Marry Me at Dawn by Lucinda Whitney
Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance
By now, you know that I’m really good friends with Lucinda in real life. But I also am a genuine fan of her writing. I’ve really enjoyed the Romano series, and Marry Me at Dawn was a great edition!
I love a good “baby on the doorstep” trope, and Lucinda executed it really well in this story. The romance was sweet and clean, and the baby was adorable.
You can read this as a stand-alone, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the other books in the series. This one is definitely worth your time!
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The Forever Gift by Donna K. Weaver
Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance
I love a good second chance at love story, and this one really delivered. Dylan was the most adorable of heroes, and I loved the way Rae and Dylan had a pseudo-family built on friendship before the romance ever happened.
I also read the prequel to this story, The Gift of a Child, and it was super cute! It gives some good backstory to The Forever Gift, but you don’t need to read it to enjoy this second installment.As Wide as the Sky by Jessica Pack
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Jessica Pack (pen name for Josi Kilpack) has been one of my favorite writers since jr. high. I love how she writes hard-to-love characters and tackles really deep, difficult topics.
But this one sat on my kindle for a while before I could bring myself to read it, because … yeah. Mother of a mass murder trying to come to grips with his execution? Not exactly an easy read.
Once I finally started the book, though, I couldn’t stop. There were so many layers, and I loved the different perceptions this book offered, and the way it challenged beliefs. This is one of those books that won’t leave me for a long time.
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Waking Olivia by Elizabeth O’Roark
Genre: Steamy New Adult Romance
I rarely read steamy romance. But this one kept popping up in my Facebook ads, and I was so intrigued! Once I started reading it, I couldn’t stop. The heroine yanked me into the story and wouldn’t let go long after I read the last page.
What I loved most about this story was the way the hero and heroine’s relationship grew and evolved. It definitely was no insta-lust, and Olivia had some very serious and severe issues they had to overcome together.
Definitely lots of language and steam in this one, so keep that in mind.
A Different Blue by Amy Harmon
Genre: Coming of Age
This was my first Amy Harmon book. Friends have been telling me to read her for years, and I finally did!
This story was a coming-of-age with a healthy dose of romance and a dash of mystery. When I finished the book, I wasn’t sure how I felt. But Blue’s story has stuck with me, and to me, that’s the mark of a good book.
Blue has a hard life, and this book dealt with some tough themes in a sensitive and tactful way. It would be a perfect book club read!
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The Friend Zone by Sariah Wilson
Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance
I don’t think Sariah Wilson is capable of writing a book I don’t love. She is the master of clean-steamy, as I like to call it. 😉
This new one was set on a college campus, and I loved everything about it! The hero tried so hard and was so freaking adorable, and the heroine definitely had some emotional wounds to overcome. A great read.
Until We Kissed by Heather B. Moore
Genre: Clean Small Town Romance
This small town romance made me want to curl up in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate.
The heroine was a librarian, and the hero an author, which made the story even more fun. Everything about this story was cozy and sweet. Loved it!
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Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi
Genre: Dystopian
This series is probably in my top 5 favorite series of all time. I eager anticipated this book, and it didn’t disappoint!
Tahereh Mafi’s writing style is absolutely beautiful, and I love the characters she’s created, and (even more) the romance. This is one of those series that I recommend to anyone asking for a good book.
Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West
Genre: Young Adult Clean Romance
Kasie West is another one of those authors who’s books I auto-buy. I love Hollywood-type romances, and this one was a lot of fun. There was even a scene where they pretended to be zombies in an old, abandoned building!
Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart
Genre: Young Adult
This book reminded me a lot of The Fault in Our Stars (only with a happier ending). It dealt with a lot of tough issues, and I think would be a good one to read along with your teen and discuss.
I really liked the main character. She was instantly sympathetic but also capable and strong, and I really enjoyed her difficult journey.
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Sea of Flames by Wendy Knight
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Academy books are really popular right now, and this one had some great romantic tension. I just wanted these two best friends to figure out a way to be together!
I love how strong Wendy Knight’s characters are, especially her heroines. And I loved the forbidden romance element in this story in particular.
Embracing Her Ever After by Brenna Jacobs
Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance
I am a huge fan of the TV show The Big Bang Theory. Well, this book was like what would happen if the guys on that show got a baby if Penny was also a smart engineer.
This is another surprise baby romance that was really quirky and fun. The awkwardness of her coworkers was hilariously adorable, and I loved watching these ultra smart professionals out of their element. I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series, and didn’t feel like I missed out on anything by reading this one first.
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And there they are…my favorite reads of 2019! Have you read any of these books? What was one of your favorite reads of 2019?
Happy New Year!
