Reader Favorites – JenC’s Top Ten Books of 2017

It’s JenC’s turn! She’s just sent us her Best of 2017 all the way from New Zealand!! Okay well, I mean… you know. Via email, so… it wasn’t a huge trek, but still!! How cool is that?!

But first, let’s get to know her better, shall we? Here are some of her fun 2017 comment highlights:
About Googling everything in books to get a better feel for it…

JenC: Clothes, cars, architecture/houses, locations… pretty much everything! I loooove how Penelope Douglas has her pinterest boards for her books. I remember using that a lot when I was reading Corrupt – like some of the pins have the chapters in the comment so you can follow along haha.

One of her book “catnips”:

“I looove lawyer books (while secretly wishing the hero would turn up at my office haha).”

One of her confessions (RE: Harry Potter) 😉

“I have to confess as well. I haven’t read them either. I have the first 5 in paperback and… just haven’t got to them. I’ve seen all the movies and adore them. Maybe that’s why I haven’t made it a priority? Almost no point now lol.”

A little about where she’s from (when I posted this):

“Maryse this has quickly become my favourite post on your site! (The Kiwi in me is super proud!!) That was me on instagram – I’m still finding it amazing that our cultural has spread that far!

The All Blacks are totally a national treasure so any exposure they get makes us super proud! It helps that rugby is a fun game to watch! (The guys in short shorts has nothing to do with it *cough*)

Y’all need to come for a visit to NZ – a book convention/All Blacks match sounds just what we need haha.”

OMG I WOULD LOVE THAT!!!!!!! :D!!!!!!

And now… for JenC’s Top Ten Books of 2017

She says:

“2017 wasn’t the best reading year for me.  I found I read a lot of “fluff” which must have been what I needed to get through the terrible year that was 2017!  Also a lot of romantic comedies.  My reading goal for 2018 is to be brave and read the numerous ‘angsty’ (and well rated!) books I have waiting to read!

I usually struggle to narrow things down, but there are only 10 stand outs for me this year:”

The Foxe & the Hound by RS Grey with honourable mentions to Anything You Can Do and The Fortunate Ones

“I’ve enjoyed every book of Rachel’s I’ve picked up but this year I have absolutely ADORED the three I’ve read.  I fell in love with the stories and the characters of each of the books.  They had all my favourite elements – sweet, light, laugh-out-loud, a bit of slow-burn and angst coupled with awkward run-ins, and, for The Foxe & the Hound, a super cute oversized puppy in the form of a Bernese Mountain Dog.  SOLD!!!  All three of these books I’d happily reread when I’m struggling to find a new good read.”

Unravel: A Novel by Calia Read

“Unravel was the first book I read in 2017, a book I’d been putting off reading for about 2 years.  Every time I scrolled past it in my kindle, I’d stop because that cover is all kinds of gorgeous.  But I kept waiting to be in the ‘right head space’ to read it.  I’m glad I finally bit the bullet over New Years last year!

I adored it.  It was my favourite read of 2017.  It was part love story and, the part that kept me captivated, part psychological thriller.  Surprising and engrossing.”

Into the Blood (Broken Outlaw Series Book 2) by B.T. Urruela

“I don’t know why, but there are very few male authors I enjoy reading (other than the legends like King) but for some reason I’m always captivated by BT’s words.
A Lover’s Lament was one of my faves for 2016 and Into the Blood (and the Broken Outlaw series) was one of my for 2017.

Dying to find out where the series will go next!
I guess it helps I won the paperback version of this book that was read via Facebook Live on his author page!
(… I’ll attach a pic for lols)” —->

The Opposite of You: An Opposites Attract Novel by Rachel Higginson
“I swooned so hard reading this book!

Killian was definitely THE book boyfriend of 2017.  Loved every aspect of this book but most of all, I just loved the interactions between the Killian and Vera. And the subtle little things.  Like the eye rolls.”

The Brave Line by Kate Stewart

“I hadn’t really read much of this author before (I think I had read one previously) but this was the book (particularly the second half!) that pushed her into one of my ‘must read’ authors and this book into one of my favourites.

Without it I probably wouldn’t have read Drive!”

Wrecking Ball (Hard To Love Book 1) by P Dangelico

“I adored the slow burn mixed with the humour.  And I really liked all the characters especially Sam. There’s not often a book where no characters annoy me!
And it definitely lived up to all the ‘Winnipeg hype’.”

The Evolution of Ivy by Lauren Campbell

“I love turning to those ‘revenge’ type books when I’m having a particularly bad day.  You know, the ones where the heroine comes back a decade later, unrecognisable, to get her revenge.  This one sucked me in from the beginning with the main characters crazy and dark and twisty ways.

The cunning and manipulative female lead reminded me a bit of my forever-fave, The Opportunist.”

Garden of Goodbyes by Faith Andrews

“My unexpected surprise of 2017.  I had all the feels reading this book.  The characters were so damaged and flawed and stayed with me for weeks after I finished reading.  Beautifully written book that ripped my guts out and had me sobbing like a baby.”

Vicious (Sinners of Saint) by LJ Shen

“Bully books are my thang.  I love the ones that start way back when and then have the characters cross paths years later.  This one ticked all the boxes for me – bully, slow burn, well developed characters and well paced story.  This one definitely cemented Leigh as another must read author”