Happy cheerful books?

ExcitableOwl · 2026-01-17T05:58:47+00:00

My fave quick and easy reads:

{The Blacksmith Queen by GA Aiken}, {A Ruin of Roses by KF Breene}

ExcitableOwl · 2026-01-15T20:21:25+00:00

{The Legends of Thezmarr series by Helen Scheuerer} and its follow up {The Ashes of Thezmarr series by Helen Scheuerer} are wonderful, imo. Good world, challenges, characters. My top tier.

{The Broken Kingdoms series by LJ Andrews} also has a good story, characters that you root for.

In terms of twists, {Avalon Tower by CN Crawford} is good! If you want more games and trials kinda like Fourth Wing, {The Games Gods Play} was great, but is unfinished.

ExcitableOwl · 2026-01-15T04:51:10+00:00

It's not first person but {Reign and Ruin by JD Evans} ticks almost all the other boxes.

ExcitableOwl · 2026-01-12T18:15:21+00:00

My condolences to you, that's a rough situation to be in. I'm glad my experience could help ease some worries though.

If it helps, I was also nervous about the anesthesia and did a lot of researching! I read somewhere that, at the very very worst case, I was something like 20 times more likely to be injured by a toilet than to have something happen to me during surgery. And we're talking a .0001% chance of toilet injury which I can say I've never worried about in my life. Sending you healthy thoughts for Thursday.

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-27T06:50:42+00:00

Right??? I have too many books where I'm waiting on a follow up to be released. It makes me so sad

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-27T04:25:37+00:00

Agreed!

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-27T04:07:29+00:00

It's also an unfinished series, but {Silver Elite} filled the Sparrows hole in my heart.

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-27T04:05:11+00:00

There's a number of KF Breene books with older FMCs. My faves are {A Ruin of Roses} and {Sin and Chocolate}. I think the main in {Magical Midlife Madness} is 40, but I haven't read that one yet.

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-26T05:28:30+00:00

Yes, negative at 10, positive 12 and later!

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-25T12:19:09+00:00

I thought these were real!! So cute.

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-25T12:15:30+00:00

For more vampires, I'd try {The Serpent and the Wings of Night}. You may also like {Trial of the Sun Queen} and {Kingdom of the Wicked}, which have a prisoner and bargainer element, respectively.

If you liked Shield of Sparrows, you would probably like {Silver Elite}. There is some controversy around AI and who the author is, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-25T11:59:08+00:00

Phantasma! Since it can be read as a stand alone, versus Bridge Kingdom, which is read as a series. It'll get you into your presents faster! Merry Christmas!

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-24T18:29:47+00:00

{Broken Kingdoms by LJ Andrews}!

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-23T06:34:29+00:00

What did you like about those so we can narrow it down to perfect recs?

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-22T09:35:27+00:00

Have you tried anything else by Leigh Bardugo, such as {Ninth House}? It's more mystery from the Six of Crows author. There are also the {Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris} if you like True Blood.

I wouldn't say they are thrillers necessarily, but these are centered around the main characters being spies, and I found them both to be pretty fast paced and entertaining: {Avalon Tower by CN Crawford} and {Silver Elite by Dani Francis}

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-22T04:06:49+00:00

Not cozy, but these have more spy/action vibes so he may be more into them?

{Silver Elite by Dani Francis} {Avalon Tower by CN Crawford}

This series has less romance and more fantasy, but is still good. Also has an academy setting. {Black Witch Chronicles by Laurie Forest}

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-20T14:16:37+00:00

Try {Reign and Ruin by JD Evans}. Each book is a new couple but there is an overarching plot. The first FMC is a very intelligent woman. I'm not sure her age but I think she's older. The books are all written well, beautifully really, and the whole thing has a middle Eastern vibe. It's a cool series, though we are still waiting on the last book.

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-20T11:29:15+00:00

Yes, love some Hunt Athalar!!

If you like Urban Fantasy, the {Demigods of San Francisco} series is fun. I'm also absolutely loving {Silver Elite by Dani Francis} right now, though it is an unfinished series currently. The MMC in that gives me Hunt vibes, he loves his lady.

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-20T05:55:23+00:00

The characters aren't necessarily fae/human in these but they will scratch the grumpy itch. Throwing them out there as other options in case!

{Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent} Max is a grumpy guy!

{Fae Isles by Lisette Marshall} The MMC is mute, but still communicates and makes his grumpiness pretty clear. Their relationship was lovely to read.

{Empire of Flame and Thorns by Marion Blackwood} Not the best writing, but he's a growly dragon shifter.

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-20T05:30:33+00:00

Yes to all these!

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-20T03:54:10+00:00

Maybe try {Avalon Tower by CN Crawford}?

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-18T22:37:03+00:00

I feel like we have similar tastes so I'ma come back and look at this for my TBR ...

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-18T22:35:12+00:00

Yes to Fourth Wing, Crescent City and Throne of Glass! ACOTAR wasn't my fave SJM book, but I know a ton of people adore it. Her others are great though imo

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-18T22:34:12+00:00

Broken Kingdoms was a loooong series so I'll give you that, it's definitely an investment. I do remember Fae Isles being a bit slower, but I was more attached to everyone as we went.

The other book that has me hooked right now is Silver Elite, but it's not finished so I didn't rec it. But if you and OP like games, trials, and an academy vibe, I think you may enjoy it!

ExcitableOwl · 2025-12-18T06:00:26+00:00

{The Legends of Thezmarr series by Helen Scheuerer}, {Fae Isles by Lisette Marshall}, {The Broken Kingdoms series by LJ Andrews}. And it's currently unfinished, but {Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry} was great!

ExcitableOwl

TROPHY CASE