Happy Monday, and welcome to the very first day of the Five Fall Favorites blog party!
I’m so excited to be participating in this creative and long-standing event again, organized by the wonderful Kate Willis (click on her name to head over to her blog)! This is the event’s 9th year in a row, and my third time joining in. It’s going to be a great week of bookish fun, so I hope you’re ready!
Whether you’re looking for book recommendations, enjoy admiring book covers, or just like reading book reviews, this is for you. Each day, starting today through September 28th, a group of bloggers (me included) will be sharing our top five favorite books that fit a variety of prompts.
This year’s theme centers around the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, kindness, and so forth! There are so many amazing books that fit these prompts, so be sure to explore all of the blogs to find some great reads! I’m looking forward to adding to my TBR!
And don’t forget to head over to Kate Willis’ blog each day (right HERE) to find the rest of the bloggers participating and additional information, including book deals and an awesome giveaway you could win!
Now onto today’s book recommendations!
Today’s prompt is all about love.
I’m approaching this prompt from a variety of angles, so below you’ll find books featuring romantic love, father/daughter love, God’s love for us, and love that doesn’t even end in a happily-ever-after.
So let’s jump in!
(I’ve reviewed many of these more thoroughly on Goodreads, so if you’re interested in reading my thoughts – or other reviews – you can find the Goodreads link under each book or by clicking on each book’s title.)
Before Beauty
Author: Brittany Fichter
Genre: Beauty & the Beast fantasy retelling
Target Audience: YA and above
What Stuck Out to Me: This is one of the best Beauty & the Beast retellings that I’ve read! I enjoyed the characters, the romance was sweet, and the worldbuilding had just enough depth to interest me without confusing me.
I empathized with the protagonists and watching them learn and grow together, despite challenges, was sweet. Their romance was slow, gentle, and very cute. The rest of the servants/family members were interesting and likable, and the villain was a terrifying antagonist. I’d say the characters were the strongest point of the novel.
I really enjoyed the way the author twisted the original fairy tales and created her own story, keeping it fresh and unique. The plot moved along steadily and balanced slower pace (time in the castle, getting to know one another, dancing) to high stakes action (impending war, running away, curses). I could follow along, and enjoyed the pacing.
There wasn’t a lot of explanation surrounding the central magic system (i.e. The Fortress) but as this series continues, I imagine it’s explained later and still felt that enough was explained for me to enjoy this book. Overall, I loved the themes of true love, finding strength, patience, working together, forgiveness, and trust (while there wasn’t any explicit Christian material, themes of trusting the higher power were strong).
Tricky Content: A magic system (the Fortress is characterized as able to trust, interact, and feel), the villain can enter people’s dreams, mild kisses, depiction of insanity, war, loss, light descriptions of injury.
I’d Recommend It To: Readers 13+ that enjoy sweet and slow romances, light magic systems, political intrigue, Beauty and the Beast retellings, and meaningful themes.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
A Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian Science Fiction
Target Audience: YA and above
What Stuck Out to Me: This book kept me on my toes! I’ve read the other Hunger Games books (and watched the movies) so I’m very familiar with the typical violence, political intrigue, and drama that the series holds. This contained the same elements but from a villain’s perspective – which was interesting! (It’s a prequel.)
The tie-ins to the rest of the series were fun, but overall, it was the characters that made the story for me. Each of them had so much depth and I never knew who to trust or to feel sympathy for. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, or what a plot twist would be, I was surprised by how much more was actually happening behind the scenes. I couldn’t put this one down.
And I chose it for this love theme because of the heartbreaking romance between main characters. It’s certainly not your typical happily-ever-after, but it made me feel so many different emotions and was very thought-provoking. What would happen if lovers were on opposite sides? Is there any way things could work out? This isn’t a light book, so read at your own discretion, but I enjoyed the dive into a character’s perspective that I previously took for granted, and the exploration of right vs wrong. A solid read!
Tricky Content: Brutal violence, bombings, war, scene hinting at cannibalism, death (beatings, poisoning, snake bites, hanging, weapons), character succumbs to rabies, brief kisses and references, mild language
I’d Recommend It To: Young adults and older that have read and enjoyed the previous Hunger Games books, can handle the violence and darkness of those books, and enjoy prequel stories with twisting and complicated character relationships, mystery, and plenty of political intrigue.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
Meant to Bee
Author: Storm Shultz
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Target Audience: YA and above
What Stuck Out to Me: This story has such a cute setting! I love books set in England, and the descriptions of the quaint, charming little town made me want to visit. It was cozy, and I think that word describes this book well.
The cast was also fun and diverse! I liked both of the main characters, and their strength and determination, as well as their growing care for one another. Sweet little Poppy was such a cute addition to the story.
The rest of the characters were all memorable, with lives and personalities that felt real. The plot was easy-to-follow, and it never got too dark or depressing. There were also frequent doses of humor, and satisfying character changes, both of which I loved!
The romance was a bit on the nose sometimes, but their love felt genuine by the end. And I LOVED the emphasis on Poppy/babies in general being blessings, and being good no matter what the circumstance. Overall, this is a cozy, warm, quaint, and cute story – with a sweet and well-described setting, fun characters, and some heartfelt themes. If that sounds like your kind of story, you might love this one!
Tricky Content: Kissing and hugs between the love interests, out-of-wedlock pregnancy (baby is always treated like the blessing it is!), fights with an ex-lover, mild physical attraction between love interests, lies, harassment, complicated family relationships that improve throughout the story.
I’d Recommend It To: Fans of sweet small-town Hallmark contemporary romances, especially if you enjoy books set in England, and featuring healed relationships, bee-keeping, and/or goats!
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
Hinds’ Feet on High Places
Author: Hannah Hurnard
Genre: Fantasy Allegory
Target Audience: Teens and above
What Stuck Out to Me: I think I’ve recommended this book in some capacity every year I’ve participated in Five Fall Favorites, so that might tell you something about how much I love this sweet allegory. The writing style is quaint and charming, and the journey that it takes you on, right alongside little Much-Afraid is a rewarding one.
I especially love how the Good Shepherd is portrayed, very much a loving teacher always ready to help Much-Afraid as she goes on her trek through the high places and endures hardships. With help, she grows and learns.
When I’m going through difficult situations in life, this allegory has consistently been an encouragement and blessing to me, reminding me of the Lord’s love for me and that He wants to help. It reminds me to put my trust in Him, even when I don’t see how things can get better. Overall, a very sweet, meaningful, and touching story with powerful themes, and if that sounds like your type of book, give it a read!
Tricky Content: Later in her life, the author swayed from her Christian beliefs to those resembling Hinduism, including re-incarnation and the belief that Jesus was a teacher, not a Redeemer. I don’t share those beliefs, and it saddens me, but I still believe God can reach us through imperfect resources. Hints of those beliefs may be too jarring, so use discretion. I’ve personally been able to look past them.
I’d Recommend It To: Teens and older that are secure in their faith and would enjoy a sweet, challenging, and inspirational allegory in similar style to Pilgrim’s Progress and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
Nova and the Lost Stars
Author: Lillian Keith
Genre: MG/juvenile fantasy
Target Audience: Children 6+
What Stuck Out to Me: This is the most adorable book! Short, sweet, and whimsical, I read it in one sitting and finished with a smile on my face. It’s aimed toward children 6 and above, and would make the PERFECT bedtime story.
The plot was simple, and that’s part of the charm! I loved the pure emphasis on Nova’s love for her papa and the wonder of it all made me think back to my childhood imaginations. Each character, though only briefly in the story, added to the fun. Also a cat named Luna? So cute.
And shoutout to the illustrator! The cover is so pretty (those colors!), and even reading this in e-book form, the illustrations were adorable and added more charm to this story. A great addition, even for someone who doesn’t usually pay much attention to illustrations. The style was perfect. I highly recommend this and look forward to ordering a physical copy to share with my young siblings!
Tricky Content: A ten year old up all night, missing her papa and worrying if he’ll come home – very tame!
I’d Recommend It To: Parents looking for a sweet bedtime story for their 6-9 year old, or anyone who enjoys cute, quick, and wholesome middle-grade stories!
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
Well, that’s a wrap on day one of the Five Fall Favorites blog party! What are some of your favorite books about love? Have you read any of the books above? If so, what did you think? I’d love to hear from you!
Again, check out Kate’s host blog here for extra information and to find even more book recommendations! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway while you’re there too!
I’ll see you tomorrow for day two of bookish fun!
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Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is Great
I’m glad you think so! I really enjoyed it too!
EEEPS dude YES! You mentioned Nova!!! I almost did that one—so almost!
I’ve also read MTB. It’s a cute one! But the Hunger Games prequel is just callingggg my name. I almost got the first book at a garage sale yesterday. Should’ve. I will read it and text you to vent. 😂 (I feel like it will be a series that will take a lot of venting…)
And HFOHP is on my TBR. I actually have a gorgeous illustrated version that wa gifted to me. Might be an adaptation though, for kids…????
YES, Nova was so sweet!! <33 And ooh, yes feel free to vent when you read the Hunger Games - it's definitely a venting series, haha! But good.
An illustrated version of HFOHP sounds beautiful! I've only ever seen a couple of paperbacks, but I do know they have children's adaptations, so that might be one! Thank you so much for reading, friend! <33
I saw “Before Beauty” on sale recently, but was nervous to pick it up… Guess I need to keep an eye on it, now! XD
Haha, I think it’s worth it if you spot it on sale again!
Aw, I’m so happy to see my book made your list! Ooo, and Meant To Bee is an adorable title *adds to must-check-out list*
I loved your sweet story – thanks so much for putting it out there! <33 And I hope you enjoy Meant to Bee!
Thanks for sharing. I always look forward to this every year!
I’m so glad to hear that! Me too <33
Ahhh, love Nova and Meant to Bee! Both favorites. 😀 Thanks for joining, Bella!
I’m so glad you love them too! 🙂 Thank YOU for hosting it!
Great list! I’ve been seeing Hinds’ Feet on High Places a lot recently, and I’m surprised that I didn’t know much about it until recently.
Meant to Bee is on my TBR, too – thanks for the reminder about it!
Happy fall & happy reading!
Thank you! They’re both very well-written, I thought. And happy reading to you as well! <33
Fantastic recs! Nova and the Lost Stars was so adorable! I’ve got Meant to Bee and Before Beauty on my Kindle- just need to read them.
Thank you! Yes, that’s the trouble, haha. I hope you’re able to read (and hopefully enjoy!) them soon! <33