Shari easily became one of my favorite ya romance authors ever! She writes these stories that are beyond adorable! Each time I pickup one of her books I always find myself laughing so hard I can’t catch my breath, and I can’t ever get that smile off of my face. Not to mention all the butterflies. I absolutely love her books and I’m looking forward to branching out and trying some of her fantasy books this year!
I don’t know why I was so nervous to pickup Historical Romance, but Kimberly Bell made it so effortless to fall in love with her writing and characters. You know that feeling when you click with a book and the whole world around you fades away? That’s exactly what happened to me. I found myself addicted to the story and completely obsessed with these characters. I’m excited to read the rest of the books she has released!
3. Danielle Lori
Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads
This book had some of the best sexual tension I’ve ever read. The story was forbidden and I found myself completely caught up in this mafia tale. Addicting doesn’t even begin to describe what I felt while reading The Sweetest Oblivion. Now I can’t wait to read any future books written by Danielle Lori!
4. Brigid Kemmerer
Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of A Curse So Dark and Lonely and fell in love with her writing! I remember seeing a lot of hype for her other books on Goodreads as they came out but for some reason I never picked them up. I will definitely be doing so in the future and I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on A Curse So Dark and Lonely!!!
5. Kendare Blake
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OMG….why did it take me so long to pick up Blake’s books??!?!?! WHYYYYY? Once I started Three Dark Crowns I was HOOKED. The characters, the premise, the writing–each so unique and addicting. Highly recommend.
6. Claire Legrand
Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads
If you haven’t read Furyborn yet YOU HAVEN’T LIVED. I am literally dying to get my hands on Kingsbane. The entire first book was so action packed I consumed the book in a matter of days. I’ve also heard a lot of great things about Sawkill Girls, too, so you better believe I’m going to be picking that up sometime soon.
7. Katie Cotugno
Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads
I can’t even remember how I stumbled onto Katie Cotugno’s books, but I am so very glad I did. Last year, I read four of her books and I seriously loved every single one them. She writes messy and imperfect protagonists, but I absolutely adore how real they are. I also adore the way she writes her romances – they are complicated but so sweet. She provides a lot of representation and in addition to the great romances, there’s also a lot of wonderful friendships and self-growth for her main characters.
8. Brittany Cavallaro
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To say I devoured the Charlotte Holmes series from Brittany Cavallaro would be an understatement. There are currently three Charlotte Holmes books out, with a fourth one coming in 2019. The Charlotte Holmes series follows the adventures of Charlotte Holmes and Jaime Watson, descendants of THE Holmes and Watson. There’s a lot to love from these books – the slow burn relationship, the mystery, the side characters – but I love Charlotte and Jamie most of all. Even though they are solving crimes, at heart they are teenagers just trying to figure out life and how they fit in each other lives.
9. Sabaa Tahir
Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads
After hearing Chelsea talk about her BBF Elias for a while, I decided to finally give the Ember in the Ashes series a try. Oh boy, did I not regret this. I LOVED THIS SERIES and understood why Chelsea kept talking about Elias. He was as amazing as described, but I also loved Laia and Helene as well. But be prepared if you’re going to get into this series: a lot of people are going to get hurt/die, and there’s a lot of dark and heavy stuff. But there’s enough romantic and even some light scenes sprinkled throughout to lighten it up. Whenever the final chapter comes around (which hopefully will be 2020?) I will have to emotionally prepare myself to say goodbye to these amazing characters (whichever ones live I guess. Please be kind Sabaa.).
10. Mariana Zapata
Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads
Literally my saving grace when I am depressed. My saving grace when the sky isn’t blue, and I need a full body pick me up. My saving grace when the world just isn’t right-I found this beautiful cinnamon roll of a writer and I adore every little thing about her-I am so beyond grateful she does what she does and I will ALWAYS go to her books when I just need to laugh, smile, or swoon. (Aiden and Ivan and Dex and need I go on?)
11. Diana Gabaldon
Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads
I’ll admit I was harsh on this woman-not her, really, but the idea of reading anything historical and anything with such a strong accent that wasn’t British. Shame on me-I almost missed out on one of my favorite books of 2018 because I was stubborn and totally misguided on just how wonderful this deep, heartfelt, addicting story was. And Jamie. My God. Always Jamie.
12. Libba Bray
Amazon * Book Depository * Goodreads
And this absolutely fantastic woman-talk about a writer that I never even thought of giving a chance!!! The heart, soul, and literal lightheartedness among terror, doom, and devastating circumstances is astounding and without a doubt the most baffling contradiction. The romance??? PIE FACE. You don’t even know until you’ve tried it!!! I’m a GONER-I’m so addicted I couldn’t see anything else around me for a month..A MONTH! (SAM AND EVIE ARE. MY. LIFE.)
So these are our New-to-Us Authors We Read In 2018. Have you read any of these authors already? Or do you have any of their books on your tbr? If not, then who was a new-to-you author you read last year?
