At the beginning of the month, my YouTube feed was bombarded with videos on this tag. I thought it was pretty neat to reflect on my reading so far this year, so I wanted to give it a try!

BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2021

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Scwab – I really enjoyed this book because it was so original and fun. I loved seeing a book that had me conflicted and rooting for the “bad guy” for the romance part of it. It was also different as I’ve never read a book that has a historical view of France and all the conflicts that took place.

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb – Beings this is maybe my third reread of this, this series still remains my favorite of all time. Yes, it beats Twilight.

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa – I don’t normally like books that seem to rip off ideas in other books, but I loved this. If you haven’t read this book yet, it has been compared to A Court of Thorns and Roses, especially Rhysand. However, I loved this! Des is one of my favorite heroes of this year. I wasn’t annoyed with the MC as will sometimes happen in romance novels.

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa – If I thought I loved this author before because of Rhapsodic, this book solidified my loyalty. Following one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, I loved Pestilence. I’m also a fan of damsel in distress tropes and I think the amount of danger was just right.

The Darkest Temptation by Danielle Lori – Can we say hot?! I loved this! While it was a little boring with the MC just being stuck in a mansion, I loved the romance and tension between the couple in this. I love romance mafia novels and this hit everything just right for me.

BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2021

War by Laura Thalassa – Technically this is the only sequel I’ve read and I am currently reading it. This is the second book in the Four Horsemen series. I would say that I loved Pestilence more (so far at least), but it is still an amazing read and I would gladly count it in a future reread.

NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET BUT WANT TO

The Devil’s Crown, Part 1 & 2 by Monica James – They released last year, however they are a spin-off of her All the Pretty Things series which was my favorite of 2020.

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas – The fourth book in the ACOTAR series. I loved that series, but for some reason I am just struggling to pick up more popular books lately.

MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

Death by Laura Thalassa – I am in the thick of this series, and I want more.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Taming Him by Kennedy Fox – Everything about this book was just bad. I felt like the hero in this over shared on everything and instead of being that “playboy” was a big sissy. The sex scenes were luke-warm. Just terrible.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa – I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. I knew that I liked the writer’s style previously, but this book gave me post-apocalyptic vibes while also still delivering that sweet romance that I wanted.

FAVORITE NEW AUTHOR (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU)

Laura Thalassa – I am on the third book of hers already this year and I am not disappointed.

NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH

Ronan from The Darkest Temptation by Danielle Lori – There is something about a Russian mafia sex machine that just sings to my soul. (I know, I have issues)

NEWEST FAVOURITE CHARACTER

Sara Burns from Pestilence by Laura Thalassa – Even though she was a damsel in distress, I loved her character. She was strong enough to walk away from love even when it hurt because she knew he needed to change. I also love that she didn’t just go along with what Pestilence was doing. She tried fighting him and changing him.

A BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Scwab – This book took an emotional toll on me. While it may not have topped the romances that I’ve read, the anguish that the characters go through in this brought actual tears to my eyes.

A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

The Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb – No matter how many times I read the books in this series, I will always feel that comforting presence that the characters bring me.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL YOU’VE BOUGHT (OR RECEIVED) THIS YEAR

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan – This book is by far the most beautiful book that I’ve bought this year. I still have yet to read it, but the cover is just absolutely gorgeous.

WHAT BOOKS DO YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR

Beings I am happy to just have my reading inspiration back, I wouldn’t say there are any that are screaming at me to read them by the end of the year. I am just picking up books that sound good to me at the time.