Favorites of 2017 ~ Couples

I enjoyed doing a "look back at the year" in 2016 so I figured it'd once again be fun to bring 2017 to a close by listing some of favorites. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my favorites and I'd be happy to hear about any of yours!

*~*Couples*~*

• Eva and Gideon - watching them fall for one another and learn to be strong enough in themselves to build a relationship strong enough to last was a wonder.
• Silver and Logan - I've so enjoyed watching as Logan courts Silver. They're each growing so much even while enduring so much. It's been a challenge but it's great to see them together.
• Greer, Embry, and Ash - okay, I realize it's a trio rather than a couple but still...they were a pleasure to get to know and to watch change, mature, and fall in love.
• Nora and Soren - this couple is making the list two years in a row! Their's is an unconventional relationship if ever there was one and yet I still adore them
• Charles and Anna - their bond keeps getting stronger and stronger 
• Will and Layken - I really enjoyed reliving all their best and worst memories along with them. These two are just meant to be together!
• Tate and Logan - their love is swoon-worthy, y'all!
• Lily and Lo - these two broke my heart and put it back together again. They're each so broken and yet still perfect together. No, they don't fix each other - their love just makes them want to be better for the other. *sigh*
• Violet and Jennings - this couple made me laugh out loud all the while rooting for them to end up together!
• Jamie and Claire - I felt so much for these two! They're amazing individuals and as a couple? I'm not sure I've ever rooted for an historical couple more.
• Tabby and Shy, Lanie and Hopper, Joker and Carissa, High and Millie, Brock and Tessa, Hawk and Gwen, Tack and Tyra, and Mara and Mitch (I know it's cheating, right?)

Can you guess which books these couples starred in?

#OctobeRecFest Review #7 ~ Ricochet ~ Becca & Krista Ritchie #ShelfLove #TravelingtotheTerminus

Ricochet by Krista & Becca Ritchie
Addicted Series #1.5
Release Date: May 22, 20134
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #OctobeRecFest, #ShelfLove, #TravelingtotheTerminus
Recommended by: Tanya @Girl Plus Books among others
Goodreads

Synopsis
As a sex addict, Lily Calloway must do the impossible. Stay celibate for 90 days.

Cravings and fantasies become her new routine, but while Loren Hale recovers from his alcohol addiction, Lily wonders if he'll realize what a monster she really is. After all, her sexual compulsions begin to rule her life the longer she stays faithful to him.

Progress. That's what Lily's striving for. But by trying to become closer to her family--people who aren't aware of her addiction--she creates larger obstacles. When she spends time with her youngest sister, she learns more about her than she ever imagined and sense an unsettling connection between Daisy and Ryke Meadows.

With Lily and Lo's dysfunctional relationship teetering and unbalanced, they will need to find a way to reconnect from miles apart. But the inability to "touch" proves to be one of the hardest tests on their road to recovery. Some love brushes the surface. Some love is deeper than skin.

Lily and Lo have three months to discover just how deep their love really goes.

First of all, this is listed as a novella and it's really a full-length novel. The only reason I can figure for the novella classification is that it primarily revolves around Lily, since Lo is in rehab, and this series as a whole is about them both. However, it does some incredible character development and it was a riveting addition to the series.

Ricochet mainly details Lily's 3 months dealing with her addiction on her own while Lo is in rehab for alcoholism. And by "on her won" I mean without Lo who's been a constant in her life since...well, forever. She does however have her sister, Rose, Rose's boyfriend, Connor, and Lo's half-brother Ryke on her side. 

What I enjoyed most about Ricochet was the character development. We get better acquainted with Lily's sister, Rose, seeing her compassion and devotion to her Lily as well as what drives her and even a glimpse of the "why" behind her drive. We also got to know Daisy, the youngest Calloway sister, better as well as witnessing the dynamics between the Calloway girls. This created a better understanding of them all. I also enjoyed getting to know Ryke better. His is rather prickly on the surface but he actually seems to have a heart of gold.

The most satisfying development was seeing Lily cope and mature. Her addiction to sex is one difficult to deal with. As her therapist said, sex is a natural part of life and therefore not something you can quit cold turkey. But Lily's devotion to Lo, her determination to not only not cheat on him but to also get healthier to enable them to build a healthier relationship was inspiring and admirable. It wasn't easy and Lily's flaws and insecurities were all laid bare. We got more history between her and Lo as well as witnessing some pivotal moments from her childhood - with her family and with Lo - that impacted her. In all, this was simply a well-crafted and integral part of Lily and Lo's story even if Lo was mostly MIA. Of course, he may not have been on the page but he was always "there." At any rate, I'm truly a fan of the Ritchie sisters at this pint and I can't wait for the rest of the story.

As an aside, this story has been rolling around in my brain and I've been thinking that some people may judge it (the story) and people like Lily because of her sex addiction. They may even judge her more harshly than Lo even though he has his own addiction. But over the course of the story, Lily learns the "why" behind her addiction and the things that led her to it are no different than those that lead other people to over-eating or over-spending. My point is that I hope readers give Lily and Lo a chance because even if they don't relate to precisely why they have their addictions, they really aren't that different from anyone else.

#OctobeRecFest Review ~ Addicted to You ~ Krista & Becca Ritchie

Addicted to You by Krista & Becca Ritchie
Addicted #1
Release Date: May 22, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #OctobeRecFest, #ShelfLove
Recommended by: Tanya @Girl Plus Books
Goodreads

Synopsis
She's addicted to sex. He's addicted to booze...the only way out is rock bottom.

No one would suspect shy Lily Calloway's biggest secret. While everyone is dancing at college bars, Lily stays in the bathroom. To get laid. Her compulsion leads her to one-night stands, steamy hookups and events she shamefully regrets. The only person who knows her secret happens to have one of his own.

Loren Hale's best friend is his bottle of bourbon. Lily comes at a close second. For three years, they've pretended to be in a real relationship, hiding their addictions from their families. They've mastered the art of concealing flasks and random guys that filter in and out of their apartment.

But as they sink beneath the weight of their addictions, they cling harder to their destructive relationship and wonder if a life together, for real, is better than a lie. Strangers and family begin to infiltrate their guarded lives, and with new challenges, they realize they may not just be addicted to alcohol and sex.

Their real vice may be each other.

New Adult Romance recommended for readers 18+ for mature content

I've had Addicted to You hanging around on my Kindle since July of 2013! So long that I can't remember whose review prompted me to one-click. (It's currently *FREE* by the way...you're welcome!) But it was Tanya @Girl Plus Books gushing about her love of this series that prompted me to unearth this gem. Tanya, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving me the kick in the pants I needed to get this one read. ;)

Reasons you should meet Lily and Lo:

• Unique New Adult Plot
  Y'all know I'd gotten tired of the standard NA plot line and had shied away for awhile. Lily and Lo have tempted me back with a plot unlike any I've read before. Oh, there's angst and drama but it's the reasons behind the angst and drama that are rather refreshing. See, Lo is an alcoholic and his reasons for ever having taken that first drink broke my heart. And Lily - she's addicted to sex. And while the reason(s) behind that haven't been fully explored (maybe there isn't a real cause) the repercussions of her addiction, the actions she takes and the suffering she endures because of her addiction also broke my heart.
• The Writing
  While it's not perfect, the Ritchie's ability to craft such complex characters with such a riveting and compelling story around them is impressive. I'm utterly captivated by Lily and Lo - how they're so entrenched in each others' lives and addictions, how their addictions entangle, and their addiction to one another. I feel so much for them. My heart ached. I cried. Their story is *not* pretty but the journey they've been on and the turn the took in this book...well, I'm hoping for something beautiful to emerge.
• The Secondary Cast
  While I didn't get a good feel for everyone, the secondary characters added depth to the story and are interesting enough that I'm eager to continue this entire series, including the spinoffs, to see what happens with them. Lily's sisters, Rose in particular, have me especially intrigued.
• The Message
  Maybe there's not really a message but here's what I took away... people, all people, are flawed but no less deserving of love. Lily and Lo hid their lives, their addictions, for fear of what others would think, when what they needed most was the love and support those others could offer. (of course, Lo's dad is just despicable and no help at all!) When you hit rock bottom and find that something you're unwilling to lose, it's helpful to have your family and friends at your back.

I can't say enough good things about Addicted to You. Again, it's not perfect but is deserving of love nonetheless. ;) I've already downloaded #2, Addicted for Now, and plan to read it next month.