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books you NEED to read (imo)
36
items I got back into reading Christmas of 2020, and it has very much become a passion! In this list you will find books I either rated 4 stars (really good, would recommend to most people) and 5 stars (perfect, is usually a feeling). I hope that you will ...
Sections
6
Romance
Romantasy
Historical Fiction
Literary fiction
Darker/Taboo Romance
Fantasy
Romance
The first book in the Skyland series which follows Yasmin & Josiah whilst they navigate co-parenting and owning a business following their divorce. Beautifully written, these characters hold my heart
Before I Let Go (Skyland, #1) by Kennedy Ryan
The second book in the Skyland series, follows mum of three Soledad who has to navigate life after betrayal. An amazing story of learning to love yourself.
This Could Be Us (Skyland, #2) by Kennedy Ryan
The third and final instalment of the Skyland series. This book focuses on Hendrix, who runs her own empire and how she juggles this alongside caring for her mother. She also manages to find some love in the process!
Can't Get Enough (Skylands, 3) by Kennedy Ryan
Dust off your cowboy boots and enjoy this small town romance! The first book in a 5 book series, you won't know which one is your favourite book boyfriend (or girlfriend!). The first book is very loosley enemies to lovers but there is forced proximit...
Flawless (Chestnut Springs, #1) by Elsie Silver
Nora finds herself with writers block when she tries to write the next screenplay for the romance channel she works with. She decides to take inspiration from her life, following the breakdown of her marriage. When the cast and crew come to her house...
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
This is a heartwarming story of strangers-friends-lovers. After a one night stand, Bo and Win find themselves on an unexpected journey together after Win finds out she is pregnant. Particularly special about this book is the incredibly well done disa...
Out on a Limb (Out, #1) by Hannah Bonam-Young
Don't be like me and put this book off! This sat on my shelf for AGES and when I finally did read it, I read it in about 24 hours. Absolute perfection of a romance and there is no big dramatic third act break up which I personally love to see!
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating
I added this to be Goodreads ‘Want to Read’ list back in 2022 and then promptly forgot about it. I read Full Tilt back in May of this year and then straight away moved on to All In - what a duology! I don't think there was a single emotion I did not ...
Full Tilt & All In - Emma Scott
Another book I read several years ago and still think about from time to time! Jojo Moyes is a best loved author, for good reason!
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
If you love sports romance, than this is the series for you. I will be completely honest and say Mile High wasn't my favourite in the series but I do believe you should read them in order to get the full impact of the series. This first book follows ...
Mile High (Windy City, #1) by Liz Tomforde
Ryan Shay raised the bar for book boyfriends. This is a forced proximity, fake dating romance and it is incredible.
The Right Move (Windy City, #2) by Liz Tomforde
The third instalment in the Windy City series - this one follows single dad Kai Rhodes and the basketball coaches daughter Miller… what more do you need?
Caught Up (Windy City, #3) by Liz Tomforde
If you loved Kai Rhodes, wait until you meet his brother.. Isiah Rhodes is the best example of a golden retriever, he falls first book boyfriend I think I have ever read. Absolute god tier book!
Play Along (Windy City, #4) by Liz Tomforde
Romantasy
Throne of Glass is the first book in the epic 8 book series by Sarah J. Maas. Highly recommend if fantasy is something you enjoy. I also recommend reading The Assassins Blade third and doing Empire of Storms & Tower of Dawn in tandem. The charact...
Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
I owe my love of fantasy and romantasy to this trilogy. Whilst it is more on the YA side, it is the perfect gateway into the genre (in my opinion!). Slow burn, enemies to lovers and found family, I highly recommend.
The Cruel Prince (Folk of the Air #1)
Probably one of the most popular romantasy series of all time and with good reason! A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first book in a currently incomplete series, and is a must read for romantasy lovers.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series - Sarah J. Maas
Historical Fiction
This immediately became my favourite historical fiction book ever. Dual timeline between present day & 1970s America, this follows nurse Civil as she witnesses the surgical sterilisation of minors and takes legal action as a result. Heartbreaking...
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
This is a dual timeline novel, following Kya's life on the marshes. Beautifully written and in ways heart-breaking. This also includes a crime so please check trigger warnings.
Where the Crawdads Sing: Delia Owens
Narrated by death, this follows the life of a young book thief in Germany during WW2. Beautifully written, it is easy to see why this book is held in such high regard.
The Book Thief - Zusak, Markus
Considering this book is only 227 pages long, Tara Stringfellow manages to deliver an exceptional story of love and family. This story is told over 70 years, and covers some difficult themes so please check content before reading.
Memphis - Tara Stringfellow
I am going to be completely transparent and say this book is a bit bizarre! Set in Amsterdam in the1600s, it follows 18 yo Nella as she moves into her new husbands house and starts discovering dangerous secrets.
The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton
Set in Athens in 1941, this shows a perspective of World War 2 that isn't often talked about.
Those Who Are Loved - Victoria Hislop
This novel spans from the 1950s to the 1990s and follows twins who live very different lives.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
This is historical fiction x greek mythology which sounds bizarre but works so well. It is the story of 4 young people during the first world war but this story is 30 years later by Aphrodite. This book is truly something special.
Lovely War by Julie Berry
This was my first Kristin Hannah novel and it hurt my heart the way people assured me it would. This is a dual timeline story, following a family as they navigate life after their fathers death and trying to establish a relationship with their mother...
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Literary fiction
Fredrick Backman has one of the most beautiful ways of writing I have ever seen. The characters in his books seem so real and they will stay with you for a long time.
Beartown (Beartown, #1) by Fredrik Backman
Girl, Woman, Other follows the interwoven stories of 12 characters. I still think about this book regularly, 4 years after reading it!
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
Anna was designed to be a perfect genetic match for her older sister Kate, so that she could be a doner as Kate deals with a terrible illness. The story picks up when Anna instructs a lawyer that she wishes to be medically emancipated from her parent...
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Pilcoult
This is an emotionally complex novel about the impact of a school shooting on a small town. I read this whilst I was in high school (so nearly half my life ago) and I still think about it to this day.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Pilcoult
Darker/Taboo Romance
Some of the topics and themes are NSFW so please always check trigger warnings
Whilst this is definitely on the darker side of romance (so please check triggers), it will have you laughing out loud - first book in a series and I cannot wait to read the rest!
Lights Out (Into Darkness, #1) by Navessa Allen
This is the first book in the Devils Night series which is a dark bully romance. The first book follows Michael and Erika. Questionable themes and very spicy but sexy and additive as well!
Corrupt (Devil's Night, #1) by Penelope Douglas
This is a taboo romance - age gap, ex-boyfriends dad.
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
Taboo romance - step uncle/step cousins - no blood relations and did not meet until almost adulthood - age gap
Credence - Penelope Douglas
American Queen is the first book in the New Camelot trilogy - a sexy, taboo romance. Each book is told from the point of view of a different character, but it is incredibly interwoven so they must be read in order.
American Queen - Sierra Simone
Fantasy
Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom are a duology from the Grishaverse (same universe as Shadow & Bone). Complex, character driven, with excellent world building, these are must read books for any fantasy lover. There is less of a romance element to...
The Six of Crows Duology
This book is full of magic and is the perfect cosy fantasy. Perfect for curling up with a hot chocolate in front of a fire
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern