Reader Favorites – Kandace’s Top 20 for 2016

It’s Kandace’s turn and she sent us this HUGELY AWESOME list loaded in detail. Quite a few that I read and LOVED as much as she did,  but she couldn’t pick just ten. I say the more, the merrier. 😉

She says:

“My top 20 of the year. That I can remember. LOL!”

1. The Man I Love (The Fish Tales Book 1) by Suanne Laqueur (the entire series) <— This series consumed me! It’s such a complex story about young love, mistakes, tragedy, soul-mates and healing. I highlighted almost the entire book. Suzanne’s words are like poetry for the soul.

“Her gravity was so strong, his attraction to her so complex and layered, he felt he was drifting in another dimension. Turning over and over like a satellite broken free of its mother planet, re-orienting itself to the center of a new universe. He ached to touch more of her, longed to pull her against him as he had never longed for anything before in his life.”

“She was a beautiful china cup on a table, quietly asking to be filled. And little by little, Erik was tipping over and pouring out.”

“Loving her felt like creating something. A cathedral. Spires and stained glass and bells. But she broke one window and I indiscriminately tore the whole thing down.”

2. An Exaltation of Larks by Suanne Laqueur <— I read his book before I read her Fish Take series. I don’t even know where to begin or how to describe this book because knowing nothing is the best way to read this book. I went in thinking this would be a simple love story and it was immediately apparent this story was going to be anything but simple. IT WAS EPIC! This book consumed me! The authors voice is so unique and seductive. She plays on all your senses. I swear I could feel the characters in every part of my soul. I could feel their tears, happiness, angst, laughter, and love. I swear I could even smell them.

3. Wolfsong by TJ Klune <— Wolfsong was my first shifter book. This book is not a simple love story between two characters. As with all of Klune’s books you get the entire family. You can’t help but to gently fall in love with every character. I wanted to be part of the pack. I swear at times I felt like I was snuggling next to them. Ox was such a gentle soul and the way Joe and his family turned him inside out was breath taking. Ox and Joe’s friendship and love for each other is a story you’ll never want to forget.

4. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel by Bryan Greenwood <— This book GAH! It made me squirm, it made me sigh, it made want things that felt wrong and right at the same time! I ate this story up from beginning to end. It was at times a disturbing but yet beautiful love story.

5. Angel of Redemption by J.A. Little <— This book is one of those hidden gems we are always searching for. It’s over 600 pages long and yet it wasn’t long enough. This book was far from perfect edit wise but I was able to over look because the story is amazing! You meet Kayla is a social worker who is forced to work with Dean Wyatt from the Wyatt House Group home for Boys. Dean is an asshole! Like the kind of asshole you want to bring to his knees until he screams UNCLE and even then you may not be totally satisfied! Slowly Kayla and Dean form a friendship. I promise you’ll be rooting for these two. This is definitely a slow burn romance. I also loved the secondary story of the foster kids and seeing how their stories played out.

6. The Hating Game: A Novel by Sally Throne <—  Office romance! The banter was total perfection! Office romances are my crack and this one hit all my buttons. The Hating Game is not your typical enemy to lovers trope! It so much more. The dialogue had me giggling and their chemistry was AH!!

7. The God of Jazz: Fugue, Concord by Varian Krylow <— This was a softer story for this author. I gobbled it up in one sitting. The chemistry between Godard and Angel was hot! I loved it was a slow build. I felt like I held my breathe the entire story. Godard had one goal he was consumed with. When his perfect plan didn’t come true his world shifted and tough choices had to be made. Angel was the perfect person to help Godard discover himself.

8. Full Tilt by Emma Scott <— This book left me a puddle of emotions. I bought this book because I liked the cover. I knew nothing about the book. From the first page I was captivated. There were twists and turns. I loved the series ended exactly were everyone was meant to be! This book is best to read blind.

9. God Love Her (The Russells Book 2) by Lauren Gilley <— This is one of my favorite Lauren Gilley books because I freakin loved Sly. Like all of Lauren’s books you get a little of everything: mystery, a tight family dynamic, romance, a hot older protective alpha male and of course humor!

10. rock by Anyta Sunday <— This book was a coming of age story I will never forget. The story was touching and emotional. I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. It is a slow burn romance that pulls you in deep. I could not put this book down. The narration was so perfection. Lots and lots of feels!

11. Wait for It by Marianna Zapata <— I want my own Dallas! I swear this book had me laughing and crying all in the same sentence.

12. A Royal Affair (Book 1 in The Royal Affair series) by John Witshire <— WOW! What an amazing story. I loved these boys so hard. I couldn’t wait to read the rest of their story. Aleksey and Niko are both so special. This is a historical M/M story. It honestly didn’t feel like a historical novel. I loved the slow build of their friendship. I love how determined Aleskey is to break down Niko and eventually win his heart. Niko is the voice of the story. But I never doubted how Aleksey was feeling. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue surrounding the boys. I loved the intensity they felt towards each other. I was worried they would never be free to be openly in love. I highly recommend giving this author a try. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so immersed in a story.

13. Lev: a Shot Callers novel by Bella Aurora <— A little bit of dark mixed with a little bit of sweet! I loved everything about this book. Her shyness, the way her protected her…and his words when he spoke were swoooooooon.

14. Hawthorne & Heathcliff by R.K. Royals <— This was a shorter story with only 200 pages but I swear every word packed a punch. This is definitely a coming of age story yet it didn’t feel all that YA! I felt I truly knew every character inside and out.

15. Sparrow by LJ Shen <— This is definitely a dark romance. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. I was immediately drawn in to their world. It couldn’t stop reading and was upset when my family would interrupt me for things like FOOD and water!

16. From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon <— it’s Amy Harmon. Do I need to say more? Her books are like a cleanse for the soul. I always feel like I’m a better person after I finish her books.

17. Predator by Michelle Horst <— This book was far from perfect but it kept me interested from start to finish. She had a lot of heavy baggage and I loved how patient he was with her.

18. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Marianna Zapata <— A perfect slow burn romance!!

19. Slip of the Tongue by Jessica Hawkins <— A hate love triangles and cheating but I floved this book. This book was pure perfection. I liked all the characters. I was rooting for them all. This story had so much angst.

20. BORDEN by RJ Lewis <— I love all of this authors books. They are my crack. They have the perfect amount of dark undertone and mystery. Her books are usually twisty romances that keep me on the edge of my seat.

Take a look at more of Kandace’s favorite:

• Reader Favorites – Kandace’s Top Favorite Books List