We’re more than half way through 2023 so I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve read so far this year. I’ve ready 23 books and honestly not that many 5 star books. I think I’ve been picking up the wrong books, I need to DNF more and change up how I’m deciding what to pick next. These 5 books are great and I rated most of them 5 stars!
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Genre – Romance
Short Synopsis – A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends.
My Thoughts – This is my favorite Emily Henry book! I loved how the group of friends is a big part of the story, the Maine setting and the romance was believable. What I love about Emily Henry’s books is the banter, the well thought out settings and the romance tropes she uses. This one has the fake dating trope and the close proximity (“there’s only one bed!”) trope which are some of my favorites. This is the perfect romance in my opinion (you know I have a love/hate relationship with the genre).
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
Genre – Contemporary Fiction
Short Synopsis – Darley, the eldest daughter in the well-connected, old money Stockton family, followed her heart, trading her job and her inheritance for motherhood but giving up far too much in the process; Sasha, a middle-class New England girl, has married into the Brooklyn Heights family, and finds herself cast as the arriviste outsider; and Georgiana, the baby of the family, has fallen in love with someone she can’t have and must decide what kind of person she wants to be.
My Thoughts – I love a book about rich people behaving badly. This family drama captivated me and I wanted more from them. It is not a plot driven book, it is more about the characters and the Pineapple Street brownstone but it is fast moving. Also isn’t this cover gorgeous? This would be a great book club pick because there is a lot to discuss.
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler
Genre – Contemporary Fiction
Short Synopsis – For twenty-six-year-old Adelaide Williams, an American living in dreamy London, meeting Rory Hughes was like a lightning bolt out of the blue: this charming Englishman was The One she wasn’t even looking for. Is it enough?
Does he respond to texts? Honor his commitments? Make advance plans? Sometimes, rarely, and no, not at all. But when he shines his light on her, the world makes sense, and Adelaide is convinced that, in his heart, he’s fallen just as deeply as she has. Then, when Rory is rocked by an unexpected tragedy, Adelaide does everything in her power to hold him together—even if it means losing herself in the process. When love asks too much of us, how do we find the strength to put ourselves first?
My Thoughts – I loved this book so much! However, this is a polarizing book. It is one of those books that if you don’t relate/empathize with the character you’ll hate it. I find stories about toxic young relationships cathartic and this book also touches on the mental health aspects of this in a beautiful way. I can’t recommend this book enough!
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Genre – Fantasy Romance
Short Synopsis – Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general―also known as her tough-as-talons mother―has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.
My Thoughts – Have you heard of this book? Every single book reviewer I follow was reading this last month so I had to read it. This is very much outside of my comfort zone but I needed to see what all the hype was about. I really liked this book, it hooked me from the beginning and I couldn’t wait to find out how it ended. It’s not perfect, I wanted more world building and less romance but I really enjoyed it and I can see why it has received so much hype. If you like romance but typically don’t read fantasy give this one a chance.
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Genre – Contemporary Fiction
Short Synopsis – A comedy writer thinks she’s sworn off love, until a dreamily handsome pop star flips the script on all her assumptions. Romantic Comedy is a hilarious, observant and deeply tender novel from New York Times–bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld.
My Thoughts – I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews of this book but I loved it. A third romance-ish book in this list? Why am I reading so many romances this year? I enjoyed the setting of this book. The first part is set around the production of an SNL type show and the main character is a writer for the show. I found that very interesting and different. It didn’t feel like your typical romance but at the same time it is a gooey love story.
I really loved all these books and I hope to read some more amazing books in the second half of 2023. What’s your favorite book you’ve read this year?
