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My 5-Star Reads 📚 — Books That Stayed With Me
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items A hand-picked collection of the novels and stories that truly earned 5 stars in my heart — because of unforgettable characters, gorgeous writing, or stories that made me think, cry, or stay up late reading. If you love deep emotions, immersive storie...
Sections
4
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Romance
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Fantasy
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Contemporary Fiction/Lit Fic
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Mystery/Thrillers
Romance
Books that made me feel deeply — emotional, character-driven, and unforgettable stories that linger long after the last page.
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A great paranormal romance - perfect for spooky season!
Soul Searching (Sweetwater Peak, #1) by Lyla Sage
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An unexpected romance that is heartfelt and real, featuring a woman with chronic illness
32 Days in May: A Novel by Betty Corrello
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This is such a fun and emotionally rich fate dating romance that is surprisingly deep!
Your Rule to Break by Rachel LaBerge
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A fantastic rivals to lovers tennis romance between two tennis athletes!
Clean Point (Game, Set, and Match, #1) by Meg Jones
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A Sleepless in Seattle reimagining between a single mom (whose also a mechanic!) and a radio host!
First-Time Caller (Heartstrings #1) by B.K. Borison
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The third book of the When in Rome Series and my favorite so far! Rival teachers to lovers, with a side of hidden identity!
Beg, Borrow, or Steal (When in Rome, #3) by Sarah Adams
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The first book in one of my favorite series - When in Rome! This follows a popstar who breaks down in his yard and a grumpy pie shop owner!
When in Rome #1 - Sarah Adams
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This book is filled with so heart grief and explores themes of grief and learning to live in such an incredible way!
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
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This series has my whole heart! Set in a small town, this follows Sage the local town golden girl who has a farm with tons of animals and a new chef come to start a fancy restaurant, who is now a new single dad!
Savor It (Spunes, OR, #1) by Tarah DeWitt
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The Second in this series - this is one of the most beautiful second chance romances I've ever read!
Left of Forever (Spunes, OR, #2) by Tarah DeWitt
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This book is quintessential summer, with a shy photographer learning to embrace her younger teenage desires and a reformed older brother who helps her discover herself!
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
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This is fun Mafia, enemies to lovers romance at its finest!
Be With Me by Gabrielle Sands
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This is a coworker, coworkers to lovers romance between an entomologist and astrologist single dad!
Give Me Butterflies (Oaks Sisters #1) by Jillian Meadows
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This book will have you swooning and crying your eyes out in one book, and it's set in Alaska!
The Simple Wild (Wild, #1) by K.A. Tucker
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This book has the most incredible storytelling! It follows neighbors (who are very much at odds) and one is a school teacher with some physical insecurities, and one is a grumpy romance writer who doesn't believe in love!
Yes No Maybe by Jessica Sherry
Fantasy
For when you want to escape reality: richly imagined worlds, magic, and immersive adventures that carry you far from everyday life.
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This book is pure cozy magic in a book! With the cutest found family and heartwarming story!
A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
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Emilia Hart's writing is truly captivating, with its immersive setting, incredible storytelling, and dual timelines that always follow the story of women!
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
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This is genuinely a work of art and one of the greatest books I've ever read in my life!
Circe by Madeline Miller
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Madeline Miller knows how to bring Greek mythology to life - the settings are incredible, and you may never emotionally recover from this book
The Song of Achilles: A Novel by Madeline Miller
Contemporary Fiction/Lit Fic
Sweeping love stories — whether soft, slow burns or passion-filled romances, these books made me swoon and believe in love all over again.
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This is one of the most incredible books ever - following the early days of women in NASA, an unconventional (FOR THE TIME) romance, and the incredible spirit and ingenuity to dream and thrive!
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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This book is INTOXICATING! It's messy and dramatic, but so well told and if you listen on audiobook, the cast of characters will blow you away!
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
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This book has one of the most interesting premises I have ever read. It follows the life of a woman's son if she chooses three different names (and therefore life stories) for him
The Names by Florence Knapp
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This is such a beautiful magical realism book that explores grief and possibility and found family, and is so beautiful!
The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison
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This is one of my all time favorites - it's got grit, heart, and explores womens expectations and treatment in sports. And has such a power female main character!
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Mystery/Thrillers
Page-turners with tension, twists, and edge-of-your-seat plots — perfect when you want thrills, surprises, or a little darkness mixed with your reading.
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This mystery explores family secrets come to light, with a really compelling story of restoration of family and protection.
Books - After the Ocean: Rico, Lauren E.
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This thriller was so satisfying! There were so many twists! Set on a 16th birthday, it follows all of the women surrounding the birthday girl to tell a haunting tell of betrayal, gaslighting, and eventually justice
Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox
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I have never gone into a thriller expectating to feel the feelings of grief and love I found in this. It not only has twists at every turn but has beautiful storytelling!
Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
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Never did I picture a book about a Serial K*ller being so funny and witty! This follows a woman supposedly retired from her days or K*lling as she works to keep her secret safe
Too Old for This by Samantha Downing
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This is one of the most dry, witty, and funny mysteries I've ever read, while also being such a well thought out plot and story!
A Novel (Thursday Murder Club Mystery)
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This book had so many twists that kept me legitimately SHOCKED! Never have I physically gasped so many times while reading a book!
Look Closer - Ellis, David: Books