Hey everyone! If there’s one thing you’ve requested from me, it’s book recommendations. I can’t lie, I read mostly contemporary romance, but for this list I wanted to include a bit more variety. The following 10 books, are all books I will never forget about. Whether I think about them randomly, or purposefully look for TikToks from the fandom, these are books I will never stop recommending because they never leave my mind.
In no particular order, here are 10 books I will never forget:
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Yes, I was swept up in the hype when this book first came out, and no I am not mad about it. This book follows Olive, a third-year Ph.D. candidate, who wants to get her friends off her back about falling in love. She ends up kissing Adam Carlson, a professor at Stanford, which leads the pair to start fake dating. Fake dating is genuinely one of my favourite tropes ever, and I don’t even care that it’s unrealistic. I could not tell you what it is that makes this book one of my favourites, but I genuinely think about it multiple times a month—and I read this book over four years ago. I am so excited for the movie adaptation to come out this year, and if you want to hear more of my thoughts check out my 2026 Outlook post.
Genre: contemporary romance, new adult, features spice
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
I first read this book in my first year of university, and did a reread during my second year. While both my reads of this book were for class, I really enjoyed it, so I definitely recommend it.
I went into this book blind at my professor’s urging, and I think that’s the way to go. I’ll give a brief description, but otherwise, I recommend starting it without knowing much. I’m not going to include the genres for this book because I think it can spoil things, but if you feel like you need more information, check out Goodreads. This book follows Kathy, a thirty-one-year-old woman, as she reflects on her time at her private school, Hailsham, in the English countryside.
Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
This is a recent read, but it was on my TBR for years until I finally picked it up. And once I picked it up, I was obsessed. It probably helped that I was (and still am, to be fair) in my Below Deck era.
This book follows Jo, a yacht stewardess, who is trying to complete her bucket list before she turns 30 in August. Her list gets put on the back burner following the death of her nephew. Then her nieces show up unexpected to spend the summer with her, and once they find out about the list they encourage her to complete it.
This book took me by surprise with how heartfelt it was. There is something inspiring about this book, even while we follow a main character who is still grieving. While this book has romantic aspects to it, there is so much more to it, so I definitely recommend even if you are not a huge romance fan.
Genre: contemporary, romance
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
This book is genuinely one of my all time favourites; in fact, I am currently rereading it because I love it so much.
This book follows Emmy, a professional barrel racer, who has recently moved home following a riding accident. In returning home, she connects with Luke Brooks, her older brother’s best friend, even though she knows she should stay away.
Lyla Sage very quickly became one of my favourite authors because of this book, and I now automatically buy her books. The setting in this book is stunning, like take me to Rebel Blue immediately. Additionally, I love the family vibes in this book (and series). It is the start of an interconnected standalone series, so if you’re looking for a series I highly recommend
Genre: contemporary, romance, small town, features spice
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
I read this book in junior high for the first time, and I honestly still think about it to this day. I have reread this book a couple of times, and I remember liking so many quotes from it. This book also has a film adaptation that I do enjoy, even with its differences.
This book follows high schoolers Theodore and Violet during a school project designed to discover “natural wonders” in their state. Violet is grieving the death of her sister and throughout the project she begins to feel better again; however, Finch’s struggles grow.
*trigger warning for death of a family member, suicide, mental health struggles
Genre: young adult, romance, mental health
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
This book definitely took over my life when I first read it, and I really do think everyone should read it. I remember not being able to get enough of these books. I think I reread the first one as soon as I finished the series. And if I remember correctly, there are good audiobooks for the entire series.
Blue has been warned that she will be the reason her true love dies for her entire life, but she never thought it would be a problem. On St. Mark’s Eve she’s in the churchyard with her mother to see the dead walk past. She’s never seen anyone before, but this year Gansey speaks directly to her. Gansey and his friends, known as the Raven Boys, bring Blue into their circle to join them on their quest.
Genre: young adult, magical realism
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
I read this book for school in my first university English class, and it is one that everyone should read. If you are Canadian and have not read this book, I recommend it immensely as it shows the long-term damage residential schools have on many Indigenous Peoples, but it also shows resilience in how they continue pushing forward regardless of setbacks.
This book follows five young adults following their release from a residential school. They are alone, without any support or real education on how to live in the world when they make their way to Downtown Eastside Vancouver. We watch their lives over the next few decades and how they make lives for themselves in a world that is against them.
Genres: Canadian literature, Indigenous literature, historical fiction
Spring Tide by Ki Stephens
Another fake dating novel that I love, also in an academic setting. This book is definitely what people mean when they say “college sports romance,” and I mean that in the best way possible
We follow Harper who is a sports medicine student with a crush on a player on the baseball team. The problem? She has an internship with the team and doesn’t want anyone to think there’s a conflict of interest, so she decides to convince her professor she is dating someone on the football team. Luca, who happens to play on the football team, agrees to help Harper, but only because he needs someone to help him physio his knee on the down low. These two are so cute, plus it’s the start of an interconnected standalone series which are my absolute favourite for romances.
Genre: new adult, contemporary romance, features spice
Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft
The little girl in me was screaming when I first heard about this book, and it definitely lived up to the hype. If you loved Tinkerbell as a kid, this book is definitely for you.
This book follows Queen Clarion from the Tinkerbell movies before she becomes queen of Pixie Hollow. Threats of a monster crossing from Winter into Spring, and Clarion decides this is her chance to prove herself. At the border of Winter, she meets Milori, the guardian of the Winter Woods. They decide to work together to save their lands
Genre: young adult, fantasy, romance, retelling
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Okay I can’t lie, I loved this book, but I haven’t yet finished the series…
In this book, Pip decides to open the closed case revolving around Andie Bell’s murder that occurred five years prior. According to officials and most people in Fairview, Andie was killed by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who then killed himself. Pip believes there’s more to the story. As Pip digs deeper into the case, she begins receiving threats, making it clear that someone doesn’t want her looking into the case.
This book is so good, and also so much fun to read due to the variety of content throughout. We see transcripts from her project, maps, and various other spreads that do not normally exist in a novel.
For anyone who enjoys mystery this is a must read. Plus there’s a Netflix adaptation if you find yourself wanting more after you complete the book (or series!).
Genre: young adult, mystery, thriller, crime
Thank you so much for reading everyone, and I hope you got a few recommendations from it! I am planning to make this a series of sorts where I share book recommendations following different themes. I’m also hoping to read more fantasy this year which should help broaden my reading horizons.
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