One of my new year's resolutions is to read 12 new books. I shamefully admit it’s been a couple of years since I picked up a book I actually like. (I’ve been enjoying a lot of “chick lits” — modern romance novels as well as romantic comedies.) Up until March, I was on track reading one book per month and then social distancing happened and I’ve been shredding through my To Be Read pile. So let’s get to it! Here’s everything I’ve read so far in 2020.

Everything I’ve Read So Far in 2020 — Beauty by Jessika

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

This was such a cute book. The book series was highly recommended by my friend Kaylee (@kaylee.reads) after I shared with her how much I loved the first two movies on Netflix.

If Lara Jean could have it her way, she would float through high school unseen. But, life is funny like that. When her private love letters mysteriously get mailed out to her former crushes, life as she knew it becomes anything but normal. I enjoyed how Lara Jean took the lemons she was given and made lemonade in the first book of this series.

Just like any book that’s turned into a movie, I had trouble not comparing the two. (I can’t help it!) My favorite part about reading a book after watching the movie is putting a face to the characters. I’m obsessed with Noah Centineo and Lana Condor playing Peter Kavinsky and Lara Jean Song Covey. They are so cute in the movie and it made reading the book that much better.

P.S. I Still Love You

This was my least favorite book in the "To All The Boys" series. (Which is interesting because this is my favorite movie from the Netflix series.) The story in the book felt like it dragged on forever, but I think it was because I was comparing the book to the movie.

Lara Jean and Peter are officially dating and she's excited because this is first *real* boyfriend. Unfortunately, she doesn't feel like she’s good enough for Peter because of his experience with his longtime girlfriend (now ex), Genevieve. As Lara Jean works through her confidence issues, she reconnects with an old friend and crush after he receives her love letter.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean

This was my favorite book in the entire [book] series. Lara Jean’s struggle with making the right decision reminded me of a younger me and I felt all the feels for her.

Now a senior in high school, Lara Jean has her life after graduation figured out. But, all that glitters isn’t gold, and when her future plans get thrown by new and shinier opportunities, she struggles with following her heart or doing what’s comfortable. I'm so happy with the way the series ended and I can't wait to watch it play out on Netflix.

The Bromance Book Club

This book was so, so good! As someone who is preparing for marriage, I appreciated that Lyssa Kay Adams focused on the amount of work that goes into a relationship.

When Thea tells her husband, Gavin, that she’s been faking the big O, he gives her the silent treatment leaving their already strained marriage feeling hopeless. When she asks for a divorce, his friends invite him to their book club to help him repair it. The guys swear that the romance novels they read are the key to a successful marriage. Skeptical, Gavin joins the guys and learns that sometimes, life isn’t always as it seems and that you need to read between the lines to understand the full picture. Such an emotionally sexy read!

Undercover Bromance

I loved this book so much that I ripped through it in three days. (New personal reading record!) It also helped that the main character, Mack, was described as the ultimate hottie. Nice bod? Check. A little sassy? Check. Career? Check. Emotionally intelligent? ALL THE CHECKS!

Mack is one of Nashville's most eligible bachelors. Despite his physical macho-ness, he's a real teddy bear when it comes to his feelings. When his new friend Liv asks him for help with taking down her sleazy boss, Mack jumps at the opportunity. His undeniable love for Liv is sweet, but Liv's relationship with her estranged father leaves her feeling confused about what she romantically wants with Mack.

This book had me at the edge of my seat at all times. The suspense was too good to pass up. (I want to mention that the “suspenseful events” in this book triggered some past trauma for me so just be aware if you’re sensitive to that kind of stuff.) Other than that, Lyssa Kay Adams is an emotionally intelligent writer. I kind of think she’s an empath because her writing is deep, yet relatable.

If I Never Met You

This is my first British chick lit. It had great reviews on Good Reads so I ordered it with my last book order and devoured it. The lingo was a bit hard to follow at the time, but it was still fun to read!

Laurie is confused, angry, depressed (basically all the feels) after her boyfriend of 18 years leaves for her for another woman and impregnates her almost immediately. When she’s left to pick up the pieces, she gets stuck in an elevator with Jamie, coworker / office “playboy”, who proposes they pretend to date in order for him to be taken more seriously at work as well as to create some jealousy to distract Laurie from her grief.

I thought this book was going to be a “sexy” rebound story; Instead, it was a beautiful story about love, forgiveness, and acceptance, and it had me crying and laughing within seconds of each other. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but it was probably because there was a lot to get through considering they were dating for so long. I’m hoping it’s because there will be a sequel.