I used to look forward to compiling this list each year, but the last few years have not been good reading years for me and 2017 is no exception. In fact, I’ve read the least amount of books this year when compared to previous years. I have been seriously reading deprived. Many factors can be attributed to this, work, life, kids, etc. Simply put, my “me” time has been in very short supply. I do have some books worth mentioning (though not all published in 2017), so in no particular order, let’s begin…
Love And First Sight by Josh Sundquist
Though I don’t read YA much, the story of a 16 year old sight impaired boy navigating public school for the first time while also dealing with the opportunity to have a surgery that might restore his sight was quite intriguing. Add to that the wonderful way the author imbued positive messages such as looking beyond the outside of a person and really getting to know them instead, this was a wonderful read. (Review)
Mark of Truth, Crown of Betrayal & Throne of Secrets by Graceley Knox
The first 3 books in Ms. Knox’s Wicked Kingdoms series are a spectacular ride through the world of the Fae. Goblins, Elves, Faeries and all other manner of fae creatures will pull you in, so much so, that you will want to live in this world. Intrigue, power struggles and alliances are being built. The first few books focus on one couple and then will branch out to include other characters. I highly recommend to readers who love romantic fantasy. (Review)
Blackwood by Celia Aaron
I have to admit, I totally bought this book for the cover. Guess I was having a beard/tattoo day-but the face on this book did it for me. Little did I know that this story would push me outside of my comfort zone. Super sexy, this book explores a side of bdsm I had not read before-the chase–and in this book it was literal. An intriguing mystery rounded out the story making this a book I could not put down.
On the heels of the above, I gobbled up the Acquisition series, also by Celia Aaron (2015-2016 releases). Counsellor, Magnate, and Sovereign are a series of books that follow a group of privileged families in New Orleans as they vie for power. Throughout this series, and especially in Sovereign, I ran the full range of emotions-every single one of them. And while there is an HEA, the trials and tribulations that were experienced by the characters in this were some of the most heinous acts that I have ever read. I am not a big fan of bdsm in my reading, and yet even when my skin was crawling with discomfort, I could not put it down. Definitely not for the faint of heart-you have been warned.
Archangel’s Assassin by Barbara Elsborg
This was a wonderful paranormal M/M love story that just made me happy. Fallen angels, archangels, gargoyles and vampires, this story is about a man attempting to redeem himself while at the same time believing in his heart that it will never happen. I love Ms. Elsborg’s voice and this was lovely to read. (Review)
Kairos by Mary Calmes
I have not read Mary Calmes in a long time and I jumped at reading Kairos. This is a friends to lovers story between two men, one of whom is madly in love with the other and who thinks he has no chance. Along the way, there is a lot of healing for both main characters, and so, so much humor, which I adore in my reading.
This is How it Always is by Laurie Finkel
I loved everything about this story that features a family that is raising a transgender child. Born Claude, it is clear from a very young age that Claude really is Poppy deep down inside. They decide everything as a family and Poppy grows and flourishes as she lives as a girl. I am far from an expert, but I felt this to be a realistically written story that covered both sides of the issues.
I Liked My Life by Abby Fabiaschi
This story delves into the aftermath of suicide in a family that from the outside looking in appeared to be perfect. Narrated by the woman who died, we follow her as she encourages her family through the power of suggestion to go on with their lives even as they struggle to accept her death and why an otherwise happy woman would have taken her life. I was captured from the beginning and completely unprepared for the what is revealed at the end.
Honorable Mentions:
Where We Left Off (Middle of Somewhere #3) by Roan Parrish
The Weight of It All (Weight of It All #1) by N.R. Walker
In Tune Out of Sync by Kate Forest (Review)
GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment letting us know what one of your favorite reads for 2017 was and be entered to win a prize pack of books (books are finished copies that we have collected the past few months. They are newer releases, not the ones shown above). Books will be given away all week so be sure to comment on each reviewer’s favorite books for 2017 post. Winners will be chosen at random on January 2nd, 2018 and books will be mailed out the second week of 2018.
Silence Fallen, Patricia Briggs
Complicated by Kristen Ashley and Always You by Belle Brooks
Great list Helyce! I love seeing all our favorites. I am definitely going to look for Kairos and see if it is for me.
Hopefully you’ll have more time to read next year. I’ve read a lot of great books this year. In historical romance, I loved Devil In Spring by Lisa Kleypas and Mary Balogh’s new Westcott series.
Angie Thomas: The Hate U Give
Yes to this, I feel like everyone should read The Hate U Give. I listened to the audio and it was amazing.
A Hope Divided by Alyssa Cole was sheer perfection.
Debbie Macomber – And Dream Will Do.
I can’t pick just one favorite in a year, but I did love Ilona Andrews’ White Hot and Wildfire. I hope you have more personal time in 2018 to read!
Very hard to just pick one….hmmm.
Catherine Anderson – The Christmas Room.
I read something a little outside my normal go tos and loved it. An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors by Curtis Craddock.
Irresistible you-Kate meader
Great book recommendations!
Hope 2018 will be better with books read :)
One of my favorite books in 2017 is Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean.
Happy Holidays and Thank you all for your generosity :)
The Hook UP by Kristin Ashley
I’ve got Egomaniac Kindle Edition by Vi Keeland on my wishlist and I think it’s going on my 2018 to read list :) thanks for the great list! Happy New Year!
Thanks for sharing your list, Helyce, and here’s a wish for more time to read in 2018.
I had three favorite series this year ~ Anne Bishop’s The Others;
Lyn Gala’s series that begins with Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts; and Anne Cleeland’s series featuring Acton and Doyle that begins with Murder in Thrall.
Most of All You by Mia Sheridan
I too find myself reading less as life gets more busy. Lips Close To Mine by Robin Bielman and Hot For The Fireman by Gina L. Maxwell were two I really enjoyed from this past year.
One of my favorites that I haven’t mentioned in other posts is Renegades by Marissa Meyer.
Read a lot of wonderful billionaire books this year. Just finished and loved loved JS Scott’s The Billiionaire’s Secrets.
I really loved the Unrequited by Saffron Kent! Thanks so much for the giveaway and Happy New Year mmalavec(at)med(dot)umich(dot)edu
Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs ….but then again, I love that whole, darn series!!!
The new installments in the Thirds series by Charlie Cochet were some of my favorites.
Another favorite of mine this year was Achangles Viper. In fact I was several books behind in that series and binge read them all and caught up. Soooo good!!!
Catherine Cerveny’s The Rule of Luck. I just picked up the second book from the library, The Chaos of Luck.
I couldn’t pick one so I would say Complicated by Kristen Ashley was awesome and Hooking Up by Helena Hunting was a great read.
Salvaged (Saints of Denver Series #4)
by Jay Crownover
One of my favorites was All I Want For Halloween by Marie Harte.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Laramie Briscoe, she is phenomenal!
Oh my gosh I hear you on the bad reading year, my reading was way own this year
I dod love the latest Kate Daniels installment and can’t wait for what comes next!
LOVE AND FIRST SIGHT sounds good (and I bet you’d love the Brazilian movie THE WAY HE LOOKS, a very sweet and romantic tale of a blind high-schooler and his crush on the new boy in school). Andrew Sean Greer’s LESS was clever and had a wonderfully unexpected romantic twist!