I have read a lot of really amazing books this year – books that have been on my TBR for a while, re-reads of some of my favourites, and books that I only discovered this year. I rated a good amount of this year’s books 5 stars and if I put them all here then it would be way too long, therefore I’ve only put my absolute favourites on this list.

King of Gluttony by Ana Huang

• Published: April 28, 2026
• Pages: 434 (Kindle Edition)
• Genre(s): Romance, Contemporary
• Series: Kings of Sin #6

Sebastian Laurent is the heir to a culinary empire, handsome, talented, and always in control. Maya Singh is the top marketing executive for Singh Foods, smart, witty, and competitive to a fault. Maya and Sebastian have been rivals ever since their childhood. Being each other’s only equal, their history is rife with challenges and antagonism. When circumstances force them to work together, they must do their best to put their differences aside for their families sakes. But there’s a thin line between love and hate and soon they begin to realise there might be more to the history they share than they might think.

I have had some very mixed opinions about Ana Huang’s books; I’ve loved quite a few of her books, and then I’ve had quite low opinions of a few others. This series is no different in that way. While King of Pride is my favourite of Ana Huang’s books, I thought King of Envy to be one her weakest. However, I was excited by the premise of King of Gluttony and it didn’t disappoint me as it’s now my second favourite of the series. I really enjoyed the relationship between the two MC’s, and I also loved them individually. I found the progression of their relationship to be very natural and I loved all the little moments that allowed that progression to happen. I wouldn’t say that ‘forced proximity’ is one of my favourite tropes but it really worked for Sebastian and Maya – especially as their miscommunication would have continued for so much longer is that weren’t the case.

Song: Spotlight by VOILÀ and Austin Giorgio

The Leighton U Series by CE Ricci

• Published: December 23, 2022
• Pages: 358 (Kindle Edition)
• Genre(s): Romance, LGBTQ+

Oakley Reed and Quinton De Haas have been at each other’s throats for years. Opposites in every way, they can never see eye to eye, even while on the same team. The only thing they can agree on is their love of hockey; when their team starts out the semester on a losing streak, Oakley and Quinton do something they never imagined: hooking up. But when their superstitions are confirmed and their team is lead to victory, how could they put an end to the complicated relationship that has arisen between them.

I started this series back in March of this year and I was instantly hooked. Although I did love Iced Out, I have to admit that it’s my least favourite of the series; Caught Stealing and Fake Shot are my favourites, and two of my new favourite books altogether. I adored the dynamics between all the characters throughout the series, I love an inter-connected stand-alone series and this did not disappoint. The friendships were just as important as the romantic relationships and that was a really important to me as someone who loves platonic bonds as much as I do romantic ones. The chemistry between all five couples was incredibly well-written and I was giggling and kicking my feet all throughout.

Songs: Personal by Palisades, Someone Else by Loveless and Kelllin Quinn, sTraNgeRs by Bring Me the Horizon, Flawed Design by ALESTI and Wind Walkers, Sink Into Me by Wind Walkers

Moth by Lily Mayne

• Published: February 25, 2022
• Pages: 451 (Kindle Edition)
• Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ+
• Series: Monstrous #5

When a pit-stop at a raider camp to deliver a message quickly turns into a rescue mission, Charlie is forced to work with the prickliest and most arrogant person he’s ever met. Moth’s life has been nothing but danger and heartbreak, and he’s not about to trust a complete stranger, whether it’s life or death, or not. But the longer they’re out in the wastes together, the more they learn about one another – and the more they begin to realise they are so much more than their first impressions.

I found the Monstrous series only this year, not having heard of it prior. I read Lily Mayne’s other series before starting this one and I really enjoyed seeing the difference in writing – with Soul Eater being her debut novel. The improvement in Lily Mayne’s writing is clear to see throughout the series, even though I do believe the entire series is really good. However, Moth in particular was super well written. The expansion of the world was the main thing I wanted to see and I loved that aspect of this book. The characters are my favourite part of this series and I absolutely fell in love with Charlie and Moth, the way they shared their traumas and fears with one another, to be instantly accepted by the other was beautiful to see.

Song: The Allegory by VOILÀ

To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders

• Published: February 15, 2024
• Pages: 313 (Kindle Edition)
• Genre(s): Romance, LGBTQ+, Contemporary

At ten years old, Ellis meets the new boy next door. Over the years, Ellis and Lucky develop a bond that compares to no other. When Lucky leaves their home town to pursue his career, a distance forms between them; and, determined to allow Lucky to fly, Ellis tries to move on from the person he’s loved for as long as he can remember. However, when Lucky sweeps back into town asking questions Ellis stays resolute to leave unanswered, Ellis might just have to face his feelings once and for all.

This book came to me at a time when I least expected it, and yet unknowingly needed it the most. I did a book review on To Catch a Firefly when I finished it and I fear I cannot sum up my love for it better than I did in that review: “This book is beautifully heart-warming and achingly sad all at once, but it truly does reward you in the joy that is Ellis and Lucky’s love for one another.” This book was an incredible read and I would read it all over again in a heartbeat if that were possible.

Song: Glue by Gigi Perez

Moriarty the Patriot by Ryosuke Takeuchi

• Published: November 4, 2016
• Pages: 216
• Genre(s): Manga, Mystery, Historical Fiction

In the late 19th Century, Great Britain rules over a quarter of the world. Nobles thrive in comfort and luxury, while the working class slaves away at their jobs. When young Albert James Moriarty’s upper-class family adopts two lower-class orphans, the cruelty the boys experience at his family’s hands cements Albert’s hatred of the nobility he was born into. When Albert asks the older of the two boys for help, they begin their journey of fighting against the unfair class caste system, starting with Albert’s own family.

I watched the Moriarty the Patriot Anime before I read the Manga, and I was instantly drawn in. I first started the Manga back in 2023, and I’ve been reading it sparingly since then (I am incredibly attached to it, if that wasn’t already obvious). As someone who’s read a portion of the Sherlock Holmes stories, I was really interested in a re-telling of the stories from Moriarty’s point of view. The premise of this story is incredibly enticing, but it also lives up to expectation. I adore every single one of the characters, they each take a vital position within the storyline and the progression of their places within the group and plot is incredible to read. This story takes you to the darkest corners of the world, and you see the existence of true cruelty; however, you also see the kindness that persists within that darkness.

Song: Beautiful Crime by Tamer

The Folk Trilogy by Lily Mayne

• Published: January 28, 2022
• Pages: 359
• Genre(s): Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Romance

Ash first saw the Folk when he was a little boy. Having grown up and moved away to college, Ash is now twenty-one and moving back to his childhood home. Years after he last saw the Folk, he’s managed to convince himself it was all the imagination of his younger self. However, after tragedy strikes and Ash ends up being taken to the land of Unseelie, he must confront the truth he was unwilling to admit to himself. Faced with danger at every turn, Ash must learn who to trust, but when he finds himself drawn to the mysterious assassin prince, can he even trust himself.

I’ve also already written a review of the Folk trilogy on this blog, and it’s safe to say I loved it. This series was my introduction to Lily Mayne and I was immediately drawn in. I love when I go into a book not knowing what to expect and become surprised by how much I love it. My absolute favourite book of this series was King of Death. I thought the conclusion of the series was incredibly well done; King of Death showed how far the characters had come, how both Ash and Lonan changed drastically from the beginning to the end of the trilogy and how important they had become to one another. Ash and Lonan have also become two of my absolute favourite characters and I miss them dearly.

Song: Frozen Lake by VOILÀ