Mel's Fav Reads of 2019
I'll start off by saying that 2019 was a year of struggle for me when it came to reading. A few changes in my life had me spending less time between the pages. Never the less I still read some freaking amazing books. My trend for this year seemed to be catching up on my TBR list, I found that I read more not so new books then I did new releases. I binged a lot of series this past year and I found some new, what I will call Book Funk Go To's (Books that I will reread when I'm in a funk). In no particular order, here is my list of 2019 fav reads.
​
Some you may have already read and some that will hopefully make it's way to your TBR list in 2020.
​
Let me know your thoughts, you can always find my crazy book raving antics on Facebook and Instagram.
​
On to the next read .....
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
Now this was recommended by a fellow bookaholic, one who much like myself will go on some crazy rants on Facebook when she discovers a book she loves. I will admit it was at least a month or two before I took the plunge. But when I did OMFG, I obsessed for days and days. I immediately went to my local bookstore to grab a paperback copy of this book. One of those books that I don't think I will ever forget and I find that if I think about it, see it talked about I get heart palpitations.
​
You can read my full review here → The Idea Of You Book Review
Synopsis
​
Captures what fame looks like, and how it affects us all...a fun, juicy love story!"--Elizabeth Banks.
​
Solène Marchand, the thirty-nine-year-old owner of an art gallery in Los Angeles, is reluctant to take her daughter, Isabelle, to meet her favorite boy band. But since her divorce, she’s more eager than ever to be close to Isabelle. The last thing Solène expects is to make a connection with one of the members of the world-famous August Moon. But Hayes Campbell is clever, winning, confident, and posh, and the attraction is immediate. That he is all of twenty years old further complicates things.
​
What begins as a series of clandestine trysts quickly evolves into a passionate and genuine relationship. It is a journey that spans continents as Solène and Hayes navigate each other’s worlds: from stadium tours to international art fairs to secluded hideaways in Paris and Miami. For Solène, it is a reclaiming of self, as well as a rediscovery of happiness and love. When Solène and Hayes’ romance becomes a viral sensation, and both she and her daughter become the target of rabid fans and an insatiable media, Solène must face how her romantic life has impacted the lives of those she cares about most.
Purchase This Book
Boys of Brayshaw High by Meagan Brandy
The Brayshaw Series seem to take the Book World by storm. Meagan Brandy comes at you with a story about bonds, trust and loyalty. This entire series was epic. And the characters in this were ones that you fully invested in to the point of obsession. There are entire IG accounts dedicated to this series alone with very good reason. 2019 was definitely the year for the Boys from Brayshaw and if you haven't read these yet I strongly suggest you do. Starting with Book one.
​
You can read my full review here → Boys of Brayshaw Review
Synopsis
​
In the world of morally corrupt teenagers, only the strongest survive ...
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Meagan Brandy comes an enemies-to-lovers, New Adult romance full of morally corrupt and power-driven teenagers.
"Girls like you aren't exactly welcomed at a place like this, so keep your head down and look the other way."
Those were the exact words of my social worker when she dropped me in my newest hellhole, a place for "troubled teens".
I didn't listen, and now I'm on their radar.
They expect me to play along in their games of hierarchy, to fall in line in the social order they've deemed me fit.
Too bad for them, I don't follow rules.
Too bad for me, they're determined to make sure I do.
Inconceivably attractive and treated like kings...these are the boys of Brayshaw High.
And I'm the girl who got in their way.
----
This is book ONE in a THREE book series.
​
Note: There are three books total and all are available. You can find the entire series here.
Purchase This Book
Ache by S.M. Soto
So Ache by S.M. Soto hit me out of nowhere. So much so that after finishing Ache I just had to reach out to the author and thank her for writing such a tough yet compelling story of survival. Yeah this book gave me all those gut wrenching feels and was easily a top 2019 read of mine.
​
You can read my full review here → Ache Review
Synopsis
​
An all new emotionally charged second chance romance.
What happens when you fall for the boy next door?
Bea Norwood had the market on normal.
Drama free life? Check.
A single-mother who doubled as her confidant and partner in crime? Check.
A neighbor and best friend she trusted more than anyone? Check.
But that was until the day her mother remarried. The day that changed everything.When her best friend's cousin, Liam Falcon, is sent to live with his aunt and uncle to clean up his act, Bea finds herself falling for the boy next door. With their hearts so infinitely entwined, Bea turns to Liam as her only escape from her new step-brother's daily torment at home. Bea thought their love could conquer anything. But she was wrong. Love was for fools, and she was the biggest fool of them all. When Liam left Lakeport, he took her heart with him, shattering the organ to pieces.
Six years later, Liam takes a trip back to Lakeport to visit his family, and to see HER.
His first love.The girl who holds his heart.The same girl who shattered it six years ago without looking back.
Liam is hell-bent on seeing Bea again after six years, but what he finds tears his heart in half. Bea Norwood is a shell of the girl he fell in love with. Underneath the baggy clothes, and pale skin, he knows she's still in there somewhere, he just needs to find her. Liam will stop at nothing to win his girl back, but sometimes, ignorance is bliss, and Liam isn't prepared for Bea's truth.
*Some aspects of this story may be sensitive for readers.*
Purchase This Book
That Guy by Kim Jones
Now I will start off by saying that I am not a huge Rom Com Reader. I generally gravitate towards those punch me in the gut reads. ​However from time to time I do enjoy a great Rom Com. They are almost like palette cleansers for me. That Guy by Kim Jones was recommended a few times by some fellow bookaholics on Social media. I would be remiss if I didn't include this as a top read. I'm giggling just remembering this one.
​
​
You can read my full review here → That Guy Review
Synopsis
​
He’s That Guy. You know, the hero in almost every romance novel. The super-rich, powerful CEO who is beyond sexy. Lives in a penthouse. Is wicked in bed. Has massive…feet. Is kind of a jerk, but really he’s not because he harbors some major secret that, once revealed, explains why he is the way he is—therefore completely redeeming himself and making all the readers who hated to love him swoon…. Yeah. That one. Well, I found him. I’m a writer who has spent years searching for the perfect muse. Now that I know he exists, I have a mission. To make him fall in love with me. This should be easy. I mean, I have issues, but above all, I’m a great catch. Problem is, I did a stupid thing. And now he hates me. Unfortunately for him, he’s my That Guy. And he’s going to love me…. Whether he wants to or not.
Purchase This Book
Purchase Book Two
Love Hurts Duet by M. Robinson
I've been a long time fan of M. Robison, she always seems to bring the angst with her reads something I live for in books. Throw in some love hate and I am sold. Her Love Hurts Duet had me wanting to fling my tablet straight across the room at times and trust me that's a good thing. A really really good thing. For that reason Love Hurts definitely makes my top list this year.
​
Synopsis Book 1
​
I couldn’t remember a time before her... Harley Jameson.
Before she owned me.
Hated Me.
Needed me.
Before I hated her…
Things were simple.
We had an understanding.
Bully. Fight. Hate. It’s what we did.
Mind. Body. Soul. It’s how we loved.
I thought nothing would ever change that, until everything did.
She was mine.
Always had been.
Always would be.
Nothing altered that.
Not how much I hated her.
Not how much she hated me.
Especially, not how much I hated…
That I LOVED her.
​
You can both books here
Purchase This Book
The Dream Man Series by Kristen Ashley
Now you're probably thinking, Seriously Mel how are you just now reading these. WTF is wrong with you. So so many things I don't even know where to begin. LOL. But ok so Alpha Males are my absolute weakness, they are technically my first loves when it comes to my journey in Romancelandia. What better than a boxset of not one but four Alphas. Do I even need to say anymore here. You should know that I have already reread this series probably about a dozen times this year. That in itself should tell you something. I can't even tell you which is my favourite. It's really which one I'm reading at the moment. They are all equally awesome.
Synopsis
​
Meet the intense and sexy men of the Dream Men series from the New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author of the Rock Chick Series!
Mystery Man
Gwendolyn Kidd has met the man of her dreams. He's hot, he's sexy, and what started as a no-names-exchanged night of passion has blossomed into a year and a half-long pleasure fest. Hawk Delgado has demons that keep him from connecting with anyone. But when Gwen is threatened, Hawk's protective nature comes out in full force. The problem is, when Gwen gets a dose of Hawk's Alpha attitude in the daylight, she's not so sure he's the one anymore.
Wild Man
Tessa O'Hara never expected the man of her dreams to walk into her bakery. Within thirty seconds he asks her out for a beer. But when she discovers he's an undercover DEA agent-and he's investigating her possible role in her ex-husband's drug business, Tess declares their relationship is over. Brock disagrees. He's committed to his mission, but he's fallen in love with the beautiful woman who's as sweet as her cupcakes-and he'll do anything to win her back.
Law Man
Sweet, shy Mara Hanover is in love with her neighbor. For four years, she has secretly watched her dream man from afar. Handsome police detective Mitch Lawson is way out of her league. She's a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, and there's no way a guy like Mitch would want anything to do with her. But when Mara gets pulled back into the life she's tried so hard to leave behind, it's Mitch who comes to her rescue.
Motorcycle Man
Tyra Masters has had enough drama to last a lifetime. Now she's back on track and looking forward to her new quiet life. Until she meets the man of her dreams. The tattooed, muscled biker plies her with tequila-and the best sex of her life. She knows Kane "Tack" Allen is the kind of man she's always wanted. Unfortunately, he's also her new boss . . .
Purchase This Book
In Peace Lies Havoc by Amo Jones
In Peace Lies Havoc is one of those books that for me hit me after I was done reading. Don't get me wrong I loved it while reading it. Amo is so good at painting such an interesting story that you get engrossed in. With this one though I obsessed about it after I was done. I just couldn't get it out of my head. I can't wait for the next one.
​
Read my full review here → In Peace Lies Havoc Review
Synopsis
​
My name is Dove Hendry.Mine is Kingston Axton.I was captured by darkness.She has always been ours…They groomed me for Midnight Mayhem. Like a trained possession, weak against their control.She has been conditioned with our blood for years. She just doesn’t know it yet...But Midnight Mayhem was the stained glass that concealed a very dark culture.A culture that she is about to become the center of.The Brothers of Kiznitch come in fours, and they’re not happy about me being hustled into their acts.Or are we? Careful, Little Bird. A warning is a warning for a reason…Mind-tricks.Stunts.Deceit.Power.But there’s something uglier that has been haunting me for years upon years. So ugly that I have never seen its face. I never had to. I’d hear his whispers through my internal screams, feel his shadow brush against my nightmares. He was my the monster that tormented me.And maybe lived under your bed…When I started Midnight Mayhem, his presence faded.His whispers were silenced.His shadow dissolving without a trace.I wondered why that was. She didn’t have to wonder for long…
Purchase This Book
The Best of Me by Jessica Prince
So I personally think that Jessica Prince is one of those gems that people don't know enough about. She's a go to author for me and I hope more people read her. She released the first two books of her Hope Valley series in 2018 and I have been hooked every since. The Best of Me is Book three in this series and one of my favs. If you are a fan of single parents this is a book you should read. I've also reread this entire series multiple times this year and will continue to reread this I would say at least once a year. If you love small town romances then I suggest you read this entire series. Also full of Alpha hotness. If you like Kristen Ashley small town romances you will love these.
​
Read my full review here → The Best of Me Review
Synopsis
​
It wasn’t hard for Nona Fanning to fall for Trick. He was strong, kind-hearted, loyal, and unbelievably handsome. He was the man of her dreams, and all it took was one night to give her a taste of the beauty he had to offer. But while she’d been opening her heart to him, he’d kept his under lock and key.
After Patrick “Trick” Wanderly’s wife left him, ripping away their picture-perfect life, he convinced himself that she’d taken the best pieces of him with her. He wasn’t ready to move on and give his heart to someone else. Then his whole world flipped upside down after spending one night with Nona.
It took awhile for him to see what he had standing right in front of him, but now Trick’s eyes are open, and he’s determined to fix what he broke. But when danger threatens to tear Nona’s world apart, it’s up to Trick to help hold those pieces together while fighting to protect the woman and the new life he’s come to cherish.
Purchase This Book
Rock Chick Revenge by Kristen Ashley
It seems for me it was the year of the Alphas and specifically Kristen Ashley. Now the Rock Chick Series has been on my radar for years. My bestie swears by these. I finally took the plunge and haven't looked back. Rock Chick Revenge is my absolute fav of this series and the one I have already reread the most. And by the most I mean I've reread this a good dozen times already along with Rock Chick Rescue and Rock Chick Redemption. Just typing up this up has me wanting to dive back in again.
Synopsis
​
Ava hates men, she has reason and she’s vowed not only never to get involved with another one again but also to exact vengeance on her best friend’s, lying, cheating husband. Since Luke, Ava’s childhood crush, is now a private investigator, she thinks to enlist him but changes her mind at the last second.
Too late, Luke knows she’s up to something and he’s already seen many a Rock Chick try to fight her own battles without the Hot Bunch stepping in. He’s having none of it. She’s having none of him. The clash of the Rock Chick and Hot Guy begins but Luke’s got the advantage. He has handcuffs and he’s not afraid to use them.
​
​
You can find the entire series here
And because I can't just leave you with my top reads of 2019 here are some other books that I read this past year that I think you might love as well.
Note: some of these books are part of an existing series or the start of a series that has yet to be completed
