The Books I Loved in 2024
Leather and Lark
Brynn Weaver
Lark Montague is living the good life… if the good life means hiding her identity as a serial killer from everyone she loves, dealing with someone targeting her close friends, and being forced to marry Lauchlan Kane—a notorious hitman for one of Boston’s most dangerous men, whom she despises with a burning passion.
“Leather and Lark” is the funniest, loveliest, and bloodiest romance novel of the year. Brynne Weever expertly takes readers from giggling and kicking their legs in delight to laughing out loud and cringing at the gruesome on-page acts. Lark Montague, with her realistic yet charming personality, offers a refreshing take on a female lead. Her sassy retorts, scathing remarks, and seductive one-liners make her the perfect blend of complexity and charm. Her counterpart, Lauchlan, embodies the traditional male main character—brooding, overprotective, and utterly bewitched by Lark.
Weever’s distinctive voice, sense of humor, and rich world-building shine in this bloody twist on the classic “Much Ado About Nothing” inspired plot. Her characters embark on a journey of self-discovery that cements her as one of my go-to recommendations and favorite authors.
Plus… who doesn’t love a good murder?
Iron Flame
Rebecca Yarros
Violet (or should I say “Violence”) is back, fighting to survive through her second year and the notoriously deadly Basgaith College. With the secrets of a rebellion and the lives of thousands resting on her shoulders, Violet has no choice but to keep her head held high in the face of danger and take every challenge as it comes…. Even if most of those challenges are figuring out how to communicate with the untrustworthy yet oh-so-tempting ex-boyfriend (current boyfriend? Who knows… certainly not Violet)
Rebecca has done it again, making the high-stakes love story relatable in the perfect blend of fantasy and realism. Xaden is just as complicated as ever, pushing everyone away to protect the ones he loves, even as Violet begs to be let in. And violet is not a shrieking flower. She is a woman discovering her power and learning how to wield it (literally, we’ve got to work on your aim, Violet). This book hooked me so hard that I picked it up and started again as soon as I finished it.
BRIDE
Ali Hazelwood
Misery is… well, Miserable. But honestly, what did you expect from a Vampire who is marrying the Alpha of the local werewolf pack in order to stop a species-wide war and find her missing best friend? Misery’s outlook, sardonic internal voice, and false understanding of herself make her an easy-to-love character. It’s no surprise that Lowe finds himself enthralled with her.
As a reader, I find this to be the perfect romance novel. It creates an interesting and approachable world while keeping it focused on the complexities of two people falling in love who may not want to be. Every character has their own sense of humor and adds to the depth of the world, making it feel like one big family. This book was the perfect book to curl up with on a snowy Sunday.
Landyn Bowers 