The Best of 2017 – Shannon’s List

2017 has turned out to be a stellar reading year for me. Sure, I’ve read my share of duds, but I’ve also read some truly remarkable novels. In no particular order, here are the ones I’ve loved most.

Keystone by Dannika Dark

I first discovered Ms. Dark’s work back in 2014, and she’s now one of my auto-buy authors. Keystone, the first book in her Crossbreeds series, won my heart completely. It’s the absolute perfect blend of romance, mystery, and magic, set in a super unique world. It’s one of those books I wanted to go on forever.

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My Fair Baron by Licie Laine

This historical romance was a true delight. It was full of laugh out loud moments, but Ms. Laine didn’t hold back on the tender scenes either. The hero and heroine complement each other beautifully, and I loved every minute of their journey toward their HEA.

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Siren’s Song by Yasmine Galenorn

I can’t say enough good things about Yasmine Galenorn’s writing. She creates worlds I wish I could visit, and her characters practically leap off the page. Siren’s Song, book three in her Bewitching Bedlam series, was totally engrossing. I couldn’t decide whether I should slow down and savor the novel or speed through it to see how things turned out for the characters.

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History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

History Is All You Left Me is just as sweet as it is sad. It’s a young adult novel about friendship and first love. It’s a story that deals with the bone-crushing grief our narrator feels when the boy he loves dies suddenly, leaving him alone to navigate feelings he can’t even come close to understanding. I cried buckets while reading this, but I came away from it feeling a little lighter for having read it. Mr. Silvera is a true master of his craft.

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Undercover Attraction by Katee Robert

If you’re looking for something filled with steam and scandal, you absolutely must pick up this latest installment in Ms. Robert’s O’Malley series. Aiden and Charlie are the perfect couple. The sexual tension between them is super hot, and it’s clear they’re both playing for keeps both in and out of the bedroom. Charlie is an ex cop out for revenge, and Aiden is the head of a notorious mafia family who needs her help to bring down his family’s greatest enemy. There’s just so much to love about this book.

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The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson

No one can write about the American south like Joshilyn Jackson. In her latest novel, The Almost Sisters, she has created a truly unforgettable heroine, one who is struggling to find her place in our ever-changing world. The writing is beautiful, and the plight of the characters will appeal to anyone who is searching for love and happiness without really knowing how or where to find them. I laughed and cried in equal measure as I read this. It’s definitely a book I’ll be rereading some time in the not too distant future.

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Stealing Mr. Right by Tamara Morgan

This first book in Ms. Morgan’s Penelope Blue series had me hooked from the very first page. It’s the story of a most unlikely romance between a jewel thief and the FBI agent who is determined to put a stop to her thieving ways. The chemistry between the leads is off the charts, and I adored the game of cat and mouse they played. This was a lot of fun to read.

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

On the surface, this novel about the seven marriages of a fictional Hollywood actress might appear frivolous, but let me assure you it’s anything but that. Ms. Jenkins Reid has crafted a truly captivating story that is sure to grab readers and refuse to let them go. There’s scandal, deeply buried secrets, and a forbidden romance. I adore books set in Hollywood, and the author does a stellar job bringing it to life here. This is pretty much the perfect novel for fans of historical fiction with strong romantic elements.

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The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain

I’ve been a fan of Diane Chamberlain’s books for nearly twenty years, and I’m always thrilled when she comes out with something new. The Stolen Marriage is her first historical romance, and it lived up to all my expectations and then some. It’s set in a small North Carolina town during the second world war, and there’s so much more to it than I can describe here in this post. Tess is a remarkable heroine who is struggling to find peace and love in the midst of war and illness, and her story thrilled me from start to finish.

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Come Sundown by Nora Roberts

It might be a bit of a cliché to include a novel by Nora Roberts in a list of my top ten reads, but Come Sundown really was one of the very best books I’ve read this year. It’s much darker than what I’m used to from Ms. Roberts, but it still contains so much of what I’ve come to expect from her. The heroine is feisty and independent, with a really interesting career on a ranch. The hero is not her typical overbearing alpha sort, and I liked him all the more for that. Their romance is the perfect blend of sweet and sexy. The mystery is multi-layered with a number of twists I didn’t see coming. I recommend this wholeheartedly to fans of romantic suspense who aren’t afraid to pay a visit to the dark side of the human heart.

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