Lissa's Top Reads of 2017
These are my top reads of 2017. They may not have been released in 2017 but one's that totally stole my heart. They aren't any kind of order. Get your one click fingers ready and enjoy!
Bright Side was on of those books, I knew it was an ugly cry book and I was afraid to read it. So it sat on my Kindle for about two years. Till I grew the balls to read it. I didn't know the impact it would make on me. But it truly did. I'll always remember this book. The main characters has something that my aunt had passed away from in 2002. It brought back so many feelings and though it was tough. It's definitely one of my favs of all time.
Quote: “She’s the poster child for positivity. She’s a freaking ray of sunshine. She doesn’t just look on the bright side … she lives there.”
Review Snippet: "it means so much to me that she wrote such an inspiring, yet heartbreaking story. Life isn’t easy. Death isn’t easy. You just learn to keep going."
2. The Ghost of You and Me by Kelly Oram
Kelly is one of my go to authors. She writes incredible heartfelt stories. Ones that that just hang on to you. Ones that you don't forget easily. I don't want to give away this story by any means. Just know that this will most likely, bring you to tears.
Quote: "He went to heaven, and he took my heart with him."
Review Snippet: "The Ghost of You and Me is one of the most heartbreaking but beautiful stories, I have read in a really long time."
Scott is one of my co-bloggers favs. She's usually not into YA, so I signed up to read. But so did she lol. Trust was a YA, usually Scott writes on the adult side. But Trust was amazingly done.
Quote: “It was us against the world, forever and ever.”
Review Snippet: "Trust is full of raw emotion and a sense of hope."
4. Relentless (Relentless #1) by Karen Lynch
The Relentless Series was a huge surprise for me. I had never read anything by Karen but I was quickly enveloped in this story from the get go. This was an audiobook and I listened to the whole series so far. I loved these characters, and the narrator was amazing. Looking for a YA/Paranormal/Fantasy series? This is it!
Quote: “Compassion and kindness are powers unto themselves if wielded correctly.”
Review Snippet: "This is probably one of the best Paranormal/Urban Fantasies I’ve read/listened to in a really long time. It’s not my usual go to genre, but when it’s done right. It’s the best thing to read!"
Drive was the first book I've read of Kate's. It hit all the feels and was amazing! It brought me to tears. Which, I honestly love.
Quote: “It’s funny how attraction sneaks up on you. The subtle things you notice when you watch a person. The quirks. Like how he’s always pushing his ear-length hair away from his brow.”
Review Snippet: "This story was a journey about love and that real connection you have with someone. I'm not even sure what I can say in this review, that can really capture how much this story really impacted me."
6. Say You Want Me (Return to Me #2) by Corinne Michaels
o m g Wyatt! He was my favorite of the Hennington Brothers. Michaels takes you on this rollercoaster of emotions. This was also in audiobook, I loved ever minute.
Quote: “You’re everything I never knew to ask for.” ...
“You’re everything I’ve waited for.”
Review Snippet: "I feel that Michaels really wants us to have our hearts broken. But then at the same time mend us back together. But there’s also some really funny, heartfelt moments throughout this story. So you’ll definitely laugh and cry. There’s no getting away from that."
7. Until it Fades by KA Tucker
This is one of those beautiful love stories, that you just can't help but love. This was a lot different than Tucker's others. But I loved it.
Quote: “He meets my gaze again, his eyes raw and heated, his breaths ragged. “This has never been about gratitude, Catherine.”I’m having a hard time breathing. “Tell me you believe me.”
Review Snippet: "Until it Fades is really just a beautiful love story. A second chance at life between two souls who never knew they existed for each other."
8. The Butterfly Project by Emma Scott
So if you ever just need a good cry. Just pick up one of Emma's books, guaranteed to have you crying within a few chapters. That's what happened with this one.
Quote: “..wherever we touched became proof to one another that we were not alone.”
Review Snippet: "You know when you read a book. And after you’ve turned the last page. You are just so full of emotions. That you can’t really do much else. That happened to me with, The Butterfly Project."
9. Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
Punk 57 was my very first book by this author. Talk about thrown into this craziness. Also, in audio. I was so addicted to Punk 57 and loved it. I ended up buying my own signed paperback. I loved it that much. This book, also led me to every other Douglas book and I wasn't disappointed.
Quote: “We’re all ugly, Ryen. The only difference is, some hide it and some wear it.”
Review Snippet: "I loved Ryen and Misha. I really didn’t want the story to end. Their passion for each other just spilled out. I would love to see their story continue."
10. Stoned (Wrecked #1) by Mandi Beck
This was my first by Mandi and also an audiobook. It was also my first dual narration. It was fun and I loved this whole story.
Quote: “A rock star without rhythm is a man with no soul.”
Review Snippet: "Stoned is really this gut wrenching story. Stone is a rockstar but has fallen. Addiction eats at him. Willow his rhythm has disappeared because of secrets that aren't revealed till much later."
11. Preservation (The Walshes *7) by Kate Canterbary
Anything that has to do with the Walshes will always be on my top reads. I truly love this family that Kate has created. And with this one you get Riley and he is so funny, so heartwarming. And also quite sexy.
Quote: “He wasn’t an obnoxiously perfect player man-child anymore. He was a man I cared for now, and he was neither player not child.”
Review Snippet: "Preservation is a story all it’s own. I loved watching Riley grow, from a man-child. to a man."
12. Logan (Preston brothes #2) by Jay McLean
Jay is one of my go to authors. She created a series full of these characters that you absolutely loved. Logan is the the second story out of the Preston brothers. I love these brothers. I connected with the characters on a deeper level. Of course I cried and I believe you will too. You're Welcome.
Quote: “What's beneath the bravado, Logan Preston?”
Review Snippet: "It’s very deep raw emotion and I felt it. But even though there's that heaviness, there’s that feeling of family. That you know that it will be alright again. Because it just has to be."
13. Twisted Twosome (The Binghamton Series #3) by Meghan Quinn
One thing that Quinn is good at, is making me laugh. Twisted Twosome was one of the funniest books I've ever read. This is a standalone in a series of books. But honestly I would go back and read all of them. Before this one.
Quote: “You learn to live freely when you lose a piece of your heart. It’s the only way to survive.”
Review Snippet: "Twisted Twosome is one of the most hilarious books I’ve read in my entire life. Also, it was just as heartfelt, as it was hilarious."
14. Steal (Seaside Pictures #3) by Rachel Van Dyken
I have loved the Seaside Pictures Series, and it didn't change with Steal. It was everything.
Quote: "It was possible — to give so much of your heart and soul to a person that you lost who you were."
Review Snippet: "Steal is one of the books that just kind of punches you in the gut. You feel everything these two are feeling. The love, the heartbreak and the unbearable pain that comes with it."
15. Nowhere But Here (Thunder Road #1) by Katie McGarry
Katie was recommended by numerous people. I just jumped into this story and never looked back.
Quote: “Isn't it always the things that you can't see that hurt you?”
Review Snippet: "Nowhere But Here is an amazing story. Full of twists I didn’t see coming, to a love that I didn’t either."
16. Forever Right Now by Emma Scott
This is one of the last ones I read this year. I was excited and a little scared to read Darlene's story. But it was amazing and as said before.. I cried within about 36% lol
Quote: "it was hard for a person to imagine a better life than the one he had; to really know and feel that it was possible."
Review Snippet: "This is one of those stories that just guts you to the core. I felt everything, and the connection with these characters was incredible." (Review has yet to be posted on the blog)
17. Exp1re (Exp1re Duet #1) by Erin Noelle
This was the newest by Erin and she took a different path. It was a romance, but it was so different. It had to be on my top.
Quote: "I'm ready to start living again."
Review Snippet: "The ending.. Was quite a revelation. You are left wondering what is in store for these two. I can’t wait for Etern1ty."