Top 12 Book Boyfriends of 2012

I was going to do "12 books I meant to read in 2012 but didn't" and then decided that if I do a giveaway I would want to give a book away that I read this year, not one that I WANTED to read.  So I decided, why not join the rest of the flock and blog about some dreamy boys?  So here are 12 boys from 12 books I read THIS YEAR that I wouldn't mind snuggling up next to in a blizzard (or, you know, getting a cup of coffee with).  They are in NO particular order and are from ALL of the books I read this year, regardless of release date (that means the few 2013 books I've read are up for grabs too! YAY).

1. Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars

“Oh, I wouldn't mind, Hazel Grace. It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.”   Enough said.

2. Jay Heaton from The Last Echo

I've ALWAYS been a HUGE fan of the whole falling in love with your best friend thing.  Jay is sweet, he's funny, he knows EVERYTHING about Violet and doesn't care.  He's stayed with her through everything she's been through, and despite the fact that Violet can take care of herself he wants to keep her safe.  

3. Travis Stephenson from Something Like Normal

I'm not even sure where to START with Travis.  He is SO dreamy.  First, he's a marine, so he's GOT to have a rocking body. Right?  And he can cry! I think we ALL want a boy who can cry.  He's also SO devoted to his friends, his girlfriend, his family.  Tough boys are always a handful, and despite the fact that Travis is broken he's still so sweet. 

4. Jace Wayland from City of Lost Souls

Does this one really need an explanation?  Personally I don't think so, I mean, it's Jace Walyland for God's sake!  But for those of you who don't know him he's sexy (that's supposed to be him on the cover, so you can't say he's not), he's smart, he's got one of those cocky attitudes that you just love to hate.  He's also fiercely loyal, and not even the powers of hell can change how he feels about Clary.  Wow. Now is it any wonder why we all love him?

5. Galen Forza from Of Poseidon

Galen reminds me of Castiel from Supernatural, basically he's hot and he doesn't really know anything about human life so he's hilarious.  That and he's REALLY sweet.  Don't you want a merperson prince to fight over you?  I know I'd want Galen to fight over me!  Especially if the little tinglies went along with it.

6. Nathan from A Midsummer's Nightmare

Nathan is pretty much everything I want in a boyfriend.  He's cute, he's thoughtful, he's sweet, and he's a total dork.  In the YA world there is a great under-appreciation for attractive dorks when it comes to the love interest (there also seems to be a shortage of them in real life, but I can't do anything about that).

7. Daniel from Something Strange and Deadly

Daniel is also somewhat of a dork, and I love him for that.  He's the crazy inventor who always has his head in the clouds, except when he has his eyes on Eleanor...or he's fighting the undead.

8. Lend from Endlessly

I don't think you can get any better than someone who is willing to give up being immortal to be with you, because we all know that's what Lend would do in a heartbeat.  He's so sweet and so thoughtful, and if you're not Evie he can look like ANYBODY.

9. Noah Hutchins from Pushing the Limits

Everybody loves a bad boy, what what I love more than a bad boy is a bad boy that's really a good boy.  And Noah, he's a bad boy that's really good.  Along with that he's sexy and fiercely loyal, and there's always the fact that he likes to push your buttons.

10. Patch Cipriano from Finale                 Patch is the ultimate bad boy.  Fallen Angel, willing to start a war to save his girlfriend's life, and he rides a motorcycle while wearing a leather jacket.  Can't get any sexier than that.

11. Perry from Through the Ever Night

I could spend hours talking about Perry.  He's handsome, he's a leader, he's kind, he's thoughtful, he's pretty much selfless.  He can be a little infuriating, but God if he rendered to you the game is all but over.  I don't think it would be possible to resist him, although getting through to him might take a little time...or a lot of time.  And he has been known to use women a little, but it's not his fault he does't render to everyone!

12. Jeb Holt from Splintered

He's a best friend.  He followed his best friend into the unknown just to keep her safe, and he makes the ultimate sacrifice.  I don't think there's a girl alive who wouldn't want a guy like this (although he can be just a little bit OVER-protective).  His heart is in the right place and that's all you can really ask for.

Honorable Mentions

Daemon from Obsidian

 Ben from Unraveling

Akiva from Days of Blood and Starlight

Review-Hooked

When I read the description of this book I was excited about it, because it reminded me of some of the contemporary books I loved, like Catching Jordan, Perfect Chemistry, and Pushing the Limits.  I read it quickly, two days (and less than 24 hours including sleep) and I was greatly pleased with what I ended up reading.  There are two kind of romances that I like in books.  One is between two best friends, and the other (did you guess?) is when the two people who fall for each other DESPISE each other.  This was the latter of the two situations.  Now, I know absolutely nothing about golf, which was a large part of this book as well, but thankfully the terminology the author used was simple enough that I could figure it out (there was actually a glossary in the end of the book, but seeing as it was an e-ARC I didn't know that until I got there).  This is the author's debut YA novel, and I loved the fact that she decided to delve into the Native American heritage in the book, which is something that sometimes authors shy away from.  The two things that brushed me the wrong way were 1) that the main boy character kept screwing up.  You were inside his head, and he KNEW he should have done or said something different, but he didn't, and that ticks me off beyond reason.  2) The main boy characters best friend is an ASS.  I don't care what he's been through, in the real world you do what he does you get arrested, or at least suspended/expelled.  What I did love was the relationship between the characters, the fact the book had smaller little sub-plots going on around it, the dual POV, and the golf (because despite not enjoying golf it did further the story greatly.  As a whole I was greatly pleased with the novel, and will be picking up the "sequel" involving some minor characters from this one.  I also hope to see these two main characters in book two, because that's always fun!

Out January 31, 2013

4.5/5 dust spirits

*Thanks to Harlequin Teen for the e-ARC in return for an honest review.

Top 12 Sequel/Veteran Novels I read in 2012

Along with a load of debut novels I also read quite a few novels that were either squeals or books that came from authors with at least one book under their belt already.  I've decided to NOT include books that were published BEFORE 2012 in this list, even though I did read a few here and there, but I will mention them at the bottom if I feel they were amazing enough.  Again, these are in no particular order and have a small snippet as to why I liked it so much next to the cover.

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I don't think it possible not to like this book.  It's so touching, I almost cried, and it was so beautifully written.  I do see why it managed to Time magazine's top fiction spot of the year, and while I can honestly say it wasn't my favorite read of 2012 I am glad that it's getting attention, because it brings a spotlight to the YA genre and opens it up for those who haven't dove into it yet.

2. This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

If you know me at all you know how much of a huge zombie freak I am.  I really love any movie, book, or TV show about zombies, so to have a contemporary novel have zombies in it? I had to check it out.  What I loved the most was that while there were zombies it wasn't just about that, it was about finding something to live for when you don't WANT to live, and I think it's something everyone has or will feel at least once in their life, so it's nice to see it out in the world.

3. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
I just ADORED Delirium so when I read an ARC of this book I was surprised with how different it was, but also how similar.  Everything has changed and with that Lauren takes a whole different direction, which can be really hard to pull off, but she does it perfectly.

4. The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Everything changes in this book, and while I loved the first two this might actually be my favorite so far, because it delves so much deeper into violet's ability, her relationship with Jay, and the mind of a killer.  It's like Criminal Minds for teens (with kissing!) and I just can't get enough of it.

5. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower this past year for my APLA class, and when I read this my first thought was "it's the new Perks".  I still stand by this.  It's one of those novels could be read by boys or girls and enjoyed by both.  It teaches you a lesson about life, and maybe even helps you live it, which is something more books could word on.

6. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Is anyone really surprised this made the list? Cause I'm not.  I was less than impressed with the fourth book in the series, but this one really picked it up for me, and I'm happy that I decided to read this, despite the not-quite-happy feeling four left me with.  The magic in this series is, in my mind, back which is why it earns a place here.

7. A Want So Wicked by Suzanne Young
I'm really sad that not as many people know about this series as they should, but it's one that has a great new spin on angels, and I really loved how Suzanne decided to look at the Shadows more this time.  I had so many questions left from the first one, and this book helps answer some of them.

8. Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Horror movie in book form? Yes please.  Gretchen has, in my opinion, tried and succeeded in making YA novels as scary as they can get.  I devoured the entire thing and was pleased all the way through.

9. The Diviners by Libba Bray
The second of Libba Bray's novels I've read, I just adored the creepy aspect of it, and the fact that there was a serial killer.  Seeing as I'm not a huge fan of the time period it's set in I'm even more surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did.  So different and enticing.

10. Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

I was sad to see this series end, but I think how it ended was perfect.  There was a fight and death and everything that Breaking Dawn seemed to lack, which was really great (although I'm not comparing the two).

11. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Oh sweet heavens if you've read this book I don't know how you couldn't love it. The writing is so magical and the world so rich I just want to dive in and spend the rest of my life there.  It's just so beautiful, and it's one of those books that, if I had to pick, I would consider this book to have a quote from it tattooed on my body somewhere.

12. A Million Suns by Beth Revis

I was so pleased with the way this book went, in terms of the mystery, the romance, and the adventure.  It's so great to see a space book out there for teens to enjoy that brings Star Trek to life again in a slightly different way.

Honorable Mentions

Non-2012 Published Novels

*Note, Catching Jordan is considered a 2012 debut, but since it came out in December of 2011 I don't classify it that way in MY mind, which is why it's on this list, and not the debut list.

Top 12 Debut Novels I read in 2012

This year there were SO many great debuts that came out, and I read 29 of them!  I enjoyed all of them so picking just 12 is really hard, but to me the following were the best debuts I read this year (these are in no particular order) and a little snippet as to why I loved it so much.

1. Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
I did a re-read of this book (so even though I read it last year for the first time it still counts as being read this year, and as a debut this year!) and I can honestly say I loved it just as much the second time around, and maybe even more.  The world building was amazing, the dual POV was genius, and the romance was HOT!  The plot was fresh and new, and it just pulled me in from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down until it was over.  I can't wait to get my hands on the second book (seriously, it can't come fast enough)!

2. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

This is such a great retelling of Cinderella and it's set in the future, so what's not to love?  Amazing premise, great characters, and there's even a plague!  There's something here for fans of original fairy tales as well as fans of sci-fi, so since I like both it's not hard to see why I loved this book.  Oh sequel, can't you come faster?

3. Starters by Lissa Price

Another great dystopian novel that doesn't just look at the world after it's ended, but at growing up in that world.  The premise is also fresh, and the characters are not at all whiny.  The mystery is also an exciting part of the book, and I have to say I'm a little bummed that the sequel won't be out until next year.

4. Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

This is one of the few contemporary books on my favorites list this year, but boy what a book it is.  I read it in less than a day and I just fell in love.  I laughed, I cried, my heart broke and was put back together. I think it takes a special person to write about something as controversial as the Afghan war, and while it's not the main focus, it's there in the background, and it don't pull punches.  It's about living and leaning to live with loss, and getting back to normal when your world has been turned around.

5. Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

So thanks to this book I started watching The X Files, but that's not the only reason I loved it.  Another book with a fresh plot, strong characters, and a yummy boy.  Plot twists that I didn't see coming kept me on my toes, and now that there's a sequel I'm even more excited!  The voice was fresh too and props for mentioning Ebola in the book!

6. Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

Basically this book was The Body Finder, only instead of a girl who can find dead bodies it had werewolves in it (that's a terrible description, but that's pretty much why I loved it so much).  And the romance, swoon.  I'm really a sucker for a good mystery, can you tell?  Now if we had the title for book two, or better yet, just book two itself.

7. Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Why do I love this book so much? Hmm, let's see. One, it's just so FUNNY!!!  I love when a book is funny but it doesn't seem like it's trying to hard (which can be a rare thing). Two, ohmysweetgoodness Galen, SO HOT!  Three, mermaids.  Well...they are, but they aren't. They don't like to be called mermaids.  Please sequel, come out NOW because I need to read you.

8. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

This is one of the first high fantasy novels I've ever read, and I loved it so much.  Everything about it was so fresh and so deep I just couldn't get it over the fact that this author had never been published before.  Magic and culture and romance, there was nothing this book didn't have!  I have high hopes that the second one will follow in its footsteps.

9. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Another contemporary novel, this one just melted my heart.  I've always loved the bad boy-good girl pairing, and with the Perfect Chemistry series over I needed my fix, and boy was this it!  So sweet, so well done, and SO sexy, I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, because if it's anything like this it will be HOT!

10. Auracle by Gina Rosati

Another novel that was a lot like The Body Finder, it wasn't exactly a hard read, but it had murder and a cute boy, so count me in.  The idea of astral projection was a really great addition to the book, and although it's just a standalone I would LOVE to see a sequel, or at least more from the author in the future.  It takes talent to write almost an entire book where your main character can't actually be seen, heard, or felt.

11. Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Yes, this book is a middle grade novel, but it was so much fun, and plotted perfectly.  The characters were great and the twists and turns were surprising too!  Hopefully this will be the next Harry Potter because if you ask me it fits ALL of the bills!  Perfect for all ages I can't even express how great this book was and how excited I am for book two!

12. Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

I know that this book is written under a pen name of an author who has written more than one book with her REAL name, but since this is her first book under this pen name I'll count it as a debut.  The four POVs were really great, and the story was powerful despite being a high fantasy novel.  It was just packed with action, and that could be a bad thing for some people, but it didn't bother me in the least. I can't wait to see how the second book unfolds because with that much in book one book two will have to be a knock-out!

Honorable Mentions