This is Jenn’s VERY FIRST “Best Of” list submission, but she’s been with us (on and off) since 2013! Over the course of the last few months, however, she’s been super-active with us – she’s just started hard-core reading again – and through our fun chats and her book recommendations, and incredible reactions over some of ’em, we’ve come to know her (and LOVE her!!) so well!
So I though we’d start this amazing list with some fun trivia about her left in the comments over the last year.
P.S. If you scroll down to the bottom of this post, Jenn also shared something so sweet and personal to her, with us!! Two more of her favorites things. 😀
Let’s learn about Jenn (via snippets of her own words) 😉 :
I feel like a rookie being here as it has been so long as I have been MIA for about a year and just got back into reading;
I LOVE BABIES <3 THE HUMAN AND THE FURRY KINDAbout her new baby nephew: “…He is EXTRA special as he is sadly the last one.
none of my siblings will have anymore! In total though I have 10. (7 nephews & 3 nieces) My oldest nephew turned 24 today! My oldest niece 26 so hopefully I can get some great neices/nephews soon. Just don’t tell my brothers/sisters that…Teehee”
Had to say goodbye to my mother in law and her husband last night
Tarryn Fisher she is my “crack”You all are cracking me up with your “Alexa” stories! I have a funny, my husband got “Hey Google” so we were getting ready for a Xmas party and I hear him yelling upstairs so I go up there and he is screaming at the thing to play Metallica and he doesn’t understand why it’s not working and very calmly I tell him “ hon it’s not “Alexa” it’s “hey google”
I drink too much coffee so I am trying to make a healthy choice in 2019 and drink more tea. I don’t add anything to my tea but coffee it’s sugar and half&half, so to rid myself of all that extra sugar trying to only do one or two cups of coffee in morning and that’s it but that is so hard for me! And I absolutely can not drink it black.
All this talk about warm things with ice cream is making me super hungry but I also thought I would share my favorite. I take about a tbs oh hell who am I kidding-it’s more like 2 tbs and put in microwave for about 10-15 seconds and poor it over French Vanilla Ice Cream.. DELICIOUS (peanut butter anything is my favorite)
I loved spiral ham in crock pot, I do mine with pineapple and maraschino cherries on top of it and mixed the juices and poor over the top of it. YUM! Unfortunately my hubs hates warm ham but I still make it this way and than when cooled make him ham sandwich on ciabatta roll!
this month is a big month; My birthday is the 16 and on this day marks the 10 year anniversary of when we found out my hubs had cancer and it also marks the 7 yr anniversary of him being cancer free!!!!!!! …And It was truly a blessing how we found out too… He had a snowmobile accident 1/16/2009 and it was from scans and x-rays for his injuries from that we found out he had kidney cancer if it had not been for that accident gah I don’t even want to know. So although he suffered from his injuries it truly was a blessing. I don’t really celebrate my bday and really haven’t since that day….. I celebrate him….the only downside from all of this is he only has one kidney now but he is ALIVE ♥️
I am currently finishing up “A Place Without you” Jewel E Ann-I do not think I have ever laughed so much with a book that also is ripping my heart out! I can’t wait to finish it as most all in the BR have and of course loved it!
I am a blueberry fanatic, food, scents, candles you name it and still looking for the blueberry wine Amy mentioned. I have to have this. STATTasha-your number 1 made me super hungry-now I want breakfast food for dinner.
Amy-My wine chicka-you got me hooked on the blueberry one now I need to try the rasberry-Yum
DG-my coffee never does it’s job as I am immune to it I think; I can drink a cup and go right to bed…Michele-I agree 5 day work week….not a fan and makes me sad too. I loved being home with my dogs and bundling up and going for long walks. It was awesome but short lived. By the time I get home from work I only have a 1/2 hr before it is dark so they only get a short walk. I will not walk them in the dark.
R-Velveeta/Texas/Vegetable that cracks me up. I don’t mind it at all the only cheese ruined for me (and can you really call it cheese) was the jar Cheez Whiz; as a kid one of our meals that I had to eat was poor man dinner and it was made with that-I literally will gag just smelling it.
I watch videos all the time and try to mimic the dance with the song as I am not a girl who likes to exercise so this is my fun way of getting my workout on.“A Star Is Born” definitely a fave of 2018 for me too I can’t wait to watch the academy awards and oscars as they are both nominated! Oh and Bradley Cooper is actually nominated for more Grammys than Taylor Swift which I find unbelievable since he is really not a singer you know? Oh but he is! God I could go on and on about that movie-just loved it!
Another fave new hobby for me in 2018 is I started making Xmas centerpieces using wine bottles my MOM, step mom and mother in law were my gunniea pigs and honestly they all thought I bought them ♥️ So now in 2019 I have lots more wine drinking just so I can keep making them
My new furniture I bought on black Friday is FINALLY in and being delivered tomorrow-I can’t wait because that means I get to take the day off tomorrow from work-YAY ME
And finally made appointment to get my hair done this week-I have not had it cut/colored at all since March *gasp*
One of my favorite things is getting my hair washed by someone else. I don’t know why but I get lost in it. love it! I just want to get all these lighter highlights out of it; my hair naturally gets lighter on its own; I don’t actually ever pay to get highlights….in the summer I don’t mind them but with it being winter I just want my dark brown hair
I am getting all weepy over here. I am a rather emotional person, my husband says too emotional but when I feel, I feel-that being said I ditto everyone’s remarks and espcially JulieO’s post. You guys are truly my rock right now and so glad I have a place to call home…. to laugh, cry, and escape in the awesome books we find. love to all xoxo
And now, her “Best Books of 2018” List:
Maryse-I can not believe this is my first “Best of List” I have ever sent….and I LOVE lists! *big sigh* Before I get to that I would like to thank you for all you do here for us! I have met so many awesome friends through you and your blog. I love all of you and you truly are *my home*. XOXO!
I realize this is not a list about why I love Maryse so much (*giggles*) but I do also have to say I LOVE when you get so EXCITED over a book you read, I bring this up because let’s go back about 6 years ago to your review for *The Sea of Tranquility: A Novel” it was this review, this book that reignited my LOVE for reading. So thank you so much for that! You gave me that gift Maryse and I love you for it!
Now on to my list in no particular order. It was hard enough picking my favorites I would never be able to put them in order. 🙂 I did not read to many books these last two years so most of these were released previous to 2018. I know I have comments for most of these Maryse on your site “somewhere over the rainbow” but I’ll leave that magic up to you to find and use as you feel fit.
So what I thought I would do is just share one of my favorite quotes from each book with limited commentary.
Tristan & Danika Trilogy by R.K. Lilley <— I remember when I posted on your blog that I was reading this EVERYONE went crazy and I knew I was in for journey that was going to rock me to my core and boy did it ever!
Bad Things (Tristan & Danika Book 1) <— Broke Me. QUOTE FROM BOOK: “I’ll never forget that for as long as I live; the way you were my strength, when I was too weak to even stand.”
Jean: OMG I am done with Bad Things….Not sure how my heart or ovaries survived! Near the end wrecked me as I was so focused on the H/H that I did not see that coming and it broke my heart! I’m kinda scared to start “Rock Bottom”
Rock Bottom (Tristan & Danika Book 2) <— Shattered Me. QUOTE FROM BOOK: “Tragedy never took its full chunk out of you right way. It always took a while to hit you head on, and sink in and for something substantial, some hint of the real feeling, the real reaction, to come to the surface, and this loss was not done taking its toll on us.”
Jenn: Now to all who said I was a lucky girl reading Tristan and Danika’s story well let me tell you;I honestly have been crying from 70% on (“Rock Bottom”) and currently I am at 86% and I am a mess…I am too scared and well it’s too much. I don’t want to read if what is happening here (Dean) completes itself. *Jenn hugs manny*; thanks Amy for lending him to me.
Jenn: Well I did end up finishing Rock Bottom because I had to know but it was a struggle. it took me longer to finish the lat 30% than it did to get to 70% I am so heartbroken for so so many reasons-”Jenn hugs manny again this time does not let go* The only reason I am continuing on is because Amy stated I will be crying happy tears at the end….so moving on to “Lovely Trigger”
Jenn: …everyone keeps telling me how jealous they are because of what I am reading but I got to tell you “Rock Bottom” was rough for me to get through. I love books that put me through the wringer but there was a certain thing that happened twice that I could personally relate to and when that happens I feel like I became her in those moments, living it, breathing it all over again and yeah so I’m just broken. I don’t want to say much more than that as I know some others on here have not read it.
Lovely Trigger (Tristan & Danika Book 3) <— Healed Me. QUOTE FROM BOOK: “I am the guy who has been in love with you for over six fucking years. I am the guy that has thought about you every day. I miss you every day. What happened —what we lost together— breaks my heart, but it doesn’t change anything.”
No Tomorrow by Carian Cole <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “Don’t give up baby, I took a walk, but I didn’t run away.”
Jenn: Good Morning All- I finished “No Tomorrow” I’m sad because I never wanted it to end. To say I’m emotionally exhausted is an understatement! It was utterly gut wrenching and so beautifully imperfect. It was not an easy journey reading this but so so worth it.
…I read this at the most perfect time in my life! I’m still coming down and digesting the emotional highs and lows.
Jenn: I was late just last week; I woke up a little earlier than normal so I figured what the hell I would read a little, at the time I was just starting No Tomorrow and before I knew it I was late so late that by the time I made it to work I was 45 minutes late. The last time that happened I was near the end of How To Kill A Rockstar and for those that have read that know when I got to that part I was a complete ********* mess and could not go to work so I called in sick.
Drive by Kate Stewart <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “Love doesn’t die, even when you stop feeding it. There is no expiration date on the ache of missing someone you shared your heart, life, and body with.”
Wait for It by Mariana Zapata <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “One of the worst things in the world was watching someone you love fall apart.”
Jenn: OMG I have only read one Mariana Zapata books…”Wait For It” which I loved so much and I guess I didn’t realize she has written so many…looks like I’ll be coloring up my TBR
Cold Cole Heart by K.Webster <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “You can’t kiss away the horror, honey. It’s stained on my motherfucking soul.” Tears well in her stormy eyes. “I was trying to kiss away mine.”
Jenn: Did a BR of Cold Cole Heart with Michele G, Nay, Judy, Ela, Lisa however I think Ela and Lisa abandoned us half way through…not sure if they finished but any way so freaking good! Definitely for you Maryse! …And oh yes Cold Cole Heart was awesome!
Trailer Park Heart by Rachel Higginson <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “I’ve been yours. For as long as I can remember. It was true when we were kids. It was true the second I walked back into town and realized you were still here and still single. And it’s still true. It will always be true.”
Waiting for the Sun: Waiting for the Sun, Part One by Robin Hill <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “Baby…..I met someone!” (NOTE: I know these words above seem insignificant unless you read the book and if you have not read it you absolutely should…these 4 words meant EVERYTHING!)
Jenn: I ended my year reading “Waiting For The Sun” Robin Hill and wow! I am in awe! Such a breath of fresh air this was for me! I literally am still walking around with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes remembering certain moments and just these 4 words… you know get me right in the heart! *“Baby….I met someone!”* I absolutely loved it…..so beautiful! Definitely will be on my very first best list…
To Have It All by BN Toler <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “Vroom Vroom….Liam” (NOTE: I know these words may not mean anything to most but holy hell just these three words and I was a sobbing mess.)
Jenn: HOLY HELL GUYS-if you have not read “to have it all” by BN Toler you need to. I actually started this last week but did not read beyond the first chapter. Picked it back up yesterday and just started from the beginning and completed it in less than 24 hours.
I went to bed thinking about it, woke up thinking about it and even though I was at work could not focus on that till I finished. I may have picked this book for it’s UGLY cover (and by the way the cover is PERFECT as once you read the story it makes so much sense) but there is nothing UGLY about this story. Definitely 5 stars for me!
All Your Perfects: A Novel by Colleen Hoover <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “Until then, I will continue to love you more and more with every struggle we face than I loved you when all was perfect.”
Verity by Colleen Hoover <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “Some families are lucky enough to never experience a single tragedy. But then there are those families that seem to have tragedies waiting on the back burner. What can go wrong, goes wrong. And then gets worse.”
Jenn: OMG guys I started Verity Friday night and woke up Saturday morning and could not stop reading it till I finished. HOW IS THAT BOOK A COHO BOOK, I can’t even tell ya I literally still have no words and still can not pick up another book and because of this I went on a baking spree this weekend…….my husband thought I lost my mind and I guess I sort of did in that book!
… I must say didn’t see that end coming and I felt like I was punched in the gut, slapped upside the head…rolled over and kicked.
I loved every second of it and two days later still can’t pick up another book…well I can but it’s useless.
Bloodstained Beauty by Ella Fields <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “I’ll breathe for you as you thaw and hold you as you melt and wait for the moment you ignite and catch fire in my arms. Stop thinking the story is over when you reach the end!”
Jenn: …right from the beginning I am hooked!!!!!!
Maryse-In regards to Bloodstained Beauty; other than the blurb you posted I read nothing about this book and just went in blind. That is the best way to experience this amazing book. It captivated me from beginning to end as I am done now. It overwhelmed me, consumed me and yes had me questioning my sanity. (love when that happens) It was freaking amazing! Lived and Loved every word of it!
Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “What am I going to do with this girl? Just when I think I have her figured out, she pulls at me a little more. Just when I think I can’t stand her, and I can leave, never looking back, I turn right around and want to make sure nothing hurts her.”
Jenn: …I am not going to bed tonight till I finish Punk 57.
Beautiful Hearts Duet by Emma Scott
Jenn: …I just have to say I love being in her world and the characters she creates…
Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts Duet Book 1) <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “Own this love, Wes. It’s not just hers. It’s yours too.”
Jenn: I just finished “Bring Down The Stars” I am in awe of this book and can not say enough about it. I loved it so much definitely one of the best books I have ever read!
Long Live the Beautiful Hearts (Beautiful Hearts Duet Book 2) <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “Stay with him. And keep holding his hand, Autumn. No matter what happens. Don’t let go of him.”
Heartbreak Warfare by Kate Stewart and Heather M Orgeron <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “I can’t imagine anyone passing through life without feeling something so powerful. It hurts and heals all at once.”
Jenn: I can take having my heart ripped out; I can handle gut wrenching sobs, I can handle my heart pounding in anticipation, and all the angst you want to throw at me….however HEARTBREAK WARFARE is in a class of it’s own.
The level this book did all of that to me is like no other I have ever experienced. It has not been easy, very tough to read at times and I am not even done with it. (80%) I have had to take multiple breaks from it when the hurt got to be too much. Even when I was taking these breaks I could not stop thinking about them. I am starting to think there may not be enough stars in the sky for this one.
…the first word of the title says it all. …I am still thinking about this story and it’s been a almost a month since I finished.
Wish You Were Here: A Novel by Renee Carlino <— QUOTE FROM BOOK: “Your art, our memories, the memories people have of us . . . it makes us immortal. When you love someone, whether it be your family, friends, partners, whatever, it’s like planting a little seedling of yourself inside of their hearts.”
Thank you so much for letting me share my faves.
xoxo
Jenn
P.S. And was hoping you could include besides my books my two other favorite things in the whole wide world! Rescued them at 4-1/2 weeks and they are 4 yrs now. Although they were rescues they were a gift to me from my hubs during the absolute darkest time of my life-truth is they rescued me xoxo
Fun things about her fur-babies:
I can not imagine my life without my two baby girls; no one in this world will love you like they do. It is so unconditional and without judgement! My favorite part of my day every day is when I get home from work, no matter the shit mood I maybe in it is immediately erased with sloppy kisses and hugs. My Mia hugs me; I kneel on the floor and she puts her two front paws on my shoulders and it just melts my heart.
Gave one of my furbabies a bath yesterday…I can only do Mia as Sadie takes both me and my hubs and getting him to do anything…well let’s just say it’s a struggle and I absolutely refuse to take them anywhere to have it done so hopefully tonight I can get him to help.
2018/11/06: Had a Pup-Party for my furbabies on Saturday. They actually turned 4 on 10/27 but their furry friends all could not make it so I had it a week later. I have never done this before but it was a blast. My babies are still recovering.
I have two take my dogs in for their rabie shots today and heart worm test. They will pretty much be down and out the rest of the day; I hate it for them but love it for me as they are already two of the biggest cuddle bugs but they really turn the cuddling on after this trauma
Ok first, that Alexa/Google story is priceless. It reminds me of when I got in a fight with Alexa and the hubs came running in because I was screaming at her to play Forever Right Now by LP…instead of the actual song title, Forever For Now. 🙄
Second, I need the details on that ham please!
And third, thank you! Those 4 little words gutted me while writing them, and obviously, the sentiment isn’t original. Some form of that sentence is used in one way or another across many mediums. Matter of fact, one of my favorite books of all time, that I found though this blog, had something similar written in an email, and I never got over it. I’ll also likely never get over Darian saying it. Or having to say it, as the case may be. 🙁
PUPPIES!! Omg, awwww. And Mia is smiling in the one photo, how adorable! <3
I’ve only read 3 from your list- Waiting for the Sun, All Your Perfects, and Wait for it (you MUST read Kulti!!). I want to read Verity ASAP and To Have it All has sparked my curiosity. And Tristan and Danika- waiting ‘till I’m brave enough to feel that much, lol!
Awe Maryse thanks for ALL the love> I feel like a “rockstar” xoxo
R-not sure how to post links in here so I just copied it https://cookpad.com/us/recipes/1518778-holiday-ham-slow-cooker
The only modifications I make-I only use 1 cup brown sugar and no honey or syrup, I use the cherries.
Tasha-Thank you-My Mia is always smiling unless she’s sleeping, she is also my dreamer when she sleeps. <3 So many have told me to read Kulti and I definitely will. I keep saying it's my next book than something else gets released and then I am sidetracked again. With T&D yes you definitely have to be ready to feel. I don't think I can ever read that trilogy like…ever again. But I 5* loved it. 🙂
LOL freaking funny-and stupid- it turned into a link when I hit submit…”who knew” 🙂
Jenn!! Holy crap on a cracker! That is one list of hurt-y books. You and your babies are adorbs. 🙂 Seeing your comments re: Tristan & Danika brought all those emotions back. Gah! 🙁
So…right before reading this I was watching my soap that had me ugly crying the last 4 episodes. I was going to comment here how funny that I don’t like death in books but watch a soap. The reason I watch the soap is because when my mom was in nursing home, I started watching with her. After she was gone, I continued watching it as sort of a connection with her still. I never admitted this as it sounds weird. However, when I read Sea of Tranquility, the MC did the same thing!! How odd as I was coming on here to post this, Sea of Tranquility is mentioned?!?
Me and hubs had fight with Alexa the other night. She wouldn’t tell us what category Lady Gaga won Golden Globe. No matter how many times we re-worded question. Then when we asked her if she liked Lady Gaga and if she liked keeping secrets from us, she gave us a smarta$$ answer. We are mad at Alexa.
Awe Leslie I love that story about why you watch the soap, it made me sad to learn your mom is gone! I’m so sorry! So glad you have something to feel connected to her!❤️ TSOT is still after 6 years in my top 5 all time favorite books! Your Alexa story freaking hilarious
Ooh love the photos Jenn of your puppies and of your beautiful nephew! Thanks for sharing! I agree with leslie – those are hurty books!!! So I haven’t read too many of them cos I’m weak like that LOL. But I did really enjoy Wait For It. (So now you need to read Kulti!!!!!!) And of course Waiting For The Sun 😀 And I’m reading a Place Without You at the moment. I know I’ve read some Renee Carlino before, a few years ago. I should go back and have a look at her books cos I remember liking the ones I read.
Great list! Added a few new books to my TBR based on a lot of my faves being on here!
Aaah gorgeous puppers! Those photos are SO CUTE.
So….I’m thinking I need to read Verity because everyone is loving it!
Jan-the hurtier the better….
Well only in my books apparently I love to torture myself!
JenC-thank you and I’m glad you were able to add a few!
Every time I ask Alexa something she doesn’t know the answer. Pretty clueless that one.
Renee! LP!!!! I love her voice!
I’ve read about 60% of your list Jenn. A few others are on my large tbr. I STILL have not read The Sea of Tranquility. It’s on my Kindle I’m pretty sure too!
Jenn, your girls are beautiful! I bet they are love bugs and full of character.
I’ve read one on your list. Two if we count SoT. I loved that book. I read it based on Maryse’s review and was just a baby lurker then.
Thanks for the recipe Jenn!
And yes Steph! She’s my fave. Amy got me hooked on her when I was reading Tristan and Danika. I’m going to see her in San Fran in a couple of weeks.
Jenn–We have VERY similar book tastes. Among others, Cold Cole Heart also made my list and Bloodstained Beauty was so close to being on it. I still need to read Wait for It, but I totally agree that you need to read Kulti!
If I could read No Tomorrow every day, I would, and since you loved it, you MUST read the Of Love and Madness series by Karen Cimms.
Your pups are precious!
So many books with so many feels! I love this list. The ones I’ve read on here really hit me. I read that little bit from Rock Bottom and GUTTED! You need to read Kulti. It was probably my favorite from her.
The puppies! OMG! Cuteness overload. I love their baby picture, with them cuddling with each other. So cute!!
I need a like button for Jen’s story…. it made me laughing and people were watching me (some thought I was a nutcase, I saw it in their face) haha
Love your blog ❤️
Steph-You have to read TSOT! This truly is the only book I re-read every year.
Bev-Thank you and yes they are the biggest love bugs EVER! Character-OMG yes-surprisingly though total opposites even though they are sisters. Mia will cuddle and love on you all day-With Sadie it is always on her terms-she’s a little bossy pants 🙂
R-you are welcome, there are so many different variations and I forgot to mention that I always buy boneless spiral-I do not buy the bone in ham. And Ha, Amy did the same thing to me…I am glad she did though because she is AWESOME!
Nay-Thank you-You have me so curious on that Karen Cimms series and OMG yes we do have very similar book tastes so now I am going to stalk your GR page and see what other goodies I can find.
Tessa-Gutted-I so get it, when I was making the list I was making myself cry just remembering *certain moments*! That baby picture of my girls was actually taken in a laundry basket lol that’s how little they were-It is one of my favorites!
P.S: I am going to read Kulti as soon as I am done with The Kiss Thief-xoxo
Jenn!!! I just saw this! It’s an awesome list! So many are my faves too…but you do have a few I haven’t read yet and you know I’m moving them up since our tastes in books run so similar. Your fur babies are the freaking cutest!!! I’m so glad you included their pics! So glad to have met you through our love of books 🙂
“Baby…..I met someone!” Literally just gave me chills…I’ll never get over how meaningful those four little words were in that context…gah!! Seriously…
And yes…I second everyone’s rec for Kulti….my favorite German!!!
Awe Michele I am so glad I met you too! ❤️ And yes we do have similar tastes and normally when we are doing a BR our love for the book and reactions are the same and I LOVE that except maybe the one we are doing now. I think I may jump ship on this one just can’t get into it and I hate that but it happens
Sorry Michele was not done and hit send. So as I was saying I’m going to abandon our current BR and start Kulti. You have actually recommended this more than once so with that and everyone else I’m going to start! Thank you for loving my fur-babies ♥️ They as you know more than anyone are my whole world
Jenn, I’ve read the majority of the books on your list. Bloodstained Beauty has me intrigued and is going on mu tbr. I already have To Have It all on my tbr but I keep passing over it. Not sure what it is, the premise??
Your babies are adorable!! I know what you mean, when I get home my little Snowball is always happy to see me. 😉
Thank you Cheryl and I really LOVED to have it all, I passed over it too so many times as paranormal type books are not my typical read and honestly only read it for a challenge-it was amazing!