My Top Ten Favourite Romance Books in 2018
Hello there guys. What's up? I cheat by the way. I wrote this post in 2019 but I edit the time so that it belongs in the 2018 post. However, I did read every book here in the year of 2018 because I realized that I never sorted these books in any kind of favourite list. Oh and, these books are not listed in any sort of order. I love them all so equally but these are my Top Ten Romance of 2018. So, yeah! Let's go!
1. Puddle Jumping by Amber L. Johnson
When it comes to love there’s no such thing as conventional.
Everyone thinks Colton Neely is special.
Lilly Evans just thinks he’s fascinating.
Once friends when they were younger, their bond is cut short due to her accident prone nature and they go their separate ways. Years later, they meet again and Lilly learns that there is something special about the boy she once knew, but she has no idea what it all means. And she’s not sure if she’s ready to find out.
When he walks through the corridor of her school the first day of her senior year, she knows that it’s time to get to know the real Colton Neely. The more she learns, the deeper she falls.
Their friendship grows into love, even as Colton does not express it in words. But one decision threatens to break down the world that Lilly has tried so hard to integrate into and she must figure out if the relationship can survive if they are apart.
I love this book so much. It is about a special guy named Colton who has Asperger and oh my god, the romance was so sweet and cute. I still feel so butterflies-in-belly kind of fluff whenever I think about this book. Fun fact, this book was actually a fanfic of Twilight. Yeah, Twilight! The book that started my books obsession. This book did have a sequel but I don't think I will ever read it. I like how the book ended. I'll just imagine the rest of it.
2. Kulti by Mariana Zapata
“Trust me, I’ve wanted to punch you in the face a time or five.”
When the man you worshipped as a kid becomes your coach, it’s supposed to be the greatest thing in the world. Keywords: supposed to.
It didn't take a week for 27-year-old Sal Casillas to wonder what she'd seen in the international soccer icon - why she'd ever had his posters on her wall or ever envisioned marrying him and having super-playing soccer babies.
Sal had long ago gotten over the worst non-break-up in the history of imaginary relationships with a man who hadn't known she'd existed. So she isn't prepared for this version of Reiner Kulti who shows up to her team's season: a quiet, reclusive shadow of the explosive, passionate man he'd once been.
THE QUEEN OF SLOW BURN ROMANCE IS HEREEE!! Mariana Zapata never steered me wrong (except for The Best Thing) and I've rated every book by her with such high praise (except TBT) and with Kulti, she did it again guys. The Wall of Winnipeg is one of my best romance EVER and Kulti is the close second. Despite being a super slow burn but I really like how the romance developed and the relationship with the people around them developed. It really makes the story more believable and more importantly, when they did fell in love, it was more believable and us-the reader-fell in love with them.
3. The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head...
#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the universe of the Lux in this brand new series, featuring beloved characters both new and old.
If you have read my previous post, you would know how much I love JLA. I have read almost every book by hers (and the ones written under J. Lynn). The Darkest Star is actually the spinoff to the Lux series she written years back. This is the first book of the series, introducing the enigmatic Luc and Evie. In my opinion, you have to read Lux series to understand the impact this book would bring (especially toward the end with the plot twist). Luc was a recurring eccentric character back in Lux series and he was a power to reckon with. I had been waiting for the release of this book since forever and it didn't disappoint.
Plus, it's a teen alien romance! You cannot miss it for the world!
4. Fall by Kristen Callihan
The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways.
In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip.
Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands.
Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he’d be my new neighbor.
An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked–spectacularly naked–in his living room.
Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore—not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun.
Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we’re quickly becoming each other’s addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything.
All we have to do is trust enough to fall.
Fall is another book that stayed close to my heart. It dealt with depression and insecurity that wrapped with comedic undertone and neighbourly banter. Do I need to convince you more to read this book? The previous book, Managed is another best romance that I'd ever read, so when I read this book, I went to it with a sense of dread since things rarely went well in a row. But no. I love Jax and Stella. Jax, blessed his heart, and Stella, who never gave up. There was this scene at the end that broke my heart because things were so hopeless and doomed for them. I cried along with them but luckily things work out and it wasn't much angsty (I hate angsty books).
5. Sky's the Limit by Elle Aycart
Tired of waiting for her big break in the fashion industry, Sky Gonzalez, eternal part-time student and overworked retail drone, quits her job, sublets her New York apartment, and embarks on a semester abroad study program in Paris. Paris! Time to throw caution to the winds and jump-start her dreams. What’s the worst that could happen?
How about getting sent to the wrong Paris? As in Paris-frigging-Minnesota?
Bye-bye career dreams. Bye-bye glamour and haute couture. Hello flannel shirts, mind-numbing cold, zero bars on the cell phone, and socially challenged mountain men with tons of unruly facial hair.
So yeah, let the truck barreling her way hit her, please. Less painful.
Logan should have dodged the little lost waif and kept on driving. Who in their right mind walked in the middle of the road, dressed in white from head to high heels, during a snowstorm? Clueless city girls, that's who. Sky is all that Logan has gladly left behind: stylish, cosmopolitan, and a massive pain in the butt. He wouldn’t trade a single day in his quirky little corner of the woods for all the high-maintenance beauties the city can offer.
Too bad this beauty has been deemed a health hazard and quarantined in his house. Damn his doomsday-prepper neighbors and their paranoid emergency protocols. Now he has to keep Sky in and the pandemic squad out until the roads are clear. The question is, will that happen before or after Sky realizes she's under house arrest?
Ah, the best-laid plans...
This is another underdog romance book that didn't get the exposure it deserves. Elle Aycart was one of my OG favourite romantic comedy books' author (amongst Alice Clayton, Tara Sivec etc.) I was actually surprised to find myself loving this book. Most of my OG authors didn't age well, let's leave it at that. So, if you want some fun banter, fun characters and something that is not heavy and doomed, try this book! Oh and nerdy handsome hero? You love that? THIS ONE GOT THEM!
6. Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…
As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…
It is a truth universally known, I could never hate anything Ilona Andrews had written. You love amazing world-building with amazing characters? You love alpha heroes that aren't jerks? You love an independent heroine with steel backbones? Well, ain't I got the right book for you! Magic Breaks is the seventh book (out of 12 books) in the Kate Daniels series and this is the book that made 2018 such a good year for me. If only more authors could deliver such a titillating world that the Andrews give us, the world would be such a good place. The Andrews are such superb authors duo. I am in love with every book they've written.
7. To Love A Monster by Marina Simcoe
Deep in the wilderness of northern Canada a monster lurks.
For years, he has fought an uphill battle for his humanity, only to lose it to the beast inside him at the end.
When he attacks me in the woods then reluctantly helps me fight for survival, my strange journey to discover the troubled man who hides underneath the dreadful appearance and the gruff attitude begins.
The more I get to know the man within the beast, the more reasons I find to appreciate the person I think he is.
Until I find out that the most terrifying thing about him is not his wild looks, not even his volatile temper, but his connection to the monster of my past.
THE MOST TERRIFYING IS THE BEAST INSIDE HIM.
Marina Simcoe is an author that I found in 2018 and immediately become a favourite. I have never heard of her name prior to this but To Love a Monster would either leave you hating it or loving it. This book had that Beauty and the Beast vibe to it (and a bit beastiliaty perhaps?). However, I just love their romance. Focus on romance and their humanity, okay? And less on the hero's physical attributes? But, if you want to try an experimental romance with a twist on classic's Beauty and the Beast, you really should try this book. I love them, horns and all.
8. Until Susan by C.P. Smith
From Kindle Worlds and the world of NYT and USA Today bestselling author, Aurora Rose Reynolds. See how the Mayson clan began. You've read their sons' stories, now it's James and Susan's turn. Experience the boom all over again in this action-packed novella of insta-love and suspense.
Possessive cop hero and quirky heroine? Killer on the loose? Well, here you go. Pick this up. Talk to you later. Oh and you can read this as a standalone. Later, if you like this light novella, you can read about their sons' books in the Until series by Aurora Rose Reynolds. I really like this idea where multiple authors writing about interconnected characters in the same universe, you know. And you know what I really like, that both of these authors gave out the KA-esque vibes. And if you know me, Kristen Ashley is one of my favourite authors ever.
9. Ashes by Suzanne Wright
Knox and Harper's story continues as the Las Vegas lair - and its two infamous Co-Primes - face their most terrifying enemy yet . . .
Together, Harper and Knox have overcome just about every evil thing you can think of - from Horsemen of the Apocalypse to dark magic practitioners to Lucifer's insistent belief that he's hilarious. They're looking forward to some well-earned downtime - until Harper is attacked by mercenaries in the middle of her tattoo shop. Worse still, the attackers are trying to take her wings - the ones no one is meant to know she even has.
It's a near miss and once a furious Knox has managed to pull his demon back into line there's only one thing clear - someone knows Harper's secrets and is systematically setting out to destroy her. It seems likely that someone is the third Horseman - but how do they know so much about Harper? It seems the impossible might be true - they have an enemy hiding at the very heart of the lair.
To survive Harper will need to embrace power that's darker than she's ever experienced and even Knox can't protect her from everything - though God knows nothing's going to stop him trying. The stakes have never been higher, for if Harper's taken by this new threat, Knox won't be able to stop his demon from taking a vicious pleasure in tearing the world apart...
We have another urban fantasy guys! 2018 IS THE YEAR OF URBAN FANTASY! Ashes is the third book in the Dark in You series. This is another underdog romance novel that I had never heard people talk about before. Suzanne Wright was famous though for her Feral Sins and werewolves books (which was fine for me) but this book was a gem! I love the special abilities the people in this world had. Oh and the fact that the hero was super uber powerful, I very much likey.
10. Bound by Flames by Jeanine Frost
Play with fire, pay the price.
Leila’s years on the carnie circuit were certainly an education. What she didn’t learn: how to be a vampire, or how to be married to the most famous vampire of them all. Adjusting to both has Leila teetering on a knife edge between passion and peril, and now the real danger is about to begin…
Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness. As friend and foe alike align against him—and his overprotectiveness drives Leila away—Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both…
The final book on my list is the spinoff of Night Huntress series. It had all of my favourite tropes. Alpha possessive heroes, amazing world-building, quirky heroine, power battle and all... It had all the perfect traits I want in a trilogy. So, if you like me, try this book too.
1. Puddle Jumping by Amber L. Johnson
When it comes to love there’s no such thing as conventional.
Everyone thinks Colton Neely is special.
Lilly Evans just thinks he’s fascinating.
Once friends when they were younger, their bond is cut short due to her accident prone nature and they go their separate ways. Years later, they meet again and Lilly learns that there is something special about the boy she once knew, but she has no idea what it all means. And she’s not sure if she’s ready to find out.
When he walks through the corridor of her school the first day of her senior year, she knows that it’s time to get to know the real Colton Neely. The more she learns, the deeper she falls.
Their friendship grows into love, even as Colton does not express it in words. But one decision threatens to break down the world that Lilly has tried so hard to integrate into and she must figure out if the relationship can survive if they are apart.
I love this book so much. It is about a special guy named Colton who has Asperger and oh my god, the romance was so sweet and cute. I still feel so butterflies-in-belly kind of fluff whenever I think about this book. Fun fact, this book was actually a fanfic of Twilight. Yeah, Twilight! The book that started my books obsession. This book did have a sequel but I don't think I will ever read it. I like how the book ended. I'll just imagine the rest of it.
2. Kulti by Mariana Zapata“Trust me, I’ve wanted to punch you in the face a time or five.”
When the man you worshipped as a kid becomes your coach, it’s supposed to be the greatest thing in the world. Keywords: supposed to.
It didn't take a week for 27-year-old Sal Casillas to wonder what she'd seen in the international soccer icon - why she'd ever had his posters on her wall or ever envisioned marrying him and having super-playing soccer babies.
Sal had long ago gotten over the worst non-break-up in the history of imaginary relationships with a man who hadn't known she'd existed. So she isn't prepared for this version of Reiner Kulti who shows up to her team's season: a quiet, reclusive shadow of the explosive, passionate man he'd once been.
THE QUEEN OF SLOW BURN ROMANCE IS HEREEE!! Mariana Zapata never steered me wrong (except for The Best Thing) and I've rated every book by her with such high praise (except TBT) and with Kulti, she did it again guys. The Wall of Winnipeg is one of my best romance EVER and Kulti is the close second. Despite being a super slow burn but I really like how the romance developed and the relationship with the people around them developed. It really makes the story more believable and more importantly, when they did fell in love, it was more believable and us-the reader-fell in love with them.
3. The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout.When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head...
#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the universe of the Lux in this brand new series, featuring beloved characters both new and old.
If you have read my previous post, you would know how much I love JLA. I have read almost every book by hers (and the ones written under J. Lynn). The Darkest Star is actually the spinoff to the Lux series she written years back. This is the first book of the series, introducing the enigmatic Luc and Evie. In my opinion, you have to read Lux series to understand the impact this book would bring (especially toward the end with the plot twist). Luc was a recurring eccentric character back in Lux series and he was a power to reckon with. I had been waiting for the release of this book since forever and it didn't disappoint.
Plus, it's a teen alien romance! You cannot miss it for the world!
4. Fall by Kristen CallihanThe first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways.
In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip.
Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands.
Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he’d be my new neighbor.
An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked–spectacularly naked–in his living room.
Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore—not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun.
Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we’re quickly becoming each other’s addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything.
All we have to do is trust enough to fall.
Fall is another book that stayed close to my heart. It dealt with depression and insecurity that wrapped with comedic undertone and neighbourly banter. Do I need to convince you more to read this book? The previous book, Managed is another best romance that I'd ever read, so when I read this book, I went to it with a sense of dread since things rarely went well in a row. But no. I love Jax and Stella. Jax, blessed his heart, and Stella, who never gave up. There was this scene at the end that broke my heart because things were so hopeless and doomed for them. I cried along with them but luckily things work out and it wasn't much angsty (I hate angsty books).
5. Sky's the Limit by Elle AycartTired of waiting for her big break in the fashion industry, Sky Gonzalez, eternal part-time student and overworked retail drone, quits her job, sublets her New York apartment, and embarks on a semester abroad study program in Paris. Paris! Time to throw caution to the winds and jump-start her dreams. What’s the worst that could happen?
How about getting sent to the wrong Paris? As in Paris-frigging-Minnesota?
Bye-bye career dreams. Bye-bye glamour and haute couture. Hello flannel shirts, mind-numbing cold, zero bars on the cell phone, and socially challenged mountain men with tons of unruly facial hair.
So yeah, let the truck barreling her way hit her, please. Less painful.
Logan should have dodged the little lost waif and kept on driving. Who in their right mind walked in the middle of the road, dressed in white from head to high heels, during a snowstorm? Clueless city girls, that's who. Sky is all that Logan has gladly left behind: stylish, cosmopolitan, and a massive pain in the butt. He wouldn’t trade a single day in his quirky little corner of the woods for all the high-maintenance beauties the city can offer.
Too bad this beauty has been deemed a health hazard and quarantined in his house. Damn his doomsday-prepper neighbors and their paranoid emergency protocols. Now he has to keep Sky in and the pandemic squad out until the roads are clear. The question is, will that happen before or after Sky realizes she's under house arrest?
Ah, the best-laid plans...
This is another underdog romance book that didn't get the exposure it deserves. Elle Aycart was one of my OG favourite romantic comedy books' author (amongst Alice Clayton, Tara Sivec etc.) I was actually surprised to find myself loving this book. Most of my OG authors didn't age well, let's leave it at that. So, if you want some fun banter, fun characters and something that is not heavy and doomed, try this book! Oh and nerdy handsome hero? You love that? THIS ONE GOT THEM!
6. Magic Breaks by Ilona AndrewsNo matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…
As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…
It is a truth universally known, I could never hate anything Ilona Andrews had written. You love amazing world-building with amazing characters? You love alpha heroes that aren't jerks? You love an independent heroine with steel backbones? Well, ain't I got the right book for you! Magic Breaks is the seventh book (out of 12 books) in the Kate Daniels series and this is the book that made 2018 such a good year for me. If only more authors could deliver such a titillating world that the Andrews give us, the world would be such a good place. The Andrews are such superb authors duo. I am in love with every book they've written.
7. To Love A Monster by Marina SimcoeDeep in the wilderness of northern Canada a monster lurks.
For years, he has fought an uphill battle for his humanity, only to lose it to the beast inside him at the end.
When he attacks me in the woods then reluctantly helps me fight for survival, my strange journey to discover the troubled man who hides underneath the dreadful appearance and the gruff attitude begins.
The more I get to know the man within the beast, the more reasons I find to appreciate the person I think he is.
Until I find out that the most terrifying thing about him is not his wild looks, not even his volatile temper, but his connection to the monster of my past.
THE MOST TERRIFYING IS THE BEAST INSIDE HIM.
Marina Simcoe is an author that I found in 2018 and immediately become a favourite. I have never heard of her name prior to this but To Love a Monster would either leave you hating it or loving it. This book had that Beauty and the Beast vibe to it (and a bit beastiliaty perhaps?). However, I just love their romance. Focus on romance and their humanity, okay? And less on the hero's physical attributes? But, if you want to try an experimental romance with a twist on classic's Beauty and the Beast, you really should try this book. I love them, horns and all.
8. Until Susan by C.P. SmithFrom Kindle Worlds and the world of NYT and USA Today bestselling author, Aurora Rose Reynolds. See how the Mayson clan began. You've read their sons' stories, now it's James and Susan's turn. Experience the boom all over again in this action-packed novella of insta-love and suspense.
Possessive cop hero and quirky heroine? Killer on the loose? Well, here you go. Pick this up. Talk to you later. Oh and you can read this as a standalone. Later, if you like this light novella, you can read about their sons' books in the Until series by Aurora Rose Reynolds. I really like this idea where multiple authors writing about interconnected characters in the same universe, you know. And you know what I really like, that both of these authors gave out the KA-esque vibes. And if you know me, Kristen Ashley is one of my favourite authors ever.
9. Ashes by Suzanne WrightKnox and Harper's story continues as the Las Vegas lair - and its two infamous Co-Primes - face their most terrifying enemy yet . . .
Together, Harper and Knox have overcome just about every evil thing you can think of - from Horsemen of the Apocalypse to dark magic practitioners to Lucifer's insistent belief that he's hilarious. They're looking forward to some well-earned downtime - until Harper is attacked by mercenaries in the middle of her tattoo shop. Worse still, the attackers are trying to take her wings - the ones no one is meant to know she even has.
It's a near miss and once a furious Knox has managed to pull his demon back into line there's only one thing clear - someone knows Harper's secrets and is systematically setting out to destroy her. It seems likely that someone is the third Horseman - but how do they know so much about Harper? It seems the impossible might be true - they have an enemy hiding at the very heart of the lair.
To survive Harper will need to embrace power that's darker than she's ever experienced and even Knox can't protect her from everything - though God knows nothing's going to stop him trying. The stakes have never been higher, for if Harper's taken by this new threat, Knox won't be able to stop his demon from taking a vicious pleasure in tearing the world apart...
We have another urban fantasy guys! 2018 IS THE YEAR OF URBAN FANTASY! Ashes is the third book in the Dark in You series. This is another underdog romance novel that I had never heard people talk about before. Suzanne Wright was famous though for her Feral Sins and werewolves books (which was fine for me) but this book was a gem! I love the special abilities the people in this world had. Oh and the fact that the hero was super uber powerful, I very much likey.
10. Bound by Flames by Jeanine FrostPlay with fire, pay the price.
Leila’s years on the carnie circuit were certainly an education. What she didn’t learn: how to be a vampire, or how to be married to the most famous vampire of them all. Adjusting to both has Leila teetering on a knife edge between passion and peril, and now the real danger is about to begin…
Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness. As friend and foe alike align against him—and his overprotectiveness drives Leila away—Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both…
The final book on my list is the spinoff of Night Huntress series. It had all of my favourite tropes. Alpha possessive heroes, amazing world-building, quirky heroine, power battle and all... It had all the perfect traits I want in a trilogy. So, if you like me, try this book too.
TBH, I'm tired as fuck. I've been writing this post for hours. Now, I just want my bed and some sleep. So, goodnight for now peeps. Talk to you later.
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