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!

New Release – The Day the Jerk Started Falling by Max Monroe

TDTJSF RB Banner.jpg

Rule number one: don’t fall for your brother’s best friend.

Rule number two: don’t fall for jerks.

But rules go out the window the day the jerk starts falling…

The Jerk Duet is complete!

The Day the Jerk Started Falling, the fun and flirty conclusion of The Jerk Duet, from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is LIVE!

BOOK TWO_JERK DUET_TheDayTheJerkStartedFalling_Cover.jpg

My name is Oliver Arsen, but my mates call me Ollie.

I live hard and love harder, and it’s love that usually gets me in the most trouble.

According to the greater population, I’m the ultimate jerk.

My affection tends to be short-lived—a quality I’ve been assured multiple times by the fairer sex isn’t becoming—and the leaving part of loving and leaving has always come natural.

At least, it used to.

Until her.

Luciana Wright.

She’s an American bombshell and my sister’s best friend—a woman so wrong for

me, it’s written in the waves.

And she’s the reason we’re all here.

The reason I have to go back to explain how it all went wrong.

To the day the jerk started falling.

TDTJSF AN FB.jpg

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon     Amazon Worldwide

Add to GoodReads

Start the Duet with The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks!

Amazon     Amazon Worldwide

Add to GoodReads

 

BFF K had an ARC for The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks, but life, friends. Life got in the way. Her review for Book 1 in this duet just went live last night. She’ll be picking up book 2 ASAP!

 

About the Authors

A secret duo of romance authors team up under the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you sexy, laugh-out-loud reads.

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.

Connect with Max Monroe:

Website: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/max-monroe

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ReoxkK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormaxmonroe/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormaxmonroe/

 

 

Review – The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks by Max Monroe

TDISFFJ RB Banner.jpg

Everyone calls me Lucky, but when it comes to love, I’m anything but.

The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks, the first in the fun and flirty Jerk Duet from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is LIVE!

BOOKONE_JERKDUET_TheDayIStoppedFallingForJerks_FinalCover.jpg

I have a long history of dating the wrong men.

You know the ones I’m talking about.

The beautiful, charming guys who are quite literally too good to be true.

The ones who are impulsive in love and prefer short flings over long-term relationships.

I’m talking about the jerks.

The guys who taste so good, but are so very bad.

After going through the most ridiculous breakup in the history of breakups, I thought I’d learned my lesson. I officially put myself into jerk rehab and committed to changing my ways.

But, let’s be real here, love is never that easy.

Especially when an arrogant, charming, he-devil of a sexy alpha man gets involved.

Aussie accent.

Tanned skin.

Muscular, surfer bod.

Gorgeous brown eyes.

And the kind of sexy smile that brings women to their knees.

Oh, did I mention that he’s also my best friend’s brother?

Yeah. This story, my story, it’s a real doozy you guys.

The day I stopped falling for jerks, I met Oliver Arsen—the biggest jerk of all.

 

TDISFFJ AN FB-2.jpg

 

BFF K’s Review for The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks

 

I have listened to a TON of Max Monroe books this year and I love this writing duo’s great characters and clever stories. They’re usually super swoony and lol-funny. I was excited about the premise of this duet. And for the most part, I really liked the story and the characters.

Lucky is plucky. (Sorry, I didn’t mean to rhyme.) She’s hard-working and determined. But, unlucky in love. She takes a work trip that really begins to look a little like an early mid-life crisis/exploration of self-discovery. I think I really like Ollie as a character, but the one-sided delivery of the story only from Lucky’s point of view makes it hard to know for sure.

Here’s my issue and the things I didn’t like. The book is set up to be delivered like a podcast. And, honestly, I don’t know why. I was so distracted by the fact that the way a great author builds scenes is by adding details, but those details are very seldom things that you would actually say out loud. So, it just seemed awkward to think of this as a podcast. And, don’t even get me started on the sex scene. They tried to address it head on, but I was bothered by an explicit description of intimate sex by one of the participants in a pod cast. It just didn’t seem to fit with the story or Lucky’s character.

Lucky writes a series of Dear Ex-Boyfriend letters that really move the plot along and help with her character development. I love them and I feel like they would have been plot device enough without the podcast. Combine those two issues with the exotic travel and there was just a little too much going on.

Even with the things that bothered me about the story, I’m still invested in the characters. I want to know what happens next and I will definitely be buying book #2 in this duet. I’m hoping for a little more humor and a little less angst from Ollie’s perspective when it releases tomorrow. And, I will be one-clicking it now so it arrives soon!

I’m anxious to know how the story ends and I think that’s the highest praise I can give to a two-part story! Bring on the hunky Aussie bloke!

 

 

An advance copy of this book was received. Receipt of this copy did not impact the content or independence of this review.

 

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon     Amazon Worldwide

Add to GoodReads

 

Preorder The Day the Jerk Started Falling today!

Amazon     Amazon Worldwide

Add to GoodReads

About the Author

A secret duo of romance authors team up under the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you sexy, laugh-out-loud reads.

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.

Connect with Max Monroe

Website: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/max-monroe

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ReoxkK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormaxmonroe/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormaxmonroe/

Stay up to date with Max Monroe by joining their mailing list today: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/newsletter

New Release – The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks by Max Monroe

TDISFFJ RB Banner.jpg

Everyone calls me Lucky, but when it comes to love, I’m anything but.

The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks, the first in the fun and flirty Jerk Duet from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is LIVE!

BOOKONE_JERKDUET_TheDayIStoppedFallingForJerks_FinalCover.jpg

I have a long history of dating the wrong men.

You know the ones I’m talking about.

The beautiful, charming guys who are quite literally too good to be true.

The ones who are impulsive in love and prefer short flings over long-term relationships.

I’m talking about the jerks.

The guys who taste so good, but are so very bad.

After going through the most ridiculous breakup in the history of breakups, I thought I’d learned my lesson. I officially put myself into jerk rehab and committed to changing my ways.

But, let’s be real here, love is never that easy.

Especially when an arrogant, charming, he-devil of a sexy alpha man gets involved.

Aussie accent.

Tanned skin.

Muscular, surfer bod.

Gorgeous brown eyes.

And the kind of sexy smile that brings women to their knees.

Oh, did I mention that he’s also my best friend’s brother?

Yeah. This story, my story, it’s a real doozy you guys.

The day I stopped falling for jerks, I met Oliver Arsen—the biggest jerk of all.

 

TDISFFJ AN FB-2.jpg

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon     Amazon Worldwide    

Add to GoodReads

Preorder The Day the Jerk Started Falling today!

Amazon     Amazon Worldwide

Add to GoodReads

About the Author

A secret duo of romance authors team up under the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you sexy, laugh-out-loud reads.

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.

Connect with Max Monroe

Website: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/max-monroe

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ReoxkK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormaxmonroe/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormaxmonroe/

Stay up to date with Max Monroe by joining their mailing list today: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/newsletter

 

 

Cover Reveal – The Jerk Duet by Max Monroe

The Jerk Duet CR Banner.jpeg

The Jerk Duet, an all-new fun and sexy duet from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is coming October 18th, and we have the all new covers!

The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks

Release Date: October 18th

BOOKONE_JERKDUET_TheDayIStoppedFallingForJerks_FinalCover.jpg

 

Everyone calls me Lucky, but when it comes to love, I’m anything but.

I have a long history of dating the wrong men.

You know the ones I’m talking about.

The beautiful, charming guys who are quite literally too good to be true.

The ones who are impulsive in love and prefer short flings over long-term relationships.

I’m talking about the jerks.

The guys who taste so good, but are so very bad.

After going through the most ridiculous breakup in the history of breakups, I thought I’d learned my lesson. I officially put myself into jerk rehab and committed to changing my ways.

But, let’s be real here, love is never that easy.

Especially when an arrogant, charming, he-devil of a sexy alpha man gets involved.

Aussie accent.

Tanned skin.

Muscular, surfer bod.

Gorgeous brown eyes.

And the kind of sexy smile that brings women to their knees.

Oh, did I mention that he’s also my best friend’s brother?

Yeah. This story, my story, it’s a real doozy you guys.

The day I stopped falling for jerks, I met Oliver Arsen—the biggest jerk of all.

Add The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2Qcxk5z

* * *

The Day the Jerk Started Falling

Release Date: October 25th

BOOK TWO_JERK DUET_TheDayTheJerkStartedFalling_Cover.jpg

My name is Oliver Arsen, but my mates call me Ollie.

I live hard and love harder, and it’s love that usually gets me in the most trouble.

According to the greater population, I’m the ultimate jerk.

My affection tends to be short-lived—a quality I’ve been assured multiple times by the fairer sex isn’t becoming—and the leaving part of loving and leaving has always come natural.

At least, it used to.

Until her.

Luciana Wright.

She’s an American bombshell and my sister’s best friend—a woman so wrong for

me, it’s written in the waves.

And she’s the reason we’re all here.

The reason I have to go back to explain how it all went wrong.

To the day the jerk started falling.

 

 

Add The Day the Jerk Started Falling to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2IjtvbH

The Day I Stopped Falling for Jerks

Publishing Date: October 18th

Model: Florian T

Photographer: Wander Aguiar

About the Authors

A secret duo of romance authors team up under the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you sexy, laugh-out-loud reads.

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.

Connect with Max Monroe

Website: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/max-monroe

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ReoxkK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormaxmonroe/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormaxmonroe/

Stay up to date by joining Max Monroe’s mailing list today:

https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/newsletter