47 ARCs (Woah??)
63 Romance Books
12 General Fiction Books
I don't know about you, but I think it's insane that I read so many books. (I'm also so SO grateful for the opportunity to read so many ARCs this year - like that's wild. WILD.) Out of all of these books, I had books that I absolutely loved, and books that I didn't really love all that much. And instead of going through every review I ever gave this year, because I think that's super BORING, I've compiled a list of my top five books of this year.
Now, I know what you're thinking. How could you possibly pick five?? I will tell you, it's very hard. I read so many good books this year that its actually so challenging to pick my top five. But, I think I managed to do it, so let's get into it!
My Top Five Books of 2023
1. Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
This really should not be surprising to anyone. I wrote the longest review ever about it (which you can access here) so I won't go into it again, but this book was truly incredible. Like, if you haven't read it yet, what are you doing??
And not only did I love this book, getting to form a wonderful connection with Hannah herself was probably the best part. (She also told me she has my review on her fridge which like??? That's so cool???)
2. The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by VE Schwab
Now I'm not gonna lie, I didn't think this book would originally make the top five. It's not at all the genre that I usually read. But when I really sat and thought about it, this is one book that I genuinely cannot stop thinking about since I read it, and I think that makes it a great contender for a top read.
I had this book on my shelf for like almost two years, but I didn't actually start reading it until this year (obviously.) It took me a while to finish it, but it was because it was so good that I kind of just never wanted it to end? I was so in awe when I finished it (I still am!) so if you haven't read this one yet, DEFINITELY pick it up. Like right now.
3. Replaying the Game & Reconsidering the Facts by Emily Tudor
Ok, so like, technically I'm cheating because these are two books, but they're part of the same series, so I'm counting them as one, okay?
This was such a cool experience because my awesome booksta friend Emily wrote not one, not two, but THREE books this year. (And the only reason that the third one is not on here is because I'm the worst and I haven't finished it yet.) These books were so incredible. First of all, we all know I love a good hockey romance, and the first book (Replaying the Game) was PERF. (love HadsGrant, my besties). And then the second one???? A criminal justice girlie??? It was like she wrote it for me!! (She did. I convinced myself.)
If you guys haven't read Emily's books yet, you should. They're SO GOOD.
4. How to Keep a Husband for Ten Days by Jessica Hatch
I read this in the beginning of this year (it was like, the third or fourth book I read) but it was so good!! It was such a fun second chance romance, full of life & fun and quirky characters. It's also a little bit of fake dating in there (Think like Happy Place by Emily Henry-esque) and if you haven't read Jessica's books yet, you def should!! They're so good!!
(Also I got to meet and hug Jessica this year too. Totally awesome. She's as cool as her books are.)
5. Consider Me & Play With Me by Becka Mack
Yes, I'm cheating again by putting two books, but LISTEN. They're CONNECTED in my soul (and my brain). So they both count!!
These books are so fun. Like, SO FUN. I remember them making their rounds on booksta, and I was like hmmm, maybe I should read them! And I'm so glad I did, because they're so good!!! I love good hockey men. They're my fav hockey men. (I still need to read book 3 though. We're not gonna talk about it.)
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Obviously it is so challenging to pick just five, so here's some that *just* missed the cut, with a one sentence description of what I enjoyed about them.
6. Say You Swear by Megan Brandy
This book ruined my life.
7. Homerun Proposal by Maren Moore
THIS WAS SO CUTE.
8. Ruthless King by Sienna Cross
So action-packed!!
Hope you enjoyed my little reading wrap-up!! I had so much fun putting it together.
all my love,
gab <3
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