“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” - Stephen King
The year 2024 was a doozy and because of some rather momentous events, I only just reached my reading goal of 200+ books for the first time since 2012. And because I felt I needed the reassurance of the familiar, most of my reading this year was revisiting many of my comfort titles. By setting such an astronomical goal each year, I have added unhealthful pressure to the activity I enjoy the most—reading. So, beginning in 2025, I will reduce my previous goal of 200 by 25% to take the pressure off and allow time to see to my own well-being.
This month brought me my single most significant source of joy for the year—the Passionflix movie, LICK, from the novel by Kylie Scott. Lick (Stage Dive #1) was a favorite book in 2013 (my review), and its main male character, David Ferris, has been a major crush since. The movie has surpassed all other romances for me and with it being utterly unique, I predict it will remain that way indefinitely. You can check out my review of the movie here. 😍
2024 was also the year I discovered Abby Jimenez books. Since I seem to have difficulty keeping up with my existing authors, adding new authors to my reading mix isn't something I strive to do. However, deciding to read her book, Yours Truly, last April influenced my intention to read all of her existing works this year. Six novels and two short stories later I feel that I've found my ideal style of writing. I experience all of the emotions I hope for in her books. Her character interactions are genuinely meaningful, whether clever and witty or sincere and loving. Her books are marketed as rom-coms, but each one also features a theme dealing with tragedy that's induced epic crying. And because her books are all categorized as romance they all end happily. The joy I have gotten from these books cannot be qualified.
As I haven't discovered a better way of expressing the following, I shall repeat what I said in previous years...
To
all the authors whose stories entertained me this year, and especially
those who wrote my favorites below, you've earned my highest esteem,
gratitude, and adoration. Thank you!
The books I select as my favorites each year are those that: I get lost in; the ones that while reading, I lose all track of time; the ones that evoke the strongest emotions; the ones that make me laugh, cry, blush, gasp, and sigh. Yeah, those books!
Each year I meticulously review my database and online shelves to select my favorites. Even though I arbitrarily decide upon the categories, I am careful in considering which books deserve each designation.
Sadly, no matter how much I love a book, I am unable to recall details. In other words, although my devotion is clear, my memory is not. I would, indeed, like to attempt to explain my choices to anyone who may be interested.
There are several books that were published this year that I wanted to read but was unable to, some of which were published late in the year. I may have to make an exception for some of them and include them in a future list, just as I made an exception this year for one "Special Mention" book* that was first published in 2020 and one book* from a favorite series that was published in 2023.
I'll be starting out 2025 with about 200 books on my to-be-read shelves—Kindle and Audible—and the 35 or so books on my library wish list. I will set my StoryGraph Reading Challenge goal at 150 books. Even though I mostly read library and Kindle Unlimited books on my Kindle Paperwhite, 2024 was the first year I purchased eBooks and audiobooks directly from several different authors' online stores.
My 2024 Stats
My StoryGraph Challenge total was 201 (first reads and rereads of single titles) - My 2024 StoryGraph Wrap-Up
My database total was 149 (first reads of individual formats only)
(Note: I receive no monetary compensation. I only wish to show my appreciation. The book links below open up to the corresponding Webpages on Amazon.com or Audible.com.)
The books I select as my favorites each year are those that: I get lost in; the ones that while reading, I lose all track of time; the ones that evoke the strongest emotions; the ones that make me laugh, cry, blush, gasp, and sigh. Yeah, those books!
Each year I meticulously review my database and online shelves to select my favorites. Even though I arbitrarily decide upon the categories, I am careful in considering which books deserve each designation.
Sadly, no matter how much I love a book, I am unable to recall details. In other words, although my devotion is clear, my memory is not. I would, indeed, like to attempt to explain my choices to anyone who may be interested.
There are several books that were published this year that I wanted to read but was unable to, some of which were published late in the year. I may have to make an exception for some of them and include them in a future list, just as I made an exception this year for one "Special Mention" book* that was first published in 2020 and one book* from a favorite series that was published in 2023.
I'll be starting out 2025 with about 200 books on my to-be-read shelves—Kindle and Audible—and the 35 or so books on my library wish list. I will set my StoryGraph Reading Challenge goal at 150 books. Even though I mostly read library and Kindle Unlimited books on my Kindle Paperwhite, 2024 was the first year I purchased eBooks and audiobooks directly from several different authors' online stores.
My 2024 Stats
My StoryGraph Challenge total was 201 (first reads and rereads of single titles) - My 2024 StoryGraph Wrap-Up
My database total was 149 (first reads of individual formats only)
(Note: I receive no monetary compensation. I only wish to show my appreciation. The book links below open up to the corresponding Webpages on Amazon.com or Audible.com.)
My Favorites Published in 2024
(alphabetical by author)
Single Titles
The Waiting (Ballard and Bosch #6) by Michael Connelly
The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Blood Mosaic (The Firebird and the Wolf #1) by Elizabeth Hunter
Tangled Up in You (Meant to Be #4) by Christina Lauren
What a Fool Believes (audiobook) by Michael McDonald with Paul Reiser
Rally (Treasure State Warriors #3) by Devney Perry
Fire and Bones (Temperance Brennan #23) by Kathy Reichs
Blood Bride (Immortal Empire #1) by C.D. Reiss
Ghost Town Living by Brent Underwood
The Surrogate by Penelope Ward
Special Mention
*The House in the Cerulean Sea (Cerulean Chronicles #1) by T.J. Klune (published in 2020)
Series Titles (two or more installments published within 2024*)
First Family Series (State of Suspense #7 and State of Alert #8) by Marie Force
Part of Your World Series (*Yours Truly [published in 2023] and Just for the Summer) by Abby Jimenez
Favorites by Category
Genres
Favorite Non-fiction - Ghost Town Living by Brent Underwood
Favorite Contemporary Romance - Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Favorite Romantic Suspense - State of Suspense (First Family #7) by Marie Force
Favorite Military Romance - Variation by Rebecca Yarros
Favorite Paranormal Romance - (tie) Blood Bride (Immortal Empire #1) by C.D. Reiss and Blood Mosaic (The Firebird and the Wolf #1) by Elizabeth Hunter
Favorite Romantic Series - Part of Your World Series by Abby Jimenez
Favorite Audiobook - What a Fool Believes written and narrated by Michael McDonald
Romance Tropes
Favorite Age Gap Romance - The Rules of Dating a Younger Man (Law of Opposites Attract #4) by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
Favorite Enemies to Lovers Romance - Blood Bride (Immortal Empire #1) by C.D. Reiss
Favorite Forced/Close Proximity Romance - Renewal After Dark (Gansett Island #27) by Marie Force
Favorite Friends to Lovers Romance - Someone to Watch Over Me (Wild Widows #4) by Marie Force
Favorite Grumpy/Sunshine Romance - The Surrogate by Penelope Ward
Favorite Surprise Pregnancy - Rally (Treasure State Wildcats #3) by Devney Perry
Favorite Secret Baby Romance - The Rocker's Muse by Penelope Ward
Favorite Second Chance Romance - Variation by Rebecca Yarros
Favorite Small Town Romance - Slap Shot Surprise (Cherry Creek Harbor #5) by Melanie Harlow
Favorite Forbidden Romance - The Surrogate by Penelope WardCharacters
Favorite Character Repartee - *Yours Truly (Part of Your World #2) by Abby Jimenez
Favorite Romantic Couple - Sigmund "Sig" Benedictus and Abby Knickerbocker from The Surrogate by Penelope Ward
Favorite Romantic Hero - Justin Dahl from Just for the Summer (Part of Your World #3) by Abby Jimenez
Favorite Antihero - Oleg Sokolov from Blood Mosaic (The Firebird and the Wolf #1) by Elizabeth Hunter
Most Tormented Hero - Theo Valentine from Midnight Valentine (audiobook) by J.T. GeissingerMost Selfless Hero - Duke Sullivan from Renewal After Dark (Gansett Island #27) by Marie Force
Favorite Romantic Heroine - Ren Gylden from Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren
Most "Kick-Ass" Heroine - Sam Holland from State of Suspense (First Family #7) by Marie ForceThemes/Moods
Most Affecting - The Surrogate by Penelope Ward
Most Humorous - The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
Most Luscious - Own Me (The Wolf Hotel Series #5) by K.A. Tucker [audiobook]
Most Realistic Romance - The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves
Most Erotic - the entire Queens and Monsters Series (4 audiobooks) by J.T. Geissinger
Most Surprising Plot Twist - The Unraveling by Vi Keeland
Most Devastating Blow Delivered - Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson
Most Pleasant Surprise -*Yours Truly (Part of Your World #2) by Abby Jimenez
Most Devastating Blow Delivered - Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson
Most Pleasant Surprise -*Yours Truly (Part of Your World #2) by Abby Jimenez
Most Striking Cover - The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
Book Bundles I Read in 2024
Since my book database counts a multi-book bundle as a single book, the following is a list of the individual books from within the book bundles I read this year. The remainder of my 2024 database total reads follows.
Fallen Mafia Prince: The Complete Trilogy by Julia Sykes
Fallen Prince (#1) 08/30/2024 (7 out of 10 stars)
Stolen Princess (#2) 09/01/2024 (7 out of 10 stars)
Fractured Kingdom (#3) 09/01/2024 (7 out of 10 stars)
Web of Sin: The Complete Trilogy by Aleatha Romig
Secrets (#1) 06/09/2024 (8 out of 10 stars)
Lies (#2) 06/13/2024 (6 out of 10 stars)
Promises (#3) 06/17/2024 (6 out of 10 stars)
Most Anticipated Books of 2025
Blood Moon by Sandra Brown
Nightshade by Michael Connelly
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
Crimson Oath (The Firebird and the Wolf #2) by Elizabeth Hunter
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
The Drowning Game by Barbara Nickless
Merit (Treasure State Wildcats #4) by Devney Perry
Deep Thrall (Immortal Empire #2) by C.D. Reiss
Individual First Time Reads of 2024
(The (a) following a book's title designates an audiobook, a (p) denotes the paperback or signed paperback (*p) of a book that I previously read via Kindle, and the (h) denotes the hardcover version. The table is best viewed in landscape mode on mobile devices.)
(The (a) following a book's title designates an audiobook, a (p) denotes the paperback or signed paperback (*p) of a book that I previously read via Kindle, and the (h) denotes the hardcover version. The table is best viewed in landscape mode on mobile devices.)
Author | Title | Publication Year | Reading Date | My Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allen, Navessa | Lights Out | 2024 | 12/9/2024 | 8 |
Ann, Jewel E. | From Air | 2024 | 12/7/2024 | 10 |
Asher, Brynne | Vines | 2016 | 3/26/2024 | 5 |
Ashley, Kristen | Sweet Dreams (a) | 2014 | 12/26/2024 | 5 |
Blake, Lexi | Bayou Sweetheart | 2022 | 1/22/2024 | 8 |
Bowen, Rhys; Broyles, Clare | In Sunshine or In Shadow | 2024 | 3/21/2024 | 6 |
Bowen, Rhys; Broyles, Clare | In Sunshine or In Shadow (a) | 2024 | 11/18/2024 | 6 |
Boyd, Natasha | Broken French (*p) | 2021 | 7/6/2024 | 10 |
Byrne, Kerrigan; St. Aubin, Cynthia | Nevermore Bookstore (a) | 2023 | 1/18/2024 | 5 |
Christy, Samantha | Love by Design | 2023 | 11/19/2024 | 6 |
Christy, Samantha | Quiet Beautiful Things | 2024 | 5/29/2024 | 9 |
Christy, Samantha | Loud Unspoken Memories | 2024 | 12/20/2024 | 9 |
Cole, Carian | No Tomorrow (a) | 2018 | 8/7/2024 | 9 |
Connelly, Michael | The Waiting | 2024 | 10/22/2024 | 10 |
Connor, Claudia | Worth It All (a) | 2016 | 7/29/2024 | 8 |
Connor, Claudia | Worth the Wait (a) | 2017 | 7/31/2024 | 7 |
Connor, Claudia | Waiting for You (a) | 2019 | 8/2/2024 | 7 |
Connor, Claudia | Waiting on the Rain (a) | 2021 | 8/3/2024 | 10 |
Connor, Claudia | Waiting On Forever (a) | 2022 | 8/5/2024 | 7 |
Cornwell, Patricia | Red Mist | 2011 | 9/22/2024 | 6 |
Crichton, Michael; Patterson, James | Eruption | 2024 | 8/28/2024 | 10 |
Dawes, Casey | Grown-Up Second Chance | 2023 | 6/1/2024 | 8 |
Force, Marie | Dan & Kara | 2024 | 4/22/2024 | 6 |
Force, Marie | State of Bliss | 2023 | 2/2/2024 | 10 |
Force, Marie | State of Suspense | 2024 | 6/23/2024 | 10 |
Force, Marie | State of Alert | 2024 | 12/25/2024 | 10 |
Force, Marie | Blackout After Dark | 2021 | 1/5/2024 | 7 |
Force, Marie | Temptation After Dark | 2021 | 1/12/2024 | 8 |
Force, Marie | Resilience After Dark | 2022 | 1/13/2024 | 8 |
Force, Marie | Hurricane After Dark | 2023 | 1/15/2024 | 9 |
Force, Marie | Renewal After Dark | 2024 | 7/29/2024 | 9 |
Force, Marie | Duchess by Deception | 2019 | 8/11/2024 | 10 |
Force, Marie | Deceived by Desire | 2019 | 8/11/2024 | 10 |
Force, Marie | And I Love Her | 2015 | 8/18/2024 | 8 |
Force, Marie | You'll Be Mine | 2015 | 8/19/2024 | 8 |
Force, Marie | It's Only Love | 2015 | 8/20/2024 | 8 |
Force, Marie | Ain't She Sweet | 2016 | 8/25/2024 | 8 |
Force, Marie | Someone to Love | 2023 | 12/29/2024 | 10 |
Force, Marie | Someone to Watch Over Me | 2024 | 12/31/2024 | 9 |
Garvis Graves, Tracey | The Trail of Lost Hearts | 2024 | 4/9/2024 | 10 |
Garvis Graves, Tracey | The Trail of Lost Hearts (a) | 2024 | 11/27/2024 | 10 |
Geissinger, J.T. | Midnight Valentine | 2018 | 4/1/2024 | 9 |
Geissinger, J.T. | Midnight Valentine (a) | 2024 | 8/8/2024 | 9 |
Geissinger, J.T. | Pen Pal (a) | 2023 | 1/22/2024 | 10 |
Geissinger, J.T. | Perfect Strangers | 2019 | 12/29/2024 | 10 |
Geissinger, J.T. | Ruthless Creatures (a) | 2024 | 8/28/2024 | 9 |
Geissinger, J.T. | Carnal Urges (a) | 2024 | 8/29/2024 | 9 |
Geissinger, J.T. | Savage Hearts (a) | 2024 | 8/30/2024 | 9 |
Geissinger, J.T. | Brutal Vows (a) | 2024 | 8/31/2024 | 9 |
Hannah, Kristin | The Women | 2024 | 7/14/2024 | 10 |
Harlow, Melanie | Small Town Swoon | 2024 | 3/12/2024 | 10 |
Harlow, Melanie | Small Town Swoon (a) | 2024 | 12/14/2024 | 9 |
Harlow, Melanie | Slap Shot Surprise | 2024 | 11/28/2024 | 10 |
Hartmann, Jennifer | Older | 2024 | 4/29/2024 | 8 |
Hazelwood, Ali | Bride (p) | 2024 | 5/9/2024 | 8 |
Hoag, Tami | Bad Liar | 2024 | 10/6/2024 | 8 |
Hunter, Elizabeth | Tin God | 2024 | 9/15/2024 | 8 |
Hunter, Elizabeth | Blood Mosaic | 2024 | 12/19/2024 | 10 |
Hunter, Lizzy | Turning Up the Heat | 2024 | 5/22/2024 | 9 |
Jimenez, Abby | The Friend Zone | 2019 | 11/29/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | The Happy Ever After Playlist | 2020 | 11/30/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | Life's too Short | 2021 | 12/1/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | Part of Your World | 2022 | 12/2/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | Part of Your World (a) | 2022 | 12/21/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | Yours Truly | 2023 | 4/14/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | Yours Truly (a) | 2023 | 12/23/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | Just for the Summer | 2024 | 5/5/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | Just for the Summer (a) | 2024 | 12/24/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | The Situationship | 2024 | 12/1/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | Worst Wingman Ever | 2024 | 12/1/2024 | 10 |
Jimenez, Abby | Worst Wingman Ever (a) | 2024 | 12/3/2024 | 10 |
Keeland, Vi | What Happens at the Lake | 2024 | 1/31/2024 | 7 |
Keeland, Vi | The Unraveling | 2024 | 7/19/2024 | 8 |
Kincaid, Sadie | Dante | 2023 | 4/30/2024 | 7 |
Kincaid, Sadie | Joey | 2023 | 5/3/2024 | 6 |
Klune, T.J. | The House in the Cerulean Sea | 2020 | 8/7/2024 | 10 |
Lauren, Christina | The Paradise Problem | 2024 | 6/27/2024 | 8 |
Lauren, Christina | Tangled Up in You | 2024 | 9/5/2024 | 10 |
Martin, Kat | The Ghost Illusion | 2023 | 1/7/2024 | 7 |
McDonald, Michael ; Reiser, Paul | What a Fool Believes (a) | 2024 | 11/13/2024 | 10 |
Myers, K.L.; Reber, Tina | Asher: A Station 47 Novel | 2024 | 10/12/2024 | 8 |
Perry, Devney | Jasper Vale (a) | 2023 | 2/10/2024 | 6 |
Perry, Devney | Crimson River (a) | 2023 | 2/12/2024 | 8 |
Perry, Devney | Sable Peak (a) | 2023 | 2/14/2024 | 8 |
Perry, Devney | Crossroads | 2024 | 6/5/2024 | 8 |
Perry, Devney | Blitz | 2024 | 4/7/2024 | 6 |
Perry, Devney | Rally | 2024 | 8/9/2024 | 10 |
Perry, Devney | Rally (a) | 2024 | 12/10/2024 | 9 |
Phillips, Susan Elizabeth | Simply the Best | 2024 | 3/29/2024 | 7 |
Presley, Lisa Marie; Keough, Riley | From Here to the Great Unknown (a) | 2024 | 11/22/2024 | 8 |
Redmerski, J.A. | The Edge of Never (*p) | 2013 | 1/19/2024 | 6 |
Reichs, Kathy | Fire and Bones | 2024 | 8/10/2024 | 10 |
Reiss, C.D. | Blood Bride | 2024 | 7/26/2024 | 10 |
Reiss, C.D. | Blood Bride (a) | 2024 | 9/18/2024 | 10 |
Robb, J.D. | Holiday in Death (a) | 2008 | 2/25/2024 | 10 |
Robb, J.D. | Midnight in Death (a) | 2008 | 2/26/2024 | 8 |
Roberts, Nora | The Mirror | 2024 | 11/22/2024 | 7 |
Roberts, Nora | Mind Games | 2024 | 6/30/2024 | 8 |
Romig, Aleatha | Now and Forever | 2024 | 6/3/2024 | 8 |
Romig, Aleatha | Till Death Do Us Part | 2024 | 10/24/2024 | 7 |
Romig, Aleatha | Kingdom Come (a) | 2021 | 1/20/2024 | 6 |
Romig, Aleatha | Web of Sins Boxset | 2021 | 6/17/2024 | 7 |
Ryan, Kennedy | Before I Let Go | 2022 | 5/15/2024 | 8 |
Scott, Emma | Falling Like Stars | 2024 | 12/27/2024 | 8 |
Scott, Kylie | The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck | 2024 | 2/22/2024 | 6 |
Scott, Kylie | Lick (*p) | 2013 | 11/3/2024 | 10 |
Scott, Kylie | Love Song | 2020 | 11/19/2024 | 8 |
Scott, Kylie | Text Appeal (a) | 2024 | 9/3/2024 | 7 |
Selleck, Tom | You Never Know: A Memoir | 2024 | 9/4/2024 | 8 |
Silver, Elsie | Flawless | 2022 | 2/20/2024 | 7 |
Slaughter, Karin | Pretty Girls | 2015 | 8/4/2024 | 10 |
Slaughter, Karin | Triptych | 2006 | 10/1/2024 | 9 |
Slaughter, Karin | Fractured | 2008 | 11/18/2024 | 8 |
Slaughter, Karin | Undone | 2009 | 12/9/2024 | 8 |
Slaughter, Karin | Broken | 2020 | 12/17/2024 | 8 |
Sykes, Julia | Fallen Mafia Prince: The Complete Trilogy | 2022 | 9/1/2024 | 6 |
Tilly, S.J. | Latte Darling | 2022 | 5/21/2024 | 8 |
Tucker, K.A. | The Simple Wild (*p) | 2018 | 10/28/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Wild at Heart (*p) | 2020 | 10/30/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Forever Wild (*p) | 2020 | 10/31/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Running Wild (*p) | 2022 | 11/2/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Tempt Me | 2015 | 2/15/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Tempt Me (a) | 2019 | 8/22/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Break Me | 2016 | 2/15/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Break Me (a) | 2019 | 8/23/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Teach Me | 2016 | 2/16/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Teach Me (a) | 2019 | 8/24/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Surrender to Me | 2017 | 2/17/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Surrender to Me (a) | 2019 | 8/24/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Own Me | 2023 | 2/17/2024 | 10 |
Tucker, K.A. | Own Me (a) | 2024 | 8/27/2024 | 9 |
Underwood, Brent | Ghost Town Living | 2024 | 5/19/2024 | 10 |
Ward, J.R. | The Bourbon Kings (h) | 2015 | 2/29/2024 | 10 |
Ward, J.R. | The Angels' Share (h) | 2016 | 2/29/2024 | 10 |
Ward, J.R. | Devil's Cut (h) | 2017 | 3/1/2024 | 10 |
Ward, Penelope | The Rocker's Muse | 2024 | 10/27/2024 | 8 |
Ward, Penelope | The Surrogate | 2024 | 2/26/2024 | 10 |
Ward, Penelope | The Surrogate (a) | 2024 | 12/10/2024 | 10 |
Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi | The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister | 2023 | 12/11/2024 | 10 |
Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi | The Rules of Dating My One-Night Stand (a) | 2023 | 12/12/2024 | 10 |
Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi | The Rules of Dating a Younger Man | 2024 | 10/19/2024 | 9 |
Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi | The Rules of Dating a Younger Man (a) | 2024 | 12/13/2024 | 9 |
Wilson, A.M. | Surrender | 2023 | 7/1/2024 | 6 |
Wong, Cecily | Diamond Head | 2015 | 8/16/2024 | 7 |
Yarros, Rebecca | In the Likely Event (a) | 2023 | 8/13/2024 | 10 |
Yarros, Rebecca | Variation | 2024 | 11/26/2024 | 9 |
Young, Samantha | Only You | 2023 | 2/23/2024 | 6 |
Young, Samantha | Among the Heather | 2023 | 5/26/2024 | 6 |
Zapata, Mariana | Under Locke | 2014 | 1/3/2024 | 5 |
Exported from BookCollector on 12/31/2024 at 10:01:58 AM
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