Recommendations Archives - Page 15 of 18

Hidden Gems You Need To Read

Feb 17, 2019

Today I thought I would share some of the books that I think need a little more love. I’ve been thinking recently about all the books that I love that just not many people know about.

So for this, I went to my Goodreads and sorted my ‘read’ books by the number of ratings they have. From there I went back and choose books with less than 1000 ratings. For perspective, the most reviewed book that I have read has 5,631,827 ratings. I tried it mix up some of the ones that I have chosen here, but I am not going to lie, a lot of them are romance books. I also tried to make sure that the books I’ve chosen have been published.

Anyway here we go, like always these are in no particular order.

Circus Hearts Series by Ellie Marney: You should know by now how much I love Ellie’s work. They are books that I am always recommending. So when I saw her new series on my list, I knew I needed to include it. A mix of crime, romance and set at a circus this series is a must read. The protagonists and characters of each book are amazing and grab me every time. You never know what is coming next either and that is what makes it fantastic.

This Beats Perfect by Rebecca Denton: I was totally taken away when I first read this one. I didn’t think I was going to like it as much as I did. But let me tell you. I finished it in a couple of hours. It was fun, addicting and put a smile on my face. It explores the notions of finding yourself, loving what you do and finding those who will stand by you. It’s about family, friendship and those you love | Full Review.

Inked (Sailor’s Grave #2) by Drew Elyse: If you didn’t you know already I love tattoos so that immediately caught my eye with this series. Inked is an intriguing, suspenseful story that keeps the reader hooked from the start. The romance between Jess and Braden is full of chemistry and adds so much to the book. I loved how much the MC had a part in this one and I adored that they cared so much about Jess, she is family. Inked explores the notion of falling in love, hurt and learning to trust others. If you love an intense plot, addicting romance, and a great world. If you are looking for a new romance read, then this is for you.

Taking the Ice (Ice #3) by Jennifer Comeaux: Now I really enjoy this whole series, but this one here has to be my favourite. It’s a fun, emotional series that includes figure skating! It’s all about believing in yourself, the ones you love and letting go. The characters are intense but amazing and I love reading anything by Jennifer Comeaux.

Who’s Afraid? (Tommi Grayson #1) by Maria Lewis: If you are looking for a new urban fantasy that is totally different from anything that you’ve read before – then pick this up. With a fantastic, rich protagonist that has been and goes through a hell of a lot. It’s fierce, captivating and addicting. Who’s Afraid is not for the faint-hearted, it’s gruesome and there are deaths all over the place, but it’s an enthralling urban fantasy novel that takes you on a flight of the supernatural, death and romance. This is a hidden gem for sure

Game On (Lewis Creek #2) by Michelle Smith: If you love sports romances, then pick this book up. This hidden gem is a fantastic dual pov narrative that has a slow burn, friends to more romance that literally torn at my heart. In this small town nothing can stay a secret long, so you know things are bound to happen.

Point of Origin (Legacy 0.5) by Rebecca Yarros: I adored this series by Rebecca Yarros. If you want some hot firefighters that have romances that like to tear you into little pieces then pick this book up. They may only be novella’s but they sure like to pack a punch. I’ve loved pretty much anything that Rebecca Yarros writes, so if you want to read anything from you – then do.

The Love That I Have by James Moloney: The Love That I Have is a very confronting novel, it explores a different side of WWII that we don’t let see a lot. And I really enjoy it. But gosh this novel is brutal. Told through the letters and lift of Morgot Braumann and Dieter Kleinschmidt the story of life at Sachsenhausen concentration camp and WWII are told.

Frankie by Shivaun Plozza: This brilliant debut novel for Shivaun Plozza that captured my heart. It’s a story of heartbreak, belonging, finding yourself and what it is to be a family. It captures Melbourne as Melbourne from the language to the setting, it brings to light that sometimes when you think that you are alone, you are not alone and all that you need to do is let them in. Frankie by Shivaun Plozza is a must read.

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub: An enchanting novel, you will be torn apart and put together over and over again. The Yearbook Committee follows five very different students as they come together to complete the yearbook for the end of year 12. This book is full of friendships, breakdowns, romance, family and everything else. It is such an intense book, that I could not put it down.

And that is it for this post! I have loved every one of them and they totally deserve more love. A fair few of these are #LoveOzYA and that is upsetting. I love my books by Australian authors and I want more people to them too. Have you read any of these? Are you planning on to? What did you think? Let’s Chat!

Books I Loved Reading in July

Aug 1, 2018

Today I thought I would share the books that I love during the month of July. I read heaps of books in July, and I loved it. With me being in a massive reading slump the last couple of months, but I think I might be finally out of it.

I read a massive 21 books in July and that was pretty awesome. In saying that I did start a new romance series which did take up a lot of my reading that month, but gosh do I love this series. Anyway, here we go. Like always these are in no order.

Save the Date by Morgan Matson: I really enjoyed Save The Date by Morgan Matson. It was fun and excited read that just put a smile on my face. It’s about family, friendship and growing up. I love books about family and Save the Date really highlights the ups and downs and family and the many relationships that being apart of any relationship entail. I loved Charlie as a protagonist as she was real and was able to capture my attention from the start. Nevertheless, Save the Date was just a good read that really looked at many different themes. Full Review.

The Accidentals by Sarina Bowen: I loved The Accidentals by Sarina Bowen. It’s an emotional rollercoaster of a book, but it was so worth it. The Accidentals explores grief, family and finding yourself in this massive world. A coming of age story explored through music and love. The romance and friendships are adorable and just added another dimension to the novel. The Accidentals also explores new family and sometimes it’s so hard to come together at times, but in the end, you do love each other. If you are looking for a book that may just pull you to pieces this is for you. Full Review.

KGI Series by Maya Banks: This is the new romance series I started and I really, really enjoyed it. There are a whopping 11 books out so far and I have nearly read all of them now. This series follows KGI ‘A super elite, top secret, family-run business.’ All members have some sort of military background or training. And they just happen to always get into trouble. One of the things I love about this series that there isn’t really any ‘alpha males.’ Yes, they are protective of those that they love, but there is no demanding aspect and gosh I love it.

Bright We Burn (The Conqueror’s Saga #3) by Kiersten White: Of course this one had to be here. This series has to one of my favourites of all time now. It’s addicting, brutal and just so good. My full review of Bright We Burn, will be up soon, promise.

And that is it! I am so happy that I am finally out of a reading slump. What are some of the books that you loved in July? Let’s Chat!

YA Reads I’ve Loved So Far This Year

Jul 21, 2018

The other day I spoke about my favourite romance reads this year. Today I thought I would share my favourite YA reads so far this year. While I haven’t read as much YA as I normally have in past year, I still read a good amount of it.

Most of the YA books that I read this year I’ve really loved. And that has made reading them so enjoyable. I just like picking up a book and loving it. I’ve also read a wide range of YA this year, genre-wise. I think I will read more YA towards the end of the year. I think this is because there are heaps of YA books that I am excited about coming out.

In saying that, here are my favourite YA reads so far this year like always these are in no order. Also if you have any YA books that you think I should pick up, please do tell me.

The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black: This has to be one of my favourite YA reads this year. It’s addicting, dark and messes with your emotions. It’s a world of court intrigue and the conflict between fae and humans. The Cruel Prince follows protagonist Jude ten years after she and her sisters witness their parents murder, kidnapped and taken to the fae world. Now they live in the High Court of Faerie and in a world that doesn’t accept them. Jude doesn’t fit into the fae world and the fey don’t let her forget it. With the current King ready to step down, things are about to get more dangerous in the world that Jude lives | Full Review.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Katie McGarry: It’s intense and takes you on a journey. It’s heartbreaking and uplifting. It explores family, social standards and second chances. Say You’ll Remember Me follows Drix a convicted teen who is now part of the Second Chance Program. When Drix was convicted of a crime that he didn’t commit he thought his life was over. But with this second chance, he wants to take. He wants to do something right with this life. Then he meets Elle and something about her changes Drix. But he also changed Elle. Elle’s a governor’s daughter and has had her life handed to her, but when she wants to do something more | Full Review.

The Season of You & Me by Robin Constantine: It’s an emotional rollercoaster that really pulls at your heart. The Season of You & Me explores family, friendship and finding yourself. It’s a fantastic coming of age novel that explores disability, love and being okay with who you are. The Season of You & Me follows protagonists Cassidy and Bryan two people who have been hurt in different ways but find each other in this summer romance. Cassidy has had her heart broken, torn apart. And when she has the opportunity to spend the summer with her father, she takes the chance. Bryan will never walk again. And it’s hurting, he will never walk, he will never surf. And that is hard to live with. When they both begin to work at Camp Manatee, things change. But can they both risk their already fractured hearts? Full Review.

Allied (Ruined #3) by Amy Tintera: In the final book of the runied trilogy, everything comes together in a battle of all forces. It all started when Emelina wanted to save her sister, but now she is fighting her. Emelina and Olivia wanted to bring peace to the people of Runia. But when the meaning of freedom changes for Olivia, everything changes. With Olivia filled with vengeance, Emelina starts to pull away. And tension rises between the two sisters. And it’s not just Emelina seeing the change in Olivia, but the people of Runia as well. Will the sisters be brought together or will they kill one another?

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett: Starry Eyes follows teens Zorie and Lennon as they try and navigate their last years of school, but best friends that have now turned enemies didn’t expect to be spending their break together on a camping trip. When things go south and they have to stick together, everything is brought out into the open. But it doesn’t help that Zorie’s father hating everything to do with Lennon is just the start of it. And Lennon didn’t turn up to homecoming. It explores what it means to love, have family and friends. It’s a coming of age novel that really grabs you from the start with its honesty and reliability | Full Review.

The Accidentals by Sarina Bowen: Rachel has known who her father is most of her life, but she has never met him. She listens to his voice on the radio, but she has never heard it spoken to her. But that all changes when Rachel’s mother dies. Suddenly she is thrust into her father’s life of take-out and parties and his first-class lifestyle. She thought that meeting him would be totally different, and as time goes on, secrets start to build and misunderstandings start to appear. When Rachel moves to boarding school, she thought it would change and things do, just not how she expected it to. The Accidentals explores grief, family and finding yourself in this massive world. It’s a coming of age story that is explored through music and love | Full Review.

The Love That I Have by James Moloney: Okay this isn’t really YA. But the protagonists are 17/18 and I need to share my love for this book. The Love That I Have follows Margot Baumann as she works in a mailroom at Sachsenhausen concentration camp during WWII. At first, she is shielded from the brutality of the camp, but when she is told to burn the mail of the prisoners, she knows that something isn’t right. She is horrified that she has to burn them, so she does something. So she sends out the mail herself. She reads the letters and starts to really understand the horrific circumstances that the prisoners are going through.

It’s then how she learns about Dieter Kleinschmidt. Through the beauty of his letters, she wants to save him, help him. Do everything that she can. The Love That I Have is a very confronting novel, it explores a different side of WWII that we don’t let see a lot. And I really enjoy it. But gosh this novel is brutal.

And that is it for my favourite YA reads so far this year. Do we share any that is the same? What are some of your favourites? Let’s have a chat!