2016 has been a year of many lows and many highs. But alas, this is a blog for books, not for the astoundingly crazy, stupid, horrifying things that have happened this year. I've started a Booktube channel, finished and published my fourth book (book 2 in the series), and started this book blog for reviews. It's been plenty busy and new, and looking back on it all, I'm astounded at how much I've accomplished. So here's to 2017, may it be peaceful, loving, and full of books!

The first book on my list doesn't come as a surprise if you know me. It's my top favorite book of 2016, and will probably remain so for 2017:

                                                                               


This is book two of A Court of Thorns and Roses, and it doesn't disappoint. In fact, I loved this one way more than book 1! That doesn't happen often. I realized I never made a review for this one, so when I read it again (because I will!), I'll make sure to remember and leave one here.













The second book on this list is one that, for some reason, has stuck with me. It's confusing, maddening, and downright ridiculous:

Wink Poppy Midnight makes no sense, and yet it makes total sense. It's one of those books that stick with you for a long time just because you're still trying to figure it all out. Here is my review, and if you have read it, wanna discuss?
















The third book on this list is one that is also a mystery but with like, fantasy, paranormal, and who knows what else involved:




The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is one of those that is everywhere. It started as a regular non-fiction mystery with a tad of romance I expected and then it just went off the rails into some other territory. Here, read my review if you want to know more. Not that it'll help probably, but take a gander.
                                                                   













The fourth book on this list is one that tugged at my heartstrings and had me reading till 3am to finish in a puddle of salty tears:

This one certainly knows how to wrap a fist around your heart and soul and crush it without feels. It's about two people who begin to heal with each other, despite not wanting or knowing they needed to. Review.












The fifth on this list is one I had been waiting for, because I was dying to see the conclusion and make sure it ended the proper way. Otherwise, I'd have to have a serious talk with Mrs. Cass!

I remember when this series came out and I finished all three in two days and was in desperate need for the rest. Should have paced myself out, because all I ended up with was a hangover the size of Russia and a few months wait for the next one. Check out my review here.















Book six on this list still amazes me:



This is a retelling of Peter Pan with a neat twist. This one is set in a post apocalyptic future with a steampunk setting, a bunch of lost boys, a girl fighting for her family, and a hot, young, man in Hooks place. What more could you want? Review.












And last but not least:

This is book 2 in the Lunar Chronicles, and I love it. While Cinder was a little slow in pace, Scarlet really knows how to kick it up a notch. I loved reading about her and Wolf, and how the story unfolds with parts from book 1. It's a pretty neat series, so try to make it through Cinder.

Review: Rescuing Harley-Susan Stoker

Rescuing Harley
Book 3 
Romance
320
Four and a half stars

Buy it here

Video game coder, Harley Kelso, thought a tandem skydive would help her make her latest game more realistic. Instead, it literally put her in the arms of the sexiest man she s ever seen. Geeky to the core, Harley is the polar opposite of big and burly Beckett, but that doesn t stop her from wanting to play more carnal games with the sexy soldier. 

When Beckett Coach Ralston offers to fill-in at a friend s skydiving club, he doesn t suspect he ll meet a woman who will change his life and he definitely doesn t expect her to save it. But that s exactly what happens when an accident mid-air forces Harley to land them both safely. She s earned Coach s complete gratitude, and even more, sexual interest 

Until she disappears without a trace. 

With Harley missing, a happy ending might not be in the cards for the man who loves her especially when he becomes the main suspect.

I swear, every time I read a book that wasn't asked for me to read, I end up forgetting to highlight quotes. So here I am, stuck because I forgot to highlight the stupid quotes. Guess I'll just have to improvise and actually write a review for once. << Joking! You totally know I actually write reviews with less quotes than words all together in the actual book.

Heh. Yeah.

Anyway, I've been reading Mrs. Stokers books since the beginning. Like her first character, Caroline. So, yeah, I feel a little cool at that fact. Let me bask in it.

Harley Kelso is cool. So cool, I can use the term like a bowtie is cool, because I can. She's a video game artist, meaning she makes games and is kickass at playing them, because, duh. I love her personality and how down to earth she is. Mrs. Stokers characters are always down to earth, but since we're talking about Harley, I'll point out her down to earthness. As Harley is making her current game, she can't seem to get the scene to look real enough and decides to skydive.

I mean, why not?

This is where Harley meets Coach, one of the tandem skydivers that helps out. He's hot, strong, and obviously an alpha male. Like all of Mrs. Stokers fine specimens of guys she writes about, Coach is there for Harley and falls for her quick. It's hot and strong, something he can't back away from. He wants Harley, and with patience, he'll keep her.

Their relationship is adorable and hot. He's so slow with her, not wanting to rush anything and show her that looks don't always matter and that he loves her for who she is. Geeky clothes included. And she's there to reign in his grr grr, I'm full of testosterone maleness. They're perfect together.

But this isn't just a regular, everyday romance. No way. Throw in some suspense and action, and you've got a great story. I love seeing all the other characters in this book. That's what I love most about these books, is that characters from different series come in to play. It's cool to be reminded that they're all in the same world. I'm always looking forward for the next character and their book, never letting a second slip by when its pre-order time!

The only reason I gave this four and a half stars is because I felt like the suspense and climax were rushed. It wasn't drawn out and left me with white knuckles as I realized the truth and what not. It seemed like that part was second to their romance, which isn't a bad thing. I just expected more.

These are all HEA, standalone stories but I highly recommend reading in order OF SERIES when beginning this journey with hot guys and non damsels-but always in trouble women.