Worst and most disappointing books of 2020

 These are some of the worst and most disappointing books I read in 2020. I won't have the books in any particular order but with each book, I will put why it made this list. Also for the most part I don't recommend these books. However, some of them are only on here just because I personally found them disappointing not because they were bad.

1) The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory 

This is the first book of the Tudor novels by Philippa Gregory, and while I still want to read the rest of them this one was very disappointing. I rated it 3/5 stars. I don't remember too much about the book, however, I remember it was very slow-paced while reading it and after awhile I was wondering when the story was going to end. There were parts I really liked though which didn't make up for the rest of the book. 

2) The Play by Elle Kennedy

Now, this wasn't the worst but it was still disappointing. This was Hunter's book which I was so excited for. I loved the cameo appearances from the characters from the other books, but it is my least favourite in the series so far. 

3) Angel Fire by Valmore Daniels

I do have the rest of the books in this series as well and will read them eventually. However, they are definitely not near the top of my tbr after reading this one. I rated this book two stars. I did not like the main character, I didn't like the love interest. This book was so confusing sometimes. I don't recommend this. 

4) Gabriel's Angel by Nora Roberts

This one was also one where it wasn't bad but it definitely wasn't the best either. It reminded me of something you would see in a Hallmark movie. I rated it 3/5 stars.

5) Goddess of Spring by P. C. Cast

I have read many Hades and Persephone retellings and it was hard to like this one with my mind constantly comparing it to others. While this one does have a unique concept where it isn't actually Persephone but a middle-aged woman who switched bodies with Persephone that went to the Underworld I just didn't really care for it. I rated this one 3/5 stars. 

6) Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

This one is one that is really hyped up. I rated it 2/5 stars. I didn't like it. All the characters I did like seemed to either come out terrible by the end or dead. 

7) Twisted by Bonnie M. Hennessy

This one was another two-star book. It had potential but the story just wasn't fleshed out enough. Also, the main characters were not that great. 

8) Overprotected by Lulu Pratt

I am pretty sure this is my lowest-rated book of the year at one star. It is a brother's best friend romance that if I was doing a ranked list of the worst books this would be number one. The writing in this book was not good, and I don't see myself picking up another Lulu Pratt book in the future.

9) Ensnared by A. G. Howard

This one is on this list because it was disappointing. I do not want to spoil it so that is all I will put down. This book I rated 3.5/5 stars.

10) Stain by A. G. Howard

This book is supposed to be a Princess and the Pea retelling but I don't think it accomplished that very well. I rated this book two stars. I liked the beginning, but then it was all downhill from there. 

11) The Upside of Falling by Alex Light

This book was one that had a lot of potential and was being talked about frequently. It was again more of a letdown than anything. I rated this book three stars but there is a moment in here I cannot forgive (and if you have read this you can probably guess what it is). 

12) First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

The main character is so full of herself in this one. And this is why this 3.5/5 star book is so disappointing. However, there were some funny moments in this book. As well there are just some books that are bad that I can't help but like for some reason. 

13) The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The writing in this book was so slow-paced. There were many moments where I almost gave up, but I finished it mainly because it did have some moments spread out where I actually got back into the book for a bit. I rated this 2.5/5 stars.

14) Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

I rated this 3/5 stars. It's a sci-fi book mixed with Korean mythology. It wasn't bad, again this is one where I almost wanted a bit more before everything went down. 

15) The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

This one is one of the only books where I will say the movie is better than the book. I rated this book two stars. Slow-paced and it felt like it dragged on. 

16) Her Vampire Rebel by Zara Zenia

Another one-star book. This book is about vampires that work in a BDSM club. So if you like fifty shades of grey, and vampires you may like this one. This book just wasn't for me, however.

17) His Captive by Diana Cosby

I rated this book 2/5 stars. Which for this book was a pretty nice rating. To be fair the beginning wasn't bad. It just got worse. This was my least favourite historical romance I read last year. 

18) Summer Magic by T. M. Cromer

2/5 stars. The guy who is the love interest in this book is a total asshole 95% of the time. Might read some of the other books in the series not sure yet. 

19) ÆGIR by Lee Savino

1/5 stars. This book was basically a sex scene with some background material to try and give it a storyline. 

20) One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus 

This book is totally overhyped. The plot twist is not even shocking the only thing I didn't expect didn't even relate to the main mystery in this book. I rated this book 3/5 stars. I mean I will read other books by this author because it wasn't bad. It was disappointing because I was expecting far more out of this book. 

Top 20 Books of 2020

I am not putting the books in any particular order since that would've been too hard to pick which one was the best of the best. For the most part, I loved all of these books equally and rated them the same. Also for some series, there is more than one book that I put down, while for others I just put down the entire series. For the ones I put down the entire series it is because I read or reread the entire series in 2020, and for the ones where I put down individual entries it is because I either haven't read all the books yet or because I thought those books were better than the rest of the books in the series. 

 1) Ouran High School Host Club the complete series by Bisco Hatori

This series follows a girl named Haruhi who after getting a scholarship to go to Ouran Academy gets confused for a boy by the host club at this school. After breaking a vase she has to repay her debt to the club as a host. I loved this series so much. It's incredibly funny and light-hearted, however, there are times where the story gets serious. I highly recommend watching the anime as well as reading this series. 

2) Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas

This book is the sixth book in the Ravenel series by Lisa Kleypas. I read this one first but after reading the other books I recommend reading this series in order. However, this one has an incredible romance between Cassandra and Tom Severin. I was drawn to this book at first by the cover and the series is now one of my favorites. In the series, you follow the Ravenel family as each of the members finds romance in regency era London. 

3) The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo 

This book contains a series of short stories by Leigh Bardugo that are dark fairy tale retellings. For example one of my favorite stories in this set was based on The Little Mermaid except it was a backstory for the villain in that story. It is easy to tell which fairy tale each story is based on and they are all really good. 

4) Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

This is the first book to a middle-grade series about a girl named Sophie Foster who discovers she is an elf. This book definitely reminds me of Harry Potter and in my own personal opinion, I almost found it better in some ways. I loved the characters in this book and the fact that it also dealt with some more serious issues for a middle-grade novel like adoption, and losing a child. This book is really well done and I recommend picking up this series. 

5) Crescent City House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

Okay first off the cover for this book is stunning. Secondly, this is the first book in a New Adult series by Sarah J. Maas and it is one of the best books I have ever read by her. The story gets better and better as it goes along. It is also a book that actually made me cry (however I won't go into why because it was a moment closer to the end and spoilers duh.) I am excited to see what will happen in the next book in the series. 

6) The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

This book featured a hate to love romance that was absolutely hilarious. After her sister and her new husband get sick Olive ends up getting to go on her sister's honeymoon, with none other than Ethan the best-man and brother to her sister's new husband. Olive and Ethan dislike each other and at first, are not too excited about this trip. However, when they get there they discover that since it is a honeymoon trip they have to do all these things together including a couple massage which was so funny. If you want a book that will make you laugh out loud read this. 

7) Circe by Madeline Miller

I really liked this book and thought it was really interesting how the story followed Circe. Circe is a child of Helios who when the gods discover she has magic, she gets cast out to an island where she is forced to reside. While the pacing was sometimes slow the writing more than made up for it.  I definitely want to pick up more books by this author in the future. 

8) April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier

This book follows two Metis sisters after they are put in the foster care system. This book is one that is hard to read because of some of the content but deals with a very relevant issue. I really loved this book and read it in one sitting. The message is powerful and this book is definitely one I would recommend. 

9) They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera 

This book follows two boys Mateo and Rufus on their last day. In this alternate reality on the day you die you get a phone call from death cast. They don't tell you how or the time but you know it will happen within that 24 hour period. This book made me cry as well, even though with the title you know it is gonna happen. I am super excited to pick up other books by Adam Silvera. 

10) Clockwork Angel trilogy by Cassandra Clare 

This trilogy takes place in the 1800s and is my favorite series by Cassandra Clare so far. I loved all the characters in this set and it has an amazingly well-done love triangle. I am really excited to read Chain of Gold which follows the children of the characters from this set of books. This set follows Tessa who goes to London in order to find her brother. After going to London she ends up needing the help of the Shadowhunters, and after they save her she lives at the institute. 

11) Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

This book follows Jacob Jankowski who at the beginning you see as an elderly man living in a care home. It's the day when the circus is in town and he is waiting for one of his children to pick him up so they can go. While waiting he starts to dream of the past when he worked on a circus himself. This book is really good. The movie is good as well but of course, like many others, the book in my opinion is even better than the movie. 

12) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This book is so mystical and exciting. It follows two characters who are chosen to compete with each other in a competition. The setting is a circus, which is only open at night. I absolutely loved this. I heard this book is one that people either really love or really hate, and I can see why. However, this book was just magical and by the time I got to the end everything came into place and I had to give it five stars.

13) A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

This book follows the lives of two women in Afghanistan. This book is also one that is a difficult read because of the content but one I highly recommend. I have mentioned this book in previous posts and do not want to spoil anything about it. 

14) Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

This is the fourth book in the Ravenels series and it is also my favorite book in the series. I loved this book so much. From the strong female lead of Garret Gibson who is a doctor to the fact that the love interest Ethan Ransom is one of the best guys in the series. Ransom works with the law enforcement and after a series of events Garret saves his life. Also, the ending of this one was so good. 

15) The Viscount who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

This book by Julia Quinn is my favorite book out of The Bridgerton books I have read so far. Mainly because of Katherine Sheffield (Kate). I found Kate to be such a relatable character and loved her romance with Anthony. I originally didn't like Anthony that much but this book definitely changed my opinion of his character. You understand why he is like he is after reading this book and I am so excited to see this one adapted on the screen in Bridgerton season 2. 

16) A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

This book is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that follows Harper a girl who has cerebral palsy and Prince Rhen who is cursed. Grey the Prince's guard brings a girl from the modern world into their world at the start of every season in hopes that she will be able to break the curse. After Harper stops Grey from taking a different girl she ends up going herself. However, romance isn't on the mind when she gets there and sees what's happening to the kingdom around her. This book was really good and I am excited to read the rest of the series. 

17) 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

This book was hilarious and just what I needed. Basically, after Sophie and her long-term boyfriend broke up right before Christmas Sophie's extended family decides it might be a good idea to set her up on some blind dates to help cheer her up. This book was well worth the read and I highly recommend reading it during the holidays.

18) Exile by Shannon Messenger

This is the second book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series and just like book one was really good. In fact, books one and two are the best out of the three, I read so far. I loved this one though because in this one we got to meet Silveny the alicorn who I love. Also, Keefe is one of my favorite characters in the series so I loved that he had a big part in this book. 

19) The Shadows Between Us

This book was one that I purchased on sale and didn't know too much about before reading it. I knew that some people I follow online had previously read this book and really liked it so I added it to my tbr on Goodreads but other than that not much. I do have a review of this already on my blog so I won't say too much else about it in this post other than it's an enemy to lover's fantasy romance that is worth the read. 

20) Punk 57

This book is the best Penelope Douglas book I have read. This book follows Misha and Ryen who when they were in elementary school were matched up to write letters to each other since Misha's school thought Ryen was a boy, and Ryen's school thought Misha was a girl. The pair promised they wouldn't meet in person since neither of them wanted to ruin the image they built up of the other in their heads. However, by chance, Misha ends up meeting Ryen who doesn't realize she has met Misha. This book is so good, and while I don't agree with some of the things the characters did in this book I still highly recommend it. 

These were the top 20 books I read in 2020. What were some of your favorite books from 2020? Comment down below.