My Favorite Fiction Reads from Last Year
In November and December of 2023, I had a lot of commitments for work and family, and decided that instead of making monthly reading posts throughout the holiday season, I would just do one, giant blog post about my top reads from the year in December. I thought, if yall liked it, I’d make it a tradition! Then, of course, the crazy continued, so here I am, halfway through January, finally sharing with you my top fiction reads from 2023. The first few weeks of a year don’t count … right?!
For those who were following …
My 2023 Reading Goal
I made it … just barely, but I did it! My goal this year was 52 books (in 52 weeks) and I slid by finishing my very last one on December 30 on a flight into Denver.
While I’m happy with this accomplishment, I do have to say putting a number on the books I *had* to read really did deviate what I read vs what I wanted to read, and made me feel slightly stressed if I was ever behind. For years moving forward, I think I am going to just read as I typically would and see where I end up. Of course, I will still give you all the reviews and the details per usual.
My 9 Top Fiction Reads of 2023
These are done in no particular order … I think that would be too hard! It was also hard to keep it to just 9 – there were so many amazing ones. I tried to go through and label who I think would “most” enjoy each of these reads in case you are overwhelmed trying to pick one! Not all books are for all people, and that is okay. Thank yall for being here with me and for me during my first full year of reviews. I’m so excited to continue them into 2024!
To see other book roundups and reading reports from last year, click here!
Bright Young Women
Jessica Knoll | Historical Fiction, Thriller
Synopsis: This book is written about the murders of Ted Bundy, but in a fictionalized (and not romanticized – thank God) way. It focuses on the Florida State Chi Omega sorority murders and another murder that happened four years previously.
For friends who: are into true crime podcasts; want to read about Ted Bundy but without the fangirling, romantic ick
The Seven Year Slip
Ashley Poston | Romcom
Synopsis: Clementine is a 29 year old who is about to get her big break in publishing, focusing more on her career than on settling down … and then she finds a stranger standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. The kicker? He exists in her past. She – literally – lives seven years in his future.
For friends who: are looking for a feel good book to start out their year; want a book that gives them all the feels; are going through a tough time and need a happy place to escape to; aren’t a big fan of romcoms but want something light
The Seven Year Slip
Ashley Poston | Romcom
Synopsis: Clementine is a 29 year old who is about to get her big break in publishing, focusing more on her career than on settling down … and then she finds a stranger standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. The kicker? He exists in her past. She – literally – lives seven years in his future.
For friends who: are looking for a feel good book to start out their year; want a book that gives them all the feels; are going through a tough time and need a happy place to escape to; aren’t a big fan of romcoms but want something light
Never Lie
Freida McFadden | Thriller
Synopsis: Tricia and Ethan are newlyweds looking to find the perfect home to start a family in. When they decide to go off the grid to visit the home of the late Dr. Adrienne Hale, a violent storm forces them to have to take cover in the house overnight. Ethan seems okay with this … a little too okay with it. Along with uncovering secrets about the late doctor, Tricia begins to uncover truths about her husband as well, and things get very twisty and weird!
For friends who: need a freaky weekend read that is quick but not too predictable
The Intern
Michele Campbell | Legal Thriller
Synopsis: A legal thriller with two viewpoints: the intern – a Harvard Law student who’s brother is currently in prison for a crime he claims he didn’t commit – and the judge … who determines his fate (and has secrets of her own).
For friends who: loved Ozark or Suits; like a good legal thriller; enjoy dual perspectives
Lucky
Marissa Stapley | Young Adult Fiction
Synopsis: Lucky is a girl on the run – whether she is 11 and helping create ploys with her father, or 26 wanted by the FBI. She has never had the “normal” life she’s always dreamed of, nor found the mother she’s always wanted to meet. When she discovers the lottery ticket she bought at a random gas stop actually is the multimillion dollar winner, she has to decide whether to turn herself in to collect her funds… or stay on the run potentially forever.
For friends who: want a light read about growing up on the run; want a book they can read with their teenage daughter; need a good book club book!
Verity
Colleen Hoover | Thriller
Followers of a long time know I’m not a big CHoov fan (I know, I know), so for me to say this … you must know it’s good!
Synopsis: Lowen – a down on her luck writer – is offered the chance of a lifetime to ghost write the remaining books in a series for the famous and beautiful, yet recently injured author Verity Crawford. But when she arrives at the Crawford’s home to begin searching through Verity’s writings to plan her plot, she comes across a secret manuscript – a diary of sorts – belonging to Verity herself.
For friends who: love a good thriller that is absolutely mind blowing; aren’t CHoov fans either but haven’t given this a try
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Alice Feeny | Thriller
Synopsis: (synopsis bio taken directly from book): “Things have been wrong with Mr and Mrs Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can’t recognize friends or family, or even his own wife.
Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts–paper, cotton, pottery, tin–and each year Adam’s wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after.
Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.”
For friends who: are in a reading slump and need a page-turner; want an unguessable twist
None of This is True
Lisa Jewell | Thriller / Mystery
Synopsis: When podcaster Alix meets her “birthday twin” at a restaurant on their 45th birthday, she has no idea her life is about to turn completely upside down. Not long after, the two of them find themselves sitting down to record a podcast together about the past … and then weird things start happening
For friends who: want a eerie read with an unguessable plot line; need a book where characters hate on men (sometimes it’s just needed)
