Top Ten of 2013: Best Couples

From December 23rd through 27th, we celebrate our favourite books of 2013 and look ahead to those of 2014.  Be sure to check back each day, and check out our gracious hosts (Rachel from [Fikt]shun, Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads & Jamie from Two Chicks on Books)!

Rules: Must be from a book read in 2013

Blay & Qhuinn

Lover At Last by J.R. Ward

because it's about freakin' time!

Hector & Elisa

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

because they would stand by each other through anything!

Cam & Avery

Wait For You by J. Lynn

because these two stood out as a pair I was actually rooting for, among the NA club!

Cath & Levi

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

because they're cute, okay?

Addie & Trevor

Pivot Point by Kasie West

because the ending of Pivot Point broke my heart!

Sybella & Beast

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

because they battled their demons together!

Aiden & Alex

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

because they broke a few rules for love (yes, this was corny but I don't care)!

Anna & St. Clair

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

because love at a french boarding school!

Tod & Kaylee

With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

because they got their happy ending!

Cate & Finn

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

because I'm still rooting for them!

Let's share!  Who was your favourite bookish couple this year?  Leave me comment and tell me what your list was about today!

And to those that are celebrating, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, from my family to yours!

If you're not celebrating, have a Happy Wednesday!

Book Review: Lover At Last by J.R. Ward

Published March 26th, 2013
NAL Hardcover
591 pages (Hardcover)

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one. (From Goodreads)

My love for the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels is no secret.  They have found their way onto almost every top ten list ever.  When I found out book 11 was going to finally be about Blay and Qhuinn, I was pumped.

I hate to have to admit how disappointed I was with this book.

I know that Ward was trying to set up for the next few books, but Lover At Last felt like it was lacking in pretty much everything.

I want to make it clear that my opinion has nothing to do with the fact that this romance involves two males.  I'm all for it, and had been anxiously awaiting this story.  There has been so much build up to this story, and I don't think that hype helped at all.

The book lacked action, which is what the series is built on.  It somehow tried to follow more of a dramatic path, but stumbled a lot.  There were also way too many plot lines going on.  You've got Blay and Qhuinn's story, plus everthing going on with Qhuinn and Layla.  Then add a new plot involving the shadow Trez (which left a lot of questions, and I would suspect a future book).  Plus Assail is still around, now with his very own stalker/assassin.  And don't forget Xcor and the Band of Bastards.  There was just too much happening, but nothing happening at the same time, if that makes sense.

While Lover At Last didn't meet my expectations, I still love this series and will still recommend it to everyone.  It's clear Ward has some good stuff planned for the future, and you know I will be devouring it.

Much love, Samantha
PS. It was announced that book 12, The King, would be another book about Wrath and Beth.  I could not be happier about this.  Expected publication is March 25th, 2014.

Top Ten Tuesday: Surprises

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies over at

The Broke And The Bookish!

This week, the topic is...
Top Ten Books I Thought I'd Love More/Less

Doesn't it feel great to read a book you thought that you would dislike, and actually really enjoy it?!  Here are some that I pleasantly enjoyed...

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown
Black Hole Sun by David Macinnis Gill
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
The Shade trilogy by Jeri Smith-Ready

Unfortunately, it can just as easily go the opposite way.  It sucks when you get so amped for a book, only for it to not meet your sky-high expectations.  So here are some that fell short for me...


The Bloodlines series (so far) by Richelle Mead
Lover At Last by J.R. Ward
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Black City by Elizabeth Richards
Rebel Heart by Moira Young

So guys, do you disagree with any of my choices? 

Much love, Samantha

"Waiting On" Lover At Last

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week I am excited for...

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one. (From Goodreads)

I know this isn't YA, but you all need to read the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels.  These novels are HOT.  As in OMG-so-much-testosterone-and-knives-and-leather HOT!  J.R. Ward has been building up to this book forever, and I am so excited for it.    If you start now, you can be ready for Lover at Last when it gets released on March 26th, 2013!

Much love, Samantha
PS. Vishous will forever be my favourite.