Definition of a page turner 

The best mystery and thriller of the year, “The Housemaid’s Secret” by Freida McFadden, may give someone a heart attack. 

“The Housemaid’s Secret” is a sequel to “The Housemaid” which was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award last year. While the book can be read as a stand-alone, it’s best to have read “The Housemaid” first. 

Offering her housemaid services to a wealthy family once again, the main character Millie ends up in a similar situation to the first book that leaves each chapter on a cliffhanger. 

Despite most of the plot twists being predictable, “The Housemaid’s Secret” is still an enjoyable, fast paced read that will get people’s hearts racing. 

Beating both of the well-respected authors in this genre Lisa Jewell’s and Riley Sager’s newest releases – “None of This is True and The Only One Left”, McFadden makes her mark as the expert of writing true page turners.

“The Housemaid’s Secret” by Freida McFadden earns: 4 /5 books. 

How romantic 

No surprises here, Emily Henry wins best romance for the third year in a row with her latest release “Happy Place.”

Following a group of six longtime friends – two of whom used to date – on their annual vacation, Henry does a beautiful job of showing how important maintaining different relationships are after people begin new chapters in their lives. 

“Happy Place” focuses more on friendships than romantic relationships while illustrating the point that people are your happy place in the comedic but heart wrenching way that Henry does best. 

Anyone who enjoys Henry’s writing would enjoy “The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston, nominated in the same category. Both books exhibit the comfortable feeling that rom-com people love to watch over and over. 

With witty dialogue and timely pop culture references similar to “Gilmore Girls”, Henry receives another well-deserved win. 

The “Happy place” by Emily Henry earns: 5/5 books.

Letters of enchantment

Receiving about 60,000 more votes than the runner up, “Divine Rivals” by Rebecca Ross wins best young adult fantasy of the year. 

“Divine Rivals” follows two young journalists competing for the columnist position at the Oath Gazette. During a war between Gods, Iris Winnow and Roman Kit unknowingly receive anonymous letters from one another written through typewriters that are the invisible string tying them together. 

With beautiful but understated writing, Ross writes a historical fantasy that draws similarities to “Pride and Prejudice.” The book does a nice job shifting in and out of focus between the political intrigue of the war and the rivalry turned romance between the two main characters. 

The runner up in this category, “A Curse for True Love” by Stephanie Garber, exhibits a similar magic system to “Divine Rivals.” Despite being the final book in a series, while “Divine Rivals” is only the first, both books share a similar Disney like plotline. Those who enjoy the enchantment of “Divine Rivals” will love the entire “Once Upon a Broken Heart” trilogy and vice versa. 

“Divine Rivals” by Rebecca Ross earns: 5/5 books.