Saturday, December 30, 2023

Between the Pages - Books I Read in 2023

 
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”   
Dr. Seuss
 
To all the authors whose stories entertained me this year, and especially those who wrote my favorites below, you've earned my highest esteem, gratitude, and adoration. Thank you!

As I haven't discovered a better way of expressing the following, I shall repeat what I said in previous years...

The books I select as my favorites each year are those that: I get lost in; the ones that while reading, I lose all track of time; the ones that evoke the strongest emotions; the ones that make me laugh, cry, blush, gasp, and sigh. Yeah, those books!

Each year I meticulously review my database and online shelves to select my favorites. Even though I arbitrarily decide upon the categories, I am careful in considering which books deserve each designation.

Sadly, no matter how much I love a book, I am unable to recall details. In other words, although my devotion is clear, my memory is not. I would, indeed, like to attempt to explain my choices to anyone who may be interested.

In 2023, I did a great deal of re-reading favorites, which left me with less newly published books to consider for my favorites. As far as genres go, I read 4 non-fiction, 5 general or literary fiction, 39 contemporary mystery/suspense/thrillers, and 4 historical fiction. The remaining 175 were different sub-genres of romance.

There are several books that were published this year that I wanted to read but was unable to, some of which were published late in the year. (Thanks to a dear friend who gifted me with two new releases that I was on long library hold lists for, I was able to read Inheritance and Resurrection Walk this year. Both made my favorites of the year! So, thank you sweet "C"!) I may have to make an exception for some of them and include them in a future list, just as I made an exception this year for one "Special Mention" book that was first published in 2022.

I'll be starting out 2024 with about 180 books on my to-be-read shelves—Kindle and Audible—and the 25+ books on my library wish list. I will again set my StoryGraph Reading Challenge goal at 200 books.

My 2023 Stats

My StoryGraph Challenge total was 227 (first reads and rereads of single titles) - My 2023 StoryGraph Wrap-Up
My database total was 173 (first reads of individual formats only)

(Note: I receive no monetary compensation. I only wish to show my appreciation. The book links below open up to the corresponding Webpages on Amazon.com or Audible.com.)
 
My Favorites Published in 2023
(alphabetical by author)

Single Titles
The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Resurrection Walk (Mickey Haller #7) by Michael Connelly
State of Denial (First Family #5) by Marie Force
The Missus (Mister & Missus #2) by E.L. James (review)
Something Unexpected by Vi Keeland 
True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren
Play of Shadows (Dr. Evan Wilding #3) by Barbara Nickless
The Brood (Calamity Montana #6) by Devney Perry
Inheritance (Lost Bride Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer 
Bad Mother by Mia Sheridan
In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
 
Special Mention
 
Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger (indie published in 2022 & republished traditionally in 2023) (review)

Series Titles (two or more installments published within 2023)
 
The Law of Opposites Attract Series (The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister & The Rules of Dating My One-Night Stand) by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland


Favorites by Category

Genres

Favorite Contemporary Fiction - The Wishing Game by Meg Schaffer
Favorite Suspense/Thriller - Resurrection Walk (Mickey Haller #7) by Michael Connelly
Favorite Contemporary Romance - The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Favorite Romantic Suspense - State of Denial (First Family #5) by Marie Force
Favorite Military Romance - In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
Favorite Paranormal Romance - Inheritance (Lost Bride Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts
Favorite Romantic Series - Cherry Tree Harbor Series by Melanie Harlow
Favorite Audiobook - (tie) Play of Shadows (Dr. Evan Wilding #3) by Barbara Nickless. Narrated by Tim Campbell AND Fall Into You (Morally Gray #2) by J.T. Geissinger. Narrated by Troy Duran, Jacob Morgan, Connor Crais, Vanessa Moyen, and Angelina Rocca.

Romance Tropes

Favorite Age Gap Romance - The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Favorite Enemies to Lovers Romance - Things We Left Behind (Knockemout #3) by Lucy Score
Favorite Forced/Close Proximity Romance - The Brood (Calamity Montana #6) by Devney Perry
Favorite Friends to Lovers Romance - The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Favorite Grumpy/Sunshine Romance - The Brood (Calamity Montana #6) by Devney Perry
Favorite Second Chance Romance - The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Favorite Small Town Romance - Crimson River (The Edens #5) by Devney Perry
Favorite Workplace Romance - Fall Into You (Morally Gray Series #2) by J.T. Geissinger

Characters

Favorite Character Repartee - Something Unexpected by Vi Keeland
Favorite Romantic Couple - Samantha Holland and Nick Cappuano from State of Denial by Marie Force
Biggest Flirt - Beckham Cross from Something Unexpected by Vi Keeland
Favorite Alpha Male - Aidan Leighrite from Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
Favorite Romantic Hero - Devin Buckley from Make-Believe Match (Cherry Tree Harbor #3) by Melanie Harlow
Favorite Antihero - Cole McCord from Fall Into You (Morally Gray #2) by J.T. Geissinger
Most Tormented Hero - Alex Fox from The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Most Heroic Hero - Vance Sutter from Crimson River (The Edens #5) by Devney Perry
Favorite Romantic Heroine - Alexandra "Lexy" McIntyre from Make-Believe Match (Cherry Tree Harbor #3) by Melanie Harlow
Most "Kick-Ass" Heroine - Samantha "Sam" Holland from State of Denial (First Family #5) by Marie Force

Themes/Moods
 
Most Taboo Dark - Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
Most Heartrending - The Lovely Return by Carian Cole
Most Humorous - Runaway Love (Cherry Tree Harbor #1) by Melanie Harlow
Most Luscious - The Missus (Mister & Missus #2) by E.L. James
Most Realistic Romance - The Brood (Calamity Montana #6) by Devney Perry
Most Erotic - Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
Most Surprising Plot Twist - Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
Most Devastating Blow Delivered - Bad Mother by Mia Sheridan

Most Pleasant Surprise - The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Most Striking Cover - The Missus (Mister & Missus #2) by E.L. James
 
 
Book Bundle I Read in 2023

Since my book database counts a multi-book bundle as a single book, the following is a list of the individual books from within the book bundle I read this year. The remainder of my 2023 database total reads follows. 

The Sin Series - Boxset by Aleatha Romig
White Ribbon (#.5) 06/07/2023 (6 out of 10 stars)
Red Sin (#1) 06/08/2023 (10 out of 10 stars)
Green Envy (#2) 06/09/2023 (9 out of 10 stars)
Gold Lust (#3) 06/09/2023 (9 out of 10 stars)
Black Knight (#4) 06/10/2023 (10 out of 10 stars)


Most Anticipated Books of 2024
 
The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves 
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Crossroads (Haven River Ranch #1) by Devney Perry
Mind Games by Nora Roberts 
The Mirror (Lost Bride Trilogy #2) by Nora Roberts
 
 
Individual First Time Reads of 2023
(The (a) following a book's title designates an audiobook and a (p) denotes the paperback or signed paperback (*p) of a book that I previously read via Kindle. The table is best viewed in landscape mode on mobile devices.) 

Book List

Author Title Publication Year Reading Date My Rating
Bailey, Tessa It Happened One Summer (a) 2021 1/16/2023 10
Bailey, Tessa Hook, Line, and Sinker (a) 2022 1/18/2023 9
Biller, Diana Hotel of Secrets 2023 6/7/2023 7
Bowen, Rhys; Broyles, Clare All That Is Hidden 2023 3/26/2023 8
Bowen, Rhys; Broyles, Clare All That is Hidden (a) 2023 8/28/2023 7
Bowen, Sarina A Little Too Late 2022 9/4/2023 5
Brown, Sandra Overkill (a) 2022 1/21/2023 9
Brown, Sandra Out of Nowhere 2023 8/23/2023 7
Byrne, Kerrigan ; St. Aubin, Cynthia Nevermore Bookstore 2023 10/7/2023 6
Byrne, Kerrigan ; St. Aubin, Cynthia Brewbies 2023 10/9/2023 5
Carmen, Christa The Daughters of Block Island 2023 11/25/2023 8
Cate, Sara Highest Bidder 2023 3/26/2023 8
Christy, Samantha Unlikely Date 2022 2/16/2023 7
Christy, Samantha Unfinished Ex 2022 2/22/2023 7
Christy, Samantha Untaken Twin 2022 3/5/2023 8
Christy, Samantha No Small Bet 2023 3/6/2023 8
Christy, Samantha No Easy Dare 2023 11/13/2023 10
Christy, Samantha No Simple Lie 2023 11/21/2023 10
Christy, Samantha Igniting Ivy 2019 3/7/2023 10
Christy, Samantha Sparking Sara 2019 3/8/2023 9
Christy, Samantha Engulfing Emma 2019 3/9/2023 7
Cole, Carian The Lovely Return 2023 12/4/2023 10
Connelly, Michael The Black Echo (a) 2020 1/27/2023 8
Connelly, Michael Resurrection Walk 2023 12/10/2023 10
Cooper, Anderson; Howe, Katherine Astor 2023 9/25/2023 7
Day, Sylvia So Close 2023 4/12/2023 6
Day, Sylvia Too Far 2023 10/26/2023 6
Dick, R.A. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir 2014 5/8/2023 6
Force, Marie State of Affairs (a) 2021 9/1/2023 10
Force, Marie State of Grace (a) 2022 9/2/2023 10
Force, Marie State of the Union (a) 2022 9/3/2023 10
Force, Marie State of Shock (a) 2022 9/4/2023 10
Force, Marie State of Denial 2023 10/16/2023 10
Force, Marie Light After Dark 2016 12/29/2023 8
Force, Marie Gansett Island Episode 1: Victoria & Shannon 2017 12/20/2023 8
Force, Marie Gansett Island Episode 2: Kevin & Chelsea 2017 12/20/2023 8
Force, Marie Mine After Dark 2018 12/19/2023 8
Force, Marie Yours After Dark 2018 12/19/2023 8
Force, Marie Trouble After Dark 2019 12/22/2023 8
Force, Marie Rescue After Dark 2020 12/25/2023 8
Force, Marie Virtuous (*p) 2015 6/24/2023 10
Force, Marie Valorous (*p) 2015 6/25/2023 10
Force, Marie Victorious (*p) 2015 6/26/2023 10
Force, Marie Someone to Hold 2022 1/2/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Fool's Puzzle 1995 7/31/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Irish Chain 1996 8/2/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Kansas Troubles 1997 8/4/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Goose in the Pond 1998 8/6/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Dove in the Window 1999 8/8/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Mariner's Compass 2000 8/9/2023 10
Fowler, Earlene Seven Sisters 2001 8/11/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Arkansas Traveler 2001 8/14/2023 6
Fowler, Earlene Steps to the Altar 2003 8/14/2023 10
Fowler, Earlene Sunshine and Shadow (a) 2008 8/15/2023 7
Fowler, Earlene Broken Dishes (a) 2011 8/17/2023 7
Fowler, Earlene Delectable Mountains (a) 2012 8/17/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene Tumbling Blocks 2008 8/17/2023 8
Fowler, Earlene State Fair 2010 8/19/2023 6
Garmus, Bonnie Lessons in Chemistry 2022 9/22/2023 7
Geissinger, J.T. Liars Like Us 2023 5/26/2023 10
Geissinger, J.T. Liars Like Us (a) 2023 8/23/2023 9
Geissinger, J.T. Fall Into You 2023 10/4/2023 10
Geissinger, J.T. Fall Into You (a) 2023 12/14/2023 10
Geissinger, J.T. Pen Pal 2022 5/26/2023 10
Geissinger, J.T. Ruthless Creatures 2021 5/28/2023 9
Geissinger, J.T. Carnal Urges 2021 5/29/2023 7
Geissinger, J.T. Savage Hearts 2023 12/6/2023 8
Geissinger, J.T. Brutal Vows 2023 12/13/2023 8
Geissinger, J.T. Wicked Beautiful 2016 12/17/2023 7
Grafton, Sue Kinsey and Me: Stories 2013 7/12/2023 7
Halle, Karina A Ship of Bones and Teeth 2023 6/16/2023 Defies rating
Harlow, Melanie Drive Me Wild (*p) 2020 5/3/2023 10
Harlow, Melanie Runaway Love (a) 2023 5/20/2023 9
Harlow, Melanie Runaway Love 2023 5/8/2023 10
Harlow, Melanie Hideaway Heart 2023 8/22/2023 8
Harlow, Melanie Make-Believe Match (a) 2023 12/15/2023 10
Harlow, Melanie Make-Believe Match 2023 11/26/2023 10
Harlow, Melanie Ignite (*p) 2021 4/3/2023 10
Harlow, Melanie Tempt (a) 2023 3/16/2023 7
Harms, Kelly Wherever the Wind Takes Us 2022 3/13/2023 5
Henry, Emily Book Lovers (a) 2022 8/30/2023 9
Hunter, Elizabeth Dust Born 2023 11/7/2023 7
Hunter, Elizabeth Bishop's Flight 2023 10/20/2023 6
Hunter, Elizabeth Fangs, Frost, and Folios 2023 12/5/2023 8
Hunter, Elizabeth Blood and Sand (*p) 2013 1/20/2023 10
Hunter, Elizabeth A Ghost in the Glamour 2017 1/3/2023 6
Hunter, Elizabeth A Bogie in the Boat 2018 1/3/2023 8
Hunting, Helena Kiss My Cupcake 2020 5/25/2023 6
James, E.L. Fifty Shades of Grey (p) 2015 5/28/2023 10
James, E.L. Fifty Shades Darker (p) 2017 4/29/2023 10
James, E.L. Fifty Shades Freed (p) 2018 4/30/2023 10
James, E.L. Grey (p) 2015 5/19/2023 10
James, E.L. Darker (p) 2017 5/21/2023 10
James, E.L. Freed (p) 2021 5/23/2023 10
James, E.L. The Missus 2023 7/6/2023 10
Jordan, Skye Hot Blooded 2023 5/10/2023 5
Keeland, Vi The Game 2023 1/23/2023 8
Keeland, Vi Something Unexpected 2023 7/7/2023 10
Kiernan, Denise The Last Castle 2017 5/19/2023 6
Kubica, Mary Local Woman Missing 2021 1/16/2023 8
Lauren Christina Dating You / Hating You (*p) 2017 10/24/2023 10
Lauren, Christina Something Wilder (a) 2022 9/16/2023 8
Lauren, Christina True Love Experiment 2023 5/18/2023 10
Lea, Amy Exes and O's 2023 3/4/2023 6
Lynn, Cherrie Rock Me (p) 2017 12/30/2023 10
Malpas, Jodi Ellen The Brit 2021 3/16/2023 7
Malpas, Jodi Ellen The Enigma 2021 3/23/2023 6
Malpas, Jodi Ellen The Resurrection 2022 4/15/2023 6
Malpas, Jodi Ellen The Rising 2023 4/27/2023 4
McIntire, Emily Hooked (a) 2022 9/11/2023 6
Mirren, Lilly The Island 2022 1/7/2023 8
Mirren, Lilly The Beach Cottage 2022 1/7/2023 8
Mirren, Lilly The Blue Shoal Inn 2022 1/8/2023 8
Mirren, Lilly Island Weddings 2023 1/10/2023 8
Moskowitz, Isa Chandra; Romero, Terry Hope Vegan Pie in the Sky 2011 10/3/2023 6
Nickless, Barbara Dark of Night (a) 2022 1/8/2023 8
Nickless, Barbara Play of Shadows 2023 11/18/2023 10
Nickless, Barbara Play of Shadows (a) 2023 12/1/2023 10
Nickless, Barbara Ambush (a) 2019 1/13/2023 6
Nickless, Barbara Gone to Darkness (a) 2020 11/9/2023 8
Perry, Devney The Brawl (a) 2022 1/9/2023 10
Perry, Devney The Brood 2023 9/8/2023 10
Perry, Devney The Brood (a) 2023 11/3/2023 10
Perry, Devney Garnet Flats (a) 2022 11/30/2023 8
Perry, Devney Jasper Vale 2023 2/6/2023 8
Perry, Devney Crimson River 2023 6/17/2023 10
Perry, Devney Sable Peak 2023 12/9/2023 9
Perry, Devney Timeless 2022 2/8/2023 6
Perry, Devney The Dandelion Diary 2023 7/16/2023 7
Perry, Devney Quarter Miles (a) 2020 8/1/2023 8
Perry, Devney Coach 2023 4/9/2023 7
Porizkova, Paulina No Filter 2022 1/6/2023 8
Reber, Tina Jacked (*p) 2014 4/16/2023 10
Reichs, Kathy The Bone Hacker 2023 8/24/2023 8
Reiss, C.D. Crowne Jewel 2023 7/10/2023 5
Robb, J.D. Naked in Death (a) 2008 3/27/2023 8
Robb, J.D. Glory in Death (a) 2008 3/28/2023 8
Robb, J.D. Immortal in Death (a) 2008 3/29/2023 8
Robb, J.D. Rapture in Death (a) 2008 3/30/2023 7
Robb, J.D. Ceremony in Death (a) 2008 4/24/2023 8
Robb, J.D. Vengeance in Death (a) 2008 7/4/2023 8
Roberts, Nora Identity 2023 7/3/2023 7
Roberts, Nora Inheritance 2023 11/29/2023 10
Roberts, Nora Nightwork (a) 2022 9/7/2023 8
Roberts, Nora Whiskey Beach (*p) 2023 9/11/2023 10
Romig, Aleatha Silver Lining 2022 6/13/2023 6
Romig, Aleatha The Sin Series: Box Set 2023 6/10/2023 10
Romig, Aleatha White Ribbon 2021 6/7/2023 6
Score, Lucy The Worst Best Man 2018 3/18/2023 8
Score, Lucy No More Secrets 2019 4/3/2023 7
Score, Lucy Fall Into Temptation 2019 5/12/2023 7
Score, Lucy The Last Second Chance 2019 6/4/2023 5
Score, Lucy By a Thread (*p) 2020 5/1/2023 10
Score, Lucy Things We Never Got Over (*p) 2022 7/15/2023 10
Score, Lucy Things We Hide from the Light (a) 2023 7/30/2023 8
Score, Lucy Things We Hide from the Light 2023 3/1/2023 8
Score, Lucy Things We Left Behind 2023 9/6/2023 10
Score, Lucy Maggie Moves On (a) 2022 3/12/2023 10
Scott, Emma Between Hello and Goodbye (a) 2023 3/2/2023 9
Scott, Kylie End of Story 2023 5/16/2023 8
Scott, Kylie The Rhythm Method 2021 6/4/2023 7
Shaffer, Meg The Wishing Game 2023 9/1/2023 10
Sheridan, Mia All the Little Raindrops 2023 11/11/2023 9
Sheridan, Mia Bad Mother 2023 4/5/2023 10
Sheridan, Mia Bad Mother (a) 2023 7/15/2023 8
Torre, A.R. A Familiar Stranger 2022 7/29/2023 7
Ward, Penelope Stepbrother Dearest (a) 2015 11/16/2023 5
Ward, Penelope Toe the Line 2023 3/11/2023 7
Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi The Rules of Dating (a) 2022 1/24/2023 8
Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister 2023 11/21/2023 10
Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi The Rules of Dating My-One Night Stand 2023 11/22/2023 10
Yarros, Rebecca In the Likely Event 2023 9/12/2023 10
Young, Samantha Beyond the Thistles 2023 5/7/2023 7

Exported from BookCollector 12/30/2023 8:19:44 AM