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My Top Book Recs!

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My ultimate #1 hobby is reading! I’ve been in love with immersing myself in another world and living vicariously through the characters written on the page since childhood. For me it’s calming, it recenters me & I just love doing it. This list is...
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Romantasy

 
Chelbie L profile picture
Absolutely enthralled by this book! I read it over a year ago and nothing has topped it yet! The gothic world building is immersive, the magic system is otherworldly and unique and the characters are relatable and grow throughout the pages.
(B&N) One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Absolutely enthralled by this book! I read it over a year ago and nothing has topped it yet! The gothic world building is immersive, the magic system is otherworldly and unique and the characters are relatable and grow throughout the pages.
(Amazon) One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Another incredible book by Gillig! This one follows another set of characters from book one, closely. I fell in love with Elm! This sequel only enhanced the world more & wrapped up everything perfectly!
(B&N) Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2) by Rachel Gillig
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Another incredible book by Gillig! This one follows another set of characters from book one, closely. I fell in love with Elm! This sequel only enhanced the world more & wrapped up everything perfectly!
(Amazon) Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2) by Rachel Gillig
 
Chelbie L profile picture
The storyline, tension, villains, and overall world building immersed me and didn’t let go. I could barely put it down! Loved Saeris from the start & Kingfisher grew on me, although it took time. Now, they both live rent free in my mind! I can’t...
(B&N) Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, #1) by Callie Hart
 
Chelbie L profile picture
The storyline, tension, villains, and overall world building immersed me and didn’t let go. I could barely put it down! Loved Saeris from the start & Kingfisher grew on me, although it took time. Now, they both live rent free in my mind! I can’t...
(Amazon) Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, #1) by Callie Hart
 
Chelbie L profile picture
I’m a willing, yearning, wholehearted sucker for Pirate stories! I grew up watching POTC, or should I say I was RAISED by Jack, Elizabeth & Will. They ignited my love for anything & everything swashbuckling. This story was extremely well don...
(B&N) Of the Stars and Sea (Divine Trinity #1) by Brianna Remus
 
Chelbie L profile picture
I’m a willing, yearning, wholehearted sucker for Pirate stories! I grew up watching POTC, or should I say I was RAISED by Jack, Elizabeth & Will. They ignited my love for anything & everything swashbuckling. This story was extremely well don...
(Amazon) Of the Stars and Sea (Divine Trinity #1) by Brianna Remus
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This one was simply brilliant. I loved literally everything about it. The setting, plot, characters, world building, magic system.. all of it was beautifully written and thought out. There was some PG romance! At times it seemed a bit rushed but also...
Echoes of Hollow and Ember: Scorched Divide 1
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This series has blown up everywhere in the book community! I've read it & can say that the hype is legit. This series holds a special place in my heart! I think about it often & I read it back in 2024. I hope you read it & I hope you love...
(B&N) A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set (5 books)|Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This series has blown up everywhere in the book community! I've read it & can say that the hype is legit. This series holds a special place in my heart! I think about it often & I read it back in 2024. I hope you read it & I hope you love...
(Amazon) A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set (5 books)|Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Obsessed! I need book two immediately 😍 This was so damn good! Nightwalkers aka vampires control humans & are greatly feared and hated. Humans are considered “feeders” who are locked in feeder farms. Farms that are believed to be “protection” f...
(B&N) Moonflower by Shaina Anastasi |Paperback
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Chelbie L profile picture
Obsessed! I need book two immediately 😍 This was so damn good! Nightwalkers aka vampires control humans & are greatly feared and hated. Humans are considered “feeders” who are locked in feeder farms. Farms that are believed to be “protection” f...
(Amazon) Moonflower by Shaina Anastasi |Paperback
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Fantasy

 
Chelbie L profile picture
Adored Addie and this story from start to finish. You really go through all the emotions with Addie & fall in love with her perseverance. If you haven't read it yet, you simply must!
(B&N) The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Adored Addie and this story from start to finish. You really go through all the emotions with Addie & fall in love with her perseverance. If you haven't read it yet, you simply must!
(Amazon) The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This story took my heart & settled it into a flowery bed of honey & ash. And I loved every second of it. Cozy witch fantasy romance. The best creation honestly. This whole book felt like reading in a bed of clouds with a cup of your favorite ...
(B&N) The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This story took my heart & settled it into a flowery bed of honey & ash. And I loved every second of it. Cozy witch fantasy romance. The best creation honestly. This whole book felt like reading in a bed of clouds with a cup of your favorite ...
(Amazon) The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
A world crafted beautifully with a unique magic system, the ability to wear many faces, reinvent yourself and in the process form a found family full of misfits. This was such a creative & meaningful story! It subtly dipped into real world experi...
(B&N) Queen of Faces by Petra Lord: Deluxe Edition |Hardcover
 
Chelbie L profile picture
A world crafted beautifully with a unique magic system, the ability to wear many faces, reinvent yourself and in the process form a found family full of misfits. This was such a creative & meaningful story! It subtly dipped into real world experi...
(Amazon) Queen of Faces by Petra Lord: Deluxe Edition |Hardcover

Fiction

 
Chelbie L profile picture
Oh, Ove. This was such a heartwarming story. Ove is someone similar to the Grinch & is numb from the loss of his wife, Sonja. He wants nothing more than to reunite with her and is set out to do just that. Little does he know, life & the famil...
(B&N) A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Oh, Ove. This was such a heartwarming story. Ove is someone similar to the Grinch & is numb from the loss of his wife, Sonja. He wants nothing more than to reunite with her and is set out to do just that. Little does he know, life & the famil...
(Amazon) A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Dark Romance

 
Chelbie L profile picture
The ending of this ripped my heart out 😭 Consumed this book & couldn’t put it down! I recommend having book 2 available because you will need answers! **PSA: This is a very spicy Reverse Harem dark romance. Please check your triggers, if appli...
(B&N) Dear Reader (Deluxe Edition)|Paperback by Tate James
 
Chelbie L profile picture
The ending of this ripped my heart out 😭 Comsumed this book & couldn’t put it down! I recommend having book 2 available because you will need answers! **PSA: This is a very spicy Reverse Harem dark romance. Please check your triggers, if appli...
(Amazon) Dear Reader by Tate James |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This is book 2 of the Devil’s Backbone Series & AGAIN. That ending!! Book 1 broke my heart & then this one slowly stitched me up JUST to stab me in the back?? Ugh, I loved it. **PSA: This is a very spicy Reverse Harem dark romance. Please ch...
(B&N) Watch Your Back (Deluxe Edition)|Paperback by Tate James
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This is book 2 of the Devil’s Backbone Series & AGAIN. That ending!! Book 1 broke my heart & then this one slowly stitched me up JUST to stab me in the back?? Ugh, I loved it. **PSA: This is a very spicy Reverse Harem dark romance. Please ch...
(Amazon) Watch Your Back by Tate James |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
The finale! This series will live RENT FREE in my brain forever. Ashley, Heath, Carter, Royce, Nate & Carly were perfection. I loved how they all melded & loved the amount of loyalty they had for each other. Each of their relationships with e...
(B&N) You're Next by Tate James (Deluxe Edition)|Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
The finale! This series will live RENT FREE in my brain forever. Ashley, Heath, Carter, Royce, Nate & Carly were perfection. I loved how they all melded & loved the amount of loyalty they had for each other. Each of their relationships with e...
(Amazon) You're Next by Tate James |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This is a secret identity, reverse age gap, dark romance with an Audiobook Voice Actor for an MMC & A goth queen, business owner FMC. It’s also much more than that. There’s stalking, suspense, shock factor, a great twist ending, satisfying epilog...
(B&N) Moniker: A Dark Voices Novel |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This is a secret identity, reverse age gap, dark romance with an Audiobook Voice Actor for an MMC & A goth queen, business owner FMC. It’s also much more than that. There’s stalking, suspense, shock factor, a great twist ending, satisfying epilog...
(Amazon) Moniker: A Dark Voices Novel |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
⚠️Check Triggers⚠️ This was so good! I was surprised that Callie wrote a dark romance with even darker themes when I first heard of this book. I mean, she wrote Quicksilver.. how dark could she possibly go? Well… she definitely has range as an author...
(B&N) Blood & Roses Volume 1 by Callie Hart |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
⚠️Check Triggers⚠️ This was so good! I was surprised that Callie wrote a dark romance with even darker themes when I first heard of this book. I mean, she wrote Quicksilver.. how dark could she possibly go? Well… she definitely has range as an author...
(Amazon) Blood & Roses Volume 1 by Callie Hart |Paperback

Romance

 
Chelbie L profile picture
If you want a cowboy romance that will have you feral and practically starving, this is the book for you! Romy is everything you want in a FMC & more. She was so relatable & I loved getting to know her. And don’t get me started on Jude “The B...
(B&N) Among the Willows: A Second Chance, Friends to Lovers Cowboy Romance ...
 
Chelbie L profile picture
If you want a cowboy romance that will have you feral and practically starving, this is the book for you! Romy is everything you want in a FMC & more. She was so relatable & I loved getting to know her. And don’t get me started on Jude “The B...
(Amazon) Among the Willows: A Second Chance, Friends to Lovers Cowboy Romance ...
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Lark does it again! Another cowboy romance that will stay with me for the unforeseen future. This one has Lina & Reed and let me tell you! They were electric ⚡️ Lina was a spitfire and Reed loved it. A must read for sure! (Swipe to see my mood bo...
(B&N) Burn the Breeze: A Thornbrush Ranch Romance - Kindle edition by Lark, June ...
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Lark does it again! Another cowboy romance that will stay with me for the unforeseen future. This one has Lina & Reed and let me tell you! They were electric ⚡️ Lina was a spitfire and Reed loved it. A must read for sure! (Swipe to see my mood bo...
(Amazon) Burn the Breeze: A Thornbrush Ranch Romance - Kindle edition by Lark, June ...
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This was unbearably cute! Olive is so relatable. She’s funny, stubborn, a little naïve and endearingly humble. She’s a loyal friend, even when it complicates things for her and a brilliant scientist, even though she doubts herself. Adam, moody, anta...
(B&N) The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This was unbearably cute! Olive is so relatable. She’s funny, stubborn, a little naïve and endearingly humble. She’s a loyal friend, even when it complicates things for her and a brilliant scientist, even though she doubts herself. Adam, moody, anta...
(Amazon) The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
 
Chelbie L profile picture
I simply devoured this. Cowboy romances are quickly becoming my favorite! Blaire & Colt were everything I had hoped for & more. Blaire was wild and gave our boy hell but she was so relatable while doing it. It was so heartwarming reading her...
(B&N) Cowboy Casual by Holly Renee
 
Chelbie L profile picture
I simply devoured this. Cowboy romances are quickly becoming my favorite! Blaire & Colt were everything I had hoped for & more. Blaire was wild and gave our boy hell but she was so relatable while doing it. It was so heartwarming reading her...
(Amazon) Cowboy Casual by Holly Renee
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This book was nostalgic. I related to it so shockingly that it landed so hard. I lost my mom in 1997, right after Christmas. If you read this book, you could guess why it made the impact it did. A Nickname of mine is Shelly. Those are just the obvi...
(B&N) If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This book was nostalgic. I related to it so shockingly that it landed so hard. I lost my mom in 1997, right after Christmas. If you read this book, you could guess why it made the impact it did. A Nickname of mine is Shelly. Those are just the obvi...
(Amazon) If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Sienna knows how to write a romance, that’s for sure! Get you an author who can do both, honestly, it’s the best. Sweet & spicy or devastating & spicy? She slayed both. Tatum & Hayden were adorable. Their banter was again, top tier. Bot...
(B&N) Off the Record by Sienna M.L. Grey |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Sienna knows how to write a romance, that’s for sure! Get you an author who can do both, honestly, it’s the best. Sweet & spicy or devastating & spicy? She slayed both. Tatum & Hayden were adorable. Their banter was again, top tier. Both ...
(Amazon) Off the Record by Sienna M.L. Grey |Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
My first Catherine Cowles book & I loved it! So cute with the strong bonds, single mom, found family, touch her & unalive tropes. Braedyn, my girl! She didn’t get the nickname “little bada*s” for no reason. She was nothing short of inspiring...
(B&N) Across the Vanishing Sky (Deluxe Edition)|Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
My first Catherine Cowles book & I loved it! So cute with the strong bonds, single mom, found family, touch her & unalive tropes. Braedyn, my girl! She didn’t get the nickname “little bada*s” for no reason. She was nothing short of inspiring...
(Amazon) Across the Vanishing Sky (Deluxe Edition)|Paperback
 
Chelbie L profile picture
Great little holiday mystery romance & perfect for this time of year! Kept me guessing the whole time! A soft enemies to lovers & witty humor, I loved it.
(B&N) The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter (Paperback)
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Chelbie L profile picture
Great little holiday mystery romance & perfect for this time of year! Kept me guessing the whole time! A soft enemies to lovers & witty humor, I loved it.
(Amazon) The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter (Paperback)
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Chelbie L profile picture
My book bestie is obsessed with the Heartstrings Series, so I had high hopes. Happy to say I wasn’t disappointed! The sweetest love story between a hopeful romantic single mom & a grump of a radio host, orchestrated by a 12yr old girl. A heartwa...
(B&N) First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison |Paperback
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Chelbie L profile picture
My book bestie is obsessed with the Heartstrings Series, so I had high hopes. Happy to say I wasn’t disappointed! The sweetest love story between a hopeful romantic single mom & a grump of a radio host, orchestrated by a 12yr old girl. A heartwa...
(Amazon) First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison |Paperback
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Paranormal Romance

 
Chelbie L profile picture
Soooo good! Oh my gosh. The slow burn in this one was almost the entirety of the book! Ya girl was getting impatient 😅 Vampires rule, humans are mere blood donors with no freedom & are being slaughtered left and right. This story kept my attent...
(Amazon) A Vow of Shadow and Blood by Charlene Antrobus

Thriller

 
Chelbie L profile picture
If you want an creepy advent style story to contrast with all the Christmas cheer, this is the book! One chapter a day. A family trying to reconnect finds themselves in dire circumstances and they must work together to survive!
25 Days: A Novel by Per Jacobsen
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This was the chosen book for the first Book Club I hosted. I like thriller but don’t read it often. I’m glad this one ended up being the book we read! As my first Alice Feeney book, I didn’t really know what to expect. There was an immense amount of...
(B&N) My Husband's Wife: A Novel by Alice Feeney |Hardcover
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This was the chosen book for the first Book Club I hosted. I like thriller but don’t read it often. I’m glad this one ended up being the book we read! As my first Alice Feeney book, I didn’t really know what to expect. There was an immense amount of...
(Amazon) My Husband's Wife: A Novel by Alice Feeney |Hardcover

Nonfiction

 
Chelbie L profile picture
This one had a grip on my heart the whole way through. I grew up loving iCarly and her character Sam. Little did I know the war she was facing valiantly the whole time. She is gut wrenchingly honest, laying everything out on the table, about her chil...
(B&N) I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
 
Chelbie L profile picture
This one had a grip on my heart the whole way through. I grew up loving iCarly and her character Sam. Little did I know the war she was facing valiantly the whole time. She is gut wrenchingly honest, laying everything out on the table, about her chil...
(Amazon) I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
 
Chelbie L profile picture
I read this about 2 years ago and I still think about it. I’m not one for nonfiction but this book was such a fun & enlightening read! Matthew’s life may seem black & white, the classic famous person stereotype of “he has everything” but each...
(B&N) Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
 
Chelbie L profile picture
I read this about 2 years ago and I still think about it. I’m not one for nonfiction but this book was such a fun & enlightening read! Matthew’s life may seem black & white, the classic famous person stereotype of “he has everything” but each...
(Amazon) Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
 
Chelbie L profile picture
What do I even say after finishing this? I’m left with a profound sadness, yet also a profound respect for Matthew. He struggled, fought like hell and was still able to bring us Friends and countless movies that I love. He was an incredible actor, a ...
(B&N) Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir by Matthew Perry
 
Chelbie L profile picture
What do I even say after finishing this? I’m left with a profound sadness, yet also a profound respect for Matthew. He struggled, fought like hell and was still able to bring us Friends and countless movies that I love. He was an incredible actor, a ...
(Amazon) Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir by Matthew Perry
 
Chelbie L profile picture
I started watching Elyse’s videos years ago. She’s always been able to make me laugh with her unique humor and way of speaking. Telling us her experiences with honesty and a little bit of awkwardness has always felt endearing.
This Memoir was that & more. Her comedically raw way of storytelling was wholeheartedly present in these pages. She’s funny, lovable & relatable all without even meaning to be.
There were moments in this book that I could have swore I wrote it myself or that she plucked it right out of my head! I'd definitely recommend, especially if you have gotten to know her through her videos!
(B&N) That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You by Elyse Myers |Hardcover
 
Chelbie L profile picture
I started watching Elyse’s videos years ago. She’s always been able to make me laugh with her unique humor and way of speaking. Telling us her experiences with honesty and a little bit of awkwardness has always felt endearing.
This Memoir was that & more. Her comedically raw way of storytelling was wholeheartedly present in these pages. She’s funny, lovable & relatable all without even meaning to be.
There were moments in this book that I could have swore I wrote it myself or that she plucked it right out of my head! I'd definitely recommend, especially if you have gotten to know her through her videos!
(Amazon) That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You by Elyse Myers |Hardcover

Retellings

 
Chelbie L profile picture
Loved this anthology of five crooked fairy tale retellings written by indie authors! I won it in a giveaway and was staring out my window waiting for it to arrive & once it arrived, I dove right in! See below for my review on each short story! A...
(B&N) Not Your Ever After: An Anthology of Crooked Fairy Tales |Paperback
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Chelbie L profile picture
Loved this anthology of five crooked fairy tale retellings written by indie authors! I won it in a giveaway and was staring out my window waiting for it to arrive & once it arrived, I dove right in! See below for my review on each short story! A...
(Amazon) Not Your Ever After: An Anthology of Crooked Fairy Tales |Paperback
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