2019 was a bop year in the storytelling department. From movies to music, storytelling was on point for these last 365 days, but the one thing that stood out the most to me was the books. Books this year were not playing around as they delivered back to back show runners that blended seamlessly with poignant themes and all consuming characters that I had no choice but to stan. Because of this I thought it only right to show you guys some of my favorite books of 2019.
So grab some popcorn, get your TBR, and lets reminisce!
That Kind of Guy
Author: Talia Hibbert | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Publish date: May 2nd 2019

If there’s one thing Rae can’t stand, it’s pity. She’s forty, frazzled, and fed up—so attending an awards ceremony alone while her ex swans about with his new wife? Not an option. To avoid total humiliation, Rae needs a date of her own. And her young, hot-as-hell new best friend is the perfect candidate…
Zach Davis, king of casual hookups, has a secret: the notorious womaniser craves emotional connection, and anonymous encounters leave him feeling hollow. After years of performance, Zach’s desperate to be himself. So why does he agree to play Rae’s fake boyfriend? And why does it feel so easy?
When the line between pretence and desire blurs, Zach’s forced to face an unexpected truth: there’s nothing phoney about his need for Rae. But the jaded divorcée’s been hurt by playboy men before. Can a weekend of faking it prove that Zach’s for real?
I AM AN ADDICT FOR DIVERSE/INTERRACIAL ROMANCE AND TALIA HIBBERT IS MY SUPPLIER. WOW OKAY. IS IT SUDDENLY HOT IN HERE OR WHAT?!
Storm and Fury
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout | Genre: YA PNR, Fantasy | Publish date: June 11th 2019

When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…
Jennifer L. Armentrout I will forever stan. This is no exception. Storm and Fury is a spin off from the Dark Elements series, and wow did this bad boy blow the original series out of the park. I never thought I would live to see the day where I stanned Zayne in a relationship, but here I am…stanning.
What a time.
The Best Thing
Author: Mariana Zapata | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Publish date: August 7th 2019

Lenny DeMaio made herself a promise: she was done.
Done thinking about him.
Done worrying about him.
Done reaching out to a man who clearly didn’t want to be found.
Too bad no one gave Jonah Collins the memo.
Are we even shocked that this is here? Cause I’m not. Mariana Zapata is the queen and hands down my favorite romance writer to date. It is what it is fam.
The Stars and The Blackness Between Them
Author: Junauda Petrus | Genre: YA Contemporary | Publish date: September 17th 2019

Trinidad. Sixteen-year-old Audre is despondent, having just found out she’s going to be sent to live in America with her father because her strictly religious mother caught her with her secret girlfriend, the pastor’s daughter. Audre’s grandmother Queenie (a former dancer who drives a white convertible Cadillac and who has a few secrets of her own) tries to reassure her granddaughter that she won’t lose her roots, not even in some place called Minneapolis. “America have dey spirits too, believe me,” she tells Audre.
Minneapolis. Sixteen-year-old Mabel is lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling and trying to figure out why she feels the way she feels–about her ex Terrell, about her girl Jada and that moment they had in the woods, and about the vague feeling of illness that’s plagued her all summer. Mabel’s reverie is cut short when her father announces that his best friend and his just-arrived-from-Trinidad daughter are coming for dinner.
Mabel quickly falls hard for Audre and is determined to take care of her as she tries to navigate an American high school. But their romance takes a turn when test results reveal exactly why Mabel has been feeling low-key sick all summer and suddenly it’s Audre who is caring for Mabel as she faces a deeply uncertain future.
Junauda Petrus’s debut brilliantly captures the distinctly lush and lyrical voices of Mabel and Audre as they conjure a love that is stronger than hatred, prison, and death and as vast as the blackness between the stars.
I found myself within the pages of this book and within the stories and lives of these characters. Moving, lyrical, and diverse–this story is one that if you read it, you will never be the same person after.
Falling For My Brother’s Best Friend
Author: Piper Rayne | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Publish date: October 15th 2019

Abandon Falling #1 – He’s a womanizer. Hasn’t had a serious relationship a day in his life and changes women more often than he changes his sheets.
Abandon Falling #2 – He’s never serious. He cracks one-liners, mostly at your expense.
Abandon Falling #3 – When things go wrong, he seems unfazed and always remains in control. It’s so annoying.
Abandon Falling #4 – He has tattoos. Lots of them. Everywhere. Not to mention, he owns a tattoo parlor. (Damn it! Why doesn’t that sound like a bad thing anymore?)
Abandon Falling #5 – There’s a growing list of how different you two are. You can’t get along for fifteen minutes—a lifetime together would land one of you in prison.
Keep repeating those reasons and drown yourself in work. Pretend you don’t notice his good qualities or how enticing he looks without a shirt, and do not, I repeat, do not agree to live with the man while your place is being repaired from flood damage.
Trust me, even the strongest of us can only forego temptation for so long.
Honestly this entire series is a BOP, but for the sake of this list not looking like a CVS reciept, I decided to just downsize and pick one from the series (since I love every single one). In all honesty though, just do yourself a favor and pick up the series from Amazon. The first book is Lesson’s of a One Night Stand. You are welcome.
The Rogue King
Author: Abigail Owen | Genre: Paranormal Romance | Publish date: July 30th 2019

As a rogue dragon, Brand Astarot has spent his life in the dark, shunned by his own kind, concealing his true identity. Only his dangerous reputation ensures his survival. Delivering a phoenix to the feared Blood King will bring him one step closer to the revenge he’s waited centuries to take. No way is he letting the feisty beauty get away.
But when Kasia sparks a white-hot need in him that’s impossible to ignore, Brand begins to form a new plan: claim her for himself…and take back his birthright.
This was my first full length PNR novel ever, and I am HOOKED. I was always used to PNR in young adult books, but this bad boy just opened up a whole new world (cue Aladdin soundtrack) for me and I don’t think I will be ever turning back. God, I love romance.
Gods of Jade And Shadow
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia | Genre: Fantasy, Mythology | Publish date: July 23rd 2019

The Jazz Age is in full swing, but Casiopea Tun is too busy cleaning the floors of her wealthy grandfather’s house to listen to any fast tunes. Nevertheless, she dreams of a life far from her dusty small town in southern Mexico. A life she can call her own.
Yet this new life seems as distant as the stars, until the day she finds a curious wooden box in her grandfather’s room. She opens it—and accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, who requests her help in recovering his throne from his treacherous brother. Failure will mean Casiopea’s demise, but success could make her dreams come true.
In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed with her wits, Casiopea begins an adventure that will take her on a cross-country odyssey from the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City—and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.
I don’t know what else to say except this novel was lyrical, enchanting and breath-taking all at the same time and all at the same moment. Unputdownable.
Watch Us Rise
Author: Renee Watson, Ellen Hagan | Genre: YA Contemporary | Publish date: February 12th 2019

This novel is a story that I will more than likely shove to my children (If I change my mind and decide to pop one out) and all my family members, because it is that good. It’s a story about standing for what you believe when no one else will listen. A story on what is truly like to be a young feminist and finding yourself through the obstacles that life and society bring about. Simply put, go read it.
The Mermaid’s Voice Returns in This One
Author: Amanda Lovelace | Genre: Poetry | Publish date: March 5th 2019

The mermaid is known for her siren song, luring bedroom-eyed sailors to their demise. However, beneath these misguided myths are tales of escapism and healing, which Lovelace weaves throughout this empowering collection of poetry, taking you on a journey from the sea to the stars. They tried to silence her once and for all, but the mermaid’s voice returns in this one.
Gripping, raw, and filled with emotional power that this book has embedded itself into the fiber of my bones. Lovelace’s way with words are the prime example of just how much power and magic a single word can have.
Announcing Trouble
Author: Amy Fellner Dominy | Genre: YA Sports Romance | Publish date: August 5th 2019

When he convinces me to call games alongside him, our chemistry heats up the booth. We’re good together, whether I want to admit it or not. I’m finding that I like baseball again, but even worse, I’m liking Garrett. A lot.
But when he has to decide between our future and a new shot at his dreams, I know baseball will win out every time.
Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book has tons of hilarious banter, lots of sexual tension, and a hero who will throw a wild pitch right at your heart.
Like I said in my review, this story is the prime example of what made me fall in love with romance growing up. With rich characters, a great plot, and intwoven themes that many can identify with (target audience or not). Clean, fluffy, and deeply resonating–Amy Fellner Dominy hits it out of the ballpark with this gem.
A Pizza My Heart
Author: Teagan Hunter | Genre: Romantic Comedy | Publish date: June 20th 2019

Not me.
It’s home, and I have one last shot to make Wren Daniels see me as more than just her brother’s best friend.
When the opportunity to show her what’s been right in front of her this whole time presents itself, I take it, holding nothing back this time.
Wren thinks we’re pretending, but there’s nothing fake about the way I feel.
After all, she’s always had…a pizza my heart.
This one is adorable. I cannot begin to tell you how adorable this book was. Set around the family that owns a pizzaria, Teagan Hunter served us some heavy romantic comedy feels with a heavy dose of sexual tension that pushed the plot forward in this friends to lovers romance. Foster and Wren’s connection had me swooning throughout. With no angst at all, this book was my feel good book of the year and I ain’t even mad about it.
What was your favorite books of 2019?
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I still need to read Zayne’s book but I haven’t even ordered it yet. My favorite books this year were Blaze, The Bride Test, Ricochet and The Princesses
Okay- I really NEED to start reading some Mariana Zapata books!
Also, I can tell you have some same tastes as me 🙈 I’ve added three that you listed onto my virtual wanna reads; The best thing, Falling for my Brother’s best friend and Announcing trouble.
Your list is perfection!!!!! I still need to read Storm and Fury and all the prior books tied to it lol