A bit belated, but better late than never! Here are my Q2 favourites … in no particular order.
A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole. This book was somewhat on my radar because it had a pretty cover, but when Lauren @wordsbetweenlines posted that it had major Sad Girl Vibes, I immediately needed to acquire a copy and read it. Even though it’s a story that tackles terminal illness, it’s also strangely hopeful and beautiful, and it’s about true love and how we must live each moment to the fullest. All the tears, all the stars.
Crossroads by Devney Perry. I’d been working away at Devney’s backlist (and special mention to the Runaways series that also should be on this list, but I listened to them on audio), but I decided to also take the plunge on starting a new series and this one DELIVERED. It has major Edens vibes, but also a little bit of cowboy à la Elsie Silver? I’m super excited for the second book later this year.
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune. I adored Every Summer After, and still liked Carley’s second book, but not quite as much as ESA. But this one I LOVED – changing the setting up to PEI made it feel fresh and different, and I adored the characters, the friendship, and the entire book from start to finish was incredible.
Wild Love by Elsie Silver. It’s Elsie, need I say more? Loving this book has prioritized reading the rest of the Gold Rush Ranch series this summer – I love her books and her characters so much. Bonus points for getting to have more of Willa too.
The Ballad of Darcy & Russell by Morgan Maston. Second shoutout to Lauren for putting this book on my radar — I’m a superfan of Morgan’s, but didn’t even realize that she had a new book out! Loved this one from start to finish. It was sweet, it had music vibes, and it had that perfect YA falling in love feeling.
Out on a Limb, Next to You and Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young. These books are upside down in the order that I read them, but let’s just say that I loved each book a little bit more than the one before it, and I LOVED Next of Kin! I’m so excited for another book to look forward to next year, and also being able to read an entire BB4E’s author’s backlist in, like, two weeks.
Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann. I really enjoyed Still Beating when I read it last year, and bought a copy of Lotus but then had it sitting on my shelf for a while. One of my besties read it and loved it, which encouraged me to pick it up – and I’m glad I did! It was less dark and had such a good story and great characters.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez. Are we surprised to see Abby’s latest on this list? No, we are not – this is a serious contender for favourite book of the year! I loved how she tied both of her series together with this one – so many little Easter eggs for fans that have been on this journey with these characters. If you are someone that hasn’t read any of Abby’s books, these are NOT interconnect standalones, and you really must read her books in publication order (start with The Friend Zone) to get the maximum benefit out of her books.
Are any of these books your favourites too? If not, hopefully I’ve convinced you to pick them up!
Writer Grrl Reads 