My Favorite Books I Read in 2020

2020 was all about books for me. While I’ve always been someone that enjoys reading, I really got into reading this year. It’s been a delightful escape when the world has otherwise been a shitshow. Nothing made me happier than getting lost in someone else’s problems.

In all, I read 52 books in 2020:

• all 52 are by women.
• 13 books by authors of color (a number I definitely want to up in 2021)
• 9 YA books
• 4 thrillers
• 22 books I would categorize as “romance” in some way
• 2 self-help type books
• 4 books by Elin Hilderbrand
• 3 books by Jasmine Guillory

Today I wanted to round-up my absolute favorite reads from the year. These are my favorites, but in no way am I saying they are the best books. Just simply what I loved and what I’m constantly recommending when people ask for book recs.

I’d also love to hear from you! What were your favorite books you read this year?

And if you’re looking for even more book recommendations, check out my Book section for reviews of every book I read this year, plus other book recommendations!

Favorite Books I Read This Year:

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

I mean… duh. The book you’re probably sick of hearing about from me 😂

Solene Marchand is a 39-year old divorced gallery owner living in LA. She brings her pre-teen daughter to a meet-and-greet in Vegas for a popular boy band. One of the members, charming, British, gorgeous, 20-year old Hayes Cambell (loosely based on Harry Styles!), flirts with Solene and invites her and her daughter to come backstage after the show.

Through a series of events, Hayes and Solene begin a crazy, unlikely, whirlwind, relationship.

I’ll admit, the premise of an almost 40-year old falling in love with a 20-year-old boy-bander sounded a bit cheesy to me at first. But, wow, is this book so much more than that. I just reread it and I’m still dealing with the “book hangover” a week later. It’s a bit steamy if that’s not your thing, but also just an incredible, smart, book about women getting older.

 

28 Summers by Elin Hilerbrand

If I had to choose a second favorite book I read this year, hands down it would be this one.

Jake and Mallory have a pact: Every year, they spend Labor Day weekend together. No matter what. The book follows their relationship and the yearly rendezvous over 28 years.

It’s not a major spoiler, but for one of them keeping up with this tradition means cheating on their spouse. I’ve heard from some people that they can’t get over that aspect of it and it tainted their opinion of the book. Which is totally valid! But beyond that, I found it to be an amazing journey with these two people. By the end, I was so not ready to say goodbye as I felt I knew both Jake and Mallory intimately after following them for 28 years.

Like most of Elin Hilderbrand’s books, it takes place mainly on Nantucket and makes for a delightful escape.

 

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

Even though I read this book almost a year ago, I still think about it constantly.

Young lawyer Dannie has it ALL figured out and she’s on track to hit every one of her major goals: Get married to her long-term boyfriend before age 30 and stay on track to make partner at her dream law firm.

On the night she gets engaged (and nails a super important job interview) Dannie has a bizarre dream 5 years into the future. She’s wearing a different engagement ring and the guy next to her definitely isn’t her fiance. Over the next five years, her bizarre dream will slowly start to come true in a way she never could have imagined.

 

One Day in December by Josie Silver

This book is the perfect cozy read for this winter and will totally suck you in.

Laurie spots a guy outside while she’s riding on a bus in London. They both lock eyes but the bus leaves before they have a chance to chat. After spending a year pining for “Bus Boy” she gives up on finding him again only to then be introduced to him at her own holiday party. Turns out Bus Boy is Jack, her BFF Sarah’s new boyfriend. The book is told from the perspective of both Laurie and Jack from the year 2008 to 2017.

 

Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory

Jasmine Guillory’s books are all AMAZING. But I think this one is my favorite:

Olivia Monroe just moved to LA from New York to start a law firm with her good friend. On one of her first nights in LA Olivia meets super cute Max at a hotel bar. What Olivia doesn’t realize is that Max is a hotshot junior senator. The two end up connecting again a few weeks later and the sparks start to fly. Turns out dating someone in the spotlight is complicated, and something Olivia isn’t sure she likes.

Just a heads up: Jasmine Guillory’s books all take place in the same “universe” in the sense that all the characters are related in some way. While there is something delightful about knowing the backstories of various characters, I do think you can read them as standalone books too (I read some of then out of order personally)

 

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I LOVED this book. If you love cute romances, this is a must.

Alex is the First Son of the United States and Henry is the Prince of Wales. The two begin an unlikely romance after having always been sworn enemies. Things get complicated, though, as Alex’s mom runs for her second term as president and this romance becomes a hot topic on the campaign trail.

 

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

I’ve never read anything like this YA book. It is SO beautifully and meticulously written.

Yahaira and Camino are half-sisters but don’t know it until their dad dies in a plane crash on his way to visit Camino in the Dominican Republic. Through their dad’s death, they start to uncover the secrets their father had been keeping from both of them. The book is completely written in verse and flips back and forth between Camino and Yahaira.

✨

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