2024 was a year of some really good, interesting, and unique books for me. I discovered some new authors, traveled to the Wild West, solved murder mysteries, and even fell in love in 1990s New York City. According to Goodreads, I read a total of 22 books this year and while all of them had enjoyable parts, only 8 of them really stood out to me. These books not only piqued my interest but they captured my imagination and had me thinking about them long after I turned the last page. So if you want to see which books made my Best Books of 2024 list just keep scrolling . . .
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A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
If you like romantic fantasy and Bridgerton, this book is perfect for you. Set in a Regency England-inspired fictional world, the story follows Niamh Ó Conchobhair, a dressmaker with the magical ability to sew emotions into the clothing she makes. The only problem is this ability is slowly killing her. Determined to spend what time she has left helping her family, Niamh travels to the kingdom of Avaland to design the wardrobe for an upcoming royal wedding. But Avaland isn’t the fairytale place she imagines and the prince – Kit – isn’t as charming as everyone says . . . or is he?
My thoughts: This book was like a delicious piece of scrumptious cake. It’s filled with beautiful settings, gorgeous dresses, relatable characters, and a sweet (and slightly spicy) grumpy/sunshine romance. Definitely one worth reading.
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
This next book is actually the second book in the It Ends With Us duology and in my opinion, it’s the better of the two. Why, you may ask. Well, one reason – this book is Atlas’s story. It picks up almost right after the first book ends but this time you get to see the story through Atlas’s eyes. You learn about his childhood and how he ended up meeting Lily in the first book. You even learn how deeply Atlas truly loves Lily. And now that Lily is officially divorced from her abusive husband, Ryle, maybe Atlas has a shot to get the woman of his dreams.
My thoughts: I absolutely loved this book because Atlas was my favorite character in the first one so it was really nice to read his point of view. While there are some very sad and heavy moments in this book, the overall plot kept me completely entranced and I found myself rooting for him and Lily all throughout the book.
Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell
Calling all Millennials! This next book is for you. Set in the summer of 1999, New York City, it follows a young publishing assistant named Sawyer who’s trying to figure out what she wants in life. Planning her upcoming wedding to her college boyfriend and dealing with her boss’s every whim keeps her plenty busy, but her world is turned upside down when she realizes that her fiance is cheating with his new co-worker, Kendra. When Kendra’s boyfriend, Nick, invites Sawyer to meet up and compare their suspicions, things go kind of awry. In an attempt to make things right, Nick seeks Sawyer out online and in time the two of them strike up an unlikely friendship where they spend every Friday exploring the city. But will their friendship turn into something more?
My thoughts: I read this book around September 11th which fit perfectly because this book opens on September 11, 2001 and ends a few days after the tragic events of that day. But don’t let this put you off from reading it, because the author captures the atmosphere of New York City in the summer perfectly.
Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder by Gracie Ruth Mitchell
If you’ve been looking for an entertaining, funny, and sweet murder mystery to dive into, you should pick up this next book. Juniper Bean is an independent romance writer who moves back to her hometown to discover that her new roommate is actually the first guy she ever had a crush on – a handsome professor named Aidan. And he’s not too happy about their living arrangement. Juniper’s had a rough upbringing, so she doesn’t let Aidan’s grumpiness get to her. She’s just happy to have a roof over her head, but things get dicey for Juniper and Aidan when they stumble upon a dead body near the school Aidan works at. Now it’s up to them to solve this murder and figure out who the killer is. But what if the killer is closer to home than either of them thinks?
My thoughts: This book is ideal to read in the fall because it’s set in the fall and in the cutest little small town. If you like grumpy/sunshine romance, autumn, a guy who falls hard for the FMC, and murder mysteries, you will love this book.
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
This next book was what I read during Halloween and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes haunted houses. Twenty-five years ago Maggie Holt and her parents fled the elaborate Victorian estate of Baneberry Hall in the middle of the night, citing ghosts trying to kill them. Matters only got worse when Maggie’s dad wrote a book about their paranormal experiences and it became a bestseller. Now a grown woman, Maggie returns to Baneberry Hall to get it ready to sell after her father’s death and to find out if her dad’s book was really true. But the longer Maggie stays in the house, the more she realizes that maybe there’s more going on in the night than ghost activity. Maybe some mysteries are better left unsolved.
My thoughts: I absolutely love Riley Sager so I’ll read just about anything he writes, but I must say – he outdid himself with this book. There were so many twists and turns and surprises that I had trouble putting it down. I’m still reeling over the ending and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a really good mystery.
The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden
This next book was so good that I read it in two days. This psychological thriller follows Millie, an ex-convict who takes a job as a housemaid for a wealthy family called the Winchesters. Nina and Andrew Winchester have the ideal life – a stunning mansion, a healthy little girl, and prestige and power – at least, that’s what Millie thinks. But the longer she works for them, the more she begins to see the cracks in the facade. Nina is extremely difficult, their daughter is a spoiled brat, and Andrew – well he’s the devastatingly handsome victim putting up with them. But maybe Millie can help Andrew? Maybe Nina’s mentally unstable? Or maybe – just maybe – Millie’s got it all wrong.
My thoughts: This book was a wild roller coaster ride. Yes, the chapters are short and the writing is to-the-point, but the story will absolutely capture and hold your attention all the way until the very last page.
Outlawed by Anna North
If you’re a fan of westerns and strong female leads, then you’ve got to read this book. Set in 1894, seventeen year old Ada has a good life. She’s married to the love of her life, apprenticed to her mother (a respected midwife), and is hoping to get pregnant and expand her family soon. But life doesn’t always go as planned and when Ada soon discovers that she can’t get pregnant, her in-laws label her a “witch” and call for her head. In an attempt to save her life, her mother sends her to a convent to live out her days in the care of nuns and other women dealing with infertility. But Ada’s not content with that life. Instead, she joins up with the notorious Hole in the Wall Gang, a band of outlaws led by a preacher-turned-thief named The Kid. The gang is made up of strong women who want to build a safe haven for outcast women, but when The Kid suggests a plan that can get them all killed, Ada has to make a decision whether to follow or to walk away.
My thoughts: Funnily enough, I read this book while I was on vacation in Santa Fe, New Mexico so it was kind of interesting to be able to look up and actually see the kind of landscape and setting that was described in the book. I absolutely adored this story because it helped me to see the Wild West in a completely different and fresh way.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
And finally, this is the absolute best book I read in 2024. Hands down. Elizabeth Zott is an accomplished chemist but in the 1960s, she’s only seen as an enigma to her all-male team at the Hasting Research Institute. The only one who really sees and appreciates what she’s capable of is the lonely and brilliant chemist Calvin Evans. Calvin not only has the good sense to see how amazing Elizabeth is – he falls completely in love with her and that’s when true chemistry begins. But Elizabeth’s life takes an unexpected turn and she finds herself not only a single mother but the host of a highly successful afternoon cooking show called Supper at Six. Her outlandish cooking tips and hosting style make her an instant hit, but not everyone is pleased with her success because Elizabeth’s not only teaching women to cook, she’s teaching to challenge the status quo.
My thoughts: This book made me laugh out loud multiple times and more importantly, it made me think. I found Elizabeth’s story to be entertaining, relatable, and inspiring and I highly, highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who’s ever thought they couldn’t reach their full potential. Trust me, you can and you won’t be disappointed by this book.
What was the best book or books you read this year? Did any of them make my list? Let me know in the comments.
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Verse of the Day: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. – Isaiah 40:28
