I love a good series. Like ... love. I would prefer to immerse myself in a series than a standalone. Worlds are more well thought, more character development ... you just can't get that in a standalone unless its a super long book. Below are my top 10 series' reads of 2020. You will notice there are some combined ones, but that's because they are spin-offs, and I consider it one big series.
10 (Will reread) - 1 (I want to live in that series)
10. O'Brien Family Series by Cecy Robson
(COMPLETE)
This series covers serious topics (such as various forms of abuse, hearing loss, and self-worth issues), but you are also guaranteed wonderful contemporary romance, hot sex, huge laughs (especially when this large and loud Irish family get together), and a warm, fuzzy feeling at the end. This series left a lasting impression on me, probably because these books made my laugh and cry in equal amounts.
9. Wait for You Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout (COMPLETE)
The first of, I will admit, quite a few of Jennifer's series, that makes it on my list is the Wait for You Series. These standalone new-adult romances are all interconnected. These books also deal with serious issues (trauma from rape and domestic abuse, the side effects of drugs and dealing, dealing with self-esteem issues and extreme guilt, killers, miscarriage, and trauma from an attack.), but they are also filled with romance that will make you swoon, steamy sex, and happily ever after's that will make you feel good at the end.
8. Covenant/Titan Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout (COMPLETE)
The first series is amazing for the upper young adult (I would say 16+) and the second one, definitely 18+. Both are entertaining, and exciting. We get funny moment, and sad ones. It has beautiful messages about inequality and redemption. Both have lots of action, romance, and despite the Covenant series being young adult, does have sex on page, just not very descriptive. If you want the knitty, gritty, smutty details, the Titan series is great for that. These books hold a special place in my heart, and I think they will always be on my re-read list.
7. Stiletto/Oxford Series by Lauren Layne
(COMPLETE)
I seriously have read this whole series twice in the last year, and I know I will re-read them again in the future. These are classic Lauren Layne romance, with hot as hell sex, and the fun friendships that intertwine all these books. Lauren Layne's love for a man in a suit, and her usual setting of NYC bring a certain flair to these books. My only complaint: this is an ebook only series :( I want paperbacks, damn it!
6. Weird Girls by Cecy Robson
(Ongoing)
Weird Girls is a series you can't help but love. We get the family dynamics of four sisters who live with one another, and all have powers thanks to a backfired curse, supernatural beings, drawn to them because of it, romance, mates, super hot sex ... throw in a ton of laughs, and a lot of tears, I couldn't stop myself from loving the these books, and I can't wait for the next one!
5. Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
(Complete)
If you read my review on the first book of this series (not the novella, but Throne of Glass), you are probably surprised this series ended up on my top ten ... let alone the 5th series. With every book, this series got better and better, and is definitely on my re-read list. There is so much character development, and action, political intrigue mixed with the magic of fae, romance, and as we get farther in the series, a more adult vibe to it. You honestly cannot go wrong with this high-fantasy.
4. Dark Elements/Harbinger Series by Jennifer L Armentrout
(Ongoing)
I never thought I would love a series that has gargoyles in it, but I do. I really, really love these two series. Hot as hell ... and equally ugly demons and feisty, kick ass trueborn (nephilim) also star in these books. On top of a bunch of snark and sass, there is a ton of action, romance, heartbreak, and as spicy as you can get in YA sex (Thanks Jen for pushing the boundaries :p). Be prepared to ugly cry, and then count down the months to Grace and Glory.
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas
(Ongoing)
I must have a thing for the fae. This series has literally made my heart pump faster, has made me laugh, made me bawl, and has me thirsty for more. Warring fae and humans. Political intrigue. Romance. Sex. These books will forever have a special place on my bookshelf.
2. LUX/Origin Series by Jennifer L Armentrout
(Ongoing)
I think LUX will always have a special place in my heart, because it reignited my love for reading. I couldn't stop myself from falling in love with Daemon and Katy, and the rest of the gang. And when I found out there was a spin off series (Origin), featuring an older Luc? Um, hell yes! Was I heartbroken that because of covid, and the nature of the origin series, that Jennifer decided to cut the series from 5 books, to 4? Yes. Luckily, and hopefully next year, we still get one more book in this wonderful series. If you liked the show Roswell, you would LOVE this. But I promise you ... this series is a million times better than Roswell.
1. Blood and Ash Series by Jennifer L Armentrout
(Ongoing)
These books have been a major blessing this year. I consider these books among the best I have ever read, and I am so happy that Jennifer has so much planned with this series. Intense political intrigue, supernatural creatures that are unlike what we have seen before (familiar, yes, but different), a female lead who is defiant and strong, and truly can kick ass. A mysterious male lead who will make you swoon. Forbidden love. Sex. These books have made me laugh (Hawke reading aloud from Ms Willa's journal, anyone? Kieran enduring Poppy's endless questions?), made me cry, and have excited me. These books have truly shown how much Jennifer has grown as a writer over the years. Her older stuff is amazing ... but these are phenomenal. April 2021 can not come fast enough for the next book, A Crown of Gilded Bones