Kaetrin’s Favourites of 2016
Book ReviewsNeed A Rec! / top 10 lists14 Comments
2016 has been an awful year in many ways but it wasn’t awful in all the ways. I started a new job, my family and I went on our longed-awaited dream holiday in the UK, and I had lots of very successful reading.
In no particular order, here are my top 10 of favourite reads (as reviewed here) for the year.
Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs. I adore the Mercy Thompson series. Mercy and Adam are one of my all time favourite couples and they never fail to entertain me. Fire Touched shocked me and blew me away and refreshed the storyline anew. Fabulous book.
If I hear or hear about any of you saying anything to my mate that is in the least bit disrespectful, I will end you. No warnings, no second chances. I will end you.”
Kings Rising 
by CS Pacat. My list wouldn’t be complete without including Kings Rising. It was probably my most anticipated book of 2016 and it didn’t let me down. Given how much expectation I had already built up, that’s saying something. A wonderful and fitting end to an awesome series.
Damen could feel the quiet exultation of Laurent’s men, while the Akielons looked a little dazed. Nikandros passed Laurent his reins.
‘Is this how you do things in Vere?’
‘You mean effectively?’ said Laurent.
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The Score
by Elle Kennedy. I love this series. I love Dean Di Laurentis. That is all.
Yeah…I need to nip this Dean idea in the bud. I don’t know why he’s so eager to jump into bed with me again, but I’m confident he’ll get over it eventually. The guy has the attention span of a fruit fly, and the affection-giving habits of a puppy, offering his sexual devotion to whoever happens to be holding the treat. By which I mean the vagina.
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Hard Candy
by Amy Jo Cousins. Bryan completely won me in Hard Candy. I was so invested in him as a character. So well done.
Bryan… laced their fingers together after slipping into a deep-plum coat that swung from his shoulders to swirl around the calves of his boots. His hand squeezed tightly around Vinnie’s as they stepped into the hall, and Vinnie wondered if this was what it felt like every day for Bryan. Like strapping on armor and a shield before stepping onto the field of battle and hoping the wounds you’d bring home wouldn’t be fatal.
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Shut Out
by Kelly Jamieson. Perhaps this book was my big surprise of the year. Kelly Jamieson books can be a little hit or miss with me but I was super impressed with this book. I liked what it had to say about rape culture but more than that, I loved the romance. It’s a book which worked on just about every level for me.
“I’m kind of . . . turned on.”
His head whips around, then turns back to the windshield. “From meeting my parents?”
I choke. “No! God no.” I wheeze. “From watching you drive.”
He shoots me an amused look. “Babe. Seriously?”
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A Wild Ride
by Vivian Arend. I expect fun and sexy reads from Vivian Arend but A Wild Ride was much more than that as well. Troy Thompson had more to him than just about anyone had previously noticed and I enjoyed getting to know him (although not as much as Nic did, obvs.)
“I’m very interested in solid financial numbers,” she said as primly as possible.
“I’ll give you a solid number,” he offered as their hips bumped again. “Nine solid inches.”
Good grief. Heat rushed through her, the challenge too much to resist. Nicole turned on the spot, falling into his eyes for a moment before remembering she needed to stay focused. “You don’t want to get into a dick war with me,” she whispered. “I have a whole drawer full of dicks, and they’re all bigger than yours.”
He opened his mouth again, but whatever he was about to say stuttered to a stop as she lowered a hand and deliberately pressed it over the front of his jeans.
Troy swallowed hard, hips rocking into her as if he had no control over the impulse.
A shiver rippled over her entire body. Nine inches was a low estimate. She knew from personal, intimate detail he was a handful and a half.
Carolina Dreaming 
by Virginia Kantra. It’s not hard to tell from my list that I’m a hero-centric reader. As much as I liked Jane, this book was all about Gabe for me. And I did adore him.
Gabe flushed. He wanted Jane. Imagined having her in just about every way a man could have a woman.
But she wasn’t a fucking hill to be taken. He respected her, the way she raised her son, ran her business, fed strays and the elderly. She had made something of herself, something solid and fine and permanent.
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Playing Hard
by Melanie Scott. I read a book about an economist heroine. A book which contained *shudders* maths (though thankfully, not much because maths). And I liked it. In fact, I more than liked it. It was smart, funny and it had a brilliant ending. I was very happy with the girl power in this book. And Oliver was pretty nice also. ;)
“Do you want to talk about it?: he asked.
Another head shake.
“Do you want to go to sleep?” he asked.
“No.”
“Do you want me to stop asking questions and you can just tell me what you need?”
Her mouth curled up at that. “You,” she said simply. “I just need you.”
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The Obsession
by Nora Roberts. The daughter of a serial killer and a grumpy carpenter. Such an interesting premise and a fine return to form for La Nora. Perhaps the contemporary romance and the romantic suspense could have been blended better but I basically enjoyed the hell out of it.
“You have a sixty-seven GTO convertible, in factory red.”
He stood in reverent silence for ten full seconds. “I think you have to marry me now. You’re the first woman besides Loo who’s seen her and known what she is. I’m pretty sure we’re engaged.”
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Learning to Fall
by Mina V. Esguerra This one was originally published in 2015 but it’s my list and I read it in 2016 so I’m including it. :D
Oh man, I adored this book. It made me laugh and gave me feels and it was just so darn good. I want everyone to read it.
“…Do you have athletic shorts, or something? You don’t need to be completely naked. It’s not that kind of class.”
“That’s a little disappointing.”
“What I mean is,” and God was I sounding like some kind of idiot, “We have a few artists in the class who are doing studies on book cover art. You know how you see book covers of male upper bodies sometimes? They need that, mostly. And maybe bare legs.”
“Molly invited me here to be Fabio?”
I blushed at that, like I was thrown right back into high school as I read those novels at night, in the privacy of my room. But also, had the world not moved on from Fabio? No offense to the man, but as visual representations of a female’s sexual fantasy went, he was not the only guy. There have been many guys. There are so many other guys.
“What I’m saying is, take your pants off, Fabio,” I said instead.
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Happy new year everyone. Here’s hoping 2017 doesn’t suck.
~ Kaetrin ~
Happy New Year Kaetrin (and congrats on the new job and dream vacation – I also got a new job – it’s temporary, but as part of it, I got to travel to Kenya, which was amazing).
I also loved Hard Candy – her Bend or Break series has been a little hit or miss for me, but I’ve really enjoyed the most recent additions.
“The daughter of a serial killer and a grumpy carpenter.” Well, I thought at first, that’s a twist: Was Dad the killer and Mom the grumpy carpenter?
I Iove the Mercy Thompson series, too, and am eager to investigate the others on your list. I’m glad last year was a good one for you.
See I went right to mom is serial killer and dad is grumpy carpenter. Sigh. I wish my mind wouldn’t automatically think that the man is the carpenter.
@bev: The vast majority of serial killers are men (at least the ones who get caught…), so assuming Mom is the serial killer is technically more subversive.
Carolina Dreaming was great! Like you, I loved Gabe, too. Jane’s dad annoyed me a bit at first because he was so determined to see the worst in Gabe, but I ended up enjoying his sub-story as well.
@cleo: I’m sure Kenya was awesome Cleo! Hoping your dream permanent job is just around the corner for you.
I agree re the Bend or Break series – I loved The Girl Next Door in 2015 and last year Hard Candy – for me they are the two outstanding books of the series to date. Have you read Glass Tidings yet (not Bend or Break series though)? I have it on the TBR of doom but haven’t managed to crack it open yet.
@Darlynne: @bev: @Ren Benton: You guys are cracking me up! LOL. Let’s try this again: The heroine is the daughter of the serial killer (who is totally male and super creepy) and the hero is the grumpy carpenter. Is that better? *snort*
@Jamie Beck: I’m such a hero-centric reader. It’s almost always about the hero for me and Gabe just caught me from the beginning of that book and did not let go. *happy sigh*
@Kaetrin – thanks!
I did read Glass Tidings and I enjoyed it (although not as much as Hard Candy and definitely not as much as Girl Next Door, which is my favorite favorite).
I liked the two heroes and their slow burn romance – I had some issues with the rest of the story. The initial set up required a big suspension of disbelief and I didn’t love the resolution to the mystery part of the plot.
@cleo: oh, interesting. I’m mostly in it for the romance anyway so fingers crossed I’ll like it! :)
Great choices Kaetrin! I’ve read The Score and Hard Candy (the latter made my best of list too, with its companion novella Love Me Like A Rock) and several others are on my TBR.
@Christine Maria Rose: I love looking at people’s best of lists for the year. I almost always find a book I bought but haven’t read yet and need to move up the TBR or a book to buy.
Kaetrin, I read Glass Tidings and was a bit disappointed. Okay, but not her best.
@Des Livres: bummer!