Maryse’s 2013 Top Twenty Five Favorite Books List

What an amazing book year we’ve had! From all of the incredible signings (like my favorite —> Book Bash *grins*) to finally getting to “meet and greet” with our favorite authors, and discovering new ones! To meeting some of our favorite cover models, and even better, meeting each other! To devouring highly anticipated sequels, and to making new online reading buddies… this year has rocked our reading world. Or at least, it has, mine.

We’ve been happy reading machines, indulging our one-click fingers, happily hoarding ebooks, and overloading our TBR lists to the point of bursting! But our e-readers can take it, right? So why not. 😉 The book-world is our oyster!

And out of the “oysters” I’ve opened, I have uncovered some magnificent pearls. I started (and got “into”) approx. 166 books this year (<— my reading progress list) and completed 150-something of them, and I’ve selected 25 (actually 30 ;)) of my favorites. I’m sure many of you can guess quite a few that I’m going to post, but I thought I’d immortalize them as my “Top 25 2013” list, right here:

These are the books that left their mark on me… deep. Funny enough, not all of them are from my “5 stars” list. Some listed below (even ahead of some of the 5-stars), were originally 4.5 starred when I wrote the review, and yet… months later I’m still thinking about them. I still remember them in detail, and I’m still looking to find more like all of these. More that give me that feeling. So whether they be 5 stars, or 4.5 stars… here are my 2013 favorites!

P.S. These are not necessarily listed in order of my favorites, as some I absolutely love equally. In fact, I’ve re-arranged them over and over, and still can’t make it “perfect” but here’s a good idea of those that have stuck with me the most:

P.P.S. I’d love to know your favorites too!! 😀

Walking Disaster: A Novel by Jamie McGuire
My most favorite man of my year! Okay so you pretty much already know, Travis continues to be my #1 man (er… book man ;)) in the world. Two years in, and he still holds that spot. There are a few of course, that have sidled up to just under (er… next to?) him, but Travis is it for me. And this book cinched it. I was head over heels in love with him through Abby’s eyes in Beautiful Disaster (all that romantic tension and receiving his attentions from her POV) and I wondered if I would be as affected, since this was from his POV. Oh yessssss I was. In fact, I fell even harder, and absolutely delighted in every single moment of his book. And that is why his book takes my #1 spot in my favorites of 2013. (my review)

Surviving Raine by Shay Savage
Most infuriating and intense (fun!) alpha-jerk of my year! Imagine being stranded in the middle of the ocean, hoping to reach land before dying of dehydration… with a handsome yet volatile stranger. How would that go? Well, I’m so glad to have “lived” a version of it, right here. I devoured this one in practically one sitting, and it left me in a “Bastian” fog for days! A brooding, alpha-jerk (<— tee hee. Someone here came up with that, and I just love that term!!), obnoxious, rude (but not so much that “cocky” rude that I don’t connect to as well – more like pissed off-rude). But I loved breaking through to him, I loved being in his head-space, I love what he’d think, and what he’d end up actually saying…  I just… loved him. I’d say he was my perfectly imperfect blend of Dex and Travis (but a little angrier on the outside). Told through his POV, I never knew I could love reading a book from a guy’s mind as much as I did. Ohhhh but I did. I was hooked and I fell for him hard! I was loving it so much, thinking about it so intently when I’d be forced to set it aside, that I drove my husband nuts telling him about the story. But lucky me, the story was so interesting, that he was actually into it. And I can’t wait for more!! It’s an absolute must-read! (my review) P.S. I’m going to cheat for a second and throw in another series by this author as a contender for my favorites in 2013. Evan Arden rocked my world. Just sayin’ 😉

Unbeautifully (Undeniable: Book Two) by Madeline Sheehan
Most scarred, gorgeous, tortured male of my year! This book, so far is my absolute favorite in this extreme biker series. Ripper is my “human” version of Z from the “Black Dagger Brotherhood” series. And you know how crazy I am (so many of us are) for him.  In fact, this series has a little of that “BDB” feel. Er… okay not so heroic or “honorable” maybe, but the brotherly feel, and the rules of their world reminds me of them. And while their exploits and activities run the gamut of “bad boy/bad guy” behavior, each member has his own tortured soul to contend with, and the potential for redemption (or at least relief) via the love of his woman. And this is the one that just did it, for me. Scarred inside and out, Ripper is a total bad-ass. Fierce and furious, but when it comes to her… *sigh* he made me melt. And he wasn’t even trying. There’s no sap here, he’s all dirty mouth and bad attitude but he’s sweet as heck nonetheless. He had me hooked. (my review)

Real (The REAL series) by Katy Evans
Most intense, addictive alpha male fighter of my year! And the best MMA fighter read I’ve read so far (okay, ummm… along with that of my #1 man above ;)), ’cause Remy’s fury and his intense emotional need is addictive and exciting. Right from the opening scene, when he sees her in the crowd (leaving) and he knocks out his opponent in one fell swoop so he can leap over the ropes and catch her before she disappears from his life forever. *sigh* Remy needs to fight, needs the release, and lives the bad-boy (rock star) lifestyle. But, unbeknownst to him, his need for a deep connection (and love) runs deep, and just might be what he needs to save him from himself. And that’s where we, er… I mean she comes in. 😉 Luckily we get to live it through her. Taking him and all of his intensity in full force. The author does not rush us through that process, and the lengthy tease is pure torture (and pure deliciousness). (my review)

Arsen. A broken love story by Mia Asher
Most tumultuous angsty affair of my year!!! Tumultuous (and not for everyone, for those that avoid this “subject matter”), but OMG this is the book that gave me the biggest gut-wrench, this year. Surprising me, because I wasn’t meshing with it right off the bat. But something took hold, and I realized why. I was fighting to mesh with who I thought we were supposed to be falling for, and I just couldn’t. When I let myself go and followed my heart, this book took hold, and then proceeded to tear it out (and I loved that!). There were two very obvious teams, so don’t go in expecting to love “my guy”. It builds (they build) and then you choose. But I’m going to say that “my guy” is undeniably and so obviously the right one. 😉 And he is one of my all-time favorite guys of the year (one of the best I’ve ever read), and I still think about *that scene* regularly. And it still makes my heart hurt. And I still love him like crazy. (my review)

A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers
Most taboo fun & guilty pleasure of my year!! I LOVED IT!! This one had the perfect amount of taboo (just enough but not over-the-top… er… if you don’t think falling for your step-brother AND a priest is too taboo  tee hee! Wait wait… you’ll see), just enough steam (’cause it kept us right on that *oooomph* edge), just enough romantic (and angsty) tension (’cause it could constantly go either way) and just enough tease (’cause none of it came “easy” to the reader) to keep the butterflies swirling. I gobbled it up! And what a start. Even though I “knew” how it would begin, because of the synopsis, the author wrote the HECK out of that scene. I was umm… overheated ;), and then… my heart was feeling the pain. I was sure I knew what team I was on, right then and there. But no worries… the author will mix that up nicely for you. Just enough to keep it exciting! (my review)

Night Owl (The Night Owl Trilogy) by M. Pierce
Most dirty boy (and dirty fun) of my year!! What a FIND!!! Here’s another brooding, brash, arrogant, demanding hot-head that had me falling hard, and handing over my heart and declaring it (and him) one of my absolute favorites. I don’t know how to explain the feel of this one in just a paragraph but let me tell you, it is wonderfully unique. Ohhhh I know… a few balked at his dirty mouth and his even dirtier ways, but I loved that about this character. That honesty. His imperfections, his “guy-ness” his unapologetic ways and… needs. They made him so perfectly real. And his hard-to-love personality made it that much more intense when we reached his sweet, actually quite vulnerable cuddly manatee-center. Manatee? You’ll see. One of my favorite scenes and I’ll never be able to look at a stuffed manatee (or pet rabbit) without thinking (and swooning over) Matt Sky. He made me blush, and I indulged in my every red-faced moment, but it’s when we reached his sweet, sad tortured heart, that I knew I would love him forever. Even in it’s “similar elements” this story was so different. It just had a different feel and to me, it felt like I had just hit the reading jackpot! (my review)

Sex Love Repeat by Alessandra Torre
Biggest twist of my year!! OMG this is a MUST READ!! And it’s another one with a different feel and unique storyline, that, while it’s not like “Night Owl” (above) per se,  it had that same “surprise-how original!” quality to it. Sure, it’s got all of the stuff I love in my reads, an intense love triangle, (an “unavailable” wealthy business tycoon vs. a down to earth – yet superstar -surfer), super-steam, and all of that, but this one has an ultimate twist or two that I never saw coming, and had me gasping in glee. *phew* this is a WILD ride, and you don’t even need to feel bad about her having TWO boyfriends, ’cause even if they don’t know each other or “mix” (it’s not that kind of read), they know about each other… and accept the arrangement. But you know… eventually things get hairy. 😉 Just the way I love it! (my review)

Sweet Thing: A Novel by Renee Carlino
My favorite “back in my early indie-reading days” feeling of the year. Sweeeeeet and angsty and I experienced soooo many heart-flutters and butterflies while reading it. If you love the perfect “new adult” love story, with just the right amount of romantic tension, angst, and steam, then this one is for you. I mean, they’re roommates, so you know there’s gonna be “stuff”. And issues. They are so incredibly attracted to each other, and yet… there’s resistance. My kinda game-playing. Oh stop. I can’t help loving to live vicariously through their drama. And I’m so happy to indulge! 😉 (my review)

Making Faces by Amy Harmon
Sweetest, most touching story of my year! A beautiful story of unlikely friends (spanning childhood to adulthood). Each character, a power in themselves despite their insecurities (one is handicapped, one is beautiful almost to her detriment, one considers herself not so pretty, one one is severely scarred), but together… they are a force to be reckoned with. A story of growth, realization and love (and all that love encompasses). Poignant and potent. A must read, especially if you crave a touching, heart-rending story. (my review)

The Golden Dynasty (Fantasyland Series) by Kristen Ashley
Most exciting, scary alpha-male fantasy of my year! Okay this one came out a few years ago, but I just read it this year, so it counts! 😉 Pure Kristen Ashley alpha-magic at play here. Nobody starts a book better than she does, and this one did not let up, from the very start to the finish. Not one, not two, but THREE moments of intense angst (and maybe even more than that), not one, not two, but an entire army of alpha-jerk warriors (and I mean warriors!!!!). Don’t let the “fantasy genre” scare you. This one is full-on exciting in the way that WE love, and totally relatable. A modern woman plucked from her bed in Seattle and thrown into a “bride” parade where these ruthless warriors (and their king) battle each other for the bride of their choice. And the bride… has NO choice. Eeeeeep! But sooooooo amazingly good, because we get that whole process of adapting to this new world, and her gorgeous (yet terrifying) new husband. Do yourself a favor if you love Kristen Ashley-style alphas. Read this one ASAP!! (my review)

After Hours: (InterMix) by Cara McKenna
Most normal, yet so awesome read of my year. Another “totally different feel” read that was hot as heck!! HOT I tell you! Every single moment affected me. From the initial meeting, to this alpha’s intensity, to his… touch (that first scene is seared into my head). *oooomph*!!!  A mature, realistic feel, and realistic connection. Nothing over-the-top, nothing too crazy… and yet everything about this book was for me! I’d totally re-read this! See my review and you’ll get what I mean. (my review)

This Girl: A Novel (Slammed) by Colleen Hoover
Sexiest, most noble book-boyfriend of my year! This book was the absolute cherry on top of one of my all time forever #1 favorite series. Slammed rocked my world, turned my heart inside out, and shocked me when we realized that super-twist. Up to then, I had never read anything like it. Never dealt with such a touchy (even possibly taboo) subject matter, and I delighted in that whoa! feeling and my intense reaction to it. And there is nothing better than finally knowing HIS point of view… you know. When they realized what issue they would have to deal with. Eeeeep! And every step if his way, battling his urges, needs, and wants with what he considered right.  With his moral obligations to his life, and his brother. And this is their journey, through his eyes. Will is the ultimate book boyfriend, and would be the ultimate true boyfriend in real life. LOVE!! (my review)

Collide: Book One in the Collide Series by Gail McHugh
Most favorite “wealthy-alpha caught in a love triangle” of my year! I LOVE this kind of story. Done right, love triangles just do it for me, because they can be so exciting in their turmoil and angst, an this one pulls no punches. Detailed characters and exhausting (yet fun!) emotions run rampant. There’s just something about a character clinging to what she knows (or thinks is right), and being undeniable drawn to what she really wants, that can turn a “set character’s world” upside down (and everyone else’s around them). It’s pain, it’s often unnecessary, and honesty can probably keep it from getting this bad. But what would be the book-fun in that? And you know what? *shrug* They’re human (or… book humans) 😉 and they make mistakes. It’s what we do (even though we “know” the answer). Sometimes hurting themselves over making an actual decision seems to be the easiest. And this book rocked this issue (and the intense passion, and subsequent pain) to the core! (my review)

All of You: (InterMix) by Christina Lee
Most affecting, steamy “kissing” 😉 scenes of my year! I had no clue this one would entertain me the way it did, but it hooked me good! I assumed it’d be more of a “sweet” new adult conventional romance read. And it was that, but SO much better. I loved the initial “meeting”. How he was so nonchalant and pretty much… uninterested. Whhaaaa!?? I was intrigued. He was proving to be hard to get, as easy as she thought he’d be (considering he’s got that apparent bad-boy thing going on). And we learn the reason why. It’s a little different ’cause as hot as he is (tattoo artist and all) he’s still a virgin ;), and he’s not into what she’s looking for. Not necessarily outrageous or twisty turny, but the romantic and sexual tension was taut, affecting, and sooooo exciting. The kissing scenes in this book were just as vivid and burning as some as my most favorite unforgettable “intimate” scenes in some of my racier favorites. Yep. This one packs some seeeerrrious steam. And a very sweet story to boot! (my review)

Held by Edeet Ravel
Most whoa! thought provoking ending of my year! This is my favorite “kidnap” read of the year! An amazing story, (a little YA-ish in terms of *steam*) but we get all of the fear, all of the emotions and all of the deep affection needs (and crazy thought processes) that we crave in our “Stockholm syndrome” thrillers. But best of all… is the ending. I won’t say anymore, but I will say, I couldn’t put this down and I thought about it for days. Contemplated so much of it, and will never forget this crazy ride. (my review)

Me Before You: A Novel by Jojo Moyes
Best unconventional, thought-provoking love story of my year. One of the most original, unconventional potential love stories I’ve ever read!  She is hired to take care of a quadriplegic. Once a gorgeous athletic world traveller and adventure seeker… now confined to his chair. And confined within his emotional angry walls. And one that will make have you beaming, reading with a silly-sweet smile on your face… and make you cry into an entire box of tissues. Maybe two. I’m going to leave it here. This is a MUST read if you love deeply moving, thought-provoking, heart wrenching stories like this. And most of you do, so quit bein’ a chicken! 😉 (my review)

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
Most crazy “lives-intertwined and what-ifs?” story of my year. Not our usual “romance” read but it had enough of everything (including potential love stories) to keep me hooked. The lives of many different characters are explored, and eventually… how they are “entwined” together (even though some are strangers). This one hooks you. Love stories, heartbreak stories, devastating secrets, all come to a head with an ending that pulls it all together and made me reflect. Puts everything into perspective and made me go ahhhhhh wow! (my review)

Left Drowning by Jessica Park
Best “fate does it’s thing” of my year. Close-knit protective siblings with a tragic past and that one girl (with her own past) that bumps into them, and becomes a part of them in every way. Witty, fun, at times dark and super angsty, the soul-deep friendship in this story is irrefutable and the “unrequited love” is agonizing. Just the way I love it! Plus, there are twists! I loved that, too! (my review)

Lick by Kylie Scott
Best “rock star fantasy” of my year! Meet a gorgeous guy in Vegas, have fun, and wake up married. YAY!! Er… I mean… bad. 😉 But kinda fun when you realize you’re married to a hugely famous rock star, right? Until his world starts messing with yours (I’d still be game). LOL! This was pure “get to know you” fun, and the circumstances (and his reactions to their marriage) had my heart from the start. (my review)

Ashes to Ashes (Experiment in Terror #8) by Karina Halle
Best “scary romance” excitement of my year! Plus… Dex! Need I say more? 😉 I don’t even need to tell you why this is one of my favorites of the year. This is one of my all-time favorite series and for good reason. It’s awesome. And… it’s Dex, after all (my other #1 man). 😉 And Dex rocked my world yet again. But the best part of this one is… amidst all of that intense love and “new relationship” fun (steam… and still some revealed secrets that kick start the angst into high gear again), it was SCARY!!!!! Soooooo good and scary and i jumped out of my skin a time or two. Well worth the frights. But maybe I’m not one to judge since I naturally delight in the scares. No worries, any of you already into this series will LOVE this one like the others. And those of you that still haven’t started it, GET STARTED!! I PROMISE. I DO!! This is a forever-favorite. (my review)

The Dark Prince (The Dark Light Series #2) by S.L. Jennings
Best “paranormal/urban fantasy” read of my year. Admittedly, I don’t read that many from this genre these days, but THIS one brought back all of my feelings and reasons for why I used to love them so much. PLUS!!! It was what I loved, and what I now love, as it also had that “wealthy unattainable alpha male” feel. The one with expectations and demands and well… I’ll let you discover the rest. Book #1 held me somewhat at bay but this one? Book #2 rocked my world!!!! More to come, but in the meantime, here’s my review.

True Love Story by Willow Aster
Best “gave me the emotional shakes” of my year! Young, pretty and falling for a “rock star” that already has… stuff going on. Plenty of issues in his life, and what a life it it. But the attraction is undeniable, the connection rock solid, and the romantic tension and need, too strong to be resisted. But… “stuff” happens. I think that’s why the love is crossed out on the book cover. Turning this into “True Story”. And I totally believed it. (my review)

Crossing the Line (Battered Hearts) by Kele Moon
Best “made me fall in love with the hero in book #1 all over again” of my year. Okay wait, I want to also say best MMA series of my year ’cause it totally is (this is book #3 and solidified my connection to these characters to the nth degree). This author’s characters are so consistent, so true to their personalities and to how they have been growing as characters throughout the series, it’s as if they’re real. Their stories so perfectly logical and realistic… I’m telling you. I think she knows these guys. And I want in!!!!! 😉 Okay so I fell hard for the main hero in this one (of course), but I’ve always been partial to Clay, and he is an important character in this one. Oh and I would have SO crushed on him all through high school. It’s not just ’cause he’s an MMA champion… even in his “teenager days” his bad-ass attitude had me swooning. Again. 😉 (my review)

The Last Hour (Thompson Sisters) by Charles Sheehan-Miles
Best “breaking my heart throughout the entire read” book of my year. Deep and emotional… touching, and so sad.  Loaded in turmoil… and hope. Accidents that have this series loved ones lives hanging by a thread, and… I’m going to stop there. This one must be read and experienced to get that full impact of the ending. Tissues, you ask? Well… it’s up to you. It’s either those, or soaking your pajama top. I’ve been known to do both. 😉 (my review)

Honorable mentions (these rocked my year, too!):

Exposure (East Park) <— She’s an erotic model… and now, so is he. Plus, he’s a TA at her college. FUN!”… witty, realistically romantic, had amazing dialogue, and had enough tension (and a few “forbidden” touches) to keep me glued.” (see my full review)

Nocturne by Charles Sheehan-Miles & Andrea Randall
More forbidden fun in more ways than one. 😉 Teacher-student but… other things too. “… moments of uncomfortable moral dilemmas and socially “unacceptable” choices, (there were a few  ), there was always an “obviousness” in the back of my mind, overriding my every hesitation while reading this (’cause it gets… ugly).” (see my full review here).

Protecting What’s His (A Line of Duty Novel) by Tessa Bailey
Police hero (in uniform!) that had me swoooooning! “He’s bossy, quick-tempered, protective and growlie as heck. One minute he’d make me roar “Ohhhhhh THAT MAN!!!”And… the very next moment, I’d swoon… “ohhhhh that maaaannnn…” (my full review here)

Louder Than Love by Jessica Topper
Falling in love with a ex-HUGE rock star (while you don’t know even realize it’s him). FUN TIMES! And “WHAT an incredible ending! I mean… not just how it ends, but the whole process to the end. Almost perfect, and so well explored and detailed that even though I was so near “the end” I didn’t feel like anything was rushing by.” (see my full review here)

Good (Too Good series) by S. Walden
Taboo student-teacher romance (probably the most taboo of the ones I’ve read so far! For extreme excitement and eeep-factor, this one’ll do it!) “This one did exactly what I knew it would do to me. It gave me that exciting forbidden romance… all of the illicitness, need and desperation intensified by simply… not being “allowed” and the alarm of it (and for good reason!). It took away my safety net” (see my full review here)