Favorite Contemporary Books This Year (2018 Edition)

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2018 is the year where I officially turned into a big ole contemporary loving fluff ball. 🌺 A lot of my blogger friends (looking at you, Marie) have been raving about wonderful contemporary books that they’ve fallen in love with over the years, and I decided to take the plunge and pick up their recommendations. I can proudly say that I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole and fallen in love with these heart-warming, feel-good reads. 💕 Therefore, today’s post features my top 10 favorite contemporary reads this year that I hope will inspire some warm and cozy feelings in your heart!

1. Anything by Kasie West

2548699823291575No, not a book titled “Anything” you silly goose. 😂 (I know…bad joke but I just had to) I mean, any book that Kasie West has written, but if you want specifics, I’d recommend P.S. I Like You and The Fill-In Boyfriend. These books are so cheesy that my stereotypical Asian lactose-intolerant self was scared. 🧀 Kasie West’s books are like Disney Channel original movies in book form—guilty pleasures that you can’t help but love.

2. The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson 

17838528I would actually recommend most of Morgan Matson’s books, but The Unexpected Everything is hands down my favorite. It’s a summer romance that features dogs(!!!) and the most adorkable male lead. 🐶 It has wonderful family relationships and a teenage summer journey of self-discovery. This book strikes a perfect balance between friends, family, and romance.☀ If you love this book, I’d also recommend her other summer romance, Second Chance Summer.

3. Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Have you ever seen a more aesthetically pleasing cover?? My eyes are in love. 😍 Always Never Yours is so fire-trucking cute that I can’t help but squeal when I think about it. It’s a classic friends-to-lovers trope but with some unique twists along the way. Megan and Owen have the cutest friendship that slowly evolves into romantic feelings and every one of their interactions made my heart happy.

4. Geekerella by Ashley Poston

30724132Geekerella is a modern remake of Cinderella as per the title. It’s the perfect read for us geeky, reader fangirls because the narrator is very relatable. 🎬 While the book itself is based on a story we all know, it also won’t fail to make your heart flutter and swoon. The main character’s development throughout the novel is fantastic, and the romance was very slow-burning in the best way. ✨

5. Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett 

30553898I know it’s winter in the U.S., but I would still highly recommend this wonderful summertime read. Alex, Approximately appealed so much to my California girl heart because it’s set on the beach and the male lead is an ex-surfer. 🌊 It also has the cutest playful banter!! The characters have a lovely balance of fun and excitement with touching and deep moments. 10/10 would recommend! (TW: gun violence) 

6. Wanderlost by Jen Malone

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Have you ever read a book and instantly wanted to be transported to its setting? That’s Wanderlost in a nutshell. 🌎 Europe has always been one of my top bucket list travel locations, and this book makes me want to pack my bags and hop on a plane to another continent. I think the best part about this book is that the romance doesn’t take away from the main character’s self-discovery and growth. Now, I’m low-key regretting not studying abroad next semester. 🙈

7. Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi 

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I would describe Emergency Contact as very slice-of-life. It’s a very subtle and slow read, but it also touches on important topics of friendships and family. ☕ I really love the idea of having “a person”, someone you can always rely on. This book is different from other contemporaries I’ve read this year because it’s more unconventional, but I still found it pretty enjoyable! (TW: rape) 

8. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han 

http_www.readsleeprepeat.orgwp-contentuploads201310to-all-the-boysI’m flailing because 1) this trilogy is so cute and 2) there’s confirmation of a movie for P.S. I Still Love You!! 🎉 I will admit that I wasn’t the biggest fan of this book during my first read of To All the Boys primarily because of the pacing, but Jenny Han’s writing does improve throughout the trilogy. The second book is really what made this series for me and 90% of that is because of John Ambrose McClaren. 💖

9. Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

32078787I definitely don’t think that I’m someone who cries easily, but this book had me in tears in the middle of the shopping mall. Sarah Dessen’s books always have this blend of serious topics with soft romance, and I would say Once and For All is her most emotional one yet. 💐 It’s filled with wedding festivities and happy-go-luckiness, yet it’s also filled with pain and sorrow. (TW: gun violence) 

10. Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

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This book had me flopping with cuteness but also tearing up like an emotional mess. Plus, the drawings in this book are phenomenal! 🌟 If I had to describe Eliza and Her Monsters in two words it would be: soft and serious. There are amazing anxiety and depression representation, and I think it’s also a very touching book for us readers who are also bloggers because we can relate to having a piece of ourselves out there on the internet.

I hope you enjoyed these recommendations and decide to give them a try! If you want more amazing contemporary recommendations, Vicky wrote a post about her favorite feel-good reads. And if you’re already looking towards 2019, Marie wrote about her most anticipated 2019 contemporary reads which you can add to your TBR. 😊

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#Project14Lists is a project Shealea from That Bookshelf Bitch started, with a goal to write and post a bookish list every day from December 18th to December 31st. Participating bloggers are tasked to come up with creative list ideas, and on each day until December 31st, write a list and post it on their respective blogs. Check out who else has accepted this blogging challenge here.

If you’re interested in joining the fun as well as entering an exclusive giveaway for participating bloggers, read this!

Have you read any of these books? What were your favorite contemporary reads this year? Let me know in the comments! 💕

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34 thoughts on “Favorite Contemporary Books This Year (2018 Edition)”

  1. Isn’t this list just amazing? You’ve made my contemporary TBR so proud ❤ I loved To All The Boys and The Unexpected Everything, too. Even Emergency Contact and Geekerella were fine. Gotta read the others, especially Eliza and her Monsters 😀

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  2. I definitely missed out on a lot of great reads this year! I can only speak for To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before but I also loved the sequel more. 🙈 #TeamJohn!! And I agree that Jenny’s writing improved very much.

    Also, Marie’s such a peach. I love her contemporary recs as well. With that in mind, I won’t let 2019 pass by without me reading Always Never Yours and Emergency Contact. I won’t let you guys down! Lovely list, Tiffany! My contemporary loving heart swelled up with the books on this list.

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    1. YESSS BIANCA ❤ Let's get hyped together for the movie!!

      Pleaseeee read Always Never Yours!!! and Emergency Contact 🙈 I really hope you love it and feel free to message me if you have any emotions or want to flail about it~ I'm so happy to hear that you loved this list ❤

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  4. The only thing on this list I’ve read is Kasie West!!! I adored The Fill-In Boyfriend and I want to read a lot more of things by her because her contemps are easy and fun. I really want to read Jenny Han’s trilogy too, I’m hoping to get the box set soon!

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  6. Aahhh I absolutely adore this post, Tiffany! I love contemporaries SO much and you mentioned so many great ones in this list. 😍 I love “Anything” by Kasie West (😉) and Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia too. And all of the other contemporaries you mentioned are on my TBR; I really need to read them as soon as possible, especially Emergency Contact – I’ve seen both you and Marie rave about that book, hehe. Wonderful post as always!! ☺️

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    1. HAHA You’re the best, Dezzy ❤ Thanks for appreciating my lame jokes 😉 I hope you enjoy "Anything" By Kasie West! I really hope you get a chance to read these books next year (feel free to DM me or tag me in a review if you fangirl) I can't wait to hear your thoughts!! 🙂 MUCH LOVE~

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  7. I’m not a fan of contemporary, I’m afraid. Nevertheless, my heart still melted because of The Hate U Give and A Thousand Perfect Notes. Those are two of my fave contemporary reads.

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    1. I loved those books too! THUG was definitely one of my favorite books this year, and it touches on such important topics. I really enjoyed reading A Thousand Perfect Notes too, and I love being able to support a fellow book blogger who’s as wonderful as Cait!

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  10. I haven’t read that many contemporary books this year but two books that I have and are now on my favorites list are First & Then by Emma Miller and Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman. I’m definitely adding Almost Never Yours on my TBR! When you mentioned friends-to-lovers romance, I got on board. 😆

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    1. Ahhh I actually really really want to read Starfish!! I’ve heard SUCH good things, but also that it gets really sad so my heart isn’t ready ❤ I hope you get a chance to read these books because they're seriously so amazing, and I would love to hear your thoughts!

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  11. I could feel this list. I have read so many of them. And those I haven’t are on my TBR

    And same pinch I absolutely LOVE JOHN AMBROSE MCLAREN. And 2nd book in to all the boys I have loved before series was my favourite tooo.

    And always never your and Kasie west are just LOVE💗💗💗

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    1. YAAAS ❤ I'm so glad that you had so many loves on this list! John Ambrose McClaren MADE PS I Still Like You as amazing as it was. I'm so scared about whether or not they recast the role for the movie 😱I'm planning on reading more of Kasie West's books in the future (because they're just too cute for words) so let me know if there's any specific ones you'd recommend!

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  12. AHHHH I love that low key mention to me here haha this warms my heart and makes me melt like the contemporary marshmallow that I am ahhh thank you tiffany ❤
    There are SO many good recommendations here, I love Emergency Contact SO much, I love everything Morgan Matson writes, Always Never Yours, Wanderlost, Jenn Bennett (though I need to read Alex, Approximately!) Such a wonderful post!! 🙂 ❤

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    1. MWHAHA I had to just throw that low key mention in there 😉 I loved so many of these books (as you can obviously tell) and so many of them were because of your recommendations!! I can’t believe you haven’t read Alex, Approximately yet?! I could have sworn I read it because of your rec (or maybe it was beause it was also a book you wanted to read?) Thank you so so much for your sweet words ❤ These books honestly made my year, and I know I'm going to reread them in the future too because they're just so feel-good!

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      1. I have read The Anatomical Shape of a Heart, by Jenn Bennett so far and… that’s it and that’s probably my shameful contemporary lover secret, to be honest haha. I need to read ALL OF HER BOOKS 😀

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  14. I LOVE YOUR LIST, TIFFANY! ❤ Especially your number 1, 2 and 8. I love any book written by Kasie West. Her books are so lighthearted and cute! My favorite from her was The Distance Between Us. I have yet to read the other books you've listed. My favorite contemporary book this year per age group are The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (Adult), Grip by Kennedy Ryan (NA) and Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (YA) 🙂

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    1. I definitely need to read The Distance Between Us!! It’s been on my TBR for the longest time. I’ve read and loved Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, so I’ll also make sure to check out the other two you’ve suggested!! AHHH I love all these contemporaries, so I’m so glad you enjoyed this list! ❤

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  15. awww, thank you so much for linking up my post!!! there are so many awesome contemporary books on this list Tiffany I am so in awe ahhhh

    they look AMAZING wow!

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