Hello, everyone! Today I have another year-end list of top books, my favorite books of 2023. I’ve read so many books this year that it was impossible to narrow the list down any further than my favorite fifteen. These are all 2023 releases that I’ve managed to read this year. You can find my favorite backlist books in another post here. So, be sure to check it out, as well. All of the covers link to Goodreads in case anything catches your eye…

Painted Devils by Margaret Owen – This was one of my most anticipated releases of this year, and it didn’t disappoint. Vanja was still an absolute mess, and I liked how the story and villain created opportunities for her to deal with trauma of being abandoned by her mother. Her relationship with Emeric was also once again a highlight, and the ending left me needing the next book ASAP.

Kit & Basie by Tess Carletta – This was just the perfect cozy romance read. I loved the small town setting and all the descriptions of baked goods and tea. The pinch of fantasy in the story was the perfect amount, and the two boys were perfect for each other. I kept wanting to just smash their faces together and scream at them to just be together. lol.

Rubicon by J.S. Dewes – This story was wild. I didn’t want to put this sci fi adventure down. It was brutal and fascinating with great characters. It explored really cool themes about what it means to be human and how artificial intelligence can blur those lines. There was lots of cool technology and military action, and I can honestly say I was never bored while reading it.

The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper – This entire trilogy was such an engrossing exploration of life in ancient Rome for those at the bottom of the social order. This finale did a beautiful job of wrapping up Amara’s story. She did everything she could to build a better life for her and her daughter, but did it matter when the shadow of Mount Vesuvius loomed over them all? The disaster scenes were riveting, and there was so much heartbreak that had me deep in my feelings. I cannot recommend this trilogy enough.

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – I’m a huge fan of Moreno-Garcia’s writing, and this book was no exception. It was so atmospheric, and I loved the incorporation of the creepy esoteric elements. The relationship between the two main characters was also fantastic. They’d been friends forever and just accepted each other, faults and all. It was also entertaining since they were both disaster bisexuals whose lives were a mess.

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty – A badass pirate momma? What else is there to say? I loved it. The world-building was interesting, and the adventures were fun to follow. I cannot wait for the next book.

The Tyranny of Faith by Richard Swan – This was a really great sequel. The world-building was fantastic during the characters’ time in the imperial capital, and I loved all of the conspiracy, mystery, and action. The writing really captured the existential dread of seeing your society collapse around you in real time. It set things up for an exciting finale, and I cannot wait to dive into my ARC really soon.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig – The writing in this book completely transported me to the creepy woods and castles of this world. I enjoyed getting to know the Nightmare better, and the new information about the magic of the cards was really cool. I loved having Elm as a major POV, and his personal history and new relationship were some of my favorite things to read about in the book.

Happy Place by Emily Henry – I’ve yet to come across a book by Henry that I haven’t enjoyed. This is probably one of my favorites, though. It captured the experience of being a late 20’s to early 30’s adult really well. I liked the focus on friendship and how it illustrated the changes that happen in friend groups during this stage of life.

Shadow Baron by Davinia Evans – This sequel surpassed all of my expectations. I enjoyed the first book, but this one improved upon so much of the foundations it laid down. The world-building provided a much deeper understand of the mundane plane and the politics of Bezim. Each of the characters experienced powerful arcs that moved them forward in some really exciting ways. I especially loved Anahid’s attempts to throw off the shackles of societal expectations and live life on her own terms. The mixture of character moments and action was paced really well and kept me hooked from beginning to end.

The Will of the Many by James Islington – It felt as if this book was written just for me. It had so many of my favorite fantasy elements all wrapped into one package. I love academy stories, and this story used that setting really well. I also liked the Rome-inspired world, and the inclusion of so much mystery and espionage kept me busy turning the pages. I cannot recommend this one enough!

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert – This was such a delightful YA romcom. I always love a good ex-best friends to lovers romance, especially when there is some sort of rivalry between the two leads. Brad and Celine had great chemistry, and I adored them and their story so much.

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian – This was an emotional intergenerational story that explored so many topics, from being queer in Iran to the importance of queer mentors and role models. The story had so many layers, and it was engrossing to see the three coming-of-age stories unfold side by side despite being from different points in time. I learned so much from reading this book, and I honestly think everyone should pick it up.

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian – I loved this book so much. The story was largely character-focused and followed two men as they became friends and then something more. They struggled to come to terms with their feelings because of internalized homophobia and the very real fear of persecution if anyone found out about their relationship. All of it was very emotional and heartfelt, and I ate it up.

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske – This is one of my favorite series, and I am happy to report that the finale did a wonderful job of wrapping up the story. Alan and Hawthorne had electric chemistry, and I loved that the entire cast came together for this one. There was plenty of magic, action, and romance, and I’ll definitely be re-reading all three books before too long.

There you have it. My favorite books of 2023! Do we share any top books in common? What were your favorite books of the year? Let me know in the comments!