Top Ten Tuesday: Debut Authors Who Have Me Looking Forward To Their Sophomore Novels

Since I missed last week's Top Ten Tuesday prompt about debut authors, who's sophomore novels we're most looking forward to, I am posting my list a week late.  This topic was too good to completely miss, so please excuse me being a week behind.  Let me know in the comments if you've read any of these debuts, and if you too are looking forward to their next novels.

1. Juliana Romano -- I read FIRST THERE WAS FOREVER earlier this year and was completely swept up by it.  It's the type of story this quiet contemporary reader really gravitates toward, full of heart and emotion, in the coming ages of being a teen.  Her sophomore novel, SUMMER IN THE INVISIBLE CITY, sounds just as fabulous -- I can't wait to read it!

2. Ellie Cahill -- Though I know this author is not a debut, as she uses this pen name for her New Adult novels, but I still decided to include her in this list because these are her first NA novels to write.  WHEN JOSS MET MATT was such a refreshing, addicting read.  I'm really looking forward to CALL ME, MAYBE, her second NA novel, because these are the type of fun, easy-going romances I crave.

3. Michelle Levy -- I'm not sure what this author is working on next, but after reading NOT AFTER EVERYTHING, I know it will be on my TBR list when it's out there.  This novel is another quietly, yet so emotional read that truly gripped me.  I have high hopes for what she plans to produce next.

4. Bethany Chase -- As the year wraps up, I already know this novel will be at the top of my favorites list, so of course I am looking forward to Bethany Chase's next novel.  THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY is everything I yearn for in adult contemporary fiction.  Everything from the depth of emotion, to the identifiable setting, to the unforgettable journey -- it all just swept me up and away.  I will read anything this woman writes.

5. Annie Cardi -- Another emotional, yet so rewarding debut that completely won me over.  THE CHANCE YOU WON'T RETURN was one of my favorite debuts read last year, so of course I am eagerly waiting to read what Annie Cardi has in store for her readers next.  I know it will be brilliant!

6. Kristin Rae -- WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN was such an adventurous, fun debut from Kristin Rae!  Her writing style captivated me in an unexpected way.  What could have been told from just the surface, delved much deeper -- casting a unique, and unforgettable story.  I am really looking forward to her sophomore novel, WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED.

7. Sarah Combs -- This list would not be complete if Sarah Combs were not on it.  Her debut novel, BREAKFAST SERVED ANYTIME was my most favorite read of 2014.  It so quietly, yet eloquently told the story of how one summer can change a young teen's life.  Her richness with words, and ability to tell an unforgettable story, pulled at my heart.  I know her next novel will be just as breathtaking.

8. Nickolas Butler -- SHOTGUN LOVESONGS was such an engrossing, beautifully told adult novel.  I listened to the audio of it and found myself sitting in my car idle, long after I reached my destination because I wasn't quite ready to turn it off.  BENEATH THE BONFIRE is sure to be amazing, I just know it, and now I must get my hands on it.

9. Ashley Poston -- Hello gorgeous book covers!  THE SOUND OF US was the perfect blend of music + romance + teenage angst for this contemporary reader.  I can't wait to read her follow up, WE OWN THE NIGHT, which I'm sure is going to be a win for me as well.

10. Jenny Kaczorowski -- Another series from Bloomsbury Spark that I am eagerly waiting to continue.  THE ART OF FALLING was a refreshing, enjoyable read and I am really looking forward to THE TRICK OF LANDING.  The So-Cal vibe is really screaming my name.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

When Joss Met Matt by Ellie Cahill + eBook GIVEAWAY

When Joss Met Matt by Ellie Cahill
Published: February 24, 2015 by Ballantine Books
Source: Borrowed ARC

Ellie Cahill is poised to coin the term “sorbet sex” with her charming twist on the age-old ‘friends-with-benefits’ story.

Dating can be fun, but it can leave a nasty taste in your mouth. For Joss, ever since her longtime boyfriend cheated on her, she doesn’t want her last memory of a guy to be that jerk. Enter her college friend, Matt. They come up with a theory: after a bad break-up, a person needs to cleanse the palate with a little sorbet sex. Lovers for a night, but always back to being friends in the morning. The two can handle it because they have a contract: rules they wrote, rules they follow and rules they can sometimes bend. The arrangement works: everyone needs a little sorbet now and again … until it starts to be the only thing you want. And then Joss breaks the one rule they never wrote down: don’t fall in love. [goodreads]

This solid contemporary romance possessed everything I wanted in New Adult + so much more.  I was intrigued by the storyline -- can friends just remain friends after engaging in an intimate act?  The course of this novel takes place over seven years, providing flashbacks every few chapters, telling the story of how Joss actually did meet Matt and where their friendship began.  It follows them through their college years, that felt very authentic in my opinion.  Even though the story focuses on Joss and Matt, there was a very productive balance among their friends, family, and college life.  The storyline kept an even pace that definitely propelled the story forward.

As Joss and Matt continue with their arrangement, I began to wonder, how long can they just remain "friends with benefits"?  It started to become very obvious that both parties began to unknowingly sabotage their current relationship, or even seek out doomed relationships from the beginning, just so they could fall back into their "sorbet routine".  As the flashbacks grew closer to present day, I became anxious, not sure how their relationship would play out in the end.  Would they realize the true feelings they have for one another?  Or would someone finally call it quits on the arrangement, and end up hurting the friendship in the process?

Both Joss and Matt were very well developed characters.  I felt like I had a good sense of who they were as individuals, as well as something more together.  From their shared looks while hanging out with friends, to their heated intimate moments when they were alone, it sent a thrill right through me and had me never wanting to walk away from this story.  It's the type of novel you don't want to see end, yet can't stop yourself from racing to the very last page for that grand finale.  This book is definitely a favorite in the New Adult genre for me, one I will highly be recommending to friends seeking a solid, rich, character driven story.

When Joss Met Matt eBook Giveaway:

-Open to US and Canada residents only 

-Must be 16 years old to enter

-Must have an e-reader with access to e-books from Amazon or B&N

Good Luck!

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