Top Ten Books I've Read in 2014 So Far

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

This week's topic: Top Ten Books I've Read So Far This Year

Scary Modsters...and Creepy Freaks by Diane Rinella: This book was so fun and quirky. I had a darn good time reading it, and with all that unique feel mixed with Diane's fabulous writing, this book was absolutely fantastic.

Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins: A sweet romance, a soldier, and a little twist that sets it apart from other books like it. I flew through this book and cannot WAIT for the next book by Sabrina Elkins. I also love how this book rides the line between YA and NA. It has a theme that gives off a NA vibe (to me, anyway), but the MC is still in high school. I just really want to cuddle this book.

Rome by Jay Crownover: It's not a secret that I heart me some Jay Crownover. I mean, I WAS Rule's advocate in the NA Crush Tourney last year. So the fact that Rome is my new fav Marked Men book is kind of a significant fact. I loved this one, and Rome and Cora were just great. SO GREAT, Y'ALL.

Be with Me by J. Lynn: I fell in love with Jase in the first chapter. The first. Effing. Chapter. Yeah, he ticked me off throughout the story, but my love was established early on so I was a fan of him, and I really liked Tess, and this book was completely up my alley. As are all of JLA's books.

King Cave by Scarlett Dawn: We remember that huge crush I had on Ezra, yes? Well, that crush has now exploded into something I don't even have a word for, thanks to this book. This was the first book I read this year and it was the PERFECT read to kick off a year of great books. I loved it and even though this one was quite long, it felt way too short. Remind me, when does King Tomb come out again?

A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris: I highly enjoyed My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century and I was expecting to go in and like this one the same way. Then I actually picked it up and NOPE. I loved this one sooooo much more, which baffles me since I had such a great time with the first one. But it happened and I loved it and this book makes me feel so happy!

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck: Tigers (tiger SHIFTERS, no less) and romance. Need I say more? I think not.

Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg: A cute story about friends growing into more and the struggles and accompany that process. This one was dual POV, which is something I adore, and I loved how this one started from when the two MCs met, instead of just jumping into their relationship and trying to catch us up to speed with explanations and whatnot. I fell for Levi and his realistically adorable tendencies and Macallan (dear god please tell me I spelled that right) with her stubborn need to stand up for others. These two characters were so perfect for each other and I ADORED their story so much.

The Warrior by Victoria Scott: Oh, Dante. Trust Victoria Scott to give us an ending like this. It was so magnificent, I just...I can't even. I laughed (because Dante's a hoot, as is Max and I mean...fanny packs), I cried (because REASONS), and I freaking loved this book. Whenever anyone asks me which book in this trilogy is my favorite, I'm always floored because I'm not sure. It's a tie between the first one and this one. Because this one is so kickass and such a phenomenal ending. I honestly can't imagine a better ending for Dante Walker and his people. POW!

Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine: My favorite New Adult book! I felt so many things while reading this book. At one point, I legit hated it. But then I reached a point (30something percent through, if I'm not mistaken) and I realized how much I loved this book. The characters were so raw and I really enjoyed watching them work through their issues while trying to deal with each other at the same time. It was hard for them, and that made it even more wonderful when they finally found it, you know? Their own new little normal. Goodness, I love this book so hard.

What are your favorite books you've read so far this year? Have you read any of mine? Are there any books that aren't on this list that I NEED to have in my life ASAP?

Just a Booklover Turns Two!

Two years ago today, my blog was born.

Okay, not born. But created two years ago. But you know...same difference.

So two years ago today (yeah, I'm totally going to pull a Gilmore Girls and tell the story of the birth of this blog every single year--because I can) I was surfing the interwebz, and then I landed on Twitter. Where I saw Sarah Rees Brennan tweet a negative review of her book The Demon's Lexicon because she liked the title of the review (she's awesome like that).

I read the review and was so. Flipping. Angry. Not because it was a negative review of a book I had adored. No. I was mad because the reviewer had only read the first chapter. And that is completely fine, so long as you don't go through and act as if you DID read the whole book. If you only read the first chapter of a book, you should probably stick to reviewing that first chapter. Or, at the very least, don't make statements about a book like you KNOW what happened in the rest of the book. Once you say you only read the first chapter, critiquing what the rest of the book is like does not float my boat.

So there I was, all angry. And bored. And, honestly, I'd been considering starting a book blog for some time because I wanted to try my hand at reviewing. That person, whose blog I can't even remember the name of, nor can I remember what that cleverly titled review was even called or...anything. But that person unknowingly gave me the push to start Just a Booklover. Well, that person and Sarah Rees Brennan, who'd written a book that I wanted to cuddle with forever and ever. Because that reviewer had stated her opinions on the book, which is totally in her right, and now I wanted to tell mine. I didn't know WHO exactly I was telling it to, but still. I wanted to put it out there.

So from that day on, I began shaping up Just a Booklover. And now here we are. Two years later. Over 1,300 followers, 900 Bloglovin' followers, 400 Feedburner subscribers and over 100,000 pageviews later. Blogging isn't about stats and numbers--heck to the no--but it always astounds me how many people have given my blog the time of day. Who decided to click that button and follow. Who decided to type up even the shortest of responses to anything I've had to say, ever.

I think last year, I resisted saying this because I suck at mushy things, but I can't even deny it this year.

I love you guys.

Thank you all so, so much for sticking around for my crazy town journey in the blogosphere--through Crush Tournies, and terrible reviews, and blogging slumps, and becoming an assistant, and all kinds of stuff. It never fails to make my day to read your comments and I am just so incredibly thankful for each and every one of you.

Now, for those people in particular that have been on this blogging/bookish journey with me, some since around the time I started Just a Booklover, and some trickling in after. It doesn't matter when we became like peas and carrots--I heart you all.

Val & Kay from Stuck in Books and K-Books: My triplet companions! I love having you ladies to fangirl over anything and everything JLA with. Val, I hope to all that is good in the universe that we get to meet up again, and Kay, I hope I get to meet you! I want to so bad. All three of us need to go to some kind of JLA event and fangirl together in person. THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

Nikki from Fiction Freak: You are adorable. Thank you so much for being such a nice person, and for living in Texas ;) We need to go to more of the same events!

Jodie: Because there are not all that many people in the world who would put up with me in a car for as long as she has. We make great roadtrip buddies, and we can totes sing at the top of our lungs whenever we darn well feel like it. LIGHT 'EM UP UP UP, LIGHT 'EM UP UP UP, LIGHT 'EM UP UP UP, WE'RE ON FIIIIIRE.

Anna from Literary Exploration: My blogging big sis! I will never stop hearting the crap out of you.

Meredith from Pandora's Books: Ahhh, you're awesome. I'm so glad we're friends, and...HUGGLES.

The ladies over at Bookish: I love how we've become friends so easily and we all just work together so well. I could not have asked for better blog partners to end up with. Special thanks to Evie for choosing me to be the Indie Enthusiast in the first place!

The ladies over at YA Bound: I heart you all so hard. 'Nuff said.
(Oh, and RACHEL! You are the sweetest. Just saying.)

Jennifer L. Armentrout: This is weird, because I kind of doubt if she's going to see this (though I seriously hope she will!). But her books were the first that got me into the blogosphere. I mean, my blog was created and I was doing my little newbie blogger thaaang, but until I started obsessing over Obsidian, I kind of sat over in my own little corner of the interwebz. So she and her books played a big part in getting me to where I am today. Plus, she is such a nice person. It has become my personal goal/hope to make it to all of her events in Texas. So far, she's been here twice, and I was there both times--so far, so good. Jen, you are the ultimate awesomesauce. Thank you.

Victoria Scott: I feel like I could write you a full-out love letter. I could not have been any luckier in landing the gig as your assistant, and I cannot think of a better author to assist. Your books make me feel all kinds of happy feelings, and YOU. You as a person. You are one of the friendliest, amazing people I've ever met. Ever. I am so glad to be your adopted daughter, and just....AHHH. I seriously think that love letter may happen, because I am so bad at this. But I love you, girl. So. Flipping. Much. You rock so freaking hard.

Aaaaand, I know I've forgotten somebody. I am so, so sorry to anyone I did. I appreciate you all way more than I can say and if I could hug you all, I totally would. Even though I'm not a hugger.

SO. Now that all of the mushy gushy stuff is over, let's get to the GIVEAWAY, yes?

Giveaway 

 I'm giving away three of my favorite February releases--all of which coincidentally were released on the same day. Haaaaaa.

 

*These are each linked to my review for the book*

- There will be THREE winners. First place winner will get to pick which of the three they want, and then the second place winner will get to pick from the remaining two, and then the third place winner will get the last book. All three of these books are fantastic, so no worries.

- This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Because I heart you.

- My giveaway policy applies. PLEASE make sure you've read it before you enter.

 - Enter through the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Review: Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg 
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Format: ARC, 288 pages
Publisher: Point
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Description from Goodreads:
For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?    

I've read a couple of other book by Elizabeth Eulberg, and I highly enjoyed them both. They both sort of stuck with me in a way, too--I now have an even larger appreciation for the Beatles, and Take a Bow...I can actually think of more than one here. But that was the first book with more than just two POVs that I loved. And now we have Better Off Friends. I was all kinds of excited from the moment I heard about this book, because it SOUNDED cute. And you know what? It was. And it is also my new favorite friends-to-more-than-friends YA book. And goodness knows I've read my fair share of those.

The absolute first thing I love about this book is how completely adorable it is. The story starts from where Levi and Macallan become friends, which was fantastic. I liked being able to see their relationship from the very beginning and how it grew throughout the years to the end of the story--from both of their POVs. And these two...they are just so perfectly cute, I cannot even. I loved it. 

I LOVED IT. 

And then we have Macallan who I flipping adored. She was kind and sweet, but then she had CLAWS, man. You try to bully anyone around that girl and you have a slim chance of making it out the way you went it. I think that was awesome. A great trait to have. She had her problems and bad days, and parts where I wanted her to just NOT. But she still impressed me, and if she were an actual human being on this earth, I'd totally be best friends with that chick.  

Macallan's best friend is Levi. First of all, I love the name Levi. So he already had that going for him. But beyond that, he was a wonderful character. Elizabeth Eulberg wrote him super well--he WAS a guy. Have you ever read a book where you could in no way believe that the character that is SUPPOSED to be male sounds pretty....you know...FEMALE? That is not an issue here. Levi is a total boy. A very nice, cute, lovable boy who I would also be best friends with, no doubt about it. 

As I said, we get to see the story of Levi and Macallan from the day they meet. I loved that. It was awesome to watch their story unfold from the very beginning, and to get to see such an ending that made me at least twelve levels of happy. I also liked how in between each chapter, there were little conversation breaks where Levi and Macallan talk about the events we just read. I liked that it gave the feel of the characters both actually going back and recollecting their little Story of Us and I LOVE that. LOVE IT. 

Overall, Elizabeth Eulberg has written another book that has definitely been added to my favorites list. Better Off Friends is cute, funny, and everything I could ask for in a story of best friends blossoming into more. I am way more than excited to read whatever comes next from Elizabeth Eulberg (and hopefully catch up on those couple of titles that I haven't gotten my hands on yet)! 

January Wrap-Up & February TBR

Books Read in January:

1. King Cave by Scarlett Dawn

2. Owlet by Emma Michaels

3. Eyrie by Emma Michaels

4. The Essence by Kimberly Derting

5. The Offering by Kimberly Derting

6. Rome by Jay Crownover

7. Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins

8. Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson

9. Layers by Sigal Ehrlich

10. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

11. Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

  

Release Date: February 25, 2014

Publisher: Point

Description from Goodreads:

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

 I'm going to be reviewing this on in February, but I'm going to tell you know--this book is cute in more ways than I could ever count. Elizabeth Eulberg writes the most adorable romances that I always fly through, and Better off Friends is definitely an addition to the list of awesome she's got going. 

 Reviews: 
King Cave by Scarlett Dawn

Blog Tours: 
The Offering by Kimberly Derting (Review & Giveaway)
Rome by Jay Crownover (Review & Giveaway)
Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins (Review & Giveaway)
Forever Young (Excerpt & Giveaway)
Pieces For You by Genna Rulon (Excerpt & Giveaway)
Layers by Sigal Ehrlich (Review & Giveaway)

Cover Reveals: 
Dracian Legacy by Priya Kanaparti

Extra Stuff: 
Hey There, 2014!
New Things!
Introducing Monthly Re-Reads
The Fault in Our Stars Movie Trailer!

(I am just now noticing how many exclamation points I use when titling my random posts. Wow. I am clearly a very excited person.)

I was going to do a video, but then there was a technological issue and instead of remaking the video for this month, I'm just going to show y'all the books I plan to/hope to read in February! Of course, some of these may change or roll over into March, depending on what goes on. :)



OR (I want to get to one of these but I'm not sure which)
 

Monthly Re-Reads Books:


And that was my January/will be my February! Now, what say you, awesome blog reader?