Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Hi everybody and welcome to a new Top Ten Tuesday! Today I’m listing 10 books that surprised me (in a good or a bad way). For each book, I mention what surprised me about it which means there may be some light spoilers, even if I try to keep my reasoning as short and vague as possible… so only read if you’re okay with that.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
What surprised me: I thought this book wouldn’t add anything to the Hunger Games lore because we knew the outcome before. I was very wrong, this book was brilliant and added so much.
Children of Fallen Gods by Carissa Broadbent
What surprised me: I wasn’t expecting to fall so deeply in love with an antagonist, a villain even, and only wish for their happy ending.
Reckless by Elsie Silver
What surprised me: I highly dislike the accidental pregnancy during a one-night stand trope so I was expecting to also dislike this book. But so far it’s the one exception to the rule!
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
What surprised me: That this book made me actually love the character of Dain Aetos again.
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
What surprised me: How a morally grey stalker MMC could end up being so sweet and cute at the same time.
The Road of Bones by Demi Winters
What surprised me: I did not see a certain plot twist coming at all.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
What surprised me: That a serial killer romance could turn out to be so hilarious and funny and actually become a favorite read for this little scaredy cat.
Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert
What surprised me: That there was actually a decent and very believable redemption arc for the character of Orpheus.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
What surprised me: That an otherwise great book actually went there with an animal death that felt so unnecessary.
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
What surprised me: That I actually like a novella when normally they always feel too short to get me invested.
Tell Me:
Did one of these books also surprise you in a similar way?
I still need to read more of Holly’s books, but I enjoyed book one. Oh! And I’ve been seeing lots of high praise for Suzanne’s book. So glad THG fans are loving it.
I still need to continue the Holly Jackson series too, hope we’ll both love it!
I totally agree on Sunrise, I thought Collins is milking out the universe, but actually isn’t. Reckless is still on my TBR though!
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2025/04/22/top-ten-tuesday-books-that-surprised-me/
I felt the same way about Sunrise on the Reaping, so glad to hear we were both pleasantly surprised
I love when novellas surprise me! I’m the same, I usually want more from them, but sometimes they are just the perfect length!
So true, sometimes a novella is just the right length!
Hehe, I love this post title!
I loved AGGGTM and that CLo novella. I was shocked by how much I loved that novella, actually! It was just soo freaking good! I’ve heard really positive things about that Elsie Silver book and I need to continue my reads of her series but I’m keen to check it out 
The Christine Lauren novella was indeed so good! It definitely surprised me there. I hope you’ll love the rest of the Elsie Silver series if you decide to continue!
Reckless sounds interesting.
It definitely surprised me!
I’m curious about Onyx Storm.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I hope you’ll love it if you decide to read it!
I am always surprised when I find a novella that I actually enjoy as well. I am like you, normally they feel too short to bother to invest the time (and usually the story feels incomplete).
So true! But I guess that makes it all the better when we do find a novella we love
Great list! I totally agree about Sunrise! It added so much backstory to so many characters from the original trilogy. I still need to read Silver’s books!!
Yes, Sunrise on the Reaping was an amazing addition indeed! I hope you’ll love the Elsie Silver books.
Thank you!! I hope to read one in May.
I haven’t read any of these, but I’ve heard Sunrise on the Reaping is a pretty good addition to the Hunger Games universe.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-ks-have-it-ten-titles-starting-with-k/
Sunrise on the Reaping was definitely a great addition!
Sunrise on the Reaping and Onyx Storm were amazing!
They really were!
It is funny how books can surprise you like that.
So true!
A great list. I feel the same about Novellas. They need to be well balanced otherwise they don’t sit right. What really gets me is the detailed beginning and then a rushed end. What’s the point?!
I need to read Fourth Wing!
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/04/22/top-ten-tuesday-books-that-surprised-me/
Yes, so true about novellas – the ending is usually what’s disappointing about them. I hope you’ll love Fourth Wing if you decide to give it a try!
It is! More often than not I feel short changed by them!
Thank you. It is high on my TBR list!
Great list! I love Christina Lauren, but I’ve never heard of that book. I’ll have to check it out. Have a good day!
It’s a fun one, I hope you’ll love it!