Top Ten Tuesday was created by
The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to
That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
This week's topic is
Favorite Books of 2024. This was an awesome year of books, so of course I had a hard time narrowing it down to just ten. I couldn't fit all of my favorites here, but I created a post on
Instagram that lists
all of my favorites and is broken down by genre. (There's a lot, lol.) Also, if you're curious about my full thoughts on a book, you can click the title of the book and it'll take you to my review.
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I absolutely loved this enchanting read! I got completely swept away in this book and loved every second of it. The real world faded away, and I was pulled into the twisty and complicated fae realm. I couldn’t get enough of it. And the mystery of the mortal queens had me so intrigued!
About the Book
They vanish without a trace, disappear into the night . . .
Each year on the center island, one girl is chosen to be the next Mortal Queen of the idolized fae. The mortals praise these lucky girls, but their daughters are never seen again.
The fae realm is eternal night, where disputes are settled by chess matches, power is acquired through the most devious kinds of trickery, and seven illusive kings roam. The fae hide their faces behind masks and guard their glass hearts to keep them from shattering. But beyond the veil of this luxurious paradise, a dark secret simmers, for their Queens have disappeared.
When aspiring artist Althea is selected, she is desperate to avoid the same mysterious fate. With no one to trust, she conceals messages in paintings and receives anonymous replies from a stranger who slowly reveals the tale of a girl who outwitted the fae. Only if she is clever enough will Althea survive the fate of the Mortal Queens. As long as the king who cannot love does not claim her first.
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What a perfect conclusion to this duology. It surpassed my very high expectations.This was such an imaginative and twisty tale. And while it felt like my heart completely shattered a couple of times, things came together in such a brilliant way in the end. I was so happy that all my questions were answered. I know I’ll be wanting to read this series again and again. It’s my new favorite series featuring the fae. Needless to say, I highly, highly recommend it. If you’re a fan of this genre, you’ll love it! It’s a must read.
About the Book
You've been warned many times, you cannot trust the kings . . .The old queen is dead, a new queen is in play, and the realm has descended into darkness. For the first time in history, a queen has rejected the game. Eliza will start her reign with no alliances while Althea must fight to save her tenuous bond with the king who cannot love. Her relationship threatens to break, but Althea’s attention becomes divided after receiving a few harrowing clues connecting her past and the game at hand.
Before she can find answers, a mysterious fae appears promising the power of the seventh king to whoever can solve a series of riddles, leaving the fae realm in shambles as they race to come out on top. Althea has one year left. New alliances are forged. Old stories come to life. She must make her move, or the fate of the queens will consume her.
I actually haven't posted my review for this book on my blog yet because the book hasn't released yet, but I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy and it is fantastic! An action-packed thrill ride from start to finish with great worldbuilding and awesome characters. Fans of high-stakes science fiction are sure to devour it! It releases January 14!
About the Book
Dash Keane is about to become the biggest star in history.As a poor teenager living in the Dregs, Dash Keane can only escape his dismal reality by competing in illegal rooftop races and staying up late to watch the timenet with his younger brother.
When there is an opportunity to participate in a competition set thousands of years in the past, he uses his rooftop racer skills to catch the eye of Mr. Myrtrym, head of entertainment for the massive Dominus Corporation.
It is the chance of a lifetime when Dominus Corp. hires Dash to be a timestar—the focus of his own series in which he must survive some of the most dangerous periods in history, including the Cretaceous period, feudal Japan, the Wild West, and the Golden Age of Piracy.
But when empathy for the people of the past conflicts with the desires of his new employer, he must decide whether the price of fame is worth it, a decision that may cost him everything.
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Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson
This is another one that I haven't posted my review here on the blog because it hasn't been released yet. It releases on February 18 and, y'all, it's such a fun story! From Cressida’s time at the academy to her first mission and through to the satisfying conclusion, this whole book was an absolute joy to read. This debut novel is going on my favorites shelf. I'm looking forward to more from this talented author.
About the Book
Cressida Hoth is alone in the world. Orphaned and unwanted, she is inflicted with a peculiar curse by her mischievous aunts and banished to a finishing school in the secluded kingdom of Dernmont. Students train in every accomplishment suitable for young ladies: music, dancing, etiquette…and strangely, poison-making, fencing, and lock-picking.
The school is a front for a rebel spy ring, and when her training is complete, Cressida is selected to join a mission to infiltrate the kingdom’s royal court. She has been thrown unceremoniously into a world of ball gowns and espionage, but she is still under a curse, and it threatens to expose them all.
Defending her teammates and her secret, Cressida discovers that the kingdom’s buried history and the truth behind her curse run far deeper than she imagined.
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The Chaos Grid by Lyndsey LewellenThis story takes place in a dystopian Texas, 200 years in the future, filled with chaotic weather, hi-tech gadgets, body upgrades, teleportation devices, and so much more. That’s just scratching the surface of this intriguing and slightly terrifying read. This book was fantastic. I couldn’t get enough of it and didn’t want it to end. The worldbuilding was detailed and fascinating. I’ve lived in Texas my whole life, so it was interesting (and kinda scary) to imagine a future like this one.
About the Book
Cross the grid. Survive the storms. Let your destiny burn.
When mankind’s attempts to control nature backfire, Texas descends into a wasteland. Storms rage and ravenous beasts roam the Outer Grid. The only safe havens rest inside the tech-obsessed domed cities. But when her parents are murdered inside the Plex City dome, seventeen-year-old Juniper Conway wants revenge.
Ties to her extended family threaten to pull her back as she runs from city to city. The Plex is endangering its citizens by legalizing a deadly nano drug, and Juniper’s family needs her help to deliver the counteragent. Saving the city who orphaned her goes against everything she stands for. The only way out is to brave the wasteland.
Juniper joins a shipping crew fearless enough to transport food across the Outer Grid. But when a string of bad luck turns lethal, she fears something, or someone, is dragging her back to the Plex. As her world sinks into chaos, Juniper must decide if revenge is worth the lives of the crew she has come to love.
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This was such an imaginative and unique story. It captivated me from the beginning, pulled at my heartstrings, and, in a concerning turn of events, even invaded my dreams. Or should I say nightmares? It was such a powerful and impactful story. One of light vs. dark. Of finding hope even in the most hopeless of situations. I loved it so much and know it will stay with me for a long time to come.
About the Book
Some viruses go after the body. But the Nightmare Virus goes after the mind.
When dream technology goes wrong, a virus spreads across the globe, trapping people in a universal dreamscape. They call it the Nightmare Virus.
Cain Cross is determined to find a cure . . . if he can decipher his brother’s chicken-scratch formula notes. But when he gets infected, he has only 22 days until he’s trapped in the mental prison forever. Now, every time he falls asleep, he must fight in a Nightmare Arena until he earns his freedom to live in the “new world” that exists only in the mind.
Then he finds a way to manipulate the Nightmare—to change it by mere thought.
Forced to navigate a world of nightbeasts, mistblades, and half-truths, Cain turns his focus to survival. When the Emperor offers him a LifeSuPod—and access to a cure—in exchange for a dangerous favor, Cain thinks he’s found a way out. But Cain’s new power threatens to take him on paths that jeopardize his very soul.
Will he continue searching for a cure, or will he swear allegiance to the Nightmare? And the bigger question might be . . . will he even have a choice?
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What a wonderfully delightful tale! This story was hilarious, sweet, and full of wonder. I loved every second of it. Well, except for the fact that it ended. I didn’t want to leave these characters or this world. There was a twist that I didn’t see coming that completely surprised me. It made me want to go back to the beginning and read the story all over again to see if I could catch the clues. So good!
About the Book
Hester Flanders went to the ball for the food. She didn’t expect a prince to follow her home.
If there’s one rule Hester learned during her country upbringing, it’s
never accept a gift: that’s how the Folk get you. Although she’s left her farm behind, she can’t leave her superstitions, even if no one else in the capital city seems to care. Hardworking but hungry, she’s looking for loopholes, and the king’s annual Commoners Ball seems like the perfect way to get a free meal that’s not
technically a gift—and it would have been, too, except a pesky prince took a shine to her.
Inglebert Lucas Chesingwick isn’t just the crown prince: he’s also practical, responsible, and very annoyed to see his younger brother causing a scene by flirting with a peasant at the ball. He can separate them for one night, but his mischievous brother is determined to see the poor girl again. And again. And for some reason, Lucas keeps running into her, too. If only there was some way he could help her …
The princes might mean well, but Hester knows better than to accept favors from anyone, even royalty—even if it’s cheese—and even if saying no breaks her heart. After all, just because the Folk have never been seen in the city doesn’t mean they’re not around …
Cinderella meets
Howl’s Moving Castle in this cozy fantasy romance from debut author Elisabeth Aimee Brown. Pick up your copy and whirl away into a whimsical story of glittering gaslamps, frisky Folk, and huggable hogs.
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Valley of Dragons (The Secrets of Ormdale #5) by Christina Baehr
I could've listed this whole series on my list, each book was so good! This conclusion was absolute perfection! It had everything I hoped for and so much more. These characters have stolen a piece of my heart. I’ve enjoyed my time with them so much. If you’re a fan of cozy fantasy, this series is a must read. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
About the Book
The joyous and suspenseful conclusion of The Secrets of Ormdale.
Now that Edith and her friends have everything they need to ransom Simon from captivity, hopes are high for a brighter future for both the people and dragons of Ormdale.
But then a surprising invitation from Edith's past leads her to a clue to the mysterious nemesis that threatens her family's legacy, and news reaches her that the sinister Dr Farley is at large. And Edith begins to wonder if the most potent threat to her happiness may be much closer to home.
In this last chapter of their story, Edith and her friends, family, and allies must come together to free themselves from the final secrets of Ormdale and determine the future of England's dragon keepers—and their extraordinary dragons.
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When the Day Comes (Timeless #1) by Gabrielle Meyer
This is one of the best and most unique books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. It was as close to perfect as a book can get. My goodness, I loved it so much! And that ending? I have no words! Needless to say, I highly, highly recommend it.
About the Book
How will she choose, knowing all she must sacrifice?
Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she's the same person at her core in both times, she's leading two vastly different lives.
In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives--and any hope of love--are put in jeopardy.
Libby's life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about--women's suffrage--is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.
But Libby knows she's not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other--but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?
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Jaime Jo Wright never fails to impress. This was another hauntingly beautiful story full of spine-tingling moments and a hope-filled message. I was so invested in the mysteries and was completely surprised by the turn of events. I thought I had it all figured out several times, but nope! I didn’t see it coming until right before the reveals! I can't say enough good things about this book. Jaime Jo Wright is a master in this genre, and she keeps upping the ante with each book. I love how she always weaves a strong Christian message into her spooky tales. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book.
About the Book
An ominous butterfly house. A sinister legacy. An untraceable killer.
In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron's empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family's Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian's sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer's ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pace. Marian, fearful she might be next, enlists the help of her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran with his own haunted past.
In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw becomes entangled in an elderly biographer's quest to uncover the truth behind Marian Arnold's mysterious life and the unsolved murders linked to an infamous serial killer. Joined by Marian's great-great-grandson, can Remy expose the evil that lurks beneath broken wings? Or will the dark legacy surrounding the manor and its glass house destroy yet another generation?
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This was a mind-bending thrill ride. One of the best psychological thrillers I've read. I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the story. I got goosebumps several times and was holding my breath through many intense scenes. I was so anxious to find out what happened next. I was constantly surprised by the turn of events. I think I suspected everybody at one point or another. I didn’t know who to trust. When the reveal came, I was shocked. If you’re a fan of this genre, don’t miss this book. It's a must read.
About the Book
Her readers love her...
but one has gotten a little too attached.Alexandra Dubois, a NYT bestselling author, has made a name for herself by crafting twisted serial killers in her romantic suspense series. When threatening notes from an "invested reader" escalate into violence, Alex has to admit she's not safe in her own home. Although her autism makes any changes to her routine difficult, she reluctantly accepts her editor's advice to fly to his sprawling vacation home in West Virginia so she can focus on her looming deadline.
Fighting paranoia that the stalker has discovered her mountain hideaway, Alex still forces herself to write several chapters in her novel. But when a thunderstorm leaves her stranded and she hears a knock at her door, she's about to discover that life truly is stranger than fiction.
Fans of Alfred Hitchcock, Mary Higgins Clark, and Misery are sure to be hooked by this clean, fast-paced domestic thriller by RWA Daphne Award-winning author Heather Day Gilbert.
This book has everything I love in a good thriller: intriguing mysteries, nonstop action, great characters, gorgeous settings, a powerful message of faith, and so much more! I couldn’t read it fast enough!
About the Book She’s a master at spotting a forgery . . . and knowing how to create one. But can she solve a decades-old mystery?
The media spotlight is the last thing art thief and forger Sophie Williams needs. But when one of three long-missing royal portraits turns up in Germany at her best friend’s art gallery, the spotlight is exactly what she gets. Since the tragic deaths of Princess Johanna of Neuhansberg and her two children forty years ago, the whereabouts of these portraits have been unknown . . . and the timing of their reappearance—just days before a new prince’s coronation—reignites questions surrounding the infamous accident.
Then Sophie’s best friend vanishes, and a rumor about hidden treasure connected to the paintings surfaces, seemingly confirmed by a cryptic message on the back of the first canvas. Convinced that finding the other two portraits will lead to her friend, Sophie begins a twisty investigation that pits her against other ruthless treasure hunters, a handsome investigator who seems to dog her trail at every turn, and a mysterious group that offers help, wearing an emblem identical to one on the painting.
From Germany’s grand castles and soaring cathedrals through the Alps to the canals of Venice, Sophie must choose her allies carefully if she hopes to find the portraits, rescue her best friend—and perhaps save a throne—before time runs out.
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The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
I loved this book so much! If I could give it more than five stars, I would. It has everything I love jam-packed into one delightfully fun story. There's a locked room mystery set in an English manor that's full of intriguing characters, hilarious situations that had me literally laughing out loud, and a swoony rivals-to-lovers romance. What's not to love? I’ve been a big fan of Ally Carter since her Gallagher Girl books, and, I’ve gotta say, this is my new favorite.
About the Book
Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.
The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas.
Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:
She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.
He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.
She hates his guts.
He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.)
But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.
That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.
She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust?
As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.
Assuming they don’t kill each other first.
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Running into Forever by Jennifer Rodewald
This was another stellar romance from Jennifer Rodewald. She always delivers a soul-stirring, faith-filled swoonworthy romance, and this was no different. I loved every second of it. I don’t usually see many contemporary marriage of convenience stories, so I really enjoyed that. I thought it was so well done here. The grumpy-sunshine trope is my favorite, and this has to be one of the best I’ve read. If you’re looking for a swoonworthy romance with a strong message of faith, you’re sure to love this book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
About the Book
Wanted: Horsewoman, skilled at driving. Must be willing to live on a remote island . . . and marry her boss. Both are nonnegotiable.Taylor Everest loves his home on Sanctuary Island and running his family’s carriage business. But his standoffish personality has the local resort questioning the renewal of his contract. Not to mention the contract also has an old, pesky clause Taylor had hoped to ignore: He’s supposed to be married by age thirty. He’s just turned thirty-one. Not willing to let go of his family’s legacy, Taylor puts out a bold advertisement.
Sonora Hillary is good with horses and even better with people. Unfortunately, her sunshine personality wasn’t enough for Donovan Arlington—the man she’s dated for two years. When Donovan announces his engagement after a mere two weeks of dating another woman, Sonora loses her level thinking. She answers a bizarre ad, agreeing to move and to marry the stiff and grumpy man she’s to work for. At least it’s only temporary. And surely living so far away—not to mention being married—will help her put away the ache of Donovan’s betrayal.
After the tourist season, Taylor and Sonora will both have what they wanted, and with a clean annulment, they’ll go their separate ways. No harm. No attachments. No regrets.
That was the agreement. The plan. But beneath this charade, Taylor and Sonora wrestle with mutual attraction and, more poignantly, with a deep and pestering question: What do they do with the painful past? Could they ever again trust the God who had allowed such great disappointment before? And was it possible those frustrations and regrets had led them there, together, for something good and beautiful?
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Matchmaking the Cowboy by Emily Conrad
This book felt like home. There was something so real and authentic about it. The characters, the setting, the emotions, how God was woven so seamlessly through the pages! It was so good! This book was a good mix of funny and serious. There were parts that had me laughing out loud, and others that had me near tears. I loved it so much and highly recommend it. If you’re looking for a faith-filled Christmas story that will give you all the feels, grab a copy of this book. You won’t be disappointed.
About the Book
What’s a little covert matchmaking between friends?Lucy Aveline’s ex has a knack for making her feel small and helpless. She’d avoid him entirely, but he still owns a piece of her heart in the form of the pets he purchased for her but kept for himself. She visits Rosie and Jasmine when she can, vows to avoid another controlling boyfriend by staying single, and focuses on her large animal veterinary practice. Or that’s the plan until some longtime family friends attempt to set her up with former rodeo star Hollis Price. Lucy convinces them to drop the plot only when she promises to find Hollis a good match herself.
Hollis is more concerned with surviving his first Christmas after losing his dad than with finding love. Dad’s champion horse is aging, and rumors started by an unhappy client threaten the horse training business Hollis inherited from his father. When the kind and talented Lucy offers friendship, he accepts simply to add cheer to the season.
It’s not long before his interest in Lucy deepens, but so do problems at his ranch. Saving his father’s legacy begins to look as impossible as earning Lucy’s trust. Especially when her ex continues to use her love of animals against her and she won’t stop pushing her single friends at Hollis long enough to notice she’s the one he’s falling for.
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Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think? What are some of your favorite books of 2024?
