Best Book Reads of 2013

I finished 122 books in 2013 and I was itching, burning and tickling to write about my top 10 best reads for that year. Admittedly though, most of those who made it to my list were 2012 releases but since I got to read it last year, it still counted. So, in no particular order, here are my 5+++ favorite books for Year 2013:

1.      Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Travis Maddox – need I say more? He kind of ruined it for other book heroes out there for me. He is the perfect blend of alpha-male, Neanderthal, caveman-like romantic who is also as sweet as caramel on top of crème brulee. Oh my freakin’ goodness, there’s just no one else out there like him. His humor also made me roll in bed like some friggin’ maniac laughing until my stomach hurt. Abby was just a plus but then again, she was perfect for him so it really did work. Well-written, slow-building love story with the right kind of angst and humor – it was absolutely perfect. It’s the kind that makes me see why I’m so hooked on books. And by the way, Walking Disaster, released sometime in 2013 was a winner in more ways than one. (I’m sure you’ve noticed I’m totally cheating here and putting in 2 books in one count, haha)

2.      Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

I rarely read the same book twice. This book, I did thrice. My emotions ran on a haywire with this one – twisted my gut, made me want to throw the book away (or my e-reader, which I didn’t do for obvious reasons), made me cry a copious amount of tears and sighed in relief when they finally made it to the end. It’s a story I felt heart and soul and took a piece of me when it ended. Colleen Hoover’s writing is more than excellent. It’s FANTABULOUS in ways that count. And (okay, another cheat)  LOSING HOPE, spoken in Dean’s POV, is as perfect as the first one. So yeah, absolutely, 5 super-shiny, swoony stars.

3.      Love Unscripted & Love Unrehearsed by Tina Reber

Okay, so let’s pretend I didn’t just put in two titles there and consider the Love Series just one book because in essence, it actually does feel like they are 2 books in one (oh God, I’m not even making sense now, but what the heck this is my blog and my list so I can do as I please haha) No, really, it just doesn’t feel right for them to be standalones. You have to get to the 2^nd one to really appreciate Ryan and Tarryn’s love story. I tell ya I was soooooo into it. It felt all too familiar, too real, too similar to the story of a couple I was once fangirling to the highest level it felt wrong. I guess it also helped that the entire time I was reading it, I was picturing Liam Hemsworth as Ryan and KStew, Tarryn (haha) Seriously, one gets to have a peek at how shitty Hollywood life can be through these books. Makes me wonder why they put up with all the crazy that went with it and on the flip side, made me appreciate some people who in the midst of all the madness, choose to go about their lives sticking to their guns and holding on to their convictions and staying true to their core. Anyhoo, Ryan and Tarryn made it work, so did some A-listers in the land of pines. If you get to read them, you’d know I’m making a lot of sense right now hahahaha.

4.      Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

This was the book that did a number on me. In the world of contemporary literature where I get to read more books than I can possibly count, I rarely find a book hero I can relate in ways that matter more than him. For one, this was essentially a story of how a sinner, believing he is beyond saving, lived a semi-hopeless, hellish (thus, the title) life in pursuit of everything temporary. That was until she met, Julia, a pure soul who would be instrumental in his finding his way back home & unto God’s redemptive love that freed him and allowed him to live a happy life. His journey became too personal for me as he struggled between self-deprecation to finally accepting God’s forgiveness and finally, freedom. Because the story gutted me to epic levels, I became obsessively interested with the author so I went ahead and googled him. I wasn’t at all surprised to find he is a devout Catholic, very much involved in the Franciscan community, chosen not to be a religious but in fact, lived with the Franciscans during a time of self-reflection. He kept his true identity hidden and went by a pen name for his work and really maintained his anonymity. I love his writing to tiny bits and pieces. His succeeding works Gabriel’s Rapture and Gabriel’s Redemption (that’s +2 on the count hahaha, cheater!) were also masterpieces. I give 5 ++ heart-warming super nova hot stars for the 3 books.

5.      Tangled by Emma Chase

How do I describe a book that literally made me LMAO without exaggeration!!! This book was entertaining in the funniest way possible. Should’ve been a typical boy-meets-girl story but the writing was unbelievably brilliant you’ll laugh until it hurts. Anyway, back to the story, like I said it was of a boy who met a girl who annoys the hell outta him because he is essentially attracted to her and he is fighting it to kingdom come. Their banters come to life like you’re staring at a movie screen than reading words. Trust me, IT’S THAT GOOD. I have yet to find a review that doesn’t commend it. Fact is, this book won in Goodread’s Book of the Year in whatever category(sorry, I forgot which one, my bad). I voted for it too.  I read Tangled 1.5, the sequel which is a novella (another +1 on the count, bwahahahaha) which was titled Holy Frigging Matrimony and again, it made me laugh like crazy. As some reviews would say, this was Beautiful Disaster meets Wallbanger so you can just imagine.

6.      Leo by Mia Sheridan

I think this is Ms. Sheridan’s first book and boy did she start with the loudest bang! I mean, this book was just W-O-W. I can’t even begin to explain it but maybe it was her writing, the plot, the element of mystery about Leo or probably all these put together that made this worth flipping the page until the wee hours of the morning. And well, since I’ve been doing this since the first count, I’ll decide to be consistent and say that her next book titled LEO’S CHANCE which is written in Leo’s POV is a perfect follow-up. It had the same if not more intensity that the first one and I loved loved loved it a whole heap. Easily, Mia’s my next favourite author to Abbi Glines and I am in constant watch of her new releases like a hawk. She is that good.

7.      Vincent Boys/Vincent Brothers by Abbi Glines

I massively admire ALL of Abbi Glines’ work but Vincent Boys and Vincent Brothers are my top two favorites. Oh wait, I have to take that back. I’m not into her Existence series – I do not have any feelings for them at all. I mean I don’t really dislike it but I also don’t like it, you know what I mean. I’m not really into Paranormal reads (with the exception of a certain Vampire series  that well, got me started into this reading frenzy but I got over those books sooner than I expected so I refuse to even mention them anymore hahahahaha) Okay, back to the Vincent Boys, Abbi really has a way with words – she weaves stories that pull at my heartstrings and make me so damn emotional I keep crying. Both books have the perfect blend of angst and sweetness, unrequited love and some family drama, a lot of exasperating guessing games and heroes that go alpha-male on their ladyloves. These books are packed with emotional depth you keep flipping pages to get to the end and then feel devastated once it’s over.

8.      Stinger by Mia Sheridan

A corporate girl falling for a male hooker. An unusual coupling with a fabulously romantic plot. Pretty woman reversed. Carson and Grace story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, it made me laugh, cry, and swoon!! I highly recommend it for everyone!! 5 stars all the way!

9.      One Tiny Lie, K.A Tucker

Another killer of a story. KA Tucker writes really good she makes the characters alive. It’s a deeply moving tale of a scarred heroine and a guy with a deep secret whom she falls in love with. There’s a lot to like in this book than just the main characters. As a matter of fact, the sequels are pretty much 5 star reads themselves (Ten Tiny Breaths, Four Seconds to Lose)

10. Real, Katy Evans

Riptide made me cry a river. I don’t even know why. I thought for sure after Travis there won’t be a fighter I’d fall in love with. He changed that. This book was a pure win. There’s just something about Riptide that twists my gut. I can’t even begin to explain. This is surely 5 ripping stars for me.

There goes my top ten book reads for 2013 which, if you notice, is essentially 18 books in all. Hahaha I actually have plenty of runner ups and some more 5 star reads under that list but I’m keeping it to the minimum so let’s just stick to that. And besides, I really am tired now I should stop. I’m itching to read so I can keep up with my 2014 reading challenge. Next up, my list (and I mean just a list, without the review) plus the rating of the books I read for 2013. Goodnight book junkies!!