ONE YEAR Blogoversary - And my TOP 25 for 2013 Part 1

OMG I can not believe it's been one year! It's been one crazy year. One that I wouldn't trade a thing for. I have met so many crazy awesome peeps and am looking forward to another year of more of the same. Bigger and Better! So I decided to take the next three days to go over my Top 25 reads for 2013. 

This was not an easy task and its one that I am still wishy washy over as I type this out. There were so many FANTASTIC books in 2013 and already 2014 is starting off to a roaring start! Since I read close to 300 books in 2013, this list was extremely hard to come with. What I ended up doing was just writing down the books that came to mind, in the order that I remembered them, without looking at my TBR and just going with that. Now as I  look at the list, I remember more amazing books of course! So if you want to see everything that I read in 2014, here is my READ list on Goodreads. You really can't go wrong with any of those books. If I could, I would list all the books I read and what I loved about each...but we don't have enough time for that. I have more books to read. So here is part one of my TOP 25 for 2013.

 Part 1

25. Searching for Moore by Julie Richman 

This book was a little different than most of the books that were being released at the time and had many appealing points to it. First off, the BBF of the story was in his 40s. Don't get me wrong, I love New Adult, but I am getting to the point in my life that its nice to have someone a little closer in age to myself. Schooner Moore was just the guy for me. Then the book was about love lost and found again. Those get to me EVERY time. Our heroine, Mia was not whiny, not weak and was pretty fun. Her best friend, Seth was hilarious and I there was nothing over the top. It seemed like this could be a story that happened to you or your best friend. Plus the book is written in both POVs but not in the popcorn way most are. The first half of the book from Schooner's POV and the second from Mia's POV. Plus you go back and forth from past and present. Searching for Moore was a great surprise read and a phenomenal launched to the series. Add it to your TBR HERE or buy a copy HERE.  

 24. Tangled by Emma Chase

It's hard to put into words just how much I loved, adored, delighted, worshiped and was just smitten with Tangled! (You get my drift). It was such a refreshing new take on a love story and I was hooked from the very start. Drew is our host and narrator for this story. The book reminded me of Ferris Bueller. It was as if Drew would stop to explain things - eye to eye - so you would get the point. And Drew's point is a no holds bar view of how men view one-night stands, romance and girls in general. 

Looking for a good laugh, a BBF that will have you swooning over his sarcastic monologue. Then Drew Evans and Tangled is just the book for you. Add to your TBR HERE and buy a copy HERE. 

 23. Before We Fall by Courtney Cole

This is a story like no other. This is a story of extreme pain, suffering and masochism. When two soul collide with hurt, one wanting to be somewhere else and the other someone else. The only thing is one sees the light at the end of the tunnel and the other sees no end.

Dominic and Jacey tore me apart in the book. There were so much emotion and so much agonizing pain, that I times I had to step back and take it all in. The saving grace was Jacey in this story. She was an angel sent to Dominic, even when he wasn't willing to accept it. Such a roller coaster of emotion with this book and so worth the ride. Although this was book 3 in the series it can be read as a stand alone. I am definitely going back to read the first two!  Add to your TBR HERE and buy a copy HERE.

22. Beck by Harper Sloan

I am fully addicted to Harper Sloan and her Corps Security Series (Axel and Cage). Really I can not get enough of the Corps Security Boys. Who doesn't like Alpha Male, hot as sin Marines walking around? I loved Axel and Cage but Beck, this book blew me away. It had the right mixture of angst, pain, love, sacrifice and then redemption and just everything that you look for in a book! I started reading and could not put it down. This book blew me away and with each book, they get better and better. You know those books that you want to go and hunt these characters down and totally want to live in their world. This is the series for me! I am totally going to be a pusher - This is a must read series and definitely a must read book! Add to your TBR HERE and buy a copy HERE

21. Far Too Tempting by Lauren Blakely 

Jane Black and Matthew Harringan were perfection to me. I guess since I use to work in the Music and Film business these type of books really appeal to me. This book was fun, heartbreaking, sarcastically witty and sexy as all get out. I love how Lauren pulls you into her characters world. You know everything that you would ever need to know about them, giving you the perfect storyline. Not overly angsty but enough drama to make you feel. And oh how I have a thing for men with British accents (as you will see throughout the countdown). I know my friend KP claims Matthew but I am putting in an appeal for every other weekend for custody. At least a girl can try. :)

Add to your TBR HERE and buy a copy HERE. 

 20. Unspoken by Jen Frederick

Although I loved the story of Noah and Grace in  Undeclared, Bo and AM really pulled on my heart. AnnMarie (known as AM) goes to school and keeps her head down and her heart guarded. Bo gets paired up with AM for Science Labs and he definitely has a draw to AM. Those walls she has built around herself though are tough to knock down. Plus Bo has never been one to go after a girl. But there is something about AM he just can't deny.

This book as the passion, the heartache and butterfly-in-your-stomach type of angst. I adored this book and the continuation of these characters. I am a total junky for Jen Frederick and highly recommend any books written by her. Add to your TBR HERE and buy a copy HERE 

 19. Determinism by LK Collins

All I can say is that this book is HOT HOT HOT! Although this is the second in the series and can be read as a stand alone, I suggest reading Fatalism also. Both books are great!

Cara is tired of getting burned by the same type of guy. Her MO...Sexy, tatted up, bad boys. She is ready for a serious relationship. Something like her friends Vincent and Lex have. So when Vincent's brother started showing interest in her, she just knew that she had to stay away. Abel is the Fire Chief in town, but also drives a motorcycle and has the most wonderful tattoos. Just like her MOs. There is only one problem. The more she is around him, the more she is falling for him. Abel can't get Cara off of his mind. He has a past that is keeping him from taking the steps he needs to finally make Cara his. LK knows how to write strong, opinionated women and sexy as all get out guys. Add to your TBR HERE and buy a copy HERE.

 18. Finding My Forever by Heidi McLaughlin
 

  

This book left me with a smile on my face and Jimmy Davis is my second show of British Boys on the Top 25 countdown.   First there was Liam. I thought I was lost to him. Then came Harrison and his love for Katelyn and his patience with her blew me away. But JD oh my Jimmy...Jimmy Davis has taken me to the moon and back! This man oh this man. I am a wreck because of him. I stayed up until 2 am to finish reading the book and then went back to re-read some of my favorite parts. Heidi engulfs me in her storytelling and I get lost in this world of angst, devotion and suspense. You can never go wrong with boys from 4225 West! Add to your TBR HERE and buy a copy HERE

 17. Promise Me Light by Paige Weaver

In 7th grade I read Alas Babylon by Pat Frank and watched Red Dawn, having grown up in The Day After generation, my fascination with survivalist has always peaked my interest. So when I read Promise Me Darkness, I was taken in and could not put it down. Promise Me Light is the sequel and final installment in the romance of childhood friends Maddie and Ryder. Ryder has gone missing and Maddie is faced with the fact that she could have lost Ryder when she finally got a hold of him. As the war continues and supplies start to dwindle, life becomes tough for the whole family just to survive. 

This book was a thrilling ride of ups and downs. It was an emotional ride for me too. I cried with sadness and joy in many places throughout the book. This book also spends some time going back and looking at Ryder and Maddie's relationship through the years, which I really enjoyed. Add to your TBR HERE and buy a copy HERE

 16. Dear Emily by Trudy Stiles

Just reading the synopsis on this book. I knew that it was going to be a tear jerker for me. It's a love story that is so profound and yet it is hardly ever spoken of. It's the story of two women, torn apart by a life that had left them scarred and a bond that they will forever share in a little girl neither have met yet - Emily.

Emily is the little girl who brings these two women together. One being the birth mother and the other bringing Emily into their forever family through adoption. This story goes back and forth from the past to the present and you really get to know these two women and their struggles. 

Add to your TBR HERE or buy a copy HERE 

 

15. The Upside of Letting Go by Nacole Stayton

It has to be one of the best OMG on the seat of my pants books I have read in a while. This was such an emotional ride and I loved every minute of it. 

Haley is running from a past that is eating her alive. It's taking the life away from her and she just can't live with the pain. So she decides to literally move on and finds herself moving from Jersey to Alabama to start all over. When she gets there she runs into Kyler King. From the start there is an instant connection that they both are trying to deny. What is it that is so familiar about Kyler? Why is she drawn to him? There is a big SHUT THE FRONT DOOR -OMG moment that was hinted of (kinda) but still blew me away! Kyler is so swoon worthy. 

This book made me laugh, cry, sigh and even yell a couple of times. The pain, sorrow, laughter and tears - EVERYTHING you want in a great book!  Add to your TBR HERE or buy a copy HERE

 14. A Beautiful Lie by Tara Sivec

ara Sivec is genius I tell you! GENIUS!! This was a book I just could not put down...and its a big book people. I read the paperback version and it was extremely hard to read it in line at the grocery, pumping gas...JK that's what I usually do with my eBooks. So I sat my butt at home and didn't go anywhere for the 2 days it took me to read it in between my real job of being a wife, mom and blogger.

After reading Tara's Chocolate Series, I didn't really know what to expect from this book. Was it going to be humorous? Too serious? Would I even enjoy a "Spy" Romance Book? Well...the answers to all of those surprised me to say the least. Yes there was some humor mixed in with the seriousness (come on it's Tara people). Overall it was a lot to take in. Tara does a wonderful job of getting the facts out but not overwhelming you. By the end of the book I felt I was ready to join the CIA or be a Navy SEAL (in theory) and not get lost in all the secret agent stuff. Parker is a kick-ass heroine who can hold her own. Garrett...sigh...man that boy, I can't even talk right now. I will just let you know that this was an "on the edge of your seat" thriller that I am happy I finally decided to pick up and give a chance. Add to your TBR HERE or buy a copy HERE

Well there are the first 12 of my Top 25 must reads for 2013. Make sure to come back tomorrow for numbers 12 - 2 and then on Thursday I will have my #1 of the year plus an interview with the author. Make sure to enter my giveaway for a chance to win an Amazon GC or pick on of the top 25 books to become yours!

 

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