I either really liked most of the books I read this year, or I rated things on the higher end of the scale.

 

Anyway, these are my favorite 12 books of the year that were rated four or more stars. I also decided to only go with one book from any series I am reading. Otherwise, this would have been a whole lot longer.

 

 

 

Rating: 4.5 stars - Featuring a couple in their late 40's, which I found I appreciated a lot more now than when I did when I first read to book ten years ago. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 5 stars - I absolutely LOVED this book! I laughed to the point of tears many times, and R.C. Bray has become one of my favorite audiobook narrators. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 4.5 stars - Classic Dame Agatha. I don't think anything more needs to be said. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 4 stars - Read because I watched The Expanse on SyFy and was curious about the source material. Ended up loving it. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 5 stars - And I'm still kicking myself for not starting this series sooner. [x]

 

 

 

Rating : 5 stars - A fitting end to a great trilogy. One I found my stepping outside my comfort zone. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 4 stars - Amanda Quick novels = my literary comfort food [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 5 stars - Classic murder mystery made even better by Dan Stevens' excellent narration. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 4 stars - A rare 'hit' in the world of kindle freebies, and look at that cover! [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 4 stars - When I began, I'd intended to only read a couple stories. I instead read the whole thing in one sitting. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 4 stars - I should have hated this book, but I didn't. I still don't understand it. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 4 stars - Another rare 'hit' in the world of Kindle freebies, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. [x]

 

 

These were books rated 2 stars or lower.

 

 

 

Rating: 2 stars - I felt it  was too short with too little dialogue.[x]

 

 

 

Rating: 2 stars - Didn't find any of the characters very likeable, though, it got a bit better towards the end. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 1 star - I reeeeeeally did not like this one. Flat, shallow, unlikeable characters and overly dramatic, I repeatedly cursed my inability to DNF a book while reading it. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 2 stars - Wasn't as scary as I thought it'd be, and I thought, more complicated than it needed to be at the end. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 2 stars - An uneven book that I'd probably have been a bit more generous with had it not had an epilogue that enraged me to the point of seeing red. [x]

 

 

 

Rating: 1.5 stars - In which I discover I need a story along with my erotica. This was too short for me to care for the characters. [x]

 

 

Much like the main character, this book is quirky and interesting. I haven't read Normalish but I did enjoy this companion novel fully. Becca is struggling to keep up with the demands of senior year and coping with the loss of her father. Add in some anxiety and a wizard and you end up at Brookside. I didn't know quite what to expect upon reading the first few chapters, but I found myself turning page after page until it was complete. Becca's perspective on her time in an institution is both intriguing and endearing. Her empathy for the other patients and her resolve to move forward with her own life are both a vital part of her story. If you've ever struggled with any kind of mental illness, I would recommend this book. It tackles some hard to discuss topics while remaining lighthearted. Not everyone gets a happy ending, but that's a part of life.

Ah, romance. There is so much to be said for that fiery passion that unrequited love can bring to a friendship. The phrase "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" comes to mind as you start this delectable novel. The sexual tension built up in just the first few chapters will have you turning pages at an alarming rate.

 

What could possibly be more tempting than your best friends little sister? To Ravenwood, or Raven, nothing apparently. But duty calls and he must follow orders while trying to resist the woman who simultaneously enrages and entices him. 

 

Heloise, oh Heloise. I'm still relatively new to the historical romance genre and I must say, I hope that there are other heroines like Hell-cat. She's smart, witty and dripping with sarcasm. Even in the most dire of circumstances she holds her own with a sharp tongue and a grin. Her intelligence and abdication of traditional society make her a hero of mine. Her attraction to Raven doesn't reduce her to a bumbling nobody and that, most of all is my favorite part of the book. 

 

If you're in the mood for some steamy romance and hilarious wit, you will definitely enjoy A Raven's Heart. It does not disappoint. 

 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.

Real talk, this book stressed me out. It took me a few extra days to read it because I just couldn't deal with the too real stresses of a job I basically lived through. For a moment I wanted to rate this book lower because of the stress, but I realized that the authors did a superb job bringing you into the story and characters and it's not really their fault that I worked for a similar company that went through a similar situation and ended up having to leave the company because of it. Call it corporate PTSD if you will, but I think the authors did a good job capturing the corporate world in this humorous book.

 

Will is my favorite type of character, sarcastic and pragmatic. He is navigating the system and chaos of things he basically has no control over, while simultaneously trying to keep his job. If you've ever worked in a corporate environment, or known someone who has, the banter and insight Will shares with his trusted friends/coworkers will make you laugh. Every office needs a Will.

 

Anna was a less likable character, but she grows on you as the story progresses. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to say I liked her character until the very end of the story, which can be a good thing. You're never quite sure where her loyalties lie and that brings about an interesting turn of events. I really enjoyed her "real" moments when she wasn't projecting Corporate Anna and actually acted like a normal human being.

 

All in all I would say this book is a funny read. If you've been through a corporate transition, there may be some stressful "too real" moments for you but hopefully the humorous take on everything will bring you through the story with a smile.

 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.