Happy Friday! I realize that I’ve been blogging for a few years, but don’t really do a weekly recap. I love reading about weekly recaps on Instagram & TikTok so thought I’d start sharing one on my blog as well. I’d like to try getting back into blogging more. I love this space and shouting about the books I love or am excited to read. Here’s a weekly R.E.P.O.R.T with mostly bookish things but some non-bookish things as well!
(R)eading: I just finished Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven. This is the book that my book club picked as their next read. I enjoyed this book as the premise was unique – two people who love each other in every lifetime, but are destined to die at each others hands before their 18th birthday. While I loved 3/4 of the book, the last bit lost me and dropped down a rating. Still enjoyable, but a bit disjointed at the end.
(E)ating: brussell sprouts at bookclub this past weekend! Why can I never get them to taste as good at home.
(P)laying: just did a reread of Book Lovers by Emily Henry on audio. I am such a huge fan of Julia Whelan and remembered why I loved this book so much. I am way too excited for Great Big Beautiful Life (although I’ve been seeing mixed reviews) & felt like a reread of an older EmHen book.
(O)bsessing: over wanting to cut my hair into a bob. I’m not quite there yet, but I feel like later this year I’ll finally take the plunge and cut a good chunk of my hair off. My hair now is down to my lower back and I’ve been contemplating letting my gray hair grow out as well as cutting it short. I’m getting closer every day…
(R)ecommending: I finished Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone and gah it was so good. Yes it was a story about grief, but also the loveliness of everyday life and I loved listening to the audio for it {gifted by PRHaudio}. Also recommending the film Past Lives. It released a few years ago but I only recently got around to watching it and loved it so much. I’ve been thinking about it since I finished it a week or so ago.
(T)reating: myself to a manicure. I love getting my nails done – it’s my “me time” and I love the feeling of getting my nails done. I recently started getting my nails done regularly a few years ago and it’s such a treat. Loving my spring themed nails.
So that’s a little about this weekly wrap up. What did you think about this weekly r.e.p.o.r.t.? I’d love to know what you’ve been reading or recommending as well!
2024 was a great reading year. But it was also a year filled with quite a few reading slumps. While I did read a lot of new books, I also ended up reading backlists and quite a few re-reads as well.
I ended the year having read a total of 103 books. I didn’t do a top 10 or top 20 list this year, but rather a compilation of my favorite reads based on sub-genre. I did include 2 arcs {thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted copies} that aren’t released until 2025 – Deep End by Ali Hazelwood and First-Time Caller by BK Borison. I loved both and highly recommend them!
**I read a majority of these books as advanced reader copies courtesy of the publishers. Thank you Berkley Romance, Bloom Books, LibroFM, PRHAudio, SimonTeen, Dutton for the gifted copies**
I read quite a few amazing rom-coms this year! The Risk was a re-read, but I ended up loving it more the second time around. The Love of my After Life was amazing on audio {thank you PRH Audio for the gifted copy}. First Time Caller and Deep End are releasing in 2025 {thank you Berkley for the gifted arcs}.
If there’s one thing about me – it’s that I absolutely love a good book that makes me cry, especially when the story resonates with my own experiences and emotions, drawing me into its world and leaving a lasting impression on my heart. LOVED these books!
I read so many good fantasy books this year and these were a few of my favorites. Overall a great romantasy reading year.
This was the year I started reading more dark romances and I enjoyed them! Definitely not a sub-genre for everyone, but I’m looking forward to reading more dark romances.
So many amazing books that I read in 2024 and I can’t wait to see what books will make my favorites list in 2025.
Did we happen to read any of the same books? What were your favorite books of 2024?
I finished 2023 having read 122 books. A majority of these books were fantasy romances – a new favorite. A lot of my books this year were backlist books including the Shatter Me, Once Upon a Broken Heart and Folk of the Air series. These series became favorites with Folk of the Air one of my favorite series this year – the books just kept getting better as the series progressed.
I also read a lot of KU this year with Ana Huang becoming a new favorite. Her books didn’t work for me when I tried to read them a few years ago, but I loved King of Wrath and went on to read her backlist. I finished the year reading Magnolia Parks. And while these books are not for everyone (lots of CW) – I’m obsessed with this series and can’t wait to continue.
I always have a hard time narrowing down my favorite books of the year. The books I chose this year are books that I can’t get over. I’ve already reread them multiple times and own multiple copies (typically audiobook, ebook & physical book) of each book!
I can’t wait to see what books 2024 has in store!
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize the purchase.
Multiple people have been recommending the Shatter Me series on bookstagram and booktok. I didn’t think I would enjoy a YA dystopian fantasy romance…how wrong I was! I loved everything about this series and Tahereh Mafi has quickly become a new favorite author. LOVED this series.
**Have to be read in order as it is a true series. You can see the reading order on my bookstagram.
This is a series where every book got better and better. I gave all three books in this series five stars – which is rare for me. Start to finished I was intrigued. I’m so glad I read this series when it was already complete because the ending of The Wicked King left me heartbroken.
Although most people say this series is more fantasy and less fantasy romance I disagree. The romance is so swoony. Be sure to read Cardan’s letters to Jude once you finish the series.
I went into this book blind…not really knowing anything about it besides what I saw on booktok. And yes I was instantly intrigued with Jacks, but I absolutely fell for Evangeline too.
Think whimsical fantasy turns into Alice in Wonderland – dark and sinister but also very romantic.
Listen, I know the series is called Magnolia Parks but I’m a Daisy Haites girl!
This book was perfection from the moment I opened the first page. It was so different from Magnolia Parks. Still messy and toxic, but gah I loved the angsty romance between Daisy and Christian.Did this book leave me broken? Yes. Will I read it again and again and again? Also Yes.
p.s. if you’re an audiobook fan I highly recommend listening to this book!
**please check content warnings before picking up this series.
Thank you PRH Audio and Dutton Books for the gifted copies.
I love Ali Hazelwood’s writing and Love, Theoretically was definitely Ali at her best! The banter, the sweet slow burn and the humor was perfect. Love, Theoretically is easily my favorite Ali Hazelwood book…after The Love Hypothesis of course!
I will admit…I didn’t think Ana Huang was an author for me. I tried one of the Twisted books and had to put it down because it wasn’t working for me. But I decided to give King of Wrath a try because it has my favorite tropes – marriage of convenience and enemies to lovers. I’m so glad I did because this book became one of my favorites this year.
I’m so excited to read the next book in the series!
Emily Henry is a favorite author – her books have been five star reads, so I was expecting Happy Place to be amazing.
What I didn’t expect was to cry so much while reading Happy Place. I love second chance romance and miscommunication (I know!) in a romance so my heart was fully invested.
2022 was a pretty fantastic reading year for me. While I do feel like I went through a few reading slumps here and there – overall I ended up reading more books than I did last year. Quite a few of those were rereads including The Wildflower Wager by Tessa Dare, You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle and The Roommate by Rosie Danan. These are romances I will always recommend and they’re still favorites, even years after I first read them.
2022 was the year for me to discover indie romances as well as read a lot of Kindle Unlimited (KU) romances. I discovered so many new favorite authors including Elsie Silver, Elizabeth O’Roark and Kate Canterbary. Longtime favorites made my list as well including Ali Hazelwood, Emily Henry and Sarah MacLean. I love reading a diverse sub-genre of romances. This year I broadened my horizon and read so many types of romances – from mafia and alien romance to historical and romantic fantasy.
I will never tire of reading romances and can’t wait to see what 2023 brings in store!
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize the purchase.
I ended up discovering what a gem this book is while on vacation. One of my favorite book besties literally told me I needed to download The Worst Guy and read it asap. She knows how much I love a grumpy, growly, asshole and Sebastian Stremmel fit the bill. Gah how I loved the chemistry between Sebastian and Sarah. Their relationship was so tumultuous and yet they cared about each other so much. Seriously can’t recommend this book enough.
Romantic fantasy is a newer to me genre. I have been reading it more lately and decided to pick up From Blood and Ash after seeing it all over social media. As soon as I finished that book I knew I had to move on to book two, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire and I honestly feel like this is one of my all time favorite fantasy rormances next to A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas. Poppy and Casteel had that type of banter and chemistry that I absolutely love, but also the angst in this book was top notch. Highly highly recommend the first two books in this series – I’m still making my way through the rest of it!
I didn’t know much about The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy before I started reading it. I kind of went in without any idea of what the book was about and this ended up being one of my favorite romances of the year. I’ve already reread it and listened to it on audio (which I highly recommend). Hart and Mercy had that perfect tension that you expect to find with an enemies to lovers romance. They truly loathe each other and yet…their anonymous penpal letters to each other are so sweet, you can’t help but want these two to meet and fall in love. The underlying threads of grief are woven beautifully through this sci-fi/thriller romance. If you’re looking for a unique twist on a sci-fi romance with You’ve Got Mail vibes – this is your book!
Things We Never Got Over released in January and in took me until October to read this phenomenal small town romance. To be fair it has tropes that I didn’t think I really enjoyed including: single parent and small town (I usually stay away from both of those tropes). But seriously this is how you do a small town, single parent romance. I fell in love with all of the characters in this book, especially Knox and Naomi. Things We Never Got Over was the perfect balance of rom-com, angsty, suspense and small-town charm. I can’t wait for the next book in the series – Things We Hide From the Light.
The Devil series by Elizabeth O’Roark is a series that I saw all over my social media feed this summer. I decided to pick up the first book in the series – A Deal with the Devil and immediately fell in love with Elizabeth O’Roark’s writing. I loved that book, but when I got to book two of the series – Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, I absolutely fell in love with Josh and Drew. This book was so angsty and swoony and I could not get enough of it! If you love a good enemies to lovers romance with two strong leads I highly recommend Devil and the Deep Blue Sea!
Cowboy romances and small towns are so not my thing. Which is why it took me so long to pick up Flawless even though friends have been raving about this book for months now! I finally decided to pick it up and literally read this book in less than a day. It has all of my favorite tropes: forced proximity, only one bed, he’s jealous (that scene had me screaming) and plenty of spicy scenes! Elsie Silver is one of my newest favorite authors and I’ve been on a reading binge of her backlist. I love the Chestnut Springs series and can’t wait for the next book in the series to be released!
After falling in love with Poppy and Casteel from the Blood and Ash series, I couldn’t wait to start this spin off. I picked up A Shadow in the Ember and devoured it and couldn’t wait to read more about Sera and Nyktos. Without giving too much away – I highly recommend this book and this entire series if you were a fan of the Blood and Ash series. A Light in the Flame was angsty, swoony and filled with so much pining. I can’t wait for more books set in this world – Jennifer L Armentrout does romantic fantasy so well!
Sarah MacLean is one of my favorite historical romance writers so it’s no surprise that I loved the first book in the series and couldn’t wait for Heartbreaker to be released! This book had the best banter that I have read in some time. I loved loved loved Adelaide and Duke Clayborn. I was often laughing and swooning in equal measure! I kind of want to reread it now that I’m remembering how much I loved it! If you’re a historical romance fan I highly recommend the Hell’s Belles series and this book!
*Heartbreaker is a Harper Collins titles. The Harper Collins Union has been on strike since 11/10/22 to get a fair contract for their workers and I stand in solidarity with them.
I loved Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation, so I was excited for Book Lovers and Emily Henry did not disappoint. While I feel like this book had a slower start, it required a lot of character development and I appreciated that as the story progressed. Charlie and Nora were so perfect for one another and I adored their banter! I’ve already reread this book a few times and look forward to whatever Emily Henry writes!
I loved loved loved The Love Hypothesis and to say that Love on the Brain was my most anticipated read would be an understatement. I adored Levi and Bee. Was this book a bit hectic and chaotic at times – yes absolutely, and yet I still couldn’t stop reading this enemies-to-lovers/it’s always been you romance! I’m a huge Ali Hazelwood fan and I’m always eager to read her next book.
I only recently discovered Joanna Shupe, but I have devoured a huge chunk of her backlist. The Bride Goes Rogue was swoony, angsty and so sexy. Joanna Shupe has such a way with words and once I started reading The Bride Goes Rogue, I had a hard time putting it down. Katherine and Clarke’s relationship wasn’t always easy. These characters were never black and white – and the scenarios they found themselves in had my heart breaking on their behalf on more than one occasion. If you’re looking for a sexy, angsty and swoony historical romance I highly recommend The Bride Goes Rogue.
*The Bride Goes Rogue is a Harper Collins titles. The Harper Collins Union has been on strike since 11/10/22 to get a fair contract for their workers and I stand in solidarity with them.
The Dead Romantics surprised me in the best way. A ghostwriter who is in a writing slump but also sees ghosts – yes! I love a good story with a paranormal aspect to it and Ashley Poston delivers with The Dead Romantics. I loved each and every character that was written throughout this book. I have so many passages highlighted throughout this book that resonated with me. I’d find myself laughing out loud one minute and then shedding tears the next. This book deals with grief – the grief of moving on, the grief of ending a relationship, the grief of having to bury a family member. But it also celebrates life and the living in the here and now.
I have read a few books by Kate Clayborn now and I seriously feel like every single book of hers is somehow better than the last?! And that’s saying something because they have all been five star reads for me. I have so many pages and passages highlighted from Georgie, All Along. Passages about second chances, friendships, forgiveness and of course swoony love. Kate’s writing is always so beautiful. The way she talks about relationships – whether that be romantic relationships or relationships that her characters have with friends or family – really feels like she’s speaking directly to you.
Georgie, All Along is the only book on my list that isn’t released yet! Definitely pre-order this gem for when it releases on January 24, 2023.
Gah! How much did I love Go Hex Yourself. I will be honest – a lot of fantasy/paranormal romance featuring witches and magic just falls flat for me. So I was a bit weary going in to Go Hex Yourself, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I adored this book and the characters in it. Ben and Reggie had so much chemistry together and I wanted more of them from their very first interaction. Ben was the grump to Reggie’s sunshine and these two were completely perfect for one another. Their relationship was slow growing and I really enjoyed the way that they begin to trust each other before deciding to move their relationship along. And YES, Jessica Clare totally brought the 🔥🔥🔥 I loved this quirky, funny and sweet romance! Once I started it I had a hard time putting it down.
I love a second chance romance and when I read the synopsis to Bloody Heart I knew I had to read it. I started The Brutal Birthright series in the summer and picked up the series again recently. I always read series out of order and picked up this one after reading the synopsis. Bloody Heart had all of my favorite tropes including young love, it’s always been you and a second chance romance. I absolutely fell in love with this book. You can read my reviewherefor content warnings as there are a few of them.
I read an early copy of Hook, Line, and Sinker last year and fell in love with Fox and Hannah. It was already mentioned in my favorites list of 2021, but I had to mention it again in this years list because it was technically released in 2022. The angst, the slow burn and the friends to lovers aspect of Hook, Line, and Sinker was absolute perfection for me.
I ended up reading this series after I kept seeing these books all over booktok and bookstagram! I’m so glad I decided to pick them up because I ended up reading both books in the Chestnut Springs series in a matter of just a few days. I love the world that Elsie Silver has created with this series. I’ll be the first to say that I’m not a big fan of cowboy romances and yet I could not stop reading and being fascinated with bull riding and ranching. So yeah – big fan of Elsie Silver 😍 I can’t wait to go back and read through her backlist! If you pick up either of these books I’d love to know your thoughts.
Flawless by Elise Silver
Review
Rhett Eaton has been felled by milk.
When the media catches wind of bull riding superstar Rhett Eaton saying that he hates drinking milk – one of his biggest sponsors drops him. Not only that – Rhett manages to come under heat after punching a reporter who wouldn’t get out of his face. So when his manager assigns him an associate from his office to watch over Rhett to make sure he doesn’t get into anymore trouble, Rhett does not anticipate it being his agents daughter Summer.
Summer just graduated law school and is looking to join her dad’s firm. This seems like a test to her and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to work with her dad and stay on at the firm. If that means making sure that Rhett maintains his good boy image, then Summer is willing to do whatever it takes. He doesn’t need any more scandals before he tries to win his third golden buckle.
Flawless had so many of my favorite things in a romance -forced proximity -slow burn -often hilarious text messages -dual POV -angst -spicy scenes -a hero who seems like an asshole, but is actually a sweetheart -a fierce/independent heroine who doesn’t judge the hero
I could go and on about why I loved this book. The chemistry, the banter, the way these two needed each other. Not because they felt incomplete, but rather because they lifted each other up. They were always there for one another and their relationship was built on that foundation.
I’m so glad I decided to read Flawless!
Heartless by Elsie Silver
Review
After finishing Flawless, I knew that I had to start Cade’s story with Heartless and I loved this single dad romance so much! Cade is striking out on finding nanny’s for his son, Luke. When Summer (Rhett’s fiancee from book 1) says she has the perfect candidate in mind for Cade, he doesn’t expect for it to be her HOT best friend Willa.
Willa’s not quite sure how she got roped into being nanny to a little boy for the summer while his grumpy dad works on the ranch. But she’s been feeling restless and decides a little change for the summer will be good for her. What Willa doesn’t count on is falling for both the sweet boy she’s caring for as well as his dad.
Okay, first off – I don’t usually gravitate towards single dad romances. I’ve read them in the past and they’ve been meh – but after reading and falling completely in love with link: Flawless I knew that I had to continue with the next book in the series. And oh boy – how I loved Daddy Cade and Willa together. These two had so much chemistry and the way they flirted with one another was so 🔥. If I’ve learned anything about Elsie Silver is that she definitely knows how to write those dirty talking heroes. The scene in the kitchen – iykyk
What worked for me the most was how these two individuals didn’t want to depend on another person. Cade has been used to holding down the fort. He’s always been the one to take care of his siblings and then his son when his ex-wife ran off. So it’s hard for him to be taken care of. Willa is the same – she’s always been able to move around. I loved her growth throughout the book and how content she was even though she didn’t have her whole life figured out yet.
What I love about Elsie’s books is that she’s able to bring all the elements I love in a romance -hilarious banter -angst -texting – not just between Cade & Willa, but every single character in this world -scenes that make me laugh out loud -scenes that make me want to cry
I could go on and on about how amazing this series is! I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!
I’m a little late with my January reads – whoops! Only fitting, since I’ve been in a reading slump and haven’t really been reading much in February. BUT – I had a great reading month in January and read so many great books! Highlights included Under One Roof & Love on the Brain from Ali Hazelwood!
2021 reading was a wild ride! I didn’t read quite as many books as I have in previous years, but I’m okay with that. Life was hectic, busy, chaotic and full of ups and downs this past year. The books I did read were pretty amazing for the most part.
The books listed below are my favorite 10 books that I read this year. Narrowing down the choices was so hard! There is a mix of books that were published from previous years, this year and even a few ARCs that are releasing in 2022. These were all five star reads for me and I highly recommend each and every single one!
Second chance romance and so much shared history and angst between the two.
Forced proximity situations that had me laughing out loud, yet swooning at the same time.
Slow burn and so much sexual tension
While Dear Enemy is a standalone, I definitely recommend the other book in this duology – Make it Sweet which technically takes place after Dear Enemy.
Highly recommend the audiobook to Dear Enemy -it was fantastic!
This book was just…sigh so great. It was such a sweet and soft romance.
And although there was a lot of humor throughout the book, there was also a lot of discussion on grief and starting over that was written so beautifully.
A second chance romance told over the span of years
Two very head strong characters who will not settle for anything less, but want only the best for each other
Political intrigue and issues being discussed that are still affecting us including: how indigenous people are being treated, clean energy, race, gender
Wonderful book about the loss of friendships, new friendships and the vulnerability that comes with both.
Sweetest romance with great banter. I had a grin on my face every time Willa & Liam were on the same page. I was constantly laughing out loud and rooting for the two to get together!
A book so profound and touching that I can’t possibly do it justice with my words – highly recommend!
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize the purchase.
I can’t believe that the year is almost over – where did it go?? I feel like at times this year was moving at a snails pace and then bam – it’s already December! I need to start thinking about my top list of books in 2021 already! I’ve read so many amazing books this year. While I didn’t read a lot this month, the books that I did read were spectacular. Standouts include The Wedding Ringer, Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships and Duke, Actually!
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize the purchase.
October came and went in the blink of an eye, it feels! I started off the month strong, but didn’t end up reading a lot this month. Work, Halloween, activities with my kiddos during the day kept me pretty busy! I did a lot of re-reads this month because that’s what I felt most like reading. Favorites books included The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan and a re-read of The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan (moved my rating up from 4🌟 to 5🌟).
I have had this duet sitting on my bookshelf for so long and I am totally beating myself over not picking it up sooner! Do you do that too? Well, if you have this duet – The Kingmaker & The Rebel King – sitting on your kindle, bookshelf or book cart – I highly recommend them!
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this duet. And to be honest – the synopsis tells you enough about what the book is about, but at the same time nothing about what the book is about (I know that makes NO SENSE ha!). I will highlight what parts about this series that I loved –
A second chance romance told over the span of years
Two very head strong characters who will not settle for anything less, but want only the best for each other
Political intrigue and issues being discussed that are still affecting us including: how indigenous people are being treated, clean energy, race, gender
The sweetest, swooniest and 🔥🔥🔥 romance…sigh
I honestly LOVED these books so much and couldn’t stop reading once I started. Maxim and Lennix had that pull, that amazing chemistry whenever they were on the same page together. And I adored them together, but also came to love the people around them. Everyone from Lennix’s business partner Kimba to Maxim’s parents. Once you start reading The Kingmaker (book 1), be sure that The Rebel King (book 2) is ready!!
Have you read this duet or other books by Kennedy Ryan? I can’t wait to pick up more books from her backlist.
You can read my GoodReads review for The Kingmakerhere and The Rebel Kinghere!
CW: kidnapping, PTSD, death of a loved one (on page)
Readaholic Book Reviews 