Y’all, Quarter Four was quite the reading time. I read 49 books and I had a bunch of great reads so I’m here to tell you about ten of them.
Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
This is the only book of this list that I rated a 4.5 rather than a full 5 stars, but honestly, it’s possible that it is a 5 star for me. I think I got annoyed by some technical detail that truly doesn’t matter reading this book. I think it’s going to live in my mind rent free a little longer at least, because Nolan carrying candy canes in his pocket is such a little thing that felt so big. And that’s the kind of being seen that I’m looking for in life.
The Ever King by L.J. Andrews
I had so much fun with this romantasy. I really need to continue on and finally pick up The Ever Queen, but this first book was just such a fun time. I mean, our main character is kidnapped by our main guy and that’s like, dark or whatever, but actually I thought the whole thing was just a vibe. I’ve truly procrastinated on this book series because people describe it as dark romantasy and I’m over here kicking my feet about it. If you like Johanna Lindsey books, pick this one, because it gives similar vibes.
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
I really think I’m going to be fully in love with Annabel Monaghan’s writing for the rest of forever and I would recommend her to those who like Emily Henry, Kennedy Ryan’s latest series, with a dash of Abby Jimenez. Her books so far have leaned very women’s fiction with romance and sometimes those are just really the ones that hit. In this case, our FMC is a total wreck, bless her. Okay, maybe not total. But like, I was concerned. And then she accidentally falls for this man who she thought she hated. What a delight.
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
I was fully caught off guard by how much I loved this book and I’m not sure why. I enjoyed the first book in this series quite a bit, but now that I’ve read Beg, Borrow, or Steal, I’m in agony waiting for my library to give me access to In a Dream (the final book in the series). I just really loved Emily. She’s an emotional mess trying to keep everything together and I love her.
Brimstone by Callie Hart
Absolutely love both Quicksilver and Brimstone. I need book three immediately, but I guess I have to wait until November again. But here’s to a romantasy sequel that was truly great and didn’t do what so many of them do lately separating the main couple for most of the book. I think this book explores the tension in the relationship without just separating them for 600 pages and I appreciate that.
It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard
“You two are like lightning in a bottle.”
The way the above quote is actually just how I feel about me and this book. I can’t even describe to you how much this book just immediately put its hooks in me, but it really did. I’m so grateful this was selected as the Bright Side book club pick because I don’t know if I would have read it without that and now it’s so heavily annotated and I made my first “artistic” spread for a book based on this one. It’s Fall in New York City and it’s perfection. Here’s the playlist I put together in my bullet journal spread for it:
- Ruin the Friendship, The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift
- The Bolter, The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift
- The Alchemy, The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift
- I Almost Do, Red, Taylor Swift
- New Years Day, Reputation, Taylor Swift
- Out of the Woods, 1989, Taylor Swift
- The Black Dog, The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift
- Welcome to New York, 1989, Taylor Swift
- August, folklore, Taylor Swift
- I Sit in Parks, Mount Pleasant, Kelsea Ballerini
Also, yes, I really should explore more songs outside of Taylor Swift’s catalog. So, please feel free to share your own songs for this book if you’ve also read it!
Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen
I know people are struggling with the over saturation of the romantasy genre, but I am apparently the basic human that these books are meant for because I loved Dire Bound so much. There is a plot twist not terribly far in that had me screaming and reaching for my phone to text my sister who had finished it not terribly long before me. Then I proceeded to text my best friend who had gotten this as a Blind Date with a Book alongside me to tell her she needs to pick it up ASAP. Also, the twist at the end? This book is very much its own thing in my opinion, despite the comparisons to Fourth Wing and The Hunger Games. But, I do think if you like both of those books, you may want to give it a shot. I know I loved it!
Mate by Ali Hazelwood
My year of Ali continued with Mate, which was absolutely marvelous. This book continues in her omega verse light situation, following a woman who thinks she’s dying and the man who says she’s his mate but he will not be doing anything about it. She’s staying with his pack because of people who want to kidnap her because she’s half human, half werewolf and the first (but not only) of her kind. This book has so much heart. It’s funny, it’s sweet, it’s got banter, it’s got those little gestures that let you see care… It’s just an all around fantastic book that I love so much.
An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister
I have had a year of Ali because I’ve read six books of hers, I think, but I’ve also had a year of Jodi McAlister because I’ve read four of hers and this one is my favorite. (But also I want so many more!!) There’s something about McAlister’s writing and the way that she brings characters to life that I really love. There are Easter eggs in here from her last series, which I loved spotting and I truly cannot wait for the next book in this series, which I have just learned is called A Study in Sparkling. Did I just spend the last ten minutes researching this? Yes. But I cannot wait!
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
I put off reading this book for so long and I really couldn’t tell you why! Once I finally picked it up, I loved it. It has the same magic of B.K.’s Lovelight Farm series, with a sense of community that I just love. I really think that’s part of what I love about so many romance novels and I need to be more intentional about seeking that out. Anyway, great book. Loved it lots and can’t wait for book two in the series.
Closing Thoughts
I’m so pleased to have wrapped up this final quarter with some new favorites. How many of these books do you think you’ll find on my yearly favorites though? That seems like a fun thing to guess. Also, have you read and enjoyed any of these? Let me know!
xx
firewhiskeyreader 