Best Reads of 2016

2016 was not my greatest reading or blogging year, but I have to say that the majority of the books I have read were pretty great. And as far as blogging goes, I plan on making a lot of changes in 2017. Including doing more of the things I love and making them priorities.

I had planned on doing a Top 10 of 2016, but instead this has become a Top 12 because two 2017 releases snuck their way into the list and my heart.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

This summer I interned at New Leaf Literary, the agency that represents Leigh Bardugo, and seeing all of her books on display every week made me binge read the Grisha series. I had read Shadow and Bone awhile back but never got around to reading the rest of the books. Siege and Storm definitely blew me away. This was by far my favorite book in the series with all of its twists and turns. I was hooked and fell even more in love with the series.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

2016 is clearly the year of Leigh Bardugo for me—I read four of her books and I am currently reading Crooked Kingdom—and Six of Crows is my favorite book of hers so far. Six of Crows is just so different for YA fantasy. I love these characters and how they interact with her established world. It left me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

I read Dumplin' in one sitting and loved the message of body positivity that Julie Murphy offers in this book. I really connected with this story and loved the atmosphere of this story. I really need to read more Julie Murphy books because Dumplin' was incredible.

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

It is no surprise that I loved yet another Jennifer L. Armentrout novel. She is my most read author and I love everything she writes. This one in-particular was really special. The Problem with Forever is so different from the voice and style of her other books. It felt like her more emotional New Adult novels and yet had the same addicting quality as her YA novels. If you haven't read any of her books yet, this is the one you should start with!

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

This book destroyed me. Adam Silvera sure knows how to mess with your emotions, which is why his first and second books are making my list this year. I love his character development and his powerful prose. There is something really special about his books. 

History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

This past fall I had the opportunity to intern at Soho Press and was able to read an ARC of History is All You Left Me. If More Happy Than Not had me in tears, this one had me bawling. I absolutely loved this one, I think even more than his first novel. This book is not even out yet and I am dying for Adam Silvera's next book. 

A Court of Must and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

The breathtaking sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses follows raises the bar on drama ten-fold. This book has everything you could have wanted and leaves you dying for the next book in the series. I loved seeing this ship sail and oh boy was it amazing. I loved seeing all of these characters again!

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This was one of the most unique books I have ever read. The reading experience is what makes this book so incredible and it truly aids in the story. The romance, action, and humor just add to how amazing this story is. My jaw dropped so many times and you know I cried buckets load by the end. If you haven't read this book, what is wrong with your priorities?

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

This debut was everything I could want in a book. Set in Victorian London, where demons have ravaged the city and only one prophesied mage could save everyone. It sounds like a familiar story, except the main character is not the chosen-one and this world is unlike anything else I’ve read. It felt like a movie and I am so anxious to see where this story goes.

Nine, Ten: A September 11th Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Nora Raleigh Baskin writes about the events of September 11th from the perspective of four very different kids. The beautiful part of this novel is that it is set during the 48 hours prior to the attack allowing the reader to see how the world changed overnight and how communities came together in the blink of an eye.

Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman

This book doesn't come out until August 2017, but when it showed up at my house and I read the description I just had to read it. I was swept up in this angsty YA romance that was equally conflicting and relatable. I really loved how addicting this story was and I loved how it was more than a romance. 

Paper Princess by Erin Watt

This series was all of the feels. I binge read all of the books over Thanksgiving break and I was obsessed. It was so addicting and so much drama. It was a soap opera that I was completely on board with.

Did you read any of these books in 2016? What were your best reads? I would love some 2017 recommendations!

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NICO by Sarah Castille | Review + Giveaway

Title: NICO
Author: Sarah Castille 
Series: Ruin & Revenge #1
Genre: Adult Romance
Pages: 336
Format: E-ARC
Received: For Review
Published: December 6th 2016
Stars:

Book Description:

Las Vegas Mafia boss Nico Toscani is used to getting what he wants, whether it’s having the City of Sin under his rule or a beautiful woman in his bed. But when he meets his match in the gorgeous, headstrong Mia Cordano, daughter of a rival crime lord, all bets are off…
Sexy computer hacker Mia struggles to break free of her ruthless father’s Mafia ties…but she can’t resist the powerful and seductive Nico, who will stop at nothing to possess her. With their families locked in a brutal war for control of the city, Mia and Nico enter into a forbidden game. Will they surrender to the passion that burns between them—and risk tearing apart their families? Or will Nico be forced to betray the only woman who sets his blood on fire?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Sarah Castille continues to show her uncanny ability to create realistic, powerful romances with Nico. 

As usual when reading one of her novels I am floored at how beautifully she portrays the struggles between two people and their fight for love. Her ability to create characters who aren't just real, but relatable and modern continues to astonish me.

Castille doesn't need sex every 10 pages to make this a romance. She creates a perfectly calculated plot with overwhelming tension that leaves you craving the dirty details until they finally happen. They're weaved ever so nicely into her perfect plot of seduction and power so that the plot is the driver and the romance is not the overbearing backseat driver.

Nico is the perfect new series for Castille. Featuring the spicy, outspoken unconventional mob princess Mia and her love for the enemy, Nico. But fair warning: this story is not for the faint of heart. There is an abundance of violence, blood, and ruthless mobsters that gives a new insight to the culture. 

Whether Castille gained her influence and inspiration from watching The Godfather and Goodfellas or some amazing insight we cannot know, but it's quite apparent with the use of Italian and great detail she is sure knowledgeable about what she writes.

Although there are no horse heads left in beds or funny pieces of advice like “leave the gun, take the cannoli” Nico is a must read for anyone. 

Once again, Sarah Castille proves to be a goddess of the romance world.

Reviewed by Alexis Cusumano

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, SARAH CASTILLE, worked and traveled abroad before trading her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home near the Canadian Rockies. She writes sexy contemporary romance and romantic suspense featuring blazingly hot alpha heroes and the women who tame them. Her books include Beyond the Cut, Chaos Bound and Rough Justice.

Find Sarah Here:

Twitter: @Sarah_Castille

Author Website: http://sarahcastille.com/

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Four of a Kind by Kellie Sheridan | Cover Reveal

Today is the cover reveal for Four of a Kind by Kellie Sheridan. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The cover is designed by Katzilla Designs

Four of a Kind (Four of a Kind #1)
by Kellie Sheridan
Genre: Contemporary
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: January 4, 2017

Blurb:
The odds of giving birth to identical quadruplets: 1 in 13 million.

The population of Fairview, a town where all anyone talks about is the Fairview Four’s return after fourteen years: 47,327.

The chance of Reagan meeting a guy who sees her as one of a kind: better than she thinks.

Following in her sisters’ footsteps—and, all too often, their shadows—is nothing new to Reagan. But a disastrous first day at Fairview High forces her down a new path, one that could lead to seeing herself as more than just someone else’s sister. Things aren’t going as smoothly for Reilly, Reece, and Rhiannon though. How can Reagan let herself be happy—or dare to fall in love—when she may be the only one who can bring her family back together?

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets Gilmore Girls in the first novel of a heartwarming new series about first loves, family, and finding your way.

You can find Four of a Kind on Goodreads

Pre-order Four of a Kind for only 0.99$!

You can pre-order Four of a Kind for only 0.99$ on Amazon

The Fairview Four on social media
The Fairview Four have big plans for 2017 and we want you to be a part of it! Read the books, and get to know the girls by following them on Tumblr and Instagram! You can also follow each of the Donovan sisters on their personal Twitter accounts—Reagan, Reece, Reilly & Rhiannon. The fun starts January 1st, 2017! And don’t forget to read the first book, currently available to pre-order for only $0.99!

About the Author:
Kellie Sheridan been in love with stories in all of their forms for as long as she can remember. Admittedly, sometimes that means falling into places like Stars Hollow and Sunnydale, but books have always been her true love. In early 2011 she began writing a book blog in order to share my favorite reads with book lovers. From there, the bookish community encouraged her to stop sitting on her own stories and share them instead. Her first novel, Mortality released in March of 2013, and she’s been publishing ever since.

You can find and contact Kellie here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads

Get Your Free copy of Where We Were!
For a limited time, download the free ebook prequel of Four of a Kind, Where We Were!

About Where we Were:

Our entire lives have been shaped around our identity as identical quadruplets. Four sisters, all with the same face, but totally different personalities. We are four of a kind, and there has never been a time when we didn't have each other to lean on. But, when our parents announce that we'll been moving away from the city and back to the town where we were born, we can no longer be certain of anything but change.

This is where we were.

Get your copy at the Patchwork Press website

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