As the year comes to a close, I’m excited to reflect on the incredible books I read in 2024. This year, I set a reading goal of 26 books, and I’m proud to say I reached it—finishing my last book on New Year’s Eve! While thrillers are my go-to genre, I also ventured into a variety of other stories that left me with plenty to think about. Here’s my recap of the books I read this year, along with my ratings and thoughts.
Top Favorites of 2024
- The Disappearing Act by Catherine Steadman – 5 Stars A masterfully crafted thriller that kept me guessing until the very end. Steadman’s storytelling is sharp, and the twists were perfectly executed. I’ve loved every book of hers that I’ve read. See my full review here.
- The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas – 5 Stars This chilling mystery had me hooked from the start. The atmosphere and pacing were impeccable, making it one of the standout reads of my year. See my full review here.
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – 5 Stars A beautifully written fantasy with unforgettable characters and a compelling plot. Rebecca Ross has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
- All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham – 5 Stars A gripping psychological thriller that delves into dark secrets and twisted motivations. Highly recommended for fans of suspenseful, character-driven stories.
All the Dangerous Things
A year after her toddler is taken in the night, a sleep-deprived mother becomes obsessed with finding the truth. As a true-crime interview digs into her past, her memories begin to blur—forcing her to question everything, even herself.
Thrillers & Mysteries
- Never Saw Me Comsing by Vera Kurian – 4 Stars A unique take on the thriller genre with a fascinating cast of characters. The premise was refreshing, and the execution did not disappoint.
- The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks – 4 Stars A clever and twisty psychological thriller that kept me second-guessing everything I thought I knew.
- She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica – 4 Stars Another excellent thriller from Kubica, packed with tension and unexpected revelations.
- Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak – 4 Stars An eerie, suspenseful read that balanced supernatural elements with psychological intrigue.
- The Last Word by Taylor Adams – 4 Stars A fast-paced and thrilling ride with plenty of surprises along the way. This one definitely has my heart pumping a few times, the suspense was top notch.
- The Ex-Husband by Karen Hamilton – 4 Stars A page-turner with plenty of drama and suspense. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.
The Ex-Husband
Trying to escape her past as a con artist, Charlotte takes a job aboard a luxury cruise—only to realize someone on board knows her secrets. As tensions rise and danger closes in, revenge may be waiting before the ship reaches its final port.
Other Noteworthy Reads
- Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews – 4 Stars A heartwarming holiday read with charming characters and a festive atmosphere.
- The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert – 4 Stars A delightful story filled with warmth, romance, and the perfect touch of sweetness.
- Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong – 4 Stars A suspenseful tale with a touch of the supernatural. Armstrong’s storytelling is always captivating.
- Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross – 4 Stars Another fantastic book from Rebecca Ross, blending fantasy with richly developed characters.
- The Resort by Sarah Goodwin – 4 Stars A thrilling story with a unique setting that added an extra layer of intrigue.
The Resort
When a couple becomes stranded on the way to a remote ski resort, they seek shelter in abandoned cabins—but by morning, one of them is gone. Alone in a snow-covered wilderness, what begins as a nightmare quickly turns into something far more terrifying.
Highly Overrated Books
- The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen – 2 Stars Unfortunately, this one didn’t live up to my expectations. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired. I have a hard time with Fantasy in general so I’m sure this is a me problem.
- Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll – 2 Stars Despite high hopes, this book fell flat for me. The pacing and character development didn’t quite hit the mark.
Bright Young Women
Inspired by true crime, this gripping thriller follows two women determined to stop a killer before he strikes again. Shifting the focus to survivors, it’s a powerful story of resilience, justice, and the fight to be heard.
Mid-Range Reads
- Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas – 3 Stars A decent read with an interesting premise, though it didn’t quite reach its full potential.
- The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen – 3 Stars While enjoyable, it didn’t stand out as much as I had hoped.
- Unspoken by Lisa Jackson – 3 Stars A solid read, but not particularly memorable compared to other thrillers I’ve read this year.
- The Blackhouse by Carole Johnstone – 3 Stars Atmospheric and engaging, though it lacked the punch I was looking for.
- The Club by Ellery Lloyd – 3 Stars An entertaining story, but it didn’t quite live up to its premise. I do think this would make a great movie!
- Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins – 3 Stars A good read with some interesting twists, but not a standout.
- The Fury by Alex Michaelides – 3 Stars While enjoyable, it didn’t capture the brilliance of some of Michaelides’ previous works.
- The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman – 3 Stars A beautifully written story, but it didn’t resonate with me as much as I’d hoped.
- Wonderland by Jennifer Hillier – 3 Stars A solid thriller with a dark atmosphere, though not my favorite from Hillier.
Wonderland
A charming seaside amusement park hides dark secrets beneath its cheerful surface. When a body is discovered and a teen goes missing, a new deputy police chief is pulled into a chilling mystery that stretches back decades—and may be closer to home than she thinks.
Looking Ahead
As I look to 2025, I’m eager to discover even more incredible stories. My TBR (To Be Read) list is already brimming with new releases and classics I’ve yet to explore. Did you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Affiliate Note: If any of these books caught your interest, you can find them through my Amazon Affiliate links. Your support helps keep this blog running, and I greatly appreciate it.
Here’s to another year of great reads and unforgettable stories. Happy reading!
One response to “Reflecting on My 2024 Reading Journey”
You read an amazing variety of books, with quite a few of those that grabbed my interest and will probably end up on my reading list. I already have Bright Young Women and should be reading it soon-ish; it’s a shame that this one fell flat for you, but I agree that pacing can be so important! Thanks for sharing this!