Top Reads of 2015 ~ Post 4

Today's top reads post includes three series. Of course, I've read two books in each series, so those are mentioned, mainly because I liked each of the books. I also mention three different Colleen Hoover books.

  

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Blurb

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.
Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.
Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.

Links: Amazon ~ Goodreads

My Review

I can't believe that it took me this long to finally read Slammed! I had read Maybe Someday and Hopeless, but had yet to read Slammed. But that changed it January of 2015. I fell in love with Layken and Will and the rest of the characters. Colleen Hoover has also gotten me to love poetry with her writing. I started reading Slammed in August or September but then lended it to a friend who likes slam poetry. So, once I got it back from her I read it again and fell in love with the characters once again.

 

Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

Blurb

Layken and Will have managed to overcome the obstacles that threatened to destroy their love, proving that they are destined for one another. What they are about to learn, however, is that the things that have brought them together may be the very things that ruin their connection forever...
Layken is left second-guessing the relationship whilst Will is jumping over hurdles to prove his love for her. What the young lovers discover about themselves along this journey may change their entire world, and the lives of those who depend upon them the most...

Links: Amazon ~ Goodreads

My Review

I read Point of Retreat right after reading Slammed. I loved the continuation of Layken and Will's story and the struggle that they go through is wonderful.

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Blurb

Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with an unforgettable love story between a writer and his unexpected muse.
Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

Links: Amazon ~ Goodreads

My Review

Colleen Hoover has seriously done it again in her most recent novel, November 9. This story is well written, like all of Colleen Hoover's books, and I really liked how it was done. In the synopsis, Colleen Hoover wrote, "Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon—and simultaneously his novel—be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?" This made me upset that it might not be an HEA like the rest of Colleen Hoover's novels.

Promises in Stone by Amy McClung

Blurb

Prom night is said to be a magical night in the life of a high school student. For some it is a night of dreams that come true, while others would rather forget the night exists. For Bryce and Maycee it was the night that would change their lives forever.
Maycee had never wanted to go to prom because of the night her older sister Rylynn attended her own prom. It was a night they’d all like to forget. Maycee was only seven that year, but the memory was a strong one.
On Rylynn's prom night, there was a terrible accident that changed their lives forever. Now Rylynn is institutionalized, Ryker and Rylynn's parents are at odds, and Maycee is stuck in the middle between the family feud and her hope that she will get her sister back one day. This is already too much for a teenage girl to cope with each day, add in the problem of for

bidden love and it's a story that rivals a Shakespearean play.

Links: Amazon ~ Goodreads

My Review

Promises in Stone is truly a great, wonderful book. In a way, it is like Romeo and Juliet. I absolutely LOVED it! I fell in love with Maycee and Bryce from the beginning. It held my attention the entire time I read it, which was about two hours. I tried to put it down to sleep and couldn’t sleep until I read more. That “more” turned into the rest of the book. The ending was probably one of my favorite parts of the story, even though it is hard to just pick one part that was the best as the entire book was amazing. It is rare for me to actually cry when there is an HEA, but apparently not this time.
Amy McClung’s books are some of the best books I’ve ever picked up. I totally recommend reading this fantastic book, along with all of her books.

I got to meet Amy McClung at UtopYA, and let's just that that made my day! I have been reading her books since Cascades of Moonlight came out. I have put a picture on the right of us at UtopYA.

Forgiving Lies by Molly McAdams 

Blurb

A matter of secrets...
Undercover cop Logan "Kash" Ryan can't afford a distraction like his new neighbor Rachel Masters, even if she's the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. To catch a serial killer, he needs to stay focused, yet all he can think about is the feisty, long-legged coed whose guarded nature intrigues him
A matter of lies...
Deceived and hurt before, Rachel would rather be a single, crazy cat lady than trust another guy, especially a gorgeous, tattooed bad boy with a Harley, like Kash. But when his liquid-steel eyes meet hers, it takes all of Rachel's will-power to stop herself from exploring his hot body with her own.
A matter of love...
As much as they try to keep it platonic, the friction between them sparks an irresistible heat that soon consumes them. Can Kash keep Rachel's heart and her life safe even as he risks his own? Will she be able to forgive his lies ... or will she run when she discovers the dangerous truth?

Links: Amazon ~ Goodreads

Deceiving Lies by Molly McAdams

Blurb

The irresistible, blazing-hot sequel to New York Times bestselling author Molly McAdams's Forgiving Lies.
Rachel is supposed to be planning her wedding to Kash, the love of her life. After the crazy year they've had, she's ready to settle down and live a completely normal life. Well, as normal as it can be. But there's something else waiting—something threatening to tear them apart.
Kash is ready for it all with Rach. Especially if all includes having a football team of babies with his future wife. With his line of work, he knows how short life can be, and doesn't want to waste another minute of theirs. But now his past as an undercover narcotics agent has come back to haunt him ... and it's the girl he loves who's caught in the middle.
Trent Cruz's orders are clear: take the girl. But there's something about this girl that has him changing the rules and playing a dangerous game to keep her safe. When his time as Rachel's protector runs out, he will turn his back on the only life he's known, and risk everything, if it means getting her out alive.

Links: Amazon ~ Goodreads

My Review of both Forgiving Lies and Deceiving Lies

I am combining my reviews of both of these books to make it easier on me. 

I absolutely loved Forgiving Lies and Deceiving Lies! I read Deceiving Lies in like two nights. It was so good! I absolutely enjoy reading Molly McAdams' books, the writing is so well done!

Forever Kinda Love by Clara Stone
Blurb

The last thing seven-year-old Carrigan "Ace" Casper foresaw was an eight-year-old Heath Lovelly walking into her life the day her mother died. From that moment on, Heath sticks by her side, slowly becoming her strength, her confidant, and her entire world. What she doesn’t know is, she's his saving grace, too.
Ten years later, Ace is handed another crippling challenge that threatens everything in her almost perfect life. Only, this time, she doesn't turn to Heath, hiding the truth instead. But Heath knows Ace too well and won't back down easily. He's ready to do whatever it takes and will stay by her side until she accepts that their love is the kinda love worth fighting for.
Will he be her forever triumph or her unexpected downfall?
Two lives.
One story.
And an unexpected journey to falling in love.

Links: Amazon ~ Goodreads

Flirting With Love by Clara Stone

Blurb

Hudson and Blake Lovelly lead a charmed life—successful careers, loving family, beautiful home. Now, on the eve of their daughter’s birth, they’re counting their blessings. Life wasn’t always so generous . . .
Fifteen years ago, seventeen-year-old Blake Voss walked into Cranbrook Preparatory High to participate in the school year’s most-prestigious debate competition. She never expected to fall for the pretentious, golden-haired boy on the opposing debate team, and he never expected to be ensnared by the quick-witted prankster with a heart of gold.
Their mutual love for joking pretense soon leads them to pull their biggest prank yet--pretending to be in love. But when danger threatens, Hudson can’t conceal his growing affection. He’ll do anything to be with Blake, even if it means risking his heart to protect her.
They didn’t plan for their friendship to grow into a love story. But sometimes, all it takes is a little Hope.
This powerful companion to Forever Kinda Love tells the history of Hudson and Blake’s relationship. Laced with haunting emotion and beautiful sentiment, this is a tale about overcoming even the darkest moments, reminding us all to love more.
Give more.
Without regrets.

Links: Amazon ~ Goodreads

My Review of both Forever Kinda Love and Flirting With Love

I am combining my reviews of both of these books to make it easier on me.
I originally read Flirting With Love in March and Forver Kinda Love in August. I then reread both of the books in the beginning of December. The girls in these books, Ace and Blake, are both so stubborn, but the guys, Heath and Hudson Lovelly, are equally stubborn in getting their ways, and getting the girls. I can't wait to read the third book, Harrington's story, when it is released in 2016.