best novels to read in your 20s

Isla Martinez, a dedicated flight attendant, has long sworn off love after a painful past, finding solace only in the skies as she navigates the world of wealthy, demanding passengers. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with Adrian Blackwell, a reclusive billionaire struggling under the weight of his family’s expectations and the loneliness that comes with his wealth. Despite their different worlds, an undeniable connection begins to form between them. Over several flights, Isla and Adrian share fleeting moments that slowly deepen into something more. As their attraction grows, Adrian reveals his vulnerabilities, while Isla grapples with her fear of getting hurt. When a life-threatening emergency forces them to work together, their bond intensifies, but Isla’s insecurities hold her back from giving in to the love blossoming between them. Just as their feelings come to the forefront, Isla pulls away, convinced that she’s not the woman Adrian truly needs. But Adrian, determined to fight for their love, makes a bold move to prove his commitment. In the end, both Isla and Adrian must confront their fears and trust in each other, discovering that true love is worth the risk.

Andy Williams is a nineteen year old Senior struggling to balance her school life, after hours job and moonlighting as a rock star. When her band is booked to do the end of term concert her cover is blown and she struggles to cope with the groupie, who just happened to be her Mathematics teacher, Miss Gweneviere Sheldon.Her English teacher, Miss Preston, offers to tutor her during the holidays and they start to get really close, perhaps too close? Uncomfortable with the situation Miss Preston calls everything off and sends Andy spiralling into a world of alcohol and drugs.Andys band tries to help Andy get over Miss Preston but ends up making the situation worse. Andy rethinks her actions during a couple of days in the hospital, she quits the band, changed her school schedule and starts extra Mathematics lessons to make up for lost time.She makes new friends, finds a new job. Her life seems to be back on track when a tragic accident happens on a school trip that leaves Andy temporarily paralyzed.She makes it through with the help of family and friends and reconnects with the band. With a little hard work Andy graduates and is free to pursue Miss Carol Preston.

After taking her stepsister’s place, Yvonne Miller is married into a wealthy family. To take back her family business, she plots each step she takes carefully. Everyone knows Stephen Anderson is a cruel and ruthless person. Yet, his ugly and uncultured wife has him wrapped around her little finger. Stephen doesn’t mind that his wife’s an ugly duckling. On the contrary, he dotes on her excessively. When he hears gossip about his wife being ugly, with cosmetic surgeons offering her discounts, he whirls into a rage. “These blind dogs! My wife’s the most beautiful woman alive!” he insists.With that, a rumor spreads in Northerna City that Yvonne is Stephen’s retribution for his past misdeeds… Until one day, Yvonne returns from abroad drop-dead gorgeous, sending shockwaves all across the city. However, she doesn’t show up in Stephen’s life again. “What do you take me for, coming and going as you please?” he demands. Stepping aside to present the young kid behind her, Yvonne says in chagrin, “My child’s father?”

On her wedding day, Elena's groom runs away, leaving her feeling embarrassed and humiliated in front of their guests and family. Ray, the only friend of the groom named Oskar, comes to her aid and offers to marry her instead. "I love you. That's why I want to marry you, not Oskar. I'm not just a replacement for today, but forever," Ray declares his love for Elena. Elena accepts Ray's proposal to maintain her reputation and move on from the painful experience. However, Oskar returns with regret and confesses his love for Elena, even though he is married to Sarah for business reasons. Oskar asks Elena to be his mistress, and they begin an affair despite their respective marriages. But eventually, Elena realizes that what she's doing is wrong, and she wants to end the relationship. Before Elena can break things off with Oskar, Ray finds out about their affair and is devastated. Sarah also learns about the affair and decides to seek revenge. "Why did you accept me if you still love him? You've hurt me, Elena. You don't really love me!" Ray expresses his disappointment and hurt over Elena's betrayal.

Sofia Jones is a seventeen-year-old human who has never met her father. Her mother is never around because she would rather spend her time at the club than with her daughter. She isn't the most popular girl in school and only has one friend, Ella. Sofia has been in love with her best friend's twin brother since middle school, but she knows they can never be together, not only because he is the most popular boy who has been bullying her since freshman year but also because he is her best friends brother. Ethan Black is the most popular boy in school. He is the Quarterback of the football team, and he can have any girl he wants, except for the one he has been in love with since the fifth grade, Sofia. She is his twin sister's best friend, but that is not the only reason he can't have her. Ethan Black is a werewolf, along with his twin sister and the rest of his family, and Sofia is a human who knows nothing about werewolves. Ethan has been bullying her since freshman year. He feels it is better to push her away than to stay close to her. He knows he will meet his Mate soon since his eighteenth birthday is coming up, but something shocking happens. He discovers that Sofia is his Mate. Now, he is determined to make Sofia his, but will he be able to do that after the way he has been treating her? How will Sofia react when she discovers werewolves and other supernatural beings exist? What happens when the Vampire King takes a liking to Sofia and wants to make her his? Who will Sofia end up with? You will have to read to find out!

Alexandra perfect life crumbles when she catches her husband, Asher, cheating on her with her best friend, Theresa. Tagged as being barren and discarded, she later learns she’s pregnant—but Asher refuses to believe her. Seeking refuge with her parents, she faces heartbreak when her baby dies. Years later, Alexandra rebuilds her life, unknowingly falling for Asher’s rival. When shocking truths surface—her child is alive and raised by Theresa—she must fight against betrayal, deception, and her father’s ruthless schemes. Alexandra is determined to reclaim her stolen child, her legacy, and the life she was initially meant to have.

"The sunset is beautiful isn't it?" Zera was soft hearted woman but smart. She's the daughter of the owner of the biggest entertainment company in their country but got separate from them... She was a simple girl not until a person call her and kidnapped her beloved little brother and start threatening her life. Zera met a 2 undefined people come into other world. A Princess and a Knight, they came there for a reason but is she willing to help them? But Zera suddenly found out the Knight biggest secret.

Every girl had a time when they crushed on that one handsome friend of their father and it was quite the same for Rochelle. She fantasized about being taken by that hunk of a man so after what she considered a sign by the universe, she decided to throw caution to the wind and go for him. Operation Seduce Her Father’s Friend began but as she progresses, she soon discovers that she had bitten way more than she can chew. Yes, she wanted him but she didn’t realize that he came not as one but as a triplet and each of them desired her just as equally or even more fiercely than she did them. Faced with such an overwhelming passion, will she be able to handle it or will she run for the hills? What happens when she realizes that it’s to late to run as these men, once they claim what is theirs, will never let go. And she is theirs, whether she accepts it or not.

Elena Moore got some trust issues and a huge debt from a bad relationship. With bad guys after her to get the money, she needs to find a solution: she is going to make a deal with the devil. The devil? Dylan Montgomery, the CEO of Montgomery Enterprises.

I made a mistake that could ruin me. I fell for a man I should’ve feared. At sixteen, I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Gianni Rossetti. My best friend’s father. A ruthless billionaire. A cold-blooded villain. A man twice my age, who could destroy me with a single look. For years, I was nothing to him—a silly girl with a foolish crush. But I couldn’t forget those icy blue eyes, the way his presence made the world feel small and dangerous. By the time I was twenty-one, I knew I should’ve walked away, left my fantasies behind. But then, one night, Gianni noticed me. And my world turned upside down. He didn’t just see me—he ‘claimed’ me. Every forbidden fantasy I’d ever had, he brought to life. He touched me, possessed me, made me feel things that shattered everything I thought I knew. With him, I wasn’t just a woman; I was ‘his’. But the deeper I fall, the darker it gets. Gianni’s world is filled with secrets, shadows that whisper of violence and betrayal. His past is more than just a dark history—it’s a deadly curse that threatens to consume us both. I knew he was dangerous, but I never imagined this. Now I’m trapped, caught in a web of desire and deceit, and the deeper I go, the harder it is to find my way out. But the worst part? I’m not sure I want to escape. Not if it means losing him.