Best Books of 2019

2020 is here and I cannot wait to see what the next decade brings! Before I dive into the new year and all the books it has to offer, it’s time to take a look back at my favorite books of 2019. I read 127 books last year, including a few re-reads that I fell in love with all over again. I tried 32 new (to me) authors and discovered some wonderful authors whose backlists I cannot wait to dive into. And finally, I participated in my tenth A to Z Reading Challenge, a fun challenge that usually leads me to at least a couple of books I might not have moved to the top of my TBR pile otherwise.

I read a number of excellent books last year, but below are my top ten reads of 2019. All of the books on this list were first time reads because re-reads are generally books that are already favorites of mine. I decided not to include my top re-reads of this year because it was a lot of the same (it’s safe to assume re-reads of at least two Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb titles would make the list every year).

My Top Ten Books of 2019

Note: My picks weren’t all published in 2019, but all were new-to-me reads for the year.
Also note: The books are alphabetized by author as I love them all equally.

1. Diamond Fire (Hidden Legacy, Book 3.5) by Ilona Andrews
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

2. Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett
My Review
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

3. The Engagement Gift (The Gift, Book 1) by Lauren Blakely
Amazon | B&N | Audible

4. Getting Schooled (Getting Some, Book 1) by Emma Chase
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

5. Say No to the Duke (The Wildes of Lindow Castle, Book 4) by Eloisa James
My Review
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

6. The Harp of Kings (Warrior Bards, Book 1) by Juliet Marillier
My Review
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

7. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
My Review
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

8. The Right Swipe (Modern Love, Book 1) by Alisha Rai
My Review
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

9. The Last Wish (The Witcher, Book 0.5) by Andrzej Sapkowski
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

10. Three For All (Comes in Threes, Book 3) by Elia Winters
My Review
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2020 A to Z Reading Challenge

I've had a blast doing this challenge for the past few years and I can't resist another go 'round. I've discovered a few now-favorite books I might not have otherwise noticed because of this challenge :)

Challenge details:
- Duration: January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
- Read 26 books which titles begin with the letters of the alphabet.
- You may ignore articles like A, An and The at the beginning of the title.
- For the letter X, any book title with the letter X in it is acceptable if you can't find one that begins with X.
- You can sign up anytime.
- Please only list books you have read. You can read them in any order.
- A book only counts once, so you can include a re-read the first time you read it.

Challenge Completed: December 12, 2020

My List:
Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis – 1/21/2020
Batter Up by Robyn Neeley – 1/18/2020
Christmas Pact, The by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward – 2/8/2020
Demigod Complex, The by Abigail Owen – 2/16/2020
Eccentric Earl, The by Anne Shaw – 12/12/2020
Finding Chris Evans: The Fortune Teller Edition by Elizabeth Bemis – 1/12/2020
Golden in Death by J.D. Robb – 2/27/2020
Her Scandalous Pursuit by Candace Camp – 1/26/2020
Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb – 2/10/2020
Just a Bit Twisted by Alessandra Hazard – 5/10/2020
Kiss and Make Up by Robyn Neeley – 5/23/2020
Love Around the Corner by Amanda Weaver – 3/8/2020
Mismatched in Mayhem by L.E. Rico – 1/7/2020
Naughty Girls Do by Jodi Redford – 12/5/2020
Omega’s Unexpected Alpha, The by Bonnar King – 3/21/2020
Perfect Kiss by A.G. Meiers – 3/29/2020
Questing Beast, The by Ilona Andrews – 12/8/2020
Rebel, The by Joanne Rock – 4/12/2020
Scot Under the Covers by Suzanne Enoch – 1/15/2020
Taste of Sage, A by Yaffa S. Santos – 2/15/2020
Ugly Christmas Sweater by Tara Harris – 12/5/2020
Vanishing, The by Jayne Ann Krentz – 1/2/2020
Wife After Wife by Olivia Hayfield – 1/23/2020
Love on LeXington Avenue by Lauren Layne – 1/11/2020
You Lucky Dog by Julia London – 9/1/20
Zone Defense by Gavin E. Black – 12/5/2020

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2020 New (to me) Author Challenge

I've done this challenge for the past tenyears and discovered some great new-to-me authors along the way (not hard to believe since I've read 595 new (to me) authors in that time). It's fun for me to look back on these lists, especially when I see authors who are now auto-buys for me.


The Challenge: Read 20 or more books this year by authors you’ve never read before.
Dates: January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

My list:

1. Author: L.E. Rico
Title: Mismatched in Mayhem (Whiskey Sisters, Book 4)

2. Author: Elizabeth Bemis
Title: Finding Chris Evans: The Fortune Teller Edition (Finding Chris Evans, Book 0.5)

3. Author: Robyn Neeley
Title: Batter Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls, Book 1)

4. Author: Olivia Hayfield
Title: Wife After Wife

5. Author: Mia Sosa
Title: The Worst Best Man

6. Author: Penelope Ward
Title: The Christmas Pact

7. Author: Katherine Garbera
Title: Wild Nights (Jokers Wild, Book 2)

8. Author: Yaffa S. Santos
Title: A Taste of Sage

9. Author: Abigail Owen
Title: The Demigod Complex (Brimstone Inc., Book 1)

10. Author: Adam D' Alessandro
Title: How You Can Run Faster Effortlessly

11. Author: Caitlin Doughty
Title: Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death

12. Author: Rick Riordan
Title: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)

13. Author: Laura Brown
Title: Matzah Ball Surprise

14. Author: Erica Layne
Title: The Minimalist Way: Minimalism Strategies to Declutter Your Life and Make Room for Joy

15. Author: Bonnar King
Title: The Omega’s Unexpected Alpha (Omega’s Surprise Baby, Book 4)

16. Author: A.G. Meiers
Title: Perfect Kiss

17. Author: Grace Burrowes
Title: My One and Only Duke (Rogues to Riches, Book 1)

18. Author: Joanne Rock
Title: The Rebel (Dynasties: Mesa Falls, Book 1)

19. Author: Dianne Wenz
Title: Eating Vegan: A Plant-Based Cookbook for Beginners

20. Author: Sophie Jordan
Title: The Virgin and the Rogue (The Rogue Files, Book 6)

21. Author: Sajni Patel
Title: The Trouble with Hating You

22. Author: Kwana Jackson
Title: Real Men Knit

23. Author: Ruth J. Hartman
Title: Romance at the Royal Menagerie

24. Author: Meryl Wilsner
Title: Something to Talk About

25. Author: Cat Sebastian
Title: Two Rogues Make a Right (Seducing the Sedgwicks, Book 3)

26. Author: Margaux DeRoux
Title: The Lost Diary of Venice

27. Author: Sarah Spade
Title: Halloween Boo (Holiday Hunk, Book 1)

28. Author: Jayci Lee
Title: A Sweet Mess

29. Author: Sonali Dev
Title: Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors (The Rajes, Book 1)

30. Author: Nancy Campbell Allen
Title: Beauty and the Clockwork Beast (Steampunk Proper Romance, Book 1)

31. Author: Lisa Woodruff
Title: The Paper Solution: What to Shred, What to Save, and How to Stop It From Taking Over Your Life

32. Author: Elizabeth Benton
Title: Chasing Cupcakes

33. Author: Susanna Craig
Title: Who’s That Earl (Love and Let Spy, Book 1)

34. Author: Roan Parrish
Title: Better Than People

35. Author: Genevieve Parker Hill
Title: Minimalist Living: Decluttering for Joy, Health, and Creativity

36. Author: Olivia Dade
Title: Spoiler Alert

37. Author: Brianne Moore
Title: All Stirred Up

38. Author: Annabelle Greene
Title: The Vicar and the Rake (Society of Beasts, Book 1)

39. Author: Stacey Agdern
Title: Miracles and Menorahs (Friendships and Festivals, Book 1)

40. Author: Lenora Bell
Title: Love is a Rogue (Wallflowers vs. Rogues, Book 1)

41. Author: Gavin E. Black
Title: Zone Defense (ManLove, Book 1)

42. Author: Tara Harris
Title: Ugly Christmas Sweater

43. Author: Jodi Redford
Title: Naughty Girls Do (Inked & Kinked, Book 1)

44. Author: Anne Shaw
Title: The Eccentric Earl

45. Author: Louisa Masters
Title: O Hell, All Ye Shoppers

46. Author: Anna Martin
Title: We Whisk You a Merry Christmas

47. Author: David Flynn
Title: The Happy Health Plan

48. Author: Stephen Flynn
Title: The Happy Health Plan

49. Author: Saranna DeWylde
Title: Fairy Godmothers, Inc. (Fairy Godmothers, Inc., Book 1)

50. Author: Clea Shearer
Title: The Home Edit Life

51. Author: Joanna Teplin
Title: The Home Edit Life

52. Author: Nicky Spencer
Title: "A Christmas Party to Remember" (in Make the Yuletide Gay)

53. Author: Stephen Hoppa
Title: "Let’s Not Go Crazy" (in Make the Yuletide Gay)

54. Author: Addison Albright
Title: "Captain Jack and the Snack Attack" (in Make the Yuletide Gay)

55. Author: Nell Iris
Title: "The Christmas Day Date" (in Make the Yuletide Gay)

56. Author: Amy Tasukada
Title: "The Year of the Monkey" (in Make the Yuletide Gay)

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Books I've Read in 2020

For the past ten years I've kept track of the books I read and it's been a surprisingly fun endeavor. I read so much that everything tends to blend together in my mental library and it's fun to look back and see what I've I've read, loved, and want to re-read (and - on the rare occasion - want to avoid). Plus, it's great to share and compare lists with other book bloggers.

This list is only of books and novellas I've read and finished (though if I read an entire anthology, I list only the anthology title). The books are listed in the order I read them and last year I started going back and adding my review links to the books I also reviewed.

There are sure to be many wonderful stories on the list, but the ones with a ** by them are ones I highly recommend.

1. The Vanishing (Fogg Lake, Book 1) by Jayne Ann Krentz
2. Classic Love Poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, George Eliot, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Christopher Marlowe, E.E. Cummings , Lord Byron, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Anonymous, Andrew Marvell, John Keats, Alfred Tennyson, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Robert Browning
3. Plant-Based Meal Prep: Simple, Make-Ahead Recipes for Vegan, Gluten-Free, Comfort Food by Stephanie Tornatore and Adam Bannon
4. Mismatched in Mayhem (Whiskey Sisters, Book 4) by L.E. Rico
5. Love on Lexington Avenue (Central Park Pact, Book 2) by Lauren Layne
6. Finding Chris Evans: The Fortune Teller Edition (Finding Chris Evans, Book 0.5) by Elizabeth Bemis
7. Scot Under the Covers (The Wild Wicked Highlanders, Book 2) by Suzanne Enoch (re-read)
8. Batter Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls, Book 1) by Robyn Neeley
9. Almost Just Friends (Wildstone, Book 4) by Jill Shalvis
10. Wife After Wife by Olivia Hayfield
11. Her Scandalous Pursuit by Candace Camp (The Mad Morelands, Prequel) by Candace Camp
12. Marriage on Madison Avenue (Central Park Pact, Book 3) by Lauren Layne **
13. The Story of Us by Teri Wilson
14. The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
15. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
16. The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
17. Immortal in Death (In Death, Book 3) by J.D. Robb (re-read) **
18. Wild Nights (Jokers Wild, Book 2) by Katherine Garbera
19. A Taste of Sage by Yaffa S. Santos
20. The Demigod Complex (Brimstone Inc., Book 1) by Abigail Owen
21. The Bachelor (Duke Dynasty, Book 2) by Sabrina Jeffries
22. How You Can Run Faster Effortlessly by Adam D' Alessandro
23. I Dared the Duke (Wayward Wallflowers, Book 2) by Anna Bennett
24. Golden in Death (In Death, Book 50) by J.D. Robb
25. Bad Bachelor (Bad Bachelors, Book 1) by Stefanie London
26. Murder at Pirate’s Cove (Secrets and Scrabble, Book 1) by Josh Lanyon **
27. Tangled Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls, Book 2) by Robyn Neeley
28. Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death by Caitlin Doughty
29. Badger to the Bone (Honey Badger Chronicles, Book 3) by Shelly Laurenston
30. Love Around the Corner (The Romano Sisters, Book 3) by Amanda Weaver
31. From The Mixed-Up Files Of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (re-read)
32. An American Werewolf in Hoboken (Wolf Mates, Book 1) by Dakota Cassidy
33. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) by Rick Riordan **
34. The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2) by Rick Riordan
35. Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown
36. Girl Gone Viral (Modern Love, Book 2) by Alisa Rai
37. The Minimalist Way: Minimalism Strategies to Declutter Your Life and Make Room for Joy by Erica Layne
38. Home with You (Silverlake Ranch, Book 2) by Liza Kendall
39. The Omega’s Unexpected Alpha (Omega’s Surprise Baby, Book 4) by Bonnar King
40. Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews
41. Come Unto These Yellow Sands by Josh Lanyon (re-read) **
42. Lucky Suit (Sexy Suits, Book 1) by Lauren Blakely
43. Highland Conquest (Sons of Sinclair, Book 1) by Heather McCollum
44. Perfect Kiss by A.G. Meiers
45. My One and Only Duke (Rogues to Riches, Book 1) by Grace Burrowes
46. Shift Out of Luck (Brimstone Inc., Book 2) by Abigail Owen
47. The Rebel (Dynasties: Mesa Falls, Book 1) by Joanne Rock
48. #VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl's Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini by Nicole Byer
49. Eating Vegan: A Plant-Based Cookbook for Beginners by Dianne Wenz
50. Close Up (Burning Cove, Book 4) by Amanda Quick
51. Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life by Carrie Underwood
52. The Virgin and the Rogue (The Rogue Files, Book 6) by Sophie Jordan
53. When a Duchess Says I Do (Rogues to Riches, Book 2) by Grace Burrowes
54. Heiress for Hire (A Duke’s Heiress, Book 1) by Madeline Hunter
55. A Duke by Any Other Name (Rogues to Riches, Book 4) by Grace Burrowes
56. Secret at Skull House (Secrets and Scrabble, Book 2) by Josh Lanyon
57. Hot Holiday Rancher ((Texas Cattleman’s Club: Houston, Book 9) by Catherine Mann
58. The Trouble with Hating You by Sajni Patel
59. The Boy Next Door by Josh Lanyon
60. Scrooged by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
61. Just a Bit Twisted (Straight Guys, Book 1) by Alessandra Hazard **
62. Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson
63. Romance at the Royal Menagerie by Ruth J. Hartman
64. The Mermaid Murders (The Art of Murder, Book 1) by Josh Lanyon (re-read)
65. Kiss and Make Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls, Book 3) by Robyn Neeley
66. When You Wish Upon a Rogue (Debutante Diaries, Book 3) by Anna Bennett
67. Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
68. The Summer Deal (Wildstone, Book 5) by Jill Shalvis
69. Bait N' Witch (Brimstone Inc., Book 3) by Abigail Owen
70. The Return (The Original Sinners – The Chateau, Book 2) by Tiffany Reisz **
71. Alpha Night (Psy-Changeling Trinity, Book 4) by Nalini Singh **
72. Wrong Bed, Right Brother (Accidental Love, Book 4) by Rebecca Brooks
73. Purity in Death (In Death, Book 3) by J.D. Robb (re-read) **
74. The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton**
75. Party of Two (The Wedding Date, Book 5) by Jasmine Guillory
77. About a Rogue (Desperately Seeking Duke, Book 1) by Caroline Linden
78. Hometown Hero (Silverlake Ranch, Book 3) by Liza Kendall
79. Interlude in Death (In Death, Book 12.5) by J.D. Robb (re-read)
80. The Lost Diary of Venice by Margaux DeRoux
81. Haunted Heroine (Heroine Complex, Book 4) by Sarah Kuhn
82. Memory in Death (In Death, Book 22) by J.D. Robb (re-read)
83. Halloween Boo (Holiday Hunk, Book 1) by Sarah Spade
84. A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee
85. Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors (The Rajes, Book 1) by Sonali Dev
86. Hairpin Curves by Elia Winters **
87. Murder in the East End (Below Stairs Mysteries, Book 4) by Jennifer Ashley
88. Beauty and the Clockwork Beast (Steampunk Proper Romance, Book 1) by Nancy Campbell Allen **
89. Kiss of the Spindle (Steampunk Proper Romance, Book 2) by Nancy Campbell Allen
90. The Paper Solution: What to Shred, What to Save, and How to Stop It From Taking Over Your Life by Lisa Woodruff
91. The Monet Murders (The Art of Murder, Book 2) by Josh Lanyon (re-read)
92. Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting **
93. Chasing Cupcakes by Elizabeth Benton
94. Who’s That Earl (Love and Let Spy, Book 1) by Susanna Craig
95. Better Than People by Roan Parrish
96. Who Wants to Marry a Duke (Duke Dynasty, Book 3) by Sabrina Jeffries
97. You Lucky Dog by Julia London
98. Innocent in Death (In Death, Book 24) by J.D. Robb (re-read) **
99. A Dance with Fate (Warrior Bards, Book 2) by Juliet Marillier
100. When the Earl Met His Match (Wedded by Scandal, Book 4) by Stacy Reid**
101. Hideaway by Nora Roberts
102. Well Played (Well Met, Book 2) by Jen DeLuca
103. All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know, Book 2) by Kerrigan Byrne
104. Minimalist Living: Decluttering for Joy, Health, and Creativity by Genevieve Parker Hill
105. The Lady in the Coppergate Tower (Steampunk Proper Romance, Book 3) by Nancy Campbell Allen
106. Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts (Steampunk Proper Romance, Book 4) by Nancy Campbell Allen
107. Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
108. All Stirred Up by Brianne Moore
109. The Vicar and the Rake (Society of Beasts, Book 1) by Annabelle Greene
110. Shadows in Death (In Death, Book 51) by J.D. Robb
111. Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh (re-read)
112. Miracles and Menorahs (Friendships and Festivals, Book 1) by Stacey Agdern
113. The Highlander's Unexpected Proposal (The Brothers of Wolf Isle, Book 1) by Heather McCollum
114. My Last Duchess (The Wildes of Lindow Castle, Book 0.5) by Eloisa James**
115. Try As I Smite (Brimstone Inc., Book 4) by Abigail Owen
116. High Noon by Nora Roberts (re-read) **
117. Love is a Rogue (Wallflowers vs. Rogues, Book 1) by Lenora Bell
118. Mistletoe in Paradise (Wildstone, Book 5.5) by Jill Shalvis
119. The Duke Effect (The Rogue Files, Book 7) by Sophie Jordan
120. The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket (Author) and Lisa Brown (Illustrator) (re-read)
121. Kissing Lessons (Kissing Creek, Book 1) by Stefanie London
122. The Magician Murders (The Art of Murder, Book 3) by Josh Lanyon (re-read)
123. The Awakening (The Dragon Heart Legacy, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
124. When a Rogue Meets His Match (Greycourt, Book 2) by Elizabeth Hoyt
125. Playing with Trouble by Amy Andrews
126. The Pearl (The Godwicks, Book 3) by Tiffany Reisz**
127. Archangel’s Sun (Guild Hunter, Book 13) by Nalini Singh
128. Zone Defense (ManLove, Book 1) by Gavin E. Black
129. Ugly Christmas Sweater by Tara Harris
130. Naughty Girls Do (Inked & Kinked, Book 1) by Jodi Redford
131. The Questing Beast by Ilona Andrews
132. The Eccentric Earl by Anne Shaw
133. The Truth About Dukes (Rogues to Riches, Book 5) by Grace Burrowes
134. Right Motive (Murder in Alaska, Book 0.5) by Christina Dodd
135. The Duke and I (Bridgertons, Book 1) by Julia Quinn (re-read) **
136. The Duke and I: The 2nd Epilogue (Bridgertons, Book 1.5) by Julia Quinn (re-read)
137. The Viscount Who Loved Me: The 2nd Epilogue (Bridgertons, Book 2.5) by Julia Quinn (re-read) **
138. Romancing Mister Bridgerton: The 2nd Epilogue (Bridgertons, Book 4.5) by Julia Quinn (re-read)
139. O Hell, All Ye Shoppers by Louisa Masters
140. We Whisk You a Merry Christmas by Anna Martin
141. The Happy Health Plan: Plant-Powered Food to Supercharge Your Health and Wellbeing by David Flynn and Stephen Flynn
142. Fairy Godmothers, Inc. (Fairy Godmothers, Inc., Book 1) by Saranna DeWylde
143. The Home Edit Life: The Complete Guide to Organizing Absolutely Everything at Work, at Home, and on the Go by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin
144. Make the Yuletide Gay by Nicky Spencer, Stephen Hoppa, Addison Albright, Nell Iris, and Amy Tasukada
145. Her Wicked Marquess (Sinful Wallflowers, Book 2) by Stacy Reid
146. The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot, Book 1) by Agatha Christie

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Review: My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid

My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid
Series: Sinful Wallflowers, Book 1
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781640637467
Release Date: December 31, 2019
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Stacy Reid Reading Order

Miss Katherine Danvers has always been a wallflower. But now, with her family on the brink of financial ruin, she finds herself a desperate wallflower. To save her family, she'll do anything. Luckily, she has the perfect plan…

She’ll impress the ton by simply announcing she is engaged to the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, and secure strong matches for her sisters. No one has heard from the duke in years. Surely he’ll never find out before her sisters’ weddings, and she can go back to her own quiet life.

Soon, though, everything is out of control. At first, it’s just a few new ball gowns on the duke’s accounts. Then, it’s interviews with reporters eager for gossip. Before she knows it, Katherine has transformed herself into Kitty Danvers, charming and clever belle of the ton—with everyone eager to meet her thankfully absent fiancé.

But when the enigmatic Alexander Masters suddenly arrives in the city, dashing and oh so angry, he demands retribution. Except not in the way Katherine expected…

Beauty and the Beast gets a fresh new retelling in the wonderful My Darling Duke. Stacy Reid has kicked off her Sinful Wallflowers series with a tale that’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Kitty Danvers is desperate. At twenty-three, she is both unmarried and the head of a family with almost no money. With three younger sisters she wants to see happily settled, Kitty makes a bold move to capture society’s interest: she claims to be engaged to the reclusive Duke of Thornton. I loved Kitty’s spirit and determination. She’s got a good heart and is doing what she can for her family. Kitty is lively, unique, and a very easy to root for heroine.

Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton, keeps his hand in politics but has otherwise withdrawn from society. He was horribly injured in a fire that also claimed the lives of his parents. I really liked that Ms. Reid didn’t simply wave off his devastating injuries, but rather shows the strength and determination Alexander has had to go through to be able to walk. He’s a man almost always in pain and is still healing, but much like the literary beast we all know and love, he’s locked himself away in his castle. When news reaches him that he’s supposedly engaged, he finds himself intrigued by the daring woman who is using his name. He’s even more captivated when he meets Kitty, and soon he strikes a deal with her that has Kitty in his clutches.

The romance between Kitty and Alexander is slow to burn and it works really well in this case, as Alexander and Kitty fall in love as they learn more and more about one another. They are both intelligent, stubborn, warm-hearted characters who fit one another like lock and key. But Alexander is determined never to marry because of the complications from his accident. However, the longer he and Kitty are around one another, the more she is determined to show them they can have the happiness he secretly longs for. Alexander was so lonely it broke my heart at times and I loved watching him come back to life around Kitty. As for Kitty, she’s got such spirit and inner strength it was impossible not to adore her. She deserves to find love with someone like Alexander, someone who wholly accepts her and sees how wonderful she is.

Whenever I pick up a Stacy Reid book I know I’m in for a good time and My Darling Duke is no exception. Ms. Reid perfectly balances the dark and the light, emotional turbulence with fun banter. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for Kitty’s fellow Sinful Wallflowers!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Healthy as F*ck by Oonagh Duncan

Healthy as F*ck: The Habits You Need to Get Lean, Stay Healthy, and Kick Ass at Life by Oonagh Duncan
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Health and Wellness

ISBN: 9781492693864
Source: Publisher & Purchased by Reviewer
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Join the Movement. Ditch the Diet.

Who's ready to stop thinking about weight loss? To free their brain from thoughts about ketones, calories, and fasting? Who wants life to be more effortless, energetic, and empowered?

Welcome to a refreshing and gloriously unapologetic conversation about health, fitness and habits. Award-winning trainer Oonagh Duncan cuts through the wellness clutter to drop some truth bombs: it might not be six-pack abs you're looking for — it might be happiness, confidence, and acceptance. But if losing your belly is what you want, don't let anyone — including yourself — stop you from going after it. And she'll show you how to make it happen.

There's only one major difference between those rare unicorns who have managed to lose weight and the rest of us: their habits. When you acknowledge that following a diet is not getting you anywhere, and you make a few small changes to your everyday routine, you'll find yourself happier and healthy as f*ck.

Healthy as F*ck is hands-down the best health and wellness book I’ve ever read. Author Oonagh Duncan is funny, relatable, and smart in her approach to wellness. The secret to weight loss isn’t a magic pill or a quick fix or an extreme diet. It’s all about the habits you form, the small changes that will ultimately shape your behavior and help you lose weight. Ms. Duncan provides simple guidelines that are easy to follow, but before you get to those I highly recommend doing the very few exercises she asks you to do on finding your why. Trust me, it’s something I would normally roll my eyes at but it was a far more powerful motivator than I could have imagined.

Ms. Duncan’s approach is the most commonsense one I’ve seen in a long time. Her conversational writing style is also incredibly appealing – she talks like my friends and I do. I’ve read Healthy as F*ck twice already and her voice is what draws me in from the start, making me more at ease and open to her ideas. That being said, if cussing bothers you then you may have a hard time with this book. As for me, I loved everything about this book. It has been the most helpful book on getting healthy I’ve ever read and Ms. Duncan’s writing is a joy to read. So if you’re looking for an approachable, motivational, commonsense approach on how to meet your long-term health goals, you cannot go wrong with Healthy as F*ck.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh

A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Thriller

ISBN: 9780593099131
Release Date: December 3, 2019
Source: Publisher
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Nalini Singh Reading Order

On the rugged West Coast of New Zealand, Golden Cove is more than just a town where people live. The adults are more than neighbors; the children, more than schoolmates.

That is until one fateful summer—and several vanished bodies—shatters the trust holding Golden Cove together. All that’s left are whispers behind closed doors, broken friendships, and a silent agreement to not look back. But they can’t run from the past forever.

Eight years later, a beautiful young woman disappears without a trace, and the residents of Golden Cove wonder if their home shelters something far more dangerous than an unforgiving landscape.

It’s not long before the dark past collides with the haunting present and deadly secrets come to light.

Prepare to be swept away to a small New Zealand town that’s as beautiful as it is treacherous in A Madness of Sunshine. Nalini Singh’s thriller debut is as engaging and evocative as I would expect from a writer of her caliber.

Golden Cove is an isolated community where everyone knows everyone. But do they really? For even in a place like this, people have their secrets. Anahera Rawiri, a gifted, renowned pianist, has returned home after years away. Anahera is strong, kind, and recovering from pain and betrayal. Everything and nothing has changed about Golden Cove when Anahera returns; many of the people she once knew as well as herself are familiar strangers. The most interesting new addition? Detective Will Gallagher, Golden Cove’s one-man police force. Will is as strong and focused as Anahera. He also has demons of his own he’s facing, ones that are the reason he was sent out to the bush. Sparks fly immediately between Will and Anahera, but it’s their “otherness” – Anahera’s from her time away and Will from his newness to Golden Cove – that draws them together when tragedy strikes and a young woman goes missing. Her disappearance stirs up old ghosts and hidden shame from one summer years ago when three other women vanished.

Ms. Singh serves up an interesting double mystery in A Madness of Sunshine. The present day search for a missing young woman intertwines with the disappearance of three hikers back when Anahera was a teenager and each mystery is engaging in its own right. I loved watching the pieces unfold, loved how the lush landscape Ms. Singh details plays into the story itself. I also enjoyed uncovering the layers of the town and its residents. The sordid secrets were all interesting as they were unearthed and I liked feeling like I was digging deeper into many of the characters with each passing page. Though it is set a world away, in many ways A Madness of Sunshine reminded me of Nora Roberts’s romantic suspense titles from fifteen – twenty years ago (think Carolina Moon). It’s not the plots themselves, but rather the cadence of the story and the patterns of the characters that felt familiar (not a bad thing). The only downside is that I felt the mysteries weren’t too…well…mysterious.

A Madness of Sunshine is beautiful and dark, just like the world of Golden Cove. Even though I would have wished for a few more surprising moments, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ms. Singh’s writing sucked me in each time I picked up the book and I loved watching Anahera and Will put the pieces together over the course of the story. Though my first love will always be Ms. Singh’s paranormal romances, I would dive into another thriller by her in a heartbeat.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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