ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY, Chloe Liese

While I preferred the feistier prior installments in this series, gentleness suited this story well. Liese’s writing is a lovely hug from a dear friend. I love her little nods to Shakespeare. About 30 pages too long, but I’m a known epilogue hater! Ymmv.

THE FAVORITES, Layne Fargo

Oof. I won’t be shocked if this is 2025’s biggest letdown. Allegedly a tragic love story, but no actual emotional depth or character development. Lots of things happened, but why they happened is anyone’s guess. I could not have cared less what happened to these people.

COME & GET IT, Kiley Reid

Weird, unexpected, really interesting! Reid is pitch perfect on the little nuances of human interaction. I had no clue where this was headed but enjoyed every minute. This is a more polished book than Such A Fun Age, imo!

THE ROGUE OF FIFTH AVENUE, Joanna Shupe

My first Shupe & I devoured it! Very plotty, with plot & romance seamlessly interwoven. A little light on character depth/development but these characters are already pretty good people anyway! Feat. one of the best hist-rom dads I’ve encountered.

A WOMAN OF INTELLIGENCE, Karin Tanabe

Also a book about womanhood and motherhood. Will probably infuriate you. I appreciated the message but was unsatisfied by the ending. Certain topics were not fully explored. Despite what the synopsis would have you believe, this is not a spy story.

Let’s catch up on 2025 reviews so far!

ALL FOURS, Miranda July

One of the strangest books I’ve read, but so impressive. Propulsive writing with hilarious observations, unvarnished experiences of womanhood, raw descriptions of desire and love. A little pretentious but what do you expect?

I’ve seen other bookstagrammers introducing themselves with their top reads of 2024, so here’s mine!