Last week we shared our favorite backlist books we read this year. Today it’s time to talk about our top 18 2018 releases. We both read quite some books this year and that makes is hard to choose your favorites! But we managed to pick our top 18 new releases of 2018 so let’s get into it!

Candyce

I’m actually going to be sharing another post later today with another top 18! I read so many romance books this year, that I’ve decided to give them their own list. So outside of the amazing romance books I read this year, here is my top 18.

18.To Be Honest – Maggie Ann Martin
5 stars

I was really impressed by this book. It was a nice change to see a book focus on a plus sized character that wasn’t only just trying to diet, but who was trying to be happy in her own skin. To Be Honest also has the cutest love story! I definitely recommend this book!

17. The Fragile Ordinary – Samantha Young
5 stars

I have to be honest and say that the cover was the first thing that attracted my attention to this book. I mean, look how stunning it is! The Fragile Ordinary is an unique story and so touching! On top of that the main character loves reading, I can never say no to a book like that!

16. Love Songs & Other Lies – Jessica Pennington
5 stars

As a big contemporary fan, this one was just so much fun! I loved that the chapters switched between past and present and between characters. It felt like we learned so much more about them this way! Add some good song lyrics and such a cute grand gesture at the end and you have me hooked!

15. Dive Smack – Demetra Brodsky
5 stars

Another stunning cover, but also an amazing story! I liked how a character started learning a lot about himself while trying to make a family tree for school. I loved reading about the things he learned and there were a lot of suspenseful elements. I really hope we eventually get another book or some sort of spin-off.

14. Obsidio – Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
5 stars

Obsidio is the final book in the Illuminae Files trilogy. I was impressed how this trilogy came to an end. The authors weren’t afraid to take this book to a a different level either, because there were a lot of intense moments in this book! I will always love how this story is told. I never thought a book would be so interesting being told through e-mails, maps and reports.

13. The Wicked Deep – Shea Ernshaw
5 stars

The Wicked Deep was a pleasant surprise! I loved the concept of three witches coming back every year to find revenge. The little stories between the chapters with some history was really interesting. I have to say the only thing that I could’ve done without is the instalove in this book. Other than that, so good!

12. People Like Us – Dana Mele
5 stars

This year has been the year that I’ve started reading some more YA thrillers! I am having so much fun with this genre. Unfortunately, they’re not all good, but this was AMAZING! I didn’t know who was guilty until it was closer to the end. People Like Us has an interesting setting and a set of mean girls. You just don’t know who to trust!

11. Reign of the Fallen – Sarah Glenn Marsh
4 stars

I know that it’s weird a 4 star book is in a higher position than the 5 star books I’ve already talked about. The decision I made was based on the story, because the only reason it got 4 stars was because of some things feeling a bit rushed when it came to a few relationships. Reign of the Fallen has such an amazing storyline. I loved how the author hit some subjects that YA books tend to ignore or skip over pretty fast!

10. Heretics Anonymous – Katie Henry
5 stars

I was really shocked by this book, because I have never read anything like it. Michael is an atheist and ends up at a catholic school. This is already rather interesting and when he runs into someone that questions certain beliefs, he’s shocked she’s really religious. Katie Henry is an amazing writer and I was laughing a lot while reading. Her characters really grew throughout this book and I can’t wait to read her next book!

9. Girl at the Grave – Teri Bailey Black
4 stars

Girl at the Grave really impressed me. I can’t imagine what it’s like having to grow up thinking your mother killed someone and being judged for that. This writer created such an interesting world and the story took turns I definitely didn’t expect. I even started doubting if I could believe the main character!

8. A Touch of Gold – Annie Sullivan
4.5 stars

I didn’t know much about King Midas, only the basics. A retelling of King Midas was something I had never heard of before and it sounded really good! I was really impressed by the world she created. I loved the little twist and turns and I’m excited for the sequel.

7. My Plain Jane – Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows & Brodi Ashton
4 stars

My Plain Jane is the next book in this trilogy and I was so excited. I have to say how impressed I am that three authors wrote this together, because I really wouldn’t have guessed that at all. My Plain Jane is a bit darker than My Lady Jane, but it’s a lot of fun. I loved that they actually made the author best friends with her character. Such a fun touch.

6. Sanctuary – Caryn Lix
5 stars

This year I’ve also read more sci-fi books than I have in previous years. I know it’s a good book when it’s almost 500 pages and I finish it in less than two days! Another book with great worldbuilding and amazing characters. A lot happens in a short amount of time, but it doesn’t feel rushed at all. I was only left with a lot of questions and wanting the next book now!

5. Disastrous Dates: The Complete Collection – Kayla Tirrell
5 stars

If you’ve been following the blog for awhile, you know I am a big fan of this author. Her books are so cute and so much fun! This year she released 4 novellas for her Disastrous Date series. Our main character is in need of money and is good at matchmaking, until she accidentally mixes up the matches when setting up dates! This gives us a lot of funny and sweet dates to read about.

4. The Purloined Prophecy – Morgan G. Farris
5 stars

This is the sequel to the Chalam Faerytales. I couldn’t wait for this book and even though it was 600 pages, it was still too short. Yes, a lot of authors have used a kiss as something that holds special powers, but I love the world this author created. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series!

3. Dare You to Lie – Amber Lynn Natusch
4.5 stars

Dare You to Lie is described as a book for fans of Riverdale and Veronica Mars. It’s a pretty dark book with lots of intense moments and some mysteries that need to be solved. Kylene’s father was convicted for a muder she’s sure he didn’t commit. While trying to figure out what actually happens, she’s dealing with issues of her own. She annoyed me a bit in the beginning, but I love these characters and need the sequel NOW!

2. Two Dark Reigns – Kendare Blake
5 stars

Two Dark Reigns is the third book in the Three Dark Crowns series and I was waiting all year for this book! I couldn’t put it down and there were so many twists and turns and certain events had me shocked. The ending once again left me wanting more, but I have to wait almost a year for the last book!!

1. The Exact Opposite of Okay – Laura Steven
5 stars

If you’ve been following the blog for awhile, this won’t be much of a surprise, haha. I’ve been talking about this book in many posts and it’s made many Top Ten Tuesdays! This book is funny, but also so emotional. The author spreads a message in this book that I find so important! It really shows how society is these days, but that girls don’t have to fall for that. They’re not to blame for everything when it comes to personal pictures being leaked, etc. I am so excited for the sequel to this one!

Isabelle

This list is a mix of MG, YA, Adult and even a graphic novel. Just like last week, I had some trouble with making the actual list. Especially #5 to #1 could be in a different order depending on when you ask me. Here we go!

18 Contagion – Erin Bowman
4 stars

I listened to this YA sci-fi mystery novel in October and it was the perfect Halloween read. There were some really good creepy elements and the ending left me craving for more.

17 People Like Us – Dana Mele
4 stars

Another YA mystery and one I really enjoyed. I loved the scavenger hunt element, such a fun way of blackmail. To read about of course haha. The ending wasn’t completely what I was hoping for but I will definitely pick up Dana’s next book.

16 Bruja Born – Zoraida Córdova
4 stars

Labyrinth Lost had been on my list for quite a while and this year I finally read it, and Bruja Born as well! I loved the world Zoraida created and I’m very excited for the next book in this series.

15 Restore Me – Tahereh Mafi
4 stars

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did! The original trilogy wasn’t my favorite but I decided to give this one a try anyway. I’m happy I did though and I’m already looking forward to the next book. Especially after that ending!

14 City of Ghosts – Victoria Schwab
4 stars

Victoria is one of my favorite writers and when she came out with a MG ghost novel I was super excited. This was such a great read, there was a focus on friendships, the mystery was good and pretty creepy.

13 I Hate Fairyland Vol. 4 – Skottie Young
4 stars

A bittersweet ending to my first ever graphic novel series. The art in this one is gorgeous once again. And while the story wasn’t as strong as the previous ones, it was still a great ending to this series.

12 Obsidio – Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman
4 stars

I read all three books in this series in no time, you fly though them. This wasn’t my favorite in the series, but I still really liked it. Illuminae helped spark my interest in sci-fi books. Obsidio was a nice conclusion and I liked how everything came together in this brutal story.

11 Ace of Shades – Amanda Foody
4 stars

Another one where I did have super high hopes, especially because of all the mixed reviews. But this was a really fun story! I loved the world that was created and there were great twists in this opening novel.

10 Truly Devious – Maureen Johnson
4 stars

The synopsis for this YA mystery hooked me right away and I was not disappointed. It took me a little while to realize we got to different perspectives from two different timelines but that ended up being something I really enjoyed.

9 Beneath the Sugar Sky – Seanan McGuire
4 stars

I can finally join in on the Wayward Children fangirling! What an imaginative universe Seanan created with these books. She could write so much more stories here, I know we’re getting 2 more but I’m hoping for 20 😉

8 My Plain Jane – Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows
4 stars

After loving My Lady Jane so much, I obviously needed to read My Plain Jane as soon as it released. I listened to the audiobook and it was wonderful. It wasn’t as good as My Lady Jane but these authors did a great job of making this a magical retelling.

7 Queen of Air and Darkness – Cassandra Clare
4,5 stars

This is the latest 2018 release I finished and not one I was expecting to read so soon actually. Candyce and I did a buddy read with Melissa but since there are 3 big books in this series I didn’t have high hopes. And then I just flew through them. I really enjoyed this conclusion and am super excited for The Wicked Powers trilogy!

6 Little White Lies – Jennifer Lynn Barnes
4,5 stars

Jennifer Lynn Barnes is one of my favorite authors and I really enjoyed this YA mystery. Amazing characters and such a fun setting with the debutante world. This book proved to me once again why I love Jennifer’s book so much.

5 Dare You to Lie – Amber Lynn Natusch
5 stars

Amber said she wrote this book because she missed Veronica Mars so much and as a massive marshmallow myself that meant I NEEDED to read this. And it turned out to be my favorite YA mystery/thriller of the year. What a wonderful read, I hope we get much more books in this series. Loved it!

4 Two Dark Reigns – Kendare Blake
5 stars

This has quickly become one of my favorite series ever! I absolutely adored the first two books and was highly anticipating this third book. It did feel like it was setting us up for the epic finale I hope the last book will be, but if was also filled with things I love. Some of my favorite characters ever are in these books and we got some good twists!

3 The Exact Opposite of Okay – Laura Steven
5 stars

We’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, The Exact Opposite of Okay is such a underrated book! I loved every second of it and it has such important messages for teenage girls. Laura is such a sweet person as well and I truly hope more people will pick up her book and the sequel.

2 The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – Stuart Turton
5 stars

I was really looking forward to this one and was extremely surprised I got approved for an eArc on NetGalley. This mystery has a body swap/ Groundhog Day sci-fi twist and is one of the best I’ve ever come across. I loved this one so so much and really hope the author writes more books in this world.

1 Kingdom of Ash – Sarah J. Maas
5 stars

Were you expecting anything else in the number one spot? Throne of Glass is one of my favorite series ever and this conclusion was my number 1 anticipated release this year. I reread the whole series this year and 5-starred every book. This ending was bittersweet, it left me in tears, broke my heart, and I loved every minute of it <3

These were our favorite 2018 releases we read this year. Did you read any of these? And what were your favorite books of the year? Let us know in the comments!