Let’s talk about those three letters: DNF. Did Not Finish.

It takes sooooo much for me to give up on a book. I’m trying to get better about stopping reading books that I’m not enjoying. However, I also want to honor my love of reading by only spending time reading books that I am enjoying.

I want to share the books that I do decide to DNF and why. There is an audience for all sorts of books. Some books just aren’t for me, so I don’t want to interfere with you reading a book if you think you’ll like it.

DNF Books

The Yacht by Sarah Goodwin

WHEN THE TRUTH SURFACES… New Year’s Eve, 2023 . When Hannah and her friends rent a luxury yacht in an Italian marina, they party in style under the stars until they pass out. …WHO WILL SINK… The next morning , they are horrified to find they have been cut adrift into the open ocean, with no sight of land and no fuel in the engine. And that’s when the first person goes missing… …AND WHO WILL SWIM? The Yacht is a twisty locked-room thriller perfect for fans of The White Lotus , The Hunting Party and The Castaways.

Why I DNF’d: This book felt so unbelievably unbelievable. And, yes, I did just say that. I was, I think, 15% of the way through the book and it felt like the big conflict had already happened. The characters were entirely unlikable. It was like none of them used their brains. It was also completely illogical. There’s a lot I can get past in books, but stupid people is not one of them.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.

Why I DNF’d: In 2024, I am trying to read more genres. A girl at book club mentioned that she loved this book (a few ladies did, actually). The author is actually Rachel Hawkins, who I love. However, there is a very clear reason why I don’t read romance books. I’m fine with those “charged” moments here and there (or even with some frequency). This book lost me when Vivi and Rhys were walking to the library and he was sexualizing her hair being up in a bun.

This blog post will continue being updated as I DNF books. I hope it doesn’t grow too terribly much over time, but who knows.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, so I may receive a small commission from sales generated. Additionally, this post only tracks books I DNF’d starting in 2024.