Of the 52 books I set out to read this year, I am happy to announce that I finished the year having read 45. While 45 books in a year may not be a record-setting number, I think it certainly qualifies me to make a recommendation or two â or in this case, 22. As an avid mood reader, this list has everything from light sports romances to stories that deal with heavier topics.Â
Iâll keep each recommendation short and sweet so as to avoid boring you into oblivion. However, if youâre interested in learning more about these books, I would suggest heading over to Goodreads to read reviews from other readers to really get a feel for the book.
1.Addicted to You (Addicted/Calloway Series) by Krista and Becca RitchieÂ
Weâre starting off strong with my favourite read of the year. There are no words in the English language â or any language for that matter â that can properly convey how much I love this book. Childhood best friends to lovers. Fake dating. Found family. Need I say more?Â
Oh, and, there are 10 books in the entire series. All 10 books made this list. For your ease, I put all 10 books in the recommended reading order (no excuses, read this series ASAP).
2. RicochetÂ
3. Addicted for NowÂ
4. Kiss the SkyÂ
5. Hothouse Flower
6. Thrive
7. Addicted After AllÂ
8. Fuel the Fire
9. Long Way DownÂ
10. Some Kind of PerfectÂ
11. You Deserve Each Other by Sarah HogleÂ
You Deserve Each Other is what people mean when they say âhidden gemâ. It answers the question âwhat happens after happily ever after?âThe story follows Nick and Naomi, an engaged couple who no longer want to get married. While they each try to get the other to call off the wedding, they realize maybe theyâre more in love than they thought.Â
12. It Happened One Summer by Tessa BaileyÂ
Tessa Bailey is the queen of romance, and It Happened One Summer is no exception. Grumpy x Sunshine. Small-town romance. Enough said.Â
13. Delilah Green Doesnât Care by Ashley Herring BlakeÂ
Another criminally underrated book. Delilah Green Doesnât Care is a queer romance that puts a unique spin on classic tropes – did someone say sisterâs best friend?
14. Astrid Parker Doesnât Fail by Ashley Herring Blake
If you read Delilah Green Doesn’t Care and just canât get enough, youâre in luck. Astrid Parker Doesnât Fail follows Delilahâs sister Astrid as she falls for her coworker/mortal enemy/reality TV costar.Â
15. Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins ReidÂ
If you havenât heard of DJ&TS, Iâm forced to assume that youâve been living under a rock. It took the internet by storm and earned Reese Witherspoon’s stamp of approval. I would give you a list of reasons why you should read it, but itâs most enjoyable when you go in blind, so instead, Iâll leave you with this: 70âs band and scandalous love affairs.Â
16. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth RussellÂ
I cannot stress this enough, look up trigger warnings for this book. My Dark Vanessa has been described by many as a modern-day Lolita. With that being said, My Dark Vanessa was one of the most gut-wrenching, tear-jerking, thought-provoking stories that Iâve read.Â
17. The Silent Patient by Alex MichaelidesÂ
Psychological thriller. Major plot twist. Thatâs all the information you get. Go forth and prepare to be shocked by this masterpiece of a story.Â
18. The Deal by Elle KennedyÂ
The Deal is the epitome of a college romance. If you like sports romance and couples that are so clearly made for each other, you canât go wrong with this one.Â
19. Every Summer After by Carley FortuneÂ
If there is one thing I love, it is a Tim Hortonâs reference in books. If thereâs something I love even more, itâs seeing books reference my very own university. Every Summer After is the perfect summer romance set right here in Ontario.Â
20. The Mistake by Elle KennedyÂ
Circling back to the college romances, you should absolutely read The Mistake after you finish reading The Deal. Itâs fluffy, witty and absolutely hilarious.Â
21. Maybe Someday by Colleen HooverÂ
Colleen Hoover is pretty much a household name. However, Maybe Someday remains disappointingly untalked about. Of the 14 Colleen Hoover books that Iâve read, Maybe Someday remains my favourite, and that says a lot.Â
The story follows Sydney, who moves in with Ridge after her longtime boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend (ouch).Â
22. The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn SolomonÂ
The Ex Talk is like The Hating Game but with double the representation. Did I mention it involves a radio show?Â