Some of my favorite books not necessarily romance
vintage books from Etsy.com
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ One thing I’ve noticed about my reading taste is that I’m drawn to books that make me feel something deeply. I love stories that stay with me long after I finish them—books that are emotional, thought-provoking, or even a little unsettling. The books on this list are some of the ones that have stuck with me the most. Each one pulled me in for a different reason, but they all left a lasting impression.
Alchemized book cover BookTrib.com
~♡• Alchemized by SenLinYu This story pulls you into a dark, mysterious world filled with secrets, power struggles, and complicated relationships. From the very beginning, the atmosphere feels heavy with tension, and you quickly realize that nothing is as simple as it first appears.
What hooked me most about this book is the way it builds intrigue. The characters are layered and unpredictable, and the emotional dynamics between them are constantly shifting.
The writing also creates such a vivid sense of mood and intensity that it’s easy to get completely absorbed in the story. Fun fact, this book was at first a story SenLinyu wrote on Wattpad, but it was called Manacled, and it was actually a Harry Potter fan fiction.
Verity cover Amazon.com
~♡• Verity by Colleen Hoover I know what people say, they don't like Colleen Hoover, shes a bad writer, but this book is her BEST book. I read it one night and couldn't put it down, some people joke that she paid someone to write this because its so different than her other books (and better.)
This book centers on a struggling writer who is allowed to finish a famous author’s book series after the original author is injured and unable to complete it herself. To do that, she moves into the author’s home to review her notes and manuscripts.
Almost immediately, the situation begins to feel unsettling. The house itself has an eerie atmosphere, and the deeper the writer digs into the author’s unfinished materials, the more disturbing things seem to become.
What makes this book so addictive is the constant sense of tension. Every chapter makes you question what is real, what isn’t, and whether the narrator is discovering the truth or something much darker. The readers choose what truth to believe at the end... its really good.
everything I know about love cover bookdelights.com
~♡• Everything I know About Love by Dolly Alderton This book is a little different from the others on my list because it’s a memoir rather than a novel, but it’s just as compelling.
Dolly Alderton reflects on her experiences growing up, navigating friendships, relationships, and adulthood. Instead of focusing on one central storyline, the book moves through different moments of her life and the lessons she learned along the way.
What hooked me was how honest and relatable it feels. Alderton writes about love in many forms—not just romantic love, but friendships, family, and the process of figuring yourself out. Her voice is funny, reflective, and incredibly real, which makes the whole book feel like a conversation with someone who understands exactly what growing up feels like.
we were liars book from E. Lockhart.com
~♡• We Were Liars by E. Lockhart This story follows Cadence Sinclair and her close-knit group of friends and cousins—nicknamed “the Liars”—who spend their summers on a private island owned by Cadence’s wealthy family.
At first, everything seems like the perfect summer setting: beaches, family traditions, and long days spent together on the island. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that something happened during one particular summer that Cadence cannot fully remember.
The book slowly reveals pieces of the past as Cadence tries to understand what really happened. What hooked me was the mysterious atmosphere and the feeling that there’s always something just out of reach.
It’s the kind of story that keeps you reading because you need to know how all the pieces fit together. It also just became a series
a little life cover readroam.com
~♡• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara This book follows four college friends—Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm—as they move from their early years in New York City into adulthood. As their lives unfold, the story becomes deeply focused on their friendship and the ways they support each other through life’s challenges.
What makes this book so gripping isn’t fast-paced action or dramatic twists. Instead, it’s the emotional depth of the characters. The story slowly reveals more about who they are, their pasts, and how their relationships evolve over time.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ Looking at this list, it’s clear that I’m drawn to stories that focus on emotion, atmosphere, and complex characters. What does this say about me, I don't know. But if you are ever looking for something a bit deeper than romance, I suggest these complex themes and an emotional rollercoaster. If you are more interested in Romance i suggest These.