I’ve read quite a few books so far this year, with some of them going out of my comfort zone. I’m having a pretty good time so far so these are five rave recommendations!
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda Morris
I’m currently getting into thrillers. I haven’t read many yet, but I’ve had some great recommendations and have really been enjoying myself. All Her Little Secrets was included in my list of stories by Black women to read, and I absolutely loved it. It weaves together themes of race, misogyny, trauma, and deceit, all wrapped up in a thrilling whodunnit.
I love a good whodunnit—especially in films—so I’m excited to continue exploring them in books. This story had some great twists, and I particularly enjoyed the morally dubious, slightly devious main character. While I was rooting for her, I often found myself frustrated by her decision-making skills, however, that only added to the tension of the story.
I think this is a great thriller for a novice. It isn’t overly complex, and while some twists were predictable, they were still exciting when they happened and I can’t say I expected some of the final moments. I really enjoyed the ending—I love a good act of retribution.
The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue by V Schwab
Whew, what a book! This was meant to be my holiday read, but I started it before my trip and was instantly hooked. I highly recommend it, so I won’t give away too much.
The story follows Addie, who sells her soul to the devil for freedom—choosing escape over an arranged marriage. But her bargain comes with a cruel twist: no one she meets ever remembers her. That is, until someone does.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was its portrayal of déjà vu and the feeling of reliving the same moments over and over. The isolation of being unable to form lasting connections is deeply felt, especially when you remember every moment and they don’t. Addie’s journey—from pain to acceptance—is beautifully conveyed.
I didn’t expect the ending to unfold the way it did, it left an air of mystery and I absolutely loved it.
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
I read Part of Your World first and absolutely loved it. As you know, Daniel was ranked the #1 best book boyfriend! I had heard from many that Yours Truly was even better, and I do agree—the plot was deeper, with much stronger themes, and I really enjoyed it.
That said, one trope I absolutely hate was used in this book, and it soured the experience for me. Not because it made the book bad, but because it made the story feel ridiculous—I just couldn’t believe that two people so deeply in love couldn’t see it! I was so frustrated I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room.
That being said, Abby Jimenez is an absolute powerhouse. She writes romance so beautifully, from the way she conveys emotions to the heartfelt declarations. She is a stunning writer, and I truly commend her for that.
Irrevocably In Love by Asia Monique
A sweet, short, and lovely romance. I recently shared a post on my favorite book boyfriends, and Jacob Townsend would definitely make my top 10. He just missed out on my top 5 because, based on the criteria I set, he fell slightly short.
While Jacob ultimately proved to be a devoted and loving partner, it took him some time to get there. He loses points for not being entirely truthful at first, but he more than makes up for it. That aside, he was amazing with his words and expressed his affection beautifully in those special moments they shared. This story also employs my favourite romance trope – marriage/relationship of convenience – which automatically improves the experience for me.
I loved this book—it was a quick read but an incredibly enjoyable one!
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
For a long time, I stopped reading fantasy—not because there was anything wrong with the genre, but because I no longer had the patience or focus for the intricate world-building it requires. Plus, fantasy novels are rarely standalones, meaning I’d either have to commit to a multi-book series or endure a massive cliffhanger while waiting for the next installment, which has not been released.
That said, I’d heard so many good things about this series that I finally gave it a shot—and ended up flying through the first four books in just a few days! Book two was my favorite.
However, I’ve also heard some unfavorable things about Sarah J. Maas, so I made sure not to spend any money on these books—and I urge you to do the same.
I had a great time reading all these stories, and I hope you do too! I am slowly getting through my currently reading list. I hope to finish them all this month, so will report back!
If you explore any of these stories, please let me know how you feel!
See you on Tuesday!
Signed,
A Mo-tivated Reader ☺️
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