Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Hi everybody and welcome to a new Top Ten Tuesday! Today’s a throwback freebie and since we’re halfway through the year I thought I’d take a look back at my most anticipated books releasing in the first half of 2024 and how I feel about them now (and whether or not I actually already read them).
So here we go:
The ones I have read:
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas (Crescent City #3)
I loved this book and I loved being reunited with all my favorite characters. While I did think that the start was a little slow and I had some mixed feelings about that certain plot in the beginning, I did love everything overall. But mostly, I love these characters, I’m just so emotionally invested in each and every one of them. That said, I also feel like there were a bit too many characters and I still had questions at the end about some of them, though I feel like others’ stories concluded nicely. Is there a spin-off series announced that I missed?
Rating: 4,5 stars
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
This was a highly anticipated read for me and I have some mixed feelings about it. I thought it was an enjoyable romance and I did enjoy the vampire/werewolf lore and Ali Hazelwood’s unique take on it. But while I enjoyed the characters and romance on some level, it didn’t hook me as much as I’d wanted it to. I was honestly more invested in the mystery than the romance. That said, I will continue to read anything Ali Hazelwood writes and if she decides to dive back into this world with other characters (as was slightly teased at the end), I’ll be all for it.
Rating: 4 stars
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
I finally read my first full-length Abby Jimenez novel! And I finished it in 2 days, which is definitely already telling you how much I enjoyed it. I did have a few nitpicks, but overall I found this was an amazing balance of romance and depth, of swoons and introspection and all the emotions.
Rating: 4 stars | Read full review
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
This was, objectively, a great book. Solid 4 stars. I loved the dark and gothic vibes, the historical setting of the Spanish Golden Age, the fantasy elements woven in, the touch of romance, and Leigh Bardugo’s ever vibrant writing style. But for some reason I could not connect to the story. I struggled and it took me a whole month to finish it. I also was never itching to pick it back up in between reading sessions. I think many people will love this one, but for me it’s probably not one I will re-read.
Rating: 4 stars
Funny Story by Emily Henry
I’m just going to come out and say it: Funny Story is my favorite Emily Henry book to date. And that’s saying something, because I’ve loved all of them so far. Also, I think it may be my favorite book of the year. But there’s something about Funny Story that just tugged at all my heartstrings and made me utterly obsessed with the book and the characters while I was reading, and also long after I finished reading. I still feel all warm and gooey inside because of this story and have to restrain myself daily not to just start all over again from chapter one.
Rating: 5 stars | Read full review
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
I didn’t love this as much as Every Summer After, but I loved it a lot more than Meet Me At The Lake. I loved the chemistry between Lucy and Felix, the dual timelines and the friendship between Lucy and Bridget. I sped through this book because I wanted to keep reading. The only downside to me was that Lucy and Felix had an insta-attraction/insta-lust but hardly even really talked until about 50-60% of the book so when we got to that part of the story I had some trouble believing these people who hardly knew each other were madly in love.
Rating: 4 stars
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
I love Christina Lauren so I was eagerly awaiting their latest release! I loved the island setting and the family dynamics and the romance was one again swoon-worthy. That said, it wasn’t my favorite Christina Lauren romance, and I can’t quite put my finger on why that is, but it was still a highly enjoyable read.
Rating: 4 stars
The ones I did not read yet:
Only 3 books not read yet, I’d say that’s not too bad at all! I still want to read all three of them (Truly, Madly, Deeply is waiting on my Kindle shelf) but I’ve seen some mixed reviews for A Letter To The Luminous Deep which has me doubting about that one.
Tell Me:
Have you read any of these 2024 releases? What did you think about them?
Based on this list, it looks like you not only read most of your “first half” of 2024 reads, but based on the ratings, you also enjoyed them! That’s awesome and hopefully means the rest of your anticipated reads will be good too. 🙂
Thanks Rissi! 🙂
Oh this is a good topic! I don’t know how many of my actual list I even read though haha. Now you make me want to check.
Haha I’m curious about your list now too 🙂
You are doing well, reading your most anticipated releases. I often make lists and end up not reading the books 😉
Thanks!
It looks like you’ve had great success! I hope the rest turn out just as well.
Thanks! 🙂
I put House of Flame and Shadow on hold and never picked it up again. But I will! You need to hold me accountable for it. 😂
Oh no, you need to finish House of Flame and Shadow, Stephanie! 😉
I didn’t realize Carley Fortune had a new book out. I love both of her previous ones. I’m glad to hear you liked this one. I hope you get to the three you haven’t read yet soon. 😀
My TTT
I hope you’ll like the new Carley Fortune when you read it!
You did a good job with your TBR list!
Thanks!
Looks like the ones you read lived up to the expectation!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
Indeed 🙂
Wow, this list was amazing!! It sounds like they all pretty much lived up to your expectations. 🙂
Thanks!
This is a great topic! It’s awesome that you have read most of the ones you were anticipated. I hope you enjoy the rest when you get to them.
Thanks!
I’m glad you found some good ones! I haven’t read any 2024 releases yet.
I am in awe of your discipline! 🙂
Ooh, thanks for the balanced look at the new Ali Hazelwood! I’ve been curious about it, since it is a little outside of her regular wheelhouse.
It’s definitely a little different than the previous Ali Hazelwood books, but I did end up enjoying it, so hope you will too!
Nice! You anticipated what you were going to like very well. I’m glad they were winners for you.
Happy (belated) TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Thanks!