5 Books I Have Given 5 Stars

(Note: There might be spoilers for some of the books but most of the summaries are more or less spoiler free and please look up the trigger warnings before reading each book)

So, it has been an awfully long time since I posted a blog but I think I am finally ready to start posting again. I had a really hectic year and did not prioritize the things that I love but I decided new year, a new me! So, here I am with a new blog and hopefully a regular posting schedule (every Friday). Here are 5 books that I have given 5 stars.

In this past year, I have become really attached to reading. I find myself always picking up a book in my free time. I used to read when I could not be on my phone but now I feel like I put down my phone to read. It has really changed my life. Not only does it help me explore so many new worlds but it constantly re-affirms my love for writing. Its crazy what one person’s mind can think of and what it can turn into.

In this past year, I've seen the emergence of “book-tok” which has led to several books being discovered and I will admit, I was heavily influenced in the beginning. I wanted to buy every book I saw- then I transitioned into “book-tube”- watched “monthly reading wrap-ups” and “video essays” about many books. Here I am now, there are so many books that I re-visited and thought to myself “why did I give this five stars?” it's kind of insane to see how much my taste and preference for books have changed. There are some books that I have already mentioned on this blog which will always be five stars to me like “The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo” and “All the Bright Places” but here are some new ones.

Side note: I am not really into non-fiction or very serious books. I like cute romance or rom-com-type books with an occasional thriller or fantasy sprinkled in there. So, there aren’t any non-fiction books on this list

1. The Cheat Sheet- Sarah Adams

Summary- Nathan is a star quarterback who has played in the Super Bowl and his best friend Bree is a ballet teacher who teaches children for a fee that is little to nothing. Their friendship is platonic right? Well, one night Bree drunkenly confesses her love for Nathan to a reporter and now his publicist thinks it’s a good idea for them to fake-date for a while to help Nathan’s image. Do they want just to remain friends or are both of them secretly hoping for more?

Review + the reason I think it's 5 stars- How can I even begin to describe how cute this book is? If anyone is a one tree hill fan- all my naley stans- this book is for you. I think what I like about the book is that it is unrealistic and it is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes we read books to escape our reality and books like these are exactly what we need. It is light-hearted but it does address topics like panic attacks and in my opinion, does it justice? It is a cute book to pick up when you want to live in another world for a while. This book also has some of the cutest scenes ever and when you realize what the cheat sheet is, I don’t think I will ever recover!

“I think some things are worth waiting for, no matter how long it takes.”- The Cheat Sheet, Sarah Adams

2. Malibu Rising- Taylor Jenkin Reid

Summary- Nina Riva is having the annual party of the century with her siblings just after her divorce from her husband. You know what they say about parties- the night is still young. Well, over the next twelve hours- relationships are made and broken, friendships come alive and secrets are revealed all within the exclusive Hollywood bunch. Even famous celebrities have their fair share of instances that make them human.

Review + the reason I think it's 5 stars- I am pretty sure I have spoken about this book before because I will literally read Taylor Jenkin Reid’s grocery list and thank her for it. This book is so interesting. I could not put it down at all. I love how the stories are all part of the TJRLU- (The Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Literary Universe) and the characters are interconnected. I think what lead to me giving this book 5 stars was its simplicity and humanity. It kind of humanizes these actors which we look up to and reminds us that everyone needs to unwind you know. It feels like I’m reading a gossip magazine but with more depth and I enjoyed every second of it.

“Our family histories are simply stories. They are myths we create about the people who came before us, in order to make sense of ourselves.”- Malibu Rising, Taylor Jenkins Reid

3. Daisy Jones and the Six- Taylor Jenkin Reid

Summary- Daisy Jones and the Six were one of the most popular bands in the world until one day on 12 July 1979, it was their last performance before they broke up and nobody ever knew why. Flash forward some time, they agree to do interviews recounting their experiences as a band and everything that lead to their impending demise.

Review + the reason I think it's 5 stars- There is an absurd amount of TJR books on this list and I am not mad about it. I am not kidding when I say that I thought they were a real band until I looked them up and realized she created them! From her mind! How?! Also, the adaptation into a show is phenomenal until now because only a few episodes have come out. This book was so well written. It was easy to follow because it was written in an interview style so it was easy to decipher who was saying what. I also think the entire story and the journey were absolutely beautiful. She has even written some songs for the book which can I just say are lyrically stunning and the songs for the new show sound awesome. This book is kind of like a rollercoaster of emotions

“I used to think soul mates were two of the same. I used to think I was supposed to look for somebody that was like me. I don't believe in soul mates anymore and I'm not looking for anything. But if I did believe in them, I'd believe your soul mate was somebody who had all the things you didn't, that needed all the things you had. Not somebody who's suffering from the same stuff you are.”- Daisy Jones and the Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid

4. Carrie Soto is back- Taylor Jenkin Reid

Summary- Carrie Soto is the number one women’s tennis player in the world but she retired from that life. she was sitting in the audience when she realized that Nicki Chan, her competitor, was about to take over her title. Carrie Soto cannot let anyone steal her title and decides to come out of retirement for one last title, one last time. The world doesn’t think she can do it but she never loses hope that she can

Review + the reason I think it's 5 stars- Are we surprised that it is another TJR book? I finished this book in one day because it was absolutely impossible to put down. It felt so realistic yet surreal at the same time. She really knows how to write characters. Carrie is cut-throat and at times cruel but she is so determined and dedicated that you cannot help but respect her. It is very easy to follow and even has a few pages written in the form of a transcript. The reason I felt that it was 5 stars is that it was written so well and the story was absolutely amazing, it was as if I was reading a biography.

“Falling in love is really quite simple,” she says. “You want to know the secret? It’s the same thing we are all doing about life every single day. I look at her. “Forget there’s an ending.”- Carrie Soto is back, Taylor Jenkins Reid

Before I get to number 5, here are some honorable mentions that almost made it to the list (These are all 4.5-4.75 stars):

1. The Silent Patient- Alex Michaelides

A thriller about how a woman shot her husband and never spoke a word ever again

2. The Cruel Prince Series- Holly Black

A story about Jude and her life in the kingdom. What it takes to survive and thrive in a kingdom full of deceit and trickery

3. Before We Were Strangers- Renée Carlino

A second chance romance about two people who fall madly in love but are unable to be together and when they find each other years later, they discover secrets kept by each of them

4. After I Do- Taylor Jenkins Reid

A story about how a husband and a wife decide to take a break from their relationship and go their separate ways to discover the beautiful life they have outside of each other

5. Terms and Conditions- Lauren Asher

A book about how a billionaire and his assistant have been forced into a fake marriage with no feelings for each other? Or so they thought?

5. Better than the Movies- Lynn Painter

Summary- Wes has been annoying Liz since they were young. Liz is always lost in her own world with movies and romance but when her childhood crush Michael moves back home she is convinced they can be together. The only way for that to happen is to get Wes’ help. Liz and Wes come up with a plan to make her dreams come true but the more time that Liz spends with Wes, the more she realizes that she does not hate being around him.

Review + the reason I think it's 5 stars- This is my favourite book of all time. Can I just say, I love that Lynn Painter is a swiftie and this book made me fall in love with the song “New Year’s Day.” I absolutely love all the movie references. This book is like the movie “The DUFF.” Liz and Wes have the absolute best banter ever and the premise of the book is really cute. What made this book five stars for me is the way Lynn Painter used books and movies to enhance the book. There are movie quotes in every chapter and she uses songs to really bring the character together. I could read this book a million times and never get bored. Be sure to check out their road trip pdf that is available online. (Hint: Wes is also a swiftie)

“My inheritance was the knowledge that love is always in the air, always a possibility, and always worth it.”- Better than the Movies, Lynn Painter

So those were all my five-star reads. I hope this list gave you some recommendations and I hope this blog inspires you to read. You never know it might just change your life!

Thanks so much for reading,

Xx Mahika

(Ps: follow my Instagram: @blogbanterandbigwords where I share polls and put teasers for my upcoming blogs, you might also find some nice quotes in there)

(Also, please remember, that all of the above is my personal opinion.)