Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books of 2016

Here are the top ten books for the year! I love doing this post every year so I can look back and see what all I read. This wasn't the best book year for me. I read quite a few that I didn't really enjoy, but these books are definitely worth reading! 

Here is to a new year with new books and fresh perspective!

Happy New Year!

The best book of the year hands down. I adore this story and the characters.

 

This is general fiction so there is some language etc. I have become a huge fan of Kristin Hannah though and I look forward to reading more by her.

 



 



 

This is an older book but it is fantastic for historical fiction lovers!!

It's Dani Pettrey-need I say more?!

 

This book was published by a different company than her other books so if you haven't heard of it or read it you need to!

Fading Starlight Review

 

 About the Book

A Tale of Unexpected Friendship and Old Hollywood Glamour

Lauren Summers is hiding. Her fashion house internship should have launched her career, but a red carpet accident has left her blackballed. The only job she finds is unpaid, but comes with free lodging--a run-down cottage in the shadow of a cliff-side mansion. Unsure of what comes next, she's surprised to be contacted by a reporter researching a reclusive former Hollywood actor who lives in the nearby mansion.

Kendall Joiner wants Lauren's help uncovering the old woman's secrets. In return, she'll prove the red carpet accident was a publicity stunt so Lauren can regain her former job. With all her dreams in front of her, Lauren's tempted by the offer, but as she and the old woman get to know each other, Lauren realizes nothing is quite as it seems. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

 I have to say that Kathryn's novels are some of my favorite and have yet to disappoint. I LOVED this book and I couldn't put it down. The characters were wonderful and the setting felt like I was there. Lauren's faith is what I enjoyed reading the most. Not only was she a Christian but she actually acted like one. Real life issues are thrown her way and yes she gets sad but her faith and relationship with God are strong. I've not read too many books where the author makes it evident on what an actual relationship with Christ is all about. This book has it all. I loved the mysterious lady next door and the old Hollywood history. Also, this book is all about single women who are figuring out life-without a man! *Gasp* I so appreciated the fact that this wasn't a mushy love story. Yes, there is a great guy in the book but he is more in the background. Don't get me wrong I love a good love story but this book was made all the better without it. 

I could go on but I'll let you decide and read the book for yourself. Highly recommend and if you haven't read anything by Kathryn yet, you must! 

"I received this book from Bethany House for free in exchange for an honest review."

Finding Me Review

 About the Book

A Contemporary Drama of Family Lies
and Forgotten Loves After her father and stepmother's accidental death, Kelli Huddleston sorts through their belongings and learns a shocking secret. Years before, her father faked his death during a boat wreck at sea--and faked Kelli's as well. He'd run from a wife, a son, and a daughter back in Tennessee, meaning Kelli has a family she's never known.
She's already cashed the payout on her dad's life insurance check and looks at it as her ticket to a new life. The lure and puzzle of digging into this hidden past is too much to resist, and she soon finds herself in Tennessee. When the trip threatens to open doors to the past better left shut, and her plans for the future are threatened, Kelli must make an agonizing choice that will change her life forever. (Goodreads)

My Review

 The storyline for this book intrigued me from the start. I think that this type of family difficulty is typical and this book sheds light onto what happens years later. Kelli thinks her family has all died long ago until she finds papers in her fathers safe after he dies. He lied to her for years and she has another family out there somewhere and being curious, she wants to meet them. I personally can relate to this pretty well though the circumstances were a little different. It's scary to realize you have another family somewhere that you never knew about and I liked reading about Kelli's journey. I also think this book proves how the choices we make today effect our family in the future. I do wish the last part of the book had maybe a better conclusion. I think the author made things too easy and too fast. In any case I enjoyed this book. 

Five stars.

"I received this book from Bethany House for free in exchange for an honest review."