​“Quinn Miller? Is that really you?”

I turned, and my eyes landed on a face that I hadn’t forgotten. “Georgia Reed.”

Her lips parted in a smile that lit up her entire face, and she jumped from the stool she’d been perched on next to where my sister had been sitting and threw her arms around my shoulders. “I thought I saw you walk in earlier!”

I wrapped my arms around her waist and gave a quick squeeze before pulling back and looking her up and down.

I’d met Georgia last year at my best friend, Aiden’s, Christmas party. Her brother was a famous orthopedic surgeon who’d saved Aiden’s knee after a devastating hit. The two of them had forged a friendship, and Dr. Hampton Reed had brought his sister along when he’d been invited to the famous Shaw Christmas Party. 

I’d seen her from across the room that night, unable to miss the gorgeous auburn hair that she’d let flow down her back. I’d walked over to introduce myself, but her green eyes had sparkled when she informed me that she already knew exactly who I was.

I wasn’t sure what I’d said after that, probably something ridiculous and cheesy, but we’d spent the rest of the evening chatting.

“How ya been?” I asked.

She stuck the straw that was floating in a pink drink between her pink lips and lifted a shoulder. After a quick sip of a fruity cocktail she said, “Same old. What about you? I heard you’d been traded and was hoping I’d run in to you sometime.”

I’d completely forgotten that the Reeds lived in Atlanta, where my new team was, but suddenly, that shitty trade that I was forced to accept didn’t seem so bad after all.

“Hey.” I glanced over to where my sister was eyeing us, her lips pressed together to conceal what had to have been the biggest shit-eating grin ever and squinted at her before turning and looking back to where Georgia was still sipping her drink. “You know, I don’t know much about this town. You’re a local, right?”

“That I am. Born and bred in the great state of Georgia. You know, my parents, they probably could have been a little more original when they named me.”

“Any chance you’re free this weekend to play tour guide?” I asked, hoping that I sounded fun and flirty and not like the pathetic loser that I felt like.

Jamie choked on a laugh and tried to cover it with a cough. I swung my head in her direction just as she covered her mouth and quickly looked away from my death glare. God, my kid sister was an asshole.

I felt fingertips on my bicep, forgetting my stupid sister immediately when I glanced down to see the perfectly manicured yellow fingernails that were resting on my arm. “Let me make sure I am clear on what you’re askin’.” Georgia’s eyes were gleaming, and she stepped closer to me. “Now, am I going to show you the popular clubs and bars, the parks to take your dog, and the restaurants that cater to locals, and then you’ll thank me and we’ll go about our ways? Or is this tour going to consist of me taking you back to my place, and before I know it, your lips are on my neck and my dress is around my waist?”

My mouth fell open and I sputtered. “I, uh, I, what?”

“Well, you know at Aiden’s Christmas party, after you kissed me­­––”

“Woah!” I stepped back, her arm falling to her side. “What are you talking about?”

Her head shook back and forth. “I’m not sure if I should be insulted or not that you are this clueless. We had a drink outside around the fire pit, and then you leaned in and kissed me, remember?”

“That is not at all what happened!” I fired back incredulously. I’d had a couple of beers that night, but I never let myself get so drunk that I would completely forget kissing the gorgeous woman standing before me.

She frowned, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, and I couldn’t stop my eyes from watching the way she worked it. No, I would most definitely remember if my lips had tasted hers. “It’s not? Are you sure?”

My eyes bugged out of my head. “I’m pretty sure we didn’t kiss. Think I would have remembered that.”
​
“Oh.” She frowned. “Maybe that’s just what I hoped would happen.”

✔ Angst ⁣
✔ Slow Burn ⁣
✔ Forbidden Romance (Student/Guidance Counselor)⁣
​
Available in Kindle Unlimited ⁣

I met Keegan when I was on the beach in Florida.
He literally crashed into my world.
I wasn’t looking for romance, but his two-dimpled charm made my heart go haywire.
 
We both had one thing in common: we were here to escape our realities.
One week. Just the two of us. Not a care in the world.
I didn’t know it at the time, but that week would forever change my life.
 
Four years later, and as fate would have it, Keegan and I are brought together again.
It’s as if the universe is telling us this is our second chance.
The more I get to know him, the harder I fall.
Falling hopelessly in love is inevitable with a man like him.
 
Only the joke’s on me, because the guy I’m falling for isn’t the man I thought he was.
You know how the saying goes: Fool me once...
I’ll be damned if I’m fooled again.  ​
​

Stacia will stop at nothing to support her family. When circumstances beyond her control threaten the security of her family, Stacia searches for anything to help her family out of the hole. With the encouragement of an incredible and, at times, overbearing best friend, Stacia must accept West's offer.
 
The constant push and pull between our main characters is beyond addicting, and it immediately sucks you into their world of General Tso's tacos (yum) and Superbad. LK Farlow has ensured that you will be laughing, crying, and falling in love with their story almost as fast as the cars they drive.
 
I devoured this novel, and I can't wait to reread it! LK is such a talented storyteller and writes with so much enthusiasm you can't help but consider these characters your friends! I absolutely loved this book, and I highly recommend Rebel Soul as well as Rebel Heart, which is about Stacia's best-friend, AJ, and her other half, Brock. As standard in all LK's novels, happily-ever-after— guaranteed!

topic that, at many times, would be considered taboo. I felt the pain and the heartbreak, the restraint, and the freedom, the distress, and the darkness. But I also experienced the small glimpses of light and hopefulness, the unconditional love displayed within the pages of this beautiful novel. I felt like I was a student at Dolor and truly got lost within the world Nicole so expertly created.

Once I finished Even When I'm Gone, I had a major book hangover and was lost because what could I possibly read next that could measure up to the perfection of this novel? The answer… not much. I was left speechless and spent days trying to get my feelings and thoughts in order. I am in love with this world and pray that Nicole never stops writing because what she writes and how she writes is revolutionary.

Though this novel ended on a cliffhanger, I have complete faith in Nicole for obtaining the happily ever after Ollie and Mia are so deserving of. Love conquers all things, and Ollie and Mia's love will do just that. As anxious as I am for the third and final book in the Stay With Me Series, I'm so looking forward to what Nicole has in store for us. I highly recommend Even When I'm Gone and Stay With Me if you are looking to embark on a journey that could quite possibly change your life. Nicole is the author to watch out for because it won't be long until she's being recognized as a New York Times Best Selling Author. You heard it here first, this woman is going places, and I'm just honored to be along for the ride.

Warning- This book contains subjects and events that will be sensitive to some readers and could be considered a trigger.

Heather from @bookandablanket on Instagram hosted a challenge for anyone to share their favorite romance books of 2019 leading up to the New Year.
The break down of the days were:

• Day 1: Best Female Main Characters (December 26)
  
• Day 2: Best Male Main Characters (December 27)
• Day 3: Best New-to-me authors (December 28)
• Day 4: Best Covers (December 29)
• Day 5: Best Series (December 30) 
• Day 6: Best Standalones (December 31)

I had so much fun participating in this challenge and look forward to doing more in the future! Please let me know in the comments if we had similar favorites for 2019! 

I love reading about strong heroines. Women who know what they want and go get it. Women who admit they may need help and show their vulnerability. Women who, when faced with adversity, rise above it and come out stronger than when they started. And finally, women who have an incredible support system.

• The Coven is a group of women who live within the pages of the BTU Alumni Series by Alley Ciz. Even though each Coven member does not have her own book, they are well represented within Power Play, Tap Out, and Sweet Victory. (Be on the lookout in 2020 for Puck Performance, the fourth book in the BTU Alumni Series!)
• Natalie from Best Laid Plans by LK Farlow is a kick-ass single mom who would do anything for her Tater Tot. Natalie is as selfless and nurturing as they come. She is always striving to be the best she came to be for her daughter, and it was a gift to read/watch her relationship with Alden unfold.
• The Fighting Series by Nikki Ash is full of strong, independent, and vulnerable women. Liz, Kayla, Hayley, and Ashley all have such different stories, yet at the end of the day, they all want to be loved. I was moved while reading this series and thoroughly enjoyed every single page of it.

What do I look for in a book boyfriend? Someone caring, hardworking, and a true mans-man. He understands that he needs to step back and let his woman shine like the diamond she is, and sexy, of course.

• Beginning with Lachlan from Nikki Ash's Through His Eyes, he is one of my most favorite heroes I’ve read this year. Not letting an age difference separate him from the one his heart truly desires; he is determined to show Quinn that she is enough.
• Next, a few men from the Charleston Heat series by Jessica Peterson. Elijah, Luke, and Ford are sexy southerners who know how to treat a woman right. From friends-to-loves to brother’s best friend to single dad, these gentlemen are the epitome of southern class and are exactly what I look for in a book boyfriend.
• Ford from All Grown Up by Vi Keeland is a sexy 25-year-old who has fallen for his 37-year-old single neighbor. When age seems to get in the way, Ford proposes a plan that is a win-win for everyone involved. Ford is a caring big brother and an intelligent businessman, which means he looks good with a suit on and off.
• The Put a Ring On It series by Maria Luis is a trilogy composed of irresistible Alpha men. Nick, Damon, and Owen are as manly as they come. A best friend’s brother, enemies to lovers, and slow-burn forbidden romance are just what you will need for your 2020 TBR list.
• And last but certainly not least, Able from Desperately Seeking Roommate by Micalea Smeltzer. With an existential choice between pink starbursts or yellow, loving Able was never a question. From the first time he was introduced in this book, it felt like fate. Able is so accepting and understanding and just a real favorite!

I read many new authors this past year, but these where the three who really stuck with me. Each one of them wrote stories unlike any other I’ve read.

• Wait For Me by Tia Louise is a newer release and is by far one of my top reads for the year! Taron and Noel’s chemistry is off the charts. The delicate way Tia touches on Taron’s PTSD is a true testament to how talented of an author she is. I look forward to reading more of her books in 2020!
  
• I read The Kiss Thief by LJ Shen back in February for an online book club. I had no idea how much I was going to love the premise of this story, as well as the writing style of LJ. I have so many of her books in my TBR! I highly recommend The Kiss Thief if you are interested in an enemies-to-lovers romance with a twist… One kiss. Two men. Three lives. Entwined together.
  
• And finally, no surprise, Nikki Ash. Nikki is just a mastermind when it comes to writing. She forces her readers to go on a journey whither they want to or not. There are plot twists and tears and laughter and more tears! I had to take breaks to mentally and emotionally prepare myself for specific chapters in Unbroken Promises. If you haven’t added Nikki Ash’s books to your Amazon cart, you must!! 

​I love me a good series and these books here are some of the best! Each one of these books has profoundly impacted my life. Within these pages, I have learned so much about myself and the woman I want to be. I am so thankful for the time each of these authors poured into their words because I know my life is forever changed because of them.

• The Blades Hockey Series by Maria Luis was the bunch of books that not only introduced me to Maria but made me fall in love with reading. I found myself relating to Charlie from Power Play with her curly hair and straight forward attitude. I laughed out loud reading Zoe and Andre's love story in Sin Bin. While reading Hat Trick, Gwen and Hunt's story, I remembered my first love… even though it was unrequited. Finally, I was moved to tears reading the unstoppable, unbreakable, and unconditional love between Holly and Jackson in Body Check. I learned lessons about trust and taking risks and the different types of adrenaline. But now, I believe I need to make it a tradition to reread this series at the start of every year because I owe my love of reading to the Boston Blades Hockey Team!
  
• Next, the Put A Ring On It Series by you guessed it, Maria Luis. Nick Stamos from Hold Me Today is the ULTIMATE book boyfriend, and because of it, I need to find myself an Adonis with dark curly hair, tattoos, and skillful hands! This series is a must-read, y'all! You will fall in love with each Alpha and sassy Heroine, and I promise you won't be able to put it down! I will leave it at this, Maria is an author I will follow until the end of time. Maria, you can never stop writing because what you have to say is important and need to be heard by millions. I love you!
  
• Moving on, the Imperfect Love Series by Nikki Ash is a newer read for me, but is no question one of my favorites! Each book is so uniquely different that I became so invested in each story and character that I never wanted the books to end. This series is one I will absolutely read again because of how beautifully it is written. Celeste and Jase's story from On the Surface is one everyone needs to read. There is such an intimacy between the two that you truly get lost within the pages!
  
• Last, but certainly not least, the Charleston Heat series by Jessica Peterson. Wow, what a series! I pray that Jessica never stops writing about the men of Charleston because they are steamy and sweet and just everything I want in a good romance. Each book can be read as a standalone; in fact, I read Southern Player first because I love the brother's best friend trope. However, Southern Charmer is the book that has my heart. Olivia's journey of self-discovery and awareness is so inspiring; I believe every woman should read it! Jessica is another author I absolutely love reading and will for a very, VERY long time!

Finally, the time has come to announce my favorite standalone romance novels of 2019! I am obsessed with each and every one of them and have recommended them to everyone I know!

• Voyeur by Fiona Cole was one of my favorite reads of 2019. The teacher-student trope is one of my favorites, and the chemistry Callum and Oaklyn have is truly jumping off of the page. Callum may be the voyeur in the story, but Fiona makes you the reader feel like the voyeur. I highly recommend this book.
• Unbroken Promises by Nikki Ash is an MFM and MM standalone staring Delilah, Cole, and Xander. I was very emotional during this book, and the Nikki wrote with such sympathy; it was just an honor to read this story.​
• Josh + Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren was such a cute and fun read! If you are looking for something that will make you laugh out loud and make you swoon, then here it is! It's the perfect read for a relaxing weekend!
• Breaker by Harloe Rae is a brother's best friend trope featuring Grady, the broody and broken hero, and Sutton, the sweet and genuine heroine! This small town, country romance is full of trials and tribulations that will undoubtedly hit you in the feels.
• Sugar Daddies by Jade West is a deliciously naughty MMF and MM story featuring Englishmen Carl, Rick, and their Little Miss Right, Katie. I don't want to say too much, but this novel is HOT, and if you've read Sugar Daddies, let me know what you think of it in the comments. Reader discretion is highly advised.
• Wait For Me by Tia Louise is a beautiful brother's best friend love story between Taron and Noel. It's a small-town, second-chance romance that will have you feeling all the feels! I absolutely loved this story and wished there were another 200 pages of it!

Thank you for following along with my best romance books of 2019!
​Happy New Year to each and every one of you!