The Best of 2017 – Mary’s List

I knew it would be difficult to pick my favorite reads of 2017, but it ended up being much harder than I expected, because I read a lot of amazing books this year. These ten romance are the ones that I am still thinking about long after finishing them and the ones that I know I will read again.

The British Knight by Louise Bay

There’s absolutely nothing not to love about Louise Bay’s The British Knight. It’s wickedly sexy, heartwarming and highly entertaining with charming characters and an interesting peek into the British legal system.

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The Hard Truth About Sunshine by Sawyer Bennett

This is a highly emotional and deeply affecting book about four strangers who take a road trip that changes their lives. It changed me too, and I’ll never look at a veteran in the same way again. It is a romance with a happy ending, but it’s different, raw and absolutely unforgettable.

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Wish You Were Here by Renée Carlino

It took me two months to read Wish You Were Here, because I would cry so hard that I’d need a break. I connect to this story personally, but all readers will be moved by this breathtaking journey of a woman finding herself and discovering that her capacity to love is unlimited.

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I Knew You Were Trouble by Lauren Layne

I might be a bit biased considering how much I love the Oxford series, but I can objectively and without reservation recommend I Knew You Were Trouble. It is a fun and flirty battle of the sexes that will leave you giddy over the sheer romance of falling in love.

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Hooking Up by Helena Hunting

I love Helena Hunting’s romantic comedies because they’re always remarkably fun, sexy and truly memorable. I’m still chuckling over Hooking Up long after reading it, and it is securely on my keeper shelf.

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Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland

Beautiful Mistake is drop-dead sexy, breathtakingly romantic, intricately layered, jaw-droppingly unpredictable, and deliciously satisfying. It stands out in the vast and overwhelming sea of contemporary romance.

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Baby, Come Back by M. O’Keefe

I was enthralled from the beginning to the end, experienced every emotion along the way and was completely invested in the resolution – and it was thrilling. Baby, Come Back is simply mesmerizing. Settle in, buckle up and enjoy the ride.

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Dating-ish by Penny Reid

This enemies-to-lovers tale is layered and insightful, exploring complex issues such as feeling needed, being relevant and forsaking pride to risk being vulnerable – and this makes it an emotional and moving love story. Ms. Reid has proven, again, that she is truly one of a kind. Dating-ish will incite laughter, tears and deep thoughts and could be just the romance you didn’t even realize you needed.

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Beard in Mind by Penny Reid

Penny Reid blew me away with her honest and compassionate portrayal of someone with OCD in Beard in Mind, and it’s extremely refreshing to have a heroine in a romance that is perfectly imperfect.

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Dare to Lie by Jen McLaughlin

Sleep will feel frivolous and take a back seat to this riveting and suspenseful book that somehow weaves together an idealistic love story and an unsettling tale based on the very real and very violent life of organized gangs.

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