2020 has been a crazy year but one thing stayed the same… our love of books and reading! Here are our top reads of 2020!

Brooke’s Top Reads:

I think we all know that 2020 was a struggle. For the majority of the year, I gravitated toward fiction in the extreme. I sought out the fantastical, the mysterious, and the stories guaranteed to give me an HEA. I wanted to feel in control at a time when the world seemed off the rails. I think my favorite reads of 2020 sort of reflect that…several whip smart historical romances, a unique paranormal read like nothing else, the comfort of a very favorite author in Mariana Zapata, and then Beach Read snuck in there with a contemporary romance that brought me such joy that I picked it up in audio and paperback. Looking forward to a bright and hopeful 2021 for all of us. <3 

~ Brooke

You can check out all of Brooke’s post here! 

Anissa’s Top Reads:

With isolation brought on by the pandemic, and in a time when nothing felt certain this past year, I wanted something I knew I could depend on. That led me to the immersion of Lisa Kleypas’s world of historical romance books. Though I had already read them all before, it had been a while ago, and I wanted to re-introduce myself to her characters before her new and last Ravenel book hit earlier this year. So I re-read her whole collection.

Along with romance, I found some great informative reads – some on health, wellness, and politics that have served me well.

These kept me busy when I wasn’t studying for my personal training and nutrition certification, or writing my own novel.

My top picks are ones that were most memorable for me, though they all took me to a place of betterment during a chaotic year

~ Anissa

Check out Anissa’s post here!

Hilary’s Top Reads:

One would think that the favorite reads in a year like 2020 would be an escape — rom coms, fantasy, etc. That’s what my assumption would be. But in reflecting back on the literary adventures I have taken over the last 12 months, it really has proven to be the opposite. 

2020 has been a hard year for me to connect with books. I normally read hundreds of books, averaging 4 books a week. This year, all of that changed. Between work and schooling children and the pressures of the world around me, reading took a back seat. That is something that pains this bookworm, and I hope to remedy in the coming year. 

2020 had me searching for the gems that spoke to me on a deeper level, and that is really reflected in my picks for this year. Emotionally deep, beautifully composed books. Maybe it was the personal struggles that helped me get through my own. Maybe it was the deeper connection that helped this social butterfly feel connected to another person in a time of isolation. The one thing I do know is these recommendations are sure to make you feel.  

From learning to love through anxiety to finding love after a failed marriage, secret societies and secret children, these recommendations will wet your cheeks and warm your hearts.

~ Hilary 

Check out Hilary’s posts here!

Stephanie’s Top Reads:

I picked my top reads because these are the ones that stuck with me the most. The ones that I kept thinking about after I read the last page and closed the book.

~ Stephanie

You can check out all of Stephanie’s post – here! 

Ashley’s Top Read:

Being a first time mom with a very active toddler, I have not been able to read as much as I would have liked! In the limited free time I have been reading my favorite parenting instagrammer – @biglittlefeelings – they’re real, honest and have great knowledge about toddlers!

However I was able to sneak in this older release that had been on my TBR for a while and I was able to savor the pages! It is worth the read! 

New Years Resolution: Read more books!

Also be on the lookout for some delicious recipes (like Protein Bites) and other fun posts from me!

~ Ashley

Rachel’s Top Reads:

My top reads of 2020!! 

~ Rachel

Check out Rachel’s post here! 

Melissa’s Top Reads:

This was definitely a strange year but reading is the one constant that is always there! I read a ton of books and this year was harder to escape into the books but these specific reads really resonated with me.

Sea of Ruin is the one that I have recommended the most this year and so far everyone has loved it as much as I did. Grab it! You don’t want to miss out!

JLA, Kennedy Ryan and Claire Contreras –  these authors you can pick up ANY of their books and fall into them… they are amazing writers! Blood and Ash was unique and intriguing! Queen Move is thought provoking and intentional! Contreras always writes a book that stays with you… characters, plot, really every word!

Carmel Rhodes was being recommended everywhere and I had to see for myself what the fuss was about and loved her writing! Truly is a very dark, intense book and is not for everyone but I enjoyed it and will be picking up another one of Carmel’s books!

As a bonus book I added my all time go to recommendation – Throne of Glass, because my monkey started reading it and it reignited all the love that I have for it! I recommend this book first anytime anyone ask for a new read since I read it almost ten years ago! I just love it!

I hope that 2021 brings you joy and all the books!

~ Melissa

Check out Melissa’s post here!