Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We’d love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!
Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post and, if you want to, add your name to the Linky widget on that day’s posts (typically put up midnight EST on Tuesday) so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don’t have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It’s a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.
For this week’s theme I am choosing the Top Ten Books of the Summer that I’ve read so far! I don’t know where you are, but I live in the South and Summer pretty lasts from May to October so we are just hitting the halfway mark here.
1st. My Best Friend’s Ex by Meghan Quinn
Release Date: June 1st 2017
Blurb: When I found an eviction notice taped on my apartment door, I had two options: find a comfortable cardboard box to call home, or move in with Tucker Jameson.
Seeing that cardboard makes me feel itchy, I chose the latter. Which shouldn’t be that big of a deal since Tucker is one of my good friends. And because he’s still pining after his ex-girlfriend and I’m trying to finish my nursing degree, there is nothing to worry about in the romance department, making my last semester an easy one to conquer.
Boy, was I wrong. Rules are set, dinners are made, conversations are had, and a shirtless, swoony roommate walks around in nothing but a pair of black briefs, ruining me for every other man. Before I know it, I turn into a panting, lust-filled woman begging for Tucker to kiss me, touch me, and show me exactly what is hiding under those briefs.
But with great orgasms, comes great consequences.
Tucker might be my friend and roommate but he’s also my best friend’s ex-boyfriend, making him completely off-limits. At least that’s what my brain is telling me, my heart is speaking an entirely different language.
Why I picked it: Meghan Quinn is laugh out loud funny, her writing is very well done and I love her characters and I love their quirks and awkward beginnings and happy endings.
My Rating: 5/5 Shells
2nd. Sexy Stranger by Kendall Ryan
Release Date: May 23rd 2017
Blurb: From New York Times Bestselling author Kendall Ryan comes a sexy and sizzling, enemies-to-lovers romp with bite.
He’s rude. Arrogant. And too hot to handle. And she’s stranded with him for an entire week.
He knows the sexy stranger doesn’t belong in his small town, but he’s determined to keep her there. The second she opens her smart mouth, he wants to swap a whole lot more than insults with her. She’s got a secret. But he’s got his own agenda.
Buckle up.
Why I picked it: Sexy Strange was short, sweet and to the point. I love contemporary romances that start off having couples not like each other to falling for one another later. It’s a weakness of mine and I love it. I also really like the blurb and the foundation for the story too because it was different from what I’ve read lately too. Plus Kendall Ryan always makes me smile.
My Rating: 5/5 Shells
3rd. Strong Enough by Melanie Harlow and David Romanov
Release Date: June 19th 2017
Blurb: I wasn’t looking for Derek Wolfe.
I wasn’t looking for anybody. All I wanted was to start a new life in America. But when I found myself stranded here with no place to go, he came to my rescue, offering me a place to stay.
He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell—I can barely sleep knowing he’s right down the hall. And when the chemistry between us explodes one night with fierce, fiery passion, it’s hard to deny there’s something real there.
But he does.
He says he was drunk. He says it was a one-time thing. He says he’s not into guys and what we did meant nothing.
He’s lying. Because it happened again, and again, and again. And it’s better every time.
I know we could be good together, and I want the chance to try, but I’m done hiding. If he’s not strong enough to admit the truth, I’ll have to be strong enough to walk away.
Why I picked it: Strong Enough was my first M/M contemporary romance read and I really loved it. I’m starting to see more M/M contemporary romances in the romance book world and I’m really glad for it because it’s nice to read something different for a change. Plus Harlow and Romanov are magic together.
My Rating: 5/5 Shells
4. When It’s Real by Erin Watt
Release Date: May 30th 2017
Blurb: Wealth, fame and a real-life romance she never expected—seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett lands it all when she agrees to become a pop star’s fake girlfriend in this smart, utterly addictive novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Erin Watt
Under ordinary circumstances, Oakley Ford and Vaughn Bennett would never even cross paths.
There’s nothing ordinary about Oakley. This bad-boy pop star’s got Grammy Awards, millions of fangirls and a reputation as a restless, too-charming troublemaker. But with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley needs to show the world he’s settling down—and who better to help him than Vaughn, a part-time waitress trying to help her family get by? The very definition of ordinary.
Posing as his girlfriend, Vaughn will overhaul Oakley’s image from troublemaker to serious artist. In return for enough money to put her brothers through college, she can endure outlandish Hollywood parties and carefully orchestrated Twitter exchanges. She’ll fool the paparazzi and the groupies. She might even start fooling herself a little.
Because when ordinary rules no longer apply, there’s no telling what your heart will do…
Why I picked it: I am a big fan of Erin Watt and I was really excited for the first standalone. I thought the synopsis was interesting and immediately fell in love with this story and great couple.
My Rating: 5/5 Shells
5. Outwait by Lisa Suzanne
Release Date: June 1st 2017
Blurb: From the outside, Carson King looks like he has it all. He’s next in line to be CEO of King Communications, he’s hot and single, and he’s at the center of the New York social scene. He has a different woman on his arm every night, and he wouldn’t change a single thing about his life…until Sylvie Baker storms into his boardroom.
Sylvie Baker actually does have it all. She balances a successful career with the perfect boyfriend—a man she plans to marry someday. She wouldn’t change a single thing about her life…until Carson King challenges everything with one simple confession.
Sylvie is intent on fighting her feelings. Carson’s convinced it’s just a waiting game.
But how long is he willing to wait for her?
Why I picked it: Lisa Suzanne has quickly become one of my favorite authors of 2017 and I honestly like her writing style, characters and books so much that I will honestly try and read/review all of her books. But I really wanted to add Outwait in here because I loved the story so much. Usually its the woman who waits around for the man, not the other way around.
My Rating: 5/5 Shells
6. Tycoon by Katy Evans
Release Date: June 20th 2017
Blurb: A sexy new standalone contemporary romance by NYT and USA Today bestselling author Katy Evans.
He wasn’t always this rich. This hot. This difficult.
Aaric Christos was a guy who protected me. Wanted me. Maybe even loved me.
That man is gone.
In his place is the most powerful real estate tycoon in the city.
He’s a cold, ruthless, aggressive businessman.
The only one who can save me and my startup from ruin.
It takes every ounce of courage to put my pride aside and ask for his help.
I didn’t expect him to offer it easily.
And he doesn’t.
Instead, he vets me harder than he’s vetted anyone.
Don’t invest in what you don’t know, he says.
He’s assessing every piece of me, to the point I’ve never felt so bare.
I yearn for the boy I once knew, whose touch once craved me.
Putting it all on the line will be worth it, I tell myself.
Until I realize—too late—that some risks are not worth taking.
Why I picked it: Katy Evans is my favorite author so it’s no surprise that her first standalone would make my Top Summer reads. I’m usually not a big fan of standalones because either they are too short for me or I love them and I’m sad because I want the story to continue but it’s a standalone! See my dilemma? Nevertheless, Tycoon is one of my favorite summer and reads and will make the list for my top reads of the 2017.
My Rating: 5/5 Shells
7. Twisted Fate by Ace Gray
Release Date: March 22nd 2017
Blurb: Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…
Okay, maybe it’s not a long time ago, or even very far away, but present day Chicago has it’s fair share of heroes and villains. Unlike the tales of old, they don’t wear shining armor, golden crowns or even dragon scales – they’re human. Gloriously flawed and dangerous humans with an appetite for both blood and lust.
A twist of fate brought Cole Ryan and Elle Laroux together in an orgasmic first encounter, but all too fast their futures became deeply entwined. Being forced together wouldn’t be such a bad thing if a dark web wasn’t being woven around Cole and Elle – simultaneously taut and tenuous – leaving their very lives to hold on by the thinnest of fate’s strands.
Why I picked it: I picked up as a suggestion from another blogger and I had NO IDEA what I was getting into! Haha! This is one of the darkest contemporary romances I have ever read but I really love this book and the second book in this duet, Twisted Death. But be warning, it is definitely not for the faint of heart. (It’s also part of Kindle Unlimited!)
My Rating: 5/5 Shells
8. Ruckus by LJ Shen
Release Date: May 23rd 2017
Blurb: Rosie: They say that life is a beautiful lie and death a painful truth. They’re right.
No one has ever made me feel more alive than the guy who serves as a constant reminder that my clock is ticking.
He is my forbidden, shiny apple.
The striking fallacy to my blunt, raw, truth.
He is also my sister’s ex-boyfriend.
One thing you should know before you judge me;
I saw him first. I craved him first. I loved him first.
Eleven years later, he waltzed into my life, demanding a second chance.
Dean Cole wants to be my bronze horseman. My white knight has finally arrived. Hopefully, he isn’t too late.
Dean: They say the brightest stars burn out the fastest. They’re right.
She sets my mind on fire.
All smart mouth, snarky attitude and a huge heart.
In a world where everything is dull, she shines like Sirius.
Eleven years ago, fate tore us apart.
This time, I dare it to try.
Getting to her is a battlefield, but man, that’s why they call me Ruckus.
Rosie LeBlanc is about to find out how hard I can fight.
And conquering her will be the sweetest victory.
Ruckus is a complete standalone and a part of the Sinners of Saint series
Why I picked it: So I read the first two books in this series and didn’t like them at all, but I’m not the kind of woman to quit when it comes to books so I wanted to give the Sinners of Saint series one more try. And I’m so glad I did. I loved Ruckus, Dean is perfection and this just goes to show that you can’t judge the first few books in a series and quit on it.
My Rating: 5/5 Shells
9. Glamour by AL Jackson, Sophie Jordan, Aleatha Romig, Skye Warren, Lili St. Germain, Nora Flite, Sierra Simone with Nicola Rendell.
Release Date: July 18 2017
Blurb: Once upon a time…
Remember the fairy tales your parents read to you when you were little?
These are NOT those fairy tales.
From modern day royalty to metaphorical dragons, contemporary castles to sexy heroes, these bestselling authors twist tales as old as time into something new.
Why I picked it: I love fairytales and I’m always interested in re-tellings so I wanted to see what it would be like. Not all the stories interested me but I did enjoy Glamour and think it’s a great collection of stories.
My Rating: 5/5 Shells
10. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Release Date: May 5th 2015
Blurb: When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin–one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin–and his world–forever.
Why I picked it: OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS. I am SO LATE with this book and series but WOW. This book was on sale at Target and I read the synopsis on the back and fell in love with it’s cover so I thought why not? You should know that I pretty much gave up on Young Adult books because I was so disappointed two Young Adult books last year. BUT NOT ANYMORE. This book and series have completely changed me and brought back my dead Young Adult soul back to life. Stay tuned for a full review because woo buddy, I have a lot to say and bigger feelings. Love, LOVE this book!!!
My Rating: 5/5 Shells
And that is all for my Top Ten Tuesday Summer Reads! Hope you check these amazing books out sometime soon and hopefully you’re enjoying summer too!
Amorette's Reviews 