2017 has been an amazing year for me as a reader.  From romantic comedies to contemporary romances and everything in between I have a list of 24 books that stand out as favorites. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry, and others will transport you to a whole other world. Overall, these books are awesome and each left a mark on my heart in one way or another. Check out my 2017 favorites list!

 

              

              

              

 

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From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon
*Top Favorite of 2017*
Review
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6 UNFORGETTABLE STARS!!!

Brilliantly written and beautifully emotive, From Sand and Ash captivated me and captured my heart. The vivid imagery transported me into the story and I couldn’t help but feel everything, from soul crushing experiences to heartwarming moments. It’s an absolutely heartbreaking, emotionally gripping story of love, loss, and perseverance. Of bravery, devotion, and unyielding faith. This may very well be my favorite Amy Harmon novel to date and remains my top favorite read of 2017!

*Note: The audiobook is AMAZING!!

 

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Behind the Bars (Music Street, #1) by Brittainy C. Cherry
Review
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5 beautiful stars!

It’s a gorgeous second-chance romance about love, loss, and healing. Devastating, real, and raw, it’s also heartwarming, beautiful, and full of hope. This emotional story will draw you in and never let you go!

 

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Darkness Matters by Jay McLean
Review
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5 stars!

A gripping story about second chances, it’s moving, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and passionate. An emotional journey about overcoming the mistakes of the past, searching for healing, forgiveness, and acceptance, and ultimately finding peace and happiness, I loved it!

 

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Forever Right Now by Emma Scott
*Stand out fave*
Review
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5+ “Hold onto me” stars!

This book is honest, real, and touching. Full of love, hope, pain, fear, and new beginnings, it’s a rollercoaster of emotion. I felt everything. I had tears falling as my heart broke and tears falling as my heart healed.  The writing is stellar and perfectly sets the scene and mood. Vivid imagery makes it easy to be transported into the story and I can’t leave it behind if I tried.

 

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From this Moment by Melanie Harlow
Review
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5 “love wins every time” stars!

It’s a well-written, captivating read that tugged at my heartstrings. I knew this book would break me, that I would cry ugly tears. But along with the pain, it was also a wonderfully healing, especially heartwarming, and breathtakingly beautiful love story that has found a special place in my heart.

 

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Full Tilt (Full Tilt, #1) by Emma Scott
Review
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5 “No regrets” stars!

I have had this book on my kindle for months and I was scared to dive in. Not because I thought it would be disappointing but rather because I knew it wouldn’t be. I had to be prepared for all the emotions I’d feel. I knew it would shatter my heart and it did. Oh, how it did. I was devastated. But it is an absolutely gorgeous and touching romance that was breathtaking despite its heartache inducing storyline.

 

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Most Valuable Playboy by Lauren Blakely
Review
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5 heartwarming stars!

I love a good sports romance and Lauren Blakely has hit the nail on the head with this one. Combining three of my favorite romance tropes – friends-to-lovers, best friend’s sister, and a pretend relationship – I couldn’t have asked for more. Most Valuable Playboy is a sweet, sexy, feel good read, and I loved it!

 

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The Dark of the Moon (Chronicles of Lunos, #1) by E.S. Bell
Review
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5 fantastic stars!

This is fantasy at its best. Full of excitement, magic, mystery, and suspense, it’s an addictive read that draws you in and won’t let you go. It’s a fight between good and evil, light and dark, and one that I can’t get enough of!

 

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Beard in Mind (Winston Brothers, #4) by Penny Reid
Review
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5 “BAM” stars!

Each and every book in the Winston Brothers series is unique and wonderfully developed, with light and dark moments, an emotional romance, and beautiful relationships between friends and family. Beard in Mind is no different; it’s raw, real, and honest, and I loved it!

 

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Riot (Scarred Souls, #4) by Tillie Cole
*Stand out fave*
Review
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5 stars!

Dark and gritty, Riot takes you on an intense emotional rollercoaster. It’s heart-pounding, nerve wracking, and utterly gruesome but it still delivers a beautiful love story from the depths of hell. It’s a phenomenal conclusion to the Scarred Souls series as everything comes full circle and I loved it!

 

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Sugar & Gold (Dreamcatcher, #2) by Emma Scott
*Stand out fave*
Review
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 5 “pink and gold” stars

One word – LOVE! Love the story, love the characters, love the emotion, love the supernatural element!!  I love it all. This gorgeously written story is raw, real, and beautifully poignant. It will fill your heart completely, show you true love, and make you believe in magic.

 

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Ruckus (Sinners of Saint, #2) by L.J. Shen
Review
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5 stars!

I thought I knew how this story would go but I was so wrong. I went into it thinking one thing, wondering how I’d get over my preconceived notions and feelings about the plot, and came out of it emotionally drained yet emotionally fulfilled in the best possible way. This story captivated me from the start and I didn’t stand a chance of making it out unscathed even if, in the end, every heartbreaking moment was worth it. And it was worth it. It’s an epic love story that was surprisingly complex and powerful. It’s raw, real and intense. The passion-filled emotion it will elicit will consume you. I thought I loved Vicious, but now I know that I was never prepared for Ruckus.

 

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The Queen and the Cure (The Bird and the Sword Chronicles, #2) by Amy Harmon
*Stand out fantasy*
Review
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5+ EXTRAORDINARY stars!!!

I have so much love for this book. So much love. Amy Harmon transports us back into the magical fantasy world she created for The Bird and the Sword Chronicles. Her words flow effortlessly across the pages as they draw you completely into this addictive story. A gorgeous blend of fantasy and romance with adventure and excitement makes this unique tale remarkable and unputdownable! A top favorite fantasy!!

 

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The Hot Shot (Game On, #4) by Kristen Callihan
Review
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5 “perfectly imperfect” stars

I love the Game On series by Kristen Callihan and The Hot Shot is another fantastic addition to it. It’s a great rendition of a “friends-to-lovers” story that touched my heart and made me completely smitten with the characters. Full of heart, humor and heat, it is sure to make you smile, swoon, and fall in love.

 

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The Gravity of Us (Elements, #4) by Brittainy C. Cherry
*Stand out fave*
Review
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6 “Maktub” stars!

Wow, what a read! This deeply emotional story makes you feel everything. This story is real, raw, and addictive, and it grabs your heart and doesn’t let go.  The feels were all over the place from breathtaking highs to heartbreaking lows and I lived and loved every single one of them making this a top favorite.

 

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The Butterfly Project by Emma Scott
Review
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5 ASTOUNDING STARS!

Wow. I don’t know what to say. Emma Scott has written another amazing and emotional story that moved me completely and filled my heart. The Butterfly Project is packed with guilt, regret, seriousness, and the circumstances that ultimately shaped the characters into the people they are, but it’s the power of forgiveness, trust, and love that is astounding and even more life altering. This captivating, heartfelt story is a must read and a new 2017 favorite of mine.

 

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Don’t Speak by Katy Regnery
Review
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5 “we make our own rules” stars!

An all-consuming, forbidden romance turns into a gripping, second-chance love story in Don’t Speak, another beautifully written book by Katy Regnery that will fill your heart with love and make you believe in fairytales. It is a  deeply moving and stunning love story that has easily found a special place in my heart.

 

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Pucked Off (Pucked, #5) by Helena Hunting
Review
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5 “want or let?” stars!

Pucked Off was way more serious and dark than I had anticipated. The very first chapter jumpstarts the intensity of this story and begins the journey of healing and love. But before you can get the HEA, you have to deal with all the heartache along the way and though it’s painful, by the ending, my heart was full and my smile was bright.

 

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Preston’s Honor by Mia Sheridan
Review
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5 “I burn for you” stars

This story leads you on a rollercoaster of emotion that is at times hard to handle but well worth it in the end, and I loved it. I am still in awe at how deeply it moved me. It made me feel every emotion I could think of. Nervousness, guilt, shame, betrayal, pain, resentment, bitterness, frustration, joy, love, happiness, excitement, I felt it all.

 

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How to Save a Life (Dreamcatcher, #1) by Emma Scott
Review
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5 stars!

Beautifully written with gorgeous imagery, this book captivated me from the very first page. The depth of this story, complexity of these characters, and the amount of feels this book delivers make this story one that will stick with me. How to Save a Life is a stunningly romantic love story about two broken people who affect each other so completely that there is no going back once they meet.

 

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The Cad and the Co-Ed (Rugby, #3) by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid
Review
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5 stars!

Wowzers! L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid are on fire. This awesome duo has done it again with another fantastic story in the Rugby series and I. LOVED. IT!!   From the first chapter, I was hooked and I couldn’t put it down. I love secret baby books and I had a feeling Cosway and Reid would hit this one out of the park. And they did! It’s an emotional, heartfelt read with a wonderful mix of love, humor, and steam. Such a fantastic read!

 

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A Thousand Letters by Staci Hart
Review
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5 stars!

Well, that was an emotional ride! This second chance romance draws you in immediately and tugs at your heartstrings. Intense, serious, and heartbreaking, Wade and Elliot’s story isn’t an easy read. It’s painful, raw, and heavier than I expected, but it is also beautiful and honest, with an ending that completely filled my heart.

 

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Infini (Aerial Ethereal, #2) by Krista and Becca Ritchie
*Stand out fave*
Review
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5+ Stars!

I loved Infini! This book sent adrenaline coursing through my body every step of the way. It was exciting, intense, emotional, angsty, and beautiful. I needed to know what happened but didn’t want to rush through it.  This gorgeous romance will make you believe in true and everlasting love.

 

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Egomaniac by Vi Keeland
Review
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5 stars!

I loved this book and can confidently say that EgoManiac is one of my favorites by Vi Keeland. The hilarious beginning was catchy and it sucked me into this story. I couldn’t get enough of this fun, fresh story. It was sweet and sexy, with a ton of humor, and just enough drama to balance out the light-heartedness. It is full of emotion and I enjoyed every bit of this story, including the painful parts.

 

 

Check out more of our favourite reads on our Favourite Reads of 2017 page

I am so excited to see what next year brings!
Let 2018 begin!