firewhiskeyreader

I have read 38 more 2024 Releases in the last four months so it’s time for another Tier Ranking. My tiers are, as always, going to be Taylor Swift themed. So let’s get started!

I Hate It Here

These are my three DNFs of 2024 releases from the past four months. I have an actual review of Just Playing House explaining that one (I had it as an ARC), but the tl;dr is basically that the third act conflict was coming and I just couldn’t deal with it anymore. It didn’t feel grounded in the characters because we got surface level background and deep dives on the current circumstances the characters were in. There was also so much external conflict (tension, things trying to keep the characters down/apart) that having a third act break up was too much for me. Jewel Me Twice by Charish Reid is 100% a me thing. It turns out a contemporary heist is going to need to be in a movie or I’m going to get REAL caught up in the illegality. Plus, you’re going to need something compelling to make me think it’s okay. Off the Beaten Path by Madison Wright was going really well, except for the way that we kept taking twelve steps forward with no work being done on page. I’m still excited to try books from all three of these authors in the future and have enjoyed Heron and Reid in the past. So I wouldn’t steer you away from any of them if they sound like a good time for you.

Is It Over Now?

So, “Is It Over Now?” is actually one of my favorite songs on 1989 (Taylor’s Version), but I decided to use this because these are all books that I didn’t DNF, but ultimately could have sat down and not picked back up again and been perfectly fine with that. I have ARC Reviews of Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie, Here We Go Again, and Past Present Future if you’re curious. I will have an ARC review of A Little Bit of Love soon. Probably.

This is Me Trying

I’m using this song (again, another favorite) as a tier for the books where I liked them, but I wanted to love them. I didn’t necessarily think about quitting them and I wanted to know what happened, but I had really high hopes that they would be “Bejeweled” and they just… weren’t quite.

You can already find ARC reviews of Old Flames and New Fortunes, Here for the Wrong Reasons, The Best of All, Rules for Second Chances, Heavy Hitter, and The Break-Up Pact. ARC Reviews are coming for At Her Service and Second Night Stand. I do want to emphasize that these books aren’t bad. I just wanted to love them more.

Bejeweled

I really enjoyed all of these books to the point that I didn’t want to put them down. They easily could slot in as favorites if it weren’t for my magical books that I feel like are just truly next level. I’m so grateful to have plenty of these.

You can find ARC Reviews of Disturbing the Dead, Romancing Miss Stone, Pointe of Pride, and Right Where We Left Us. A review of The Mirror is forthcoming.

The Alchemy

My beloveds. These are the best of the best. The books that have written themselves into my DNA. The books that I will probably never stop talking about or shoving them at other people. I’m truly obsessed with these books and I want everyone to share my feelings.

My beloveds. Truly, y’all. These books are everything. I hope if you pick them up, you’ll have a similar experience to me. Oh, and you already have access to my ARC review of Just Some Stupid Love Story if you’re looking for coherent-ish thoughts and my review of You Should Be So Lucky is coming soon!

Closing Thoughts

All in all, I had a really good reading time over the past four months. To have five books that will absolutely be favorites for a long time (forever) feels like such a blessing. Not to be dramatic. Anyway, tell me what books you would put in your own The Alchemy tier. Are there any books you disagree with my placement? Let me know!

xx