Maryse’s Top Ten Favorite Books in 2020

OMG!!! It’s finally ready, and I AM THRILLED with this list!! I wholeheartedly recommend every single book on here, if you haven’t read them yet. YOU ARE IN FOR A TREAT!!! And I’m certain if you have read any of these, you’re with me on how awesome these were.

I remember every single thing about each of these books, which makes them absolute stand outs. UNFORGETTABLE. Every one unique and clever… and/or angsty and/or gasp-worthy in their own ways, and had me devouring them and still thinking about them now. And I have no doubt you will too.

May I present to you…

MY 2020 FAVORITES:

Final Serenade by N.N. Britt <— ROCK STAR ANGST that had my stomach in knots and I loved it because it was strictly her POV so I could feel all the butterflies, and all the insecurities… which allowed me to live this romance right along with her. As if I were her. Here’s a snippet from my 5-STAR review. P.S. Also, here’s my review of book #2 (the duet conclusion).

Just the right amount of titillating slow burn, jealousy (from both sides!!!) and a few potential monkey wrenches that are threatening my happiness. I mean hers. 😉 The ultimate fantasy but with the realistic pitfalls that come with falling in love with a celebrity. And this book lets us LIVE it.

You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley <— I WENT IN BLIND WITH THIS ONE (only knowing the blurb jolt it gave me – she’s happily married buuuuutttt she keeps dreaming of a stranger, and then one day she meets him!!! And he’s been dreaming of HER TOO!!! Eeeeeeep!!) Oh how adamantly it was recommended to me and y’all were right. It was awesome and gasp worthy and unforgettable!! Here’s a snippet from my 4.5 STAR review.

I already love exploring a solid and loving couple that run across marital issues that they try to work through (and finding the truth behind the discord), but the strange monkey-wrench that was thrown their way really had me questioning how this would end.

…Oh it all comes together and makes so much sense. Well, as much sense as something “out there” like this can make. 😉

The Player Next Door: A Novel by K.A. Tucker <— HE’S HER HOT FIREFIGHTER NEIGHBOR and it’s strictly from the heroine’s POV. You know I love that, ’cause there was an angsty push-pull scene that had my heart in my throat and was SO intense. Oooooh the jealousy. I LIVED IT and was in pure angsty romance stress mode!!! P.S. Everything I’ve read by this author, I’ve loved. She rocks my world! Here’s a snippet from my 4.5 STAR book review.

…there were 2 or 3 chapters in a row around the 30% point that were HUGE for me. So incredibly emotional and real and relatable, that I felt her jealousy and angst BIG time.

I almost forgot I was reading the entire time other than the fact that I pretty much  highlighted the whole entire section. Just heart-piercingly gooooooood!

Lump that in with plenty of funny-quirky situations, tense moments (oohhhh my favorite), infuriating moments (her bully from when she was a teen is still right there, front row and center!!) and it all flowed perfectly for me.

The Life That Mattered by Jewel E. Ann <— JEWEL E. ANN is another incredible favorite of mine. She’ll take you there even if it’s going to tear your heart out in the process and I love her for it. Well I mean… in books. ONLY in books. 😉 Please not in my real life. LOL!! This one had so many of us in a breathtaking frenzy here, ’cause it’s got that touch of temptation going on where it shouldn’t be, ya know? I was biting my nails and fuming, but there was SO MUCH MORE to it. You’ll see. Here’s a snippet of my 4.5 STAR review. P.S. Here’s my review for book #2 the duet conclusion.

…this one is so crazy-unique, and totally typical Jewel E. Ann storytelling.

The minute you clue in to what’s happening, you’ll smile to yourself and think Ahhhh yes. I see where this part is going.

But do you?

Did I? I thought I did until the end.

The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher <— PSYCH-THRILLER & IS ANYONE SURPRISED I CHOSE IT? LOL!! Tarryn Fisher’s books seem to make every single of of my Best of the Year lists. I just love her unique twists and can’t get enough of her depth (whether exploring the dark or the light – she’s perfect in both). This book went crazy, and had a gasp-worthy twist right off the bat that I WAS thrilled about. Here’s a snippet of my 5-STAR review.

I wish I could tell you but I can’t. But just realizing “this aspect” of the story when it hit me (and pretty early on, too) made me that much more excited.

I was all… NO. WAY!!!!

Oh YES.

So… there are a few potential villains (<— I say potential because MAYBE NOT!!) in this one, but until you get to the end you’re not 100% certain.

Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover <— And I must say it again… 😉 IS ANYONE SURPRISED I CHOSE IT? Colleen’s books usually explore a certain family dynamic, friendships, pain and personal growth, but she always throws a jaw-dropping twist in the mix (and always so clever!!), and this is why I LOVE her stories. This one started off dark, and then made my heart swell as friendships were forged… but don’t get too comfortable. 😉 You know you’re in for something big with her!! Here’s a snippet from my 4.5 STAR review.

The beginning will suck you right in, the shock of the moment when we meet the heroine, overwhelming, and her reaction, distressing and yet… also understandable, when you realize how much she’s already been through. And then… acclimating to her new world with her (I JUST LOVED all of that!!). We get to know her so much better, while she gets to know herself… and we grow with her too.

And then there’s a reveal I DID NOT see coming. I knew one was coming… I just didn’t know it was this one. LOL! 🙃

Great read, lots of emotion, and moments that will tug at your heart bones. You’ll see. 😉

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover <— TWO FAVORITES IN ONE YEAR? But of course!! It’s Colleen Hoover, and this time she explores a whole different kind of family dynamic (my favorite kind when it comes to these angsty stories). *ooooooomph* The sudden loss of her husband and the grieving, and reconnecting with her daughter as they try to forge a new “normal” in their suddenly very different lives together. But that’s not the only thing. 😉 Possible love after loss. But… that’s not the only thing. 😉 TWO HUGE TWISTS!!!!!! BEST EVER! Gasp-worthy? OH YES. Here’s a snippet from my 4.5 STAR review.

Oh yes, my friends… this one is a WHOLE LOT MORE than what that blurb lets on, so I will continue in that vein, and keep my lips sealed for the most part. Mind you, it’s a good blurb, solid and intriguing – it’s not wrong at all… but it definitely underpromises and delightfully overdelivers in the best of ways!

I did NOT see the reality of the backstory coming until it slapped me in the face and left me in shock. And then… I was ALL IN.

Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid <— ROCK STAR ANGST told in an incredibly unique and exciting way!!! You’ve heard this one make so many favorites lists, and it’s not for nothing. This story ROCKS. It feels like a true story, and in fact, a few of us (including the author) latched on to the possible real rock star inspirations which made visualizing these characters that much more fun!! The audiobook was perfect for this “story telling format” so I highly recommend it that way (even though I normally only listen to motivational and self help on audiobook, while reading my fiction). No matter, this one was perfection! Here’s a snippet from my 4.5 STAR review.

If you’re new to audiobooks, this is THE ONE to start with. Multiple narrators all play a part of a different band member, and you get to know them by voice (and even imagine what they look like) as if you’re actually watching a movie. And what a movie… er… I mean book, it was!

…She was a force in her own right. And then she meets “The Six”. And it all goes crazy from there.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert <— MOTIVATIONAL, INSPIRATIONAL, UPLIFTING & EXCITING! Exactly what I needed to start 2020 (er… before we even realized what 2020 was going to be about). Yep. This one was my first review in 2020 and… ahhhh I was so wide-eyed and bushy-tailed. 😉  That said, I’ve become hooked on these motivational-type audiobooks and have started each of my mornings off right, and ended my evenings, peacefully. Here’s a snippet from my 5-STAR review.

It’s about finding and enjoying your creativity (no matter “what” that version of creativity is). It’s a very “YOU BE YOU” and don’t worry about ANYTHING else (anyone else’s tastes, critics, fans…) Everything you create, you create for yourself, because it makes YOU happy. Brings you joy.

Let the chips fall where they may after, but no matter what, DO your best not to ever stifle yourself or your creativity for others. Or worse yet, for your fears. Even if you can only fit your creativity in bits of time between work, or early in the morning before everyone wakes up. CREATE.

The Decision by Kevin Hart <— MOTIVATIONAL SELF HELP & HILARIOUS! Not my usual in regards to what I normally review on my blog, PLUS it’s an audiobook review, but it was a great “read” and I think everyone can relate with what he has to say. I’ve always thought Kevin Hart to be hilarious, and that shines right though in this inspiration book. He delivers great insight, and peaceful feels all while making us laugh. Here’s a snippet from my 5-STAR review:

I believe him when he talks to me. It’s genuine. I feel it innately. I felt like I was hanging out with one of my favorite friends and we were having a heart-to-Hart. 😏 <— See what I did there? I’ve always loved Kevin Hart’s comedy roles and he delivers this amazing message through plenty of Kevin Hart-esque humor (bad words – plenty of those – along with hilarious observations and rants and word inventions).

Oh yes… it can get goofy, and he loses track every once in awhile when he says something funny (and then he goes into a comedic spin – which will have you laughing, or rolling your eyes but in a good way) :P.

Also check out:

➔ My Best Books of 2019
➔ My Best Books of 2018
➔ My Best Books of 2017
➔ My Best Books of 2016
➔ My Best Books of 2015
➔ My Best Books of 2014
➔ My Best Books of 2013
➔ My Best Books of 2012
➔ My Best Books of 2011

➔➔➔  Looking for more of our favorite recommendations? Browse our “Ultimate Favorites Lists” here. Are you in the mood for a certain kind of story? Browse our favorite “genre/trope categories” here and our reader favorites lists too.