Every book I DNF'd this year.. and all the flops 🫣📖

[@rosesnovel]

I needed a video like this bc i feel like dnf-ing a book is soooo underrated. I love to dnf books that i know im not gonna enjoy

[@Marthe-b1l]

I couldn't dnf books in my twenties. I was afraid to miss something in the end... or when I didn't like popular books, I felt bad for giving up. Now I don't care. I just don't have time to waste. It just change everything as a reader. I feel so much lighter !

[@SN-bk5xj]

It feels like such a waste of money if I bought a book and then don’t finish it 😅

[@Marthe-b1l]

I mostly borrow books and buy them only if its a 5 stars or if they're unavailable in my library.​@SN-bk5xj

[@adrie2408]

I can't dnf a book right away but i give a book a generous chance (about 100pgs or 10 chapters, whichever's first) to convince me to continue

[@Marthe-b1l]

@SN-bk5xj im used to borrow my books from the library. And buy the books only if it's a 5 stars or if I'm going to re read. Dont want to spend so much money on books anymore.

[@sd.092]

I love the honesty in videos like this! We need to normalize dnf’ing and not absolutely loving and raving over every single book we read. Some are just meh, it happens 🤷‍♀️

[@hannahgueriera]

unrelated but genuinely wanted to thank you & sara so much for being a comfort space. i’ve been struggling with panic attacks surrounding my medical issues recently and your videos always are a calming voice to listen to and distract myself. just wanted to say thank you.

[@HiTechRedneck]

Came across this comment and just wanted to send love, wishing you the best 🙏🏻

[@LottieSmalley]

the dream harbor series (the pumpkin spice cafe & the cinnamon bun book store) were my flops of the year!!! the covers are SO GOOD but they are SO BORING

[@shaylaatiles]

Same!! I just rated Pumpkin Spice Cafe 2 stars 🫣

[@madeline2156]

Thanks for being so honest! Like life is short and if I don’t vibe with a book: byeeee and that doesn’t mean it’s not good! It just means it’s not for me

[@ariannasoto1294]

Currently reading the Christmas fix and literally thought I was crazy for questioning how long into the book this man has an attitude

[@Kelvin0815]

I also didnt enjoy The Grandest Game and she needs to stop dragging out this world!

[@princessissii]

True! She is so good at creating worlds. I don’t get why she doesn’t just start something new.

[@Persassy00]

Yesss this is so real, the books she is releasing now are just a cash grab ,dragging out the inheritance games because those books were successful 😅

[@carliebrown5136]

This is the first year I allowed myself to dnf and it was peaceful. I didn’t feel like I was stuck behind bars until I finished something. 🤣

[@miahhargrove]

i could genuinely listen to you talk for hours

[@gabbynewberry8494]

Hearing Des’s voice this morning is just what I needed 🫶

[@alexandracioni]

my timing is crazy! clicked on the youtube app and you posted 🥰

[@imchristinac]

my major dnf this year was the first Crescent city book because how was I 500 pages in and still nothing was going on with the plot 😭

[@Mnfst011-e2o]

There are deeper and darker layers behind the whole astrology concept. I highly recommend exploring them in the book named Hidden Signs of the Universe by Olivia Cooper

[@michellealexandra1480]

Omg the makeup ateeee

[@nicoleelizabeth1904]

i was coming to say the same!! she is GLOWING here

[@jessicamxe]

Des uploads just when I need her to :') xxxxxx

[@roumaissabenchalal7796]

Life is too short to continue through an unenjoyable experience. I personally dnf books all the time, started Daydream i enjoyed it except i found myself not caring enough about what will happen and i always counted the pages i had left which put me out of the reading experience so i soft dnf it as well, i may get back to it i may not (also thank you for accompanying me through out 2024, it was a hard year mentally

[@annabrown4318]

Feels like Christmas every morning everytime I open my eyes and get to see des everyday!!!

[@Ariana_Amreen_13_08]

Within the 12 hour gang >>>>

[@lifeinchapterss]

Crescent City 3 was such a huge disappoint for me. All the characters took such a nose dive in character development.

[@EmmaRyan-06]

Best thing to see while in my last class of the day 🎉

[@annibunny5968]

See I adored Daydream 😭💜☁️ My boyfriend has autism so I saw a lot of similarities between him & Henry and I really related to the book and loved it. The two flops I have most in my mind are One dark window (I didn't like the kinda poems at the beginning and it just felt silly to me 😭) and Throne of the fallen which I soft dnfed at like 40% bc it was so lusty and repetitive I felt like (but I adored kotw :( )

[@nataliejensen8756]

iconic video idea

[@MistressYumi]

The ONLY disagreement I have is with Bride. But it would make sense, because Bride is the only Ali Hazelwood book I like. The rest are just not for me. If we all vibed with the same thing it would be a pretty boring world :)

[@TatianaVelasco-t7s]

This Bright young woman book is so amazing to read

[@madisonclark9177]

Your point about avoiding authors' early works is spot on! I love sci-fi, especially space operas, and Asimov is a favorite. But I read one of his first books this year. OMG, it showed he struggled with romance and was very much a man in the 1950s. It was cringe. He improved a lot over time!

[@angbuss]

I rarely DNF but recently had to for The Ministry of Time - Haley Pham loves it so I tried. But I was just so so bored 💔

[@HiTechRedneck]

I (soft) DNF’d Butcher and Blackbird this year and I was so sad. It sounded so good, but I just couldn’t get into it. I’ll probably give it another shot at some point, maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood at the time, but it just wasn’t doing it for me when I tried it

[@cowabummr_dude]

I wish Goodreads had a DNF list, it would come in handy so much when tracking my books

[@silvi.is.living]

Create one yourself! I did the same

[@sadhvikaaa]

Use FABLE it’s so gooooodd🫶

[@happy_face69]

You can create a tag or new shelf for it

[@heyitsmakayla111]

So what I've learned from this video is I don't think Lucy score might be an author for me. I've only read (and DNF'd) things we never got over and how you described the Christmas fix is how I felt about Knox. At first it was grumpy but then it just got very repetitive and immature behavior ESPECIALLY since he's 40 years old. I loved everything else about the book but Knox Morgan really just rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn't do it😭 I wish I understood the hype but I sadly did not. Makes me appreciate how subjective books are though. Like in my mind there's no such thing as a "bad" book it's just not for me, but would be for someone else and I think that's a really cool thing.

[@emmaskapetis7603]

I dnfed Things we never got over as well. I tried to read it a few times and I didn't like the writing style and the characters. I also dnfed By a thread so I don't think she is an author for me.

[@heyitsmakayla111]

@emmaskapetis7603 righttt? if it had of been a college romance or something I could've maybe looked past the immaturity but I can't support a full gown man asking like a teenage boy😭 im glad im not the only one because her books are so loved

[@poppycalliope]

Good to know which books to avoid 🙈 currently reading cc 2 so I'm worried about the third book, a lot of people were disappointed in this one! The first one was 5 stars though ✨️

[@MichelleG2810]

I liked one and made my way through 2 but I also DNF 3 (only one this year). I keep saying I’ll go back to finish but never feel inspired to with so many waiting in my TBR 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@RachelMagana-sq8hr]

I wouldn’t call this book a DNF even though I dnfed it two times because I couldn’t get into it, but I would definitely call it a flop and it’s daydream I just don’t know what it was about it. I couldn’t get into it even though I’m reading it at the moment. I just can’t get to it and I don’t want to dnf it again

[@amyirbybooks]

I unfortunately had a few dnfs of books I was excited for this year. The Priory of the Orange (might try again), The Bear and the Nightingale, Ninth House, Outlander, The Starless Sea, and an arc called Until We Shatter.

[@KeekeeKarnitz]

the only book i had different opinions on was 5 star romance... for some reason that book hit for me!!! I agree with you 100000% about Daydream!

[@jennlm05]

I 💯 agree on the Christmas Fix! I just could not!

[@vansa14]

I DNFed a lot of VERY popular books this year. I finally finished The Cruel Prince on my third attempt just so I can say I’ve read the whole thing so I can properly hate on it. I just DNFed Divine Rivals with only 40 pages left. I wish I had DNFed Better Than the Movies because I hate the female lead in that SOOOO much. I think I got trapped in the hype a lot this year and some of the books just aren’t good. One of my major accomplishes was finishing the ACOTAR series. I had previously DNFed the first book at least 3 times before finally finishing it. It is one of the worst books I have ever read followed only by The Cruel Prince and The Arms From of the Sea. Again ACOTAR was a force to finish just to I can talk shit about it without people saying “but you didn’t even finish it.” My goal for next year is to DNF more quickly and to not buy into the hype as much. If I’m not liking the book then just put it down.

[@bratsfacks1013]

I’ve dnf-ed The Perfect Couple, Quicksilver, The Prison Healer and The Daughter of No Worlds. Although I’ve picked up many other books on this list that I’ve soft dnf-ed/not read enough of to include on this list…

[@lexiec333]

I feel the SAME about bright young women!! I was so excited for it, but the book just felt like social commentary on true crime consumers rather than a story.

[@beautifulmama862]

I love these videos ❤❤❤❤ If I can't get into a book or just don't wanna finish then I'm gonna dnf and maybe just maybe pick it up another time but I used to dislike doing that until I realized I would be in a slump if I forced myself to read a book I didn't want to and sometimes I wouldn't like reading after pushing through a book if that makes sense

[@glaringdream1456]

My biggest flop was Love Story by Lindsey Kelk! And out of your books, I absolutely loved One Star Romance and rated it 5/5 haha. I agree with what you said about Nothing Like The Movies too, but maybe I didn't mind so much because I put my mindframe when reading it is to consider it a standalone/AU type of thing.

[@vanessalamontagne4443]

Honestly, I keep giving books 2nd and 3rd and 4th chances. I finally finished Gothikana last week after starting and putting it down months ago and guess what? Gave it two stars. I'm working through The Atlas Six and I think it has been about the same time frame as Gothikana, but expect a similar result. They are just not fitting my brand of Dark Academia unfortunately.

[@mariahuribe3284]

I’m considering DNF-Ing God of the Woods but also when will there be a restock on that sweatshirt it’s so cute !

[@briannahoude9769]

I feel soooooo validated for my one star review of romantic comedy

[@jessmartineau6603]

I just looked and can't believe it, but I didn't DNF anything this year! I did give 2 stars to Chasing Wild by Elliott Rose and will not be continuing this series. I think my biggest flop this year was Butcher & Blackbird.

[@kayleestichter3632]

I DNFed Remarkably Bright Creatures and Don't Want you Like a Best Friend. My biggest disappointments were Guy's Girl, A Dark and Drowning Tide, A River of Golden Bones, Bride, Throne of the Fallen, Powerless, and Fourth Wing.

[@michellelangner2033]

I really wish I would’ve watched this before impulse buying The Christmas Fix a few days ago when I’m low on money. I’ll try it, but I won’t stress myself out about finishing it before Christmas like I was planning.

[@mollythompson04]

I find it so hard to DNF books, but this year I decided to let myself do it. Like if a book just isn't for me, it isn't. That's not saying it's a bad book, it just doesn't interest me and that's fine. I dnf'ed Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams. Which in all honesty I should have DNf'ed When In Rome. I just am not a fan of her writing style. Also DNF'ed Powerless by Lauren Roberts, Spanish Love Deception, and The Wedding Date. I think I'm missing a few, but those are off the top of my head.

[@baileystacy6923]

I don't like DNF'ing books but sometimes it just can't be helped. Not every book appeals to one person and to force yourself to read one you're not into, can make the following books not enjoyable. This has been the biggest year in DNF'ing and just putting books down. If the first 100 pages aren't cutting it, you shouldn't have to wait for the last 5% of the book for it to get good. 🙄 Daydream was a 5 star and one of the top books of the year for me. 🤣🤩

[@serysbookspace]

Love seeing your honest thoughts and hearing about your experiences with popular books!!!🩷 One “flop” for me this year was the Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston (I know, it’s VERY well loved haha). I did not DNF it though, I enjoyed it enough to finish and gave it 3 stars but it just did not live up to what I built up in my head! I’m not a fan of instant love and was really hoping for more of a deeper dive into the time traveling. I do think I may give it a re-read in the future since I now know more of what to expect! 😊

[@kurlykaitlyn]

Nothing like the movies was so mehhhhh. I see too often authors write an incredible novel or producers make an incredible film, and then they feel a need to make sequels or remakes. More often than not the extra storylines are not amazing

[@mae8579]

Like us series is so good, it does ruin a little the core 6 but it is so worth it.

[@squidwardtentacles7144]

This year was my year of dnfs and I seriously regret nothing.😅

[@oreneishii]

The God of the Woods was downright unbearable, but I finished it because it was the first book I ever annotated. At first I thought that was the problem, but nope.

[@elenaporta5831]

omddd first!! love your videos

[@juliacash8135]

I own the grandest games and was thinking of reading it soon. You saying all this about it makes me nervous to read it. I will still at least try it since I own it.

[@MariaJoseFernandez-nx2yt]

I read it and loved it, and I think I enjoyed it even more because I was Team Grayson during the first trilogy. If you were too, you might like it.

[@juliacash8135]

@ thanks! I was never team Grayson but I do really like him as a character. He’s one of my favorites.

[@melodycollis]

Loved this 💗✨🥰💗

[@greenicedtea2]

Read The Poppy War please 🙏🙏

[@alexa_kate133]

Im sad, i DNFd a book for the first time yesterday and it was a book that everyone seems to love ☹️

[@averylu3518]

Can I ask a question that is not related to books. Your nails so pretty what is the color?

[@LecksGetCozy]

I also DNF’d Romantic Comedy. I thought the premise sounded so good, but it was no good:/ and I rarely DNF😅

[@MK-pl3br]

So earlyy I love your videos!!!

[@catherinebugden]

I absolutely hated my time with Bright Young Women and wished I DNF sooner. Like first chapter

[@daliam645]

Are there going to be any reading vlogs or challenges or are all the videos going to be sit downs?

[@whatsdesreading]

reading vlogs start this week.

[@fifs7400]

i think you meant ''majorly '' lol

[@itscallietaylor]

Where did you get that adorable crewneck you're wearing? I love it!

[@Swiftie-e7x]

It’s her merch from her podcast! I think it’s sold out though sadly

[@cheyenne6630]

@@Swiftie-e7xit is, we need a restock of it SOOO BAD

[@thememoryguardians]

Rachel Lynn Solomon books were a huge DNF to me. Her covers are so cute but I just know I don’t like her characters or writing.

[@juliacash8135]

I read all of the god of the woods but didn’t like it. I rated it 2 stars. I found it boring and confusing. It also was way more historical and less mystery than I thought.

[@violetlights]

Yayyy new video❤❤❤

[@ren.sparks]

i dnf so many books that i don’t even try to keep count LOL

[@PowerOfBooks1902]

I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!!!!! got the inspo from your channel to start mine!

[@GwendolynKensinger]

I also DNF'ed Romantic Comedy

[@SuzanneHolynaty]

im currently reading nothing like the movies and im on page 100 and i actully cant pick it up cause im so mad at liz

[@shaynespring]

Awww I loved How I’ll Kill You!! Maybe that’s cause I didn’t guess the plot twist 😂

[@Kaylasbookcorner]

I DNF over the simplest things…I’ve DNFd over not liking character names 😂

[@ren.sparks]

same but that’s because I realized the couple was me and my brothers names LOL

[@shei938]

I thought you were gonna mention funny story 👀

[@elizabethgail12]

I loved this video! I loved How I’ll Kill You! Lol but I also DNFed the grandest game!

[@yourhomie1]

same thing with the god of the woods... couldn't get past 30%

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I didn’t read a single one of these 🎉

[@macaylahbortner913]

Ooh girl puhLEASE read all the colors of the dark in place of god of the woods for your best of 2025 vid!!

[@eustaquiozambrano2974]

Thanks for sharing. Have a nice day. ❤❤

[@camillefjacla]

I love when you post! 🙂‍↕️

[@facebooksucks5502]

I love this kina of videos😅❤

[@saf.081]

back from school 🫶 great way to unwind

[@EmmaCapdeboscq]

13:26 i just knew she was talking about lizzie lmao

[@Bobabear17]

Under 1 hour

[@toplazima]

i read the christmas fix last year and couldn't understand why so many people like it and recommend it. and i feel the same about my most recent dnf: how my neighbor stole christmas by meghan quinn. i went into it with really big expectations because everyone seems to love it. i barely managed to get through the first chapter because i hated the fmc. i forced myself to continue, but then i didn't really care about the mmc. so i just dnf-ed the book after the second chapter.

[@xLadyDushi]

[@chelseyfriedrich3713]

That’s exactly how I feel about Lucy Score books in general. Bleh 🤮

[@jasminesmith9285]

I’m so scared to dnf a book

[@ren.sparks]

why..

[@claudgata1169]

Never been so early 😅

[@estheralvarado8053]

What’s dnf?

[@pariswilliams9603]

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎀🤎

[@jackietea8772]

Sarah J Maas has always been great because she writes strong Female characters that are badass and cool while balancing it with Male characters that are just as nuanced and likable.. but I feel like Crescent City was on the verge of losing the plot because she is going woke feminist real quick, and she needs to cool it. All of her male characters are starting to feel weak, while all the females are saving the day with their overpowered perfection. Again, there is nothing wrong with strong females, but DON'T go making the male characters idiotic, submissive, weak, whiners while your female leads are strong because they are arrogant narcissists with an egos larger than America. I have so many issues with HOFAS... it's not even funny, and I'm a huge SJM fan.

[@cindicleee]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kayligo]

Wish I was your neighbor and could be gifted these lol

[@untitledmanuscript]

Yes!!!! I hated Liz

[@babygirl110800]

😊❤😊❤❤

[@makaylaleotaud1805]

First viewer yay ❤️❤️❤️

[@novelbytheglass]

You still didn’t mention IRON FLAME. So weird that you skip over it all the time. 🤔

[@allisongray2188]

She talked about Iron Flame in her 2023 wrap up video and said she was disappointed by it…

[@fifs7400]

she didn’t read it this year ...

[@alexislauren01]

iron flame came out in 2023. hope this helps!

[@madelynmahurin8357]

One star romance was horrible I skimmed most of it 🫣

[@lynnbraden1044]

Couldn't finish it.