Welcome to another new feature here on Bookish Treasures! The aim of Bookish Treasures Recommends is to help YOU find the books you want to read. Each time it will focus on a different genre, or book feature or even books to read after..... I really want to make this so that I am responding to requests people send in so if you are looking for something comment/tweet/email me what you are after and you might get an answer in the next Bookish Treasures Recommends post :)
You probably already know that I am a HUGE New Adult fan and that I am also a huge supporter of non-contemporary NA books. It can often be hard to find New Adult books in the non-contemporary genres as they have a habit of hiding on Amazon. So here are a few of my favourites that I highly recommend if you want to try NA that is a little different. There are quite a few recommendations here so I'm sure everyone will be able to find something that they will love :)
The Tempering by Adrianne James
Synopsis
The Mythology department at prestigious Harvard University is tiny—and Mackenzie Duncan has just been selected as one of the lucky few. Her love for myths and legends is deep, but she never thought any of it could be real.
After being attacked by a large wolf while walking home alone, Mackenzie realizes something is not right. She heals quickly, has suddenly become super strong, and is experiencing mood swings that can't possibly be normal. The myths she's studying aren't myths at all. Werewolves are real, and she's one of them. Fear of what she is, and who she might hurt sends Mackenzie running from the life she’s worked hard to build–and straight into the arms of a handsome Were named Geoff and into the home of his pack. Living with her new pack takes the edge off her confusion and self-loathing, but the arrival of new pack members changes the dynamic, and tests Geoff and Mackenzie’s growing relationship.
The hardest part of being a werewolf is to have no control and no memory of her time as a bloodthirsty beast. When a moon cycle passes, and she is actually able to remember bits and pieces of the night, she starts to ask questions, and the more questions she asks, the more she realizes she doesn’t like the answers. Can she set aside her own sense of morals to belong to a pack that is like a family or will she leave everything behind yet again in search of a life she can be proud of?
Amazon | Amazon UK
My Thoughts
My review
A fantastic New Adult twist on werewolf paranormal romance. The best thing about this book (in my opinion) is that there is a large focus on character growth and the paranormal aspects rather than it revolving entirely around the romance.
Ocean Kills by Jade Heart
Synopsis
Around the world, murderers and rapists pick off the innocent. Killing loved ones, separating families, and ruining lives.
As an eight-year-old girl, Ocean witnessed her family’s massacre and something altered inside her. Twisting her genetic code… unlocking an ability to teleport.
Ocean Breeze was never destined to be normal, especially having been named after air-freshener. She’s a shadow, a ghost—a dark saviour of the innocent. Armed with a switchblade in her bra, and a box-cutter in her pocket, she hunts the filth of the world.
Callan Bliss is a Sydney police officer whose skill-set is far above that of a normal cop. All his fellow officers see is a hard worker who loves to catch perpetrators and surf, but that’s because they don’t know about his past. When Callan arrests a suspicious-looking prostitute, he comes face-to-face with a self-confessed vigilante, and suddenly, his secrets aren’t so easy to keep silent.
Ocean hates the police with a passion, and has no intention of being held captive by a cop, even if he is sexy as hell. Teleporting from under his nose, Ocean hunts her next target—a man responsible for the largest sex ring in South Africa—and now he’s about to die. But she doesn’t count on Callan giving chase, nor the body-quaking lust that consumes them. However, Ocean's dark hobbies take precedence over what her heart wants—her thirst for murdering is killing her too, and not even Callan can save her.
Amazon | Amazon UK
My thoughts
The author of this book is an amazingly talented writer and this book is really quite amazing. Ocean is a kick ass character with a dark past and a thirst for ridding the world of evil by whatever means necessary. This book has a fantastic storyline, great characters and is really powerful.
Providence by Jamie McGuire
Synopsis
Struggling with her father's death, Nina meets Jared Ryel, presumably by chance. However it soon becomes clear that he knows more about her than even close friends. When her father's former associates begin following her in the dark, Nina learns that her father was not the man she thought he was, but a thief who stole from demons. In searching for the truth behind her father's death, she stumbles upon something she never expected, and something Hell wants, that only she holds the key for. Jared risks everything to keep the women he was born to save, by sharing the secret he was sworn to protect.
My thoughts
Most people have heard of Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire but not as many people realise that she also has a fantastic paranormal romance trilogy. This is probably one of the first NA paranormal novels that I read (a few years ago now!) and it is still one of my favourites.
Amazon | Amazon UK
Defining Destiny by Deanna Chase
Synopsis
When destiny fails...
Singer-songwriter Lucy Moore thought her life was perfect. At just twenty-one, she's already met her soul mate and together they've landed a recording contract. But when her father dies and the love of her life betrays her in more ways than one, she returns home to pick up the pieces. On the shores of Mendocino, California, Lucy has some decisions to make. Should she start a solo career? Or should she leave it all behind for some semblance of normalcy in the quiet town she grew up in? And what about Seth, the tortured artist who always seems to be there when she needs him?
Seth Keenan has demons of his own. Eighteen months ago, he was involved in a horrific accident that he never talks about. His career as an accomplished oil-paint artist has been abandoned, replaced by the buzz of his tattoo gun. And women--well, he never sticks around for longer than a few hours of pleasure... until he meets Lucy. After one evening of listening to her seductive voice, he's pulled under. But what about the vow he made to never get close to anyone again?
In a world where everyone has one true soul mate, can these two find love in the arms of each other?
Amazon | Amazon UK
My thoughts
My review
This book I read very recently and this is a great book for those who don't usually read paranormal books as the paranormal elements in Defining Destiny are very light. This is the perfect read for fans of more traditional NA romance who are looking for something a little different.
Parasite Positive by Scott Westerfeld
Synopsis
(In the US Parasite Positive is known as Peeps)
One year ago, Cal Thompson was a college freshman more interested in meeting girls and partying in New York City than in attending class. Then he met a girl called Morgan, they had a fun night together and she passed on a parasite that turns people into ravenous vampires. You know how it goes.
Cal himself is only a carrier, but he's infected the girlfriends he's had since Morgan, and it's now his job to hunt them down before they can create even more of their kind.
Amazon | Amazon UK
Thoughts
Parasite Positive is one of the examples of what we would now call an NA novel being published and doing well several years before the term was invented. This is a favourite book of mine as it has action, romance and an interesting method of story telling. Parasite Positive is a great twist on vampire tales and Cal is an amazing lead character.
Slumber by Samantha Young
Synopsis
Molded by a tragic childhood, nineteen-year-old Rogan finds it extremely difficult to trust people. Now Haydyn, her best friend and the one person she does trust, is dying and only Rogan can save her.
Setting off on a journey to retrieve the plant that will cure Haydyn and subsequently the ills that will befall them all if she dies, Rogan is stuck in close quarters with a protector she distrusts above all others.
Wolfe Stovia.
The son of the man who destroyed Rogan’s family.
At a constant battle of wills with the handsome Captain of the Guard, Rogan just knows this adventure together will be fraught with tension. She never imagined, however, that the quest would be so dangerous… not least of all when she finds herself falling for a man she could have sworn was her no.1 enemy…
(New Adult, Fantasy Romance: recommended for ages 17+ contains mature situations and some strong language.)
Amazon | Amazon UK
My thoughts
Rather than paranormal romance Slumber is more of a traditional fantasy novel and is loosely based on the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Though this is one of Samantha Young's least known books it is my personal favourite. Check out to see why I love it so much.
Blood Singers by Tamara Rose Blodgett
Synopsis
A sub-species of human beings...
Twenty-year old Julia Wade, a young woman tragically widowed, is in the middle of a bizarre bid between two mythical species who are vying for the unique properties she offers; her blood. The vampires need her to balance the food load of the human species and give them their coveted “Lightwalkers.” The Were wish to be moonless changers; a Rare One can make that a reality.
Julia wants to belong to herself.
Can she free herself and begin a new life?
Amazon | Amazon UK
My thoughts
This book is FREE and simply wonderful. Tamara Rose Blodgett writes wicked paranormal novels with an undercurrent of darkness that gives them something special.
Strength by Carrie Butler
Synopsis
When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.
Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation--and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…
Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.
They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do--even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.
Amazon | Amazon UK
My thoughts
My review
This book follows more traditional YA paranormal romance plot tropes but with a New Adult twist. This is a book I would definitely recommend to YA readers looking to try something with a slightly older feel. Rena is a pretty awesome character also.
King Hall by Scarlett Dawn
Synopsis
King Hall — where the Mysticals go to learn their craft, get their degrees, and transition into adulthood. And where four new Rulers will rise and meet their destinies.
Lily Ruckler is adept at one thing: survival. Born a Mystical hybrid, her mere existence is forbidden, but her nightmare is only about to start. Fluke, happenstance, and a deep personal loss finds Lily deeply entrenched with those who would destroy her simply for existing — The Mystical Kings. Being named future Queen of the Shifters shoves Lily into the spotlight, making her one of the most visible Mysticals in the world. But with risk comes a certain solace — her burgeoning friendships with the other three Prodigies: a wicked Vampire, a wild-child Mage, and a playboy Elemental. Backed by their faith and trust, Lily begins to relax into her new life.
Then chaos erupts as the fragile peace between Commoners and Mysticals is broken, and suddenly Lily realises the greatest threat was never from within, and her fear takes on a new name: the revolution.
Amazon | Amazon UK
My thoughts
My review
This fantasy/paranormal romance novel is so amazing. This writer has come across something special with this storyline and the characters are all so loveable. King Hall is pretty light on the romance aspect - it fits in with what would be true to the characters - but if you like your reads to have romance it does blossom quite fully for book 2.
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Feel free to both share what type of book you would like to see next on Bookish Treasures Recommends and also some of your own NA fantasy and paranormal romance recommendations.
Posts
This is just the kind of list I was looking for! Thanks a bundle! :D
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