You guys!!!! It’s Grey’s turn!! And did you know Grey is a writer too? Winning huge writing competitions a few years in a row and a HUGELY active member of our reading crew. We just adore Grey, and looking at her list below, I can assure you, she has AMAZING taste in books!! 😉 Considering so many are on my 2015 favorites list, too!
Guess what her favorite books are?
“I had a really great 2015 book wise and it was really stupid hard to narrow this down to my top 10 books, I just want you all to know… *side-eyes Goodreads for not helping me out at all here*. So in no particular order… let’s get started, shall we?”
Third Debt (Indebted Book 4) by Pepper Winters <— The mindf*ckery in this series is almost too much to comprehend. I’m talking ~ you need a herd of manatees (do manatees live in herds?) in a sea of blankie forts to survive this level of darkness. Nila and Jet scarred me for life… but in the midst of hell, they made me believe. This book in particular, smack dab in the middle of the series was the one that broke me… made me nibble on my nails in the middle of the night, chanting *oh my dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into!*
One of my favorite quotes:
“Love is something that strikes without warning to the most unsuspecting. It’s a f*cking gift and so g***amn priceless, but only the worthy realize what they have. Only the ones truly deserving fight every f*cking day to treasure it. And those who don’t…they end up alone.”
The Queen (The Original Sinners Book 8) by Tiffany Reisz <— I actually wrote a review for this book, something I very rarely do. How much do I love Mistress Nora…let me count the ways? Enough that I have actually read The Siren (book one of the Red years) 3 times. The Queen though, it was nostalgic… a poignant way to wrap up the series in a well thought out way. Keeping it real here… the smut was on pointe! And I adore that Tiffany threw in a little bit about Zach and Nora at the end, she and I have had a few convos on Twitter about them…she promises that someday she’s going to write me a story about their free week together… humina, humina! Anyway, before I get too far off the beaten path here. Beaten… beaten… sorry, yeah. There is for sure an aspect of the BDSM bend here, so if that’s not your cuppa… best to not delve into this series. Oh and if priests, M/M, menage or colorful language isn’t your thing… well… that probably goes without saying too…
Arsen. A broken love story by Mia Asher <— Alright, let’s talk about all the ways Ms. Asher broke me. Or rather, let’s not discuss the ways that during that fateful day that nothing at my house got accomplished but a fat lot of me running into walls because my nose was buried in my kindle. I burned dinner. I cried my fricking eyes out. I ended the night and much of the next week in a major book funk. This book WRECKED me. I’m still upset over it. *SMH* Cathy, Ben. Arsen. I hated all 3 of these characters as much as I loved them, wow, just typing their names has given me pretzel tummy. I need a glass of wine.
The Ground Rules and Ground Rules: Rewritten by Roya Carmen <— I’m cheating and giving you a twofer here. Because whoa. The merri-go-round of couple swapping with 5 “Ground Rules”. Has disaster written all over it… but they have rules, so it should be simple. Right? Right?!? So wrong. Oh god, but… I like them. And… they seem so… well adjusted… *squeak* Gah… Is book 3 out yet, because I’m legit dying for it over here!
Jezebel by K. Larsen <— Ah, the year of the psychological thriller. I’ve read a lot of them, but this book blew my mind. This book made me curse on Maryse’s blog at 1am. *sheepish grin* Sorry Miss Maryse. It started off kind of slow for me, but then took off like a bolt of lightning and I was captive. The story of a girl who has to do community service and winds up helping an older woman in an assisted living facility… who has a very interesting story to tell. I was as riveted as young Annabelle. Staying awake until the bitter end. Then henpicking on my tablet, dazed and amazed. Definitely earned it’s place among my top 10 for the year.
Thief (Love Me With Lies Book 3) by Tarryn Fisher <— I don’t even know where to start with Tarryn Fisher. This woman is like a one woman wrecking crew with my emotions. I think I need to put that on a t-shirt and send it to her actually. I consider myself very lucky that I had not read this series when it was released and got to indulge in the gluttony and inhale it all at warp speed, because if I had to wait for each book to be released… well, it’s pretty safe to assume, you all wouldn’t be reading this list *grin* Caleb and Olivia… wow, what can I say. I think most of you have already read this series, I think I still am picking the peanut shells out of my hair to prove it.
The Deal by Elle Kennedy <— Ahhhh, oh goodness. Just typing the title and author of this book made me grin. So that should tell you something. Hannah and Garrett and their real world problems. The secondary characters that have led to more books. I adored this book. I adore the writing. Just perfection, an easy 5 stars and an easy position on my top 10 list!
Rock Bottom (Tristan & Danika Book 2) by R.K. Lilley <— Another one that I’m still sporting peanut scars from. This one was the second in the series. Which, as most of you know, usually is the rough spot for authors, the second in a series is a tough one, trying to chase the hype of the first book sometimes not *quite* getting there. NOT the case here. Tristan and Danika… man, I wanted to beat the crap out of both of them, multiple times. But this book… *oomph* I friggin loved it!
The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley <— Are you jealous of me yet? Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! It was an amazing 2015 for me. I got to read about Lahn and Circe… This book… oh, my! So long… but… so worth it! This was my first KA series. Actually my only KA series thus far, I’m still squirreling the rest. I know, I know… I’m preparing for the avalanche of peanuts coming my way!
For sheer comedic value…
The Virgin Romance Novelist by Meghan Quinn <— The book is just exactly what the title suggests, I laughed so hard I literally cried. Couldn’t see, tears streaming down my face, couldn’t breathe, barking like a seal, thumping my chest… it wasn’t pretty. I loved this book. If you need a giggle… read this one.
And because I’m a total brat… Lev by Belle Aurora, Badger by Cara McKenna, Beautiful Secret by Christina Lauren, Sloth by Ella James, King By TM Frazier & Tryst by SL Jennings. *oopsie* Sorry!
“Thanks Maryse for letting me participate!”
OMG I LOVE this list, Grey!! THANK YOU!!!! 😀
Woop woop!!! Oh Lordy, what a list!!! I love it. Did a double take to make sure it wasn’t my own list, until I saw literally only a couple of new ones. Anyone looking for a fantastic, won’t regret it kind of read? Pick one from right up there!!!
Another great list. I need to pick my next book to read and I have so many recommended ones on my TBR list that I might need to do eeinie meenie Minnie moe (not sure how u spell that)…….
That Final Debt was good, and a total game changer, huh? Twisty galore. I’m so glad more people read that batch of insanity. I think almost everyone agreed about The Deal. It was just that good! Arsen. *sighs* That was super sweet. However, of all of those up there, Golden Dynasty was awesome. Lev was sweet. Tristan and Danika. *rips out heart* Who needs that thing after number two?
The rest I have to read still. Obviously some goodies, including some I bought but just have yet to read.
Grey your list is amazing!! Love the variety of choices. I read the Indebted series over Christmas break! Wow mind f**key is correct. Lol. I’ve read many of your other favorites and/or on my tbr list. Trying to wait for final book in Ground Rules series. Yes I’m a chicken! LoA has been suggested but I’m hesitant. Have you read it? Thanks again for your insightful list!!
Tessa, you haven’t read the Original Sinners series? When Grey gushes over The Queen she’s not kidding. That series is fantastic. Right up your alley.
I am SO jealous of your reading year, Grey! Arsen, Jezebel, Tristan and Danika, Caleb and Olivia, The Deal, Lahn and Circe…all in the same year?!? You lucky, lucky lady. 😉
Ok I am only at 11% into The Deal. I’m trying to hang with it because you all say it’s great. Just finished Alexandria Ivy new book so coming off the “who done it” I’m somewhat bored.
Grey…amazing list and I can gleefully say I have read every one of your books except Jezabel and Ground Rules (which I am waiting to be completed before I dive in). Oh and Tryst cos we cant get it in Australia on kindle. (?)
I am not always brave about tummy twisty mind f#$/kery but I have been brave about Indebted series and Arsen and couldn’t agree with your comments more.
Thanks for sharing….I’ll be stalking your recommendations since we appear to have similar book tastes.
Thank you Maryse… I’m not really a writer though, I just dabble a little. *grin*. I really appreciate you including me in the reader favorites category…and on New Years Day no less!Thank you Maryse… I’m not really a writer though, I just dabble a little. *grin*. I really appreciate you including me in the reader favorites category…and on New Years Day no less!
MichelleS, thank you, I think my list was pretty good…but I’m a little biased LOL!
Antonella, eenie meenie miney… Always a good way to choose in my estimation haha!
Tessa, you’re the one who convinced me to read the Indebted series LOL! So…now I feel obligated to throw a few Original Sinners peanuts your way… Nora Sutherlin will rock your world!
Linda, thank you! Yes , as a matter of fact, I am reading Life of Anna right now! Loving it!!! As far as Ground Rules goes…ohhh, I don’t want you to miserable, wait… Misery loves company… Read it… Don’t read it… read it!
MichelleS, see…exactly, I can’t believe Tessa hasn’t read Original Sinners either… *commencing launch sequence*
Amy, I know! I’m a little nervous about what 2016 has to come…its going to be really hard to follow up on the sheer awesomeness of 2015.
Theresa, I haven’t read that one, I will have to check it out, sounds intriguing!
Lisa, *big grin* ooh, I love hearing someone has remarkably awesome taste. I mean, similar taste to my own. Wink wink. I love stalkers… Hang on, let me make sure I’m wearing something pretty, and clean up my blankie fort!
Anybody read Hilary Storm? Boxed set deal looks interesting.
And I have read two of these. *sigh*
I swear I think I’m walking down a totally different road.
Maybe I’ll run into Fabi. We can go on picnics.
I do have a few of these just not sure when I will work up to reading them.
I’ve tried. Here’s the thing. She used to be on a site for free erotica, and I read the series with the priest there. I’ve had trouble getting into the series since. If I’m wrong about the priest thing, and that’s a separate series, oops, but I could’ve sworn it was the same story. I just read the sample and it intrigues me.
Grey, you’ve been doing some heavy duty reading. I’ve only read 3 or 4 of them so far.
Ok ladies, I guess I am scared to read some of these books. I’ve read Tight, and the Dirty series by Karina Halle, After Hours, Rainfall, Sex Repeat, few others maybe. Is the F. —- Love like those? I don’t like ugly cries but I liked the ones I listed. I’ve bought allot of TF books but have not read them yet. Help!
Awesome list Grey!! I’m also waiting for Ground Rules to be complete…not too much longer so I think I can hold out!! 😉
Awesome, awesome list Grey! So many of my favs too! When I read your comment on Arsen and you mentioning their names, I got actually chills down my arms…..that book wrecked me too!
Love,Love, Love The Orginal Sinners!! Soren….totally swoon worthy!
Arsen broke my heart too. I was in a slump for weeks after reading that book.
The Virgin Romance Novelest I laughed so hard it made me cry and almost wet my pants it was so funny!
Loved The Deal and of course The Golden Dynasty! KA is a Godess, I swear!
I need to read The Ground Rules…its in the que.
Also adore Love Me With Lies trilogy.
Great list Grey!! We like so much of the same books! YAY!
Oh more pretties…I’ve read 7 and loved them all! I’m getting to Badger soon. Original Sinners I have a couple that I picked up on sale but still haven’t started that series. I know shame on me! Great list Grey 😀
Theresa, I have not read that set, looks interesting though.
bev, a different road and a picnic? sounds like a marvelous time, maybe we can meet up *grin* what books have you read from my list??
Tessa, yes it is the same crux of the story about the priest. But actually the main story is more about the female main character vs the priest… I think you would like it… *peanuts girl…peanuts*
Fabi, only 4, you need to catch up lol! I know, it was a great year, I’m scared that 2016 wont be anywhere near as good haha!
Theresa…dont be scared. Well except of Indebted and Arsen… you can be scared of those 2… haha! Those 2 are scare worthy, trample your guts, rip your heart out of your chest books…
Cheryl, yeah, wait for the GR books to be finished…because… *oomph* yeah, gah, I loved them!!! Cant wait for book 3!
Jean, Arsen, Arsen, Arsen…. I have longed for a followup to that book since I finished it, but then I think about it and wonder if I’d read it if she did write one. Does that make sense? I mean, of course, I would read it. Because I am shameless like that, but… I know that I would inhale it much like I did the original and stumble around like an automaton. Goosebumps for sure!
Robyn, yay another that loves my list! I love the Original Sinners, as much as I warmed to Søren, my original man love in that series goes to Zach, that’s why I was so tickled when Tiffany threw in that bit at the end… it just warmed me to no end!
Michelle! You have the Original Sinners and haven’t read it yet! Girl come on… *throws 8 peanuts at Michelle* there’s 8 books in the series afterall! You’ve read 7 of my other faves from the year… surely you trust my taste, right? LOL!
Lol, Grey.
I have read the Deal & Golden Dynasty.
I do have the Ground Rules, King, and Thief. One day.
bev, Alright… You have to read Thief… you must. Simply must! And I’m gonna give you a pass on GR because the series isn’t complete yet, haha! King is so good! Ah, Lahn and Circe, I just squeed a little… *giggle*
Alright, I’ll first try The Opportunist. *Shrugs* If nothing else, it fulfills the TBR challenge. 🙂
Squeeeeee Tessa! Get ready for a rollercoaster rode! Would love to be reading it for the first time again!
I LOVE all these favourite lists. My tbr list just keeps growing and growing. Can’t wait to read Thief, The Deal, The Virgin Romance Novelist, Badger (this one very soon because EVERYONE loved it) and ALL of the Original Sinners series (have only read book 1).
Tessa, yay!!! lifts my glass to you, i’m so excited and yes, it does meet the book club requirement for the month, so cheers to you my dear. Now, you can pick a book for me, for the month! Oooh, I’m kind of excited now actually, what book will you pick for me *rubs my hands together*
Jean, I know, isn’t it delicious, I am certain, she’s going to love/hate certain characters just as much as we all did… *dancing a little jig in my chair*
Tricia, ooh, you’re in for a very good 2016 if you’ve got all those on your list. *nods* very jealous of you, *giggle* Welcome to the circle of the evergrowing TBR list haha!
*tackles and hugs Tessa*
I can’t wait to see your reaction to The Opportunist!!!!
Hey Jean, come sit and have a mojito martini with me while we wait for Tessa’s reaction. 😉
Tricia, definitely read Badger soon!
*grins* Just started but it has me intrigued. Grey, I went browsing through your Goodreads TBR, and… Blindfolded Innocence by Alessandra Torres. I read that years ago ()Still no clue where the orginal copy is) and Oh my heart loved every word. I didn’t even realize that was the book until I bought it again on Amazon. I had to re-read it so my heart could be all happy again with that book.
Amy, I know, right? pulling up a space in the blankie fort while we wait for Tessa, she’s gonna love it… and hate it. And love/hate us too *cackle* oh, it’s delicious, mmm, mojito martini… that sounds deliciously dangerous!
Tessa, Blindfolded Innocence, perfect, even more perfect because I already bought it at some point and it’s on my kindle. I’m almost done with Book 2 of Life of Anna, and I sense I’m going to need a break after this one… it’s whoa dark. Like I need *a spot light to guide me to the fridge dark because I’m eating my feelings* dark… LOL!
Mojito martini! Sounds perfect! I swear I wish I could read the Love Me With Lies series for the first time again. Tessa, can’t wait to hear your thoughts…. We’ll be waiting for you in the blankie fort with lots of alcohol for you!
Ok Grey, now I’m more comfortable with you and LoA. I was beginning g to wonder about your lack of comment on its darkness. Lol that was scary. BTW, it took me almost a year to read the whole series because I had to take long breaks between books.
Currently I think Olivia is horrible.
Tessa. I remember feeling the same way about her initially. I think her internal view of herself is pretty harsh and unforgiving. She became more appealing to me through other characters pov of her (Calebs).
*huffs a lot* Stupid Caleb. I hate to say it, but it was SUPER angsty. That said, it was the right amount of angst to really enjoy the story. She’s a true piece of work, though. Also, totally get where she’s coming from, bt at the same time. Yeah, stupid Caleb.
YES, I loved it and YES I will read Dirty Red sometime tonight or tomorrow. 🙂
Yay Tessa! Many people were wary of Dirty Red because they hated Leah (justifiably)…..keep going girl. Can’t wait to hear what you think of the series as a whole. The last book…..omg so awesome!
I will tonight or tomorrow. 🙂 I need to buy this month’s card still. However, I’d like to see her POV. I’m curious as to what she was thinking. Caleb… ugh. I am still…. ugh!
Jean, I know, reading them for the first time… *le sigh*
Fabi, LOL, well the first book was bad… but… the second. Whoa, like I said, it’s yikers!! I am one of those people that will have to finish the series, but I fully intend on reading Tessa’s rec in between!
Tessa!!! So yeah, we all had that same reaction to Olivia…at least I did LOL!
Lisa, Exactly!!! I really came around to Olivia more, almost more because of Caleb’s perspective (especially in Thief-hence it’s inclusion on my top 10 list LOL!)
Tessa, YAY!!!! I am so glad you loved it! I cannot wait for your reaction to Dirty Red! And especially to Thief!!! and yes *stupid Caleb*
Jean, *she loves it* we knew she’d love it… *toasts to Jean* I’m so excited!
Tessa, yes… Dirty Red is very interesting… Tarryn Fisher is a freakin’ wizard, I will tell you that much! Gah, I want to go back and reread the whole series again now too!!!
Hi Grey, we do have similar book reads! I’ve read all of the books on your list except Golden Dynasty, Tryst and the Indebted series. But all of the others!!! I bought Tryst but just haven’t gotten to it and now seeing your list I’m highly intrigued by the Indebted Series. And… oops realized I also did not read 2 and 3 of Love Me with Lies. (I know, terrible) I bought the set recently to reread Thief and then 2 and 3. I think I just didn’t want to read Leah’s story but know I need to do it because I absolutely loved Thief. I’m reading Marrow now (late). I’m always amazed by Tarryn Fisher’s writing. So good.
Marina… oh, dear… You haven’t read about Lahn and Circe?!? *takes cover from the veritable avalanche of peanuts that is certain to come your way!* No, I get it… it’s an undertaking… but you won’t regret it, I promise you! oooh, and you haven’t read Thief yet?!? Indebted… gah, make sure you have batteries for your flashlight and a buddy because it gets realll dark! But, so worth it if that’s your thing, obviously, it’s mine, LOL!