I can’t believe another year has gone by and it’s time for another “best of” roundup! This year I decided to focus on my top ten reads of the year, and most of these books have 5 star or strong 4 star ratings. These books aren’t all 5 stars because I wanted to focus on the books that really stuck with me regardless of how I rated them! You’ll notice that the publications dates are a mix of 2018 releases as well as back list publications. Surprisingly enough, only two of the titles from my “most anticipated reads of 2018” post made it onto this year end post! My top 10 ten list this year also includes a 50/50 split between YA and Adult fiction!
I’m also linking this post up with Top Ten Tuesday– What a perfect post to kick off the new year!
Young Jane Young // One of my very first reads of 2018, I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this adult fiction novel with a political slant that reminded me so much of 90s era US political scandals. It really re-frames the way we view women in such political scandals, and calls out the double standards with men and women with political aspirations in a funny yet poignant way. Read my review here.
The Belles // This is quite possibly the most lush, immersive YA fantasy novel I’ve ever read! The world of the Belles is bursting with colors and breathtaking descriptions of beauty, cosmetics, fashion, etc. while still driving home a more sinister message. This is a book I can see myself rereading over and over again! Read my review here.
China Rich Girlfriend // I was definitely late to the party with the Crazy Richl Asians series and decided to read the series in early 2018 to prepare for the movie release. The series was incredible and surprisingly the sophomore novel was my favorite! Read my review here.
Starry Eyes // My second Jenn Bennett book stole my heart and I am forever still swooning over Lennon. Read my review here.
A Court of Frost and Starlight // Let’s be honest, shall we? No one is surprised to see this one on my list. Read my review here.
Roomies // This was my first Christina Lauren novel and obviously the start of an obsession since they have two books on this list (a feat only shared with Sarah J Maas!) I loved the fun fake-marriage premise of this one, and especially loved how they managed to make an “adult fiction” book feel like the New Adult fiction I’ve always wanted! Read my review here.
Catwoman // I was a little wary going into this one because I’m not a huge fan of the current superhero craze and it was also SJM’s first foray into writing a story set in a more modern world, but I really enjoyed this one! SJM especially shows her capability here for writing very fleshed out anti-heros not just with Selena but with Harley and Ivy as well. Read my review here.
Next Year in Havana // It had been a while since I had dipped into the historical fiction genre, but I adored this dual POV story that blends the romance and danger of Cuba’s past with the political issues of the present. Read my review here.
My Favorite Half Night Stand // My second Christina Lauren book on this list, this one had a very different feel from Roomies, but it was still really fun! I also loved the format of the book which combined regular text with IMs, emails, etc. Read my review here.
A Heart in a Body in a World // You know when you go into a book not really expecting anything and then it just ENCOMPASSES you and you don’t know how you were going about your reading and blogging life before experiencing it? That’s pretty much sums up this novel and everyone needs to read it, especially in our current political climate in the US. Read my review here.
What books make your top ten list in 2018? Let me know in the comments!
Great mix of books! Roomies made my list too. Love Christina Lauren books. I also really liked Young Jane Young when I listened to it.
Yes! I need to make my way through the Christina Lauren backlist since I’ve had such success with their most recent three novels!
Always a wonderful sight to see someone’s anticipated title being one of their faves of the year! I was late (and still late) to the Crazy Rich party, but it was a wonderful thing to see the rep on screen — although I, like many others, eagerly wait for further Astrid/Charlie development. Not sure if I’d have the time to venture into reading this trilogy, but nonetheless glad you enjoyed it!
YES Astrid & Charlie! I’d highly recommend the books, the movie was good but I actually almost felt like it was a little boring compared to the books. They’re super quick reads too even though they’re long because they’re so much fun (and include a lot of hilarious/sassy foot notes)
Starry Eyes was on my list. CLo made my list too, but it was for Josh & Hazel and Love and Other Words, though, all their 2018 releases were fantastic.
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Love & Other Words, I think it’s going to be my next CLo book!
How excited are you for The Everlasting Rose? I honestly can’t wait to see both covers side by side, they are so beautiful. Hope you have a lovely New Year, Cristina!
Honestly I was shocked when I saw the author at an event and she mentioned that the series was the first YA fantasy series to feature a black cover model! I also LOVED the inside of the finished copy of The Belles, the hot pink color, the map, etc. I’m sure The Everlasting Rose will be just as gorgeous!
I just read Crazy Rich Asians this year too, and it felt a little like a debut novel so I’ve been curious to see what Kwan does in the sequels.
I LOVED the sequels!! I think I loved them even more than the first book in the series, I highly recommend them!
I’ve heard lots of good things about Starry Eyes- I definitely want to read that one!
It’s my favorite Jenn Bennet book, I highly recommend it!
SO HAPPY TO SEE A HEART IN A BODY ON YOUR LIST. <3 it got the number one slot on mine! I also have lots of love for Next Year in Havana and Starry Eyes.
All great titles!!!
May check out A Heart in a Body World. Am getting strong Forrest Gump vibes from the summary–does that play out in the text as well?
All the best for 2019!
You know I never thought of that comparison but I now I can definitely see it!
Great mix! I’ve heard some great things about a few of these books. Haven’t read any of them, but some are now added to my list! The ever growing TBR LOL. Anyway, great post.
Haha each year the TBR gets more and more out of control!
I know exactly what you mean. I try my best to tackle it and I don’t really think that will ever happen.
We can always hope!
Young Jane Young, Starry Eyes and Roomies are some of my favorites too! I can’t wait to read Next Year in Havana this year and A Heart in a Body in the World after hearing so many people gush about it in 2018!
YES! A Heart in a Body in a World is so powerful, I think you’d really enjoy it!
Starry Eyes and The Belles also made my 2018 top list! 😀 Happy New Year!
Both were amazing! Happy new year to you too, Kay! Hope it’s a great one! 🙂
Great selection of books. Roomies was also a favourite for me and I never got to reviewing it! It just ticked all my boxes. And I’m noticing a few folks saying they loved Next Year in Havana so I am picking that up soon (I’ve been saying that for three months, though).
There’s always a few books I enjoy but somehow don’t get around to reviewing either. Next Year in Havana is REALLY good. It can get a little history heavy at times but overall it was beautifully written!
This is a great list! I haven’t read many of the ones on your list yet, but most of them are on my TBR. I need to start the Crazy Rich Asians series, especially since I loved the movie so much. I have also seen a ton of people raving about My Favorite Half-Night Stand, so I need to finally read it too!
Yes, I highly recommend any recent novels by Christina Lauren, they are just so fun and easy to get into! I honestly think the Crazy Rich Asians books are WAY better than the movie (which I still enjoyed) so I hope you get the chance to get to them soon!
I am super interested in Roomies since I’m constantly on the lookout for NA books that are about 20-something-year-olds and that don’t have much sex in them. Would you say that Roomies fits that description pretty well? ALSO, I just loved reading this post so much! Thanks for writing it.
Roomies does have quite a bit of intimate scenes from what I remember, but what I like about Christina Lauren novels is there’s such a good plot and character development and it doesn’t feel like it’s just using the intimacy scenes for filler, if that makes sense?
I really want to read Starry Eyes! And Night Owls, tbh. I love Alex, Approximately and been planning to read more of the author’s books. I hope it’ll happen in 2019!
Starry Eyes is SO GOOD!!! If you bump it up on your TBR you won’t be disappointed 🙂
I read The Belles earlier this year and I agree, it’s absolutely breathtaking! Happy New Year!
Thanks Kat, happy new year to you as well! I hope you enjoy the sequel to The Belles just as much!
Everyone has been talking about how incredible A Heart in a Body in a World is, and I got it during the half off B&N sale recently, so I’m definitely going to get to it soon! Also, I keep hearing good things about Young Jane Young, so I need to finally read it. Also, China Rich Girlfriend and Next Year in Havana, MY HEART. Loved both of those lots.
I think you’re really going to enjoy A Heart in a Body in a World!! I hope you get to read it soon 🙂