It’s funny how when talking about blogging, distance does make the heart grow fonder.
Happy new year! It’s been a while since my last post, and I can say with complete honesty that I missed this space, I missed writing a bit more longform. I’ve been so caught up with instagram these last few months -last few years, actually- that I became less and less inclined to share my thoughts here.
But, I think I’m ready now.
It’s a new year, there’s a lot that’s different, and hopefully that means I can slowly make my way back to blogging.
For starters, I want to share with you the books that warmed my heart and soothed my soul this year.
10 books that got me through 2020 and that you need to read ASAP
War of Hearts & Bound by Forever by S. Young
I’ve talked about these books before this year, but I just can’t stop recommending them! Samantha Young was a new-to-me author in 2020, but from the first book onwards, she became an auto-buy author!
This series specifically has me completely in love with the storyline. I’ve actually read the 3 books -eagerly awaiting number 4- but these two are the ones that particularly moved me.
The romance, the action, the magic, EVERYTHING is perfect.
And the best thing? They’re so engrossing I lost myself in these stories, my brain disconnected from reality and at least for a few days, I lived in a world where the fae and werewolves are real.
The Fountains of Silence, by Ruta Sepetys
When I read Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys a few years back, I decided right then and there she was one of my new favorite authors. It was odd because I usually think of someone as a favorite author once I’ve read at least 2 or 3 of their books.
But I just had a feeling with this author.
So of course, when I heard about The Fountains of Silence, I was excited but also nervous. What if it was a fluke? I was terrifying of being disappointed and realizing that I’d been wrong.
And yes, The Fountains of Silence is a very different book, and that’s a wonderful thing. It took me a while to get there, but eventually, I fell as deeply in love with this story as I did with Salt to the Sea.
It’s so moving for me to see this author on a mission to tell the stories other people might not be aware of, and doing it in a way that makes me want to know more, makes me want to go to the source. It’s amazing.
The Fountains of Silence review
War & Famine, by Laura Thalassa
The entire Horsemen series is just different. The first book, which I read in 2019, I believe, wasn’t really a good kind of different. But these two? I was totally on board with.
The author takes enemies to lovers to a whole other level with this books. We’re talking about the challenge of rooting for men that are actively working to make humans extinct. And they can often be cruel while they go about it. And we must believe that our heroines can somehow fall in love with them.
But right or wrong, these stories pull you under. You’re right along these women, hoping they survive, afraid for the other humans, confused, and very, very angry at times.
Maybe these books aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they were mine!
Outmatched, by Samantha Young & Kristen Callihan
Outmatched was one of the first books I read in 2020, the first pick of the Romancetheque book club. And it was a beautiful way to start the year. And yet another proof that Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young are AMAZING at writing heartfelt, funny, intense stories.
This one was more lighthearted than other books by them (individually), but it was perfect. It was a lot of fun and a fast read.
There are a lot of tender, and funny moments in the story that stand out to me and make this one unforgettable. Like I said, there’s nothing particularly angsty, action-packed, or epic in the traditional sense of the word. Still, this book shines without needing all of that.
The Friend Zone, by Kristen Callihan
THE UTTER PERFECTION.
I promise I’m talking about the plot.
This is one of the few friends to lovers books that managed to keep me on the edge the whole time. The thing about friends to lovers is that it’s been hard for me to find ones that have enough spice, enough tension.
This year I decided to give this installment of the standalone series a shot and I was blown away by how much I enjoyed it. The characters are hilarious and have off the charts chemistry.
From Blood and Ash & Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, by Jennifer Armentrout
I know I’m not the only who was surprised when out of nowhere, Jennifer Armentrout announces one day she just published a new book.
After so long with urban fantasy and paranormal being her jam, a lot of people were on the fence about giving From Blood and Ash a chance. Even I had some reservations, but you know what? It’s Jennifer Armentrout, and worst case scenario it just ended up being passably entertaining, which at the time, didn’t sound so bad.
I ended up adoring the story and while there were some things that could’ve been better, in the sequel it felt like the author told the story more confidently and started exploring the world she was creating and its history.
There are still some hiccups related to pacing, and worldbuilding, but she delivered an intriguing vampire story in a fantasy setting that has me hooked!
How to Love a Duke in 10 Days, by Kerrygan Byrne
Yes, yes, and yes.
To be honest I picked up How to Love a Duke in 10 Days because I wanted a romance book, period. But I got so much more than that.
I think this might be one of my favorite historical romance books.
There is a scene of assault early on, as part of the heroine’s past, and it’s a major thing throughout the story. It made me wary about reading it at first. The heroine is an amazing human, and how the two characters start trusting each other is something I want to read about again and again.
And there you go, 10 books you need to read ASAP if you haven’t already.
How’s 2021 treating you so far? What were your most beloved books of last year?
I loved FBAA and TKOFAF so much! It defininltey added so much happiness to my life last year. And I have War & Famine on my tbr. I wasn’t the best at reading last year but I read the first book in that series and loved it so much!
Jen recently posted this awesome thing…Monthly Wrap-Up: December
Both were definitely rays of sunshine during the last year. And omg if you loved Pestilence, you’re going to adore the other two! And DEATH, that book is going to be so amazing. It HAS TO.
I’ve had From Blood and Ash on my Kindle for ages and still haven’t read it, so hopefully I’ll get to it soon. I’ve heard good things about it!
Laura @ Daydreaming Dragons recently posted this awesome thing…Life Lately – December 2020
Aaaah Hope you love it! Are you a fan of her books? The vibe isn’t that different from the Lux or the Covenant series. But there’s definitely more steam!