Mid-Year Book Tag: All The Books I’ve Read This Year
I’ve seen a bunch of “mid-year book tags” go around YouTube/BookTube, and I thought I’d add my list of books that I read this year so far… up until June 30. Here are mini reviews of all the books I read this year so far!
My Reviews:
Begin Again by Emma Lord // A cute YA romance with little to no spice! Emma Lord is such a great romance author.
Look What You’ve Done by Tasha Layton // a good Christian book; it read more like a memoir by her, but she had some good advice and I enjoyed reading about her story.
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins // a good thriller that also had an influencer as one of the main characters. Read my review here.
People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry // quickly became my favorite Emily Henry book, which surprised me, but Poppy is just one of those characters that I connected with. (If you love Taylor Swift’s song You’re On Your Own, Kid, you will get it.)
The Score by Elle Kennedy // such a steamy romance book! Loved this series and I think this comes close to my favorite in the series.
Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons // listened on audio and thought it was well-done! Good for those struggling to find rest in a busy world.
The Reunion by Kayla Olson // a fun read that’s set in Hollywood and at a 20-year reunion of an early 2000s teen show (think Dawson’s Creek). Read my review here.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn // quickly became obsessed with this fantasy series. Loved the magical world and how it’s a King Arthur lore. Read my review here.
Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey // not my favorite Tessa Bailey novel, but loved it nonetheless. This was a cute, steamy opposites attract romance. Liked the mental health representation in this one.
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria // read if you love Dancing with the Stars! Read my review here.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison // ahhh this book came recommended to me saying this book reminded others of Gilmore Girls, and as an avid Gilmore Girls watcher, I can affirm. Loved this small town Christmas tree farm romance. Read my review here.
Exes & O’s by Amy Lea // books about books! The main character, Tara, is a bookstagrammer who exclusively reads romance novels. When her sister moves in with her fiance, Tara gets a new roommate, who is a hot firefighter named Trevor (and Tara’s sister’s fiance’s friend). Tara is a hopeless romantic, and wants to find a date to her sister’s wedding, so she enlists Trevor’s help to seek out her exes and find a second chance romance with them. Read my review here.
When In Rome by Sarah Adams // ahhh Sarah Adams! She writes such great romances and this one was no exception. Like Lovelight Farms, the main characters gave me Lorelai and Luke vibes. Read my review here.
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey // another great Tessa Bailey romance novel. Loved the Bellinger sisters and Fox Thornton … oh boy. Read my review here.
Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn // good small town romance and loved Georgie’s character development, but also Levi’s as well. I think he had a lot of baggage to carry and he was dealing with it, but he also needed to learn how to love and receive love. Read my review here.
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn // a fantasy series that I became instantly hooked on! Loved this magical world and the main characters. Read my review here.
Twisted Love by Ana Huang // this was okay.
Just My Type by Falon Ballard // LOVED this one! Loved the magazine setting and the banter between the two characters; it was a second chance romance (I think?) but it was also women’s empowerment. I liked the main character and her journey to loving being single.
In The Weeds by B.K. Borison // BECKETT HAS MY WHOLE HEART. Listened to this one on audio and I just love Beckett so much. Beckett and Evie are also just so perfect, too.
Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas // finally finished this … and honestly, questioning whether I should read the second book before the third one comes out in 2024. This was LONG but I got through it. Read my review here.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan // listened on audio. Loved the second chance romance in this book. Heartwrenching. Loved the mental health representation in this one (the therapy speak!).
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld // a good romance book if you love Hollywood (even though this one was set in New York half the time) and celebrities and normal person/celebrity romance. The FMC is a comedy writer (think SNL) who falls for the celebrity host. This also takes place during COVID.
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest // a good romance book about books! The main character works in a publishing house and the male romantic interest is a fantasy author who stays anonymous. Read my review here.
The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren // read if you love The Bachelor! No, but seriously—the main character is a romance author (fun!) and she goes on a reality dating show … and falls for her producer. Oops—but their chemistry is off the charts. It was a bit slow at first but really picked up at the end! Read my review here.
Happy Place by Emily Henry // ahhh loved the new Emily Henry release! I don’t usually go for second chance romances, but this one was a good one. I love how EmHen lets us in the head of the guy’s perspective without actually sharing his perspective. Truly a masterpiece. Read my review here.
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams // one of the best books I’ve read this year, if not the best book I’ve read this year. Sarah Adams writes such great and amazing romances. I felt seen and personally related to the main character in this one, especially with social anxiety and being shy—especially in the dating sphere. Read my review here.
A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods // I love the Sweet Magnolias series and wanted to finish this with the new season (season three!) coming soon to Netflix. This followed Dana Sue and her family, including Annie’s POV and her eating disorder.
Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison // don’t read when you’re hungry. I liked this one, just not as much as the first two books. Still, Caleb Alvarez is just one big cinnamon roll.
Set On You by Amy Lea // body positivity! Love the banter between the two characters—it wasn’t an enemies-to-lovers trope, but it had elements of it because the two would snipe at each other playfully. The FMC is a plus-size fitness influencer, so that’s cool. Read my review here.
Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey // ahhh another great Tessa Bailey romance novel. This one was my first marriage of convenience, which surprised me because I liked it! Although was it a marriage of “convenience” when they are also secretly in love with each other? The banter and chemistry between the two characters was also unreal. Read my review here.
Real Love by Rachel Lindsay // I liked this! I thought this was a good book to read for Bachelor fans. I thought of this as a romance book, but more of a women’s empowerment and self-love book. The main character, Maya, learned how to love herself and trust herself.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez // absolutely loved this book. This book was the one that got me into Abby Jimenez’s writing and made me a fan. As I think back on this book, I like how the FMC is a rich doctor and the male love interest is a small town boy … something that’s different than the billionaire male CEO.
Twisted Games by Ana Huang // listened on audio and loved this book SO much more than the first one. I love Rhys and his big, strong muscular protectiveness so much. This book reminded me of Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement with the royal marriages law.
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez // I love her writing; Dr. Jacob Maddox is literally THE man that I want … and more. Truly one of the best books I’ve read this year. Read my review here.