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Merry Christmas, bookworms! Today is an amazing day in my household because it’s Christmas and I got to spend it with Pierre! I also spent time Facetiming our family in the Philippines and I tell you, this is what makes the Holidays so hard for me.
Since it’s almost the end of the year, I would want to share the best books I read in 2017! This year is an interesting year for me because it is the year that I explored other genres and read out of my comfort zone. To be honest, I found a lot of books that I enjoyed that are outside of my comfort zone!
Action + Romance + Female Badassery

Midnight Action by Elle Kennedy (Killer Instincts #5, 2011) – read January 5, 2017
I read the first book in the Killer Instincts series late last year and I was immediately hooked! I binged the series during the Christmas holiday and Midnight Action is the first book I finished reading in January of this year. Holy, cannoli this was SO GOOD!
Jim and Noelle are a PERFECT pair! This is a second-chance romance that really sucked me in. Add a unique twist in the end and I was sold!
Girl Power in Regency England!

Bedchamber Games by Tracy Anne Warren (The Rakes of Cavendish Square #3, 2017) – read January 21, 2017
I read the first two books in this series and they were pretty much forgettable. I was even debating if I should even read this book because I didn’t like the first two books but I am so glad that I didn’t because this book ticked all the right boxes for me!
We have a female masquerading as a man so she could take her recently deceased uncle’s place in court! Her brother has a speech problem and Rosamund was there to save the day! I mean, it was their livelihood at stake! Lord Lawrence Byron immediately saw right through her guise and their romance heated up the pages!
Heroes of Might and Magic

The Winter King by C.L. Wilson (Weathermages of Mystral #1, 2014) – read March 14, 2017
This is the very first fantasy romance that I read and I was blown AWAY! Not only did it check all the right boxes for me, I liked that it combined my love of YA fantasy and adult romance! (I mean, we all know YA fantasy doesn’t really focus on romance). This was ultimately the thing that sold me!
Steampunk, Oh My!

The Falconer by Elizabeth May (The Falconer #1, 2014) – read July 19, 2017
If you haven’t already noticed, I love history, this may also be why I love historical romance. But when you add steampunk to mix, well. Let’s just say that I had a hard time with this genre in the beginning.
I ultimately picked The Falconer up on a whim because I wanted a fresh read and WOW WAS I AMAZED! The Falconer officially started my steampunk binge of 2017!
Sci-Fi + Steampunk + A hero named Thorne!

Evernight by Kristen Callihan (Darkest London #5, 2014) – read July 27, 2017
After the amazingness that was The Falconer, I immediately looked for steampunk romance and I stumbled about the 5th book in Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series. My, my, my what a surprise! It was fantastical and romantical and just steamy in all the right places! Yes, I am slowly reading through the series!
It also helped that the hero’s last name is Thorne (and I am partial to anyone names Thorne! Ehemm Carswell Thorne).
Heroine from the wrong side of the tracks

Beautiful Lawman by Sophie Jordan (Devil’s Rock #4, 2017) – read August 17, 2017
I was pretty lucky that I was able to receive an ARC for Beautiful Lawman a few month ago because this was one of my most anticipated reads this year. And yes, it did not disappoint!
I loved that the heroine was the one with a lot of baggage, which is a refreshing change! The last book, perfectly set-up Hale and Piper romance and I was anticipating their romance so much.
The Dark side of Historical Romance

Beyond Scandal and Desire by Lorraine Heath (Sins for All Seasons #1, 2018) – read on October 1, 2017
This is another ARC I received this year and even though it won’t be published until 20-18, I am listing it here! I read about Baby Farms and even watched a documentary about this.
As always, Lorraine Heath is able to capture the underbelly of London perfectly. True, there is an unbelievable twist that happens but ultimately, I think she handled it like a master!
The Perfect Cinderella Story

An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (Bridgertons #3, 2016) – read on October 22, 2017
I practically binged the Birdgerton series by Julia Quinn this year and An Offer from a Gentleman is my favorite out of the others! This was a slow burn romance that was very emotional and heart-wrenching. And I am not a fan of Cinderella retellings! I fell in love with Benedict Bridgerton here and I wish he featured more in the other Bridgerton books.
Take Me on a Tour of Paris

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren (Wild Seasons #1, 2014) – read on November 18, 2017
One of my surprise reads is the New Adult romance Sweet Filthy Boy. I picked this as the second book written by Christina Lauren to read because I was going to their book signing and I was pleasantly surprised! Initially, I hated the premise but I immediately fell for Ansel and of course, Mia exploring Paris! I thought this was the best book that I read that made me feel like I was touring the city with the heroine!
#RelationshipGoals

Wait for You by Jennifer L. Armentrout writing as J. Lynn (Wait for You #1, 2013) – read December 7, 2017)
Hello Cameron Hamilton! This book broke me in 2017. It was heartbreaking and emotional and hit me in all the right places. As someone who hates slow burn romance, this was a pleasant surprise! I AM IN LOVE! Also, Cam Hamilton. And SHORTCAKE!
What are your favorite books read in 2017?
Have you read any books on my list? Do you agree with my picks?
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The Falconer has been on my TBR for quite some time. I really need to get to it soon, since all I see are good things.
Sam@WLABB recently posted…Top 10 of 2017: Best Books I’ve Read in 2017
Definitely, Sam! It’s one of my surprise favorites this year!
oh you have such a great list of books here and many of these are also my favorites as well. I can’t wait to read Lorraine Heath’s book, I just hear so many good things. And I adored The Winter King and Wait For You.
Lover Of Romance recently posted…The Elite of Romance Narrations 2017
Beyond Scandal and Desire is really good! 🙂 Hope you read it soon!
Sweet Filthy Boy was actually one of my top 10 for the year as well! I couldn’t pick just 10 though, so I ended up with four top 10 lists. I haven’t read any of your other books, other than the JLA one. You can check out my top 10 list(s) in the link below.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…Top 10 of 2017 Day 1 – Best Books I’ve Read in 2017
Ohh Sweet Filthy Boy is just GOLD! I LOVE it so much! I’m actually a Christina Lauren convert! 🙂
YAAAAASSSS! So happy to see The Winter King AND The Falconer on your list! Two of my favorite “old” (i.e. non 2017) books. I loved The Vanishing Throne and The Fallen Kingdom as well (the latter of which is on my top ten of 2017 list). Fantasy has been awesome, in YA and adult, in recent years!
Great list, Zeee! Happy holidays. =)
Check out my Top Ten post!
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!) recently posted…Best Books I’ve Read in 2017
I know!! Eeeep! I still have to read The Vanishing Throne and The Fallen Kingdom!
You have some great books on your list. Im interested in a few of your picks.
Megan @reading away the days recently posted…Top Ten Best Books I have read in 2017
thanks Megan!
The Winter King was so good! I need to get on to the next one ASAP, don’t know why I haven’t yet! And I’m so glad to see you’re enjoying the Darkest London series! You might like Bec McMaster’s London Steampunk series, it has the same feel! And yay for the Bridgertons!! I love them so much. Awesome list, Zeee!
Cyn @ Book Munchies recently posted…Top Ten of 2017: Best Covers of 2017
I read the first book in the London Steampunk series by Bec MacMaster and I loved it! The second one though was a disappointment and I have put it on hold for now.
Also… The Winter King was SPECTACULAR! I also haven’t read The Sea King #guilty ?