Top Ten Tuesday | Books I Loved More Than I Thought I Would

The thought of YA is usually better than what it turns out to be for me. That’s not to say there aren’t some diamonds in the rough, and Angelfall is a perfect example. This book is full of suspense, and even veers into horror at the end. This story gripped me from the very beginning, and it kept me in its clutches. I was hesitant of this read because it was YA, and because it was Fantasy, both genres I hadn’t read a lot of. It’s safe to say I loved this book more than I thought

My cousin spent months trying to get me to read this book, but I resisted. Since she was also one of the many who recommended Fifty Shades of Grey to me, a read I didn’t find enjoyable, I wasn’t enticed into picking this one up. Eventually she wore me down, and On Dublin Street topped my CR favorites list for a long time. Braden Carmichael was a heartbreaker.

Oh good God. Gideon is one of the only billionaires to ever steal my heart. His back story was phenomenal, and his intensity with all things just blew me away. I loved everything about him. But be warned – if you’re taking this as a recommendation, my love for this series stops with book two. Books 3 – 5 were disjointed and lacking any direction. But for two books, Gideon Cross consumed me.

Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

I don’t know why I am so surprised that I loved this one as much as I did. One of my reading buddies loved this (buddy Birdie,) and our taste for M/M is usually in sync. That alone should have shot it to the top of my to be read list. It didn’t, and I almost broke a hip kicking myself in the ass for waiting so long to read this one.

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

I always find it daunting to pick up a series that has so many books under its belt. I’m not really big on magic (I mean, I didn’t think I was. KD changed my mind,) and there were some other UF series that had rave reviews that I just didn’t love. It made me a little hesitant to pick the first Kate Daniels book up. But I did, and I never looked back. I freaking love this series.

Written in Red by Anne Bishop

I picked this up because I was trying to expand my horizons. The gals at the blog I was part of at the time I read this book loved Urban Fantasy, and I wanted to be part of the new release hubbub. This is my favorite series I’ve read in the UF genre, and I am thrilled that Anne Bishop has such a big back list.

First and First by Santino Hassell

Ok, so one of the male leads in this one wasn’t particularly likable in an earlier book in this series, and I was convinced he couldn’t win me over. WRONG. Caleb stole my heart more than any other character in this series. I read this book twice. In two days. It’s safe to say I need more Caleb.

Good Boy by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

So, again, the male lead in this one was in a previous book in this series, and while I didn’t dislike him, I wasn’t convinced he could carry his own book. Holy smokes did Blake blow me away. He was so charismatic and kind, and I fell in love with him immediately. I ❤ Blake.

Fly with Me by Chanel Cleeton

Good gravy. There are no words for how much I loved this entire series. CR is so hit or miss for me, so to find a series where every book is a hit is practically unprecedented! This book reignited my love for CR, and I still can’t believe how much I loved it.

The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward

I never quite got caught up in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, but I knew there had to be something to this writer for so many people to love her. And there really is. The Bourbon Kings had an epic feel to it that just swept me away, and I cannot wait for the next installment!