My goal for 2023 was to read 65 books, which you can see HERE. Now that we are entering a new year, it's time to share all the books I adored last year :)
Here's the short version of this list, which will be followed by each book's summary, and my review (with no spoilers involved):
If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐)
️Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐)
Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️)
Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Flawless by Elsie Silver (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️)
A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️)
Final Offer by Lauren Asher (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️)
Scarred by Emily McIntire (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️)
My Policeman by Bethan Roberts (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️)
If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Book Summary: There's a story behind why Finn and Sylvie argued in the car that night. No one focuses on the argument. They focus on the rain, on the slick road, on the aftermath. I should have been with Finn that August night. Let me tell you why.
My Review: Just rip me open and tear my heart right out of my chest
I cried when I hit 80% just because I knew what was coming and couldn’t even cry at the end because I was already too emotionally spent. Although this is a story I’ve seen before, this author's voice is probably one of the most distinct I’ve read in a long time.
The tone and rhythm of this book were such an amazing experience to witness and when I’m ready to break my heart again maybe I’ll come back to read another of their works.
Finny and Autumn have a very special place in my heart now. Their chemistry was so good! I also adored how well their problems were woven into the overall story. Again, the writing of this book was phenomenal!
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Book Summary: Marcos' life has taken a turn for the worse. His wife has left him at their house alone, his father's dementia is worsening, and he makes a living aiding the slaughter of humans for meat. When Marcos is given a live specimen one of the "finest quality," as a gift, he slowly descends a path that can get him slaughtered too.
My Review: Haunting, beautiful, deceptive
I knew what I was getting into with this book, and yet, the ending still managed to catch me off guard. This was so captivating to read as someone who doesn't flinch at gore. I'm sure those who are squeamish will have problems finishing 😅
This book touches on the thin line of separation between humans and animals, and it makes you think about how close we are to being 'cattle' for slaughter. I loved the short moments of humanity and joy the main character had. So mesmerizing and beautifully composed!
Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Book Summary: Alex Claremont-Diaz, the first son of the White House, and Prince Henry were born to be enemies. Alex is sure of it, especially when a fiasco leads to them covered in cake on the front of the tabloids.
Damage control? Staging a friendship between the two so Alex's mom can get re-elected.
What no one expected? The secret relationship that blossoms between them.
My Review: Forbidden romance? Spicy? Great characters?
I loved this! It was so heartfelt and had some poetically romantic lines that had butterflies reviving in my stomach! Henry and Alex’s relationship is so potent you can’t NOT get sucked into the feelings of love, grief, and longing. So wonderfully written, and so memorable!
Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Book Summary: Bree Prescott is hoping that the sleepy town of Pelion, Maine will be the recluse she desperately needs. That all shatters when she runs into Archer Hale, the town loner with a harrowing past.
The silent man, and the woman haunted by a single night. Both must face their past to develop a future together.
My Review: Crying, screaming, sobbing, and everything in between
I was afraid that this book would be a little overrated with all the hype it was getting, but I was not disappointed in the slightest. Archer Hale is the embodiment of a green flag and I could not stop loving him! He did everything right, and his relationship with Bree was so heartwarming to read about.
Flawless by Elsie Silver (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️)
Book Summary: Rhett Eaton, a professional bull rider, has just messed up big time. After losing a sponsor, and the support of his fans, his agent, Kip, must clean up the mess by assigning Rhett a babysitter, and who else would be better than his hard-ass daughter? Summer begins to think that she's got her work cut out for her. Rhett is cocky, self-centered, and an absolute man whore. When her dad assigns her to babysit him, she is determined to do everything in her power to save both of their careers.
Falling in love was not in the job description.
My Review: I would now like a cowboy husband, please, and thank you!
I have read a lot of spicy books in my life, but THIS book was just, wow. A mix of enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity, this book was so steamy and so heartfelt. While I was mostly sucked into the relationship aspect of the story, this book also touched on some really important topics about self-worth and guilt that made everything that much better. I loved that both Rhett and Summer have complicated pasts and present that make them complicated and realistic.
Again, a fictional man has destroyed all hope I have for real men. Rhett and Summer are both feisty, and it was so entertaining to read them banter and butt heads. There's something about that witty and sarcastic back-and-forth that always pulls me in. I loved this book, one of my new favorites!
A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️)
Book Summary: After surviving an attack from demons and watching her family perish, Reia is shunned by her village. Every ten years, a human offering is made to the Duskwalkers, monsters with magic that can provide humans protection from demons. When Orpheus, a Duskwalker seeking a companion, comes to the village to cast his protection ward and collect his offering, Reia is thrust into his arms. He takes her back to the Veil, the place where all demons reside.
While Reia plans her escape and Orpheus plans to find his bride, the two descend down a path of desire and love.
My Review: Surprisingly heartfelt and sweet
My first non-human-esque romance and I was not disappointed at all. The relationship between Orpheus and Reia had me kicking my feet and giggling. Their interactions were so well written, and I rooted for them the whole way through. I loved how unique this story was too!
The world-building was so good, the romance was juicy, and the lore was the icing on the cake. I will note that near the end I was starting to skip through pages because I wanted to get to the more interesting parts, so a few times I had to go back because I’d miss something, but other than that this was such a good read!
Final Offer by Lauren Asher (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️)
Book Summary: Callahan is the last of the Kane brothers to fulfill his part of his grandfather's will. It should be simple, spend the summer in his old family lake house and sell it, in a town he never wanted to return to, where his ex-best friend/the only woman he's ever loved lives. It shouldn't be too hard, right? Wrong.
Alana is still living in town, and she just so happens to have her name on the deed of the lake house.
My Review: Cal, as expected, has such a sense of humor!
He's the most laid-back of the Kane brothers, but this book highlighted his cons and pros. It was interesting to see him so out of his element and vulnerable around Alana. It was getting a little old in the beginning how much the author kept repeating over and over that Cal was an alcoholic, but I understood why it was being stressed upon
But holy hell, forget Rowan and Declan because Cal? Best Kane brother hands down. While Rowan and Declan messed up big time on their journeys to love, Cal worked his ASS off to EARN Alana's love and trust. I expected him to have the best story, but this blew my expectations out of the water after the first two books! I would protect these two with my life! I cannot gush enough but the actions, the interactions, the history? Everything was perfect, 10/10.
Scarred by Emily McIntire (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️)
Book Summary: Tristan Faasa, scarred by the hand of his brother, seeks revenge as he leads the rebellion to steal the throne back from Michael Faasa. Sara Beatreaux, betrothed to Michael Faasa, seeks revenge for a death close to her heart by planning to wipe out the Faasa name and all who claim it.
Meant to kill each other, Tristan and Sara fall into a forbidden relationship while trying to keep in character, but it becomes increasingly difficult as their relationship becomes too strong to ignore.
My Review: I don’t have enough words for this book. I am left speechless.
Adventure? Yes. Romance? Yes. Hot and steamy temptation? Triple yes!
Tristan and Sara are made for each other and no one can tell me otherwise! Tristan's utter passionate desire had me swooning the entire story. Coupled with Sara's determination and raw strength, these two are the ultimate power couple. The quotes that I saved from this book are also absolutely amazing, and so well said. I have not had such an exciting read in a very long time. I loved the plot, the deception, the grit and blood of it, everything! So well done (and I'm so glad this book is standalone)!
My Policeman by Bethan Roberts (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️)
Book Summary: Marion has been interested in her best friend's brother since the moment she laid eyes on him. He is a policeman, her policeman, and it seems solidified when he asks her to marry him. What she doesn't know, is that he is someone else's policeman too. Patrick also falls smitten with Tom's good looks and charm upon first sight and seeks to know more about his policeman. Marion and Patrick must share him, but at what cost?
My Review: I've been wanting to read this book for a long time, and I am happy to have finally obtained a copy. Bethan Roberts, you are an absolute wordsmith.
This book made me love Tom the way that Marion and Patrick did. Seeing everything through their eyes was breathtaking, and while reading, you almost don't know who to root for, or if you should even be rooting. The descriptions, the way that the emotions are depicted, and the language that Roberts used to weave this story were something completely out of this world.
I love it when authors just tear you into shreds at the end of their book because I still haven't recovered! I need to read something happy again 😭
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