Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I’ve Read So Far This Year

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010 out of a love of lists. In January of 2018 we decided it was time to close our doors. Top Ten Tuesday now lives with Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.

For this Top Ten Tuesday I’m focusing on my top picks for the best books I’ve read so far this year! 

10. Escort by Skye Warren

Blurb: There is no shame in pleasure. And no love in business.
I have a blind date tonight, and I know with 100% certainty that I’m getting lucky. There shouldn’t be any surprises, not for one as jaded as me, but when I walk into the penthouse suite of L’Etoile, everything changes.

1) For one thing, Bea is heartstoppingly gorgeous. Pale green eyes and endless freckles. Curves I want to spend all night exploring, as if her body was made for me.

2) Her innocence makes me want to use my entire inventory of bedroom tricks on her and then invent a few more.

3) Except that . . . she’s a virgin.

I can initiate her into the world of desire without letting her get attached, can’t I? A few hours of tutoring, and at the end of the night a small fortune will be deposited into my bank account.Yes, you read that right. There are many words for what I do. After all, mine is the oldest profession. I’m an escort, which means this date is nothing more than a mutually enjoyable transaction. But once I realize one night with her won’t be enough, I’m the one who’s screwed.

My thoughts: This was my first Skye Warren book and I was truly blown away by how talented she is. I loved the story and Escort took a hold of my heart and ran away with it! Check out the buy links below & the link for my review! 

Buy Escort Today!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2IBt3We
Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/EscortSW
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2FS2JVZ
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2FMlq1u
iBooks: https://apple.co/2EvXBKF
Amazon Print: http://amzn.to/2DiPkUS
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2GIKWkU
Check out my Review here <—

#9 Sinner by Sierra Simone

Blurb: I’m not a good man, and I’ve never pretended to be.  I don’t believe in goodness or God or any happy ending that isn’t paid for in advance.

What do I believe in?  Money. Sex. Macallan 18.
They have words for men like me—playboy.  Womanizer. Skirt chaser.

My brother used to be a priest, and he only has one word for me.
Sinner.

My thoughts: Sierra Simone is one of the best writers in the romance genre book world period, so it’s no surprise that Sinner makes the list! A mix of enthralling, sexual energy with emotional ties Sinner is definitely one Sierra Simone’s best. Check out the buy links below & the link for my review! 

Buy Sinner: 
Amazon: myBook.to/SeanTheSinner
iBooks: sierrasim.one/isinner
Kobo: sierrasim.one/kobosinner
Nook: sierrasim.one/nooksinner
Goodreads: sierrasim.one/GRsinner
Check out my Review here <—

#8 Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

Blurb: JORDAN: He took me in when I had nowhere else to go.
He doesn’t use me, hurt me, or forget about me. He doesn’t treat me like I’m nothing, take me for granted, or make me feel unsafe.
He remembers me, laughs with me, and looks at me. He listens to me, protects me, and sees me. I can feel his eyes on me over the breakfast table, and my heart pumps so hard when I hear him pull in the driveway after work.
I have to stop this. It can’t happen.
My sister once told me there are no good men, and if you find one, he’s probably unavailable.
Only Pike Lawson isn’t the unavailable one. I am.

PIKE: I took her in, because I thought I was helping.
She’d cook a few meals and clean up a little. It was an easy arrangement.
As the days go by, though, it’s becoming anything but easy. I have to stop my mind from drifting to her and stop holding my breath every time I bump into her in the house. I can’t touch her, and I shouldn’t want to.
The more I find my path crossing hers, though, the more she’s becoming a part of me.
But we’re not free to give into this. She’s nineteen, and I’m thirty-eight.
And her boyfriend’s father.  
Unfortunately, they both just moved into my house.
*BIRTHDAY GIRL is a stand-alone, contemporary romance suitable for ages 18+.

My thoughts: Maybe it’s because there’s an age difference in my marriage but I am complete sucker for age gap romances. Especially forbidden ones too. The plot was super interesting with a touch of drama and of course lots and lots sexual tension. Douglas’ sense of humor is great too. Definitely one of my favorite age gap difference romances ever.  Check out the buy links below & the link for my review! 

Buy Birthday Girl: (Free on Kindle Unlimited)
Amazon US—> https://amzn.to/2EQwjKk
Amazon CA—> https://amzn.to/2JQedvr
Amazon UK—> https://amzn.to/2vkEQ8z
Amazon AUS—> https://amzn.to/2H5Hfty
Check out my Review here <—

#7 The Swedish Prince by Karina Halle 

Blurb:  I never believed in fairy-tales. Never held out for Prince Charming.
Growing up poor in small-town California as the oldest of six siblings, I knew I would never ride off into the sunset with anyone. That was even more apparent when a senseless tragedy took the lives of my parents, forcing me to become the sole guardian of our dysfunctional household at the mere age of twenty-three.

Then a fateful encounter literally brought Prince Charming to my dusty doorstep.At first I thought Viktor was just your average businessman passing through, albeit obscenely handsome, six-foot-five, blue-eyed, and mysteriously rich.

But soon I discovered the truth behind Viktor’s façade. Beneath his quiet, enigmatic gaze and cocky charm, is a man who is running away from who he really is. A role he’d rather not fulfill.

He is Viktor of House Nordin, His Royal Highness, The Crown Prince of Sweden.
Yet uncovering Viktor’s secret was only the first step.
I didn’t expect to fall in love with him.
I didn’t expect to have my whole life turned upside down.
When you’re from two different worlds, can your hearts meet somewhere in the middle?
Or do happily-ever-afters only exist in fairy-tales?
The Swedish Prince is a standalone romance inspired by Roman Holiday.

My thoughts: Besides the horrible cover, I really loved The Swedish Prince. I’ve been trying to expand my reading with authors and this was my first Karina Halle book! She’s funny and has a different sense of writing style than what I’m used to that I really liked. Her characters have this crazy, magnetic chemistry that made me fall head over heels for them! Check out the buy links below & the link for my review! 

Read The Swedish Prince Today!
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2Gg4csH
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2ILuEJe
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2GRktCi
Amazon Universal: myBook.to/theswedishprice
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2FU5oBC
Check out my Review here <—

#6 Blood Oath by Raye Wagner & Kelly St. Clare

Blurb: Everything I know is a lie.
I’m an ordinary mortal girl. Lord Irrik is a depraved dragon shifter. King Irdelron is an immortal tyrant. In the disease ridden land of Verald, life is mapped out much like the established rings of our kingdom. Everyone has a role…
Me? I’ll be uselessly serving potato stew for the rest of my life because I can’t make anything grow. But starvation brews rebellion.
When the king strikes, I’m captured by Lord Irrik. Instantly, I’m embroiled in a deadly game. One where I’m desperate to understand the rules. Because nothing makes sense anymore. Now, I’m not only fighting for my life . . . but a love that could be the key to my freedom. What if the truth means you’re not who — or what — you thought you were?

My thoughts: I’ve been really getting back in YA/Mature YA and thanks to Kindle Unlimited I found Blood Oath and was just blown away! I love romance books so much, but there is nothing better than a good YA/Mature YA, fantasy, romance read! Definitely one of my favorite reads of the two and I loved the second book, Shadow Wings too! Check out the buy links below and links to both of my reviews! 

**Blood Oath & the entire Darkest Drae series is available on Kindle Unlimited**
Buy Blood Oath:
Amazon Kindle
Paperback 
EPUB
Check out my Review here <—
Check out my Review of Shadows Wings here <—

#5 A Court Of Frost & Starlight by Sarah J. Maas 

Blurb: A companion tale to Sarah J. Maas’s #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series that takes place several months after the explosive events of A Court of Wings and Ruin Narrated by Feyre and Rhysand, this story bridges the events in A Court of Wings and Ruin and the upcoming novels in the series. Feyre, Rhys and their companions are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it a hard-earned reprieve. Yet even the festive atmosphere can’t keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated – scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court.

My thoughts: There was A LOT of thoughts (both good and bad but mainly bad to be honest) on A Court Of Frost & Starlight but I really loved it. I thought it answered a lot of lingering questions from A Court Of Wings & Ruin, wrapped up things nicely for Rhys and Feyre and set things up for the future books. Also, it was a NOVELLA and just some of the reviews I read were just ridiculous to me, you are going put out that much negativity for a novella? Really? Craziness. Check out the buy links below & the link for my review! 

Read A Court Of Frost & Starlight:
Bloomsbury Special Addition
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Books A Million
iBooks
Kobo
Goodreads
Check out my Review here <—

#4 Pestilence The Four Horsemen by Laura Thalassa

Blurb: They came to earth—Pestilence, War, Famine, Death—four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world. Four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity. They came to earth, and they came to end us all. 

When Pestilence comes for Sara Burn’s town, one thing is certain: everyone she knows and loves is marked for death. Unless, of course, the angelic-looking horseman is stopped, which is exactly what Sara has in mind when she shoots the unholy beast off his steed. Too bad no one told her Pestilence can’t be killed. 

Now the horseman, very much alive and very pissed off, has taken her prisoner, and he’s eager to make her suffer. Only, the longer she’s with him, the more uncertain she is about his true feelings towards her … and hers towards him. 
And now, well, Sara might still be able to save the world, but in order to do so, she’ll have to sacrifice her heart in the process.

My thoughts: Pestilence was another book I found on Kindle Unlimited and OH MY GOODNESS. Again, I was completely blown away! Apparently 2018 is the year of getting back into science fiction/fantasy books again because Pestilence was EVERYTHING. I seriously need the second book War RIGHT MEOW. In all seriousness though, if you love science fiction, fantasy, post apocalyptic books with romance mixed in, Pestilence is for you. Check out the buy links below & the link for my review! 

Buy Pestilence (#1) The Four Horsemen series:
***Available on Kindle Unlimited***
Amazon
Check out my Review here <—

#3 Filthy Gods by R. Scarlett
Blurb: Young. Wealthy. Elite. Attractive. The gentlemen’s secret society at Yale was filled with them. And Nathaniel Radcliffe, the bane of my existence, was one of them.

As the right hand of the American Gods, he was conceited and arrogant. A dangerously handsome man in a tailored custom suit and shiny black oxford loafers.

The classroom was our battlefield. We made a sport out of arguing and debating, ready to do anything in order to win over the other.

Deadly opponents, deadlier minds.
I’d sworn I’d never give him the upper hand, until…
The secret I’ve been hiding for the last three years?
He just discovered it…and now he has all the power.

My thoughts: Filthy Gods is a novella and the prequel for the Filthy Gods series. This was my first R. Scarlett book and before I heard nothing but good things and dang, she did NOT disappoint. Scarlett is an amazing writer that completely transported me into the world of the Filthy Gods and I am honestly so hyped for the rest of the series! 

Purchase Today for .99 Cents! Free in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2IgtmZY
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2L13DCs
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2k0wuuh
Add to your TBR – https://bit.ly/2GzvnfM
Check out my Review here <—

#2 The Fallen World series by Laura Thalassa

Blurb: In the future, the world is at war. For the last decade, King Lazuli of the Eastern Empire has systematically taken over the world. No one knows much about him other than a series of impossible facts: he cannot die, he has not aged since the conflict began, and he wants to rule the world.

All Serenity Freeman has known is bloodshed. War has taken away her mother, her home, her safety. As the future emissary of the Western United Nations, the last autonomous region of the globe, she is responsible for forging alliances where she can. 

Surrender is on the horizon. The king can taste it; Serenity feels it deep within her bones. There is no other option. Now the two must come face to face. For Serenity, that means confronting the man who’s taken everything from her. For the king, it means meeting the one woman he can’t conquer. But when they meet, something happens. Cruelty finds redemption. Only in war, everything comes with a price. Especially love.

My thoughts: Once I finished Pestilence by Laura Thalassa I needed more of her magical books so I borrowed The entire The Fallen World series through Kindle Unlimited. I was not prepared for how fast and hard I fell for these books. Serenity and Montes are one of the best couples I have ever read about and honestly I don’t think three books were enough to do them justice! Again if you love science fiction, fantasy, post apocalyptic books with romance mixed in, this book series is for you! I haven’t written an official review yet (I want to read them again!) but definitely check them out with the buy links below!

Buy The Queen Of All That Dies:
(The entire Fallen World Series is available on Kindle Unlimited) 
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Kobo
iBooks
Goodreads

#1 Mogul by Katy Evans 
Blurb: He’s my most delicious secret. 
The hot Suit I had a one-night stand with one evening. 
I didn’t know anything about him, not even his name. 
Only that we shared a taxi, and he was staying at the hotel where I worked. 
We met in room 1103. Where he commanded not only my body but my soul. 
The next day he was gone and I only had a memory of him. 
I could still taste his kisses, feel his demanding touch. 
I searched for him for months. Daydreaming about him. Wondering if I’d ever find him. 
Until the day I find myself staring face to face with his jeweled black eyes again. 
He says lets keep it casual, and my heart knows that falling for this workaholic in a three-thousand-dollar suit is off the table.
Because he has a secret. One that’s a deal breaker for me. 
My Suit has a name.  Ian Ford. And this is our story.
*Mogul contains characters from Tycoon, but is written to be read as a standalone.*

My thoughts: It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that follows this blog that my #1 pick for the Top Ten Books of the year so far is Mogul by Katy Evans. Mogul was just so different from her other books and I really, really loved the change! It was still Katy but just different. Definitely one of my favorite standalones and a book you need to put on your TBR! 

Read today:
iBooks: https://apple.co/2IznQ15
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2rkEsll
BN: http://bit.ly/2DBXjMU
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2pmxo6M
Audio: https://adbl.co/2GB9EDt
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2FR3COv
**Review will be posted May 31st**

Phew! What a list and it’s so strange to look back at all the books I’ve read and reviewed the past 6 months! I mean can you believe that in a few days it’ll be June?! Craziness!! I’m excited for the rest of the year and all the books that I’ll read! What are some of your top books of the year? Tell me and share your favorites! Xo!