Hello 2024! Wrapping Up 2023...

My favorite reads of last year

It’s been so long since I did a “best of” list that I forgot how hard it is! So many great books, so many awesome authors and terrific reads. But today is Epiphany, and it feels like a good time to get back into some routine for reviewing. 

I listened to or read 166 books in 2023, and that’s a pretty big list to narrow down - especially since I’m fortunate to get some of the best books out there.

I always wait with bated breath for certain authors to release their books. Thankfully most of them publish at least a book a year, so I don’t have to wait too long for them. Jayne Ann Krentz usually manages 2-3 titles a year, and I love them all. I’ve put those books at the end of this list, because although they are among my favorites every year, anyone who’s followed me at all, ever, will have heard me mention them at least a few times.

So let’s start with some other 2023 favorites. This is an eclectic list and it includes a few titles that were so unique and compelling that I had to include them! I always find joy in new ideas and stories - and there were a lot of them this year! Yay!

Have you read any of these? Did you love them too?

FULL MOON OVER FREEDOM by Angelina M. Lopez  Lopez has been a bit of an unsung author for a while (in my humble opinion), and I am so thrilled that her extraordinary Milagro Street series is getting some well-deserved love. The small Kansas town with a deep Mexican history thanks to the men who built the railroads in the 1800s and stayed to put down roots with their families (an angle based lightly on her own family history) lends for some great family tension and storytelling opportunities. Love these books, and I definitely hope you’ll find them and love them too.
Amazon links: FULL MOON OVER FREEDOM Angelina M. Lopez

TO HAVE AND TO HEIST by Sara Desai  Possibly my favorite light read this year! I love Sara’s books so much, but TO HAVE AND TO HEIST is brilliant, even for this awesome author. Simi Chopra is finding her way in life, s l o w l y, but everything changes when her best friend is catfished into inadvertently helping someone steal a priceless piece of jewelry, then is framed for it. Suddenly Simi, who has failed to launch, blasts off, using every unique and quirky aspect of her intelligence and experience to pull off the impossible and save her friend, discovering herself—or at least finding confidence in who she is—in the process. So fun and smart and delightful.
Amazon links: TO HAVE AND TO HEIST Sara Desai 

GAME ON by Seressia Glass  I am so there for this series! THE LOVE CON was terrific and this was a very worthy follow-up. A  whip-smart woman-of-color gamer takes on a popular video game for its problematic content, and is stunned when its CEO creator takes her critique seriously and offers her a job to help him fix it. Glass balances romance, nerd-culture, Black Girl Magic, racism and misogyny with elegance, grace, humor and wit. A smart, fun read with a sidebar of important reminders to be better (and a few tips on how).
Amazon links: GAME ON Seressia Glass

DEATH IN THE DARK WOODS by Annelise Ryan  (The Monster Hunter Mysteries series) This is definitely one of my favorite mystery series of the past few years. Main character Morgan Carter is a cryptozoologist (i.e. she searches for mythological monsters like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot), and because of her expertise, she winds up working on murder cases that are rumored to have been committed by these creatures. I picked up the first book, A DEATH IN DOOR COUNTY, because I live in Wisconsin and Door County is one of my favorite places in the world. But I was pleasantly surprised by these smart, intricate, emotionally satisfying mysteries that sound somewhat sensationalist but ultimately shine in their down-to-earth dive into real people dealing with real issues and searching for truth in these crimes, as well many aspects of their own lives.
Amazon links: Monster Hunter Mysteries Annelise Ryan

MURDER MOST ROYAL by SJ Bennett (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series) Another favorite. Honestly, Queen Elizabeth II as a quiet murder investigator with help from her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie, is even more charming than it sounds, and the way she manages to circumvent all the people trying diligently to keep her safe from the very things she’s trying to make them aware of is both amusing and unfortunate, since they never understand her true brilliance. Bennett captures everything we love (and think we love) about QEII in these mysteries, and subtly spotlights the infuriating misogyny she and Rozie face in the clueless, condescending men around them even as they demonstrate remarkable perception, discernment, courage and observational skills, as well as emotional and traditional intelligence. In the queen’s case too, a memory like a steel trap. Some of my favorite recent titles. 
Amazon links: Her Majesty the Queen Investigates SJ Bennett

GRAVE EXPECTATIONS by Alice Bell  I really enjoyed this debut that featured a psychic hired to host a seance for an elderly English aristocrat’s birthday. The lady dies the night before, but when she appears to the medium, Claire, in a ghostly form before she leaves this earthly coil, she lets her know that there is a dead body on the estate and she’d like her to solve the mystery. The book is funny and touching, exploring the best and worst of human emotion and behavior, with humor and pathos and great banter, plus an overarching mystery that makes it feel like the beginning of a series, which would be fun. 
Amazon link: GRAVE EXPECTATIONS

THE MINISCULE MANSION OF MYRA MALONE by Audrey Burges  A magical, enthralling read, and truly unique (an aspect I always love to spotlight). A popular, mysterious blogger builds and decorates a dollhouse mansion, while across the country a young man recognizes every aspect of this dollhouse, because it’s his home. Untangling these elements leads to a fascinating story and a budding romance. Elegant writing and an intriguing, uncommon plot elevate this lovely story.
Amazon link: THE MINISCULE MANSION OF MYRA MALONE

THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer  Difficult to describe how lovely, heart-breaking, enchanting and uplifting this book was. Delightful, and a beautiful reminder of just how important and life-affirming books can be.
Just read it. You’ll see.
Amazon links: THE WISHING GAME Meg Shaffer

THE ROAD TO ROSWELL by Connie Willis  Please just read the publisher’s description of this book, ask yourself if you should read this book, and then follow through. A rollicking road trip First Contact alien buddy tale that will keep you captivated from first page to last, smiling all the way, with the occasional burst of outright laughter and small dollops of heart-wrenching poignancy. I’ve been meaning to read a Willis novel for some time now (I’ve caught a few of her Christmas short stories), and this was a joyful masterpiece.
Amazon links: THE ROAD TO ROSWELL Connie Willis

THE DUCHESS EFFECT by Tracy Livesay  This is the follow-up to 2022’s AMERICAN ROYALTY, which I loved, and continues the romantic journey of a rap star and a minor English prince. Livesay turns stereotypes upside down while creating two vibrant, seemingly mismatched characters who are actually perfect for each other and must navigate tricky situations in order to protect their love. Bright, engaging and insightful, with flawed characters being both problematic and authentic in various measures. An interesting take on fame, celebrity, art, royalty, love and the ways people who love each other listen, learn and grow with each other, even (especially?) in complicated circumstances.
Amazon links:
AMERICAN ROYALTY THE DUCHESS EFFECT Tracy Livesay

RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART by Jo Segura  (debut) Two archaeologists with an intense past share a dig and navigate their individual emotional wounds as they battle a deep well of mutual suspicion as well as jungle threats, an industrial spy, unwelcome external pressures and all the usual archaeological complexities. Awesome Indiana Jones-in-Mexico vibe (though it's the female lead with the action/adventure cred), with swoon-worthy leads and sexual tension (and some lovemaking scenes) that scorch the page. Definitely hope this ushers in more action/adventure romance too!
Amazon link: RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART

Having said that, I loved Cyndi Dees’ spy-themed action/adventure SECOND SHOT, featuring a retired spy who suddenly has someone determined to assassinate her. (So much for retirement!) Fast-paced and diamond sharp, with an AARP-eligible female lead who manages to stay alive with a little luck and a lot of experiential intelligence, then tracks down her enemy and solves a murder mystery along the way. 
Amazon links: SECOND SHOT Cyndi Dees

THE SECOND ENDING by Michelle Hoffman (debut)  It took me a while to really get into this book, because of the idiosyncratic characters, writing style and storytelling. However, once I was in it, I was hooked. Two brilliant pianists, one young, one of a certain age, are up for a huge cash prize in a television competition. One is a rising star, one is a nearly forgotten protégé, and both have intense reasons for wanting the money—and prestige—of winning. Their current circumstances and intermingled backstories make this a riveting, touching, dramatic read, and Prudence is one of the most interesting characters I’ve read in a while, even though there were times I was screaming in my head Just tell him already! (Though Hoffman does a fairly good job  of explaining why she doesn’t…) Way more entertaining than I expected, with a lot of amusing loose threads that come together in very gratifying ways in the end.
Amazon link: THE SECOND ENDING

I’ll be writing a post about historical romance in the near future - that would have made this list completely unwieldy, not to mention the many magical witch-themed books I read in  2023.

I am loving this magical, witchy trend, that doesn’t seem to be slowing down and is attracting some amazing authors to its company! There are so many fab titles that I’m going to be writing a full post just on these, but if these aren’t names you’ve heard yet in the genre, I definitely recommend giving them a peek: Ann Aguirre, Elizabeth Bass, Hazel Beck, Jessica Clare, Sarah Hawley, Heather Webber, Sangu Mandanna, Sarah Addison Allen, Lana Harper, Luanne G. Smith. (These authors all have series with witch themes.) KJ Dell’Antonia, Avery Flynn and Meg Cabot had notable titles this year too. (More about all of those those soon. Amazon links on their names.)

I also wanted to quickly mention a few more titles I really enjoyed, and a couple authors I discovered, without longer write-ups:

Really enjoyed the road-trip revisit this year. Wanderlust by Elle Everhart, You With A View by Jessica Joyce and Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler were all great reads.

Truly enjoyed Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan and went back and read Nora Goes Off-Script too. Definitely recommend.

Loved Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman and have Funny You Should Ask on my TBR pile.  Discovered Will They Or Won’t They by Ava Wilder and went back and read How To Fake It In Hollywood. All of these are fun, smart entertainment industry romances. (Also want to shout out Stars Collide by Rachel Lacey and Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa, as well as Wreck The Halls by Tessa Bailey - though she’s also in my perennial faves list below.)

So now for the perennial faves:

I love all things Lauren Willig, and her 2023 title, TWO WARS AND A WEDDING, was Willig at her best (though I think her 2021 title BAND OF SISTERS may be her masterpiece). TWO WARS AND A WEDDING peeks into the horror and stupidity of war through two different and little-known conflicts: the 1896 flare-up between Turkey and Greece and the 1898 Spanish-American War. Told with Willig’s typical brilliance and emotional intelligence through the experiences of two close friends, this is another must-read from one of my all-time favorite writers. If you have not yet met a Willig title, please do yourself a favor and pick one up right away.
Amazon links:
TWO WARS AND A WEDDING BAND OF SISTERS Lauren Willig

Right up there with Willig is Beatriz Williams (also one of her two writing partners in a small handful of triple timeline historical fiction titles I also highly recommend). However Williams’ standalone historical fiction titles are my catnip, with a deep, fascinating dive into the historical angles but always with the ratcheted tension of threatened romance. 2023’s THE BEACH AT SUMMERLY is a post WWII Cold War intrigue, with two young, brilliant women caught in a cat-and-mouse spy game with intensely high stakes.
Amazon link: Beatriz Williams

I think I’ve read everything Sherry Thomas and Deanna Raybourne have written and I am a mega-fan of both of them.  They are both deep in terrific historical mystery series and I cannot recommend these any higher. However, you’ll want to start at the beginning of each, because they do build and while you could likely read them on their own, the pleasure is definitely enhanced by the many layers of story in each subsequent book.  Thomas’ 2023 title, A TEMPEST AT SEA, is #7 in The Lady Sherlock series. Raybourne’s A SINISTER REVENGE is 8th in the Veronica Speedwell series.  
Amazon links:
Lady Sherlock series Sherry Thomas
Veronica Speedwell series Deanna Raybourne

Abby Jimenez released her first book in 2019 with some metaphorical flashing lights that said pay attention. And boy does she keep getting better. I’ve added her to my must-read list of authors, and 2023’s YOURS TRULY was characteristically brilliant and breath-taking. Definitely discover her if you haven’t yet. Amazon link: Abby Jimenez

Mhairi McFarlane is another must-read for me, and I think BETWEEN US might be her best yet. Amazon reviewers do not agree with me, it seems, but I feel there’s an added sophistication to this one given how manipulative and persuasive the ex is. Nonetheless, McFarlane is simply terrific and another author you need to pick up. Amazon link: Mhairi McFarlane

Kristan Higgins. Love everything she writes. A LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE is her exploration of a complicated family and the eldest child who never told them she’d had a baby and given it up for adoption. When the eighteen-year-old walks into her book store and claims her, it wreaks havoc on her family and his.
Amazon link: Kristan Higgins

Lucy Parker - love love love her! Everything. CODENAME: CHARMING is her most recent, with an accident prone royal PR professional and a “still waters run deep" royal bodyguard determined to protect her.
Amazon link: Lucy Parker

THE TRUE LOVE EXPERIMENT by Christina Lauren - these ladies are romance goddesses and this one was delicious.
Amazon link: Christina Lauren

Joshilyn Jackson - every book she writes is wonderful. This one - WITH MY LITTLE EYE - was not my favorite, but still worth a read, and if it’s your first, go back and read everything, everything, everything.
Amazon link: Joshilyn Jackson

Kate Clayborn is a true romance treasure. GEORGIE ALL ALONG is uplifting, winsome and beautiful.  Amazon link: Kate Clayborn

Tessa Bailey is so prolific it’s hard to keep up with her, but we should all try! I listened to 2023’s WRECK THE HALLS and UNFORTUNATELY YOURS. She is pitch-perfect, all the time. Definitely discover her if you haven’t already.
Amazon link: Tessa Bailey

Jayne Ann Krentz/ Jayne Castle / Amanda Quick - Back in January, when SLEEP NO MORE released, a reader friend and I were conversing on my FB book page and I mentioned I’d read it and that for me, reading JAK is like taking a warm bath. There’s always enough suspense to keep us engaged and intrigued, but we know that the hero will be heroic, the heroine will be heroic, smart and bold, and we’ll be led through some fascinating world-building until we get to the end, except, wait, there’s another danger, and then, satisfying HEA. I love her contemporaries, I love her Amanda Quick historicals (Burning Cove is so cool!) and I love her Jayne Castle Harmony titles. And this year, I read SLEEP NO MORE - the start of a new contemporary series, The Lost Night Files - and THE BRIDE WORE WHITE - (happy sigh) - and I’m anxiously awaiting the next Harmony, PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES (which releases in May). I also love that she’s interconnecting all of her worlds, and that her contemporary titles are plunging back into psychic elements. NIGHT ISLAND, the next in The Lost Night Files, releases in a few days.
Amazon links: Jayne Ann Krentz Amanda Quick Jayne Castle

So here’s to 2024, to a new year of great reads and new finds - though I definitely recommend all of these, too! 

Moving forward, I intend to post recommendations weekly, on Fridays, so I hope you’ll keep an eye out for those!

(and if you like to “meet” authors and interact with them, I hope you’ll consider joining my Facebook Book Club, where we have author visits every Monday and Thursday, talking books and life, and other fun details.

Check out The Romance of Reading here.

Happy New Year, Happy Reading!