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I read 100 books this year to make this list of the best
34
items If we have similar taste- you like humor, fantasy, a great love story, and an occasional suspense… then this top books list is for you.
Sections
4
Romantasies
Romance
Not a love story, just excellent story telling
If you feel like crying
Romantasies
It’s squarely in the Romantasy genre, but not like anything I’ve read before. I enjoy the twists and turns - the author was able to surprise me. After reading all the Sarah J. Mass and Fourth Wing books, I was feigning for another great read, but unl...
Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1) by Alex Aster, Paperback
Sequel to LightLark was a bit slower, but ends of a really great cliffhanger.
Nightbane (Lightlark, #2) by Alex Aster
This book follows Nightbane and is the best one yet. Warning: this ends on a cliffhanger and book #4 won’t be out for a while.
Skyshade (The Lightlark Saga Book 3)
Thank goodness for a 2025 publication to keep my obsession satiated. This book doesn’t cover any new story lines. It just tells it from Grim and Oro’s perspectives. Still loved it.
Grim and Oro: Dueling Crowns Edition (A Lightlark Saga Deluxe Companion ...
This book lived up to the hype! I couldn’t put it down. Dragons, magic, enemies to lovers, surprises
Rose in Chains (The Evermore Trilogy, #1) by Julie Soto
The best series of hers so far and it’s complete, so no cliffhangers at the end of the series. Although, I would love to see Manon’s storyline continue.
Throne of Glass
I could not book any of these books down! Addicted from start to finish. Every book is a cliffhanger which is annoying since the series isn’t complete yet.
The Empyrean — Rebecca Yarros | #1 NYT Bestselling Author
This story is developing, so beware you’re in for a cliffhanger when you reach the end of the series (so far). If you loved her Throne of Glass series, you’ll like this one.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas
Some themes were predictable, but I still enjoyed a few surprises. Classic enemies to lovers storyline with magic. Looking forward to book 2!
Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy, #1) by Callie Hart
I just like the same archetypes and themes but with different packages. I can’t get enough of this Romantasy recipe
From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I’m not surprised Ali Hazelwood made the crossover to Romantasy so well. I enjoy most of her romance books. Expect to learn something new about how different animal species mate.
Bride #1 - Ali Hazelwood
This starts off slow, but ramps up in book 2. Their grammar is kind of old English, which I wasn’t a fan of but I got over that by book 2.
Kindred's Curse Series by Penn Cole
I picked up this book because I’m a die-hard Harry Potter fan and heard this was the Hermoine & Draco alternate universe where they end up together. This is the first book in the series and so far, so good.
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy
Great themes about the family you choose. Light hearted humor. This was a cute book.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Book one of this series has it all. It’s hunger games meets enemies to lovers at the intersection of love triangles. So good
Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy) by Roberts
If you liked the first book and want to continue the series, then you have to read this novella. Otherwise, you won’t totally understand book 3.
Powerful: A Powerless Story (Powerless Trilogy)
sequel to Powerless is a must read. Our heroine is still powerless but such a little fighter
Reckless (The Powerless Trilogy) eBook
Book 3 ends the story of Paedyn and Kai. You get all the back story too. There’s lots of twists, turns, and revelations. I couldn’t out the book down. I did think the ending was kind of lazy and rushed though.
Fearless (The Powerless Trilogy) by Roberts
If you’ve read A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass, then you’ll want to finish Sarah J Maas’ catalog and read Crescent City too. Book one is a slow burn, but that’s world building for you. The action and page-turning picks up in books two...
Crescent City
Romance
Cute and light hearted book. Enjoy the humor and science quirks.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Love can be found on Reddit. Cute read and super funny.
Books - Just for the Summer: Jimenez, Abby
A funny and feel-good read. I love Abby Jimenez’ humor in her books.
Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
This is a novella you’ll want to read after you’ve read Just for the Summer. I wish this was longer! Loved the humor
The Situationship - Kindle edition by Abby Jimenez
This was a light read that follows the tried and true love story recipe. If you’re looking for an easy summer beach read, you’ll enjoy this one.
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
This was a funny and sweet love story. There’s some mystery woven in, which makes it stand out amongst other romance novels.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Unlike other romance novels. The mystery in this book was interesting and managed to surprise me.
The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry
Not a love story, just excellent story telling
This managed to give me goosebumps. I couldn’t put it down. I was on a rollercoaster for this one. The author didn’t give me what I wanted, but what I needed.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
Thrilling!
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
At its core, this was a story about lifelong friendships and how complicated relationships are.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
The book is better than the movie. The movie had plot holes that the book eloquently plugs.
Where the Crawdads Sing: Reese's Book Club
Must read if you’re into Hunger Games
Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games)
If you feel like crying
After finishing the Fourth Wing series, I was feigning for more books by Rebecca Yarros. Turns out she’s got many and I went down the rabbit hole and read them all. Of all her non-Fourth Wing books, I enjoyed this one the best. Loved the surprises in...
The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros
Bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but there’s a happy ending.
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This had me searching the web for an alternate ending. It was way too sad for me. The alt endings online exist and were very satisfying to read.
If He Had Been With Me