New Book Goal: 70
Total Number of NEW Books Read: 65
TOTAL Number of Books Read: 79
I fell short just a little bit, but honestly I'm still proud! I know that 2024 will be filled with so many amazing reads as well - be sure to be on the look out for a post fully dedicated to what I am excited about reading. I would like to make a statement of technicality, I did read over the 70, since I re-read the entire ACOTAR and TOG series, but I like to only truly count new reads.
STAR RATING SYSTEM:
FIVE STARS - I absolutely loved it, even f I read this months ago I could still tell you all about it.
FOUR STARS - This was a good book, there were just a few things that could have made it better.
THREE STARS - It wasn't great, it wasn't bad, it was just kinda average.
TWO STARS - Honestly, you should be proud I finished it, it just isn't for me. ONE STAR - Do not recommend, did not like, only finished out sheer force of will.
So here are ALL of the books that I read in 2023 (in order!):
Zodiac Academy: Sorrow and Starlight (Zodiac Academy, #8 - Caroline & Susanne Valenti) Do NOT get me start FIVE STARS this book was everything, it was heartbreaking, it built me up, it had suspense, it crushed me and rebuilt me - this is my FAVORITE series!
Gleam (The Plated Prisoner, #3 - Raven Kennedy) I started this series over the break, it wasn't my favorite, hence not finishing it. It honestly felt a little slow for being 3 books into it.
What Lies Beyond the Veil (Of Flesh & Bone, #1 - Harper L. Woods) I read the book in one sitting, which led me directly into the second. When I read this it was not a huge "all over TikTok" book, it just popped up in my kindle and I gave it a shot & fell in love.
What Hunts Inside the Shadows (Of Flesh & Bone, #2 - Harper L. Woods)
A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone Saga, #1 - Scarlett St. Clair) Loved that this is a retelling, but in a modern world. I have the rest of the books that are out but I want to consume them, so I refuse to read the rest until the entire series is finished, the suspense kills me.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia, #1 - Carissa Broadbent) I read this book DAYS after it came out. I am an original fan and RAVED this book to everyone. Honestly, a little mad that it blew up in the last few months since I read it forever ago.
A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1 - Kate Golden) Another undiscovered Indie author whom I loved. I can't wait to see where Kate takes this story!
Pestilence (The Four Horsemen, #1 - Laura Thalassa) Literally, another book that has recently blown up. I flew through this one and its a good, quick, trashy kind of read. I started the 2nd horseman book, but haven't finished it.
The Spanish Love Deception (Elena Armas) I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did, it was an amazing Valentines Day read for me! It was refreshing to read such a light and very sassy romance book and to step away from the fantasy for a second.
Daughter of No Worlds (The War of Lost Hearts, #1 - Carissa Broadbent) This is Carissa's first series (I think) and I really tried to give it a go, I got through the first and majority of the way through the second, but it didn't keep me engaged. This made me so sad because I LOVE her new series the Crowns of Nyasia (#6!!). I'll probably end up finishing this series at some point in time, but not before getting through all the January 2024 books that are releasing!
Twisted Love (Twisted, #1 - Ana Huang) Huge fan of the Twisted series and basically all of Ana Huang's work, I mean, you'll see it throughout the year on this blog. She is an amazing writer and truly builds characters that I love. I especially love that they are part of a "series" but all of her books can be read as stand alones.
Twisted Games (Twisted, #2 - Ana Huang) This was my favorite in the series, the princess and the body guard, I mean come on, a work of art.
Twisted Hate (Twisted, #3 - Ana Huang)
Black Ties and White Lies (Black Tie Billionaires, #1 - Kat Singleton) Reading the rest of this series is a need, this is again like the Twisted series, where it is part of a series but can be a stand alone. It was a super fast read and I enjoyed it enough to want to know about the rest of the brothers.
Twisted Lies (Twisted, #4 - Ana Huang)
King of Wrath (Kings of Sin, #1 - Ana Huang) Kid you not, I read this entire book in an Italian accent, I mean what isn't to love about this book.
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1 - Sarah J. Maas) I know I've said this to a MILLION people, this book is so good, not my favorite, but amazing. It will never be a "top" book for me unfortunately because of how hard this book was for me to start and really get into. I love SJM, read everything she has written, but this style and the world she build is totally different and it literally jumped straight into a story and you are like"whoah, wait, what the heck is going on here". Again, still an amazing book, love the characters the world, but not a favorite - VERY excited for CC3 that comes out this coming January!
Ravaged Crown (Solovev Bratva, #1 - Nicole Fox) This was a quick and dirty Russian Brava mafia kinda book with kidnapping and forced marriage. I'll be real with you, I didn't read this series for the plot lols, I read it for the steam and fighting, which there was lots of both.
Ravaged Throne (Solovev Bratva, #2 - Nicole Fox)
King of Pride (Kings of Sin, #2 - Ana Huang) This took me literally 3 months to read, BUT that is my own fault. I was traveling full time overseas for work and literally did not read a single book that entire time, other than slowly making my through this. I'll forever remember reading it on a plane, sitting at bars in Tel Aviv, and finally finishing it on the beach in Greece when my vacation started.
Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1 - Rebecca Yarros) This had been a must read for me for a while and I started it the second I finished King of Pride, which was approximately 8 hours into being in Greece on vacation. I literally was SO sick, like should have been in a hospital sick, but still was so into this book that I was reading while actively trying not to die. Everything about this book was refreshing, it was beautifully written and brought me so much joy, which I had been lacking.
The Fine Print (Dreamland Billionaires, #1 - Lauren Asher) I read this entire series sitting on beaches and boats throughout the Greek Islands, I'll never forget that.
Hooked (Never After, #1 - Emily McIntire) I'm not sure if this is truly considered "dark romance", but I would label it as that. There are some elements of this book that were seriously having me screaming OMG and then there was one torture scene that had me literally gagging while on a ferry from one island to another (not even kidding, I was VERY hung over which did not help the matters.)
Terms and Conditions (Dreamland Billionaires, #2 - Lauren Asher)
Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires, #3 - Lauren Asher)
The Deal (Off Campus, #1 - Elle Kennedy) FIRST EVER HOCKEY ROMANCE AND I AM FOREVER A CHANGED WOMAN.
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (Crowns of Nyaxia, #2 - Carissa Broadbent) Literally consumed this the day that it came out, Carissa has way with her words and this story is just way too good.
The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer, #1 - Jenny Han) Don't get me started , I have an entire blog post dedicated to this. I am a hater. But, I am a hater who refuses to watch the show and have not read the books. Belly is just so whiny and annoying and I tandem read and watched this and I literally had to force myself.
It's Not Summer Without You (Summer, #2 - Jenny Han) Amazon did Belly a justice by not making the scene where she is AWFUL to Conrad and Jer at their women's funeral a lot tamer than it was in the book. Belly has yet to mature, and is still whiny.
The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1 - Holly Black) Okay, I had to force myself to finish this whole series. There was a ton of hype for these and they were such a let down, I was pretty disappointed in them. I don't think there was really any character development or evolvement, the twins relationship annoyed me to death, and her enemies to lovers with Cardan just was not it for me.
The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air, #2 - Holly Black)
The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air, #3 - Holly Black)
Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1 - Tehereh Mafi) Best YA read of the year. I loved the writing style and truely felt like I was stepping into the world and the cage that she was in as well. I know a lot of people were not a fan of how crazy and insane she seemed, but it sold it for me. I'm really excited to continue reading this series and doing it at a slow pace, where I can truly enjoy it all.
The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom, #1 - Danielle L. Jensen) This was the first EVER audio book I listened to, and for as much as it was recommend it was also kind of a let down. There is far too much hype in my mind for this series than what it is truly worth. I can 100% say, if I had a physical copy or even tried to read it on my Kindle, I would not have made it past the first few pages without putting it down, but I also commit so I did finish it.
The Traitor Queen (The Bridge Kingdom, #2 - Danielle L. Jensen)
His Demands (Billionaire Alpha, #1 - Ali Parker) Another audio, that was just a quick and dirty read.
In the Likely Event (Rebecca Yarros) You need to read Rebecca's other books, they are not fantasy but just as good as Fourth Wing! I loved this one!!
A City of Flames (Rina Vasquez) I count myself so lucky, I am one of the very few people who got to read this book before it was un-published. Yes, you read that correctly, un-published. Everyone needs to read this one it comes back out along with the second book in the series which is supposed to be out in 2024. If you loved Fourth Wing, then this is perfect, dragon shifters, magic, enemies to lovers, what more could you want.
The Book of Azrael (Gods and Monsters, #1 - Amber V. Nicole) I had been wanting to read this one for a while and freaking loved it. I flew through it and straight into the second. Absolutely love the friendship that is made and then the self-discovery. This book has so many elements and opening talks about mental health and just plays it all into the characters growth and development so well with the storyline.
The Throne of Broken Gods (Gods and Monsters, #2 - Amber V. Nicole)
Court of Ravens and Ruin (The Shadow Bound Queen, #1 - Eliza Raine) Eliza Raine knows what she is doing. This was the fae, but make them vikings, it brought everything I love together.
Court of Greed and Gold (The Shadow Bound Queen, #2 - Eliza Raine)
Court of Monsters and Malice (The Shadow Bound Queen, #3 - Eliza Raine)
Court of Serpents and Secrets (The Shadow Bound Queen, #4 - Eliza Raine)
Behind the Net (Vancouver Storm, #1 - Stephanie Archer) Hahaha I told you that hockey romance was going to be something that I loved, the newest book came out in December and I read it the day it released - freaking love it.
Kingdom of Blood and Salt (Blood and Salt, #1 - Alexis Calder) This is one of those series that I read the name and can say yes, I read that, and I know I didn't hate it and liked it, especially considering I read the second. Unfortunately, it also can't be amazing considering that I can't remember the characters name or even true recall the plot of it.
Court of Vice and Death (Blood and Salt, #2 - Alexis Calder)
Deviant King (Royal Elite, #1 - Rina Kent) This is dark, the entire series. I was not in the right head space when reading these and they seriously impacted me. Throughout this entire series kidnapping, rape, stalking, murder it is all evident and that is all without the relationships that are happening. It was such a good series, but the trigger warnings should definitely not be ignored on this one. I read all the books in about a week and it was a pretty dark week for me emotionally.
Steel Princess (Royal Elite, #2 - Rina Kent)
Twisted Kingdom (Royal Elite, #3 - Rina Kent)
Black Knight (Royal Elite, #4 - Rina Kent)
Vicious Prince (Royal Elite, #5 - Rina Kent)
Ruthless Empire (Royal Elite, #6 - Rina Kent)
Consider Me (Playing for Keeps, #1 - Becka Mack) Oh you know, just some more hockey romance. This whole series is so good, I love that they can all be read as stand alones or you can read the series and get way more out of it. I love hockey now.
Play With Me (Playing for Keeps, #2 - Becka Mack)
Unravel Me (Playing for Keeps, #3 - Becka Mack)
Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2 - Rebecca Yarros) Literally consumed this the day it released. It was just days before the ball and I should not have been reading the way I was, but you know me, I love a good book. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed in this one, and was angry throughout almost the entire book. I still loved it, but now, I just have to sit around and twiddle my thumbs until the next one comes out and that is just rude considering how it ended.
Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked, #1 - Kerri Maniscalco) So I have the hard copies of these books, but I've been listening to the audio books. I tried to start the physical book a few times but just couldn't get into it, listening to the audio made it so much better. The audio had additional sound effects and accents and has been really good. I think overall the story is good, but it could have been so much better, there are just so many holes in the plots and not that much development within the storyline.
Kingdom of the Cursed (Kingdom of the Wicked, #2 - Kerri Maniscalco)
Collide (Off the Ice, #1 - Bal Khabra) This was what I thought was just a stand alone, but has since been announced to be a series, kinda annoyed. But, for a breakout book for the young Indie author, this book was really well written. I loved the story and the characters growth.
The Fake Out (Vancouver Storm, #2 - Stephanie Archer) Book #2 to the #45 book Behind the Net and was SO good, I loved picking a story on a player that I knew about but getting to follow his particular romance journey. I had a few mixed feelings about the book overall just because there wasn't a huge climax or really a strong plot, but the book itself was good. It is a guaranteed happy ending book, a feel good all the way through kind of book, there wasn't anything that really pulled a lot of emotions out of me how I wanted though.
A Court This Cruel and Lovely (Kingdom of Lies, #1 - Stacia Stark) Okay, this series is the absolute most fresh on my mind, and seriously an amazing read. I love the story, the characters, the development, it has taken turns that I wasn't trying to guess. It has been an amazing choice for the last series of 2023 that I read and I'm not mad about it. I will say, each of Starks books end on a huge cliffhanger and I'm just so happy that the next book has been available and out and that I don't have to wait. I already know that waiting for 4th book in this series might just kill me a little bit.
A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty (Kingdom of Lies, #2 - Stacia Stark)
Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked, #3 - Kerri Maniscalco)
A Crown this Cold and Heavy (Kingdom of Lies, #3 - Stacia Stark)
Okay that is a wrap on my 2023 Books in Review and I am absolutely so proud and happy with how this year went with reading. Looking back, I can see so many trends in when and how I read. I read so many great stories, discovered new authors, and escaped into so many new worlds. Books are my love, they bring me joy, they create an outlet for escape, they make life just better.
Did you read anything that I did this year? Have any books that truly stood out to you for the better or the worse? Drop them in the comments below!