TOP READS OF 2018…SO FAR

Well, fellow readers, we are already halfway through the year, and it’s time to round up my favorite reads of 2018…so far. As always, this is for any book I read in 2018 regardless of the year it was released. I can’t bring myself to penalize a book because I discovered it late, as that is my modus operandi – always late to the party! These books are in no particular order, so without further ado…

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – The Kiss Quotient was a book that, once the reviews started rolling in, I had to know what all the fuss was about! It turns out all the fuss was about near perfection. This book was amazing – and it’s really about meeting someone where they are and accepting them for who they are; both main characters stole my heart.

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata – This is a book that restored my faith in the romance genre. There was so much of it here – and the best kind. I love it when characters do simple, small things for each other just because they know the other likes it or needs it, and this book was full of those kinds of gestures. Vanessa and Aiden were unknowing romantics, and I fell hard for this book.

Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen – One of my least favorite tropes (aside from the billionaire hero,) is boss/subordinate. Who falls in love with someone who’s a jerk at work and can’t manage to grow up enough to do their job? Well, this book takes the trope and turns it on its head with, wait for it…a woman who loves her job and her boss, and acts like it! Throw in some perfectly orchestrated moments from the past, and you have Brooklynaire. It seems like it took forever for Nate and Becca’s book to come out (it really didn’t,) but it was worth every second of of the wait!

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton – Chanel Cleeton won me over with her Wild Aces series – she really writes the sweetest heroes. This book was even more intense than On Broken Wings (who knew that was possible?) and it was really hard hitting. It was full of history and wonderful imagery, and it broke my heart. This is a book that I don’t think will ever leave me, and if you have the tiniest bit of love for Historical Fiction, this book should already be on your to be read list.

Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas – This is another trope that was turned on its head; apparently I love those. This was an older man, younger woman story, and while I expect sexy and dirty, this book was so damn sweet. Pike and Jordan just took my breath away with how their love grew, and I could not get enough of them!

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews – Granted this one was a re-read, but this book was everything I’ve come to expect from this series – every single installment is a game changer. Kate’s very essence was changed here, and it’s reflected in a way that’s so organic. There were appearances from fan favorites (or just series regulars,) that remind us how much we love the people of Atlanta, and how much a loss would gut us. This was the perfect lead in to the finale.

So these are my favorite books from the first half of the year, and I’m excited to see what the second half brings! I know I’m going to find more favorites, and I cannot wait to discuss them with you! If you’ve done a post of your 2018 favorites, I’d love to read about them below. And if you have one coming up, be sure to let me know so I can stake out your blog!