Becca’s Treasured Ten of 2023
Welcome To My Favourite Reads of 2023
It’s here! Finally, I can bring you the rounded-up favourites list of my top ten treasured books of the year. And what a year it’s been! Throughout the last twelve months I’ve discovered new genres, new favourite authors, and a whole lot of plot twists. This list has been on my mind a lot, too. I had a few that I knew for certain would make this list, and others that just missed out on the top ten (but will still get an honorable mention) So, let’s see what made my top ten!
10. The Do-Over by Lynn Painter
Would it be a favourites list without Lynn?!?! Honestly, I am a super-fan at this point. Lynn has this way of tapping into a characters heart, incorporating Taylor Swift lyrics, memorable romances and heart-stopping kisses to make you swoon. It’s no wonder this got a 5/5 from me. Fan of romances and a plot inspired by Groundhog Day? This is your new fave.
9. Gwen & Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher
This book made me a fan of medieval books, which is quite the accomplishment for a reader that mainly reads romances and thrillers. I got completely immersed in the world that Lex created, and I adored the spin on history with humour and fresh eyes. This book stayed with me a long time after reading and I recommended it to all my friends (and still do!)
8. All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
Stacy became my favourite adult thriller author after this book. Whilst I was already a huge fan because of A Flicker In The Dark, this cemented my stance on her way of completely pulling the reader into a dark tale with modern and spine-tingling prose that demands attention. This one is a must re-read for me.
7. Love You To Death by Gina Blaxill
A year is not complete without reading a book by Gina, and 2023 was no exception. Love You To Death was everything and more you could want in a YA thriller, and she has quickly become one of my favourite authors. From stalkers to copy-cats and murder, there is never a dull moment when you read a Gina Blaxill book.
6. Catch Your Death by Ravena Guron
Ravena has a way with YA mysteries that just never fails to become a five star read. This murder-mystery was one of my latest reads, and I could not put it down. I fell in love with This Book Kills last year, and this year Catch Your Death instilled it’s place as my new favourite by Ravena. Another one I recommend to friends all the time!
5. Happy Place by Emily Henry
Would this be a favourites list if Emily Henry wasn’t on it? Surely not! I took Happy Place to my happy place, Cornwall, this year for the summer and it just made the experience even more beautiful. Emily has a way of taking you by the heart with her words, and although the tropes in this one weren’t my favourite in romance lit, it didn’t matter—by the end, everything about it was an instant favourite.
4. We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Rachel is one of my favourite authors of YA and Adult lit, and when I read this one this year . . . well, it might as well have etched itself onto my heart. I love that Rachel isn’t afraid of shying from tackling mental health subjects, keeping her YA novels sex positive and ones I forever recommend. Although it was a hard decision between this and Today Tonight Tomorrow to make my top ten, I just couldn’t let up on my love for Quinn and Tarek.
3. What Happens After Midnight by K. L. Walther
This beauty of a read was on my highly anticipated books of the year, and it did not disappoint. Another author that uses Taylor Swift-isms perfectly, letting us fall in love with the story (and romance) with ease. I am always in the mood for re-reading K. L. Walther’s books, and so are all my bookish friends. You’ll find me recommending her books at any given time.
2. Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
This book literally gave me the biggest book hangover in my life. I couldn’t read anything afterward because nothing measured up. Carley’s writing was some of the greatest I’ve read in Adult literature, and the romance she wove in a beautiful tapestry of summers, childhood and growth were painfully stunning. I can’t wait to pick up another read from Carley (but might have been holding out because I’m not ready to have my heart broken again)
1. Lovelight Farms by B. K. Borison
The best book of the year goes to Lovelight Farms in a heartbeat. From embodying my favourite trope of friends-to-lovers with a romance that dances off the pages, to festive, funny and heartwarming highlights, this book will be close to my heart for a long time to come. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in B.K.’s series, and of course re-read Stella and Luka’s story at every chance I get.
So, that’s it! My top ten treasured books of the year are cemented! But what about those that just missed out on the top ten? They deserve a mention, because many were some of my absolute favourites too:
The Takedown by Carlie Walker was an epic page-turner that I adored. Icebreaker by Hannah Grace speaks for itself (the hype is so real!) The Girl Who Grew Wings by Anna Waterworth was as beautiful and ethereal as expected, Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis got my heart racing right until the end, and Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon was hands down YA gold.
See you for another recap of favourites in 2024, friends.
happy reading!
