Books are a big deal to me. With summer coming up, what a better way to spend your time than indulging in a good book? I want to share some of my favorite books that I've read over the past few years. Here are some that would make for a great summer of reading.
1. Is This Me? By Tricia Copeland
Blurb
Have you ever chosen a path that led you astray?
Amanda has no trouble choosing a college or picking a major. What she does have a problem with is what she would have least expected, a guy. Smart and sexy, Doug is focused on school responsibilities and post-graduation plans. Their paths intersect and Amanda must accept his help or risk losing her scholarship. Determined to maintain appearances, Amanda begins to lie to family and friends. The ease at which she repeatedly deceives those closest becomes disturbing and leaves her questioning: “Is this me?”
Can Amanda find her way out of her contrived world?
Following Is This Me? is If I Could Fly which released in November.
My Thoughts: Is This Me? is very relate-able for me. A freshman in college, the same name, trying to find her place. But not only that, Amanda (the character) has the same personality as me. I had to find my place in college, just like she did.
2. Taking Chances by Molly McAdams
Blurb
Her first year away is turning out to be nearly perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything.
Eighteen-year-old Harper has grown up under the thumb of her career marine father. Ready to live life her own way and to experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit, she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.
Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family, and emotions. She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with both her new boyfriend, Brandon, and her roommate's brother, Chase. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both men adore Harper and would do anything for her, including taking a step back if it would mean she'd be happy.
Chase has a book written in his view! Here’s the blurb for that book. I strongly recommend reading this one as well.
3. Stealing Harper
Blurb
This is Chase's POV from Taking Chances.
Chase Grayson has never been interested in having a relationship that lasts longer than it takes for him and his date to get dressed again. But then he stumbles into a gray-eyed girl whose innocence pours off her, and everything changes. From the minute Harper opens her mouth to let him know just how much he disgusts her, he's hooked.
But a princess deserves a Prince Charming who can make her dreams come true. Not a guy who can turn her life into a nightmare.
All good intentions go out the window when Harper starts to fall for the guy Chase has come to view as a brother. He wanted to protect her by keeping her away, but he can't stand to see her with anyone else, and he'll do anything to make her his. But when it comes down to Harper choosing between the two, will Chase have the strength to step back from the girl who has become his whole world if it means she's happy?
Lines will be crossed. Friendships will be put to the test. And hearts will be shattered.
CAUTION: DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ TAKING CHANCES
My Thoughts: I read Taking Chances twice before I finally read Stealing Harper. Both books made me cry and put me in a book hangover. Molly McAdams is such a wonderful writer and all her books prove that. I strongly recommend that you give these books a read!
4. The Willow Creek series by Micalea Smeltzer
There is four books in this series, and they could be read out of order, but to get to know each character, I recommend reading them in order so that they make sense.
Blurb
He was just a boy.
And I was just a girl.
But if that’s all there was to the story it wouldn’t be very interesting, would it?
Up and coming band Willow Creek is back in their hometown for the summer. For the drummer, Maddox Wade, this summer was meant for writing music and playing gigs.
Falling in love was not part of the plan.
One look at Emma Burke and those plans cease to matter.
Emma is quiet and guarded. She’s still hurt from her father walking out two years ago. She doesn’t want to trust Maddox, but with his dark hair, smoldering good looks, and infectious smile he’s impossible to resist.
Together Maddox and Emma embark on an unforgettable summer of adventures and first love.
Everything is perfect…or so Emma thinks.
There are things she doesn’t know, and when she finds out the truth it might shatter everything she’s built with Maddox.
No one said love was easy, and for Maddox and Emma it just might be impossible.
Never Too Late
Blurb
Mathias Wade, the lead singer of Willow Creek, is used to getting everything he wants. Except for Remy Parker—the one that got away. Childhood friends that grew into more, Remy was the one constant in his life until she moved away. In anger, he lashed out and broke the only girl he ever loved. With temptation around every corner Mathias drowns his sorrow in women and alcohol. When the band returns to their hometown for the holidays the last thing Mathias expects is to run into Remy—but she’s back, and she’s not done with him.
Remy never forgot Mathias or the pain he caused her. When she moves back to the place she grew up to take care of her ailing grandma her heart is set on revenge. She’s determined to make Mathias fall in love with her all over again—only this time she’s going to break his heart.
But Mathias never stopped loving Remy—and she soon discovers that her feelings haven’t disappeared either.
Can two people too stubborn for their own good overcome their own demons and find the love they always deserved?
In Your Heart
Blurb
I thought I had found love.
I thought I had found my forever.
I’d never been more wrong in all my life.
Sadie Westbrook’s seemingly perfect life comes to a screeching halt when she catches her fiancé in bed with another woman. Suddenly, everything she believed in is tested and there’s only one person she can turn to—the guy who has been by her side ever since their best friend’s fell in love and became inseparable.
Ezra Collins—the bassist for the band Willow Creek—has only ever had one weakness, and her name is Sadie. When he receives a frantic call he rushes to her aid, helping to pick up the pieces of her crumbling life—even if that means letting Sadie live with him.
The close proximity tests the limits of their friendship and as the lines between friends and lovers blur they’ll have to decide if falling in love with your best friend is worth the risk of losing them.
Take a Chance
Blurb
I had life all figured out.
Married with a baby on the way I stupidly believed that things were perfect.
But then the good guy I fell in love with turned out to not be as good as I thought.
I was left alone to pick up the pieces of my life and provide for my daughter.
And then I met him.
Hayes.
The bad boy that just might not be so bad.
Three years after her husband walked out on her Arden James is struggling to make ends meet as a single mom. Despite it all, she knows she’s better off with her ex out of the picture, and so is her daughter.
Josh Hayes—player, jokester, and very naughty boy—is the guitar player for the band Willow Creek. He’s used to living the fast life, but suddenly it doesn’t appeal to him anymore, and he has his sights set on the fiery Arden.
Despite their undeniable chemistry, Arden isn’t sure she wants to invite a man into her life that has never been in a committed relationship before. But Hayes is determined to prove to her that there’s more to him than meets the eye. He just needs Arden to take a chance.
5. The Road That Leads to Us by Micalea Smeltzer
This is a spin-off of the Willow Creek series and the Trace + Olivia series.
Blurb
Things are about to get rocky for Dean Wentworth and Willow Wade.
Willow Wade is used to living in the spotlight, with her father a famous drummer in the band Willow Creek—her namesake—it’s been a lot to live up to and oftentimes she doesn’t feel she’s enough. But there has always been one person she could turn to.
Dean Wentworth knows a thing or two about how crippling a name can be. His family is worth billions after all. But Dean’s always been content to do his own thing. Play his guitar. Work on cars. And geek out to his various “nerdoms”.
But when Willow turns up unexpectedly, he realizes maybe there is more in life he wants.
Her.
One trip will change their lives forever.
6. Slammed by Colleen Hoover
This is a series of 2 books.
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.
Point of Retreat
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...
My Thoughts: 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.
7. 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.
My Thoughts: 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.
8. 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 forbidden love and it's a story that rivals a Shakespearean play.
My Thoughts: 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.
9. Forgiving Lies by Molly McAdams
There are two books in this series.
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?
Deceiving Lies
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.
My Thoughts: 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!
10. The Lovelly series 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.
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.
My Thoughts: 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.
11. Seasons of Jefferson series by Julie Solano and Tracy Justice
Blurb
Kaitlyn Woodley is a beautiful, determined, high school senior, who embraces her small-town roots and country life. She’s studious, musically gifted, and headed for a successful career in swimming. Aside from a catty group of jealous girls, who taunt her mercilessly, Kaitlyn’s dreams are well within her reach. That is, until she becomes tangled up with the handsome Pistol Black, a rodeo cowboy, who not only turns every girl’s head in the county, but also turns her perfect world upside down.
Kaitlyn’s overprotective twin brother and best friends, begin to see signs that make them question Pistol’s subtle control over her. As secrets are unveiled, they intervene to save her from a possible path of destruction. To their surprise, when best friend Brody steps in to protect her, newly discovered feelings complicate an already volatile situation. Soon, everything begins to change. Old feelings die, new feelings emerge, and the once beautiful path they had traveled over summer, begins to alter with the season.
Will Kaitlyn’s closest friends be able to pull her from the destructive path she’s been led to follow? As the winds of time blast through their lives, the loyalty toward their best friend will remain stronger than ever. They are determined to protect her, even if one of them ends up getting hurt in the hunt for safety. One thing is for certain, none of this close group of friends will be left untouched when fall breaks.
The Dead of Winter
Blurb
*This is the second book of the Seasons of Jefferson and is not a standalone*
For one group of teens, a cruel, twisted fall changed everything. Relationships. Trust. Destiny. Now, living with the harsh consequences of their choices, is there hope to mend what fall has left broken?
Find out as the story continues.
My Thoughts: When Fall Breaks is so good! It kept me on my toes the entire time with the characters and everything that happens. I felt like there was so much suspense, but it was also light. The characters were awesome and funny at times. There is a cliff-hanger (it was awesome though the way it kept me suspended), but I read this novel closer to when the second book released, but I was still left hanging for a few weeks. This is a wonderful read. The Dead of Winter picks up where When Fall Breaks leaves off, and my attention was grabbed again with all of the suspense on a fourteen hour road trip in November. I was left hanging with the ending again, and am curious if there is going to be a third book. If so, I know that I am going to read it.
12. American Girl on Saturn by Nikki Godwin
Blurb
The summer after graduation is supposed to be that first real taste of freedom - but not for eighteen-year-old Chloe Branson. Just as that breeze of freedom is making its way into her galaxy, her secret-service-agent dad drops a meteor-sized bomb of bad news on her and her sisters. An attempt has been made on the lives of Canadian boyband, Spaceships Around Saturn, during their USA tour, and the guys have to go into hiding ASAP. The only problem? In the midst of the crisis and media frenzy, their dad volunteered to hide the guys...in their house.
Six-year-old Emery is as ecstatic as any self-proclaimed Saturnite would be, but Chloe and her seventeen-year-old sister Aralie watch their summer plans crash and burn like a falling star. The SAS guys aren't happy with the situation, either. Bad boy Jules picks fights with Aralie about everything from his Twitter followers to his laundry, and heart-throb Benji can't escape Emery's fangirlisms for more than three minutes.
But after the super-cute Milo kisses Chloe during a game of hide-and-seek, she finally understands what Emery means when she talks about SAS being "out of this world." If this is what Saturn feels like, Chloe doesn't want to come back to Earth.
My Thoughts: I seriously loved American Girl on Saturn. I put over 50 colored tabs in it, marking quotes or things that I want to remember, or just things that I found hilarious. This was one book that had me laughing through almost the entire book and I don't think I ever really expected a romance to pop out of this book. I've read Nikki Godwin's other series, The Drenaline Surf series, and I just absolutely love all her books. Seriously, if you haven't read them, go read them.
13. Stop! by Alison G. Bailey
Blurb
Every life has a different path full of sharp turns, smooth curves, and steep drop offs.
Hollis Murphy has a plan—college, career, boyfriend, love, marriage, family. A predictable, normal life. She’s on track until an outside force causes her to crash and burn. They call it an accident, because that’s the only word they know to explain what happens to her. It helps everyone move on with their lives, except for Hollis. She holds on to the belief that she’s been targeted for a reason.
Risher Stevenson is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the hottest boy Hollis has ever laid eyes on. He fits perfectly into her original plan for a normal life. Everyone loves him.
Benton Daniels is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the bravest boy Hollis has ever met. He doesn’t fit into her life but gives it purpose and makes it extraordinary. Everyone hates him.
One is bullied. One is tormented. All are judged. How will it STOP?
My Thoughts: I absolutely loved this book! The characters are awesome and I just wanted to cry for them! They each have their own problems/situations that have to be dealt with.
I was talking to Alison G. Bailey while I had been reading "Stop!", and here is some of my comments about the book. These totally describe what I liked about it and everything that is hard to put into words any other way.
"I'm absolutely loving the book (and Risher). I got halfway through the book last night before putting my iPad away to go to sleep. I didn't want to though, I wanted to continue reading and see more of Risher and Hollis...I kinda said to myself that I didn't want to put Risher away. He's such an awesome character! Another book boyfriend to add to my ever growing list!"
"I have tears in my eyes! I love the ending! Well, not the part before the epilogue, but the epilogue was amazing."
I hope everyone reads this awesome!
14. Parallel by Lauren Miller
Blurb
Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.
With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.
As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.
My Thoughts: I got to meet Lauren Miller last year and I don't believe that I had heard of Parallel until she did her keynote speech. Lauren Miller had a table at the Saturday signing and I had gone up to her table and told her how much her speech made me think, especially the quote that she said at the beginning. Lauren Miller gave me Parallel to read and review here on my blog, so here is the review that I promised back in June.
"I finally read Parallel in July and August and just loved it. There were some parts that confused me, but I never gave up on it, even if it took me a while to read. The ending of Parallel was so amazing as Abby made the choice of which life she actually wanted, her real life or the parallel Abby's life. This is such a fantastic book about how things don't always go the way we imagine, that I think everyone should read. Parallel has made me think about how my life is the way it is because of the choices I have made in the past. Our choices are what make our future."
