Wow, is it that time again???? June is here! Well, actually it’s almost gone, but that’s ok! I still have time to do the Mid-Year Freak-Out Book Tag, but because I’ve been tagged by the indomitable, amazingly creative and well, really nice Marie from Drizzle and Hurricane Books, we are putting a little spin on it. I will be talking about the best reads of 2018 so far…

Check out Marie’s answers HERE!

Now, I’ll admit, I don’t always read books in the same year they were published, so my books may reflect my laziness, lack of time, and sporadic choices based upon my mood at that moment. What I’m trying to say is that I will talk about the books I’ve read so far this year, but they may not be brand new books from 2018. OK. Confession over.

Here goes…

BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ YET IN 2018

 (Adult Contemporary Romance) Midnight Valentine took me completely by surprise, which is why I would pick it over all of the other great books I’ve read this year. It has a big twist in a Sixth Sense sort of way. J.T. Geissinger always writes intense stories, but Midnight Valentine took it to a whole other level.

BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2018

 (YA Fantasy) It took me forever to get around to reading this second installment in the Rebel of the Sands series. I don’t know why? I loved the first book and maybe was afraid Traitor wouldn’t live up to the first, but in this case the second book was even better. LOVED it.

NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET BUT WANT TO

 (YA Contemporary) I just received Saved the Date in an Uppercase Box subscription but haven’t gotten around to it yet. It has a ton of positive hype around it so I hope it’s as good as the press!

MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

 (Urban Fantasy) It is definitely Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews. This is the last (and 10th) book in the Kate Daniels series. It’s one of my all time favorite Urban Fantasy series and I will absolutely hate to see it end. It also comes out on my birthday. 8/28! Kismet, right?

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

 (YA Fantasy/Fairy Tale) I’ll preface this by saying that I have definitely read worse books than The Hazel Wood this year. The reason why it’s my biggest disappointment was that I was so disappointed! The hype was so huge, so I didn’t read it right away trying to let all that die down and to try to forget about what I’d heard. When I finally read it, it was just eh. I thought it had such a great premise, was written well, but then the ending sucked. I think I gave it a 3.5? It should’ve been a 3.0 but it started off so well….

BIGGEST SURPRISE

 (Adult Contemporary Romance) My sister recommended this book to me and she is seldom wrong when it comes to a great romance novel. This was such a surprise because the author leads you astray. You are reading about two characters who you assume are each others love interest. But are they really? I don’t want to spoil the surprise but if you like Rock Star romances you need to read this one.

FAVORITE NEW AUTHOR(s)

 

 

Yeah, I know, I picked three. I couldn’t choose! They are all YA authors, two in the contemporary genre and one in the fantasy. I really liked Once and For All. I loved Sarah Dessen’s style of writing and the emotion she imbued in her characters. If there wasn’t one minor flaw this book would’ve receive a 5.0 rating from me. Megan Crewe’s Ruthless Magic was a really fun and energetic fantasy novel. I loved the premise and the authors style. I did give this one a 5.0. Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills was another YA contemporary. The characters in this novel were so well done! It was very diverse and I connected with the main character, which is hard for a middle aged woman to do in this genre! I’d definitely read Emma Mills again.

NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH

 (Adult Contemporary Romance) I really don’t do crushes, but I did really like Ivan Lukov with Jasmine Santos in From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata.

NEWEST FAVORITE CHARACTER

 (YA Fantasy) Brienne from Rebecca Ross’s The Queen’s Rising. She was young and insecure in the beginning but showed great growth. Also, as the heroine you expected her to all of a sudden gain some big power that would make her the hero and save the day. She definitely was a main part of the plot, but didn’t make the choices you’d expect a hero to make. This book kept things real.

BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

 (Adult Contemporary) I think Brittainy Cherry tries to make her readers cry? I immediately got the box of tissues out for this one. It was very good. And sad. And emotional.

BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

 (Adult Contemporary Romance) Anything by Penny Reid makes me happy. Her characters are quirky and fun. I always smile when I read their stories.

FAVORITE BOOK TO FILM ADAPTATION

I haven’t read any books that have been adapted to film this year. ☹️

FAVORITE POST YOU HAVE DONE THIS YEAR

I have a very sarcastic sense of humor and I think some of my posts don’t come across in the way I intend them to. I’ve really liked my posts about Annoying Female Heroine Characteristics, and then the reverse post about Male Hero’s, but I think I like my post about YA books and how Young Adults Save the World… and we believe it.

Young Adults Save the World 

MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT THIS YEAR

 I think it would have to be Anne Bishop’s Lake Silence. I know, it’s not your typical kind of beauty, but it really gives you a hint of the otherworldliness you will be entering when you read this book. Plus the author signed it for me! I had a moment…

WHAT BOOKS DO YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR

 I would really like to finish Alwyn Hamilton’s Rebel of the Sands series. I liked the first two books so much and don’t want to lose that mental momentum!

 I kind of hate this book cover, but am really looking forward to the first book in the Iron Covenant series by Ilona Andrews. How will they take their ultimate evil character Hugh D’Ambray from the Kate Daniels series and make him a hero? I can’t wait to find out!

I’m going to tag:

Kelly @ Another Book in the Wall

Anna @ Dole Whip and Books

Jill @ Jill’s Book Blog

Dee @ Novel Deelights

Kaleigha @ Wicked Scribes

NO worries if you don’t feel like doing this tag, and if you do and weren’t mentioned above, feel free!  I’d love to read your answers so please tag me on your post.

thanks and happy reading!

Deb