Top 10 Books of 2020

 

I ended 2020 with 79 books read. Not an astronomical number, but since it was such a tough and stressful year, I'll take it. I've set my goal for this year at 75 books and am already well on my way to finishing book 1 (Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai which is WONDERFUL so far), but I thought I'd take a moment and share my favorite books I read in 2020 before I completely dive head first into 2021 :)

*I'm putting these in an order, but it's a rough order...except for my #1. I'm pretty sure about that...*

click on covers for Goodreads links

10. Sanctum by Hannah McBride

One of my favorite people published her first novel in 2020, and I'm so glad it ended up being one I love enough to call a favorite. It has everything I look for in some of my biggest comfort reads, including but not limited to a sweet fated romance and interesting relationship dynamics (among family, friends, and the love interest). Plus, it has shifters!

9. Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

Strange to put this at #9, but for now I like it here. This book was a big deal to me this past year, partly because of nostalgia and partly because I truly love this series and these characters. I'm so grateful to have finally gotten Midnight Sun and relieved that it was just as good as, if not better than, I'd imagined it would be. 

8. Always Only You by Chloe Liese

This one was a little bit of a pleasant surprise for me. I read book 1 in this series earlier in the year and liked it, but didn't LOVE it. So I almost didn't pick up Always Only You. But then I saw people talking about it and it caught my interest--and I'm so glad it did. I loved Frankie and Ren and still think about them all the time. And now I'm looking forward to reading the next Bergman novel!

7. Lost Star by Rebecca Royce

Ah yes, my obligatory fangirling over Rebecca Royce's RH. This author writes some of my FAVORITE. This series, Wings of Artemis, in particular. Lost Star was everything I'd wanted i to be and more and I love it so much and now I think I'm going to need to re-read it soon. This harem is...*chef's kiss* I miss this series.

6. Hands Down by Mariana Zapata

Almost always without fail, MZ books end up being favorites. Hands Down was no exception. It made me so happy, and I've re-read it since it released in the summer and I still ADORE Zac and Bianca and their sweet, funny friends-to-lovers story.

5. Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

The Brown Sisters brought be so much joy. It was tough to choose between them, but Zafir slays me. Such a sweetheart, and his dynamic with Dani. Perfection. If you need a pick me up, I strongly suggest picking up these books. They're a delight.

4. A Kingdom of Flesh & Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

This book took me an embarrassingly long time to read, but the fact that I stayed interested the whole time and kept coming back to this beast of a book during the trying year is a testament to how fantastic this story is. I looooooooved the relationship growth in particular, and I'm already clamoring for book 3. Poppy & Cas 5ever.

3. Sworn to the Shadow God by Ruby Dixon

Ruby Dixon was the author I read the most this year, so it was somewhat difficult to pick which book of hers to include on this list. But the Aspect & Anchor series was my introduction to RD, and Sworn to the Shadow God was the book of hers I was most excited to pick up this year. It did not disappoint, and now I'm anxiously awaiting another installment in this series. And now that I'm talking about it, this will likely be another one I re-read soon because I freaking LOVED this book.

2. Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

This was one of the last books I read in 2020. I actually got it for Christmas. But wow, it was such a gem. I'm so glad I didn't hesitate to pick it up once I had it in my hands because this book warmed my heart and made me so beyond happy. A new favorite. And now I'm looking into Kate Clayborn's backlist because I need more. I'm also greatly looking forward to Love at First because as I said, I need more. 

1. Lola and the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon

Technically a duology, but it's all one big story to me so I'm counting it altogether as #1. These books have brought me the most reading joy of 2020. They're now all-time favorites. I originally read them through KU, but they wormed their way into my heart so much that I bought the paperbacks. I've re-read them more than once since my first read. They are...basically perfect. A sweet reverse harem that unfolds flawlessly. Gaaaah, so so so so BEYOND good. So yeah, definitely my favorite of 2020.

What do you think of my list? What were your favorite reads of 2020? Leave a comment and let me know! :)

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Lyla Payne ~ Top 10 & Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In Mistletoe and Mr Right, Jessica takes a flying leap and follows her boyfriend home for the holidays for Christmas break, sure that Ireland will provide the perfect backdrop to the beginning of their happily ever after. But it turns out his family – and his gorgeous ex-girlfriend – don’t feel the same way, and the only person making the trip worthwhile is a hot local, who has a way of showing up when Jessica needs him most ... and least.

The holiday high jinks continue in Sleigh Bells and Second Chances, when Jessica’s best friend makes her own way across the pond! Christina Lake does not want to be away at Christmas, but she has an intern job as publicist for London’s hottest band at their last-minute concert on Christmas Eve ... even though she had a fling with Cary, the band’s lead singer, that never officially ended. Now forced to reconnect, Christina is starting to think that maybe London is exactly where she’s supposed to be to get the perfect New Year’s kiss – at least until she finds out that he’s been lying the whole time. Can Cary find a way to prove himself before the clock strikes twelve? Or will the New Year ring in a new romance?

Lyla Payne wraps up two perfect holiday novellas, ties them with a ribbon of romance, and tops them with a light dusting of snow. Perfect to curl up with under the tree. Just add hot cocoa!

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | iBooks | The Book Depository

ABOUT LYLA PAYNE:

Lyla Payne is the USA Today bestselling author of the Whitman University series, the Lowcountry Ghost books, and the holiday novella Mistletoe and Mr. Right. She graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in film but no desire to tackle Hollywood, and made it through three quarters of an M.A. in ancient history before writing took over. She lives in the Midwest with her two dogs, two cats, and the characters in her head. Find her online at lylapayne.com and on Twitter: @Lyla_Payne.

LINKS: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

Tour Schedule:

12/1: Swoony Boys Podcast - Q&A

12/2: Krista's Dust Jacket - Review

12/3: Lovin Los Libros - Review

12/4: Fiction Fare - Review

12/6: What Sarah Read - Guest Post

12/7: The Reading Date - Top 10 Holiday Romance Roundup

12/8: Emily Reads Everything - Review

12/9: Mundie Moms - 12 Gifts from Mr. Right

12/10: Book Scents - Review

12/11: Stuck in Books - Top 10

12/12: Oops! I Read A Book Again - Review

12/13: Paperback Princess - Top 10

12/14: Resch Reads & Reviews - Review

Top Ten 

Top 10 places to hang the mistletoe to grab the hotties kiss! 

by Lyla Payne

10. The front door – obviously. You want to snap him up straightaway before he stumbles under the mistletoe with someone else!

9. The kitchen threshold – according to George Costanza, it’s the “friendliest room in the house.”

8. The backstage door – to “accidentally” bump into a gorgeous musician.

7. The barn door – because who’s NOT into a hot farmer/ranchhand/cowboy?

6. The dance floor – romance abounds, so why not add a little extra?

5. The bookstore entrance – helpful for picking a guy who likes the best present ever – books!

4. At a holiday party – it’s festive, there’s music and booze…what better place to make a move?

3. The break room at work – because we’ve all had that person at work who needs a little nudge to cross the line!

2. The town square – says every Hallmark Christmas movie, ever.

1. The hospital cafeteria – good for snagging a hot doctor!

Giveaway

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This giveaway is hosted and sponsored by Irish Banana Tours & Bloomsbury books. . StuckInBooks is not responsible for selecting a winner or sending out prizes.

Hello? by Liza Wiemer ~ Tour Stop, Giveaway, & Top 10

About HELLO?

One HELLO? can change a life. One HELLO? can save a life.

Tricia: A girl struggling to find her way after her beloved grandma's death.
Emerson: A guy who lives his life to fulfill promises, real and hypothetical.
Angie: A girl with secrets she can only express through poetry.
Brenda: An actress and screenplay writer afraid to confront her past.
Brian: A potter who sets aside his life for Tricia, to the detriment of both.

Linked and transformed by one phone call, Hello? weaves together these five Wisconsin teens' stories into a compelling narrative of friendship and family, loss and love, heartbreak and healing, serendipity, and ultimately hope.

Told from all five viewpoints: narration (Tricia), narration (Emerson), free verse poetry (Angie), screenplay format (Brenda), narration and drawings (Brian).

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | The Book Depository

About Liza Wiemer:

I am the author of two non-fiction adult books, short stories, and newspaper and magazine articles. A pre-school to high school educator now writing YA fiction full time, which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! And I'm a diehard Green Bay Packers fan.

For my author posts on writing and my upcoming YA novel HELLO?: http://www.LizaWiemer.com
Unique "job" experiences: I spent a summer selling popcorn in a Koepsell's popcorn wagon while listening to awesome music on the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee. I also know my way around a fender and a quarter panel and under the hood of a car. I spent a few years driving to accident scenes, scrapyards, hospitals, auto repair shops as a claims adjuster for an insurance company. 

Links: Website | Twitter | Blog

Stuck In Books – Top 10...

Top 10 meetings (or hellos) through history or fiction.
(For example, the meeting of Harry and Ron in the Harry Potter books would be one for fiction)

By Liza Wiener

This is such an awesome idea for a blog post! Thanks for suggesting it.

My Top Ten Meetings (or Hellos) – no particular order!



1. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice – just thinking about that heated look gives me the tingles!

2. Maya Angelou and Oprah—to see these two inspiring women together gave me the chills. http://www.oprah.com/app/maya-angelou.html

3. Victoria Schwab meets Neil Gaiman at World Fantasy Con—Twitter stepped up for Victoria and tweeted Neil, telling him she wanted to meet him so badly and this HAD TO HAPPEN. Finally, Victoria met Neil at his 2nd book signing on Sunday. He stood up and gave her a hug! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JAc_sYNsIA#t=225

4. Karou and Akiva in Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, the first time Akiva sees Karou in Marrakesh. Swoon!

5. Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace Lancaster in The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, meeting in the “heart of Jesus” during a support group for teens with cancer. Unforgettable.

6. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin – the Peace Accords. Riveting. Groundbreaking.

7. Jacqueline Wallace and Lucas/Landon Maxfield in Easy by Tammara Webber—he saved her!! Swoon.

8. Roarke and Eve in J.D. Robb’s In Death Series—hands down, my most favorite adult novel couple ever! They met at a funeral. He was a murder suspect, she was the investigating NYPD lieutenant .There are 42 books so far in this series and I’ve read everyone. Plus novellas!

9. Lois Lane and Clark Kent—remember that awkward introduction at the Daily Planet?

10. Okay, I just had to add a personal one: When I met Gayle Forman for the first time at the 2011 Teen Author Carnival in NYC. I totally fangirled. My hands were shaking. She was so incredibly nice. Her mom asked me what I loved best about If I Stay, and I RAVED, opened the novel and started reading a few favorite passages. I’m said something like, “Your daughter is brilliant! Listen to the cadence!” Yeah, I was quite enthusiastic, to say the least. J Her mom smiled and gave me a hug.


And just one more...

“You had me at HELLO.” From the movie “Jerry Maguire”

Jerry: Hello? Hello.

I'm lookin' for my wife.

Wait. Okay...okay...okay.

If this is where it has to happen, then this is where it has to happen.

I'm not letting you get rid of me. How about that?

This used to be my specialty. You know, I was good in a living room. They'd send me in there, and I'd do it alone. And now I just...

But tonight, our little project, our company had a very big night -- a very, very big night.

But it wasn't complete, wasn't nearly close to being in the same vicinity as complete, because I couldn't share it with you. I couldn't hear your voice or laugh about it with you. I miss my -- I miss my wife.

We live in a cynical world, a cynical world, and we work in a business of tough competitors.

I love you. You -- complete me.

And I just had --

Dorothy: Shut up. Just shut up.

You had me at hello.

You had me at hello.

Giveaway...

$25 Amazon Gift Card (Int) and 3 annotated copies of HELLO?

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Tour Schedule:
Week 1:
Nov. 2: No BS Book Reviews - Q&A
Nov. 3: Book Rock Betty - Guest Post
Nov. 4: YA Bibliophile - Review
Nov. 5: Paperback Princess - Playlist
Nov. 6: Resch Reads & Reviews - Review


Week 2:
Nov. 9: The Irish Banana Review - Review
Nov. 10: Forever Bookish - Review
Nov. 11: Swoony Boys Podcast - Character Interview
Nov. 12: Reading W/ABC - Review
Nov. 13: Stuck In Books - Top 10


Week 3:
Nov. 16: Mundie Moms - Review
Nov. 17: Fiction Fare - Guest Post
Nov. 18: Andi's ABCs - ABC Post
Nov. 19: Bookiemoji - Review
Nov. 20: A Book & A Latte - How I Write

Dreamland by Robert L Anderson ~ Tour Stop & Giveaway

Source:  Received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Odea Donahue has been able to travel through people’s dreams since she was six years old. Her mother taught her the three rules of walking: Never interfere. Never be seen. Never walk the same person’s dream more than once. Dea has never questioned her mother, not about the rules, not about the clocks or the mirrors, not about moving from place to place to be one step ahead of the unseen monsters that Dea’s mother is certain are right behind them.

Then a mysterious new boy, Connor, comes to town and Dea finally starts to feel normal. As Connor breaks down the walls that she’s had up for so long, he gets closer to learning her secret. For the first time she wonders if that’s so bad. But when Dea breaks the rules, the boundary between worlds begins to deteriorate. How can she know what’s real and what’s not?

LINKS: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Review...

What an interesting and different read.  Dream walker.  Lots of secrets.  Lots of intertwined plot lines.  It had me trying to figure things out and coming up empty.  What's real?  What's a dream?  Good stuff.

This one's in third persona and it's not my favorite.  But the good news is that I ended up feeling connected to the characters anyway.  I think the mystery of this read is increased by the third person writing style. 

I liked Dea and Connor.  Dea's always been the strange one no matter where her mother moves her to.  She only fits in with the other castaways from high school.  That aspect of her personality makes her relatable to anyone who's ever felt like they don't belong.  Then she has this secret that's almost as powerful as Harry Potter's was.  And her secret takes her on a journey.  One that's full of monsters and hard choices but one that helps her help a friend and figure out who she is.  I enjoyed that.

I liked Connor a lot.  His secret is less mysterious though the real story doesn't really come out till the end.  I loved that he gravitated towards the misfits.  That he accepted Dea for who she was.  That he was honest and real with her.  I loved that he stuck by her even when things were weird.  He's a great guy.

I wonder about the ending.  It is an ending but it could be more.  I wouldn't mind if it was more.

This is something different.  Something that gets you thinking.  It's also something sweet.  I enjoyed it.

TOUR SCHEDULE:

9/21 - Supernatural Snark: Guest Post

9/22 - Bookiemoji: Interview w/Robert

9/23 - Stuck In Books: Top 10

9/24 - No BS Book Reviews: Guest Post

9/25 - Paperback Princess: Top 10

ABOUT ROBERT L. ANDERSON:

Robert L. Anderson grew up in Brooklyn and graduated college in 2004 with a degree in philosophy. Since then, he has lived in five states and twelve countries, and on three continents. Dreamland is his first novel. He is represented by literary agent Stephen Barbara.

LINKS: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

DREAMLAND – Stuck In Books Top 10

Top 10 topic - Traveling through dreams may be tricky but what about actual travel.  Top 10 fictional places to visit? 

1) Hogwarts (Harry Potter): Wouldn’t it be nice to finally be excited about school? Though I guess if you’ve grown up with magic your entire life like Ron did the magic of magic kind of wears off on you. Did that make sense? I think it made sense.

2) The Kingdom of Norta (Red Queen): I know the kingdom’s divide between Reds and Silvers sucks for the Reds, but how awesome would it be to be a Silver with telekinesis or telepathy? Pretty awesome.

3) The Capitol (The Hunger Games): If I were a Career who grew up in District One I would love a shot to enter the Arena. I’m not excited about killing other people, but I am an adrenaline junkie and the Games absolutely keep you running and second-guessing who to trust.

4) Westeros (A Game of Thrones): THERE BE DRAGONS! THERE BE KHALEESI!

5) Ravka (Shadow and Bone): The Grisha have extraordinary powers and get to eat extraordinary food. I’m sold.

6) Andy’s Room (Toy Story): THIS is where the magic happens—childhood toys coming to life when humans aren’t around? I wouldn’t ever have to worry about book sales or deadlines, only if Buzz and Woody are fighting again.  

7) Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park): I know people shouldn’t voluntarily hang out with dinosaurs, but assuming all the Velociraptors are where they’re supposed to be it should be fun times.

8) The Shire (Lord of the Rings): BRB, I’m going to go be one with the Hobbits. It’s peaceful and idyllic and zero chaos and there will be plenty delicious food to eat. I’m sensing a theme in this post…I’m also sensing a hunger in my stomach.

9) Anglia (The Witch Hunter): I would love to team up with Elizabeth Warren, Anglia’s best Witch Hunter, in her breathtaking missions and attend these enchanting parties in forests.

10) Halo Nations (Halo, video game): Gear me up in Spartan armor and I’ll hop into the nearest Ghost vessel and run down some Elites. I’m a proud nerd.

Giveaway...

I have one finished copy of Dreamland to give away!

US/Canada only

Sponsored by HarperCollins

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Finally Mine by Anne Hasen ~ Tour Stop & Giveaway

Click on the banner to follow the tour.

Title: FINALLY MINE

Author: Anne Hansen

Age group: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover designer: Anne Hansen

Organized by: WordSmith Publicity

Book Description:
An incredible stroke of luck lands Vin Moretti a plea bargain—he spends his summer slaving at a country club instead of rotting in a jail cell. He plans to keep his head down and avoid the trust fund brats.

He never expects to fall for a gorgeous, amazing girl way out of his league.

When Keira McCabe falls in love with Vin Moretti, it’s head-over-heels, crazy, incredible love. She’s sure nothing can ruin what they have…but she has no idea how far Vin will go to protect her from the one thing he’s most afraid of: himself.

Summer ends, and Keira returns to the sprawling suburbs where she belongs, while Vin slinks back to the wrong side of the tracks and his old trouble-making ways. They promise to make long-distance love work.

It’s just dumb luck that her father’s unexpected demotion moves Keira smack in Vin’s gritty neck of the woods. Vin realizes he’ll need do whatever it takes to keep Keira safe—even if it means shutting the person he loves the most out of his dangerous life completely.

When Vin turns his back on Keira at her lowest moment, it finally hits her: she was never going to be anything more than his dirty little secret. Her life as she knows it has been torn to shreds, but she’s determined to make the best of it…with or without the guy she gave her heart to over the summer.

Vin starts to have second thoughts about his decision when he realizes how empty life is without Keira around. The problem is, Keira’s learned her lesson, and she isn’t about to be used again.

Vin realizes he’s going to have to pull out all the stops and turn his life around if he wants to make Keira finally his.

Top Ten with Vin and Keira

1. Favorite movie/actor/actress?

Keira: My all time favorite movie is American Graffiti. My mom and I used to veg on the couch and watch that and The Birdcage. I know, random! My favorite actor is Chris Hemsworth, because he made seeing Thor with Vin bearable, and my favorite actress is Emma Stone, who always makes me laugh!

Vin: I thought you liked Thor for all the Norse mythology?

Keira: *cough--Chris Hemsworth's abs--cough* That too! I don't think I've ever asked what your favorite movie is, Vin.

Vin: Goodfellas. Hands down. It's funny and violent and just really cool. Favorite actor? Robert DeNiro, no explanation needed for that. Favorite actress? Zoe Saldana. I don't think there's a single movie she's in I don't like.

Keria: Even Center Stage? The one where she's a ballerina?

Vin: Never saw it. But I'm an open-minded guy, so who knows?

Keira: We'll have to watch Center Stage and Goodfellas this weekend, then.

Vin: (laughs) Weirdest movie night ever. I'm in, babe.

2. Favorite song/singer?

Keira: That's so hard! I know it's super old-fashioned, but I love the Beach Boys. My parents and I used to listen to them when we cruised around in the summer. So I guess "God Only Knows," because it's beautiful, and it makes me think of the people I love and don't know what I'd do without. Like Vin. (leans over to kiss him)

Vin: That's really sweet, babe. Now I feel dumb saying mine.

Keira: Why? You can like whatever you want to like! You're usually the romantic one, so let me be for once!

Vin: Okay, my all time favorite song is "Not Afraid" by Eminem. I used to listen to that over and over again when I was in middle school. And Eminem, I own everything by him and never get tired of it.

Keira: I love Eminem, too. We need to make a playlist for driving around...

3. Favorite place you would love to visit?

Keira: My father still has family just outside of Dublin, Ireland. I'd love to take a trip there.

Vin: And I'd love to go to Italy, where a lot of my family still lives. What do you say, babe? We can do one of those backpacking tours like college kids do.

Keira: Or we could rent a really hot car and drive through!

Vin: Even better.

4. One item you can not live without?

Keira: Other than Vin? I guess I could live without anything, but I hope I never have to be without the cross necklace my mother gave me before she died.

Vin:  Keira. Seriously, nothing else. Because I've had a lot and I've had almost nothing, but as long as I had Keira at my side, I knew I'd be alright.

Keira: Awww, babe!

5. Who would you like to meet? (dead or alive)

Keira: Shirley Muldowney. Definitely. She's the first lady of drag racing, a total pioneer in the world of racing. I'd love to sit down with her and talk motors all day long.

Vin: Al Capone. I'd like to go back in time and figure out where the hell he disappeared to.

6. Favorite car?

Keira: Too easy. '68 Dodge Dart. Fast, sexy, and powerful...the way I like my men and my cars! (winks)

Vin: Late 80s Mustangs. I have a soft spot for the '89 because it's the model my dad got for me.

7. Guilty pleasure?

Vin: My mom's tiramisu. I could eat ten pounds of it in one sitting.

Keira: Super long, super hot baths. I know it's so not green, but I love letting some of the water drain when it cools down so I can add some more scalding water on top. I'm not happy unless I come out looking like a cooked lobster!

8. Favorite author and/book?

Vin: The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald. Honestly, I think I liked it so much because it's the first book I ever stuck with and actually finished. Gotta thank Delani for that.

Keira: That's a really hard one! I think I've read The Catcher in the Rye about fifty times. I love Holden so much, and feel like I identify with him so strongly.

9. Do you collect anything (other than cars)?

Vin: Keychains. I have more than I need, but I can't seem to stop buying them.

Keira: Shoes. When my dad lost his job, money was really tight. I wore my shoes until the soles had holes in them. Now I let myself splurge on totally unnecessary shoes once in a while, and I'm getting a pretty nice collection going!

10. Favorite color?

Keira: Sky blue. The color of my car. (squeezes Vin's arm)

Vin: Bright blue. The color of Keira's eyes.

Keira: Vin! That was very romantic... (kisses him)

Vin: (pulling away) Thank you so much for the interview. Now, I think I'm going to take my girlfriend somewhere a little more...private.

Amazon | B&N

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About the Author:
Anne Hansen is a die-hard romantic who loves fast cars, unsung heroes, and those crazy, funny conversations that make you laugh so hard, you end up in tears with stomach cramps. She likes to travel and has been all kinds of cool places--like Knoebels Theme Park, the biggest Paul Bunyan statue in Minnesota, and Paris. She loves listening to indie music, sitting around the campfire with her awesome family, and obsessively flipping through celebrity Instagram accounts (don't judge). But, most of all, she loves reading books and writing them, and she's excited to share her greatest passion with other book lovers!

 Author Social Media Links:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads