2021 is wrapping up and I’ve been reflecting on the books I completed this year. Out of 275+ books, I’ve narrowed it down to these top 10 books of the year. It was rediculously hard to decide on these as I read so many good books. There’s fantasy, rom-coms, young adult, vampires, and so much more on this list! These are listed in no particular order because it’s too hard to pick just one top favorite ;).

1. Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff Empire of the Vampire (Empire of the Vampire, #1) by Jay Kristoff | Goodreads

Not only does this book boast gorgeous pictures throughout, the writing, world building, characters, and setting is superb. This was my first Kristoff read and I was not disappointed! The story follows Gabriel de Leon, the last Silversaint, as he recounts his life to a cold blood. The plot goes back and forth between the past and the present, which can be hard to keep up with at times. However, the writing is done in such a way that the reader can easily keep up with what is going on. Be warned, this is a dark, disturbing tale that has loads of gore, violence, sex, and language! As noted multiple times by the author, this is not a book for kids!!

2. Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer Defy the Night (Defy the Night, #1) by Brigid Kemmerer | Goodreads

This is the first book in Kemmerer’s new series that features a kingdom in turmoil, a king and prince trying to fix what’s broken, and a strong female who is going rogue to save her community. Not everything is as it seems as Tessa and Wes work together to make and distribute the lifesaving moonflower elixir to those less fortunate. This is a Young Adult Fantasy that is reminiscent of Robin Hood with a huge scoop of political intrigue and a dash of enemies-to-lovers thrown in. Highly recommend this new series! Check out a more detailed review here: Book Review: Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer ~ Once Upon a Book Babe.

3. Well Played by Jen DeLuca Well Played (Well Met, #2) by Jen DeLuca | Goodreads

This is the second installment of the Well Met series that takes us back to Willow Creek’s annual Renaissance Faire. While we see Simon and Emily in this story (they’re engaged…squee!!), this story follows Stacey and her tale of mistaken identity. A casual hookup over the summers turns into a year-long email exchange. Except, it turns out the person on the other end is not who she thought it was. I loved this heartfelt tale and the laugh-out-loud moments!

4. When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting When Sparks Fly (Spark House #1) by Helena Hunting | Goodreads

This is book 1 in the new Spark House series by one of my fave Rom-Com authors Helena Hunting. A Hunting book is sure to bring the warm-and-fuzzies along with some hilarity thrown in. This one covers a bit of heavy topics like loss of a parent and fear of car accidents. Avery and Declan have been friends since college, but lines start to get blurred when Declan becomes Avery’s caretake after a car accident.

Avery is a co-owner of Spark House, a family hotel/event space in Colorado Springs, that she runs with her two sisters. The chemistry between Avery and Declan is off the charts and, while they have hurtles to overcome, their relationship is inevitable. By the end you’ll be smiling from ear-to-ear!

5. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood The Love Hypothesis (The Love Hypothesis, #1) by Ali Hazelwood | Goodreads

Don’t let the fact that this is hailed as a Renlo fanfiction because even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan, this book is still worth reading. Hazelwood brings her love of Adam Driver and her background as a scientist in academia into a brilliant romantic comedy. Olive and Adam (Carlson, not Driver 😉) end up in a situation where they agree to fake-date for a mutual benefit. Olive thinks Adam is doing it as a way to advance his career, but is there more to it than that? I love the fake dating, hero is only a softy for the heroine trope, and this does not disappoint. And the sex scenes are lit 🔥🔥🔥!!

6. One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London | Goodreads

I loved this take on a Bachelor-type book! It features a plus-size fashion blogger who is obsessed with Main Squeeze, which is the hit reality show fashioned after The Bachelor. The story follows Bea on her adventure of the reality show. Bea’s only objective for joining the show is to bring body-positive beauty standards to entertainment and to inspire women across America. While she does that, will she find her happily-ever-after and fall in love? Be sure to read this 5-star Rom Com to find out!

7. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Goodreads

This is the first book in this Young Adult Mystery/Thriller series that is full of puzzles, riddles, and danger. Somehow, Avery has found herself in the middle of the four handsome and enigmatic grandsons of Tobias Hawthorne. She’s thrust into this world of wealth and privilege as an heir-apparent, to the dismay of Grayson Hawthorne. With everyone holding onto secrets, including the deceased Tobias, will Avery be able to figure out the end game and get the inheritance? The intrigue continues in The Hawthorne Legacy, book 2 of the series.

8. Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult | Goodreads

In this timely and relevant novel, Picoult weaves a tale of the human spirit in times of turmoil. This is heavily focused on COVID-19 so proceed with caution if this is a triggering subject. Diana is about to set sail to the Galapagos islands with her long-term boyfriend Finn. She’s hoping he’ll propose to her on vacation, but their plans get derailed when Finn, a surgical resident, gets pulled into the COVID pandemic and encourages Diana to go on vacation alone since it’s non-refundable.

Against her better judgement, she goes. This story follows her isolation on the island when it shuts down from the pandemic. In true Picoult fashion, there’s a major plot twist in the middle with a heartbreaking ending for our main character. This is a phenomenal read that will have you riding an emotional roller coaster through the whole thing!

9. Roxy by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman Roxy by Neal Shusterman | Goodreads

This was another heavy hitter that focused on serious topics. It was extremely well-written and, IMHO, feel it is a must-read for middle and high school age students. Using intense imagery and humanization of popular drugs, Shusterman and Shusterman tell a tale as old of time of how easy it is for people, particular those in high school, to get involved into drugs.

This story follows the Ramey siblings as they each struggle with their relationship prescribed drugs. Isaac is involved with Roxy after a soccer injury while Ivy gets entangled with Addy as school pressure mount. Roxy and Addy have a wager going on who can get their “love interest” to “the Party” first. This is an all-too familiar tale of substance abuse and how the victims are not always what they appear.

10. Crave Series by Tracy Wolff Crave Series by Tracy Wolff | Goodreads

As a HUGE fan of Twilight back in the day, I was super pumped to read this series that features an Alaskan supernatural academy, a brooding vampire, and an unsuspecting supposed human. Not all is as it seems at Katmere academy and, the more Grace becomes entangled with Jaxon, the more she discovers about the supernatural world.

Grace discovers she’s not quite human and plays an important role in the supernatural world as a war between the supes become inevitable. There’s a bit of a love triangle in book 2 that leads to a few surprising discoveries. Book 4 comes out in February 2022 and I’m waiting on the edge of my seat to read the next installment!

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Well, there you have my top reads of the year! I’ve read so many good ones that’s it’s been difficult to narrow it down, but these were the ones that had me thinking back on them long after the story was finished. Will you add any of them to your 2022 list? Did you read any of these? What were your top books of the year? Let me know in the comments below!