Monday, December 31, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I Read in 2018


Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Reader where each week they post a new top ten list and ask fellow bookish folk to share their lists on that topic.

This week we're asked to share the Best Books I Read in 2018.  I'm actually listing twelve because I couldn't keep the number any lower. 

(Click on cover for Goodreads link)


I'm a huge fan of the Kate Daniels series and was sad to say goodbye, but Magic Triumphs was the perfect ending, and I loved Conlan! Too cute. Looking forward to Julie & Derek stories? Crossing my fingers

Iron & Magic by Ilona Andrews
I never thought I'd like Hugh let alone root for this guy, but I shouldn't have doubted Ilona Andrews' ability to win me over!  I can't wait for more Iron Covenant books!

Burn Bright (Alpha & Omega #5) by Patricia Briggs
The Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs are just amazing!  I re-read both series' last year and they were even better the second time around.  I eagerly await every new installment.  

This Fallen Prey (Rockton #3) by Kelley Armstrong
Loving this smart, well-plotted series!  Off the grid in Alaska and managing a town full of people with each escaping some sort of sketchy past.  Each book is a separate mystery and this installment had some surprising twists with a couple of the regular characters.  Fast-paced and riveting!



The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
2018 is the year I discovered Mariana Zapata and her slow burn romances! I read four of her books and two ended up 2018 favorites. The Wall of Winnipeg & Me is my favorite! I listened to the audiobooks and I totally recommend Callie Dalton's performance.

Kulti by Mariana Zapata
Kulti came in at a close second to The Wall of Winnipeg & Me as my favorite Mariana Zapata.  Sal's nicknames for Kulti were priceless: Sauerkraut, Pumpernickel, Arnold, Bratwurst, and German Chocolate Cake were among my favorites. Kulti had a few fun nicknames for Sal too, but I think Schnecke was my lovely!

Helen Hoang's debut was impossible to put down! Refreshingly different and fan-yourself hot! Stella and Michael will go down as one of my all-time favorite couples!

I finally picked this one up after everyone proclaiming their love and found it lived up to the hype! Finished in one day, all-the-while laughing my ass off! Super sexy and Hazel was a bundle of zany fun!



Calla started off super shallow, but grew as a person when she takes off to Alaska to get to know her dad.  Amazing hate-to-love romance, and family dynamics that made me cry! Such a wonderful read!

J.R. Ward is known for her Black Dagger Brothers' series, but she nailed this contemporary romance/mystery!  The prequels are short, free, and a must before you start.

Unsub (Unsub #1) by Meg Gardiner
This first in the series was really good! Inspired by the Zodiac Killer murders the mystery was thrilling. Listened to the audio and didn't want to put it down.  I read the second and didn't like it as much, but I'm looking forward to the third book.

I didn't plan on picking up The Winter Sister 3 1/2 months before its release, but I was in the mood for a mystery and cracked it open thinking I'd read a few pages and ended up reading until 3am to finish! Glad I took a chance on this debut author!  Riveting!

So these were my Top Ten Twelve Reads for 2018.  What were some of your favorites?


34 comments:

  1. This Fallen Prey- I LOVE that series! I haven't read Mercy Thompson since the first book but I need to get back to them, and between that and the Kitty Norville series I've found a few urban fantasy series I really like now.

    Happy New Year!!!

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    1. I've just recently seen Kitty Norville. I need to check that out. Hope you get back to Mercy Thompson soon!

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  2. I've yet to try anything by Zapata. Need to change that soon. The Kiss Quotient made my list, too. I just adored Michael and Stella. The Simple Wild was just wonderful. Loved Calla's story and really loved Jonah. :)

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    1. Hope you love Mariana Zapata! I could easily do a re-read of The Simple Wild! Sooo good!

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  3. I've recently bought The Kiss Quotient. I'm looking forward to it! Happy New Year. My TTT

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  4. Josh and Hazel and The Simple Wild were on my favorites list too. I am going to read The Winter Sister soon and happy to see you enjoyed it!

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  5. I LOVED the first four books on your list along with Unsub. I hope to get to The Kiss Quotient very soon.

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    1. Yay! I'm looking forward to the next Unsub soon. And I hope you love The Kiss Quotient!

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  6. The Kiss Quotient is on my top 2018 releases of the year (which is a different list than my TTT). Happy New Year!

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    1. It seems The Kiss Quotient was a hit with a lot of us, and thanks!

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  7. OMG I love this list! Zapata is one of my absolute fav authors, but I haven't read Kulti! I need to change that v.soon. I also had Magic Triumphs and Iron and Magic on my list. :)

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    1. If you love MZ I think you'll love Kulti. It comes in at a close second for my all-time favorite MZ book. :)

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  8. I loved the Simple Wild too! I should have put it on my list but for some reason I didn't. Such a good book! I still need to finish the Kate Daniels series. I don't know why I haven't yet. I think I wasn't quite ready to end it yet. ;)

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    1. I know, it was hard to say goodbye, but here's hoping we get some cameos if they decide to write some Julie/Derek stories! :)

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  9. TKQ was something extra special. Loved it! And I adored every CLo book I read this year. Can't wait for their next release.

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    1. TKQ definitely lived up to the hype it was getting. I was pleasantly surprised to love Josh & Hazel so much!

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  10. Great list of books! I just checked The Simple Wild out of the library and I really want to read This Fallen Prey some time this year. Happy 2019! :D

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    1. Hope you love A Simple Wild as much as I did, and get your hands on This Fallen Prey soon. Thanks, Lark! You too! :)

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  11. I’m glad you found so many good books! The Kiss Quotient has been on a lot of lists today. Happy 2019!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. I know, I saw it on so many 2018 fav lists! It really was good! Thanks, AJ!

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  12. Keep up the awesome content and thanks for sharing!

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  13. Patricia Briggs is wonderful! I love the Mercy Thompson series. Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.

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  14. Great list, and a few I want to try too!

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  15. Great list, Rachel!! The Simple Wild is definitely my favorite. You have me excited to read The Winter Sister!! I am one of the few who didn't love The Kiss Quotient. Lol

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  16. I really loved Unsub! I liked the sequel, but definitely not as good as the first book. I'm ready for book three though! And I still need to read Josh and Hazel.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I felt exactly the same way about the second book, too, Lauren! I can't wait for the next book though.

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  17. Finally! Can’t wait to dig in to this!!

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  18. Thanks for that great suggestion! You actually just sparked an idea. Going to buy this now.

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  19. YAY for having read so many great books in 2018 Rachel :D Loved this list. <3 I was going to say I had read neither of them, ha, but I have read The Winter Sister :) Sadly did not like it at all, ahhh. But love that you loved it so. <3 I hope you are reading tons this year and loving it all :) I'm a bit behind on commenting, but slowly catching up a little. <3

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