First, the numbers.
This year, I’ve read over 270 new-to-me books. 18 of those made my 2014 favorites shelf, and ten of those have made this top ten list. There is a distinct possibility I will amend this list if I read something amazing between now and December 31st, but for now? Here are the favorites!
10. Mark Cooper vs. America by Lisa Henry and JA Rock
Why I loved it: It was funny, and sexy, and everything a college romance should be. Intensely passionate and laugh out loud hilarious. Yes please.
9. Double Blind by Heidi Cullinan
Why I loved it: RANDY! Also, a truly astounding first kiss. First kisses make or break books for me all the time. This one was perfect.
8. Bending the Iron by Libby Drew
Why I loved it: loved it? I lived it. I dream of books like this. Rich sense of setting and place, this book took me out of myself completely while I read it.
7. Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale
Why I loved it: Ginn. Fucking. Hale. Voice, character, plot, all of it spot on. Brilliant writing, really great worldbuilding.
6. Snowball in Hell by Josh Lanyon
Why I loved it: I’m a sucker for American historicals of any era, and this one was great. Also, I really loved the way Lanyon handled the subject of suicide ideation in this story.
5. Sand and Ruin and Gold by Alexis Hall
Why I loved it: this short fiction piece was wildly imaginative and poignant, and it felt to me like a campfire ghost story or cautionary tale. It was beautiful and heartbreaking and crazy, crazy good.
4. Brothers of the Wild North Sea by Harper Fox
Why I loved it: This book moved me to tears and made me want to believe in miracles. It may not be a “feel good” romance, but it made me feel, and yearn, and eventually cry happy tears.
3. Think of England by KJ Charles
Why I loved it: This book was fun. It was witty and it was poignant, and there was an exquisite, breathtaking scene in a folly that is not to be missed.
2. Meatworks by Jordan Castillo Price
Why I loved it: JCP writes about men who very frankly do not have their shit together. In other words, she writes about people I can relate to, and no one does it better.
1. Better than New by Charley Descoteaux
Why I loved it: A perfect, poignant, beautiful little vignette. It was everything I hoped it would be from the very first page, and I treasured it. This is a short story, and it’s free.
This was the hardest writing a top ten list has ever been for me. A few books were moved around and a few others were added or subtracted. I suppose I could have made it a top 18 and included all of them, but seriously, I’m on deadline, I need to go write some words of my own.
Help stock my TBR for 2015 by sharing some of your favorites, or links to your own lists in the comments. <3
xoxo
V