclusion for the Whidbey crew and I enjoyed every minute of it! And, I think she’s pretty much the bees knees! 🐝💛🖤

#5 – Smartypants Romance Launch #1

The idea of Smartypants Romance was so exciting, but I was almost overwhelmed by all of the different opportunities. I’m so grateful that I was able to attend the Smartypants Romance launch party at Book Bonanza 2019. Hearing the authors talk about their books and how each fit into Penny Reid’s world was amazing! I walked away learning about so many knew-to-me authors and getting so excited about all of the new stories. Launch #1 of Smartypants Romance was an absolute highlight of my book year! I can’t wait to read them all and then to read all of Launch #2 and beyond.

My favorites so far include: Stud Muffin by Jiffy Kate, Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott, Love in Due Time by L.B. Dunbar, My Bare Lady by Piper Sheldon, Weight Expectations by M.E. Carter and Baking Me Crazy by Karla Sorensen!

#6 – 44 Chapters About 4 Men by BB Easton

(Not released in 2019, but read/listened to in 2019!) I think the first thing to say is that I am just really really sorry that I waited so long to read this book. I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to sit in a Rom-Com authors panel at 2019 Book Bonanza. BB Easton made me LOL and I immediately downloaded the audiobook for 44 Chapters and I’m so thankful. It is absolutely fantastic and everyone should read it!

#7 – Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

This book is sweet and fun; it’s clever and interesting and a joy to read. It made me wish that it was a real life story. It’s political and royal and MM perfection – a MUST read!

#8 – Beard with Me by Penny Reid

This story broke my heart. It was beautiful and touching. The individual sacrifices of the hero and heroine were as inspiring as they were stupid. This set up Beard Necessities perfectly and because it was such a crucial part of the series, I’ve placed this story in my Besties!

#9 – The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Clever, romantic, unique and touching. Helen Hoang delivers another exceptionally unique and thought-provoking story wrapped inside a lovely romance!

#10 – Gypsy King by Devney Perry

Ahhh! An incredible start to a gritty new series. It ended with more questions than answers and made me breathless for the next book in the series. That’s exceptional!

 

I hope that everyone had an incredible reading year! Cheers to 2019 and bring on all the books in 2020!

2018 Besties

 

Wow, 2018 was a wild year! It was a year of personal challenges that presented some challenges to my reading schedule. But, in the end I persevered (lol) and it was another stellar year for this book lover! 😅 Thank goodness for audiobooks to help feed my passion for Romance books when I don’t have the time to read! Some of the following books have been reviewed on the blog and some of the reviews are still to come. Without further ado, I present my list of 2018 Besties!

#1 – Trailer Park Heart by Rachel Higginson

Stunning, emotional, fulfilling story set in Nebraska! I love this story and these characters!

 

#2 – The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker

This is the book that I gushed about on All About Books on NET Radio! Just a fantastic, wonderful, emotional, moving story! Definitely check this out!

 

#3 – Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely

This is hands-down the BEST audiobook that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to! The story is phenomenal, but it is made so much better by the incredible narration of Grace Grant and Richard Armitage. This will make anyone an audio lover!

 

#4 – The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Sweet and stunning. The most unique characters I’ve read in a long time. Heartfelt and hopeful!

 

#5 – My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

Julia Whelan has long been one of my favorite narrators. But, hearing her narrate her own story and characters was one of my favorite book experiences of the year. This book is exceptional!

 

#6 – The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

This book was as much of a group experience as you can get with a book. It’s fresh and lovely and slightly taboo. I enjoyed the book and am obsessed with Robinne Lee’s narration, but more than anything I have loved talking about this book with other #HayeSolNuts and developing an obsession with Harry Styles!

 

#7 – Royally Yours by Emma Chase

This is the prequel that I didn’t even know I wanted! I adore this series and this is one of my most favorite stories in this series. It’s historical with a modern feel and characters that are absolute perfection!

 

#8 – Banking the Billionaire by Max Monroe (The Year of Max Monroe)

2018 is the year I devoured everything written by the hilarious duo. But with all of the great stories to choose from, I have to pick Banking the Billionaire (#2 in the Bad Boy Billionaire series) because Thatcher Kelly is my most favorite hero ever written. Period. He does it for me. He’s sweet, kind, caring, independent and co-dependent, confident, crazy in love with his heroine, but not so much that he’s willing to sacrifice who he is! He’s AMAZING! I’ve listened to this audio twice this year!!!

 

#9 – Tinfoil Heart by Daisy Prescott

I’m a believer! How about you? This is another complete unique story unlike anything else you’ve read. And, it’s thoroughly enjoyable! This is an absolute gem!

 

#10 – Steadfast by Sarina Bowen  (The Year of Sarina Bowen)

Another “Year of” Author! It started with the amazing Bittersweet and I’ve devoured all of the books in the True North Series, the Brooklyn Bruisers Series and Him/Us, I have a few more on my list to enjoy. Everything she writes is fantastic! Steadfast has stuck with me more than any of the others. Jude broke my heart and mended it back together!

AND Now the Next Besties

I can’t just leave it at 10, so here’s 8 more stellar books to make it an even 18 for 2018!

Hate Note – Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland
The Art of Us – Hilaria Alexander
Change of Hart – ME Carter
(Also the Year of ME Carter! I had a hard time deciding between this and Groupie! But love me some Jason Hart!)
Clover Chapel – Devney Perry
Switch Stance – M.E. Carter & Andrea Johnston
I Don’t – Andrea Johnston
Pucked Love – Helena Hunting
Burn for You – J.T. Geissinger
What a great year and I’m sure that there will be many more great reads to come in 2019! I thank you all for following the blog and sharing your favorite reads with me all year long! Books really do make friends, BFF’s!