Hello Readers,
It’s hard to believe another year is coming to a close! As 2024 wraps up, I’ve been reflecting on the amazing books that have shaped my reading journey over the past 12 months. Yesterday, I shared my favourite books from the beginning of the year, and today, I’m excited to share the rest of my top picks from the latter half of the year.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
It’s hard to believe another year is coming to a close! As 2024 wraps up, I’ve been reflecting on the amazing books that have shaped my reading journey over the past 12 months. Yesterday, I shared my favourite books from the beginning of the year, and today, I’m excited to share the rest of my top picks from the latter half of the year.
Misery is the daughter of a powerful councilmember in the vampire community, used as a political pawn her whole life. While Lowe is an Alpha Shifter striving to protect his pack and be a better leader than the previous Alpha. I loved both of them, but there were times when I almost threw my book just wanting them to see sense and resolve their differences.
One of my favourite aspects of this romance was the
recognition that Lowe and Misery are fundamentally different people with
different upbringings and lives. Ali beautifully shows them working through
these differences, being thoughtful and accommodating, adding a layer of
reality I wasn’t expecting.
Sally's Lament by Mari Mancusi (Gifted/AD)
What I love about these twisted tales is how one small
detail can make such a big difference. I adored the twist in this story where
Sally discovers Christmastown—its residents were delightful, and I’m glad we
got to spend more time there.
While Jack and Sally are “simply meant to be,” this story develops their relationship more fully with a full build-up to their romance, which felt cuter and more believable than in the movie.
The plot was intriguing and well-paced. Following Sally, Jack, and Zero on this beautifully written adventure was perfect. Mari gets bonus points for including Zero he’s the bestest boy! I hope Mari continues to explore stories within the Nightmare universe
*Please note, the cover image featured in this post were sourced from Google. I do not own the rights to these images and am using them solely for review purposes, in accordance with the 'Fair Use' provisions under sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright Act.
Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma (AD/GIFTED)
This was hands down one of the most challenging books
I’ve reviewed this year because I loved it so much! I found it difficult to
express my feelings without just saying “BuyThisBookNOW!!! ILOVEDIT!!!
YOUNEEDTOREADIT!!” Plus, I wanted to keep my review spoiler-free on publication
day.
Tigest understood the assignment with Immortal Dark. Her gripping writing style and immersive dialogue had me hooked within the first ten chapters. Yes, I’m a sucker for vampires (ha, didn’t mean that pun), but the enemies-to-lovers element was perfect—the tension was palpable, and the plot was brilliant.
This is a dark and violent book with an angry, unapologetic heroine who has every right to be. Kidan is a brilliant main character, merciless yet believable. While she does some bad things without remorse, her actions are well thought out and motivated, avoiding the villain caricature.
The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli
This was such a perfect read as it was enemies to lovers done right. I was hooked from the quotes I saw on social media, and it surpassed my expectations. I know it’s a first-world problem, but the rage I felt after finishing the book, knowing I must wait till February is real. I have been approved for book two on NetGalley but I am not going to start it till January. I need to know… Kristen, you can’t leave me hanging like this! What’s going to happen to “?”? Did “?” know?
The slow-burn romance between Rune and Gideon was captivating. It’s very grey as they both thought it was clear-cut (black and white) from the start, but their investigations into each other blurred the lines without them realising until it was too late. I loved reading it.
This was another case of the right book at the right time. The magic system is clever and well-developed, the characters are fully fleshed out, the plot is engaging, and the writing is spot-on. I couldn’t have asked for more.
In Want of a Suspect is fast paced, combining the tension and romance you want from Lizzie and Darcy. Tirzah masterfully explores complex themes like immigration, war, feminism, and the burden of familial expectations.
The cosy mystery is beautifully crafted, especially the romance. Tirzah recreates these characters in a way that is inspired by but not bound to the originals, allowing the plot and mystery to develop into its own. This approach gives her the space to play with the narrative creatively.
My only complaint is that I wanted more! I can’t wait for the next book and to see what Tirzah has in store.
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
I devoured this book in one sitting promising a mix of
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ and ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ it
delivered. The Nightmare Before Kissmas is the first in the Royals and Romance
Series, and I can’t wait for Go Luck Yourself (11/03/25).
The relationship between Coal and Hex was delightful, balancing a slow-burn romance with a swift connection. Their raw moments, heartfelt conversations, and playful banter were charming. The world-building was fantastic, blending political storylines with each holiday having its own monarchy vying to maintain its magic. Sara’s attention to detail was superb, capturing each holiday’s distinct spirit.
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