From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout

I am sure many of you have heard of this one, and if not, I’ll be brief – From Blood and Ash is a fantasy romance series with a strong female lead (Poppy) and a very sexy male lead (Casteel). This book has vampires, werewolves, gods, and a twist on zombies. It is action-packed and addicting, with a high likelihood that you’ll fall in love with these characters. I read four books in a week – and was really only slowed as the fifth hadn’t been published yet (it’s out now, and I can’t wait to read it!).

A couple of notes: it has explicit scenes with adult content and is not a complete series yet. I loved it and would highly recommend if this is your speed.

A Ruin of Roses by K. F. Breene

As you’ll see from this list, K. F. Breene has become one of my new favourite authors. She has this awesomely unique voice that she lends to her characters. She can handle some tough subject matter while lightening the mood with great humour. A Ruin of Roses is a dark Beauty and the Beast re-telling. It is a complete, four-book series. It is incredibly spicy, so read at your own discretion.

Really though, if this is your genre, definitely read it. It has some of the funniest side characters I’ve ever read, and Hadriel is by far my new BFF.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

This was a sweet, riveting, and heartbreaking read rolled into one. The story is about two rival journalists competing for an open position at their news station – and they have unknowingly been sending letters to each other via magical typewriters. Divine Rivals was an engrossing read, one that I absolutely loved. It gave me the worst book hangover I had in 2023. It reads like a soft, lyrical song. The banter was on point, and the pacing kept me on my toes until the very end.

I’d call this one magical realism/fantasy romance.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Okay. Okay. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to read N. K. Jemisin. Her work is amazing. Soul-crushing, but amazing. Her command of world-building is up there with Hobb, Sanderson, and Rothfuss. The Fifth Season takes place at the end of the world and follows Essun, a mother that discovers her young son’s body after her husband killed him (I suggest checking trigger warnings). She then leaves her home to track down her husband and save her daughter. The storytelling is brilliant and intricately woven – I have incredible respect for the skill that N. K. Jemisin has shown with this work.

A few notes: This is not a fluffy read – I would compare The Fifth Season to the last fifty pages of any Hobb trilogy. It’s brutal, and emotional, but so worth it. And it’s a completed trilogy!

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

This is a historical fantasy based in medieval Russia with Russian elements. It is a completed trilogy following the story of Vasya, from birth to adulthood as she tries to find her place in a world where she doesn’t fit. It’s magical realism at it’s finest, and it’ll take you into a world with house spirits and things that go ‘bump’ in the night.

This is a truly beautiful read that’ll immerse you in it’s pages.

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks

Morbidly Yours is a steamy rom-com with heartfelt moments surrounding grief and acceptance. It follows Lark, an animator from the US who comes to Ireland for a year-long contract and moves next door to a funeral home. She meets Callum, the socially awkward funeral director who must find someone to marry in order to keep the family business. Like the ray of sunshine she is, Lark offers to help him find someone.

This is an incredibly sweet, touching story that’ll make you laugh and make you cry. It is honestly my new favourite romance. It is a little spicy, so be warned if that’s not your vibe. If it is, you are welcome.

The Burns We Carry by Marae Good

This story is feel-good vibes and fresh starts – think Safe Haven in the mountains and the main character is pregnant. It’s well-written with some good humour and a soft, sweet story. The main character, Shay, moves into the mountains to avoid a DV situation with her partner, and meets three brothers, the oldest being a grumpy ranger named Brooks. Shay and Brooks don’t hit it off immediately, but his brothers love her. This is a fun, easy read with a HEA.

As a note, as mentioned, this book has references to domestic violence so please check the trigger warnings before reading.

Brewing Temptation by Sydne Barnett

I’ve read this book twice in 2023, if that tells you anything. I love it. The writing is fun and upbeat, the dialogue is drool-worthy, and the pacing is perfect. Brewing Temptation is the second book in the Nomadic Rhodes series, but can be read as a standalone. This story follows Noel McShane who leaves Florida to escape her abusive partner and reset in Alaska in a small town with her best friend’s boyfriend’s family. This is another Safe Haven-type story, in Alaska. This book has some amazing found family, self-discovery, and descriptions of beautiful landscapes. And the love interest calls her ‘chaos’. Perfect.

This one is also spicy, and again, check triggers as it does refer to domestic violence. It was a great read, and I’m on the lookout for other books by this author.

Magical Midlife Madness by K. F. Breene

THIS. BOOK. IS. EVERYTHING! This is magical realism/fantasy/romance. The story follows 40 year old Jessie, recently divorced empty-nester who isn’t quite sure what to do with herself, so when her best friend asks her if she’d like to act as caretaker for the haunted house they played in as children, Jessie happily agreed. Cue random chaos. There is an old gargoyle butler, who is in a fight with the very old next door neighbour. The house wants a new Guardian. There is a hot bartender in town. And a senile vampire that keeps asking to be ‘retired’. This story is hilarious and cozy. It’s an amazing story about finding yourself when your situation changes, and that you are never too old for an adventure.

Notes – this is a longer series … I think Breene is working on book 8 or 9 now. But if you have the time, it’s a barrel of fun!

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

Tress of the Emerald Sea was my first introduction into Sanderson’s writing, and I am sorry that I waited so long. It is one of four books in his “secret project” series, and I am excited to get reading the rest of them. This book follows Tress, a window cleaner on a small island who falls in love with Charlie, a noble. When Charlie’s father sends Charlie away, Tress decides that he needs to be saved.

I love this book because it is witty and funny and such a great commentary that heroes don’t need to come with resumes, but with common sense and good hearts. If you read fantasy, and need something light that’ll have you laughing your as* off, I recommend this one.

Oh, and there are some funny bits about the name ‘Doug’. If you have a ‘Doug’ in your life, you’ll get a chuckle.

Tempted by Zoe Ashwood

This is a cozy fantasy/why choose romance trilogy following a witch that takes a mysterious job in a remote Alaskan town. While she tries to keep her own secrets hidden, she does her best to figure out what secrets are being hidden in this town where the people don’t really act like humans. This is a great story about finding your place, found family, and new love.

As a note, this is a read about polyamory (MMMF). If you like steamy reads with magic, this is it.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Stalking Jack the Ripper is a four book series following Audrey Rose Wadsworth, a young lady in Victorian England studying forensic medicine under her uncle. This is mystery with suspense and some horror elements. She teams up with her uncle’s other apprentice, Thomas Cresswell to solve the brutal murders, and we are treated to some top tier banter and sizzling tension.

I highly recommend this series – it was unputdownable and highly addictive. As a warning, this is a macabre series with both gothic and gruesome elements.

Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer

I don’t read a lot of sci-fi, but if this author is any indication, I think I might seriously work on expanding my sci-fi reads. Annihilation is a three-book series, each from a different perspective. It is brilliantly written and keeps you guessing until the very end. Each book (so far) has had a huge twist. The story follows a biologist sent into Area X, an alien landscape that twisted part of Earth, for study. We follow the biologist’s story within Area X, and, frankly, I’m still not sure what happens to her (just starting book three, Acceptance).

What I can tell you is this series will have you questioning everything you’ve learned about this world up until it is finished, and it is quite the ride. So, if you like a good mindf*ck, definitely take this for a whirl. I am thoroughly enjoying the series.