It feels fitting that I’m (finally) bringing this series back in August with ten books I’ve loved this year!

If you’ve been around for a while, you know I’ve had a goal of reading 70 books in 2026 (I’m currently at 40 books as I write this!), and one of the biggest highlights this year has been joining a local book club. It’s pushed me outside of my usual reading habits and introduced me to genres and authors I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own. While fantasy and thrillers still have a chokehold on me, I’ve definitely become a more adventurous reader because of it.

So if you’re looking to add a few books to your TBR before summer wraps up, here are the ten books I’d recommend most!

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Kristin Hannah has done it again!! I totally didn’t expect this book to hit me as hard as it did. Set in 1970s Alaska, this story is about a family grappling with PTSD, isolation, and survival… not just in the wild, but within themselves.

It’s raw, emotional, and SO beautifully written. The dynamics between parent and child, the strength of the mother-daughter bond, and the unspoken sacrifices made out of love. It’s heartbreaking yet hopeful, and the way Kristin Hannah builds tension while painting such a vivid portrait of Alaska? Just freakin’ incredible. This is definitely one of those books that lingers long after you finish the last page and NEEDS to be read by everyone!!

Spark of the Everflame Series by Penn Cole

Genre: Romantasy
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Is it lowkey embarrassing to say that I finished these 3 books in less than a month? These were thick boys too!!

The story follows Diem Bellator, whose seemingly ordinary life is turned upside down as she’s pulled into a world of magic, political unrest, and long-buried secrets. What starts as a slow burn quickly evolves into an epic fantasy filled with powerful alliances, impossible choices, and plenty of tension.

I’ll admit the first two books move at a slower pace, but they’re laying the groundwork for everything that comes later. And wow… did that payoff deliver. I absolutely devoured the third book because the action never lets up and every chapter leaves you needing to know what happens next. Needless to say, I’m counting down the days until book four.

My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney

Genre: Psychological Thriller
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alice Feeney has officially become one of my favourite thriller authors this year. I found her after watching the Netflix series “His & Her’s” and was hooked! So I thought I’d give one of her newest book a try and she delivered!

This psychological thriller follows two intertwined stories that slowly reveal just how connected everyone really is. Every few chapters, I thought I’d figured it out… and every few chapters I realized I was completely wrong.

It’s the kind of thriller that leaves you questioning everything, and even after the final page you’ll probably sit there thinking, “Wait… WHAT just happened?”

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry

Genre: Romantasy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you haven’t started this series yet, begin with Shield of Sparrows. The first book completely took BookTok by storm last year, and after finishing it in a single sitting, I understood the hype. The world-building is immersive without feeling overwhelming, and it immediately pulls you into the story.

I was honestly a little nervous going into the sequel because second books can sometimes feel like filler. Instead, Rites of the Starling somehow raised the bar. The multiple points of view added so much depth, the pacing was fantastic, and I genuinely had no idea where the story was heading until the very end and I was flabbergasted!!

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

Genre: Chick Lit (Romance)
⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve been patiently waiting for another Abby Jimenez book to completely wreck me after the Part of Your World series, and this one absolutely delivered.

As always, Abby writes relationships with so much warmth and emotional depth. There’s plenty of yearning (which I love), but the story also explores emotional infidelity in a way that feels nuanced rather than sensationalized. It isn’t always comfortable, but it is thoughtful, compassionate, and well written.

Related Post: Bookmarked: Book Series I Loved Reading

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I don’t even know how to explain this book without giving too much away.

Set during NASA’s space shuttle era, the story follows Joan Goodwin, an astrophysics professor whose lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut suddenly becomes possible. What unfolds is a deeply human story about ambition, love, sacrifice, and the people who shape our lives.

All I’ll say is this: I finished the last few chapters completely sobbing. Taylor Jenkins Reid has a way of making fictional characters feel astonishingly real, and this story stayed with me long after I closed the book.

The Ascended by Bree Grenwich

Genre: Romantasy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Imagine Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing, and you’ll understand why I flew through this book!! The story has everything I love in fantasy: dangerous competitions, forbidden romance, revenge, found family, high stakes, and just enough mystery to keep you hooked from beginning to end.

For a debut in a new fantasy world, I was honestly impressed by how well paced it felt. There wasn’t a single point where I found myself wanting to skim ahead, which feels almost unheard of in a first book with this much world-building.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Genre: Historical Fiction
⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was probably one the most emotionally impactful books I’ve read this year. Inspired by the true story of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society scandal, it follows two timelines that eventually reveal a heartbreaking story about family, identity, and survival.

It’s one of those novels that makes you stop and think about how easily history can be forgotten and how deeply family stories shape who we become. Equal parts devastating and hopeful, it’s a book I think everyone should read at least once.

Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz

Genre: Memoir
⭐⭐⭐⭐

As a die-hard One Tree Hill girlie, I was so curious to dive into Bethany Joy Lenz’s memoir. What I wasn’t expecting? Just how raw and honest this story would be.

She opens up about her time on OTH, her personal life, and her experience in a religious cult — all while navigating fame, motherhood, and finding herself again. Some parts were hard to read (especially now knowing what she was going through behind the scenes), but her strength and vulnerability shine. It’s deeply personal, emotional, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the duality of public success vs private struggle.

While I’m not super religious and some sections felt more faith-driven than I usually gravitate toward, I appreciated how open she was in sharing her truth. If you’re an OTH fan or curious about stories of resilience, it’s worth a read.

Love, Mom by Iliana Xander

Genre: Psychological Thriller
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Annnd saving this quickie for last where all the twists and turns engulfed me from cover to cover!! I’ve read my fair share of psychological thrillers over the last few years and have definitely learned to spot clues and guess the ending but this one kept me on my toes all the way through. It follows a woman unraveling the truth behind her estranged mother’s death after receiving a mysterious letter signed “Love, Mom.” What starts off as a haunting, slow-burn mystery quickly unravels into a dark exploration of family secrets, identity, and betrayal. You gotta add this page turner on your TBR!

Let me know what you think!

As always, I’d love to know your thoughts on these books. Plus, tell me what I should put on MY TBR – I’m always looking for recommendations and books to add to my kindle.

PS: Come find me on Goodreads if you wanna follow along on what I’m reading and rating!