I’ve been trying to do a better job of keeping track of the books I read this year. As I finish each book, I post it with a few words of a review on my Instagram stories. Then on a monthly basis I update my “2020 Books” saved story with a running tally of all my tiny reviews so far. Earlier this week, I shared two TV shows I’m watching and loving, in case you are stuck at home within nothing to do. So now, I’m sharing my favorite books of 2020 out of the 20 that I’ve read so far!
I understand that borrowing books from your library may not be an option right now (ours is closed for the foreseeable future), so I’ve provided an Amazon Kindle link for each book. For anyone who doesn’t have a Kindle, you can read the book directly on your laptop. Or — of course — you can order a paperback/hardback version to be delivered to your door.
I’ve also decided at this point to only recommend books that didn’t bum me out – as we all need a little extra happiness right now.
Here are my 2020 book favorites so far:
Meet Cute by Helena Hunting https://amzn.to/2xGLPub
Amazon synopsis: Kailyn Flowers was always calm, rational, and controlled–until she ended up sprawled all over Daxton Hughes, the former actor she totally crushed on as a teenager. Then she did the unthinkable: She became a mortifying fangirl in five seconds flat, which may or may not have included professing her undying love. And oddly, he didn’t run away. In fact, their meet cute led to a friendship she never saw coming. Of course, she never saw his betrayal coming, either… Now Dax needs her help. As guardian to his thirteen-year-old sister, he’s in way over his head. And though Kailyn hasn’t forgiven Dax, she isn’t heartless enough to make him fend for himself, either. Soon their friendly meetings turn into flirty dinner dates, and Kailyn can feel their chemistry is as explosive as ever. But how can she possibly let down her guard again to a guy who has heartbreak written all over him?
My tiny review: Loved it!
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb https://amzn.to/3a0Agwr
Amazon synopsis: From a New York Times best-selling author, psychotherapist, and national advice columnist, a hilarious, thought-provoking, and surprising new book that takes us behind the scenes of a therapist’s world—where her patients are looking for answers (and so is she).
My tiny review: So, so, so good. And thought provoking. I’d have to take a break every couple chapters to let it soak in.
Marked for Murder by Colleen Helme https://amzn.to/2whz0pV
This is the latest book in the Shelby Nichols series and I can honestly say I’ve loved the whole series. Even better, if you are a Kindle Unlimited subscriber all the books in the series can be read for FREE!
Amazon synopsis: Trouble follows Shelby Nichols. Why wouldn’t it? She works for a mob boss. And the police. A desperate call from a friend in need turns Shelby’s life upside down. Someone is out to prove that Shelby is a fake, marking her for murder. How far will they go?
My tiny review: I love the Shelby Nichols series and this one was great!
My Kind of Wonderful by Jill Shalvis https://amzn.to/33xcc1x
Amazon synopsis: Bailey Moore is finally getting to live on her own terms. After a fierce battle with cancer, she’s ready to do all the things she never dared to before, like sail the Greek Islands and explore Europe’s castles. Her first new adventure brings her to Cedar Ridge Resort, a ski lodge in the Colorado Rockies. Bailey quickly discovers that following her No Regrets List won’t be easy. It doesn’t offer instructions for how to deal with a suffocating mother or an ex-fiancé who doesn’t want to let her go. Her list also doesn’t include falling for the lodge’s swoon-worthy head of ski patrol, Hud Kincaid, and his boisterous, kindhearted family.
My tiny review: Loved it! Perfect romance with a bit of sass!
Well Met by Jen DeLuca https://amzn.to/2Wq0QuW
Amazon synopsis: Emily knew there would be strings attached when she relocated to the small town of Willow Creek, Maryland, for the summer to help her sister recover from an accident, but who could anticipate getting roped into volunteering for the local Renaissance Faire alongside her teenaged niece? Or that the irritating and inscrutable schoolteacher in charge of the volunteers would be so annoying that she finds it impossible to stop thinking about him?
My tiny review: Loved it so much and it took me back to my days working at the Maryland Renaissance Festival!
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams https://amzn.to/2U1807m
Amazon synopsis: Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott’s marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him. Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville’s top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it’ll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.
My tiny review: This is my favorite book of the year so far. Super funny and touching and romantic and sexy!
Love Her or Leave Her by Tessa Bailey https://amzn.to/3bi8g7N
Amazon synopsis: Rosie and Dominic Vega are the perfect couple: high school sweethearts, best friends, madly in love. Well, they used to be anyway. Now Rosie’s lucky to get a caveman grunt from the ex-soldier every time she walks in the door. Dom is faithful and a great provider, but the man she fell in love with ten years ago is nowhere to be found. When her girlfriends encourage Rosie to demand more out of life and pursue her dream of opening a restaurant, she decides to demand more out of love, too. Three words: marriage boot camp.
My tiny review: A couple with a broken marriage trying to find their way back together. And holy tamales is it spicy!
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory https://amzn.to/33DLS6d
Amazon Synopsis: When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn’t the hard part—they’ve only been dating for five months, and he can’t even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans… At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik’s rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He’s even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik’s social media blows up—in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can’t be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes.
My tiny review: LOVED IT! Great storyline and really likeable characters!
Happy Reading!
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