Don’t Let Go by Sharla Lovelace – Newest recommendation!! 5+ STARS!!!
This is my latest TOP recommendation!!! If you love books with intensely strong emotions, that make you feel every word of the story with all your heart, make you go through every emotion from laughing out loud to full-on crying, and that have a gorgeous love at the heart of it all, then try this!! Also, if you’re a fan of The Sweet Gum Tree, you will LOVE this. The hero + heroine were childhood friends and later young lovers torn apart by a tragedy. Then, he suddenly comes home 26 years (!!!) later and the secrets behind why they were torn apart come out… Read my review
Carnage #2 by Lesley Jones – Latest review!!
This new release is the sequel to Carnage #1, which was one of my top favorites of the year (my review)!!! It was a totally gut-wrenching love story spanning 2 decades. Unconventional & completely rule breaking in every way but I still LOVED it. I just finished Carnage #2 and here’s my review.
“I was eleven years old, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt I was staring into the eyes of the boy I was going to love forever.” … then he grew up to be a famous rock star.
Among The Echoes by Aly Martinez – Just released!!
Yay!! I’m really excited to read this book. It’s a romantic suspense standalone from the author of two of my other favorites books of the year (Changing Course & Stolen Course) and this story is unrelated to those two but it’s about a woman in witness protection who catches the eye of a celebrity boxer!!!! ➜ “He has vowed to protect me with his life…” — I can’t wait to read it!!!
Break The Sky by Nina Lane – Just released!!
I’m so excited to read this!!! This is a standalone spinoff of the Spiral Of Bliss series following the story of Kelsey and Dean’s younger brother, Archer West, who I hear is quite the bad boy!!! *squee* And I have to say, that cover is hot hot HOT!!!!
The main Spiral of Bliss series is a completed set of 3 books (same couple) that I adored and highly recommend: Arouse, Allure, Awaken.
Lead by Kylie Scott – Just released!!
Rock star fans!!! This is the third Stage Dive book and it’s Jimmy’s story (a standalone). He’s the lead singer of their band and is used to getting whatever he wants. But things get complicated “when a PR disaster lands him in rehab” and he’s stuck with a new assistant, Lena. — I can’t wait to read it!!
Series reading order: Lick, Play, Lead (all standalones)
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred – $0.99 sale & recommendation!
This is one of my all-time favorite second chance love stories. It’s one of those hidden gems with an unforgettable story!! It’s a beautifully written, intense, and highly emotional standalone that is both heart wrenching and heart warming. 5 STARS!!! And, it’s ONLY $0.99!!! Read my review.
“You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted, Alix, the only one I’ll ever want. That’s a promise.”
What Price Paradise by Katherine Allred – $0.99 sale & recommendation!!
Another of my favorite books is on sale!!! This is a standalone written by the author of The Sweet Gum Tree about a girl who finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand with a guy she’s secretly loved for a long time. And, from the moment he discovers she’s pregnant, he tries to do right by her… It’s a really beautiful, heart warming love story. Still a FAVORITE and only $0.99. Read my review.
Present Perfect by Alison G Bailey – $0.99 sale & recommendation!!
This just got a beautiful new cover and it’s on sale for $0.99 so I’m bring it back to the front page. I adored this story. It’s a standalone romance and it had SO much emotion and I truly FELT every word of the story!! It’s one of those books where you read the whole thing with your heart aching but I loved every word!! ➜ “I’ve been unsure about many things in my life except for one thing, that I have always loved him. Every single minute of every single day that I have been on this earth, my heart has belonged to him.” Read my review
Sugar On The Edge by Sawyer Bennett – Just released!!
OMG, I had to one-click this!! The hero is a reclusive author who is total loner — twisted, bitter, and angry at the world who is drawn to a girl who is his complete opposite. He’s raw, forceful and a dirty talker. She’s a flowers and romance type of girl. — I can’t wait to read this!!!
PS: This is a complete standalone. There are 2 books before it in the series (different couples) but this author writes them so that you can read them alone.
Six of Hearts by L.H. Cosway – Just released!!
This standalone sounds so intriguing!! ➜ Meet Jay Fields: Illusionist. Mentalist. Trickster. — The world thinks I killed a man, but I didn’t… Revenge is what I want. I want it for me and I want it for her…. She doesn’t remember me, but she’s the reason for everything… So go ahead and pick a card. Come inside and see the show… While you’re so focused on looking, I’ll be destroying your world from right here in the spotlight… I’ve only got one heart, and after I’ve pulled off my grand deception I’ll hand it right to her…You’re in for one hell of a ride.
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon – Series sale!!
This is a epic romance historical fiction story set in 18th century Scotland (the hero, Jamie Fraser, is a Scots warrior) and the TV series starts this month!! All the books (except the newest) are on sale for $3.99-$4.99 each right now (reg. $7.99-$11.99).
#1 Outlander, #2 Dragonfly in Amber, #3 Voyager, #4 Drums of Autumn, #5 The Fiery Cross, #6 A Breath of Snow and Ashes, #7 An Echo in the Bone, #8 Written In My Own Heart’s Blood.
Inside Out series by Lisa Renee Jones – Series sale!!
The entire INSIDE OUT series is on sale for the first time ever!! The sale price are $1.99-$2.99 each (reg. price $7.99). This is a popular erotic romance (BDSM) and thrilling mystery series and it also has a TV show deal!! I’ve read the first one and it’s a really hot, thrilling type of story. Lots of heat!!
#1 If I Were You, #1.5 Rebecca’s Journals, #2 Being Me, #3 Revealing You.
Drive by Brenda Rothert – Just released!!
The hero of this new standalone is a foul-mouthed Russian hockey heartthrob who gets into a love-hate with a woman writing a column on him who has also sworn off men for a writing assignment!!
While this is a complete standalone romance, it’s also technically Book 4 in the Fire On Ice series. Reading the other books first is optional. #1 Bound, #2 Captive, #3 Edge, #4 Drive.
Rogue by Katy Evans – Just released!!
This is the latest standalone in the Real series. From the blurb ➜ His name is Greyson King, but his alias is Zero. There’s zero trace of him, he has zero past, and now I know that with him, I will have zero future. He may leave no trace of him anywhere, but his imprint is in me, in my very soul. The man I thought was my prince charming… went rogue. Greyson will stop at nothing to make me be with him. He’ll let no one stand in our way…
The Space Between Us by Anie Michaels – Reader rec!!
This book has HIGH ratings and a few readers who recently finished it all told me the same thing: they really loved it even though parts drove them crazy, but they were also soooo glad they kept reading cuz it all came together with a LOT of feels!! So I wanted to pass along what I heard in case you’re interested. This has mostly all 5-STAR ratings and it’s a second chance romance standalone. On my TBR!!
Not Yet by Laura Ward – Just released!!
From the blurb… Emma thinks she has life all figured out. For years, she’s put her big sister, who was born with Down syndrome, first. Now Emma’s ready to start her own life, but fate has other plans. To do the right thing for the sister she loves, Emma’s dreams will just have to wait. Then she meets Landon — a rich, flirtatious jock, who never has to wait for anything. Meeting Emma marks the first time in his life that he’s had to fight for something…
Beloved Healer by Bonnie Dee – Just released!!
This is a contemporary romance with a paranormal twist. ➜ The hero has a special ability to heal at a touch but it feels more like a curse than a blessing to him because it’s draining the life out of him. So he hides out in a small town, trying to avoid any entanglements. But then he meets Ava who is working to support herself, her disabled younger brother and her alcoholic mother. They begin a tentative romance, each finding something they seek in the other… But when Ava’s brother needs his help, will Mason make the ultimate sacrifice for the woman he loves?
Come Back To Me by Mila Gray (My Review) – Top recommendation!!
I absolutely LOVED this book!!! It was SO much more than I expected. Deeply emotional, sexy, funny, romantic…. and it had that special heart-pounding intensity to it. Definitely a new top fav!!! 🙂 — It’s a forbidden romance about a Marine who’s home on leave and drawn to the one girl he can’t have… his best friend’s sister. But he’s only home for 4 weeks before he’s sent out again for another 9 months so every second they have together is stolen and precious…
Thrive (Addicted Series) by K&B Ritchie – Recent release!!
This is the latest novel in the amazing Addicted series, one of my all-time favorite on-going series. The series centers around 3 couples with each book being told from one of their perspectives. This one is focused on Lily & Lo (a sex addict & alcoholic) and it is absolutely fantastic!! I loved it! Read my new review. Please note: This is NOT a standalone.
Must be read in order: Addicted To You (review), Ricochet (review), Addicted For Now (review), Kiss The Sky (review), Hothouse Flower (review), Thrive (review).
Wife Number Seven by Melissa Brown – Recent review!!
This was a unique, captivating standalone about a woman who was the seventh wife in a polygamist family and who fell in love with an outsider. A man who made her want more out of life and the freedom to choose who to love. — It was totally different than anything else I’ve ever read!! Read my review.
“I had my secrets. A voice inside me told me I didn’t belong here, that there was another life waiting for me.”
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – Recent review!!
** SOBS ** What an incredible story!! It was powerful, heart-breaking, and bittersweet but also oddly heartwarming. Absolutely unforgettable for sure. I think it’s impossible to come away from this without an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all the blessings in your life. I’m SO glad I finally worked up the courage to read it! *sniff* — Read my review.
“I had a hundred and seventeen days in which to convince Will Traynor that he had a reason to live.”
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*** LISTS OF BOOKS ***
- LIST of MY RECENT REVIEWS (in case you missed any recommendations)
- LIST of BOOKS I WANT TO READ (essentially, my TBR)
- LIST of BEST BOOKS READ IN 2014 – ongoing list
- LIST of BEST BOOKS READ IN 2013
- LIST of BEST BOOKS READ IN 2012
- LIST of STANDALONES
- LIST of ALL REVIEWS – sorted alphabetically
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*** MORE BOOKS ***
Some random finds, some reader recommendations, etc.
New biker book!!! This sounds good!! She’s a prison guard and he’s the new inmate: a dark, sexy, dangerous biker with a scary history. But he has secrets and she thinks there’s more to him than meets the eye. And when his Club break him out, they take her too…. — The blurb calls it an “epic, dangerous love” story!!!
This is the last book in this “sexy amnesia love triangle” series!! It’s about a heroine who doesn’t remember the last year of her life and is now torn between two men. — They must be read in order: #1 Lost In Me, #2 Fall To You, #3 All For This.
The hero is a “tattoo artist by day, exotic dancer by night.” (!!!) He’s a 22 and fighting his attraction for the girl of his dreams because she’s the daughter of the Mayor. Oh, and she’s 17. But what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? … I haven’t read it but it’s $0.99!
This is a heart-wrenching friends-to-lovers second chance romance standalone novel. It’s on sale for $0.99 (reg. $3.99) for a limited time only!! If you’ve been wanting to read it, now’s the best time! Read my review.
Bad boy alert!!! This new series is about 3 brothers (triplets) with bad reputations falling in love. Each book is a standalone, this is the first. I haven’t read it but it sounds good!! ➜ They called us ‘those white trash Gentry boys’ until we believed that’s what we were. They told us we were bad, that we’d always be bad. But now I need to be better. For her.
I’m hearing great things about this book! ➜ “I was a thief of men… a whore. Not the conventional type that got paid for sex. I was the girl you talked about in your sad inner circle. The girl you shielded your boyfriend from as you cleverly covered him with your body when I came near. I was at threat to you. One week… one incredible week was all it took to forever change me. I was NEVER going to be you … until I met HIM.”
This is the finale of THE WILD SIDE serial! It’s about a guy in his forties whose falls for a much younger woman he meets at this gym. He’s ninety percent sure that she’s a criminal, and still, he can’t seem to turn her down… — #1 The Wild Side, #2 Iris, #3 Dair.
Damaged hero alert!! The first book is $0.99 and this is the second. Both can be read as standalones (different couples). The hero of the first book is an Alpha, ex-military guy with a bad childhood. He’s all anti-social and distant but falls for “her”… And the hero of the second book is a wounded Police Officer and the woman he’s falling for is ill…
THE VIXEN AND THE VET by Katy Regnery
I love the sound of this! The heroine is a journalist who decides to write a piece on the town hermit, Asher Lee, a wounded veteran who returned home 8 years ago horrifically scarred and hasn’t been seen since… And when Asher agrees to be interviewed by Savannah, he starts feeling things for her that he hasn’t felt in years. — 50% of proceeds go to charity.
HOW WE DEAL WITH GRAVITY by Ginger Scott
This is a bit of a second chance romance with a rock star hero. When her son was diagnosed with autism, Avery’s husband left her and her son became her whole world until a man from her past walked back into her life. Mason was a rock star who she’d loved silently for years and who’d broken her heart once. But “time and life have a funny way of changing people, and sometimes second chances are there for a reason.”
ALWAYS FOREVER by Cheryl McIntyre
This is a new standalone in the Sometimes Never series (can be read on it’s own). It’s a second chance romance about a guy who was forced to leave his girl behind but returns home 12 years later… I love this kind of story!
Wow, this has HIGH ratings!!! It’s a “forbidden love story” that’s been getting a lot of buzz so definitely be sure to check it out!! It’s about a single mom who catches the eye of her lawn boy. “Love only comes around once in a lifetime. Only fools think otherwise, and I’m the biggest fool of them all.”
For any biker fans, I’m passing along a reader recommendation here. I haven’t read this book but here’s the info if you want to check it out! ➜ “I swore to myself never again. Never again surrender my heart. Never again sacrifice to the Club. But that all changed in one night. I came home and crashed into him, and my past and present blew up in my face. Both of us lonely, running on empty, and unwilling to admit it. Until now.”
MORE THAN FOREVER by Jay McLean
This series is hugely popular and has insanely HIGH ratings. They should be read in order. This is book four and is Cameron & Lucy’s story ➜ “There is a love so fierce it cannot be measured. He promised me that love forever. Even when it wasn’t enough.” — #1 More Than This, #2 More Than Him, #3 More Than Her, #4 More Than Forever.
FINDING DANDELION by Lex Martin
This is the highly rated standalone sequel to Dearest Clementine about a soccer star who has a one-night stand with a girl who, for the first time ever, makes him want “more” but he doesn’t even recognize her the next time he sees her! It can either be read on it’s own or after DC.
PUDDLE JUMPING by Amber L. Johnson — $0.99 Recommendation
This was a beautifully written mature YA standalone romance about two childhood friends who are reunited in high school and fall in love. The hero has Asperger’s and the heroine loves him unconditionally. This is their love story. Read my review.
53 LETTERS FOR MY LOVER by Leylah Attar — Recommendation
Forbidden romance fans!! This was sexy, daring, and beautifully written Adult standalone — kind of a cross between Adult romance and women’s fiction with an intense forbidden romance spanning three decades. This was not your typical love story!! Read my review.
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*** COMING OUT NEXT WEEK!!! ***
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover – Upcoming must-read of 2014!!
WOW WOW WOW!!!! I read an early copy of this and it was absolute, stunning PERFECTION in every way. It was SO unique, and so intensely emotional that it just blew me away!! I almost guarantee that you will cry (seriously, my heart broke for Miles!!!) but I PROMISE you it’s worth every tear because the way that it all comes together is just GORGEOUS!!!! Oh and also, it’s HOT!! Like really hot!!! I honestly just loved every single word. 6 STARS!!!!! Be sure to pre-order your copy!! This is a MUST-READ of the year!! Read my review.
- Lead Me Not by A Meredith Walters
- Jane’s Harmony by Ryan Winfield (sequel to: Jane’s Melody)
- Blurred (Connections series) by Kim Karr
- Opposition (Lux series conclusion) by Jennifer Armentrout
- Crave The Night (Midnight Breed novel) by Lara Adrian
Brenda says
What a great bunch of books!! Thank you for the list:)
Aestas says
You’re welcome 😀