Happy New Year! Hello 2017!

Best Wishes for an awesome 2017! I hope everyone is having a safe and fun New Year's Eve! I plan on posting all of my new reviews to this blog (instead of just Goodreads) starting January 1st.



Just for fun, here are some of my 2016 faves by category:


Favorite Sci-Fi Romance: Ice Planet Barbarians series by Ruby Dixon

Favorite PNR: Toil and Trouble series by Heather R. Blair, honorable mention to Force of Temptation by Suzanne Wright

Favorite full length Menage book: Sugar Daddies by Jade West, honorable mentions to Taunt by Eve Dangerfield and Over the Bridge by Meredith Wild

Favorite New Adult book: The Score by Elle Kennedy

Favorite Contemporary Romance (that doesn't fit into any other category): A tie between One by Jewel E. Ann, Stripped Bounty by Dorothy F. Shaw, Abruption by Riley Mackenzie Best Kase Scenario by Layla Frost, Managed by Kristen Callihan, Three Sweet Nothings by Nikki Sloane,  and Athica Lane by Brynne Asher, honorable mention to Change of Heart by Nicole Jaqueline and The Heartbreaker Bay series by Jill Shalvis

Favorite Sports Romance: A tie between Rookie Love by Sarina Bowen, Hail Mary by Nicola Rendell and Major Love by Kate Stewart, honorable mention to Dirty Player by Stacey Lynn

Favorite Office Romance: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Favorite MC Club Romance: The Dartmoor series by Lauren Gilley

Favorite Dark Romance: Anything by T. M. Frazier, honorable mention to Six by K. I. Lynn

Favorite Military Romance: Chanel Cleeton's Wild Aces series

Most Original Writing: Jack and Jill series by Jewel E. Ann

Favorite Romantic Comedy: Max Monroe's Billionaire Bad Boys series

Favorite BDSM Romance: A tie between The Masters and Mercenaries series by Lexi Blake and anything by Cherise Sinclair, honorable mentions to Jennifer Dawson's Undone series and Worth the Wait by Joey W. Hill

Favorite Guilty Pleasure Read: A tie between anything by Alexa Riley or Annika Martin's Hunky Bank Robbers series

Favorite Adventure Romance: A tie between Confessed by Nicola Rendell and The Mercenaries series by Stylo Fantome

Favorite Menage Scene in a Non-menage book: from Three Sweet Nothings by Nikki Sloane

Favorite Teacher/Student book: Teach Me by Lola Darling

Favorite Canadian themed book: Prime Minister by Ainsley Booth and Sadie Haller (I had to make up a category because I really liked this book and wanted to honor it).

Favorite Second Chance romance: Steadfast by Sarina Bowen

Favorite New-to-me Author: A tie between Nicola Rendell, R. K. Lilley, Stylo Fantome, Lauren Gilley, T. M. Frazier, Jewel E. Ann, Jennifer Dawson and Max Monroe

Favorite Bearded heroes: The Winston Brothers series men by Penny Reid

Favorite Good-kind-of- Angsty books: A tie between anything by R. K. Lilley and Stylo Fantome's Kane series

Favorite Mafia Romance: A. Zavarelli's Boston Underworld series

Most Genre-bending Author: Lauren Gilley

First book completed in 2016: Lover Eternal by J. R. Ward

Last book completed in 2016: Scarlet Stone by Jewel E. Ann




New Releases I can't wait to read in 2017:


Surrender by Lisa Renee Jones - This is the final book in the Careless Whispers series. I have been waiting forever for it to come out so I can read all three books in a row. This series is a spin-off of the Inside Out series, which I really liked! January release.

Rock Chick Reawakening by Kristen Ashley - This is Daisy and Marcus's book! I can't wait to read this Rock Chick prequel novella, as I love this series! January release.

On Broken Wings by Chanel Cleeton - This is Easy's book. We have met Easy in the other Wild Aces series books   Easy hides behind a charming mask, but is secretly in love with his dead friend's widow. I cannot wait to read this one! January release.

Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen - I really enjoyed the first book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series, so I can't wait for more! January release.

Dating You/Hating you by Christina Lauren - A new standalone romance from this talented duo? Yes, please! June release.

With Us by Layla Frost - I loved Best Kase Scenario by this author so I can't wait for more from her! January release

Threescore and Tequila by Heather R. Blair - I really enjoyed the first three books in the unique paranormal Toil and Trouble series, I can't wait to read more! February release.

Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis - The Heartbreaker Bay series continues with Elle and Archer's story. Their chemistry was abound in the other books in the series so I can't wait to see them get their HEA. January release.

Twist by Kylie Scott - I liked the first book in the Dive Bar series, even though I didn't love it. But I loved the premise and the side characters enough to want to keep reading the series so hopefully this will be a good read. April release.

Riveted and Salvaged by Jay Crownover - The final two books in the Saints of Denver series. I really liked Charged so these should be good too! February and June releases.

The Deep End by Kristen Ashley - This controversial new book by one of my favorite authors is something totally different for her! It set in a BDSM club and the hero is an Alpha sub. I don't usually love Domme books, but I do like BDSM themed books so I'm excited to get KA's take on the genre. March release.

Dating-ish by Penny Reid - The sixth book in the Kitting in the City series. I have enjoyed the previous books in this series a lot. This is Marie's book. May release.

Beard in Mind by Penny Reid - Beau Winston's book. I can't wait to see how he and Shelly work this out. September release.

Sex Says by Max Monroe - The mysterious duo of Max Monroe is an auto-buy author for me. Everything they write is hilarious, sweet and sexy! February release.

What books were your favorites by category in 2016? Which books are you looking forward to the most in 2017? Please share in the comments!

Let's talk Holiday themed books!

I have gotten to read some really great Christmas/Holiday themed books this season!

Here are a few I have read and enjoyed-

Secret Santa by Kati Wilde 

 This was a really sweet and sexy little novella! I really enjoyed the story of Emma and Logan, who work together and find love through a Secret Santa exchange. It was hot and packed full of Holiday cheer!

One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis

This is a novella that is part of the Heartbreaker series, which I really enjoy. It was a cute little novella packed with emotions. I really enjoyed Rory and Max's story!

Mistletoe Mountain by Frankie Love

This was a sweet little novella about two opposites that attract in a cabin in the woods over the Christmas holiday. I really enjoyed this one!


What Holiday books have you read and enjoyed this season? Share in the comments below!

Favorites of 2016 Giveaway!

Since Christmas is coming and I'm going to visit family for the next few weeks, I may not have time to post this later. So, I want to thank you guys for being so awesome with a giveaway!

I am so glad to have read so many great books this year, discovered so many excellent authors, and founds so many hours of happiness lost in the pages of a book. I am grateful to all of my book reading buddies for your friendship and kinship. Here's to hoping for more awesome reads in 2017!

These are my favorite reads of the year. ( It was a 12 way tie! LOL). If you win this giveaway, you have to promise to read the book and tell me how you liked it! I am giving away the e-book of your choice from my favorites list. To enter, go to this post on my Facebook page, here. Like my page and leave a comment  telling me your favorite book(s) of the year!

Your choices are:

The Score by Elle Kennedy
Fearless by Lauren Gilley
Grin and Beard it by Penny Reid
Into the Blue by Chanel Cleeton
Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid
One by Jewel E. Ann
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen
Confessed by Nicola Rendell
Major Love by Kate Stewart
Managed by Kristen Callihan
Hail Mary by Nicola Rendell

PS. Major Love is on KU!

Good luck and thanks for reading my blog!

My Favorite Books of 2016

So, I thought I'd sit down and write a a year-end review on my reading in 2016. This year, as of today, I have read 470 books! My goal was to beat my record from last year, which was 405. I was happy to have beat it and I still have a few more weeks left of 2016 to see how far I can go. That doesn't include re-reads as I don't really keep track of those. But there were not a ton of re-reads for me this year (probably 10 or less) because I found too many new books to keep me busy. My Goodreads profile page is here if you're curious what all I've read.

Here are a few stats for you:

-The author I have most read this year was Alexa Riley with 26 books. Followed by Lexi Blake (16), Ruby Dixon (12), Fiona Davenport (11) and R. K. Lilley (11).

-I gave 94 books a 4 start rating or higher. I was surprised at this because most books I read are 3.25-3.75 star reads for me. I am very picky. It takes a really good read for me to give it 4 stars. I pretty much never give 5 stars .

- I had 12 books that I rated higher than 4 stars, with my highest being 4.5 stars.

Here is my top 12 highest rated books for 2016:

The Score by Elle Kennedy 4-4.25 stars My Review

Fearless by Lauren Gilley 4.5 stars My Review

Grin and Beard It  by Penny Reid 4-4.5 stars My Review

Into the Blue by Chanel Cleeton 4.5 stars My Review

Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid 4.5 stars My Review

One by Jewel E. Ann 4-4.5 stars My Review

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne 4.25-4.5 stars My Review

Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen 4-4.5 stars My Review

Confessed by Nicola Rendell 4.5 stars My Review

Major Love by Kate Stewart 4-4.5 stars My Review

Managed by Kristen Callihan 4-4.5 stars My Review
Hail Mary by Nicola Rendell 4.25-4.5 stars My Review

- I have found some really great new-to-me authors this year and read some memorable new series. 

My favorite authors this year have been:

Lauren Gilley - Her Dartmoor series is so good and a really unique take on a MC.

Jennifer Dawson - The Crave series is one of my favorites.

Nikki Sloane - I love The Blindfold Club series! It is sexy and emotional.

T. M. Frazier - All of her books have rocked my world!

R. K. Lilley - I have enjoyed everything she has written. They are angsty and hot!

Jewel E. Ann - Her Jack and Jill series is so unique. She has a really fresh voice!

Stylo Fantome - Her Kane Trilogy and Mercenaries series were two of my favorite series. Really hot, somewhat angsty and cinematic feeling. 

A. Zavarelli - Her Boston Underworld series is a really interesting take on the Irish mob. Suspenseful and sexy!

Chanel Cleeton - The Wild Aces series is so good! It is miltary romance with a small town feel at it's finest.

Lexi Blake - Masters and Mercenaries will always have the market cornered on romantic suspense with a side of BDSM.  I love the characters and stories she creates.

Max Monroe - This mysterious author duo writes books that are hilarious, sexy and sweet!

Ruby Dixon - Sci Fi romance with blue aliens that is so addictive!
Nicola Rendell - Her couples have perfect chemistry and connection. I love her blend of humor, emotion and sexiness. 

I am so glad to have read so many great books this year, discovered so many excellent authors, and founds so many hours of happiness lost in the pages of a book.  I am grateful to all of my book reading buddies for your friendship and kinship. Here's to hoping for more awesome reads in 2017! 

What's I've Been Up To

So it's relatively obvious that I have failed miserably at blogging this year. I had high hopes but time just got away from me. Between being a mom to my 5 kids under 12 and reading over 460 books, so far, I haven't made time like I want to for blogging my reviews. I evidently suck at time management. But I am resolving now to do a better job in 2017. And I'll be kicking off my new year by doing some posts about my favorites of 2016. So thank you for hanging in here with me and here's to being a better blogger next year!

Fun post about me!

I was excited to be featured on author Sue Wyshynski's blog. She's doing features on readers about reading and interviewed me about my readings habits and preferences. Check out the post all about me and reading here! I'm famous! LOL

Welcome!

Welcome to Love Notes Book Blog! I am super excited to start blogging again. I had a book blog that I let go about 7 years ago, Book Hangover. Since that time I have continued being am avid reader, but have also had 3 more kids (to make my total 5). I wanted to start a book blog to share books and authors I love, reviews, giveaways and tons more! So I hope you enjoy my musings!

A little about me, I am Kimberly. I am a 36 year old, happily married mother of 5 kids between the ages of 10 and 2. I live in Cypress, TX (a suburb of Houston). I am originally from South Carolina. I have always loved reading. My first full sentence when I was learning to talk was "Wanna read a book?".  Growing up, I always had a book in my hand or on me at all times. Of course, I still love to read anytime I get the chance. I started keeping track of my reading on January 1, 2015 on Goodreads. I had previously been a member, but I wasn't taking full advantage of the site. I wanted to get more involved, find new authors, and find a way to keep up with what books I read. I was surprised to find that I read over 400 books in 2015! I had no idea the actual volume I was reading. I have loved keeping track of my books online. It really gets confusing when you read so much; it's easy to forget what you've read! Also, because I read so much, I've read some books I have absolutely loved and some that I really did not love. I want to help others find great books and authors so they can enjoy them too!

Why name my page Loves Notes Book Blog? I really love romance. I read all kinds of romance- my favorites are contemporary, romantic suspense, erotica, and paranormal romance. So this blog is notes on why I love the books I love about love!  :)

So I hope you enjoy my blog! I love comments, suggestions, book recommendations, anything really! Leave a comment on any post or email me here. Also check out my Facebook page here!