I just received this awesome “list” request.
Pam: Maryse, I need a list of your 2014 5 star reads so far!!! I wanna keep up!
YAY Pam!! What an opportunity to highlight my favorite 2014 books so far! And going over these books once again, I can confirm I’m still 100% in love with ‘em!
So here they are. These are the books that had me riveted, glued to my seat, and titillated with swoooooon-induced (and/or nerve-induced) butterflies in my stomach. 
From rock stars, to taboo, to moody reads to super funny reads to absolute sweet perfection. I’ve got I nice range of recommendations here. In my opinion? These are MUST READS! 
Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher
“…feeling like this… aching, needing to pace, and not knowing what to say other than READ THIS!!! <— That’s why I read. I read to feel it all (the good, the bad, the ugly). And this one is a perfect mix of the three. A love story. A horror story. An absolutely moving story.” (see my full review of Mud Vein)
Play (A Stage Dive Novel) by Kylie Scott
“This book is a must read, for those that love good ol’ fashion rock-star infatuation romance. Lots of sweeeeeeet laughs, a HUGE crush, and boy is it steeeeeeeamy (even though it’s kind of a slow burn at first <— which makes it THAT much better the whole way through). Oh. And plenty of angst in so MANY ways. I’m telling you, my heart felt it all.” (see my full review of review of Play)
Lovely Trigger (Tristan & Danika – book#3) by R.K. Lilley
“…wanna read three books in a row without stopping ’cause you just need to read them, they’re so good? Crush, pine, fall in love, and wanna throw up, cry and rock yourself back and forth in the corner for awhile? And then move onto book #3…? THIS SERIES!!!!!!” (see my full review of review of Lovely Trigger and the Tristan & Danika Series Reading Order)
Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan
“Ahhhhhh you guys are in for so an AMAZING treat, ’cause the rest is so much fun to read from there on out. Actually it was perfect from the very start. There are so many highlights in my book, I just couldn’t stop myself, because it was all meaningful. It was all my favorite.” (here’s my full review of Archer’s Voice)
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
“So yep… this book is full-on taboo, and probably THE most taboo (yet supremely eloquent) story I have ever read. So touching and so beautifully poignant and so emotionally distressing. On many levels. And in many ways.” (here’s my full review of Forbidden)
And while I’m at it… these books that I rated 4.5 stars are absolute MUST READS, too!
- Book Review – Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover: “…All of that deliciously *spoiler* heartache-y tension + those twists + the incredible depth of emotion and angst that loads us in “feels” right to the very end + that signature Colleen Hoover “funny” (don’t even get me started on the “Warren pine-sol” reveal LOL!!!!!!!!) = You’ve got yourself an awesome read!!!“
- Book Review – Rock Bottom by R.K. Lilley: “…try being “normal-in-love” when you’re both so jealous. Possessive. Codependent. An enabler… and enabled. Try being all that, while dealing with the whole “dating a rock star” thing.“
- Book Review – Bad Things by R.K. Lilley: “OMG, you guys!!! Pheeeeewwww *fans self* This was pure “old-school” book-angst at it’s best! Steamy, sexy, jealousy, alpha-y and full-on hurry!“
- Book Review – The Plan by Qwen Salsbury: “Ahhhhh how I love a book where the girl has been pining for awhile (in this case, almost a year) and where the guy shows absolutely no interest. Truly. No interest. And I mean none.“
- Book Review – Transcendence by Shay Savage: “An unconventional, delightfully weird love story. Weird… but not quirky or corny, you know? Just… right up our alley, and I loved it!“
- Book Review – Come to Me Quietly by A.L. Jackson: “Fantastic angsty potential love story, that had just enough of everything to keep me guessing, torturing me just right. You know I love it when it hurts, and this one stung real nice!“
- Book Review – Remembering Us by Stacey Lynn: “An extremely unique and intriguing love story that had my nerves teetering on the edge the entire way. Because the mind can play tricks on us. And so can people.“
And now, I can’t wait to find more! So… what are some of your 5 star (4.5 star) reads so far, this year?
I am happily addicted to reading but I need to expend my book energy (especially when one puts me in an emotional frenzy - SO fun!). So, I release my feelings about the stories, by writing them down here. It's my book therapy. 
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Maryse, you are killing me. Guess I’ll have to add a few of these to my list now. LOL. Thank you for sharing.
Good choices! I still haven’t read a lot of 5 stars book this year. Just Erased by Jennifer Rush, Surviving Raine by Shay Savage and Unravel by Calia Read. But I’m reading Mud Vein right now, and something tells me that this book is gonna make that list.
I love your lists. I’m completely with you on Archer’s Voice and Transcendence! Blown away by each of them! I also have to add honorable mentions for Raw, Brutally Beautiful and Cold-Blooded Beautiful.
Loved Archers Voice, Loved Transcendence, Loved Maybe Someday!! Want to re-read Lick before reading Play. Currently Reading RK Lilly’s In Flight series, before tackling Tristan and Dannika. Look forward to the rest of your list!!
Love Transcendence! HOH!
Loved Remembering Us! I just read an ARC of Loving Mr. Daniels by Brittainy C. Cherry – and OMG! A student/teacher romance to keep on your radar. I absolutely loved it! I think it’s coming out in early May. Reclaiming the Sand by A. Meredith Walters was another 5 star for me, too.
Absolutely loved Archers Voice and Transcendence. My other 5 star reads so far for this year has to be Up In the Air series spinoff Tristan&Danika trilogy and Driven Trilogy. Oh and Midlife Love series, Coming Home and A Reason to Breath. Reading thru BDB series right now. Getting ready to start Lover Unbound.
Yeah Maryse!!! I love this site!! 4.5-5 stared most of those too except Play…divin into that one tonight. I know it won’t disappoint.
Haven’t got to Come to Me Quietly either but it’s on the ever changing TBR.
Amother that stays in my thoughts…Escaping Destiny by Amelia Hutchins….Abdolutely lovin this whole series!!
I’m keeping up pretty well. I’ve read all of them but a few.
Rebecka I definitely agree Fae Chronicles series is hawt. Cannot wait for next one.
Loved Archers Voice and Play! I really think you would like Coming Home.
Yep Coming Home is on my very SOON list, Cindy!
Rebecka and Linda … Fae Chronicles YES!!!! Those are on my main (and high on it) TBR list.
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Linda… let us know your favorite brother. I LOVE that series SO much!
Maryse–Thanks so much for writing this blog! It is the BEST! I found it over a year ago and this is my first time to comment, but I read it every day that I can! I agree with your reviews 98% of the time! I went through a crappy year last year with illness and more, but with your help, I found some good books to get me by! I just want to thank you for writing this for all of us who don’t have time to look for good books, but appreciate that you do!
I was all prepared to be shocked that Neanderthal Seeks Human and Love Hacked didn’t make this list and then I realized you have read any of Penny’s books yet LOL!! I completely agree about Archer’s voice. I’ve already read it twice and Mia S. seems like such a nice person. Love it when that happens. Great list!!!
You didn’t fall in love with Kathleen Turner series, huh? I’m surprised but curious about why…
Have you read Crashed by K Bromberg yet? If not, its your type of angsty, emotions all over the place story. I still can’t get into another book and it’s been over a month! Major hangover. Fueled was my #1 read for 2013 and I didn’t think Crashed could top it but wow did it blow it out of the water. K. just got better with each book. VP Pit Crew forever!!!
I felt the same way, Chase T. I waited until all 3 books were out & read em in a weekend. Then reread em. And then reread em again……..LOVE THE DRIVEN TRILOGY!!!!!! Best I’ve read this yr
I finished Play last night MAL IS AWESOME!! Big Ole Freakin Tatted up Teddy Bear!! Bring on the next one!
Maryse’s site is why my TBR keeps growing, moving and spinning outta control—so many books too little time ho hum
Thanks Chase T & Lauren!
Kat- Knitting the City Series sounds fun!—added to TBR! Thanks!
Driven has been on the list movin it on up
Lauren-Fae Chronicles so right TOO HAWT! I picked book 1 up last fall on a whim and so glad I did. Ryder is just YUMMY!!! Definitely one of my all time favs— he is so right up there with Bones, Barrons, Vlad, and BDB brothers.
Love this post! I read Play yesterday and loved it! Mal was great. I’ve read most on your list. My 5 stars this year include Play, Lovely Trigger and Crashed. I’m kinda scared to read Mud Vein, but it might be next.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Forbidden….that was one heck of a read that tore me up in tiny little pieces
Love your lists Maryse!
Can highly recommend. Forbidden and Mud Vein.
Just read Crazy Good, definitely worth trying, have the kleenex ready!
Two out of five! Need to read archers voice…idk why I keep putting it off
I’m kinda surprised you don’t love the Kathleen Turner series (like I do). But I guess her last book hasn’t come out (in 2014). It’s my all time fave.
soo many good books bad things, rock bottom and lovely trigger you cant beat by a long shot. Keep searching for more that are similar. Forbidden loved, Neanderthal seeks human really well written funny and extremely enjoyable. just finished fight for me also really good. great suggestions. one more who can go past Wallbanger great book.
I may be a bit late in reading Archer’s Voice but finished it yesterday. I love it! Archer is…is…is awesome! I had feelings of happiness, sadness then grinning like a fool! A recommend fur-sure!