THIS POST IS SOOOOO NOSTALGIC FOR ME because there are many of my favorites that our fellow readers would choose as the ONE BOOK. It makes my heart ache and swoon and soar to remember reading these books for the first time. The feelings they brought up, the memories I have from that time period, that whole time of my life surrounded by new indie books that I could not stop devouring. SUCH HAPPINESS!!!
But! This list is not just “books-that-I-loved” nostalgia because there are quite a few new-to-me recommendations on here too. YAY US!!! And for the latest generation of readers that haven’t read our original indie favorites, PLEASE DO SO!!! I can’t wait to hear your reactions. 😊
Okay, now… FOR MY recommendation. This one was hard for me to decide, but then I decided it would have to be the book that hooked me, devoured me as I devoured it, lead me to a serious reading addiction in search of more and more that gave me those feels, and the book that lead me to all of you. It’s the book my mom bought for me because it was re-read good for her, and I fell in LOVE HARD and never looked back. My book… is Twilight.
To the new generation of potential readers that might not have read it yet (or even seen the movies, because let’s face it – those were a long time ago)… you are in for a WHIRLWIND of deep emotions, butterflies, and being in a book and love fog. And you will forever be hooked on reading after this.
Here’s my 5-STAR book review (and everything I’ve written about Twilight on my blog. 😍) including my HUGE hit blog post: My recommendations for those looking for love after “Twilight”…
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How about you?
Jill: Mistakes: A Novel by Amanda Wilhelm. Just don’t throw your Kindle at me. Will never forget that book.
Maryse: Ooooooh NEW TO ME & I love anything that makes me wanna throw my Kindle. YAY!! Thank you for this one, Jill. This is exactly what I’m looking for. *happy dance*
Danette: For some strange and unexplainable reason, marital strife is my jam. Some of my favs… Mistakes by Amanda Wilhelm
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Sandra: I mean, just one?! I’d say All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata if I can only pick one. Lol it’s on a regular rotation that I re-listen to in the car. 😂
Tresha: One of my FAVORITE Mariana books!
Maryse: It’s the one I still haven’t read by her, but I one-clicked it. I can’t wait to start. I LOVE HER!! Thank you!
Shawn: Maybe I can find my next great book in this list I’m in a funk after All Rhodes Lead Here…
Elizabeth: Is there anything better than Mariana Zapata? All hail the Queen of Slow Burns!
Maryse: I LOVE her slow burns. They are so believable!!!
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Brenae: Mayluna: A Novel by Kelley McNeil
Caroline: First 5 star read of the year. Wow
Page: First book I’ve recommended in a longgggggg time!!!
Andrea: Just finished and not sure when I’ll be able to move on. This book will sit in my soul for a long time
Debbie: Oh my gosh Maryse. How could you do that to me… as I sit here before work balling my eyes out. Loved it.
Ana: I loved it!!
Lyndsey: I read this at the start of this week and I’m still thinking about it. It’s now got a piece of my heart. Such a beautiful book.
Kristina: Okay I’m jumping in without even reading the blurb! you all have yet to steer me wrong!
Tray: I just finished it. Favorite so far this year. Beautifully heartbreaking so grab your tissues. A guaranteed book hangover!
Kim: Starting tonight! The question is will I be up all night!
Tray: yes you will!
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Tara Brown: The Sword of Kaigen: A Theonite War Story by M. L. Wang – I have never felt as much gut wrenching agony in anything else. It’s so slow, snail’s pace slow, as you settle in all cozy and get to know the characters and understand their lives. And then it hits. I’m pretty sure I died reading this and am writing this as a ghost.
Maryse: WOWWWWW!!! OMG this recommendation has me so excited. I love a slow burn and then crazy intensity. Thank you SO MUCH!!
Tara: Sword of Kaigen ripped my soul to pieces. Stunning fantasy. …it’s not spicy in the least just stunning
Maryse: I’m looking it up right now!
Rae: ooh checking it out.
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Desiree: This question gave me a little anxiety along with butterflies. Anxiety because how do I recommend just one?? Butterflies because of the excitement – adding some of these to my TBR.
I saw Archer’s Voice on here and that’s definitely one of my faves. I also always recommend anything Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland, Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines, Jessica Hawkins.
Maryse: Archer’s Voice OMG ONE OF MY 5-STAR FAVORITES!
THIS IS A MUST READ!! Here’s my 5-star review.
Mary Ann: Archer’s voice is one of my all time favorite. It is a unique storyline
Heather: One of my favorites! I always recommend this one when I’m asked for a book recommendation
Diana: Ahhh, one of my many favs.
Kimberly: Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann
Kate: Omg Maryse! You have me hooked on Jennifer Hartman books! I clicked on “Older” a couple weeks ago and just finished “Still Beating”. I don’t even know how to describe this book. Wow! Beautiful yet dark romance. Now I’m reading “ Lotus” another dark, romance.
Maryse: I LOVE HER!!! Still Beating rocked my world!!!!
Sandi: Lotus …loved that one too
Alice: don’t miss Lotus by her also. It’s another GREAT story.
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Lauren: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Mo: My favorite book this year was, Remarkably Bright Creatures. It was just a great story of love, loss, miracles, hope, and second chances
Paula: Remarkably Bright Creatures!
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Megan: Whitney, my love by Judith McNaught
Lauren: Whitney, My Love is freakin INCREDIBLE!!!! Royce is an ancestor of the hero in Whitney, My Love, Clayton Westmoreland. Please read it if you haven’t already…..then there’s spinoff books from that one. Stephan Westmoreland (Clayton’s brother), and their friends. Once and Always is another one that is so awesome….it’s about a different couple but set in the same time period & location.
Shana: I agree with the Judith McNaught book recommendations. Judith McNaught is what started my love for romance books over 20 years ago. I have read Whitney, My love numerous times and enjoy it every time.
Lauren: I’m pretty sure I have Whitney, My Love memorized. Once upon a time, before Travis or Christian or Gideon, there was Clayton Westmoreland….my first BFF.
Maryse: This one had my stomach churning!!! *ooooooooooofffff* Tumultuous and angsty doesn’t even begin to describe it. Here’s my book review!!
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Rae: Sempre JM Darhower.
Marisol: YESsssssss LOVE Sempre by JM Darhower
Jennifer: Sempre is one of my favorite all time books. I have read it so many times I lost count!!!!
Donna: OMG I remember that! It was such a fantastic read.
Maryse: I 5-STARRED this incredible mafia romance (I had never read anything like it at that time…)
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Jami: Gah this is such a hard question! I could NOT pick.
- The Nightingale for a standalone.
- In order with series that I think about daily:
- Outlander,
- Throne Of Glass, and
- Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrew’s.
Nancy: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
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Kimberly: The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. This series is my all time Fav….just sooo interesting (in my opinion)
Kvk: audio is amazing!
Kimberly: I have all on audio-I love the Narrator (Luke Daniel’s) when an audio series gets the right narrator-it can sometimes make or break the story!! Adicus & Oberon will always be one of Fav Leads in a series!!
Christinna: The story is told in modern times on an alternate Earth where werewolves, vampires, witches and one lone druid exist in hiding from humans. I love this series! Atticus and his dog, Oberon, are awesome. Luke Daniels does a fabulous job narrating the story. I’ve recommended it to everyone I know.
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Dawnee: No turning back series by Tiffany snow
Tiffany: Team Kade all the way!!!!
Ana: I read the first three books in like three days. Love this series! #TEAMBLANE even if he’s a jerk.
Maryse: I love the jerks!!!
Ana: Maryse- I love the jerks too lol and Blane happens to be an oblivious one
Linh: One of the best series hands down! I LOVE these books. Team everybody!
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Kimberly: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Michelle: Sarah Maas Glass Throne series. I have devoured the whole series this week
Sherry: LOVE this series 💙
Jennifer: The glass throne series is incredible!
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Saleen: Gabriel’s Inferno (Gabriel’s Inferno Trilogy Book 1) by Sylvain Reynard
Kim: I loved that series! Thanks for recommending Hear Me WOW ummm didn’t see that coming
Allison: Loved that series. But not agreeing with comparisons to erotic books as media portrays it. This book is so NOT erotic. Just a fantastic love story. Tops on my GR list.
Andrenella: I looooove Gabriel!
Sharon: When you look through my Kindle ebooks, this series was the second book I bought out of 2200 plus books. ❤️❤️❤️.
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Philippe: Any novel by James Michener. If it has to be one, “Centennial“.
Carol: James Michener is fabulous
Maryse: Thank you for letting me know. I see he writes many books featuring a location and supposedly his writing is rich and absorbing. I one-clicked Alaska AND I one-clicked it as a gift to someone.
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Mo: Bright Side by: Kim Holden
Angela: Such an incredible book I can’t even talk about without crying! Loved it!!
Chyrelle: Omg dude! This is one of my favorite book dude! Love it!!!
Danielle: Best Book of 2014!!!!!!!!! Best quote ever “Do Epic”
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Erica: That depends on the person, but my most recommended book is Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan
Maryse: Yessssssss!!! I remember reading the end of this one in the bathroom (so as not to disturb anyone), super late into the night, and I couldn’t put it down. My jaw dropped!!!! Here’s my review.
Lisa: This is by far my favorite series in the world. I will admit that I listened to audio on the way to work, and I loved the voices but wow, the series gutted me, made me cry, made me feel all the emotions one can feel. Highly recommend – however this is a pretty clean series, it is full of depth though. Very deep. LOVE!
Angela: Amazing series!!
Jeannie: I’m almost at the end of Barely Breathing and had to stop because I am really anxious about how it will end. I’m afraid to keep reading. I’m going to grab Out of Breath though for when I am ready. These books definitely put you through the emotional roller coaster.
Louise: I am just beginning the first book thanks to your advice!
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Michelle: The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred
Rae: fab book.
Maryse: One of my absolute FAVORITES… I mean… you guys. If you haven’t read it yet, get cracking. THIS IS ONE OF OUR CLASSIC favorites! Here’s my review.
Nancy: This one was in the top favorite of books I read from your recommendation.
Leeann: I bought this on your recommendation a long time ago and then forgot about it (lost somewhere in the giant tbr list, you know how that is) and then read it in one sitting. Fantastic story.
Lisa: One of the best! Has all the stuff I love!
Tiffany: Loved this one too!
Theresa: Yes, so good!
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Donna: Metal Slinger if you are a fan of Romantasy.
Rae: Ive just checked this on GR’s. Noticed a lot of comments about the ending. Does it end on a cliffhanger and is there a book 2?
Maryse: Looks like it’s a “Duology” so I bet it does end on a cliffhanger, but it does sound amazing! A breathtaking twist? YES PLEASE!!
“This breakout romantasy sensation by Rachel Schneider that has taken the Internet by storm bursts with suspense, romance, and a breathtaking twist you won’t see coming.
…Packed with knife fights and seafaring adventure, METAL SLINGER is the smash-hit start to the romantic fantasy duology, the Fire & Metal series…”
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Julie: Making Faces – Amy Harmon
Maryse: BLAST FROM OUR BOOK PAST!! REMEMBER THIS??!! …we were HOOKED on this unputtdownable Amy Harmon book. One of my 5-STAR ALL TIME FAVORITES!! In fact, I pretty much highlighted the whole book, it was just that amazing.
Karen: Adored it. Bailey Sheen is my hero.
Marissa: Such an incredible book!
Wendy: I love this story so much
#BaileyForever
Karen: Brilliant book
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Kimberly: June First: Emotional Contemporary Romance with Forbidden Passion by Jennifer Hartmann <—FORBIDDEN LOVE!!
Maryse: OMG SOUNDS FORBIDDEN!!!!!!
Lynn: I have just finished an ARC of Jennifer latest book called June First which releases on 17th May and wow what a journey that book took me on!!! Emotional heartache, forbidden, and tragic. I could not put the book down and the tears that flowed were endless. Highly recommend this all-consuming read.
Mona: June First sounds awesome! Can’t wait for its release! Thanks Lynn! Great list Maryse! Downloading several now! Thank you!
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Missy: Mud Vein. Tarryn Fisher
Maryse: I loved the book. The synopsis, of COURSE, had me wanting to read it (I’m a sucker for the kidnapped girl psycho thrillers), and knowing this author, I knew there would be a love story to boot. I couldn’t put it down (so I finished it fast), and I needed to release that achey chest feel in a review. <— Here’s my 5-STAR review.
Lise: Yes, my favorite kind of book ride. So unique and unpredictable. Loved this one and so happy you did as well, Maryse!
Heather: Just finished it and after thinking about it for a few minutes, I feel like sobbing. My emotions are all over the place. Wow
Cheryl: I just finished and I ache too. I think it was such a beautifully written, unique story, but I’m so overwhelmed and sad, and keep thinking “*** or ***.” I definitely need some time to process what the author asked in her letter–what I think this book means.
Bethany: I keep crying. At my desk. In the bathroom. Walking down the sidewalk. I must look like a crazy person… What a book hangover!
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Kim: Thoughtless series 💯🥰
Cindy: Thoughtless, by S.C. Stephens Trilogy is a must read!!
Melissa: Thoughtless by SC Stephens!
Michele: Yes!!! He’s still my top BB since it was released MANY MANY Years ago!!
Melissa: same here!!!!!!! Ohhhh Kellen Kyle
Trisha: I just re read these!
Anne: my favorite
Maryse: The entire Thoughtless Trilogy by S.C. Stephens… If you haven’t read these yet, they are a MUST!! A forever favorite of mine. Here’s my 5-STAR review of book #1.
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Kimberly: Lick: A Stage Dive Novel (Stage Dive Series Book 1) by Kylie Scott
Cindy: did you watch the Passionflix movie? Awesome
Kimberly: I sure did and I feel it was Perfectly executed…most absolutely beautiful man and a “normal sized” beautiful woman… Passionflix has really got some great stuff out – for what funds they have to work with!!!!
Maryse: Another favorite 5-star book. It’s a “rock star” romance and this one was done JUST RIGHT!!! OMG I LOVED IT!!!!!
Sadie: 30 percent in and hanging on every word, not wanting to read faster. Love when that happens!
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Sunny: The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
Trisha: best series!
Maryse: ONE OF MY 5-STAR FAVORITES. This is a MUST read. No ifs, ands, or buts!!!! 🤭 P.S. Here’s my review, just to give you an idea!
Alex: Definitely the most life-altering, all-consuming, books I’ve ever read! When friends ask me what to read, this is my go to. You can’t love reading, and not have read this series! It is amazing. Would love to find more like this if anyone has recommendations.
Sara: This series absolutely broke me…in all the best ways.
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Anymore recommendations to add?
➔➔➔ Looking for more recommendations? Browse all of the reader favorites lists, and what we’re reading here on the blog. 😀
➔➔➔ Looking for my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star and 4 star reviews or my favorite book lists here 😀
The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn