My Favourite Books of 2018

It's the time of the year again. Here are my books of the year 2018. I won't list all my books of the months here, especially since I didn't post them for the last three anyway. So without further ado: 
- Five Years From Now by Paige Toon - Our House by Louise Candlish - A Royal Shade of Blue by Aven Ellis - You, me, Everything by Catherine Isaac - While I Was Sleeping by Dani Atkins - Daisy's Vintage Cornish Camper Van by Ali McNamara - Somewhere Beyond the Sea by Miranda Dickinson - One in a Million by Lindsey Kelk - One Thousand Stars and You by Isabelle Broom - Absent in the Spring by Carrie Elks
Five Years From Now by Paige Toon

It’s a bittersweet story, which shows that love doesn’t always end with a happy end.  Beautiful, emotional and touching!!!

Paige Toon has an amazing writing style. It’s natural, elegant, fresh, unique, vivid and really authentic. 

This book has everything: romance, passion, grief, friendship, family relationships, love and so much more. I laughed, cried and just got so absorbed by this story - My Review

Our House by Louise Candlish

Wow, wow, wow!!!!

This book has blown me away! Louise Candlish has created a real masterpiece here!!

BRILLIANT, COMPLEX, CLEVER and just FABULOUS!!! I have found a new favourite author - My Review

A Royal Shade of Blue by Aven Ellis

A royal romance?! Hell yes!!!! Aven Ellis managed to create this wonderful now world, fab characters, brilliant storyline, humour and just PERFECT!!! It’s fresh, new, exciting, gripping, vivid and full of so many great details. Aven Ellis just has a gift for capturing feelings and emotions in such an authentic, passionate and real way - My Review

You, Me, Everything by Catherine Isaac

An amazing story, full of fascinating details!! BRILLIANT and BEAUTIFUL!!!

The book includes so much: difficult topics, family, memorable scenes, wonderful characters, love and so much more. The way the story is told, makes the reader hooked and it's a place you never want to leave again - My Review

While I Was Sleeping by Dani Atkins

This book absolutely touched my heart. I don’t think I ever cried so much, reading a book. It’s heart-breaking, poignant, moving and tear-jerking. The ending of the book made me speechless!!!

it was absolutely BRILLIANT!!! On so many levels… - My Review

Daisy's Vintage Cornish Camper Van by Ali McNamara

I went through all the emotions reading this book; I laughed, I cried, I felt happy, sad etc. Ali McNamara’s writing is full of passion and heart. I felt so close to the characters and I was really rooting for Ana. The book includes mystery, romance, friendship, love, beautiful settings and amazing moments - My Review

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by Miranda Dickinson

The setting is magnificent, Miranda Dickinson’s descriptions are on point, I felt like being there with the characters. The book is about love, hope, loss, grief, friendship and much more. Miranda Dickinson put a lot of passion and love into it and I really hope we will see these characters again - My Review

One in A Million by Lindsey Kelk

Lindsey Kelk's writing is absosultey hilarious, romantic, passionte and just fantastic. She really understands how to engage a reader. 11 out of 10 points for this book for sure!!!!!BRILLIANT!!! - My Review

One Thousand Stars and You by Isabelle Broom

This book is absolutely gorgeous and stunning!! It tells the journey of self discovery, travel, friendship, love and romance. It’s the perfect mixture and you can dive right into the story and I guarantee you never want to leave again. It’s very moving and yes I had to cry. The way Isabelle Broom plays around with words is fabulous, a very talented author indeed - My Review

Absent in the Spring by Carrie Elks

This book has it all: love, passion, drama, friendship, secrets, family insights and much more. A FANTASTIC book!!!! Carrie Elks did a fab job with all the different locations and settings, the way she described them was perfect - My Review

Him With The Beard - by Pernille Meldgaard Pedersen

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb: 

Do you remember that moment you stopped believing in Santa Claus?

When nine-year-old Mille suddenly no longer believes in Santa Claus, it turns the house upside down.

Her mother, Stella, is in a pickle as the hunt to find Santa Claus unearths some family secrets.

Christmas is at risk!

And there’s only one person who can save it.

Countdown the days until Christmas with this tale about Santa Claus and Danish Christmas traditions.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

The perfect story around Christmas time!

What happens when your child stops believing in Santa?! What do you do?!

I absolutely loved reading this story about a family and their Christmas traditions. It’s also great to read about another country for once. The author definitely captured the Christmas magic. An adorable read!

Rating:

Pernille Meldgaard Pedersen on Twitter: @Pernille56

Website: https://pernillemeldgaardpedersenuk.blogspot.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland - by Heidi Swain

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb: 

After calling off her engagement, Hayley, the Wynthorpe Hall housekeeper, wants nothing more than to return to her no-strings fun-loving self, avoiding any chance of future heartbreak. Little does she know, Wynbridge’s latest arrival is about to throw her plan entirely off course . . .

Moving into Wynthorpe Hall to escape the town’s gossip, Hayley finds herself immersed in the eccentric Connelly family’s festive activities as they plan to host their first ever Winter Wonderland. But Hayley isn’t the only new resident at the hall. Gabe, a friend of the Connelly’s son Jamie, has also taken up residence, moving into Gatekeeper’s Cottage, and he quickly makes an impression on Wynbridge’s reformed good-girl.

As preparations commence for the biggest event of the season, the pair find themselves drawn ever closer to one another, but unbeknownst to Hayley, Gabe, too, has a reason for turning his back on love, one that seems intent on keeping them apart.

Under the starry winter skies, will Gabe convince Hayley to open her heart again once more? And in doing so, will he convince himself?

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

It was wonderful to be back at Wynthorpe Hall and back with all these lovely characters. I was excited to follow Hayley’s story now and equally excited to catch up with some familiar faces. 

I fell in love with the setting last time already, add a lot of Christmas spirit and you have your perfect festive book. 

We finally get to know Hayley and learned that she has been through a lot in her past. Moving into Wynthrope Hall she soon finds herself in the middle of all the festivities. They are planning Winter Wonderland and all the christmassy activities and details just warmed my heart.

Now, there hast o be a guy of course. Let me introduce you to Gabe, a friend oft he Connelly’s son Jamie. Well, he brings in some baggage too, but their chemistry is undeniable. 

I loved reading about these two, they shared a lot of sweet moments and Heidi Swain captured them beautifully. I went through all the emotions reading this book, tears of joy, tears of sadness, this gave me all the feels. It’s a heart-warming book, perfect to read in the Christmas time. 

Rating:

Heidi Swain on Twitter: @Heidi_Swain

Website: https://heidiswain.co.uk

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

It Started With Christmas - by Jenny Hale

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb: 

Holly McAdams loves spending the Christmas holidays at her family’s cozy cabin, with its little red door and twinkling lights, tucked in the snowy hills outside Nashville. But this year will be different. Someone unexpected is joining them… 

After Holly and her beloved Nana struggle through a snow storm to reach the cabin, they discover gorgeous and wealthy Joseph Barnes, who has been renting the cabin for the last few weeks, is now snowed in. And it looks like he’ll be staying for the holidays. 

Determined to make the best of the surprise situation, Holly tries to bring everyone together by baking delicious treats and decorating the cabin with plenty of festive sparkle. She finds herself growing close to handsome Joseph, who is unlike anyone she’s ever met before, even if Nana isn’t so keen on the dashing stranger with the mysterious past. 

But charming and irresistible musician Rhett Burton is also back in town. Thrown into close proximity with the person who used to be her best friend and the man who broke her heart, Holly realizes it’s time to face her feelings and figure out what she really wants from her life. But to complicate things, both Joseph and Rhett have secrets to reveal… 

Will Holly be able to find herself and the love she’s always dreamed of this Christmas? 

Discover the joy of Christmas in this gorgeous novel, celebrating the importance of friendship, the magic of love, and finding happiness by being true to yourself.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

We are always in for a treat when Jenny Hale publishes a Christmas book. I have been a fan of her writing for years and she actually surprised me a little bit with this one, in a positive way of course. 

I absolutely adored following Holly McAdams’ story. The relationship to her beloved Nana is very special, I really enjoyed the scenes they shared. 

Joseph Barnes is snowed in the cabin and starts spending a lot of time with Holly. He is gorgeous, wealthy and just perfect. He is getting married though and Holly finds herself planning his wedding. Joe and Holly grow closer quickly and they have a real connection and electric chemistry. The situation is not easy though. It gets more complicated when Holly’s best friend Rhett Burton is back in town. He clearly has feelings for her and she is just confused. 

The book had surprising elements. It’s a bit different from the usual storyline the author uses and it was not clear what was really going to happen in the end. Of course I kind of knew and wished, but the writing was mysterious and made me think twice about the ending. 

This book is the perfect festive read, just snuggle up on the sofa with a yummy hot chocolate or mulled wine, turn on the Christmas lights and there you go. It’s full of feelings and emotions, I had to cry, laugh and just fell in love with the story!

I also think that the title is absolutely perfect for this book. 

Magical!

Rating:

Jenny Hale on Twitter: @jhaleauthor

Website: https://www.itsjennyhale.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Swing and a Miss - by Aven Ellis

My own copy

Original Cover

The blurb: 

For Katie McKenna, passing out and landing in the arms of Washington DC Soaring Eagles baseball player AJ Williamson is one of those moments she’d rather forget. Embarrassed beyond belief, she tries to pretend the incident never happened. She puts the escapade behind her, choosing to spend the summer preparing for law school—and admiring AJ safely from afar.

AJ, however, can’t forget the brunette with the green eyes who he caught that night on the concourse. She was funny. Quick. Not afraid to be herself. Intrigued, AJ wants to know more.

When Katie and AJ meet a second time, she finds herself no longer seeing him as AJ, the baseball player, but as Andrew Joseph, the man she is falling for. As her feelings grow, so do her doubts. AJ is known for his wanderlust, and his contract is up this year—will he even be in DC next season?

Katie has her own worries. Law school is going to consume her and is notoriously hard on relationships. The last thing she wants is for AJ to be a casualty of that. With the start of school looming closer, and her heart falling faster, Katie worries if she will be able to give AJ everything he deserves.

Can these two people find a way to realize they are worth the risk for the other to take? Or will their chance at love result in a swing and a miss?

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

What I love about Aven Ellis’ books is how she created this wonderful world around her characters and makes you as a reader part of it. You get sucked into the story immediately and never want to leave again. 

We are back in Washington for her baseball series, following the story of Katie. She has been a baseball fan forever and has a big crush on AJ Williamson. Her best friend happens to date one of his teammates (book one of the series) and so it happens that she passes out in front of him. Not embarrassing at all..

Well, a few weeks later they meet again and hit it off straight away. The attraction and connection between them is electric and Aven Ellis captured it beautifully. I loved following their relationship. 

Certain parts of the storyline were not authentic for me though and the conflict in the end seemed just placed, to have something. It didn’t seem real for me. 

Aven Ellis always puts a lot of details in her story and really thinks about the personality of her characters. The storyline is full of great moments. It’s a fab mixture of Katie and AJ being together, some girls time, baseball scenes, coffee shops scenes etc. 

I always feel very close to the characters in Aven Ellis’ stories, the emotions and feelings really come through. A very talented author indeed. 

Rating:

Aven Ellis on Twitter: @AvenEllis Website: http://avenellis.com Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US