2024 was an incredible year for books. I read more than 200 books this year, and so many of them were amazing, but a few truly left their mark. Every book on this list is a five-star read, for various different reasons, but all are as close to perfect as any given book can get.
Fantasy
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas was one of the most talked about, hotly anticipated releases of 2024. Part of that is because the entire bookish community goes nuts for anything she does, myself included, but the other part of it is the insane cliffhanger she left readers with at the end of the second book in the series. House of Flame and Shadow has the thing I love most about Sarah J. Maas’ books in spades. Badass heroines are everywhere in this book. They are often flawed women who don’t need to be perfect in order to be people we root for and admire. And see ourselves in. Every chapter is mired in love, friendship, and female empowerment. When the world looks bleak and hopeless, we can hold onto faith in the heroine and her mate. It didn’t end how I expected at all, but I’m glad it didn’t, and this is my favorite in the Crescent City series thus far.
Spice: 2
Kindle: $9.18
Hardback: $18.30
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen absolutely blew my mind. I have read countless fantasies inspired by some mixture of Celtic legend and Greek myth. I’ve read stories inspired by African and Latinx folklore traditions. Somehow, I had never read one inspired by Norse mythology, and let me tell you, it was amazing. This book is a Norse-myth-inspired fantasy, with an enemies-to-lovers trope, a sassy heroine, and a growly hero. I waited on A Fate Inked in Blood for weeks at the library through Libby and it was worth every single second of that wait. I am ravenously looking forward to the sequel next year. I loved this book so much and would recommend it to any fantasy reader.
Spice: 2.5
Kindle: $13.99
Hardback: $16.14
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli was a highly anticipated release this year. Her high stakes enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance between a witch and a witch hunter in a world filled with danger was such an intriguing premise, and this book delivered on all that was promised. If you love Aelin and Throne of Glass you will love Rune Winters and Heartless Hunter. My heart hurt at the end of this book in the best way. I’m obsessed with these characters, their love story, and this world. I am ravenous for the next book in the series. Book two, Rebel Witch, the final book in the series, will be here on February 18, 2025.
Spice: 1.5
Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited
Hardback: $9.60
Quicksilver by Callie Heart
Quicksilver by Callie Hart was showing up all over my feed, with rave reviews, so naturally I went straight to Kindle Unlimited. What I discovered was a sweeping fantasy that transported me straight into a phenomenally crafted world, with characters I fell in love with. Quicksilver is so different from the rest of Callie Hart’s stuff, which, up until now, was mostly in the new adult subgenre. This story features an enemies-to-lovers trope, but it’s really more reluctant allies-to-lovers, which makes for lots of delectable snark and banter that is essential in these kinds of stories. One of the best things about this book is the magical system and world-building. Zilvaren has two suns, and it is never night. Yvelia has blood curses, shadow gates, and magical tattoos that come about in the most gorgeous way. It makes for a truly magical reading experience, and I was sad to see it come to an end. I will be preordering the next book in this series the second it’s available.
Spice: 3
Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited
Paperback: $18.99
Fairydale by Veronica Lancet
Fairydale by Veronica Lancet is part fantasy, part historical fiction, part gothic romance, with a touch of horror thrown in for good measure. All such disparate elements somehow work together seamlessly to allow the author to create a story that is both utterly unique and a truly bewitching read. This is a truly incredible story. I’ve never read anything else like it, which is among my favorite things to find in a book. It gives Invisible Life of Addie LaRue vibes but with more romance, more magic, and more intrigue. Fairydale is severely underrated. I haven’t heard anyone discussing it, and that is a travesty. Thank god my Kindle store algorithm remedied the situation. This book should be near the top of every romantasy bestseller list that exists.
Spice: 4
Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited
Paperback: $22.49
An Academy For Liars by Alexis Henderson
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson is a dark academia contemporary fantasy, with some gothic horror vibes. Sometimes the best books are the ones that are hardest to quantify in terms of an exact genre, and that is definitely true with this book. It falls into many categories and does justice to them all with a fascinating plot, alluring characters, and an atmospheric campus setting. This book is perfect for Atlas Six fans. It has a similar vibe to the first two books in the series. There’s almost a found family element, but not in the way it’s normally found. Like Atlas Six, it looks and feels a little different, a little more competitive, and a little darker. I am partial to a dark academia fantasy. Leigh Bardugo‘s Ninth House is one of my favorite books of all time, and An Academy for Liars hits that same feeling for me. It’s a fascinating exploration of power and sacrifice, betrayal and love. It is my favorite of Henderson’s books so far, and perfect for a spooky season dark academia read.
Spice: 1
Kindle: $14.99
Hardback: $25.74
Forged in Blood by Sadie Kincaid
Forged in Blood by Sadie Kincaid is a romantasy why choose novel with MM interactions within the group. While it’s a significant departure from what Sadie Kincaid usually does, it has all her trademark spice. These vampires are freaky, and I mean that as the highest of compliments. Forged in Blood has a slightly unoriginal fantasy premise, but I couldn’t care less. I’m fully hooked on this series despite the fact that it feels a little like I’ve read this book before. It has several common fantasy tropes that make it feel familiar. There’s a magical university, a human girl who’s not quite actually human, vampires, a sexy professor, and enemies to lovers. There are vampires, witches, demons, and elemental magic. We’ve seen it all before, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. The first in an ongoing series, Forged in Blood ends on a hell of a cliffhanger, so prepare yourself.
Spice: 4.5
Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited
Paperback: $17.99
Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas
Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas is a Greek myth-inspired post-apocalyptic fantasy set approximately a century in the future. It’s not a straight retelling but instead a loose reimagining, with a complete creative overhaul of the pantheon and their powers. In this enemies-to-lovers story, halfway through the book, the characters are still solidly in enemy territory. It’s a very, very slow burn and I love it. Sometimes the slow burns drag on, but this is just tantalizing, especially because the plot completely holds up so it’s easy to stay engaged throughout the book. Blood of Hercules is so engrossing that I completely forgot to annotate in any way because the story just took me to another world, and I loved every second of it. If you like Fourth Wing you will love this book. I sound like a broken record when I say this, but once again the only issue with this book is the agonizing wait for the next book in the series. I’m confident that when October 2025 rolls around, the wait will have been worth it. This book is incredible and the series is off to an impeccable start.
Spice: 2
Kindle: $12.99
Paperback: $15.00
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith has been on my to-be-read list since its September release, and I am kicking myself for waiting so long to dive into this atmospheric, Gothic tale. This book is a spectacular romantasy, with mental health representation, stunning characters, and a plot that will keep you turning pages with a definite hunger. The premise of Phantasma is spectacular. It has a matriarchal family of necromancers, a haunted house, and a sexy ghost. What more could a girl want? The Devil’s House, where the Phantasma competition takes place, is an atmospheric setting steeped in danger and drama, and it’s absolutely perfect. Phantasma features lots of action and danger, with a hell of a twist ending. There is no cliffhanger at the end, but instead, a complete story that is equal parts tragic and heartwarming, spicy and engaging.
Spice: 3
Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited
Paperback: $14.24
Contemporary Romance
Ward Willing by Amanda Richardson
Ward Willing by Amanda Richardson is the third book in the Ravaged Castle series, which is a series of kinky contemporary interconnected standalones. The series follows a group of brothers with a troubled past, each one with their own story and love interest. Ward Willing is the story of the oldest brother Liam and his much younger ward, Zoe. Naturally, this romance features a significant age-gap relationship, with a BDSM element. I fell in love with this book from the first page. Not even the first page of the story, but the dedication. As soon as I read, “For all the girlies who are *independent* but sometimes need someone to spoil you, reward you, and call you a good girl”, I was hooked. And the rest of the book did not disappoint. Ward Willing reminds me of what made me fall in love with the genre, the forbidden, the focus on female pleasure, and the over-the top fun.
Spice: 4
Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited
Paperback: $18.99
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
Leather and Lark by Brynne Weaver is the second in the Ruinous Love trilogy, a series of interconnected standalone romances following a trio of unhinged brothers and their equally psychotic love interests. I loved every second of this book. It’s spicy, it’s funny, and it’s filled with cathartic moments. For every moment of twisted hilarity, there is an equally poignant and heartfelt moment between the characters. Leather and Lark is an exciting contemporary read for anyone who is brave enough to handle the gore.
Spice: 4
Kindle: $8.99
Paperback: $13.79
The Home-Wrecker by Sara Cate
The Home-wrecker is the second in The Goode Brothers series, a series of interconnected standalones following a family of brothers as they find themselves amid religious trauma, family drama, and of course, love. While this story is kinky, bisexual fun, it also doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations. Much of the book involves exploring difficult conversations in a marriage and in relationships. It’s a very real look at what I suspect is a common problem, how it’s hard to tell someone you’ve been with for ten years that you want to explore new kinks. Readers will have to wait a little bit for the spice to kick in, but once it does, it will blow you away. The slow burn makes for a delicious build of tension, and it’s so satisfying when these three give in to their desires. Sara Cate’s books are usually fairly short, but The Home-wrecker is longer than the rest of her works, and I was so glad for it. Despite its length, I still read it in a single afternoon. Polyamorous romances are the best, and I loved everything about this story.
Spice: 4
Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited
Paperback: $17.99
Honey Cut by Sierra Simone
The Lyonesse trilogy, of which Honey Cut is book two, is a contemporary erotic retelling of the Celtic legend of Tristan and Isolde. Honey Cut, just like Salt Kiss, is absolutely filthy in the best way. The spice levels are off-the-charts, which is pretty much Sierra Simone’s modus operandi. This series is not for beginners unless those beginners are very brave. Or just a kinky book baddie who hasn’t discovered the glory of romance novels yet. This book went in an unexpected direction, and it kept me well and truly hooked. I only put it down to sleep for a few hours and picked it right back up again first thing in the morning to read it through until the end. It was nearly impossible to put down. Honey Cut concludes with a hell of a twist and a hell of a cliffhanger. I gasped audibly . The final book in the series, Bitter Burn, is coming in September 2025 and I am starving for it. This series is simply stunning.
Spice: 5
Kindle: $5.99
Paperback: $12.44
Broken by Sadie Kincaid
Sadie Kincaid is the queen of mafia romance. When I want to read something dramatic, fast-paced, and ever so spicy, she is one of the authors I frequently turn to. Broken is the first in her latest series of standalones, the Manhattan Ruthless series, and it’s a fantastic combination of beloved romance tropes and a couple you are rooting for with every page. I always end up reading Sadie Kincaid books as fast as humanly possible, so reluctant to put them down that I will ignore all else going on around me with a concerning ease. Broken was no exception. I read this book in a single day, and it’s not all that short. But it feels short, in a way that all great books do. This story is so sweet, the perfect mix of drama, touching romance, and toe-curling spice. For fans of Sadie Kincaid’s previous works or any kind of contemporary romance, this book is a sure-fire winner.
Spice: 4
Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited
Paperback: $19.99
The Frozen Fate Trilogy by Pam Godwin
The Frozen Fate trilogy by Pam Godwin is a contemporary romance with a why choose element and I’m not even quite sure how to categorize it beyond that. This series is unlike anything else I have ever read. It is a wild and thrilling read from start to finish, with phenomenal characters and a fight for survival that creates bonds that can’t be broken. The plot twists in this series are batshit, and to be clear that is highly complementary. Frozen Fate has me in a chokehold, months after I finished the books. This series is undeniably weird, and incredibly freaky, both sexually and in the way an A24 horror film is freaky. It’s also just incredibly good. The plot is wildly unique and the characters will follow you around living rent-free in your head. If you are brave enough to read this series, check the trigger warnings and brace yourself for an incredible reading journey unlike any other.
Spice: 4.5
Kindle: $8.99 each
Variation by Rebecca Yarros
Variation by Rebecca Yarros is not exactly what fans of her romantasy work might expect. Instead, Yarros is switching it up, giving readers a contemporary romance, but with all the same trademark spice and emotional turmoil. This story contains a multitude of family dramas, both small and large, with decade-old secrets that are both salacious and tragic, which I just love. Every few chapters some new earth-shattering piece of information is revealed that complicates or clarifies the impossible situation these characters find themselves in, and the result is a book that keeps readers turning the pages to find out what happens next. Variation had a fast-paced, accessible writing style perfect for any romance reader. It was so sweet and so well written, with a plot that was both emotional and deeply sexy. This is an excellent book.
Spice: 2.5
Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited
Paperback: $13.10
Ensnared + Entangled by Rebecca Quinn
The first two books in the Brutes of Bristlebrook series barely qualify as contemporary romances, given that they are set in a post-apocalyptic society in which civilization has completely collapsed, but for the purposes of this list it counts, and these were just far too good to ignore. Ensnared and Entangled are kinky, why choose romances featuring a nerdy librarian who is used to surviving on her own, and five former military men who find her running from a rival clan. It’s a story of survival, love, and betrayal that is fast-paced and engrossing. This series pops into my head often, and I can’t wait for the conclusion. The official review of this series is coming when the third book, Entwined, finally releases.
Spice: 5
Kindle: free with Kindle Unlimited
Paperback: $16.99, $21.99
Keep Me by Sara Cate
Keep Me by Sara Cate is a contemporary romance featuring a broody hero, an incredibly ballsy heroine, and a marriage of convenience that’s destined for the best kind of trouble. Keep Me is so easy to sink into that it felt like I blinked and all of a sudden it was midnight and I was halfway through it. Part of this is the speedy timeline — the marriage contract lasts a year and this book spans the entire year in 300ish pages, but the other part is just how these characters and their fights suck in the reader. This book made me cry. It broke my heart and then pieced it back together in the best way, and left me thanking the romance novel gods for a guaranteed happily ever after. Contemporary romance lovers should run straight to this book. You will not be sorry.
Spice: 3.5
Kindle: $7.39
Paperback: $13.94
Mystery
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
I love Kate Quinn’s writing. Her books are among my all-time favorites, and I reread them often. She has a masterful skill for blending historical fiction with thrilling mystery. Her female characters are always compelling, intelligent, and strong. Quinn’s books usually take place at pivotal moments in history and war, featuring layers of secrets and personal turmoil that weave right in with the politics. The Briar Club embodies all of these traits in a wonderful tale of solidarity, secrets, and women who fight back. This book is a glimmering portrayal of female friendship and families built from troubled times. It seamlessly blends mystery and historical fiction and places the reader firmly in 1950s Washington D.C. and within the walls of the Briarwood house in a way that only phenomenal writing can do.
Kindle: $14.99
Hardback: $28.99
This Is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter
This Is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter is the twelfth book in the Will Trent series, but you don’t need to have read any or all of the previous books to enjoy this one. I haven’t read all of them, I’ve only maybe read one other, but I’m not sure and I was too lazy to dig through my Goodreads to confirm. Even jumping in twelve books into the series, this story was utterly captivating, and filled with the twists and turns that make a murder mystery such a thrilling read. Each new piece of information will blow your mind and change your perspective on the story, up until the very last chapter. I was near tears by the end of this book, which is rare for me with a mystery, but this is a story readers will not be able to resist falling into, head first.
Kindle: $12.99
Hardback: $16.00
We Love The Nightlife by Rachel Koller Kroft
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