This year, I set a goal for myself to read 23 books by the end of 2023. I was able to achieve that goal within a few months, so I decided to push myself and aim for 55 instead. I was thrilled to have completed 56 books just before Christmas. As the year comes to an end, I wanted to share my top five favourite books of the year. While many books almost made it to the top spot, the ones that made my list had a profound impact on me. If it was a series like The Hunted Series by Ivy Smoak, I couldn’t put it down and would instantly jump into the next one. If it was a standalone book like Still Beating with hard-hitting content, I found myself compelled to read chapter after chapter.
You might be surprised by my top five. I wasn’t expecting to include The Ravenhood Series, but Exodus was overwhelmingly good, and the series just surprised me. In verse order, please find my top five favourite books of 2023.
#5.The Hunted Series by Ivy Smoak
The Hunted Series is a collection of five books that follow the story of James Hunter and Penny Taylor. They come from different backgrounds and lead different lives, but their paths cross one day at a coffee shop. Little do they know Penny is a student and James is her professor, but that doesn’t stop them from being drawn to each other.
The series follows the journey of a couple from Penny’s college days to having their first child many years later. The series accurately portrays the ups and downs of their lives, and though the initial writing may not be exceptional, it still manages to captivate the reader. I found myself growing increasingly fond of James Hunter as I made my way through the entire universe of The Untouchables and discovered how all the characters interlink.
#4.The Ravenhood Series (Books 1 – 3) by Kate Stewart
Tik-tok made me buy it! After being bombarded with the audio snippets of this series, I just had to read it. The series follows nineteen-year-old student Cecelia Horner, who finds herself in a deal with her estranged father. She must survive a year in the small town of Triple Falls, working at her father’s factory, and in return, he promises to pay her college tuition and provide a small fortune to help her single mother. However, everything takes a turn when she meets Sean, a local who introduces her to his group of friends. This close-knit circle, including the mysterious Dominic, lives by their own rules and shares a common symbol – a raven tattoo.
Cecelia has always been cautious in life. However, as she develops feelings for Sean and Dominic, she decides to embrace her last summer of freedom and be open to new experiences. This unique love story is filled with suspense, passion, captivating bad boys, thrilling action, and a rollercoaster of emotions, and I loved every minute of it. It was definitely worth the hype, and my heart will always belong to Dominic (sorry, Tobias). It is one of those series that I will read again!
#3. Rock Your World by B. Crowhurst
Rock Your World is a steamy second-chance romance that follows the story of Abbie and Jake. Abbie has always had a soft spot for Jake, the one who got away. But things get complicated when he comes back into her life as a world-famous rock star. Despite their different worlds, they still share a deep love and passion for each other. But can they make it work this time around, or are they destined for heartbreak again? This breathtaking romance will leave you swooning and wanting more, and it was my top read for 2023 for so long! The twist at the end had my heart in my mouth, and boy, did I cry. I will rave about this book until the sun sets! So underrated. It should be all over #booktok!
#2. The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith
“The Way I Used to Be” is a powerful coming-of-age novel that follows the story of Eden, a fourteen-year-old girl during her first year of high school who experiences a life-changing event when her brother’s best friend enters her bedroom and commits a terrible act, Eden’s life is forever changed. Fearing for her safety and doubting that anyone will believe her, Eden chooses to keep the truth hidden. However, the traumatic experience shatters her from within, and she can never return to the innocent, unnoticed girl she once was.
I was immediately captivated by the beginning of the book. The author’s writing style made me feel like I was right there alongside the main character, experiencing everything with her. By the time I reached a quarter of the way through the novel, I knew it deserved a five-star rating. One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the use of first-person narration, which allowed me to delve deep into Eden’s thoughts and emotions. Additionally, the portrayal of Eden’s relationship with Josh was realistic and complex, highlighting the grey areas of life. Amber Smith did a fantastic job of presenting Eden as a flawed character without glorifying her struggles or the circumstances she faced.
#1. Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
WARNING: This book contains subject matter that may be sensitive for some readers. There is dark and triggering content between these pages. 18+ only. Please read responsibly.
Cora attends her sister’s birthday party and expects nothing more than to have a good time, but things go wrong when her wallet gets stolen, leaving her stranded. She has to rely on Dean, her arch-nemesis and soon-to-be brother-in-law, for help. To make matters worse, they both end up kidnapped and trapped in a basement, each in their own set of chains.
After years of animosity, they must now work together to survive. However, they soon discover that their abductor has a plan that will change their relationship forever, blurring the line between love and hate and shackling them together forever.
Oh, this book! The trigger warners were on point with this book, and I wish I could reread it for the first time! The controversy surrounding the themes really hooked me, and from, I think, page 20, I was hooked, and it broke me, put me back together, and hurt me again and no hate on Dean! I know readers have this weird thing that it’s okay to love morally grey men as long as there is no cheating, but this book is different. Oh, so different and in a heartbreaking way. This book will stay with me for the rest of my life!
Honourable Mentions
I couldn’t complete my list of top five favourite books of 2023 without giving an honourable mention to the ones that almost made it. Although I could have gone for a top ten, it wouldn’t have been as exciting! I had many books to choose from, but eventually, I followed my heart and selected four books that left me a crying mess at some point.
The Wish by Nicholas Sparks
Confess by Colleen Hoover
The Submission Series by C.D Reiss
A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole
So, do you agree with my top five? Have you read them all, or are they still on your TBR? I honestly can’t recommend these books enough, but please consider the trigger warnings, as some of them really are triggering.