Best of 2016

To be honest, it seems I had a pretty bad book year. Rating wise, my average rating is 2.9! Now that is bad. These days I even try to avoid those ok books, but I guess I finished a lot of them this year. Sigh.

I have read 265 books this year, 25 of those were 4 star books....

Taking a quick look at the list and trying to remember ;) I might miss quite a few

I read:

8 audio books

14 novella/short story

1 graphic novel

And now to Best of

Best Historical Romance

I love HR, I read them for the fun of it, but even though I really like them, they seldom get that 4, because I am very cruel. Therefore I was very surprised when this one got a 4 this year. It was just that good.

Best Fantasy

This is book 2 in a series, and well I have suffered from book 2 syndrome a lot. But here, wow. Such a good book. Even better than book 1! I was impressed. That is how a series should evolve.

Runner-up

I usually do not do this, but when looking through GR and checking my reviews...well, I used the word intense a lot. I mean A LOT! Another series that just keeps getting better.

Best YA

I like how she writes, I liked the darkness of it all, and the world created. Great YA.

Runner-up

This one has not been translated, a shame really.

Best UF

This was one of those where it did take me a while to warm up to the series- But this one was excellent and one of those I need to pee, but F IT! I have to finish this book.

Best Steampunk

Ok, so it might be one of two steampunk books I read this year, and it was fantasy too, but it has to be on this list. Also BEST sidekick cat ever!

Best Er  tic romance

I seldom read this since I skim already in contemporary romance, but I read it, and damn, it was good! It was better than the contemporary romance I read this year. It gets both prizes.

Best Historical Fiction/Horror

This one actually gave me the chills. After having finished it I had to look out the window so no one was watching me. Such a claustrophobic feeling.

Best Fiction

How to be a young woman in a country where women are worth nothing. A powerful story.

And last, Best Memoir *coughs*

My cheat genre pick ;)

Because the series is just so fun and everyone should read it.

..........................................

And last a shout out to

 You all keep me motivated. Thank you!! This is the best challenge to have

Duke of Sin - Elisabeth Hoyt

Devastatingly handsome. Vain. Unscrupulous. Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, is the man London whispers about in boudoirs and back alleys. A notorious rake and blackmailer, Montgomery has returned from exile, intent on seeking revenge on those who have wronged him. But what he finds in his own bedroom may lay waste to all his plans. 

Born a bastard, housekeeper Bridget Crumb is clever, bold, and fiercely loyal. When her aristocratic mother becomes the target of extortion, Bridget joins the Duke of Montgomery's household to search for the incriminating evidence-and uncovers something far more dangerous. 

Astonished by the deceptively prim-and surprisingly witty-domestic spy in his chambers, Montgomery is intrigued. And try as she might, Bridget can't resist the slyly charming duke. Now as the two begin their treacherous game of cat and mouse, they soon realize that they both have secrets-and neither may be as nefarious-or as innocent-as they appear . . . 

My thoughts:

I have only read 2 books in this series, so if I have come across Valentine before I can not remember him...and I believe that is a good thing.

I think this one has to get a high grade just because of how fucked up Valentine was. He was so broken, so dark, so without conscience. A borderline sociopath. ..I loved him. Mostly because of broken he was, yes he was one of those, I can change him! Also cos he was so dark. He should be hated.

Valentine is a bastard, not a bastard by birth, but one freaking bastard. He blackmails everyone. He laughs at misfortunes of others, he does not give a damn. He is the devil. But already there you can see that something is wrong, because he does truly love his sister and would do anything to protect her. And then we hear his story and it is messed up. But still, he does bad things, and...well at least they are not against Bridget, so I can forgive him. She awakens him, makes him human again.

Aye, Bridget, she really is a bastard, by birth. Now she is a house keeper, and is trying to find the evidence that Valentine blackmails her mother with. She is kind and patient, and you really need to be that with him since he is an asshole.

Their romance is not insta in anyway. No he is not attracted by her, but after a while she starts to fascinate him. She, well he is hot, give him credit for that, but he is also an asshole and that is all she can see. It grows, and it has to grow since he has no heart.

He is a real bastard, only a patient woman would ever wait for him. I'd have kicked him in the nuts long before that. But oh he he longed for her, but at the same time felt it as a weakness. How sad I felt for him.

Conclusion:

He is a bastard you have to read about.

Cover

meh

ebook, 364 pages
Expected publication: May 31st 2016 by Grand Central Publishing
Maiden Lane #10
Historical romance
NG