First great read of the year!
595426
I don't have the words to express how I feel about Firsts. It has taken me weeks to try to put into words how much this book means to me and I don't think I will do an adequate enough job of saying how much this book needs to be read.

So much about Mercedes broke my heart, but in a way that was messed up to most of us, she only wanted to help people so they wouldn't end up like she did. I love how the author didn't portray Mercedes and her sexual activity as slutty. The double standard in books and society says girls must be pure or steady with one boy or they are looked down upon, forever branded promiscuous.

My personal champions in this book are Zach and Faye. They stuck with Mercedes through it all and showed her she can trust them. The sacrifice they made to take the heat off of her had me a blubbering mess.

Finally, Firsts touches on a few serious topics we must be knowledgeable about. Sexual assault and safe sex. I applaud the author for putting it out there and making us as readers talk about it.

A five star read that filled my heart with understanding, hope and love.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
1796848
I started Catch of the Day on New Year's day since I had the day off and nothing else to do after an night of celebrating the New year with my friends. I don't even usually like to read books written in 1st person, but I couldn't put it down and finished it by midnight January 1st! I ended up having to stop reading it to do a few things around the house, but kept thinking about it and wanting to get back to it the whole time I was busy. It had awesome characters and was so descriptive that I felt like I was there in Gideon's Cove. It made me laugh out loud and cry out loud too. I enjoyed it so much that I didn't want it to end, and ran out on January 2nd to get Kristan Higgins first book Fools Rush In. I haven't started that one yet, but I have a feeling I'm going to like it just as much, so I am going to have to start reading it when I have some uninterrupted time, or I won't get anything done that I need to! I wholeheartedly recommend this book, to anyone who's a fan of comtemporary romance novels. Kristan Higgin's is going on my favorite author list, after this book. I didn't find anything that I didn't love about it. I especially loved the brooding, quiet, mysterious Malone! I literally got goosebumps when I read his surprising first kiss with Maggie, and then had to go back and re-read the whole scene. I never do that! It's been years since I've had a book that engrossed me into the story this much and affected my emotions so much also. This one is a keeper and I will read it again, I just know it!
3301278
Great story! This was the first book I have read cover to cover in years!
3339105
I really enjoyed this book! I love the descriptions that help me feel like I'm "there" with the characters. Great settings, characters, and twists that I did not expect! I stayed up until 2 a.m. one night because I couldn't put it down. There are moments of adult language and content, but it all felt appropriate to the characters and what was happening in the moment. I'm looking forward for book 2!
3436064
i read alot and this was up there as being one of the best book this year.  i laughed, i cried, i sighed.  i felt like i was with the characters and the author didn't rush or labour on any parts of the story.

wonderful read which i highly recomend.
1379019
This is by far one of the best books I have read this year. I have not read a better start to a series EVER!

I fell in love with Haunted Lily and its characters and ghosts from page one, the story captured me immediately and drew me into the plot. The cover was so stunning, I was expecting a true horror story, which I usually don't read (I`m more a Jane Austen gal), but after reading all the wonderful reviews on Goodreads, I gave the book a try.  At certain times I felt nervous when the characters were nervous, I felt for many of the ghosts and their situations, and found myself, many times, laughing out loud, which I didn't expect.

The main character is Darby McGregor, a young Englishman who has lost his beloved girlfriend, and during his grieving encounters a truly frightening spirit in his home. This leads him to seek out Lily, a totally endearing young woman whom he sees on a "supernatural" television program and is immediately drawn to. Lily agrees to meet Darby and their adventure really begins.

The author seamlessly weaves back and forth through different time periods, bringing to life the stories of the ghosts through Lily's eyes. These passages are written with a clear and utterly believable voice that truly resonated with me, and at times sent chills through me. They were authentic in that you feel like you are right there with the characters. And the author sneaks in romance that made my heart melt.

The book is chock full of interesting locales, and even more interesting ghosts. The ghosts aren't just the quick fright; they are/were real people who have lived and died, and want to be heard. Lily listens. The villain of the story, a sadistic clown named Varton Muntz "part devil, part serial-killer", seemed to be plucked directly from one of the writers' nightmares and inserted directly into mine. Muntz was a character so believable and creepy he stayed in my subconscious long after I finished the book. The reoccurring themes of love and loss, life and death were well played out. There are not many books that I have felt this passionately about. Haunted Lily was charming, funny and at times frightening.

With every ghostly encounter the suspense of the story builds into a series of events that lead up to an amazing confrontation with, "A ghastly gathering of the damned and the banished, those caught in a bizarre otherworldly limbo". This whole scenario playing out in an old hotel pool really frightened me (in a good way). It was so cool, creepy and well written, I felt like I was right there in the thick of it.

The end of the story was very fast paced, it totally caught me off-guard, but it was thrilling. I was sad when I finished reading, I just didn't want t it to end!!! Can't wait for the next book in the series.
I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book!!!
226043
I happened upon this book and the author without really knowing what to expect.  I thoroughly enjoyed this story line, the characters were believable and the plot kept me engaged and looking for more.  I enjoyed it so much I made it my choice to share with my next book club!  Excited to have a new author to enjoy and have ordered the other books released and can't wait for them to arrive!
3404398
This was my first read of 2018 and was a very great start to the year.  Overall, a very intimate and thought-provoking story with a little mystery. I constantly found myself putting myself in the shoes of all the characters to think about how I would handle the situations. While I personally could not relate to the characters, the author still managed to make it *feel* very relatable.  I haven't read a book in a long time that really made me feel like I was right there with the characters experiencing it all.
2433822
What a great debut novel this is. I will hold my hands up and say I have owned this for while before I got around to reading it, and wished I'd read it sooner.

Complex relationships and character interaction kept my brain working while I was reading, and I am pleased to say that I even picked up on some of the nuances that are not obvious to everyone who reads, but you won't lose any enjoyment if you don't get right into their heads.

Enter Valerio, a hot young Moto GP driver who falls for Jamie, not realising that the object of his affection returns his feelings. They both have their own issues and insecurities which they need to overcome and at times I found myself wanting to reach into my Kindle app and slap them both for being so blind to the other. But when you add in Scot, a man that Jamie has a long standing 'arrangement' with things get really interesting.

The sex scenes are smoking, there really is no other way to describe them as the characters give and take what they want from each other, but it is balanced with they way their realtionship(s) unfold and take you on the journey with them.

The story left me wanting so much more and I already know there is so much more to come from these characters and I cannot wait to take the journey with these men.
148790
Buy this book!  You will not have any regrets!  What a cracking debut from Michelle Frances, who has showcased her masterful storytelling talents and compelling narrative in this highly addictive first novel.  I simply could not put it down.  This will be a great holiday read and for that matter, any time of day read.  I can't wait to see what she has in store with her next release.
2887839
Above and beyond all expectations of what could've been imaginable for a sequal to such a wonderful first book. Greyson and Derek make you forget your love affair with Chase and Cayden. The author kept the story so fresh and lively with switching POV from person to person. Brandi is the main character in this book. She is a breath of fresh air and is well... kick ass! The twist and turns left me smiling, wanting to punch something, laughing, crying, and pretty much looking like a crazy person to my husband. Thank you Cat Miller!
4121983
What a way to start the new year! Best book I have read in long time! It was a real page turner, but the end came to quickly. I loved, loved, loved this book and am glad I found a new author!
1421897
Best read of the year for me.  Liked it so much, I ordered 15 copies to give to friends for the holidays!
3857867
This fast-moving roller coaster of a tale grabbed me from the get-go! The early introduction of modern day vampire assasins in an attention-grabbing stairwell scene was brilliant, sudden, and unexpected. Really clever. I loved that the author's vampires ( the good ones,) have a heart - so to speak - and a conscience. And do good! She was also able to take the occasional interesting detour along the way, without detracting from a complex story, or losing that momentum. Thoroughly imaginative, highly recommendable. What a great first novel!
998321
I rarely write reviews on books, but I just couldn't help myself with this one. My friends and I formed a book club earlier this year and I was nervous about my turn to pick. Lucky for me, this book was listed free the day of our meeting! I read the reviews and told everyone about it and we were so excited. Everyone LOVED this book. So much, in fact, that we decided to plan a trip to Cades Cove in the very near future.

One of the things I liked most about this book is how the author was just descriptive enough to get you involved but still leaving enough to the imagination. I lay awake for nights waiting to hear a ping somewhere in my house. It kept me on edge and I can't tell you how exciting it was for me to be so into a book. I hope someone makes it a movie. Another thing that I really liked was how the author really showed how everything affected the family as a whole and not just the lead character. I also liked that the story was told from multiple viewpoints, although I could've done without the viewpoint of one particular character (OUCH!).

Download this book. You won't be disappointed. You'll have goosebumps and catch yourself listening for things that go ping in the night and wondering if that was Allie Mae you saw out of the corner of your eye. Hands down one of the best books I've read all year!
3417947
What a fun read! I read this book for book club, it's the first book this year selected by the club that I've enjoyed! Highly recommend it.
2294684
I"m not usually a mystery type of person, but this is one of my favorite books of the year! I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with the characters, the citizens of the town...even the ones I wanted to hate...and especially the lighthouse itself. There is a mystique about a lighthouse and the communities that surround them. This story brings all of that to life, with small town conflicts going back generations, to love that has to wait years to happen and the opposition new commers have trying to assimilate into these communities...as well as the conflicts about whether or not it's really worth the trouble. This is a great book and I'd recommend it highly to anyone who wants a lighthearted mystery, with a lot of heart.