Author : Rebecca Yarros


Rating : 5/5

Notes : I could’ve finished this book in a day no doubt. I paced myself and spread it out over 4 or 5 days but it was that good. It alternates between the perspectives of Nate and Izzy with flashbacks through their complicated past up to their unexpected run-in in the present. I don’t even know how to do this justice in a review but if you love a love story just TRUST me on this one. I hope they make it into a movie.

Finished : 1/1/24

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Rating: 5/5

Notes: I was feeling the effects of the book hangover after my first Rebecca book of the year so naturally I chose to read another. This one was published before In The Likely Event and took me longer to read but I’m still giving it five stars. I cried hysterically the last three chapters, out of nowhere I could not keep it together. This book really hit a sweet spot of the romance genre that is magical and almost unrealistic but without being too cringey. I loved the flipping back and forth between timelines.

Finished : 1/27/24

Author : Eli Rallo

Rating 5/5

Notes : I’ve followed Eli for ~2 years now and am aways inspired and uplifted by her content so I figured this was a must read. Her style of writing really does feel like you’re talking to a friend and I think this book is a must for anyone in their 20s— whether you’re dating, in a relationship, or just trying to figure out what is going on in this mixed up messy magical decade. As someone who hadn’t actively dated in college, this book held my hand and walked me through getting into my Hinge era and I am so grateful for it. It’s one I’ll refer back to again and again. I did read it all the way through but it is for sure one you can hop around in from chapter to chapter too.

Finished: 2/5/24

Author: Jenny Jackson

Rating: 5/5

Notes: This is one of those books that when I read the blurb I wasn’t sure what exactly it was about or if I’d like it but I am SO glad I picked it up (rather downloaded it to my kindle). It is Jenny Jackson’s first novel and I LOVED this read. For anyone who is living in New York, has a fascination with New York, or had a Gossip Girl era this is a must read. The story is set in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood and is told through three different perspectives, two sisters and their sister in law. It tackles some big topics of class, intergenerational wealth, race, and gentrification while still managing to be glitzy and glamorous and very human. I could not put this down and looked forward to reading it each day. I hope Jenny Jackson comes out with some more novels soon I will be waiting for her next drop!

Finished: 2/21/24

Author: Kristen Hannah

Rating: 5/5

Notes: This was a heavier read in contrast to the rest of my 2024 list so far but WOW was this book one of the best I’ve ever read. It came highly recommended by one of my best friends and reminded me of my love for historical fiction. Set in WW2 France The Nightingale tells the story of two sisters and their complicated relationship(s) fighting to survive the horrors of the German invasion and occupation of their home country. I didn’t have much prior knowledge of the specific implications of the war in France or how critical the efforts of the French resistance were, specifically how many incredible women so bravely risked their lives far away from the front lines of the fighting. The ending left me crying my eyes out and with quite the book hangover as all the best ones do. The rights for the book were sold for the movie coming out in the next few years, I will be awaiting the film with low expectations. Where words might fail to capture the human experience, the movie portrayal typically fails to capture the depths of the book, yet I’ll be in the audience just the same.

Finished: 3/25/24

Author : Lily King

Rating: 5/5

Notes: It occurred to me that maybe I shouldn’t rate these if I’m going to give each one a 5/5. I probably wouldn’t rate a book let alone finish it if it was anywhere below a 4 on my subjective scale but I digress. I flew through this book, started on a Monday and finished on a Thursday— giving credit where credit is due to the stomach virus that kept me home…but I would’ve flown through it either way. I loved that the story was set in Boston and the main character lived and worked on streets and in neighborhoods I frequent every week. I could envision the little details despite the story set in the late 90s. Even if I wasn’t living in Boston the way Lily King writes is so rich in detail I would’ve witnessed the story playing out before my eyes regardless, it’s the smallest most personal details about the characters and their situations that truly made them come alive. I loved the complexities of the supporting characters and resonated with the buzz of a busy restaurant shift but delighted at the peek behind the curtain of fine dining. You can’t help but root for the main character and the story keeps you constantly guessing if she’s going to make it out of this difficult time in her life. This is the first book I’ve read by Lily King and I instantly loved her writing and pace and felt moved to write myself. I’d highly recommend this one to any book lover, Boston lover, or anyone with a dream they’ve whether they’ve been too afraid to begin or chasing it their entire lives.

Finished : 4/4/24

Author: Yulian Kuang

Rating : 5/5

Notes : Notes: Being transparent I started and did not finish several books between this one and Writers and Lovers. I used to shame myself for starting and not finishing a book (especially when I purchased it on my kindle) but my time and energy are too precious to be forcing myself to finish books that don’t excite me!!!! Not to be dramatic but this restored my faith in this genre of fiction. I loved this book with my whole heart. I’ve always been enticed by the world of tv production and book adaptation and the plot is completely anchored in that, set in LA, romance but not the romance you’re expecting. This book was published in April 24 and is the first book by this author- I CANNOT WAIT to see what she does next. STEAMY and kept me guessing about the ending until the very end. True to its title, it will keep you asking how does one end a love story?

Finished : 6/4/24