Happy New Year! (And 2018 Wrap- Up)

Hi guys! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! May this year be filled with joy, triumphs and hope! May it bring a lot more laughs, more swoon and even more books!

Honestly, 2018 kind of sucked for me but I'm hopeful to turn the tide this 2019 and make it an even better year. Here's to all the greatness that this year will bring! Cheers!

I also decided to post my very first wrap- up. But since this is my very first one and it's the start of the new year, I figured why not do a wrap- up for the whole year of 2018?? It's quite a lot. I've read 75 books of my goal of only 20. (Few of these I've read more than once. Some are re-reads of books I read years ago. And three are 2019 releases I was lucky enough to read in advance.) I'll just list them below, include a review in some and link all the book covers to where you can buy a copy of the book/s.

Without further ado, here are the books I've read for the year 2018. (I have a feeling this is gonna take a while.) In no particular order...

One of my best reads for 2018!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

My very first four-star read of 2018! Woot! This was honestly not what I expected. It was all parts gruesome, dark, intriguing, and exciting and I didn't want it to end. I've read like two books by Holly Black and after reading The Cruel Prince I am mentally hitting myself for not reading more of her books. Like what the heck is wrong with me?!

The Cruel Prince had me guessing and surprised 'til the end. I love that no one is who they seem and you never really know who to trust. I have my doubts about the romance but other than that everything else was just amazing! Jude was a surprisingly resilient character. I also love that she could be gentle and loving but still be super badass and bold and cunning. I just love her!

I cannot wait for book two!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an e-arc via Netgalley to read and review.

I've honestly never been a fan of Little Mermaid but I do LOVE retellings. (More like obsessed with it actually.) And dammit To Kill A Kingdom... Nailed. It.

I love every bit of this book's brurality and savagery. I have a newfound obsession for sirens and pirates and I'm not even sorry. This book was so good, I don't know what to say. I was so captivated by the majestic, magical and bloody world the author created. The writing was so incredibly engrossing I was dreading the ending. I was planning on re-reading this when I was about halfway through and you bet I'm gonna go do just that once it's officially released.

I have never met two people more swoonworthy than Lira and Elian. Their first meeting wasn't exactly screaming romance but their chemistry was palpable in every jab and "insult" they throw at each other. The romance was super slow burn and I. Loved. It. Honestly I didn't think my heart could take any more of Elian and Lira being perfect for each other.

I'm not actually a huge fan of standalones. And although To Kill A Kingdom had as perfect an ending as you can get for a book about ruthless sirens, killer pirates and a siren-killing wily prince, I wouldn't complain if the author decided she wanted to continue Elian and Lira's story. (I think Madrid and Kye too would have a very interesting and exciting story to tell. On second thought I think the whole crew of the Saad deserves stories of their own.)

I fell in love with this book from start to finish. Such an amazing debut! Must-read!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an e-arc via Edelweiss+ to read and review.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book so much!

I'm going to be totally honest with you. It actually came as a shock when I ended up loving Furyborn. I heard all the hype, read the high praise reviews and fell in love with the book the first time I read the blurb but I have forgone any and all high expectations diving into it. Because let's face it it would be just sad if this turned out to be one of those books that was amazing in my mind but turned out to be underwhelming and disappointing in reality. *cough* Everless *cough* (And I'm obsessed with Ally Carter's books but I'm afraid I'm going to add Not if I Save You First to that unfortunately growing list.) So yeah maybe it wasn't so much as shocking that the book was great but more me just enjoying the book one page at a time without expecting too much.

FURYBORN was frustrating, action-packed, and unputdownable with melt-in-your-bones romance. I honestly don't know who I like more. I love Eliana's strength and fearless personality. I liked seeing her interact with Remy. It brings out her soft side which we rarely see when she's with people she distrusts and have to be her kickass self. But I mostly enjoyed Eliana's chapters because SIMON. Lol. No but really. SIMON. I wish there were more Eliana and Simon swoon moments though. (I can't help it I'm a die-hard romantic.) There goes another reason to look forward to the second book. But Rielle's chapters held more intrigue for me. I love the court politics and the seemingly unconventional friendship among Rielle, Audric and Ludivine. But mostly I enjoyed seeing Rielle grow into the person she wants to be. I don't want to spoil anything by saying too much but it was evident just how much she wanted to be good and it kind of broke my heart to see her struggle to show people that. She's surprisingly a very controversial character and I found myself torn between hating her and loving her. I am super intrigue to know what kind of shit went down for things to end up the way they did. The trials were also my favorite parts to read. There was so much unknown about Rielle's abilities and I loved seeing her growing into them.

Now I feel like Corien should have a whole separate paragraph just for him. He's a special kind of... insert the worst cuss word you could think of. He's exactly the kind of guy one would love to hate. I did. I really REALLY did.

FURYBORN was such a delightful read! It was intense and dark and heartbreaking in the most beautiful and worst way possible. The world was incredible and the writing just pulled me in. Claire Legrand created a wonderful and brilliant story that was impossible not to love.

Read this one asap!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an e-arc from the author to read and review.

Sea and Sand is my very first 2018 obsession. I had no idea when I started this series that it would be both beautiful and torturous. The writing is just incredible but the wait is excruciatingly hard.

Sea and Sand brings new adventures for Nile and gang and intoduces new characters that you'd love, despise and admire. This book is full of intrigue, swoon, danger and thrilling adventures! I never got bored! Nile is as fearless, selfless and bold as ever and I love her! And Dana still melts my heart every. single. time. But dammit. I've never met any two people more frustrating than these two. They were constantly at odds with each other. The chemistry between them is off the charts. Not that that ever stopped them from being maddeningly exasperating. But what I love most (surprisingly) about this book? Catsper. I don't want to spoil much but I will say that I'm super glad he's met his match. I liked him from the first time I met him but now I am absolutely in love! I would love to uncover more of his secrets and get to know the person behind the battle hardened exterior. I feel like he has so much more story to tell. And Kyra? She's an amazing character! She knows nothing about life at sea and swordfighting but she's fearless and kicks ass in her own Kyra way that I've come to admire. She's definitely an interesting addition to the series. I cannot wait to see her character grow in the next books to come.

I love everything about Sea and Sand! The writing was stunning and the story had me ensnared from the start. I love that this was more brutal, gruesome and action packed than the first two. (Not that I wanted everyone dead but well you know...) And is it just me or does anyone else play Pirates of the Caribbean in their heads while reading this? Because I do. And I can just imagine Nile in all her fierce, badass glory.

An absolute must-read!

Savvy?

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an e-arc via Netgalley to read and review.

Kiss of the Royal gave me so much more than what I expected. I honestly didn't know it'd be so fairy tale-esque. Not that that's a bad thing. I mean I grew up watching Disney movies and believing in Prince Charmings and happily ever afters. I just didn't expect the whole True Love's Kiss and whatnot. Although now that I think about it, I think that's what made the reading experience all the more enjoyable.

I'm so glad I gave this book a shot. It's SO GOOD. I love the writing and Ivy and Zach were just too adorably cute together. (What is it with all the Zach's I meet? Always so charming and loveable! I LOVE every one of them!)

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

What. The. Heck. Just. Happened.

I don't know what to say. This book DESTROYED me. I am effin' IN LOVE with this beautiful, brutal, heart-wrenching, dark, amazingly written story. I did not accomplish anything today because I was so engrossed in Ambrose, Ava, Thorne and Roselyn. I have never felt this much sadness, affection and regret as I do for these four. I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked this up. I WAS NOT PREPARED.

An absolute must-read.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an e-arc via Edelweiss+ to read and review.

My very first Jennifer Estep book and it did not disappoint!

I love the book's every bloody, gruesome page. Everleigh is an amazing heroine! I love how badass and ruthless she can be when needed but still be caring and selfless. Vasilia was one sick b*tch. Lucas was okay as a romantic interest. It was too insta-love for my taste. Good thing there was so much going on in the story that I wasn't all that bothered with the romance. My favorite character has to be Xenia. I have a feeling I'm going to be like that old grump when I grow old. Lol. It's a bit disappointing though because I wanted to see more of the gladiators and gladiatorship (I know that's not a word) and that wasn't the case.

All in all this was a very enjoyable high stakes read! I love how it doesn't hold back from being bloody. Looking forward to the sequel! (Now who do I have to sell my soul to to get my hands on it?)

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an e-arc via Edelweiss+ to read and review.

HOLY. CRAP. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING.

I had no idea I would love this book so much considering I thought of DNF-ing it the first time I read it. I got to about 70% the first time. And then I decided to read it again from the very beginning. And boy am I glad I did that.

I love the book's savagery and brutality. The Norse and Celtic mythology were brilliantly incorporated in the story. The writing was incredibly addictive and I am so in love with Ciara and Leif. I wanted the book to be longer! Looking forward to reading the sequel! I highly recommend!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I honestly can't think of anything to say. I read this in one sitting and I'm running on two hours of sleep because of that. And I have absolutely no regrets.

Definitely one of my best reads this 2018. Logan and Emma were just too adorable together. I was so in love with these two from the very start! How can I not? Emma is me. (Even now that I'm 22) And Logan was just impossible not to love. (I would love to go stargazing with him anytime lol) The writing was addictive. I love the portrayal of healthy and open family relationships. I don't think we get that a lot in YA. I love Emma's bffs. I love Matt. He needs a lot more appreciation I think. The guy was a total badass bestfriend. He was super nice and sweet. And he figured things out way before Logan did. (Maybe he can be the hero in the next book??)

I highly recommend!

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received an e-arc via Edelweiss+ to read and review.

So.. I did not expect the LoTR vibe I got. Or maybe it's more The Hobbit- Yumeko is a lot like Bilbo going on all these adventures.

Anyway... I LOVE the Japanese mythology. The research put into writing it was evident. And although I was terrible remembering some of the terms, I loved every second of it. Julie Kagawa's writing was incredible (as usual). I'm giving this a 3-star rating though because I did not expect it would take Yumeko and Tatsumi that long to do that thing they were supposed to do that I'm not gonna tell you. I mean I like the mini side adventures but I just wasn't expecting the whole book to be just about those. I wanted... more. I guess I was expecting something different.

BUT WHAT IS THAT ENDING. I'm gonna need book two now please.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received an e-arc via Netgalley to read and review.

You'd Be Mine is one of those books that I imagine would be perfect in the big screen. I love the 'hollywood' vibe. Everytime Annie and Clay perform, I could just imagine myself in the front row dancing and singing along. I most probably would have swooned too. And the lyrics. My gods the lyrics! They were heartfelt and soulful. I wished so bad I could listen to the songs.

I wasn't as sold with the chemistry as I would have liked though. It needed more foundation and basis. It bordered on insta-love and everyone who knows me knows I hate that just as much as love triangles. Having said that, I was still rooting for Annie and Clay. Seeing these two struggle with their pasts was heartbreaking. I wanted to give them both the biggest hugs and just hold their hand. Honestly I don't think I'll be as strong as them if I were in their positions at that age.

The rest of the characters were great! Fitz especially was my favorite. I would definitely read his book. I'm not sure about Jason. I kind of like him but I also kind of don't. If that makes sense? I wish there was more 'Under the Willows' scene. I love Kacey, Jason and Annie together. Their friendship felt authentic and I wanted more of it.

My biggest issue is how easily the conflicts were resolved. Even the ending seemed too perfect. I love an HEA as much as the next girl but in this case, I don't think that worked.

Overall I really enjoyed reading the book- every heart-wrenching, romantic and uplifting page of it.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an e-arc via Netgalley to read and review.

I can't believe it's done. I wanted this book longer. I NEEDED this book longer. No doubt, The Ryogan Chronicles trilogy has the most unique, extraordinary plot I've come across.

War of Storms is everything you could ask for in a series finale. I barely started the book and so much was already happening. From beginning to end, it was filled with heart-stopping, high stakes adventure and action. I read this in one sitting and my only regret is I didn't make it last longer. What the heck am I supposed to do now?!

I can't remember Khya being this badass but she really stepped into her role leading everyone against Varan. She was constantly questioning herself and doubting her abilities as a leader. Seeing her come to the realization that she's more than capable is one of the highlights of the book for me. Khya is definitely one of the strongest, fiercest and most badass heroine I've met.

I LOVE everything about this! The writing is highly addictive and every page is filled with so much intensity and excitement that kept me in the edge of my seat. Also, although it was a bit hard to keep track of all the characters, I felt like each one of them played crucial, significant roles. I have no idea how to pronounce most of their names much less spell them but I think it's safe to say that not one of them are forgettable. And for those who have been as invested as me with the romance? Asdfghjkl! You will not be disappointed. I swooned so hard, so much.

The only complaint I have and it's a minor one is that the big fight with Varan felt a bit too anticlimactic for me. The whole book was filled with so much fear and anticipation gearing towards that moment and when it finally happened it lasted barely even a page. But like I said it's a minor issue for me. So it had no real effect whatsoever in my love and enjoyment of the book.

The Ryogan Chronicles is without a doubt one of the BEST trilogies I've come across. I did not want this to end but I had the biggest smile on my face after turning the very last page. If the author decided to add ten more books to the series, I'd be the first one clamoring to read them.

I will definitely read this again. I cannot recommend this enough. Must-read!

SPOILER *** The romantic in me wanted to see Khya and Tessen be a sumai pair. I really, really, REALLY did.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an e-arc via Netgalley to read and review.

This is my very first Olivia Wildenstein book and you bet I'm kicking myself for not reading her books sooner.

A Pack of Blood and Lies was such a delightful read! I love Ness' mindful recklessness and the simmering attraction with Liam. The writing was very addictive. And although there really wasn't much when it came to the action aspect of the book, I was never bored. I've read tons of werewolf books but this one has to be one of my top favorites. There was just something about it that really captured my interest- might be the romance, might be hot, sexy Liam, might be Ness' fiery personality, might be the secrets, deceit and mysteries shrouding the story.. the list goes on and on. But whatever it was, I honestly don't care because I LOVE the book so much. Flew thru this in one sitting and the sleepless night was so worth it!

Now excuse me while go find another Olivia Wildenstein book to devour.