My Favorite Books of 2024

recommendations from someone who reads A LOT of romance

Hello from my first work conference of the year!

Spoiler alert: I did not meet my goal of reading LESS in 2024. For the second year in a row, I surpassed reading 100 books! Narrowing down that list to a handful of favorites feels impossible. I can’t do it. Going through the list of books I read in 2024, I picked favorites based on the stories that stuck with me. Some of the books made me cry. Some of them made me forget to breathe. Some of them made me remember why I love reading and writing. These categories perfectly sum up how varied my reading preferences are. I'd recommend every book on this list widely, regardless of the star rating I initially gave it.

Gothic, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy

These books are dark, moody, and feature elaborate world-building.

Ninth House and Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo — Most students at Yale are selected for their academic achievements. Alex can see ghosts (Grays) and the higher-ups have decided this particular gift is useful to exploit. If you strip back the dark academia setting, secret societies, occult, and paranormal, Ninth House is a murder mystery at its core. If you get wrapped up in conspiracy theories, you could have a lot of fun with this book.

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid — A YA gothic fantasy that follows a first year architecture student as she uncovers the mystery of a beloved book with a rival literature student. A book within a book, Effy is faced with untangling her own life from tales of The Fairy King.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card — One of the few books for intelligent children that sees them as capable and fully human, regardless of the size of their physical bodies. In this science fiction novel, Orson Scott Card does a great job of laying out multiple points of view and forcing the reader to empathize with the characters who have to deal with the consequences of decisions that have no ethical justification. This book is for all the kids who felt lonely because they were made to feel different.

When Among Crows by Veronica Roth — This is probably one of the most well-paced novellas I've read. Roth expertly weaves Polish folklore into a modern-day Chicago setting in this urban fantasy. It might be best to go into this story without having much background information. I'm most surprised at how Roth explores themes of generational curses, Christian imperialism, immigration, displacement, and found family in such a short text. Parts are a bit dark and gory but even though this is a very niche story, I think the elements will appeal to a wide range of readers.

Romance, Drama, and a bit of heart

I listen to a lot of romance on audiobook throughout the year so it takes a lot to really wow me. I have a good idea of the tropes I like and dislike at this point in my reading journey. I prefer a substantial plot because I look for unique stories with well-developed characters and relationships.

Magnolia Parks and Daisy Haites by Jessa Hastings — This book series is toxic and none of it is romantic but I still can't quit the Magnolia Parks Universe and I'm rooting for these characters to come out on top. Jessa Hastings explores emotional trauma and complicated family dynamics again in this story. Even though you know plot twists are coming they'll still have you clutching your chest.

Hannah Tate Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee — Hannah Tate is a new single mom who is down on her luck. After moving back in with her parents to launch their AirBnB project, she finds her skills as an interior decorator are the perfect match for their sexy, yoga-loving, contractor-by-trade neighbor. Hannah’s struggles as a new mom are incredibly relatable. I found myself rooting for her to carve her own path forward.

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood — Mallory is navigating being launched into adulthood when she’s faced with taking care of her mom and sisters. After she loses her job, she plays in a charity chess tournament to make a quick buck. Even though she’s sworn off chess, she beats the number one player in the world. And that's where things get complicated. Nolan really took the time to get to know Mallory and by the end of the book, you could tell he truly saw her. The guy studied her for goodness sake. If you’re the eldest daughter, I think you’ll see a lot of yourself in Mal. She’s struggling to support her family while trying to figure out her place in the world, all while refusing to ask for help.

Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz — This is a rare kind of romance that can make you feel so deeply. I loved Raine and Jack's banter but what really stood out for me is how accepting they were of each others struggles. The author does such a good job of giving an authentic voice to ADHD and OCD. I think so many readers will relate to the thoughts swirling inside the MCs heads and that representation is extremely important. I loved the Irish pub setting, Raine's wanderlust, Jack's cat, and the loveable side characters.

Bride by Ali Hazelwood — This was a slow burn but boy did it bring the heat! It was so much more than a romance, though. It’s very plot driven but light on world-building—there was plenty of werewolf/vampire politics, family drama, found family elements, and a bit of mystery. I’m finding myself drawn to fated mates, enemies to lovers stories. I was immediately drawn into this story and every twist and turn kept me wanting to read more of Misery and Lowe’s story. So nice I read it twice.

Funny Story by Emily Henry — Emily Henry's novels are formulaic, but that's the part that makes them fun for me to read. I know she's going to break my heart and put it back together every time. That's what makes them comforting and cozy in my mind. I loved Daphne and Miles' HEA. I felt their love and struggles so deeply. More than a beautifully written meet-cute, this story gets honest about messy relationships- whether that's between friends or family or lovers. All of the book and foodie references brought a smile to my face and I just loved that we got a Michigan setting again. I think anyone who has grown up living in or visiting the Great Lakes will be able to picture themselves in this book.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center — I usually run away from books with a Hollywood setting but I learned so much about screenwriting and rom-coms through this one. Emma and Charlie are the perfect grumpy sunshine pairing. Their banter had me pining and at the same time, I wanted to cry for both of them going through so many painful struggles in life! I think I needed a romance that showed me there can be glimmers in life even if there’s a lot of really heavy, unfortunate stuff to deal with too. This story is full of heart and I fell hard for their slow-burn romance. Stylistically, I enjoyed Center’s interjections into the story. It felt very casual and helped the reader get to know Emma like you’re just reminiscing with an old friend.

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang — When I read the first chapters of How to End a Love Story I immediately questioned how Yulin Kuang was going to turn this tragedy into a romance with characters I’d be rooting for but she did just that. The forbidden love between Helen and Grant is complicated, messy, and raw. Their story is not lighthearted, but rather full of angst, passion, and longing. There are lots of open door scenes between the two MCs scattered throughout. The characters had a good amount of depth to them and I enjoyed reading about their families and work, even if it was a bit of a stretch that two people from the same high school ended up being Hollywood writers.

The Irish Goodbye by Amy Ewing — Cordelia is grieving the loss of her dad and moves from NYC to Ireland for the summer to try to find her passion for photography again. She bumps into Niall, a stunning Irishman, who is fresh off a breakup that destroyed his dreams of owning his own restaurant. Both MCs are healing from different types of losses. Once they give in to their attraction, they're able find comfort in each other and rekindle their respective loves for photography and cooking. This was an enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romance with a vivid portrayal of the quaint island town of Inishmore, Ireland. The well-crafted secondary characters added depth to the narrative with their interference in the couple’s budding relationship.

Elizabeth of East Hampton by Aubrey Bellezza and Emily Harding — Aubrey Bellezza and Emily Harding knocked this retelling of Pride & Prejudice out of the park! Lizzie is the glue holding her family and their bakery in the Hamptons together. After a family emergency puts her dreams of going to grad school at Columbia on hold, she’s feeling the burden of keeping it all together. When Will, a wealthy businessman from NYC, comes to town, sparks fly from their first interaction at the bakery. This enemies to lovers romance is filled with plenty of swoon-worthy scenes. Will is always a gentleman despite the way the two antagonize each other. The authors effortlessly updated all of the classic characters into roles that felt realistic for the modern day beach setting. I loved Will’s attachment to his family home and the fact that Will and Lizzy really bonded over surfing. The similarities they discovered in each other were endearing.

Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams — Greece was brought to life beautifully by Williams. I could picture myself in the villa with the main characters. This was a really vulnerable romance but at times it was predictable. Still, the familiar tropes, humor, and heartfelt emotions made the story enjoyable to read. I especially loved the family dynamics. Each member brought something unique to the table and there was so much warmth in the interactions between the Greenberg family. The relationships between the core family and their “adopted son” Jamie were believable and added a considerable amount of depth. For a book with a lot of miscommunication, there was a lot of good conversation happening. The author does a great job with the mental health representation in this book. Florence’s burnout recovery tactfully addresses the taboo nature of mental “breakdowns”. Jamie is the perfect match for Flo as she comes to learn he’s surprisingly sensitive. The family has a really important conversation towards the end of the book that shows how crucial it is to have people on your side that you’re able to open up to honestly.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston — Ashley Poston is incredible at writing a contemporary setting with just the right mix of magical realism. I enjoy that she leaves the specific details of the magic up to interpretation. You have to trust that she’s going to give you just enough for it all to work. I have a soft spot for Van Gogh as an art history major and immediately connected with Clementine’s birthday tradition at The Met. Iwan was the most charming book boyfriend. He's observant and attentive to Lemon, has that southern charm, he's got tattoos, plus he can cook! I swooned over all of Iwan and Lemon’s interactions in the kitchen of her aunt’s magical apartment. This is more than your typical romance. Clementine grapples with some tricky close personal relationships. The exploration of grief following the death of her aunt is particularly well-written.

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin — Natalie is an immature struggling writer and Rob is a career academic. Despite their initial conflict, the duo’s undying love for their best friends keeps pulling them back together, creating a dynamic that is magnetic. They’ve all got their own lives and One-Star Romance explores how their decisions affect each other over a series of years. Rob’s struggle with his dad’s dementia diagnosis hit really close to home for me and Hankin handles it with so much care. If you’ve read any of her other books, you’ll know that Hankin excels at writing female friendships, especially ones that feel realistic in adulthood.

Something More Literary

I’ve found myself reading less and less contemporary and literary fiction over the past few years but I still love the genre when I make time for it.

The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu — I'm not sure what to say about this novel other than it was an unexpected delight. Each of the teachers' lives Mathieu explores in the 13 chapters of this book is layered and rich. She gives humanity back to the very real and sometimes messy lives of teachers. The Faculty Lounge had the perfect dose of sarcasm that I crave in my reading life.

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney —Sally Rooney’s smartest book yet. She expects her audience to be able to follow her thoughts. It differs in style a good bit from her previous works but the characters remain somewhat unlikeable and very real. Every sentence felt purposeful. The multiple POVs felt distinct in this story. Ivan rambles. Peter’s thoughts are written in a staccato style to match his outward rigidity. Margaret is quiet and introspective. Yet all 3 are very much living life in their heads. The crux of this story is a familial relationship instead of a romantic one. Peter and Ivan experience grief differently and it strains an already delicate idea of brotherhood. This book explores themes of power and vulnerability (as Rooney’s other books do). I love how she is able to seamlessly weave social and political critiques into deeply personal narratives. It’s thought-provoking.

Historical Fiction

The Women by Kristin Hannah — A really good writer can transport you to a different time and place and put you in another person’s shoes. Kristin Hannah excels in that type of vivid storytelling which is why I felt so deeply for Frances and this unique story of the women who served in the Vietnam War. When Frankie leaves her sheltered upbringing in Coronado, California for a position as a war zone nurse in Vietnam she finds love, friendship, and joy despite the pain and terror that threaten to destroy everything she’s known. This book was emotionally very tough for me to get through given the current state of the world. A lot of the feelings Frankie faces when she gets back home are things that have also been on my mind lately. Being immersed in this story about a divided America filled with angry protesters who are quick to brush off soldiers challenged my perspective and made me want to continue learning. I felt more drawn to the first part of the book but a lot of the heavier topics are explored in the second half. I’ve seen several reviews that were disappointed by the ending but I think it was the perfect way to wrap up a series of lows in Frankie’s life.

A Holiday Romance

These books turned made my Grinch-y heart grow three sizes this year! I love a cozy British romance but there were some standouts from the U.S. this year. I think it’s a new record that my favorite holiday romances are frontlist titles.

Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark — The Belvedere siblings are not ready for the holidays. One's obsessed with a TV star, another's struggling with their comedy career, and the third just got dumped publicly. The three adult siblings head to their mom's Catskills mansion, hoping to escape their problems. Most Wonderful is like a queer rom-com meets a dysfunctional family drama, and it's worth the read. Georgia Clark is a genius when it comes to writing characters that feel like they could be your best friends. They’re well developed and it was easy to keep all the characters straight. Well, decidedly not straight, but you know what I mean. While this is marketed as a Christmas novel, the crux of the story focuses on the Belvedere family with just a bit of holiday magic sprinkled throughout. There are several open-door scenes and each of the siblings has a romantic plot that will leave you blushing!

All I Want is You by Falon Ballard — This may be my favorite Falon Ballard romance yet! When two exes are stranded in a winter storm in the leadup to Christmas, it's no surprise that there's only one bed at the Inn. This book felt very meta in a charming way. The two MCs are romance authors so of course, it's full of all my favorite romance tropes. This book is the perfect choice if you're looking for a short but addictively swoon-worthy holiday romance that can be enjoyed year-round.

Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss — I can always count on Jenny Bayliss for a cozy, feel-good holiday novel. If you liked The Best Christmas Pageant Ever as a kid, this is like a grown-up version. Harriet is a 40-something single mom who works in pastoral care. She ends up being in charge of putting together a production of A Christmas Carol to save the town's Winter Theater from destruction and keep her students out of trouble for trespassing. The catch? She's got to work together with the owner's lawyer, James, who happens to be Harriet's hunky one-night stand. While there's a bit of romance in this story, the real star is the found family in the diverse cast of characters. Bayliss does a great job of representing disabilities and different socioeconomic statuses. The small town setting shines and there's even an easter egg reference to the town in Bayliss's previous novel A December to Remember!

Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot — Love You a Latke is a delightful holiday romance with rich Jewish representation and of course, festive Hanukkah traditions. While the story focuses on Abby's struggles with past family trauma and finding community, her romance with Seth is sweet and genuine. Abby's character growth shines as she confronts her past, embraces her heritage, and finds her place in Seth’s world while coming into her own. Kelli Tager narrates beautifully, and the contrast of the small-town Vermont and New York City settings adds the perfect amount of wintery charm. For fans of Jewish romance, check out The Matzah Ball, which gets a special mention in a scene toward the end of the book!

You can shop ALL the books I read in 2024 through my Bookshop.org storefront. Every purchase through their site financially supports independent bookstores while putting a few pennies in my pocket for sharing.

I’ve been enjoying everyone else’s end-of-the-year posts so be sure to give me a heads-up if you’ve already hit publish on yours! It’s fascinating to see what other people are reading and loving. It’s been a great year of reading and sharing here on Substack and I’m looking forward to all the books 2025 will bring.

As always, happy reading!