I find myself turning to fantasy stories more and more these days as historical fiction and dystopian novels are becoming a little too close to reality for my taste. When reading I need to completely escape our current world politics to be able to enjoy myself. I hope you find some books you are excited to read in my book reviews below. Just beware, I did read some stories with heavier topics this month and you may want to check out the trigger warnings first.
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Published Date: October 2024
Genre: Fantasy
How I Read: Paper
Diem is a young mortal woman, a healer like her mom who is discovering that her life is full of secrets. Her mother has suddenly disappeared. Plus, Diem’s best friend/boyfriend is shockingly part of a rebellious group that wants to challenge those in power – the Descended.
Diem’s main goal is to keep her brother in school, but her anger over the injustices in her world and the laws by which the Descended rule are making her take more and more risks, especially when the Prince takes notice of her.
I think this book is fantastic, I couldn’t put it down. It almost feels like a prequel, the story has barely started. I want to read book two immediately.
Published Date: December 2023
Genre: Self-Help
How I Read: Paper
An excellent personal finance book written in a way that is relatable and easy to understand from a person in our generation that “gets it”. I think this book is perfect for those just starting out in the workforce, people in their young twenties, or to read in college.
I knew almost all the information, so I personally didn’t gain a lot from this book, but it did motivate me to start thinking about what my next career move should be. Plus, it reminded me to reevaluate our tax exemptions.
Published Date: December 2024
Genre: Fantasy
How I Read: Audio
Saeris is a young human trying to survive in the third ward when she gets arrested for stealing a gauntlet from a guardian of the queen. It looks like her life is over. At the castle, Saeris manages to use her ability to manipulate the metal quicksilver to save herself and she gets taken into the world of the Fae. Here she mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher who wants to use her alchemist powers to help save his people.
In this story there are vampires, Fae, mates, war, enemies to lovers, and more. Secrets reveal themselves over time.
The ending was a lot and a few parts confused me but that tends to happen when I listen to fantasy instead of reading it with my eyes. The cliffhanger is excellent and I will probably read the next book once it is released.
Published Date: July 2020
Genre: Romance
How I Read: Kindle
After donors start dropping out of Luc’s big work fundraiser because of his reputation splashed across the tabloids, the solution is to get a proper fake boyfriend. A friend of a friend, Oliver, agrees to be the fake boyfriend if Luc will attend his parents’ big anniversary party in return.
This book gives fake relationship, prude vs bad boy, opposites attract, and complicated family/parental issues.
I had some butterflies reading this one. Were they acting immature for their ages – yes, but for whatever reason I wasn’t put off by this as much as I usually am. I like British humor and banter. The friend groups felt very Four Weddings and a Funeral to me. I enjoyed it.
Published Date: September 2023
Genre: Fantasy
How I Read: Kindle
Book two in the Crescent City series. I’m very glad I’m continuing with the series. The ending certainly left a cliffhanger and I want to continue.
Bryce (half-Fae/half-human) and Hunt (fallen angel) are taking time to relax after saving Crescent City in book one. They know the Asteri is watching them, and the couple is trying to lie low. Plus, a new governor could mean big changes for the city and Hunt as he/she will be Hunt’s new boss.
But things don’t stay calm for long. A rebel group becomes more and more entangled in their friend group, especially as they learn the truths about the Asteri.
This fantasy features intelligence seeking, double agents, harnessing power, good vs evil, and mates.
Published Date: January 2025
Genre: Historical Fiction
How I Read: Kindle
This was not my favorite historical fiction. I can tell because upon finishing I didn’t immediately want to research people, places, and history surrounding the story (probably because most of it was made up). The plot twists are appreciated as I did not guess them.
There are two interweaving main characters – one a young girl, Annie, in her twenties who gets an opportunity to work for a well-known fashion editor. When an event at the Met goes horribly wrong Annie becomes a person of interest in a stolen piece of Egyptian history.
Charlotte has worked many years as an associate curator of Egyptian Art at the Met. When a specific Egyptian artifact is acquired by the museum, it terrifies her because she was on a boat that sank with that artifact many decades ago along with her husband and baby daughter.
Annie and Charlotte head to Egypt to find the stolen artifact, clear Annie’s name, and uncover mysteries.
Published Date: November 2024
Genre: Fiction
How I Read: Audio
A story that keeps you invested as more and more information/secrets get divulged as time goes on. It starts with Evie waking up from a car accident with no memories from her adult life and she thinks she is in her teens. Evie is told her husband died in the car accident and she has to piece her life back together. Things are very confusing because her best friend and parents are no longer a part of her life.
Evie abandons her husband’s funeral and jumps into an Uber but it is actually the car of one of her former best friends only she doesn’t remember him. The story jumps back and forth between the past and the present.
There is a lot of messed up family drama and relationships. You may want to read the trigger warnings if you are sensitive about certain topics. It’s not a super happy book but well written. The ending wraps up mysteries and everything is cleared up for the reader.
Published Date: February 2025
Genre: Romance
How I Read: Paper
Not my favorite by this author, mostly because the story jumps immediately into the topic of sex, specifically kink sex. The female main character likes to be submissive during intercourse while the male main character likes full control – it’s just not my thing. Contracts/lists of what kinks each other is into and safe words plus endless crying by the female main character was a huge turn off. The sex doesn’t get crazy and no objects are involved.
Scarlett is a junior at Stanford on their dive team recovering from an almost career-ending injury. The twisties are preventing her from completing one of her necessary dives. Lukas is a star Swedish senior swimmer on the Stanford team that recently broke up with another diver over their incompatible sexual preferences.
Some STEM like Hazelwood enjoys to include in her books. High stakes sports competitions. Friend drama. Mental health/therapy. Is it just sex or will a relationship form?
Published Date: January 2025
Genre: Fiction
How I Read: Paper
This book started strong for me, unique and interesting but it dragged on too long. I think the third generation was completely unnecessary and it’s what lost my interest.
The book is set in New York and Ireland. The story covers three generations of women in the same family and bounces around on the timeline. Essentially two sisters growing up in an Irish town who don’t get along. One moves to NYC and gets pregnant, hooked on drugs, and taken advantage of by a professor. The other sister stays in Ireland and is greatly affected by the choices the other sister makes.
A major part of the story involves a choose-your-own-adventure computer game based on a spooky home in their Irish town and the script includes scary stories the sisters used to share during childhood.
This book is all about family secrets, family drama, and trauma. There are MANY triggers – drug use, abortion, 9/11, suicide, etc.
Published Date: October 1993
Genre: Dystopian Fiction
How I Read: Audio
Wow, this story is absolutely terrifying. Terrifying in the fact that it feels like our country is headed this direction in the near future. I spiraled several times reading this. Please be in a good mental health space if you decide to tackle this one. It’s an excellent book but in light of what our country is currently experiencing it was hard for me to read at times.
Lauren is a teen living inside a gated community in California. Climate change and the collapse of society have caused the country to dissolve into communities protecting themselves with gates, guns, and safety watches. The police, fire, etc, only come when paid and when they find the time, if they ever show up at all.
Lauren starts to wonder how long their community can hold out against fires and criminals breaching their walls. She starts to plan to leave and puts her faith into a new religion, Earthseed, that she’s developing over time.
This book is about loss and survival. Once Lauren loses her home, the story describes how she manages on the journey north to somewhere. Somewhere to find food, shelter, and most importantly water. Along the way, Lauren collects a community of people.
You may want to read trigger warnings.
Published Date: July 2024
Genre: Fiction
How I Read: Audio
Sorry but this is beyond predictable and cheesy. A car accident results in two women meeting in a hospital room. One, an older woman in need of a kidney transplant. She’s a well-known wealthy NYC businesswoman. The other, an assistant editor at a publishing house who dreams of being a writer. Her workaholic tendencies are negatively affecting her relationships or lack thereof. The two take a road trip together to rekindle relationships, make major life changes, start a new romance, etc.
Want to check out more of my favorite books? Take a look at my January reviews!
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