Valentine’s Day Recommendations

 

I love reading romance, especially when they give me all the feels and leave me smiling like an idiot. There’s no better time of year to pick up a good romance novel than around Valentine’s Day. I’ve been finding myself in the mood for romance books the past few days, so I decided to share some of my recommendations for the perfect romantic read. You have seen me mention several of these authors before, because they are my go-to when I’m in a romantic mood.

I’m also including a few that are on my TBR that I hope to read soon.

Click on the images to be taken to Goodreads.

 

I’ve read several of this author’s books and have loved them all. This stand alone series is my favorite. Slow burn romances with character build and fantastic friendships.

 

This book gets all the hype and rightfully so. Read it. I swear it’s worth it.

 

 

Kristan Higgins wrote my two favorite books of 2017. More slow burn romances (can you tell they’re my favorite?), with outstanding characters. I can’t tell you how much I loved these two books.

 

 

I grouped these two together, because they are similar in how they made me feel when I read them. Two of my absolute favorite romances. Ignore the horrible cover of The Sweet Gum Tree and trust me.

 

 

Sylvain Reynard writes romance like no other.  I know when I pick up one of his books that I won’t be disappointed.

 

  

You couldn’t possibly think CoHo wouldn’t make my list, right!? All of her books have romance in them, and I recommend reading every single one. These are just 3 of my favorites.

 

 

In the past year, I discovered Amy Harmon’s books, and she has quickly become one of my top favorite authors. She writes beautiful stories of love, and these are just two of my favorites.

 

 

R.S. Grey is the best when it comes to romantic comedy.

 

ON MY TBR THAT I CAN’T WAIT TO READ

  

  

 

Have you read any of these? What did you think? What are some of your favorite go-to romance authors?

 

 

 

{WWW Wednesday} 1-3-18

 

W… W… W… Wednesday, hosted by Taking on a World of Worlds is a weekly meme showcasing what you just finished reading, what you are currently reading, and what you plan to start reading next. Except I’m changing it up a bit, since I can never plan what I’m reading next (moody reader). Instead I’m going to talk about a book I’ve recently added to my TBR that I’m excited about!

 

Happy New Year! I’m slowly making my way back into the blog world. After a much needed break, I’m ready to get back to the normal routine.

what i recently finished reading

I finished my first book of 2018, and what a book it was! I’m so glad I chose this one – it was fantastic.

   

   

I didn’t realize how many books I managed to read during my little holiday hiatus! I read a lot more holiday-themed books this year than I normally do.  I really enjoyed all of them, minus The Light We Lost. That one irritated me. The Man in the Black Suit was my favorite of the bunch.

 

 what i’m currently reading

Thanks to Steph @ Stephanie’s Book Reviews for lending me this one! I started it last night and already love it.

 

what i have recently added to my tbr

I follow Reese Witherspoon’s book club and this is her January selection. After seeing some great reviews and that it was only $4.99 for the Kindle, I grabbed a copy.

 

What Sunnie Read

Reading anything good this week?

 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Roman

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Expected publication: December 2016 by Ever After

Raven and her sister, Cara, are at the mercy of a small detachment of Florentine vampyres, who are delivering them as a peace offering to the feared Curia in Rome.

Though she’s unsure William survived the coup that toppled his principality, Raven is determined to protect her sister at all costs, even if it means challenging Borek, the commander of the detachment.

In an effort to keep Raven from falling into the hands of his enemies, William puts himself at the mercy of the Roman, the dangerous and mysterious vampyre king of Italy. But the Roman is not what he expects …

Alliances and enmities will shift and merge as William struggles to save the woman he loves and his principality, without plunging the vampyre population into a world war.

This stunning conclusion to the Florentine series will take readers across Italy and beyond as the lovers fight to remain together. Forever.

I have so much love for this series and can’t wait for this book to be released! And that cover! ❤

{Monthly Recap} – January

Happy New Year and best reading month ever!

I feel like I always start the year off strong with my reading and then it’ll slowly start to decline. Finishing 10 books in one month is unlike me, but I’m pretty happy about it! Not only that, almost every book was a fantastic read! It’s going to be near impossible for me to choose a favorite. This was definitely one of the best reading months I’ve had in a long time – quality and quantity!

    

  

  

Books I Read

F*ck Love – 5 Stars

Built – 3 Stars

He Will Be My Ruin – 4.5 Stars – Review to post with blog tour

The Shadow – 5 Stars

Behind Closed Doors – 4 Stars

Never Never: Part Three – 5 Stars

Fool Me Once – 5 Stars

What We Find – 4 Stars

One True Loves – 5 Stars

The Dirty Secret – 3 Stars

 Favorite Book(s) of the Month

One True Loves – 5 Stars

The Shadow – 5 Stars

F*ck Love – 5 Stars

Fool Me Once – 5 Stars

I couldn’t just pick one this month. I read too many awesome books!

Books Read in January: 10

Books Read in 2016: 10

 

Reviews

What We Find

Fool Me Once

One True Loves

Never Never: Part Three

The Shadow

Behind Closed Doors

Built

F*ck Love

Deadline

Christmas Ever After

A Single Breath

Other Noteworthy Posts

Top Ten Books I Recently Added to my TBR

2015 Releases I Meant to Read {Top Ten Tuesday}

2016 Goals {Top Ten Tuesday}

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Things I’m looking forward to in February

Two books I especially have my eye on this month are Salt to the Sea and Find Her. I really hope to read them as soon as they come out! I’m also hoping to continue my awesome reading streak. I think the only reason I was able to read so much in January was because I have been sick with a cold/sinus infection for several weekends, and the only thing I had the energy for was reading. It helped pass the time and take my mind off of being miserable. I hope to be healthier in February, so the reading time may take a hit, lol.

As for running, I set a goal for myself to sign up for a 5k race at least once a month for the entire year. I ran one the first weekend of January, and am signed up for one next weekend. Here’s hoping the temps stay above freezing! My running the past few weeks has taken a major hit thanks to not feeling well, so I’m slowly working my way back into it, while trying not to over do it at the same time.

February Releases

  

 

 What are you looking forward to in February?

Link up your Month in Review hosted by The Book Date.

 

{Review} The Shadow

Goodreads / Amazon

About the book

Raven Wood’s vampyre prince has returned, pledging his love and promising justice for every wrong done to her. In the wake of their reunion, Raven is faced with a terrible decision—allow the Prince to wreak vengeance against the demons of her past, or persuade him to stay his hand. But there is far more at stake than Raven’s heart…

A shadow has fallen over the city of Florence. Ispettor Batelli will not rest until he uncovers Raven’s connection to the theft of the priceless art from the Uffizi Gallery. And while the Prince hunts a traitor who sabotages him at every turn, he finds himself the target of the vampyres’ mortal enemy.

As he wages a war on two fronts, he will need to keep his love for Raven secret, or risk exposing his greatest weakness…

My Thoughts

One of my favorite books of 2015 was The Raven, the first book in this series. I have loved every book by Sylvain Reynard that I’ve read, and he continues to amaze me with his beautiful writing. I was beyond grateful and excited to receive an advanced copy of the second book in the series, but honestly I was hesitant to dive into it immediately. I always worry that the next book in a series, by one of my favorite authors, may not live up to my high expectations. I was nervous and put off starting it for several weeks. Well, my worries were ridiculous, because this book exceeded all of my expectations.

There’s something about SR’s writing that feels a bit old fashioned – his prose is lyrical and beautiful. I become so engrossed in his stories and the writing that they’re impossible to put down. Then I’m sad when I’ve finished the book in only a few days and have to wait another year for the next one.

The book starts very intensely, picking up where the first book left off. And although I enjoy the suspense, the historical pieces, and the life of the underworld, it’s Raven and William’s love story that keeps me coming back for more. Their romance is beautiful, their passion so intense. Their relationship is tested by many outside factors that keep you on the edge of your seat in suspense. And a fair warning, this book ends on a pretty wicked cliffhanger, which I would normally not be a fan of. I’m only more forgiving of them when it’s a book by a favorite author.

Not wanting to give too much away, this book, this series, is one you have to read and will then understand why I have such a deep love for SR’s writing and storytelling.

Bottom Line

A story full of suspense, lyrical prose, and the most gorgeous setting – I can’t recommend getting lost in SR’s beautiful writing enough. A must read series.

5 Stars

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal, Romance

Series (Book Two)

Published: February 2, 2016 by Berkley

Length: 320 Pages