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If I Could Read These Again for the First Time…

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Books that made my heart race, my soul swoon, and my brain spiral—in the best way. These stories became part of me, and I envy anyone experiencing them for the first time.
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💔 Heart-Wrenching, Beautiful Reads

These books didn’t just break my heart—they helped me understand it. They’re the kind of stories that leave you staring at the ceiling, hugging the book to your chest, and feeling everything. If you're ready to cry, heal, and fall in love with readin...

 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book tore something open in me. Lily's story was powerful and painfully relatable. I didn’t expect it to hit as deeply as it did—but when it did, it felt like healing. The last chapter had me sobbing in silence. It's not just a book, it's an exp...
It Ends with Us
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This one shattered me—in the best, most soul-aching kind of way. I felt like I was reading a love letter to innocence, grief, and eternal connection. I ugly-cried, hugged the book after, and stared at the wall for a solid 10 minutes. I’d read it agai...
A Thousand Boy Kisses #1 - Tillie Cole - Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book crept into my heart quietly and left a permanent mark. It’s raw, real, and painfully beautiful. Finch felt like someone I knew, and Violet's grief felt like my own. I remember feeling like I couldn’t breathe for a second after finishing it—...
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven | Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This was one of my first heartbreak books. Hazel and Augustus made me feel like I was both in love and preparing to say goodbye the whole time. It was soft and smart and devastating in that quietly poetic John Green way. I still quote lines from it w...
The Fault in Our Stars
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This one made me cry more after I closed the book than during. It made me question how I’d spend my last day and who I’d want to spend it with. The writing is simple but powerful, and the story stayed with me like a whisper I couldn’t forget.
They Both Die at the End (Death-Cast, #1) - Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This felt so deeply personal. It made me rethink love, long-term relationships, and all the things we don’t say out loud when love starts to hurt. Quinn and Graham were messy and real, and I ached for them. If you’ve ever loved someone through strugg...
All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover - Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book was cinematic. I felt like I was living in WWII France, and the sister bond—oh my heart. It’s emotional, empowering, and breathtakingly sad. I cried more than once. It made me want to call my sister just to say I love her. It’s that kind of...
The Nightingale (Hannah novel)
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
Poetic. Haunting. Absolutely unforgettable. The way it’s narrated by Death is so unique, and Liesel’s story taught me about the quiet resistance of the human spirit. I kept pausing just to re-read certain lines—they were that beautiful. It’s a book I...
The Book Thief
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
I went into this thinking it was just a romance. I left it heartbroken and a little transformed. It made me question choice, life, and love in ways I hadn’t before. Lou and Will’s story broke me open—and yet I still smile every time I think of her st...
Me Before You

💕 Romance & Relationship Goals

The kind of books that make you swoon, laugh, and maybe even fan yourself a little. These are the romances that blend the best of spicy chemistry and sweet, heartfelt moments. Perfect for when you want love that feels real and electrifying.

 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
Oh, this book is everything! It’s got that perfect mix of "she’s awkward, he’s hot, but they’re both nerds at heart" energy. I swooned at every single interaction between Olive and Adam. Their banter? Chef’s kiss. It was fun, steamy, and had me smili...
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood - Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
I didn’t know I needed twisted in my romance until I read this series. Alex is possessive in the way you just want to forgive him because he's that magnetic. The slow burn in this one is UNREAL. It's intense, spicy, and keeps you coming back for more...
Twisted Series by Ana Huang - Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
Honestly, this book was a pleasant surprise! I thought it’d be all fluff, but it’s so much deeper than that. Augustus and January have this love-hate relationship that turned into one of the best slow burns ever. The balance of humor and real-life st...
Beach Read by Emily Henry | Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book felt like a perfect getaway. I adored the friends-to-lovers arc. Poppy and Alex’s journey from platonic to so much more was heartwarming and messy in all the right ways. It made me want to book a spontaneous vacation just to recreate their ...
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry | Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
Rafael. Just... Rafael. This book is a slow-burn lover's dream, and I was here for every second of it. The tension between Catalina and Rafael is palpable, and their fake dating turned real had me grinning like crazy. Plus, who doesn’t love a little ...
The Spanish Love Deception - Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
Okay, this one had me hooked from the first chapter. Knox is grumpy and brooding, and I was living for it. And then there’s Naomi, who’s got this unshakeable spirit. Their slow-burn relationship was everything I didn’t know I needed—hot, sweet, and f...
Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout, #1) by Lucy Score
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
I never thought a book about hockey and a grumpy, charming hero would make me feel so many things. Anastasia and Nate’s banter was hilarious, and their chemistry was off the charts. It was funny, sweet, and just the right amount of spicy. I read it i...
Icebreaker (UCMH, #1) by Hannah Grace | Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
Oh, my heart. This book made me laugh, cry, and fall head over heels in love. The dual timelines of childhood love and the second chance romance absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible. This book has all the heart, warmth, and nostalgia I didn...
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren | Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
I couldn’t have loved this book more if I tried. It’s everything I wanted in a rom-com and then some. It was quirky, funny, and just felt like being wrapped in the most comforting blanket. The love story between Liz and Wes was so real and endearing—...
Better Than the Movies #1 - Goodreads

🔥 Spicy Page-Turners

These are the books you can’t put down, full of smoldering chemistry and heart-pounding drama. From forbidden romances to slow burns that turn into full-blown fires, each one will keep you on the edge of your seat, blushing and gasping with every twi...

 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book? Oh wow, this is one of those “I can’t believe I’m reading this” kinds of books. It’s messy, dark, and super steamy, with a wild plot that keeps you on edge the entire time. The tension between Tiernan and the men in her life is intense, an...
Credence by Penelope Douglas | Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
If you’re looking for forbidden romance, this one will hit the spot. The whole “older man” trope with a twist of family drama made this one impossible to put down. Pike is everything you want in a brooding, grumpy hero who happens to be completely ir...
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas | Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This is a dark romance, no doubt about it. But it’s also incredibly emotional and filled with so much tension that it’ll have you holding your breath. Hunter and Nora’s journey is raw and gritty. The angst and conflict had me on the edge of my seat—b...
Scarred (Never After, #2) by Emily McIntire | Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book is powerful. The slow burn and the chemistry between the leads, Aria and Wrath, was insane. The dark, dominant hero and the way Aria pushes his buttons had me hooked from the first chapter. This one is high on intensity and drama, and Wrath...
King of Wrath (Kings of Sin, #1) by Ana Huang | Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
Magnolia and BJ’s story is chaotic in the best possible way. It’s messy, emotional, and addictive—like a train wreck you can’t look away from. The tension, the love-hate dynamic, and the back-and-forth kept me flipping pages, desperate to see what ha...
Magnolia Parks Universe #1 - Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book wrecked me in the best way possible. The slow burn between Sean and Rachel is exquisite. The way their relationship develops amidst all the drama and angst is something I haven’t seen in many books. Sean is intense, flawed, and completely u...
Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1) by Chloe Walsh - Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
Another Penelope Douglas gem, and wow—this one is spicy and full of tension. The push-and-pull between Misha and Ryen is everything you want in a romance: intense, messy, and totally addictive. There’s this mix of angst, attraction, and rivalry that ...
Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas | Goodreads

🌿 Healing & Mindset Books

These books are like a soul cleanse. They’ll help you heal, grow, and embrace your true self. Each one offers valuable lessons on self-compassion, mindset shifts, and finding strength in the most unexpected places. Perfect for when you need a gentle ...

 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting. Every page felt like Brianna was speaking directly to me, showing me how self-sabotage often comes from a place of protection, not weakness. It taught me that healing isn’t a straight line—it’s messy, com...
The Mountain Is You : Wiest, Brianna.co.za
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This one is my go-to whenever I need a moment of grounding or uplifting. Vex King’s words feel like a warm hug—gentle, soothing, and full of wisdom. It’s not just a book; it’s a daily reminder to protect my energy and pour into myself, especially whe...
Good Vibes, Good Life - Exclusive Books Online
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
I can’t even put into words how much this book resonated with me. It made me feel braver, bolder, and more free. Glennon’s honesty and raw vulnerability made me feel like I wasn’t alone in my struggles. I laughed, cried, and underlined so many lines ...
Untamed by Glennon Doyle - Goodreads

✨ Manifestation & Inner Power

These books are your guide to aligning with your deepest desires and tapping into your inner power. Whether you're just starting your manifestation journey or looking for ways to strengthen your mindset, these reads will help you focus, believe, and ...

 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book is like a roadmap for aligning with your deepest desires. Every time I pick it up, I feel more powerful and focused. Roxie Nafousi combines spiritual insights with practical exercises in such a way that it feels achievable—like, yes, I can ...
Manifest - Roxie Nafousi
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book is the catalyst for so many people’s manifestation journeys, and for good reason. I’ll never forget the sense of hope it gave me during a time when I felt stuck and uncertain about the future. It opened my eyes to the power of positive thin...
Original Bestselling Book by Rhonda Byrne - The Secret

🧠 Thrillers & Twists

These books will have you on the edge of your seat, flipping pages at lightning speed. With jaw-dropping twists and psychological suspense, they’ll keep you guessing until the very end. Perfect for anyone who loves a good mystery and a plot that will...

 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book? Oh my gosh. It messed with my head in the best way possible. I couldn’t put it down—I read it in one sitting, completely hooked from start to finish. The tension, the psychological twists, and the dark, haunting plot kept me on edge, and I...
Verity by Colleen Hoover | Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This one was a wild ride from beginning to end. The pace is fast, and the psychological depth is absolutely addictive. The twists? I did not see them coming. The whole premise of the story—the mystery surrounding Alicia Berenson’s silence and the psy...
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides | Goodreads

🧚🏽‍♀️ Fantasy Escapes

Get ready to be transported to magical worlds filled with romance, dragons, enemies-to-lovers drama, and plot twists you won’t see coming. These books are your ticket to epic adventures that will keep you turning pages long into the night.

 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
Feyre and Rhys… honestly, I didn’t know I needed them until they came into my life. Their dynamic is EVERYTHING. The enemies-to-lovers drama? Chef’s kiss. Sarah J. Maas took me on a wild ride filled with magic, intrigue, and heart-wrenching twists th...
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
I DEVOURED this book. Seriously, I stayed up until 4am reading because I couldn’t tear myself away. Dragons, enemies-to-lovers, plot twists... this is the kind of fantasy I didn’t know I needed. The chemistry between the characters, the fierce battle...
Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) by Rebecca Yarros | Goodreads

📖 Feel-Good & Cozy Reads

These books are like a cozy blanket for your soul—filled with magic, heart, and uplifting messages that remind you of the beauty in the world. Perfect for when you need a little comfort and joy in your life.

 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book is like being wrapped in a big, warm hug. It’s the kind of story that makes you feel all cozy inside and reminds you that there’s always a bit of magic in the world, even in the most unexpected places. I fell in love with the characters, th...
The House in the Cerulean Sea - Goodreads
 
Kaylin Oosthuizen profile picture
This book hit me in the heart in a way I wasn’t expecting. It made me pause and reflect on my own life choices, and the journey through the different lives Nora explored gave me a deep sense of clarity. It was beautifully written—every word seemed to...
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig | Goodreads