2023 Books -- The Full List

Here we go for reading in 2023. Look, I have a real THING for romance novels and I'm not ashamed of saying it. It's feminist as hell to think women's stories, full of emotions, self-improvement, and most of all HOPE are important and worth the read. There are certainly crap romance novels out there but they're also great ones that make me feel and think about my own life. Putting words to emotions or concepts I never could. Reading RULES. 

FINAL COUNTS: 

•  Books: 40 
• Audiobooks: 45 
• Minibooks on KU: 182 
•  FINAL FOR 2023: 267 

BOOKS: *books in yellow were my favorites!

1. Too Hot to Handle by Tess Bailey -- this is a series about grown-up siblings driving across country after losing their mother. It was sweet and the sibling relationships were a mess. Might read the other three?
2. The Stolen Heir by Holly Black -- this might be my favorite Elfhame book, and there's another one on the way. All the tension and court politics - mixed with mythology and magic -- are the best.
   
3. Georgie All Along by Kate Clayborn -- this is a TOTAL FAVORITE. I loved Georgie, I empathized with her self-discovery. One of the BEST books I read this year. 
4. Forever Never by Lucy Score -- a little too long but still a decent romance. 
5. End of Story by Kylie Scott -- this author used to be so dependable but, ugh, her books are getting super-bad. No conflict and no fun. 
6. Billionaire Heists Trilogy by Anna Hackett -- 3 really quick, lovable romances
7. Elements of Chemistry by Penny Reid -- ok, this book was really up and down for me. Sizzling. And hiding in the laundry room during a party scene was amazing (and relatable). Then it went too over the top.
8. The Cabin 1-2 -- this is a fun series about a security run by brothers.  
9. Mountain Man KU fest -- This series is 10 short stories about finding love in the mountains with a hot lumberjack-looking guy. Love a loner gal finding love story. Great stories to read before falling asleep.
10. To Marry and to Meddle by Martha Waters -- third book in these series that I can't quit. The dialogue between the girls is lol funny. 
11. Faking Mrs. Right by Claire Kinglsey -- too contrived and blah
12. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers -- been on my TBR pile for a decade (no seriously) but it was just the break I needed. Less romance and more action adventure (but yes there was kissing because duh). Will eventually read the whole series in-between swoony romance.
13. Beard Romance Series -- there were six of them, short novellas. Very sweet and sexy.
14. The Inheritance by Cassie Cole -- fun twists in this mystery with plenty of romance and kissing
15. Happy Place by Emily Henry -- I can see why Henry has such board appeal. This story was so tender and emotional. And came together nicely. Though not a huge fan of the found family troupe, I can't get enough of Wyn and how tactile he was.
16. Love, Theoretically Ali Hazelwood -- so far, Ali can do NO wrong. This book was in 5th gear through the entire first 2/3 of the book. I couldn't put it down and read in 2 days. The last 3rd felt a little slower and she pulled off the accelerator, but it was no less sweet.
17. First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh -- rereading the Huxtable series after listening to an interview with Mary.
18. Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh -- second book in this series
19. Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh -- the third book, and probably the worst book, in the series.
20. Ciao for Now by Kate Bromley -- I read this for the setting ... Rome. Yes, I want to get on a plane. The story was cute, and the dialogue was very witty.
21. Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams -- I read the first one in this town called Rome (somewhere in the South) and so I had to read this one. Not great but charming enough to finish
22. The Duchess Games by Alyxandra Harvey -- well-drawn lead characters and side characters. Good debut
23. Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage -- Cowboy on a ranch love stories is my new favorite troupe. The hero is super sweet. This was a debut book and I can't read the whole series of all the brothers finding love.   
24. Once More with Feeling by Alyssa Sussman -- I really liked her debut so this second book was just as fun -- but I could have done without all the old people jokes for characters only in their 30s.
25. Knock Out by Sarah MacLean -- the third book in the Hell's Belles series and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. She's not the best in the biz for nothing. And Tommy was the ULTIMATE leading man. All the stars!
26. On a Manhunt KU series by Vanessa Vale -- Super fun, 4-book novella series about brothers fall in love, one for each book. I loved the characters and heroines who had some depth and the romance was super sweet.
27. Bachelor Action KU Series by Vanessa Vale -- super fun, 3-book novella series that I read while I was quarantined in my room. Each story starts with the auction and each of the three brothers' story about what happened next. Totally enjoyable. This author is always so bang-on with a little depth and a lot of spice.
28. The Virgin and the Rouge by Sophie Jordan -- OK, this is my last Jordan book. I try because Sarah Maclean loves her but she is just NOT my author. I don't like the characters, the storylines are THIN and boring. The dialogue doesn't sing. The kissing scenes are dull. Unless it's free, no more Sophie Jordan.
29. My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine -- I listened to half of this on audiobook and read half, because nope, I did not like this. It could not have been more bland and predictable. Nothing good. Skip.
30. Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon -- this is a cute and sexy story about a tv nerd and a sex-positive ghost writer and although it legged in certain chapters, it was all good. I'm glad I gave this author another try.
31. Whispering Winds KU Series -- Another Mountain Man series of insta-love novellas. They're just the perfect thing to read just before falling asleep.
32. Last Eligible Billionaire by Pippa Grant -- Loved the MCs in this one a whole lot. Love a messy heroine the best. Grumpy-Sunshine is a favorite. May read more from this author.
33. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata -- I need to talk to someone about this one, the pacing/constructions just seems wrong. The third act is wayyyy too late. And she kept throwing up possible conflicts and then never delivering on any of them. Like her fear of immigration getting involved or randomly knowing one of his friends. I really loved the story and the characters, it was just oddly constructed.
34. Mountain Man KU series by Raven Moon -- a series of romance novellas that were good bedtime stories. 
35. Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey -- fake marriage sports rom com, pretty good. Hockey player.  He falls first. Hard to get that friends to lovers right. Very similar to Wall of Winnipeg but way shorter and less conflict.
36. Shadows of You by Catherine Cowles -- a forgettable romance. Skip it. 
37. Baby It's Hot Inside by Kat Baxter -- a collection of short holiday stories. Not great, by any means. The first story was good and it went downhill from there.
38. Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey -- a fantastic story that hit all my favorite tropes, super sexy, but also lots of emotions to untangle.
39. I Thee Wed by Amanda Quick -- boy, did she understand the assignment! Took four days to read, fast paced, the chapters were short and quick, lots happening. This was super fun.
40. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase -- this story was bananas! She falls for him, despite being called a "devil's spawn." He kisses him -- in front of people. She SHOOTS him. She gets lawyers involved. They get married and she adopts his son.

AUDIOBOOKS:

1. Remedial Rocket Science by Susannah Nix -- so-so reader and so-so story
2. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloise James -- excellent historical romance
3. The Devil of Downton by Joanna Shupe -- spicy and fun.
4. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun -- The third in the series and for sure not the last. It's so fun.
5. The Sweet Spot Amy Poppel - this was on everyone's "best" list for the month, and it was a little outside my wheelhouse, but it was meh and the narration was painful.
6. Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid -- reliably wonderful
7. Love Hacked by Penny Reid -- yup, reliably wonderful and delightful is there anyone better than Joy Nash and Sebastian York narrating?!
8. Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center -- sweet and meaningful book about a kick-ass female firefighter but the Boston accent was cringe-y.
9. Disorderly Conduct by Tessa Bailey -- crossed the line into smutty but also entertaining and cute
10. Indecent Exposure by Tessa Bailey -- so I kept listening to the whole series
11. Disturbing the Peace by Tessa Bailey -- and it was fun and I don't regret a thing.
12. The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick -- I'd like to rewrite this so it's more zany and fun, like Where'd You Go Bernadette, but as it was, the story was monotone and lackluster
13. Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley -- a pretty good romance. Not great, but not terrible.
14. The Co-Op by Tarah DeWitt -- way to long and the guy narrator was so-so with his Eastern accent.
15. One Night With You by Laura Jane Williams -- wish it was more exciting or interesting but the love story was sweet and I loved the accents from Liverpool!
16. Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld -- a really safe and sincere rom com with good dialogue and flashback to covid-times.
17. The Runaway Groomsman by Meghan Quinn -- great narrators with lots of fun, really liked the characters, another safe, guy falls first story
18. A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan -- predictable and not too exciting
19. The Stopover by T L Swan -- too long and lots of spicy (too much?)
20. The Candid Life of Meena Dave by Namrata Patel -- loved all the Boston stuff. Lonely girl, a favorite kind of heroine. 
21. This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs -- lead singer of the Bangles reads this a little thin on the story side romance novel about a 30-something past-her-stardom singer falling for a quintessential Oxford professor after a nasty breakup. Not enough ensues.
22. Rushed by Aurora Rose Reynolds -- I was hoping for a near-death experience or some danger, but no. It was fine.
23. Risky by Aurora Rose Reynolds -- second book in this series, with no danger or risk. But a descent enough love story.
24. Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller -- listened with Leah on our drive to Pittsburgh. Great story. Lots of action. Fun to listen to with Leah.
25. The Rewind by Allison Winn Scotch -- this was a tough one to finish, I had the book and got the library audiobook. I nearly abandon several times because the triple timelines was dizzying and annoying to keep track of. It was a satisfying ending, but not a huge fan.
26. Reckless by Aurora Rose Reynolds -- third book in these no danger, low risk series -- they're just short and sweet
27. Bombshell by Sarah MacLean -- first book of the Hells Bells series that I reread before the third book came out. YAY. Love love this narrator.
28. Dear Enemy by Kristen Callihan -- a great story to listen to while I drove far and finished a table.
29. Not My Kind of Hero by Pippa Grant -- spicy love story and the narration was very good.
30. Make is Sweet by Kristen Callihan -- hockey player and actress fall in love. it's charming. a little boring. but who wouldn't want a French grandmother and a man that cooks French patisserie?
31. Mr. McHottie by Pippa Grant -- found this author on Hoopla and while the stories are pretty standard and sweet, the narration is top-notch and keep me entertained while I'm working
32. Rockaway Bride by Pippa Grant -- runaway bride, European adventure, grump/sunny -- so many favorite troupes.
33. Luck of the Draw by Kate Clayborn -- This was a cute little story and I really liked the MCs. It's a three-book series but the other storylines aren't really catching my attention. Maybe I'll come back to them.
34. My Temptation: Kingston Land by TL Swan -- utter crap. Not sure why I didn't DNF, because it was difficult to finish.
35. The One Who Loves You by Pippa Grant -- there was a twist at the end I didn't see coming, but otherwise a good romance.  
36. After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez -- amazing! super hot! Great story. Great characters. I loved the small town Mexican family. Will stick with me for a long time and may have to get the next one in the series.
37. Beauty and Baller by Isa Madden-Mills -- I was looking for a football story and this one was too dull to fill my fix.
38. The Love Wager by Lynn Painter -- Alice Loves this author's YA book so I had to give her adult books a try. A pretty basic rom com with great banter and thin premise. Friends to lovers is so tough, because WHY can't they be together is hard to pull off.
39. Soulless by Gail Carriger -- I read this series at least a decade ago but needed something cheery to get through some mundane work tasks. Love the language and Victorian England turns of phrase.
40. Changeless by Gail Carriger -- fun sequel in Scotland mostly but the end is so disheartening. I forgot how bummed out I get at this one.
41. Blameless by Gail Carriger -- such fun
42. Wildcat By Max Monroe -- this might end my sports rom com interest, this was cute but super boring in the middle.
43. Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey -- super hot and super good. Love a good hero that's willing to do anything for his new lady.
44. Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow -- Let's be honest, I listened to this one for the Scottish landscape. The romance was good and the MCs were pretty basic.
45. Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood — not ya but you get the unsure older teen perspective. Chess heavy but not enough to turn off. I loved it. This author just delivers for me. 

More about my reading habits in an upcoming post.