I found out all of my favorites made the USA Today’s Best-Selling Booklist while I was scrolling through TikTok. H.D. Carlton, the author of the Cat and Mouse series, including Haunting Adeline, had posted a video in awe of making it on this exclusive list. If this indie-published Kindle Unlimited exclusive made the list, I just had to see what else did. And there it was; most of my current reads and favorite series!
I was so impressed that multiple series made the list, including books from ACOTAR and the Twisted Series. I want to shed light on these new authors and indie authors/publishers that have made it to this list because people truly enjoy and obsess over their novels. Many of these pieces have gained followers through videos on BookTok, where creators are currently raving about some of these books in particular.
I know that for some of these novels, this is just the first time we’ll be seeing them. I am so excited to see how far they go! They deserve all the praise. Take a look at the list below to find books you enjoy and books you’ll be adding to your TBR!
2 – It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
A glorious and touching read, a forever keeper. The kind of book that gets handed down
USA Today
3 – Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
Honestly if you are not a fan of super spicy books definitely take a pass here because OH MY GOSH. I was not expecting the level of heat this book packed! Do not let the cute cover fool you because this one is easily 5/5 🌶️
Amazon Review
5 – Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
The reigning queen of STEM romance.
The Washington Post
7 – Happy Place by Emily Henry
With tender insight and quick wit, Henry delivers prosecco and sea breezes alongside startling mediations on friendship, loss, and adulthood.
Oprah Quarterly
8 – A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Passionate, violent, sexy and daring…. A true page-turner.
USA Today
9 – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
A kicky debut, this book tackles feminism, resilience, and rationalism in a fun and refreshing way.
Buzzfeed
10 – It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.
Kirkus Reviews
11 – Twisted Love by Ana Huang
Not gonna lie..there’s a lot that goes in this book plot wise. But I loved it. I looooovvveeee Alex! Idc idc idc! I love how he was calculating and didn’t let much appear to faze him.
Amazon Review
14 – Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
A fantasy like you’ve never read before.
Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times bestselling author
21 – Verity by Colleen Hoover
If you came here to find a mystery romance book that’ll have you on the edge of your seat (and keep you up at night), add Verity by Colleen Hoover to your cart.
Cosmopolitan
31 – The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A novel of Old Hollywood that’s simultaneously gossipy and poignant. Look no further for the glamour, ambition and shocking secrets your beach-blanket sessions demand.
People
32 – If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin
Everybody told me I would cry. All the reviews, all my friends. A book hasn’t made me cry in a while and gosh dang it… it made me cry.
Amazon Review
33 – A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
A gorgeously written tale as lush and romantic as it is ferocious. Absolutely spellbinding.
Alexandra Bracken, New York Times bestselling author
40 – Twisted Games by Ana Huang
Such a great continuation to the Twisted series. The pull between Bridget and Rhys was palpable. The thoughtfulness and attentiveness Rhys secretly displayed… The strength and growth of Bridget into her new responsibilities.
Amazon Review
44 – Beach Read by Emily Henry
The romance was wonderfully developed in this rivals to lovers trope. There was just the right amount of spicy for my liking, and I truly enjoyed the two main characters. This was a quick read and it tugged at all the heartstrings.
Amazon Review
46 – Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
Hoover builds a terrific new-adult world here with two people growing in their careers and discovering mature love.
Booklist
53 – A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
Passionate, violent, sexy and daring. . . . A true page-turner, A Court of Thorns and Roses will envelop you in its telling, intriguing and delighting you in turn. . . . Not to be missed!
USA Today
64 – Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey
This enemies-to-lovers, fake-marriage romance is brimming with witty banter and sizzling with chemistry. The protagonists are fully realized, with painful backstories and emotional growth throughout the novel… Bailey’s fans won’t be disappointed with this hilarious, heartfelt follow-up to Secretly Yours.
Library Journal
71 – The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
This book has what every girl wants in a summer.
Sarah Dessen
81 – Twisted Hate by Ana Huang
But I can already tell that Twisted Hate is my favorite out of the series. Jules and Josh was such a relatable couple and the spice is IMMACULATE! This book and their story goes deeper then you would think from what you read in the previous two books in the series. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!
Amazon Review
84 – Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
Haunting Adeline is a dark, riveting tale, that creeps into your mind and stays with you for days after. If you’re a fan of ANYTHING dark then this book is a MUST read!! H.D brings the grit, the steam, and did I mention STEAM?! I need my own personal Zade!!
-Josi Beck, USA Today Bestselling author
85 – Hooked by Emily McIntire
It’s quite amusing how this book got me HOOKED (pun intended) from the beginning. Emily’s delightful writing style captivates me as always, and I adore how she breathed new life into these familiar characters.
Amazon Review
87 – Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Addictive, intense, and oozing with romance. I’m envious. I couldn’t put it down.
Lauren Kate, New York Times bestselling author
90 – Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
5 glistening stars for the ‘Throne of Glass’ by Sarah J Maas who in my opinion reigns supreme as the Queen of Fantasy.
Amazon Review
91- A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Frost and Starlight was exactly what it was advertised as: a fun, short, and festive novella about the Inner Circle celebrating the Winter Solstice and Feyre’s birthday. Besides the festivities, we get to see the characters rebuilding Prythian and supporting each other in the aftermath of the war. This book is everything that I was expecting and more.
Amazon Review
92 – Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Emotion-packed and beautifully woven together.
New York Post
94 – Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
I laughed. I cried. I laughed while I cried, and I definitely blųshed, and it was the best, most delıcious emotıonal rıde! Knox and Naomi’s story is an epic, spectacular read that will easily maintain its place on my list of tòp five reads for the year.
Book Addict
97 – Twisted Lies by Ana Huang
I was instantly LOVING Christian and his morally grey, Stella obsessed self! Also the way Christian was possessive and protective over Stella…. IN A BOOK IT IS A-OKAY WITH ME! WHOOP WHOOP!
Amazon Review
102 – A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
Although this installment is not as action packed as the previous ones in the series it still seemed to pack a punch. I really identified with Nesta through a lot of this book and I loved being able to see her beat her inner turmoil and come out for the better.
Amazon Review
103 – King of Rath by Ana Huang
The tension, the banter, the sarcasm, the swoon-worthiness, I am not even joking, EVERYTHING, had me screaming and blushing.
Goodreads Review
111 – The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
With complicated characters, a suspenseful plot, and a successful return to the Faerie setting of many of her popular books, Black’s latest is sure to enchant fans.
The Horn Book
128 – The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Wildly romantic [and] surprisingly suspenseful….[B]ringing those dark figures back to life, making them men again, and while she’s at it, us[ing] her passionate companion piece to The Iliad as a subtle swipe at today’s ongoing debate over gay marriage. Talk about updating the classics.
Time magazine
133 – Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Book Lovers is a treat from start to finish, flipping the conventional small-town love story trope on its head…This enemies-to-lovers novel is a quick and satisfying binge-read
USA Today
If you want to see the complete list to add to your ever-growing TBR list, click here! If you’re looking for another maybe darker romance read, click here!