Reader Favorites – Rochelle’s Top Books of 2019 List

It’s Rochelle’s turn, and I think this might be the last BEST OF 2019 list… (unless of course I get another). 😉 But what a way to end off a “best of” category. Tons of greatness right here!

Some of you might not know Rochelle all that well, since she’s only become more active with us as of 2019. Though she’s been with us since 2017!! P.S. While going through her comments, I just found a few other fantastic-sounding recommendations in the last year from her that I haven’t posted, so I’m including them on this week’s Friday Finds list. YAY US!! 😀

But first… here are some of her 2019 comment highlights to get to know her better:

About what we consider romance novels:

I love this discussion. It makes me think of Megan Hart’s books. Is she a romance writer? Her books always push lines and often I am afraid to read her books. They invoke such feelings of reality. Because I have loved some of her books I often feel I have to endure all her writing and feel I am rewarded after ploughing through some difficult topics but not getting that HEA feeling.

About her reading habits & life in general:

My TBR list is soooo long. That is good, right?

Okay I just one clicked Demi Moore’s bio. Same age and all, looking forward it.

…found many books I bought I hadn’t read. Got list on the cracks. How do you organize your library? That’s my problem. I have both audio and Kindle along with some “real books”.

This is when I miss real books, I mean the paper ones. My husband was just saying 20 years ago I had to have the light on to read at night. Now it’s all in my little palm. Book, light and all.

I love a romance comedy. Leaves me happy in my heart.

…afraid of the “ugly cry “emotions that I don’t have time for in my life.

I am an audio book junkie as I can work and listen.

…lights are coming down one by one in our small Oregon town. I’m not ready for the holiday to be over and return to the fast pace life …I love this time of the year to put together my top 10. So fun to go back and reminisce about the books that highlighted my days.

Spring in Oregon is beautiful but the allergies are not…

Thanks Maryse and all of you who post and share not only book blog info but life tidbits.

She says:

Hello Lovely Ladies,

I get to start most of my days reading Maryse’s Blog. I often want to post but I just can’t get to the writing part when in wake-up mode. I love this blog, the recipes, the Netflix and the reviews. Thanks all who make my day.

I love to read. When I am stressed, I can put in some earphones and leave my stress to enjoy my stories. My favorite is RomCom. I have to have HEA. I need to laugh more and my favorite type of author is a Susan Elizabeth Philips book. However, she hasn’t written one in a long time. I see one is coming in 2020. Another to go is Molly Harper. I just need the humor.

My list is different this year. So many times I started a book and couldn’t get past the first 3 or 4 chapters. I feel like a book is like a good wine. Life is too short for bad wine and for a poorly written book. I hate that I am now so picky. That is why I rely on you all for my inspiration. I absolutely hate cliff hangers. When we devour many books, it is almost impossible for me to come back and remember the details of the next book in a series many months or years later. I am patient and I can wait the year or two or three until the entire series is out.

I have found because of putting together this list that there are many books I have purchased and not yet read. I need some kind of inventory program to keep my books in order. Ideas? If we had the hard copies that would be easy but not they are in my audible library or Kindle. This has to be a New Years resolution to organize my reading list.

This coming summer I will be doing a long hike on the PCT and I am looking forward to getting unplugged from my daily high paced life to walking and listening to many on my TBR Audible list. Speaking of Audible: The entire Harry Potter Series is incredible on Audible. If you have kids this is a must to listen to. The voices carry us into another world.

My top 10 in no order for 2019

Hidden Seams by Alessandra Torre <— Alessandra Torre is always an author who is unique and creative. This story will catch you up and pull you in. I love the forbidden romance was full of twist and turns and a quality story to boot. Really you can never go wrong with Alessandra.

Pretty Scars (Drazen Family Box Set Book 5) by CD Reiss <–– This story is stunning and the writing is compelling and unique. It is a great 5 star listen and this drama filled journey of beautiful sweet highs and tragic bitter lows of young love doomed to end in tears. This story emotionally can wreck you and it show the brilliance of this author.

It covers another sibling in the Dresden family. A stand-alone and as her usual style, so well written. She is on my “ I will always read author”

As Dust Dances by Samantha Young <— I LOVE THIS BOOK! I love musicians. They always seem to get me in the gut with their lyrics. They have pain, misunderstood lives and grief. These make the best stories. If you listen to this book you get the great Irish accent. You won’t be sorry with this one.

In the Unlikely Event by L J Shen <-– OK back to Ireland and another musician. Oh, my soul! A great one-night stand and a cocky poet at that. I have now been on a L J Shen binge. Her writing is solid, funny and paced nicely.

L.J. Shen Unlikely Event. Listening on Audio. The accents are so fun.

The Giver of Stars: A Novel by JoJo Moyes <— This book will reward any reader with deep characters and a story that touches on our Kentucky history and the prejudices of women and their role in the mountain citizens. This is amazing as Jojo is English and captures so well the feel of our stories that need to be told.

DARE: A Rock Star Hero by SL Scott <— This is another one-night stand turned into an enjoyable and entertaining journey. I loved the audio book. SL Scott can write steamy, angst characters and a story that will consume you.

Reveal (Wicked Ways Book 2) by K. Bromberg <— This is a fun book with lots of surprises. This author is a go to for me because I am never disappointed with her talent. The charters are well crafted and this story weaves subplots. It is well worth your time.

Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata <— When I read the first Mariana book I was hooked. Her stories are so different from any typical romance. This is just another one of her talents shone to perfection. This story is a slow burn, ohh the best! Let it build and it is worth the journey. I love grumpy men, misunderstood and the women who can climb under their skin.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier <— This is a 14 hour listen and the narrator is exquisite. The author is incredible. This story will stay with you for a long time. This story is about an English traveling companion to a rich American who finds herself a bride to an older wealthy Englishman. The journey is the life she tries to build in the shoes of his deceased wife. So good and a memorable ending.

Rogue Wave: Cake Series Book Five by J Bengtsson <— J is an author who I wish would write more books. I can’t ever get enough of her style. I believe all of her books has 5 stars from me and this is another home run. J always takes my heart strings and pulls. If you have not read any of her books, I promise you start with Cake. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINED.

The Triangle (Shape of Love Book 1) by JA Huss <— If you are not aware of JA Huss she writes erotic stories that push the limits. This story is suspenseful, dark and angry, tangled, and erotic. It is a love story from the twisted minds and she makes the unacceptable, acceptable. Not sure how but I love her and her new writing partner Johnathan McClain. This is book one and The Square is out so no need to have the cliff hanger.

Honorable mention is by Jewel – Never Broken: Songs Are Only Half the Story. If you like her music in this audio book she even sings. Such a moving story about her hard life.

Like Rochelle’s book taste? Check out more of her favorites:

• Reader Favorites – Rochelle’s Best Books of 2018 List