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must-read books you've (probably) never heard of
19
items list of books i LOVED so much (and would literally trade my left shoe to read for the first time again!). kindly expect to find a crazy mix of genres, so follow along and buckle up if you're an explorer :)
Sections
3
romance (kinda) <3
contemporary fiction
a (darker) romance
romance (kinda) <3
best adult romance GEMS
Oh MYY, The Deal was very much a rollercoaster of feels with enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and a dash of hockey drama! It may seem like a light, fun romance, but trust me, it hits deep. Well it tackles heavy stuff like abuse and trauma, but for me....
The Deal (Off-Campus, #1) by Elle Kennedy, Paperback
if You Deserve Each Other has only one fan in this world, then it's me. but if it doesn't have any, then i'm outta this world. 🤝i'm DEAD serious about this book guys. it's the BEST, BEST second chance romance out there. funny, light, slow burn as we...
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
HANDS DOWNNN one of the best romance book i've ever read in my ENTIRE LIFE. the plot is top notch, their chemistry and their banter? to die for. i swear. i'd say…. just enjoy it. don't dig too much about it. just…. be. you won't regret this book i pr...<3
Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
OOFF girlies… another hottie from Julie Soto. Like her sister, Not Another Love Song is funny, steamy, and full of feels. It’s about two musical prodigies who hate each other at first, but well… their undeniable chemistry makes it impossible to ignor...<3
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
okaayyyyy so Wildfire is the kind of book that makes you believe in second chances and maybe a little bit of magic. Russ and Aurora’s slow-burn tension? unbeatable. you know the feeling when you’re stuck in close quarters with someone and you just kn...
Wildfire (Maple Hills, #2) by Hannah Grace
miss maam ATE with this. my fave after deep end, i think. it's the perfect mix of smart, sassy, and swoon-worthy. lovely teenage friends-to-lovers, i'd say. i love how brilliant both the MCs are. <3
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
goshhh Yours Truly is one of those books that’ll make you believe in love at first sight… even when it’s messy, fr. Briana and Jacob's relationship development is honestly chef’s kiss. THE LETTERS? don't even get me started bcs you'll never hear the ...
Yours Truly (Part of Your World, #2) by Abby Jimenez
LOVEEE this book soo muchh, like why is no one talking about this??? it's a hilarious yet heart-wrenching ride, following Quinn and Carter, two teenagers as they try to navigate life's mess and everything. the premise is fun, simple, but well… very w...
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney
I Was Born for This was a rollercoaster, to best summarize it. it’s all about fandoms, fame, and finding yourself in the chaos. imagine being obsessed with a band, like, obsessed obsessed. and then… BOOM, you end up meeting them. sounds like a dream,...
I Was Born for This - Alice Oseman
contemporary fiction
beautiful, beautiful book. these books are parts of me, they have never left since i read it.
just so you know… this book WRECKED me up so bad. it's soo beautiful, but painful at the same time. i still think about it every day when i'm awake. Salahudin and Noor are parts of me ever since. I carry their pain and love for the world.
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
my heart ACHED reading this. it's so beautifully raw and painful. Kiara’s story is tough, real, and absolutely unflinching. she's just a little girl who has to fight poverty, systemic injustice, and lots of other challenges that make you feel. the ra...
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
ONE OF MY FAVORITEEE book of all time. period. just pleasee, please read it. it's literally one of those books that’ll sneak up on you in the best way. it follows Tova, a 70-something widow, and Kirk, a super smart octopus, form an unlikely but chef’...
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
beautiful book. it's a bit slow, but it explores themes of loneliness, human connection, and redemption very thoroughly. the story follows Tokue, an elderly woman with a deep love for making sweet bean paste, and Sentaro, a man who runs a small doray...
Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa
a very poignant story that quietly grabs you by the heart. it’s set in 1920s India and follows the story of Mehar, a young bride who is confined to a "china room" with her new husband, but she has never actually met him. she only knows him through hi...
China Room by Sunjeev Sahota
girl, The Bird King will sweep you off your feet. It’s a mesmerizing mix of magic, history, and forbidden love that keeps you glued to every page. Fatima, a concubine, and Hassan, a cartographer, are on the run from the Inquisition, and their journey...
The Bird King
here, finally, is the bookerprize 2024 winner. to me, Orbital is like a trip to space, but with all the emotions and existential feels. it follows a woman named Emilia who’s caught between her past and the future, but with a twist: she’s also dealing...
Orbital (Booker Prize Winner)|Paperback
a (darker) romance
these books will NOT contain scenes or plots that justify r*pe, abuse, etc between the two MCs (it could still be parts of the backstory). but still, kindly do your own research and take my recs with a grain of salt<3
if I had to choose 1 dark academia gothic romance book that is STEAMY but JUICY in plot, i'd go with Nocticadia. SOOO GOOD!! ❤️the universe and ambiance building of Dracadia is amazing. the suspense is there and the atmospheric writing and complex ch...
Nocticadia by Keri Lake
SPICYY motorcycle romance with a really great plot. my first motorcycle romance and it didn't dissapoint. the plot unravels perfectly for me. the building chemistry between the MC and FMC was bombbb. ⚠️ Trigger warning: contains themes of rape and sexual assault.
Wolf.e (The Soldiers of Bedlam #1) by Paisley Hope
some say that the yearning isn't there, but it actually is?? Dominic is the YEARNER for me. he's not pushy, and his yearning is…. quite. but loud at the same time. his love for Ale could (and would) burn the city down if anything happens to his wife....
King of Greed (Kings of Sin, #3) by Ana Huang | Goodreads