Best of the Year: Top 14 Books of 2023

This was supposed to be a top 10 of the year but I couldn’t narrow it down to 10 and it’s my website so I make the rules. So, my top 14 books of the year! 2023 was a year I read what brought me joy but also a year I struggled to focus. I read more on audio this year than in years past but I appreciated the books I read physically even more than I have, since it was harder than normal to find time to sit down and relax. But, I still managed to read over 150 books. Wild.

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

This is a favorite because I’ll never forget reading it during a freezing, dark week of the winter and how it felt like Summer. It was truly special!

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

This book made me sob?? Oh how I LOVED Jacob and Bri. I know this wasn’t the book for everyone, but it was a really special and important one for me.

Chef’s Choice by TJ Alexander

A TJ book will always make my favorites list. This is one I love to recommend because it’s funny, heartfelt, and obviously has an incredible cast of characters.

Happy Place by Emily Henry

My favorite Emily Henry and I don’t care who disagrees.

Yellowface by RF Kuang

I flew through this book and that is always a good thing to me. It’s very specific to the book-ternet world but I still think it will be a book that any reader would enjoy. It’s like a social thriller and I loved it.

Imogen Obviously by Becky Albertalli

Becky Albertalli’s YA books always give me chills, in a good way. This is another book I flew through and it was so special. It’s YA but the characters are a high school senior and college aged.

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler

I boldly claimed this as my favorite romance of the year when I read it in May and it stands. I loved it so much.

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

This was truly such a special book. It’s about a group of friends who lean on each other during the darkest moments and host “living funerals” to remind them they are needed and loved. The audio was exceptional.

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

Fully here for my yeehaw era. This book was EVERYTHING.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Ashley Poston is one of the most unique romance writers and I am obsessed with this time travel romance.

Do I Know You? by Emily Wibberly and Austin Sigmund Brokka

One of the best surprises of the year. I wasn’t wild about their other adult romance but oh how I LOVED this book. It was heartfelt and a little spicy and fully of relationship insight.

Next Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin

The perfect book for something light and fun. I feel like lovers of reality TV will love this one evne though it has nothing to do with reality television.

Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey

Christmas books rarely make my favorites list but this one has to. It’s a modern take on the film Christmas in Connecticut but it was witty, cozy, and real. I loved it.

Technically Yours by Denise Williams

Pearl and Cord forever. The way I describe this book is like coming home to writing that is familiar but characters who are new. I loved it!

What were your favorites of the year?