2021 has been a strange year for sure, but an even stranger year for my reading. I feel like I’ve started more books than any other year, but have struggled to finish them. Not because the books are bad, or because I’m not interested in reading them! All of my routines have been off this year, thanks to a lot of life changes, and my reading has just ebbed and flowed as a result.
Luckily, there is no shortage of amazing books on my TBR pile. And, the books that I have finished this year, especially these past few weeks have been really good! So let’s get into the books.
You can watch this video for more books I’ve read this year!
September Reads
Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl (4.5 ⭐️) I really, really loved this book. I loved Brinkley as a main character and could relate to her a lot — being burned by a previous relationship, pouring yourself into a job to prove that you’ve moved on even though it’s clear that you haven’t. I found the premise unique and it kept me invested in a story. The pacing was nearly perfect, though the ending felt a bit rushed and all of the issues were resolved very quickly and a bit too conveniently.
Grey by E.L. James (3 ⭐️): Overall, this was a fun read with plenty of steam that I enjoyed, after suspending a bit of disbelief. I’ve only ever watched the 50 Shades movies, so starting the books from Christian’s perspective was definitely interesting. I did think it was slightly too long at over 500 pages, especially for the first book in a series, and especially for a dark romance. Ana and Grey are both pretty basic when it comes to characters but their actions were ridiculous enough for me to be invested in the story. I think if you like dark romance, you’ll enjoy this one even if you haven’t engaged the series before. Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
October Reads
On Girlhood by Glory Idim (4.5 ⭐️) I loved Glory’s first anthology so much and this one was just as good, if not better. Like the first, I left this one with so many books to buy and authors look into. The collection is divided into four sections breaking down different areas of Black girlhood and coming of age. I hope that there’s more space for stories of Black girls being messy, ordinary and coming into there own, because the world needs it. We shouldn’t always be spectacular or heroic, because that isn’t real life. I had the chance to interview Glory about this collection, and you can watch that on my Instagram!
The Heir Affair by Jessica Morgan and Heather Cocks (3⭐️) It’s no secret that I’m pretty royally obsessed and for that reason, this series was so fun. I loved the first book and was excited to read the second, even though it didn’t feel 1000% needed. I, once again, thought the book was too long and the writing was trying a bit too hard, but was better than the first! The characters are the best part of these novels, the relationships, messy as they may be, and banter between them is so fun to read. Overall, I thought the book was good but suffered from trying to do too many things in one plot. Trigger warning for miscarriage.
7th Circle (Hades #1) by Tate James (4⭐️) If you follow me on Instagram then you know that the Madison Kate series had a GRIP on my life for the first week of the month. I knew I wanted to dive into the sequel series. Hades is SUCH a better character than MK in my opinion. Way more self assured, confidence and street smart. I don’t know if it’s the fact that the first series had SO MUCH steam, but this one was a bit cooler on the sex side than I anticipated. I’m definitely ready to continue on in the series and hate how good Tate James is at a cliff hanger.
Like a Love Song by Gabriela Martins (3⭐️) I picked this one up as a quick pallet cleanser between books and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it! I usually stay away from YA romance but this was a very cute, quick and fun read. I loved the themes of embracing and sometimes feeling out of place in your culture. I thought the romance was cute and well done and realized how much I love the fake dating troupe when it’s done well!
The Troubled Girls of Dragonmir Academy by Anne Ursu (4⭐️) I always turn to middle grade when my brain is feeling overloaded and this one did not disappoint. I loved the themes and messages woven throughout the story — on trusting your gut, asking questions, gaslighting, and the power of being curious. All of the girls in the book were such great characters and will definitely be relatable to young readers. I can’t wait to read this to my goddaughter one day.