Racquel's 2013 Favorites

Here is a detailed list of my favorites books of 2013. As you can see, I read a lot of different genres. Contemporary, historical, fantasy, sci-fi and in the YA and adult category so its just ridiculous to narrow the list down to 10 or 13 picks. Plus, a good book is a good book so why list 10 when I can list all my favorites? Especially since you can find your next favorite book in this list too!

***in pink are my favorite of that category/genre***

--Me, Him, Them, & It by Caela Carter:—I don't do pregnancy books (I know a lot pregnant teens. I don't want to mix reality & fiction in this case) but I was so drawn to this book and for good reasons because it ended being so emotional and honest and AHHHH, my heart!

--***Burning by Elana K. Arnold is my favorite from the bunch. It's told from dual POV from Ben, your average American teen boy and Lala, a gypsy girl. Some people won't *get* the book but it is excellent so give it a try.

--OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu might fool you by the cute cover and cute title, but by the end of the book, you'll find that you've cried a bucket.

--The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen— this is an unpopular opinion but I found it so honest and realistic about family, friendship and relationships. I applaud Sarah Dessen and we *NEED* more books like the one!

--The Theory of Everything by Kari Luna— The one surprised me because the main character, Sophie Sophia, is 14-15 years old and I don't like reading young YA. Plus, if you can't tell from the title, The Theory of Everything deals with M-Theory and parallel universe... WHAT? Don't worry, it is EXCELLENT.

--The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare has it all. Action, romance, friendship, laughs, tears... lots and lots of tears. ***Clockwork Princess is my favorite from the series and this category. If you haven't started this year, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
--Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin, #2) by Robin LaFevers— why isn't the entire world reading Robin LaFevers? I need more people reading this series because it's so well written and developed and dark. 
--Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay— An excellent Beauty & the Beast retelling.
--The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines, #3) by Richelle Mead— ADRIAN IVASHKOV FOREVER.
--Tin Star by Cecil Castellucci— This is the only 2014 release on the list and it's a sci-fi set in space with aliens. PRE-ORDER IT. 

--Crystal Cove (Friday Harbor, #4) by Lisa Kleypas— This is Lisa Kleypas. DUH.
--Knight (Unfinished Hero, #1) by Kristen Ashley surprised me the most because while I expect crazy and addicting from Kristen Ashley, I didn't expect to giggle and swoon. Anya and Knight were HOT. 
***Love Irresistibly (FBI / US Attorney, #4) by Julie James— Julie James, another DUH.
--Making It Last (Camelot, #4) by Ruthie Knox (99cents)— This is another duh. This novella is about Tony and Amber who we meet when they fall in love in How to Misbehave (99cents). It's a marriage in trouble story and boy does it deliver All. The. Feels. 
--The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers— 2013 was the year of novellas for me and Mary Ann Rivers debut is as excellent as any full length novel. It's 99cents so there is no reason for you to not buy it.
--A Soft Place to Fall & Because of Joe by Liz Flaherty— both of these are marriage in trouble stories. Liz Flaherty writes the sweetest books you'll ever read. Just like LaVyrle Spencer.

--To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgertons, #5) by Julia Quinn— I went through the Bridertons series in like one week and this one is my favorite. I love main characters with kids in romance!

***Nearly a Lady by Alissa Johnson— I've already reread this one 3 times. Yup. It's so underrated which makes so sad because it has a beautiful romance and a wonderful hero and heroine like you've never seen before. 

--Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros— This one has an AWESOME twist. 

-A Lady Awakened (Blackshear Family, #1) by Cecilia Grant— oh man oh man OH MAN. The hero and heroine have bad sex and its so glorious watching their relationship grow.

--The Leopard Prince (Princes Trilogy, #2) by Elizabeth Hoyt— Two word: HARRY PYE. Every time he referred to the heroine as his lady, I died.

--Like No Other Lover (Pennyroyal Green, #2) by Julie Anne Long— actually, this entire series is a favorite. I've read the first 6 books so far and loved all of them. But I read book 2, 3, and 4 in 2013 and Like No Other Lover is my favorite. The dialogue is superb. 

--Okay. My name is Racquel and I'm addicted to the Highland Pleasures series by Jennifer Ashley.
Addicted. Obsessed. Ruined for others books. I JUST WANT TO READ THE HIGHLAND PLEASURES SERIES. 

--A Christmas Promise by Mary Balogh is an oldie but certainly and excellent goodie that I all be rereading many times. A terrific Christmas story!

--The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas— yet another DUH. This is definitely one of Thomas' best.

--***Anatomy of a Boyfriend  & Anatomy of a Single Girl by Daria Snadowsky— This series is so realistic and FUNNY and again, realistic! We NEED more honest YA and NA like this series! It's realistic in an everyday sense: friendship, relationship, family. There is no big tragic angst here, just regular teen life. TAKE NOTE AUTHORS. These two books are now in my top favorites EVER.
--***Where I End and You Begin by Andra Brynn— HIDDEN GEM. NA, YA, and romance lovers, I BEG YOU, to read this book. You will NOT regret it.
--Secret for a Song by S.K. Falls is not for everyone. But for people who think they can read about Munchausen Syndrome, PICK THIS BOOK UP.

So. Did I read your favorites? Did I read books you hated? Did I convince you to add something new to your TBR?

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