Third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith has never been in a relationship before. After accidentally kissing her department’s professor, Adam Carlsen, in front of her best friend, Olive and Adam realize they both have something to gain from a potential fake relationship and decide to keep pretending they’re together. However, the longer the “relationship” drags on, the more complicated it gets for both Olive and Adam to remember this is only a temporary arrangement.

Starting off strong, this was probably my favourite read of the year and that’s simply because I wasn’t prepared for the amount of gag-worthy cuteness that I would genuinely enjoy, rather than cringe at. This book had had me lying in bed, giggling, kicking my feet in the air, AND screeching all at once. It was so refreshing because not only was there wholesome, lighthearted romance, but it was in an academic setting. There was also tension (slow-burn) AND a diverse cast of characters. And for those curious, there was indeed some spice that was later released as a bonus chapter from Adam’s POV. This should be motivation enough to read the book, tbh. For someone wanting to read something easy and fun, maybe get out of a reading slump, this is a no-brainer recommendation from me.

As a teenager, Lily fell in love with the homeless boy, Atlas, she befriended at school. Years after that relationship ends and Lily hasn’t heard from Atlas in a very long time, she moves to Boston and falls in love with a seemingly perfect neurosurgeon, Ryle. Eventually, cracks start appearing in their relationship coinciding with the sudden return of Atlas in her life, which only makes Lily’s situation even messier.

Let me start off by saying, this book was NOT what I expected it to be, but maybe that was my own fault for going into it with an empty head. If anything, though, I’m glad I went in with zero preparation because I was….overwhelmed (in the best way possible). This book was a journey and a half and it left me screaming crying headbutting my wall at four in the morning. I had work in a few hours but I couldn’t put this book down and sobbed my way through the night. This book is very heavy and intense, so some readers might need to look up trigger warnings beforehand. The characters were so real and raw; I felt like I was living Lily’s life with her because it was that immersive. It also had me ready to sell every belonging I currently possess just to see Atlas happy and thriving because he deserves the world. I can’t say this book is for everyone but I loved it a LOT despite the pain it put me through. 

Eleanor is…odd. To the outside world, she’s a no-nonsense woman who has always had atypical social skills, but Eleanor thinks of herself as completely normal. Her days are usually spent alone at home, abiding by a strict schedule, and carefully avoiding human contact. All that changes when she meets Raymond, the bumbling IT guy from her office. After accidentally saving a man together, they start bumping into each other more and more often, much to Eleanor’s discontent. They make an unlikely pair, but their quirks are what bring them together. As Eleanor begins to make a friend in Raymond, she must face her fears and go on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and even love.

This book was an extremely pleasant surprise. I didn’t know what to expect heading into it, but it left me feeling warm. Experiencing Eleanor’s journey with her, even though I couldn’t directly relate to her experiences, was a treat. I started off feeling indifferent about her character, but by the end of the book, I was fully rooting for her. This book was so uplifting, not just for Eleanor, but for me as a reader too. Witnessing Eleanor slowly step out of her comfort zone and come face to face with her fear of forming relationships and being vulnerable with those around her was motivating to say the least. It’s difficult to portray a character with eccentricities like Eleanor’s as non-caricaturish or even likeable, but her character is so real you have no choice but to get attached to her, and root for her as a friend would. I don’t think there’s anything I would change about this book and it’s something I can confidently recommend to everyone.

Alex and Poppy are polar opposites but have been the best of friends for years. Their bond was unbreakable… almost. On their yearly summer vacation two years ago, their friendship was shattered, and they haven’t spoken since. Poppy, realizing she hasn’t been truly happy after the incident, surprisingly convinced Alex to take one, possibly final, road trip together. With only a week to fix their friendship, Poppy has to lay it all out to revive their friendship…and possibly something more than that.

I already covered this book in detail previously. Check out my full review here. To sum it up, this was a really fun, escapist read. If you have any big travel plans coming up this year, it’s a good way to get excited for those. Also, I’m a simp for Alex and Poppy is living my dream life. If you want to be transported to fun and exotic locations with a super cute and hilarious couple, this is the book to read.

Anna Oliphant is thriving in her senior year – she’s got a famous family, a loyal best friend, and a potential boyfriend.  However, to her dismay, she is dragged out of her comfortable lifestyle in Atlanta and forcibly sent to boarding school in Paris. The upside? She meets the smart, charming, and handsome Étienne. The downside? He already has a girlfriend. How does Anna navigate her feelings for Étienne while trying to survive in this new and romantic city?

I remember my high school French teacher recommending me this book in 12th grade but I never read it because it sounded corny. Well, now I can confirm it was indeed a bit cheesy, but in a cute way! I genuinely wasn’t expecting to like this book but it left me feeling giddy. It’s a YA teen romance from the perspective of Anna, a privileged rich girl who has crazy romantic tension with her boy-friend she’s also crushing on: a swoon-worthy Brit who speaks fluent French. What’s not to love? It almost reminded me of Netflix’s Emily in Paris, but actually good. Was it perfect? No. Some parts were cringy, but overall it left a good impression. Again, this isn’t a book for everyone but it’s another super easy read to lift yourself out of a reading slump.