Welcome, book friends!
If you’d prefer to listen to this book list, you can check out the full episode on The Bookmarks ‘n Blankets Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or listen below.
I’d love to know your thoughts on any of these books if you’ve read them. I invite you to hop over to my Instagram or X (aka Twitter), where you can comment.
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As 2024 has come to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year in reading—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. While some books dazzled me with unforgettable characters and immersive worlds, others fell flat, leaving me frustrated, disappointed, or just plain bored. Unfortunately, not every book we pick up will be five stars. Some will be rated low and others, we just won’t even finish.
In this episode, I’m sharing the books that didn’t live up to the hype, failed to meet expectations, or simply weren’t my cup of tea. From clunky plots to unlikable characters, these are the books that missed the mark for me last year.
Reading is subjective, and what didn’t work for me might have been someone else’s favorite. That’s the beauty of books: they connect with us in different ways.
Whether you’re here to commiserate, debate, or just get a glimpse of what didn’t work for me, and I’m only one reader, I hope you enjoy this candid take on books that I just can’t recommend and didn’t work for me.
Now, this is not to say these are bad books. They just weren’t for me and my reading preferences. So if you like any of the books on this list, please continue to support these authors and enjoy reading them. Not every book is for every person. I absolutely respect all authors and artists, but some just don’t mesh well with me.
Learn to DNF a Book
As readers, we often feel a sense of duty to finish every book we start, even if it’s dragging us down or failing to capture our interest. But here’s the thing: life is too short to spend time on books that don’t spark joy, curiosity, or engagement. That’s where the art of the DNF (Did Not Finish) comes in.
Choosing to set a book aside isn’t about giving up—it’s about honoring your time, energy, and love for reading. Whether the writing isn’t clicking, the pacing feels off, or the story just isn’t for you, it’s okay to admit when a book isn’t working and move on.
My Worst Books of 2024
11 DNF’d (Did Not Finish) Books
Contemporary Romance (and Magical Realism) Books:
Happy Medium by Sarah Adler
I stopped listening to this audiobook after just 20 minutes. The narrator’s style didn’t appeal to me, which made it hard to connect with the story right from the start. On top of that, the characters didn’t resonate with me—especially the main character, who came across as juvenile and immature. The excessive cursing and raunchy humor felt overdone, and I didn’t find anything particularly funny or engaging. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
Read more info on GoodReads.
Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck
I stopped listening to this audiobook about two chapters in because it felt overly focused on pushing a single agenda, feminism, rather than delivering a well-rounded story. The main character was insufferable from the start, embodying the “lady boss, feminist, don’t-need-no-man” trope in such an exaggerated way that it came across as arrogant, childish, and narcissistic. Instead of feeling empowered or relatable, she seemed one-dimensional and annoyingly self-centered, making it impossible for me to stay engaged.
Read more info on GoodReads.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
I stopped reading this book at just 5%, having listened to the first three chapters. Unfortunately, it completely turned me off. There was an overwhelming amount of cursing and crudeness, which made it hard to enjoy. I also didn’t connect with either of the main characters, and the way the guy talked about the girl when they first met felt off-putting. It quickly became clear that this story just wasn’t for me.
Read more info on GoodReads.
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
I stopped reading this book at just 3%, having listened to only the first chapter. The excessive cursing immediately put me off, but I was still curious about the story. However, it quickly took a feminist angle with themes like “mansplaining” and anti-patriarchy, which aren’t the types of narratives I enjoy. After reading more reviews, I learned the book leans heavily into “woke” and feminist themes, which further solidified that it’s not for me. I’m not sure if I’ll explore more from this author in the future.
Read more info on GoodReads.
Fantasy Books:
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
I need to be more thorough when researching books before requesting ARCs on NetGalley. I didn’t realize this was a queer/LGBTQ+-focused story with explicit sex scenes, which aren’t the types of books I typically prefer to read. Once I realized the content wasn’t a good fit for me, I decided not to finish it. This experience was a reminder to double-check book descriptions and reviews to ensure they align with my reading preferences.
Read more info on GoodReads.
A Splinter Spindle by Alix E. Harrow
I stopped listening to this audiobook just four minutes in. It leaned heavily into feminism and male-bashing almost immediately, with a “woke” tone that didn’t resonate with me. This experience confirmed that this author’s style isn’t for me, and I’ve decided not to explore any more of her books.
Read more info on GoodReads.
My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
I gave up on this book after reaching just 15%. Listening to the audiobook, I found the narrator unappealing. Additionally, the excessive foul language and heavily liberal-leaning comments were off-putting, and I didn’t resonate with the cringeworthy dialogue or the main character. The overall tone felt like a chaotic mishmash of woke messaging. I definitely wouldn’t recommend it, and I won’t be exploring more from this author. Adding to my disappointment, I discovered that the story is based on Kylo Ren fan fiction, which explains why it reads like amateur fan fiction.
Read more info on GoodReads.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
I stopped reading this digital ebook around 15% because the pacing was incredibly slow and the story failed to hold my interest. I couldn’t connect with the characters or find anything compelling enough to keep going, so I ultimately decided to set it aside.
Read more info on GoodReads.
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
Read/Listen to my full review here.
Sadly, I was really disappointed with this book, especially since I loved Bring Me Your Midnight by this author. Unfortunately, this story just wasn’t my cup of tea and didn’t unfold the way I had hoped. I decided to stop reading this book around the 30% mark. The story just wasn’t drawing me in, and the characters felt one-dimensional and flat. I couldn’t connect with Clara, the main character, and the writing felt a bit too juvenile for my taste. I also didn’t enjoy the political messages about climate change and anti-industrialization. Overall, this book just wasn’t for me.
Read more info on GoodReads.
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
I listened to just a couple of chapters before deciding to stop because the content felt too dark and uncomfortable for me. After reading other reviews, it became clear that this book wasn’t a good fit for my tastes, so I chose to move on.
Read more info on GoodReads.
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
I only made it through a couple of chapters before deciding to stop. The pacing felt very slow and unengaging, and I struggled to connect with the story. Additionally, there was a focus on gender, including a non-binary character, that made it feel like the retelling was more about promoting a genderqueer agenda than crafting an immersive narrative. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Read more info on GoodReads.
13 2-Star Books
Mystery & Thriller Books:
Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier
Read/Listen to my full review here.
This was my first book by this author, and while I’d heard good things, it didn’t resonate with me. The story was very dark and gritty, with unsettling subject matter, and I didn’t enjoy it. It leaned more towards mystery than thriller, with few suspenseful moments. The extensive abuse content may be disturbing to sensitive readers, so checking trigger warnings is essential.
Although the story started strong, it quickly became weighed down by excessive backstory, which I found off-putting. I didn’t connect with the characters or the plot, and the ending felt predictable. There was also quite a bit of foul language and some moments of wokeness that didn’t sit well with me. While I plan to try this author’s backlist books, I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Read more info on GoodReads.
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
Read/Listen to my full review here.
This was my first book by this author, and unfortunately, it was a miss for me. The first half felt drawn out, with too much setup, making it boring and tedious. The premise, which seemed like a mix of Survivor and Love Island, lacked the entertainment and drama I expected. There were too many characters to keep track of, and I didn’t connect with any of them. The murders were underwhelming, and the lack of a big reveal made the story feel like a waste of time.
While the audiobook narrator did a great job, the story itself was hampered by excessive language and preachy political themes. It felt like the author was pushing an agenda, which made it uncomfortable for me. I’ll try this author’s backlist books but wouldn’t recommend this one.
Read more info on GoodReads.
Mister Magic by Kiersten White
Read/Listen to my full review here.
This was my first adult novel by this author, but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. While the psychological mystery had potential, it became too confusing and bizarre as the story progressed. I had to look up an explanation afterward because I couldn’t fully grasp what happened.
The writing was beautiful, but I struggled to connect with the characters, found the plot boring, and didn’t like the direction it took. The frequent foul language and preachy sociopolitical themes were also a turnoff. I’ll try this author again, but I wouldn’t recommend this book.
Read more info on GoodReads.
Fantasy Books:
The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers
Read/Listen to my full review here.
I was excited about this fantasy novel, but unfortunately, it was a big miss for me. The sudden POV changes were confusing and jarring, often happening in the middle of a page or paragraph, which disrupted the flow of the story. The pacing was slow at first, and while it picked up in the second half, it never fully pulled me in. I wanted more fantasy elements, action, and surprises, but the story didn’t deliver.
The world-building felt sloppy, and the plot was complex but hard to follow. The writing was beautiful but bogged down by excessive flowery descriptions and a lack of dialogue and substance. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, and the romance felt forced with no chemistry. This book had potential but ended up being a disappointment. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Read more info on GoodReads.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
Read/Listen to my full review here.
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book, despite its hype. It took me two attempts to finish—first with the paperback, then with the audiobook. Changing the format helped, but I still found it slow-paced and boring, with little plot or action. It felt drawn out with minimal payoff.
The story within a story concept didn’t work for me, and I struggled to connect with the characters. The relationships felt weak, and there wasn’t much dialogue. While the narrator did a great job with character voices, the lush, lyrical prose was overly done and distracting.
Overall, the book had potential but missed the mark, leaving me disappointed. I wouldn’t recommend it, and I don’t think this author’s style is for me.
Read more info on GoodReads.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Read/Listen to my full review here.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t work for me. I feel like it’s been overhyped, and I didn’t understand the rave reviews. The writing felt immature and unpolished, with excessive cursing that seemed over the top. As an open-door romance, it wasn’t my style, so I skipped those parts in the audiobook.
The focus on diversity felt forced and detracted from the story, and the themes of feeling “othered” came across as preachy. The plot was boring, the characters one-dimensional, and there was no chemistry between the couple. While I appreciated the magical elements, they weren’t enough to make up for the rest. This author’s style isn’t for me, and I wouldn’t recommend this book. There are better witchy and cozy fantasy books out there.
*If I had to choose my top worst book of the year, this one would be it.
Read more info on GoodReads.
Contemporary Romance Books:
If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
Read/Listen to my full review here.
I was disappointed by this Cinderella retelling mixed with The Bachelor. The audiobook narrator was great, but the story was cheesy, cringey, and predictable. The plot was shallow, focusing too much on Cindy’s size rather than her character, making it feel preachy and repetitive. Cindy wasn’t a likable character, and her double standards and lack of growth made her unrelatable. The reality show felt unrealistic, and the romance was weak, with insta-love that didn’t make sense. The book also felt too focused on political messages and ideologies, which distracted from the story. Overall, it was a waste of time, and I wouldn’t recommend it.
Read more info on GoodReads.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Read/Listen to my full review here.
I listened to this audiobook and found the narrator’s performance decent, though the character voices lacked distinctiveness, making it hard to follow at times. As for the story, despite its hype, I struggled to see its appeal. The writing is engaging, but the so-called “enemies-to-lovers” romance felt misleading, as there was no real animosity between the characters. I found both characters annoying and lacking depth, and their juvenile, repetitive interactions grew tiresome. Lucy’s constant focus on her small stature was distracting, and her indecisiveness with Joshua made it hard to sympathize with her. Joshua came across as smug and manipulative, which made him equally unlikable. The plot was predictable, and while the romance had a few heartwarming moments, it didn’t live up to expectations. I preferred the movie adaptation over the book, as it made the characters more tolerable.
Overall, while there were enjoyable moments, I wouldn’t recommend the book. The movie is a better option, and I don’t think I’ll be reading more from this author.
Read more info on GoodReads.
Merry Pucking Christmas by Logan Chance
Read my full review here.
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this novella. The fake-dating romance lacked originality and felt predictable. I couldn’t connect with the characters, and their relationship went from insta-lust to insta-love without feeling authentic. The heavy profanity, cringy dialogue, and absurd scenes were turn-offs, and Noelle’s parents encouraging the fake dating scheme felt unrealistic.
The novella was overloaded with spicy scenes, leaving little room for character development or emotional depth. The couple’s dynamic felt immature, and by the end, I was skimming to finish. On the positive side, the winter and Christmas vibes were well done. Overall, this author’s style isn’t for me, and I wouldn’t recommend the novella.
Read more info on GoodReads.
The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle
Read my full review here.
This story was a letdown. While it had some humorous moments, it was overshadowed by shallow characters, excessive spice, and a plot that went nowhere. The profanity and graphic sex scenes felt unnecessary, and the male lead’s focus on the heroine’s body came off as juvenile. The inclusion of themes like racism and misogyny felt forced.
The romance lacked chemistry, with no real tension or emotional depth. Piper’s constant self-psychoanalysis made the relationship feel shallow. The subplot about her mom’s mental illness seemed like an afterthought and didn’t add anything meaningful to the story.
Overall, it was a forgettable, cheesy romance that didn’t hold my interest. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone seeking a deeper or more engaging read.
Read more info on GoodReads.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Read/Listen to my full review here.
Despite the hype, this book didn’t work for me. While well-written with a cozy seaside setting and a strong sister dynamic, the excessive vulgar language and explicit content turned me off. The plot felt dull and predictable, and the enemies-to-lovers romance between Nora and Charlie lacked depth. Their supposed rivalry didn’t feel genuine, and the romance felt like insta-love rather than a slow burn.
The witty banter, which many readers love, became overdone and tiresome. The characters felt emotionally closed off, and the lack of meaningful conversations made their connection unconvincing. Overall, I didn’t connect with the story or characters and won’t be reading more from this author. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Read more info on GoodReads.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Read my full review here.
Happy Place by Emily Henry didn’t resonate with me. Despite the beach house setting and the promise of old friends, the plot felt stagnant with little action, and the characters were flat and unrelatable. The chaotic friend dynamics and lack of honest communication were frustrating, and I struggled to connect with any of them. The dual timelines were confusing, and the romance between Wyn and Harriet felt shallow and based on lust rather than emotional depth.
The writing felt overly descriptive and pretentious, with awkward metaphors that made the book feel bloated. The diversity and inclusivity seemed forced, and the themes of mental health and antidepressants were handled in a heavy-handed way. The R-rated spice scenes weren’t my style, so I skipped them.
Overall, Happy Place was a letdown. The characters’ immaturity, lack of depth in the romance, and overly detailed writing made it hard to enjoy. This one’s not for me, and I’m done with Emily Henry’s books.
Read more info on GoodReads.
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
Read my full review here.
This book was my biggest disappointment of the summer. After loving Every Summer After, I had high hopes, but it fell flat. The charming Prince Edward Island setting couldn’t compensate for the immature characters and pretentious writing. The narrator’s voice felt too young for 29-year-old Lucy, making it feel more like YA. The relationship between Lucy and Felix is based on lust, with no real emotional depth, and their constant breaking of “rules” is confusing. The lack of communication and secrecy between Lucy and Bridget was frustrating, and the plot felt stale and uninspired.
Though the setting and Anne of Green Gables references were nice, the book was filled with clichés and cringey moments. Bridget’s selfishness and the lack of growth in the friendships made the story feel forgettable. As the author gains more popularity, I feel she’s falling into the same traps as other contemporary romance writers: emotionally stunted characters, uninspired plots, and forced cultural references. It’s disappointing because I loved her first book, but I’m starting to feel she may no longer be the right fit for me.
Read more info on GoodReads.