Books I’ve Read Lately and Think You Should Read Too!
If you know me, you know that I love books—a lot. Since about 2018, I’ve averaged around 50 books per year, which means I’ve spent countless late nights, coffee breaks, and plane rides with a book in hand. Reading has become one of my greatest joys and biggest constants, and I love how each story has the power to shift your perspective, spark your imagination, or simply make you feel.
I’ve been wanting to check in here on the blog with more book roundups and recommendations, and this feels like the perfect place to start. Below are a handful of books I’ve read recently that have stuck with me for one reason or another—some are heart-wrenching, some are delightfully spicy, and others feel like they stay with you long after the last page.
I would advise anyone to take the trigger warnings that I include here seriously and if books can tend to rock you in a not good way, research any other trigger warnings that I may have missed. Books should make you grow and think, but I firmly don’t believe that they should make you hurt or be traumatizing.
So, if you’re looking for your next read, here’s my list of books I think you should pick up, too.
Quicksilver
Quicksilver is a romantacy with a ton of good plot and not of ton of (what can get old) world building. Saeris Fane, a skilled thief surviving in a harsh desert realm. Her life changes when she discovers a hidden and dangerous power—the ability to manipulate quicksilver—that catapults her into an entirely new world: the Fae realm. There, Saeris becomes entangled in a dangerous web of Fae courts, vampire politics, and long-buried secrets, all while trying to protect herself from forces that would use her abilities for their own ends.
Along the way, she forges a complicated bond with Kingfisher, a Fae warrior whose loyalty and motives are never simple. Their relationship is as tense as it is magnetic, and it becomes central as Saeris is forced to choose where her allegiances truly lie.
The novel blends romantic tension, political intrigue, and fast-paced action, all while raising questions about loyalty, survival, and the cost of wielding power. By the climactic battle, it’s clear that Saeris’s unique abilities are not just rare—they’re pivotal to the fate of both realms.
Highlights:
A sharp, fast-paced fantasy with Fae, vampires, and political intrigue.
A compelling heroine navigating moral gray areas and dangerous choices.
Tense, layered relationship between Saeris and Kingfisher.
Perfect for fans of romantic fantasy with a darker edge.
All the Colors of the Dark (you’ll cry)
This novel is a mix of mystery, suspense, and emotional depth. It pulls you into a world where nothing is black and white—characters are complex, flawed, and entirely human. The title says it all: this book explores every shade of what it means to live in the “dark.”
Highlights:
Gritty, emotional storytelling.
Complex, multi-layered characters.
Perfect if you like moody, character-driven thrillers.
Deep End (Spicy)
If you’re looking for heat, Deep End is unapologetically steamy. But it’s not just spice for the sake of spice—it balances sultry tension with character growth and emotional vulnerability. It’s fun, daring, and a little addictive.
Highlights:
Plenty of spice for romance lovers.
Characters with sizzling chemistry.
A fun “escape” read that still feels satisfying.
Here One Moment
This story is tender and reflective, asking you to sit with the beauty of fleeting moments. It’s a love story at heart, but also a meditation on how quickly things can change. It’s not flashy, but its subtlety is what makes it hit hard.
Highlights:
Gentle but emotional storytelling.
Themes of love, loss, and presence.
Perfect for when you’re in the mood for something heartfelt.
Say You’ll Remember Me
A poignant love story that digs into second chances and the way our past shapes us. It’s emotional without tipping into melodrama, and the characters feel like people you might know in real life.
Highlights:
A balance of romance and real-world challenges.
Relatable, heartfelt characters.
Great for fans of contemporary love stories.
The Bright Years (Trigger Warnings: grief, illness)
This book is heavier, but in a way that feels worth it. It deals with loss, illness, and how we keep going even when life gets unbearably hard. Despite its subject matter, there’s a beauty in how it finds light in dark places.
Highlights:
A raw, emotional exploration of life and grief.
Sensitive handling of tough topics.
A book that will stick with you long after you finish.
The Night We Lost Him
A heartbreaking story that deals with loss and the echoes it leaves behind. It’s a page-turner, but not in the traditional sense—it pulls you forward because you need to know how the characters will heal, or if they even can.
Highlights:
Emotional storytelling about grief and memory.
Thoughtful exploration of family and loss.
A deeply moving, character-driven novel.
Swept Away
Romantic and fast-paced, Swept Away feels like a whirlwind—intense emotions, quick twists, and moments that make your heart skip a beat. It’s one of those stories that reads like a cinematic love affair. You might get a little seasick just from reading it. :)
Highlights:
Romance with drama and passion.
Emotional highs and lows that keep you hooked.
A perfect “curl-up-with” read.
If He Had Been With Me (Trigger Warnings: heartbreak, grief)
This is one of the most gut-wrenching books I’ve read recently. It’s a beautiful, devastating exploration of what could have been, and it absolutely wrecks you emotionally. You’ll need tissues—and possibly a hug—after this one.
Highlights:
Raw and emotional.
A tearjerker from beginning to end.
Perfect if you want a book that makes you feel everything.
The Names (Trigger Warnings: domestic violence)
This book explores the impact of a single decision on a family's trajectory. The story centers around Cora, who, upon registering her newborn son's birth in 1987, must choose between naming him after his domineering father, Gordon, or opting for an alternative name: Bear (suggested by his sister) or Julian (her personal preference). This choice sets in motion three distinct, parallel narratives, each unfolding over 35 years.
Highlights:
Gritty, unflinching look at abuse and survival.
Emotional depth and strong character arcs.
For readers who want something challenging but impactful.
Home of the American Circus
This novel is a heartfelt, character-driven story that centers on Freya Arnalds, a bartender in Maine who is forced to return to her estranged parents’ home in Somers, New York, after a sudden medical emergency. When she arrives, she discovers her teenage niece, Aubrey, also living there. What begins as an uneasy reunion evolves into something deeper as the two work side by side—repairing both a crumbling house and the cracks in their family bonds.
At its core, Home of the American Circus is about trauma, resilience, and the ways families can both wound and heal us. The narrative captures the complexities of returning to a hometown filled with ghosts of the past, and the tentative hope of finding connection where there was once only distance. Freya’s journey is raw, emotional, and ultimately redemptive.
Highlights:
A moving exploration of family, reconciliation, and second chances.
Strong themes of healing from trauma and rediscovering roots.
Beautifully written character dynamics, especially between Freya and Aubrey.
Perfect for readers who love novels about homecomings, resilience, and generational bonds.
Till Summer Do Us Part (Spicy)
Playful, flirty, and delightfully spicy, this book is perfect for a summer escape. It’s not just about the steam, though—it also has a fun, seasonal vibe that makes it a lighthearted favorite.
Highlights:
Spicy summer romance.
Light, fun, and fast-paced.
Perfect beach or poolside read.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Atmosphere tells the story of Joan Goodwin, one of the first women astronauts to join NASA’s space shuttle program in the 1980s. The novel opens with high-stakes tension during the STS-LR9 mission, where a sudden malfunction leaves most of the crew unconscious or dead. The crisis sets the stage for a story that balances the enormity of space with the intimacy of human relationships.
From there, the narrative moves back in time to trace Joan’s journey into NASA, her struggles as a woman breaking barriers in a male-dominated field, and her complicated relationships with her fellow astronauts. At the heart of the story lies Joan’s secret love for Vanessa, a thread that runs quietly yet powerfully throughout the novel.
It’s a gripping, emotional read that feels both epic and deeply personal.
Highlights:
A thrilling opening with a life-or-death space mission.
An intimate look at the early days of women in NASA’s astronaut program.
A layered story of love, ambition, and personal sacrifice.
Perfect for readers who enjoy novels about history, space exploration, and forbidden love.
Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh
Renée Ahdieh is a master of lush writing, and Park Avenue is no exception. Set against a glamorous backdrop, this story mixes romance, intrigue, and power dynamics. You’ll be swept into its glittering world.
Highlights:
Beautiful, descriptive writing.
Romance with an edge of mystery.
Perfect for fans of glamorous, dramatic settings.
You Make My Heart Stop
Equal parts swoony and heartbreaking, this novel keeps your emotions on a rollercoaster. It’s the kind of romance that has tension running through every chapter, making you hold your breath as you turn the pages.
Highlights:
Heart-stopping (literally!) romance.
Emotional highs and lows.
A must-read if you love intense love stories.
Wrapping It Up
That’s my current roundup—but trust me, there are many more where these came from. I plan to keep checking in here with more book reviews, favorites, and maybe even a few themed lists (like “vacation reads” or “books that made me cry in public”).
If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you pick one up from this list, let me know which one spoke to you most. Until next time, happy reading—may your TBR (to-be-read list) be as overflowing as mine.