It’s been a minute since I’ve shared a Bookmarked post on my recently read books, or in this case: book series! Winter turned into a bit of a hibernation era for me, if I’m being honest. Business has been slower than usual and between snowy days, cozy socks, and cups of tea that kept multiplying next to my bed, reading turned into a full-on escape.

I traveled to Spain in March (aka the land of sangria, architecture, and unlimited tapas), and by the time I got back, spring was in full bloom. The sun is finally sticking around, my energy is back, and I’ve felt more like myself again… which means: more reading, baking, and finally catching up on things that don’t involve a screen.

But I’ll admit: I’ve been deep in series-land instead of my usual mix of standalone fiction the first few months of this year. Like, deep. Fantasy, romance, morally gray men, delicious emotional drama… the kind of binge reads that keep you up at night and make you forget what day it is, IYKYK.

So if you’re looking for something to pull you out of your reading rut (or just want your next great escape), here are the book series what I devoured this month:

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Series by Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Fantasy Romance (🌶 🌶 🌶 )

It lived up to the hype!! I binged this entire series in January and my brain has not been the same since. Like… how does Sarah J. Maas do this?

The story starts with Feyre, a mortal girl who’s just trying to keep her family alive and ends up killing a wolf… who turns out to be more than what he seems (cue dramatic music). She’s whisked away into the fae realm of Prythian, where she becomes entangled in politics, curses, ancient magic, and yes… some very delicious men. What begins as a loose Beauty and the Beast retelling turns into something so much bigger: a war is brewing, powers are awakening, and Feyre transforms into someone totally different by the end.

What I love most about this series is the worldbuilding. It’s layered but digestible, even for people who don’t normally read fantasy (aka, me). The courts, the creatures, the history — it all feels so vivid. But beyond the magic and epic battles, it’s the relationships that got me. There’s romance, friendship, sisterhood, and this recurring theme of survival and choosing yourself again and again even when everything feels broken.

Sarah J. Maas just knows how to write complex characters that grow and unravel in ways that are so satisfying. If you’re into themes of healing, identity, found family, resilience, and love that feels earned, ACOTAR will wreck you in the best way.

Also… if someone were to ask me, “ACOTAR or Fourth Wing?” I think I’m officially team ACOTAR. No contest. Now if SJM could just release Book 6 already, that’d be greaaaaat.

Twisted Series + Kings of Sin Series by Ana Huang

Genre: Contemporary Romance (🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 )

After being emotionally wrecked (in the best way) by ACOTAR, I didn’t expect the next books on my reading list to be spicy billionaire romance… but here we are. Ana Huang’s books came highly recommended via BookTok, and… it delivered.

The Twisted series centers around four best friends each with their own emotionally messy, morally grey love story. It’s equal parts drama, romance, and angst, but what kinda surprised me most was how layered and complex the characters were. Underneath all the power plays and swoon-worthy moments were layered stories of trust, fear, ambition, and healing. Twisted Games and Twisted Lies were my personal favorites — and yes… I inhaled them.

Then came the Kings of Sin series — a little darker, a little more mature, with men in their 30s navigating power, desire, and vulnerability. Each book unraveled complicated pasts, emotional baggage, and what it means to build something real while carrying so much weight. King of Wrath and King of Greed really stood out for their emotional tension and slow-burn depth.

The Windy City Series by Liz Tomforde

Genre: Sports Romance (🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 )

This series was such a surprise favorite for me! It’s sports meets spice but with real emotional depth… and I was so here for it. Each book follows a different athlete in Chicago (think baseball, hockey, basketball) and their love story, but what I love most is how Liz Tomforde doesn’t just serve up surface-level romance. You really get to know these characters — their insecurities, traumas, how they’re healing, and how their relationships evolve because of that growth.

It’s clear she takes her time building them out as three-dimensional people with real baggage, real charm, and chemistry that feels earned. The way these couples communicate, support each other, and move through conflict felt refreshingly grounded. Even the friendships across the series (the team banter, the chosen family vibes) just makes the whole Windy City universe feel cozy, familiar, and full of heart.

If you’re looking for romance that’s spicy and emotionally satisfying, this series checks every box.

Part of Your World + The Friend Zone Series by Abby Jimenez

Genre: Contemporary Romance (🌶 )

If you’re craving feel-good stories that are both heartwarming and real, Abby Jimenez has you covered. Her books have this magical way of feeling like cozy Hallmark rom-coms… but elevated — with depth, emotional stakes, and just the right amount of sass and swoon.

Both the Part of Your World series and The Friend Zone series follow different couples through love, heartbreak, healing, and (often hilarious) life circumstances. To me, what sets Abby’s writing apart is how she’s not afraid to go there, touching on themes like mental health, fertility struggles, grief, anxiety, emotional abuse, and trauma… but she does it with so much care and sensitivity that it never feels too heavy.

To me, they’re the kind of books you reach for when you want a warm, soul-hug of a story: equal parts funny, romantic, and emotionally rich.

Mindf*ck Series by S.T. Abby

Genre: Psychological Thriller x Dark Romance (🌶 🌶 🌶 )

Yes, you read that right — psychological thriller meets dark romance. WHO KNEW this was a genre?! And wow, it delivers.

This series was provocative, addictive, and absolutely unputdownable. The premise? An FBI profiler falls in love with a serial killer… and not just any serial killer, but a woman on a calculated, blood-stained mission of revenge at the top of their list. Think cat-and-mouse game, but make it emotional, dangerous, and weirdly romantic?? The tension between them is unreal: you’re rooting for justice and vengeance and love all at the same time, which makes you question all your morals (in the best way).

If you’re in the mood for something bold, twisted, and totally captivating — Mindfck* is a must. I DEVOURED it. And honestly? I’d love to see this turned into a TV series!

That’s it for this month’s Bookmarked!

If you’ve read any of these (or are about to), slide into my DMs and tell me all about it! You know I love chatting books mid-read or post-“OMG” session. And hey, if you have recs for me based my previous reading history… please send them my way. I’ve officially recovered from my ACOTAR slump and I’m ready to dive into whatever is next!