Books I love (2022-2023)
I have come a long way on my reading journey, rediscovering my love during the pandemic. In the year 2023 I read too many (59) books and 2022, WAY too many book (79 ). Here are the ones I think are worth your time.
This was my year of Romantasy and Series’s I know I am behind the 8 ball here, but there are books in here for everyone (by that I mean probably mostly women). One of my least favorite things is when books are advertised by their “tropes”. First off because I hate the word trope, and second by describing a book by it’s tropes, it takes out all the surprise. So I will attempt to explain these books without their tropes, here are my recommendations…
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings
One of my favorite series. Of. All. Time. I don’t know how to start to exaplain how much I love these books. They are a series of (currently 5 will end at 6) books that take place in two separate parts; the Magnolia Parks POV (book 1, 3, and 5) and the Daisy Haites POV (books 2, 4, and eventually 6). Within the Magnolia books they are duel POV of her and her star crossed lover BJ. Childhood sweethearts with a complicated past who are a part of the London socialite group known as the “box set.” While Daisy’s books follow her through her life in an infamous crime family, being raised by her uber hot (in my opinion) brother. The way these books are written are uniquely addicting. While Magnolia’s lifestyle may not be familiar to most of us, the way she speaks (without a filter) and thinks (displaying her OCD and ADHD) is all too familiar to someone who has anxiety. These books feel fresh and new with extremely flawed characters you can’t help but root for.
The Maddest Obsession by Danielle Lori
By far my favorite Mafia book. What more could you want than a twice widowed mafia daughter and a crocked cop. It is a mafia romance, so of corse it’s a bit dark and steamy, proceed with caution. It is a stand alone in an interconected series, but by no means do you need to read the others first, this one is best.
Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J Maas
The girls who know, KNOW, this is the best Sarah J Maas series. A court of thrones and Roses (ACORAR) is by far the most “popular” Sara J Maas book but that is just the gate way drug of Romantasy. I wouldn’t call TOG fully romance, but oh boy is it a series that sucks you in with adventure, scheming, and eventually romance. It’s a 7ish book series and I can’t really say which is the best because it just gets better the deeper you get. I can’t even really say which duo in the books I like the best, because I love all of the characters so much. If you are new to fantasy, ACOTAR is a good start, but this is the next step, and I promise won’t disappoint.
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
I don’t exactly know what it was about this simple hockey college romance is that stuck out to me. I loved the charcters and it was just an easy (decently) light romcom. Again, this ittthe second in a “series” of interconnected stand alone books. But if you were a fan of Elle Kennedy and The Off-campus books or you need something light and breezey with little to no stakes this is the book for you.
Meant to be by Emily Giffin
This book is for you Caroline Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr. fans. This book takes influence from their story and builds a book you won’t want to put down. Emily Giffin books are always a delight. Emily Giffin is best known as the author of “Something Borrowed” a 2011 movie starring Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
These are YA books for sure , but they keep you on your toes and you can breeze right though them. A great vacation read because they are light and easy, but also keep you invested. When the grandfather of the Hawethorne brothers suddenly passes he leaves his BILLIONS to a virtually unknown teenager, Avery Grambs. Shocking everyone, including his 4 young heirs. The catch? In order for Avery to get the money, she has to live in the house with the Hawethorne brothers for a year. The late Hawethorne grandfather was a gaming Tycoon obsessed with competition and riddles, and he leaves one last game for them all to solve.