Before I get to the most exciting post, which are my favorite books of 2024, I’m first going to share with you my top ten books from October, November, and December with three honorable mentions! I’m really excited to share these, but I will be brief because I know this is not THE post people are looking to read right now. (And some of these, you’ll see again in just a few posts…)
Bloom by E.J. Blaise
I’m not sure what to say about this book, beyond that it made me cry so much and I loved everything about it. Is this book for everyone? No, probably not. But this is a deep exploration of loneliness and feeling like you don’t belong and whether or not you’re good enough. I think it’s really wonderful and angst filled and I loved it.
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
The way this book caught me so off guard, but I fell so head over heels in love with it. It feels deeply 90s in the best of ways and I just wanted to squeal with joy and hug it/my kindle. I loved the characters. I just adored it so much.
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
THE BEST SERIES!!! No, but for real, it’s the way I’m so in love and obsessed with Teddy and Gus. Perfection. If Heartless was your favorite book in Chestnut Springs, pick this one up too.
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
If I understand correctly, a lot of people are not loving this book, including my sister. Meanwhile, I think Not in Love is my favorite Hazelwood. Well, not better than Bride, but contemporary romance wise, I really loved this one. I think in throwing off the chains of having to be funny, Hazelwood actually delivered such a deep romantic connection and I adored it!
At First Spite by Olivia Dade
Is this the book that made me cry the most? I mean, it’s definitely up there. I think that title may go to Magnolia Parks: Into the Dark, but either way, At First Spite like Bloom touched and poked those loneliness buttons and the idea of just not being enough. I loved it so very much, but definitely be careful if a discussion of depression could be too much for you to handle right now.
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
It’s the way I finished this book and then immediately texted my sister to demand she read it too. It’s the way that when I went book browsing with one of my besties (shout out to Liz if you’re reading this!), I demanded she buy it and read it and text me every thought she has while reading. It’s the way that I want to re-read this already even though I finished it in like, mid-December. I am so obsessed with this book. Can I tell you about the plot? I mean, honestly, not really. Basically, main character acts wildly irresponsible, gets almost dead, and then pulled into another world where surprise fae are real! And then she meets Kingfisher and I fell in love even if that is such a weird name. Perfection.
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
Listen, I don’t know how to explain it because fiction like this is usually not my vibe, and yet, The Wedding People is the next book we’re going to talk about. Something about the end of the year had my brain much more willing to entertain fiction where I didn’t know it was going to end well. And The Husbands had such a wild plot. Like, what do you mean you came home and there’s a whole ass man living there and he’s your HUSBAND? And then he goes up into the attic and a new man comes down?? Wild. I really loved this adventure and I can understand why some people may get bored with the repetitiveness, but not me. I thought the character development and the questions it raised were so interesting and I just adored it.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
I finished this book on December 30th, so should it be on this list? I mean, the me of January 1st thinks so. I just really loved the writing in this. I was listening to the audiobook and kept contemplating stopping at the various exits that have bookstores on my drive home. When I did arrive home, I still had almost two hours of the audiobook left and I literally just sat and played a mindless game on my phone until I finished the book because I could not fathom stopping. Essentially, Phoebe goes to this fancy hotel in Newport, RI to kill herself because her husband left her for a woman she thought was her friend and then she finds her cat deceased. Only, when she gets to Newport, she learns that she’s actually the only guest not associated with this wedding. I love the way this book explores the importance of being honest with yourself, of not putting on a mask day in and day out. I just really appreciated so much about this book. Absolutely loved it.
All I’ve Wanted, All I’ve Needed by A.E. Valdez
This book was a gorgeous example of a romance starting with a journey of personal growth for the main female character, without losing sight of the fact that it’s a romance book. I loved it so very much. I cannot wait to continue in the series because if Valdez is out here always writing chemistry and characters like this, I’m in for a treat!
Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar
I did a disservice to this book by interrupting my reading with too much family time and space in the middle of it and yet, even with that interruption, I still really loved this book. I can’t get over the fact that it’s Kumar’s debut because she knocked it out of the park with this one! I am so looking forward to Flirting with Disaster even more than I already was, which was a lot to begin with! This took the fake dating trope to the next level (fake engaged), but did it in a way that felt really fun. I loved the way these two started out not even liking one another. It made for really interesting miscommunications that never went so far that you wanted to scream. Well, maybe a little, but for the most part, I felt it skated that line so beautifully!
Honorable Mentions
Closing Thoughts
As I finish wrapping up 2024, I am so curious what your favorite end of year/beginning of the new year content to see is! Please feel free to share in the comments below and also, if you’ve written or otherwise posted your favorites of the year already, please feel free to share with me in any manner because I love to see those lists!!
xx
firewhiskeyreader 