Francesca’s Best of 2017
It’s coming to the end of year and it’s a brilliant time to reflect on our favourite reads of 2017. Unfortunately there isn’t enough room to list all the books we have liked and would recommend. So, we are each doing a post with the cream of the crop, the books that have stayed on our mind all year and that we’re dying to share with you.
Annnnnd with no further ado *cues drum roll* here are my favourite books of 2017…
This was a category I struggled to pick because there were SO many great books that released this year that touched my heart and it was hard to narrow it down to only one. However, UNDESERVING is a book I’ve been waiting years to read. I was worried that this wouldn’t live up to my expectations. I was also worried about the fact that this isn’t a romance book, there’s no HEA, but it’s part of a romance series. There were so many ways that this could’ve gone wrong. And instead, Madeline Sheehan gave us my favorite book in this series. This delivered all the feels. It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking story and it’s told in the best way possible. I really couldn’t find it in my heart to pick another book over this one. So, get the Kleenex ready if you pick it up and then have a comedy handy to read or watch right after you finish it. You’ll need it.
My Review
[new-release title=”Undeserving” author=”Madeline Sheehan”]
This was a great year of exploration and taking risks on authors I’ve never read before. Some were a big success, others not so much. Some lived up to my expectations and others tanked. Honestly, with all they hype around this series, I was expecting to hate it. And instead, I ended up falling in love with Kerri Maniscalco’s writing, world and characters. I wish there was already more to read and I’m anxiously awaiting the next one in this series.
My Review
[new-release title=”Stalking Jack the Ripper” author=”Kerri Maniscalco”]
There’s only one book out in this series but I’m dying to read more! Tessa Dare starts off a new series with a bang! I mean, I was expecting exactly that because I love her writing and style. THE DUCHESS DEAL, book one in the Girl Meets Duke series, was everything I wanted from Ms. Dare and then some. It was simply magical and I can’t wait for the next one.
Annie’s Review
[new-release title=”The Duchess Deal” author=”Tessa Dare”]
I read about some pretty awesome characters this year and a lot of them have stayed with me. But none had quite the impact on me as Evelyn Hugo did. Maybe it’s my fascination with old Hollywood. Maybe it’s how imperfect and screwed up Evelyn was. I loved every flaw, every virtue, every strength, every weakness…’til the end. This was one of those books that made me sit back and think. And it also broke my heart.
My Review
[new-release title=”The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” author=”Taylor Jenkins Reid”]
This is the last installment in the Vlad saga and he’s been a favorite hero and character of mine for many years. Certainly from before we started this blog. I couldn’t get enough of Vlad. In this last book he shows more of his ruthless side and let me tell you… I loved it! Vlad Tepesh is, quite possibly, one of my favorite heroes… EVER.
My Review
[new-release title=”Into the Fire” author=”Jeaniene Frost”]
I wanted to pick a beautiful cover that was also tied to a book I enjoyed this year and really few books would hold that spot. Then I remember this one. The cover is gorgeous but the book inside tells a great story. Maybe a little less romance and a bit more womens’ fiction. There is an HEA in this story but I find that the romance wasn’t the main message here. And I loved that about it. It was eye opening on serious subjects, it felt very relevant and current to today’s issues. The setting was just as powerful as the beautiful words, and I think the cover reflects that.
My Review
[new-release title=”Mists of the Serengeti” author=”Leylah Attar”]
I have no words. I think the biggest let down is the fact that J.R. Ward made this list in the let down category! By this, I’m in no way saying it’s the worst book I read this year because honestly anything J.R. Ward writes is well done. But I seriously think this took a turn in the wrong direction. It missed the mark on other things I was expecting. And quite frankly all the characters were throwing a Terrible Two’s tantrum. I won’t say anything more than that and I’m going to forget this book ever happened and hope for the best in the new installment. Fingers crossed that Ward won’t lose me.
Group Review
[new-release title=”The Chosen” author=”J.R.Ward”]
Do I have to say a whole lot more than this? I mean.. It’s Lisa Kleypas! Not only that, this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year because the hero is the son of one of my beloved Wallflowers couples. And Lisa Kleypas delivered such a beautiful story. These two complemented each other so well. Both lovable characters and even more lovable together!
My Review
[new-release title=”Devil in Spring” author=”Lisa Kleypas”]
The title of this book says it all, people! I’m not even going to break this down to one scene. If you want hot, get this book! This was one of those hot as hell reads and every scene just revved up the steam factor up another notch. It’s an enemies to lovers story and that element made this even better. Even when it wasn’t a sex scene, the sexual tension was sizzling. Probably the hottest in this series and one of the hottest I’ve read this year. Now I need more like it.
My Review
[new-release title=”Mature Content” author=”Santino Hassell”]
So this year for author of the year I decided to go with the author I read the most. I discovered Santino Hassell last year and this year I read 8 books by him (including some he co-wrote). I love the grittiness of his writing and how real I find his stories. And yeah, the hot sexy times help as well. While I definitely have my faves and some I enjoyed more than others, I can honestly say I always look forward to reading a book by him.
What are your favourites of 2017?
Day 7 Prize Pack
THE OPERATOR by Kim Harrison
SIGNED copy of WILDFIRE by Ilona Andrews
COLD REIGN by Faith Hunter
DANGEROUSLY DIVINE by Deborah Blake
SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh
A SPOONFUL OF MAGIC by Irene Radford
DRAGON BLOOD by Eileen Wilks
One winner will receive the bundle of books pictured
Open internationally, sponsored by Under the Covers
Winners for all 12 Days of Christmas prizes
will be selected December 26, 2017
♡ Don’t want to miss any of our posts? ♡
- Top 5 Books of 2021 – So Far + Giveaway! - May 26, 2021
- Francesca’s Summer Reading Schedule [ TBR ] 2020 - June 25, 2020
- Book Haul + Giveaway: March 2020 - April 25, 2020
Great post! Thank you!
Favorite have been Complicated by Kristen Ashley. Hooking Up by Helena Hunting. Beard in Mind by Penny Reid. Joy Ride by Lauren Blakely.
I loved Mists of the Serengeti everything else is on my wishlist!
Great post and thanks for all the great books
Love your picks =) My fav is Kristen Ashley´s the Hookup <3
Undeserving was an epic read and I agree about the hotness in Mature Content .
Great picks. Thank’s for sharing and thank’s for the fabulous giveaway. Happy Holidays!
SUUUUUUCH great choices!!! Thanks for the recs!
Way to go trying new books and taking a chance on a non-HEA especially such an emotional one. The Mists of the Serengeti looks great. A few of these are still on the wish list for me like the Kleypas, Frost, Reid, and Erickson/Hassell, but I will get to them eventually. 🙂
Hope you get those soon and that you enjoy them 🙂
LOTS of best to love and check out.
Good choices! Best new to me was amanda bouchet’s kingmaker chronicles…favorite couple nevada and mad rogan
Thanks for the chance to win!
Some really great choices Francesca!!! I’ve read some and have a few like Stalking Jack The Ripper and The Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo are on my tbr list. And Vlad as the best hero… HELL YA!! Love this Pricky vamp!!! Shared on all my socials!!
Pricky lol yes he is.
I have seen so many positive reviews for the seven husbands of evelyn hugo, so I am going to give it a go. Love Lisa Kleypas and have read almost everything by her and have this book, but just haven’t read this yet (think I’m going to read about Evie and St. Vincent first). I have never read Frost or Ward before. Love Tessa Dare. Madeline, wow her books are just so dark but well written, think I have read only the first two with the MC dad and then his son.
Hey hope you give those a go and enjoy them. 🙂 Some are not romance (like Evelyn Hugo and Undeserving by Sheehan) but soooo good. And omg yes read Evie and St. Vincent! You don’t necessarily have to in order to read this one but if you read it first it’ll be such a treat to see them pop up in this book.
Hey! Lots of nice readings! I’m so excited to Bread The Chosen! I Just love anything Warden writes!
Drooling over these books
I’ve been meaning to read a lot of these!
I loved Shaking Up by Helena Hunting and Racer by Katy Evans.
I really enjoyed Into the Fire and Devil in Spring, too!
Im a HUGE fan of Santino !
Mists of the Serengeti is one of my favorites this year as well 🙂
I loved The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare! Such a great, fun book. I also loved Egomaniac by Vi Keeland. Great, laugh out loud story!
I was trying to find a place to fit Egomaniac in as well. LOL That was such a good story and my first book boyfriend of 2017
Drive by Kate Stewart
I’ve read few historicals this year but I’m glad I gave a chance to The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare. It was great!
Great list. I would have to sit and think about all the categories. I read such a variety this year.
Hi Francesca 🙂 I have a few of these books on my Kindle and paperback 😀 I’m quite excited about Stalking Jack the Ripper ( Jack The Reaper – I like to read books about him),The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (heard and read so many wonderful things about this book, hope will read ASAP!), Devil in Spring (yay!!! I love Wallflowers series!),and of course will added the others books on my TBR and will give a try 😀 Few of my favorite this year are: Feels like the first time by Marina Adair Compromised in Paradise by Samanthe Beck… Read more »
I have that same fascination with reading about Jack The Reaper. Probably why I gave that book a chance in the first place. And I still need to read Marina Adair! Every year I say I’m going to try and forget.
Thanks for the chance and and Happy Holidays.
Mists of the Serengeti is awesome book. I have to check the others, thank you for the chance!!!
Bad Habit by Charleigh Rose, Four Years Later by Emma Doherty, Scandalous by LJ Shen, Roomies by Christina Lauren,…
I want to read them all.
Great post and thanks for all the great books
Great picks. Thank’s for sharing and thank’s for the fabulous giveaway. Happy Holidays!
SUUUUUUCH great choices!!! Thanks for the recs!
Great post! Thank you!
Favorite have been Complicated by Kristen Ashley. Hooking Up by Helena Hunting. Beard in Mind by Penny Reid. Joy Ride by Lauren Blakely.
I loved Mists of the Serengeti everything else is on my wishlist!
Way to go trying new books and taking a chance on a non-HEA especially such an emotional one. The Mists of the Serengeti looks great. A few of these are still on the wish list for me like the Kleypas, Frost, Reid, and Erickson/Hassell, but I will get to them eventually. 🙂
Hope you get those soon and that you enjoy them 🙂
Hey! Lots of nice readings! I’m so excited to Bread The Chosen! I Just love anything Warden writes!
Good choices! Best new to me was amanda bouchet’s kingmaker chronicles…favorite couple nevada and mad rogan
Undeserving was an epic read and I agree about the hotness in Mature Content .
LOTS of best to love and check out.
I loved Shaking Up by Helena Hunting and Racer by Katy Evans.
Love your picks =) My fav is Kristen Ashley´s the Hookup <3
Thanks for the chance to win!
I loved The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare! Such a great, fun book. I also loved Egomaniac by Vi Keeland. Great, laugh out loud story!
I was trying to find a place to fit Egomaniac in as well. LOL That was such a good story and my first book boyfriend of 2017
Mists of the Serengeti is one of my favorites this year as well 🙂
I’ve been meaning to read a lot of these!
I really enjoyed Into the Fire and Devil in Spring, too!
I have seen so many positive reviews for the seven husbands of evelyn hugo, so I am going to give it a go. Love Lisa Kleypas and have read almost everything by her and have this book, but just haven’t read this yet (think I’m going to read about Evie and St. Vincent first). I have never read Frost or Ward before. Love Tessa Dare. Madeline, wow her books are just so dark but well written, think I have read only the first two with the MC dad and then his son.
Hey hope you give those a go and enjoy them. 🙂 Some are not romance (like Evelyn Hugo and Undeserving by Sheehan) but soooo good. And omg yes read Evie and St. Vincent! You don’t necessarily have to in order to read this one but if you read it first it’ll be such a treat to see them pop up in this book.
Some really great choices Francesca!!! I’ve read some and have a few like Stalking Jack The Ripper and The Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo are on my tbr list. And Vlad as the best hero… HELL YA!! Love this Pricky vamp!!! Shared on all my socials!!
Pricky lol yes he is.