I had thirteen five star reads in 2023, which might be my most ever. This has made choosing just five books for this post quite difficult. I was convinced I hadn’t had a great reading year, quality-wise, but obviously I was wrong. I’ve had loads of great reads.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
When I say this book changed my life, I’m not lying. It ignited my love for thrillers and I would have included all three books in this post, but that would be a bit ridiculous. I did love all three of them, but I do think the first is my favourite. I’m actually itching to re-read it already which has never happened before.
If you haven’t checked out this series yet, you absolutely need to. It’s confidently made its way into my top five series of all time.
Book Review: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Synopsis: The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.
But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
After being somewhat disappointed with the last book in the Caraval series, I wasn’t sure if I would like this. Well, I was an idiot because I adored this book. Jacks was easily my favourite character in Caraval, so of course I love this book.
I’m yet to read the second instalment but it’s definitely near the top of my to be read for this year.
Book Review: Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Synopsis: For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings… until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.
Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.
But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game ― and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy.
Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare
If there’s a new Cassandra Clare release it’s likely to find its way into this post. I wouldn’t say Chain of Thorns was my favourite in the series, but it was still incredible. The Last Hours has possibly become my favourite series of hers, but I’m not sure. The Dark Artifices still has my heart as I don’t think I’ll ever love a character more than Julian.
Book Review: Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare
Synopsis: Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. In only a few short weeks, she has seen her father murdered, her plans to become parabatai with her best friend, Lucie, destroyed, and her marriage to James Herondale crumble before her eyes. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter.
After fleeing to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city’s glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when shocking news comes from home: Tatiana Blackthorn has escaped the Adamant Citadel, and London is under new threat by the Prince of Hell, Belial.
Cordelia returns to a London riven by chaos and dissent. The long-kept secret that Belial is James and Lucie’s grandfather has been revealed by an unexpected enemy, and the Herondales find themselves under suspicion of dealings with demons. Cordelia longs to protect James but is torn between a love for James she has long believed hopeless, and the possibility of a new life with Matthew. Nor can her friends help—ripped apart by their own secrets, they seem destined to face what is coming alone.
For time is short, and Belial’s plan is about to crash into the Shadowhunters of London like a deadly wave, one that will separate Cordelia, Lucie, and the Merry Thieves from help of any kind. Left alone in a shadowy London, they must face Belial’s deadly army. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city—and their families—they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything—even their souls.
Circe by Madeline Miller
When I first started reading this I didn’t expect to rate it five stars. I thought it was very slow and I struggled to get through it. Thankfully, I pushed through and soon flew through the pages. I love Greek mythology and I actually feel like this book taught me a lot about it. It’s a very clever ‘retelling’ and I’d highly recommend it.
Book Review: Circe by Madeline Miller
Synopsis: In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child–neither powerful like her father nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power: the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.
Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts, and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.
But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from or with the mortals she has come to love.
She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott & Alyson Derrick
The fact that they are married just makes this book even cuter. When reading it, I wondered how much of it was based on their own relationship as the character descriptions sound a lot like their own appearances.
I read this book very fast and that’s pretty impressive as I really struggled with physical books last year. This is the type of book I will likely find myself re-reading at some point as it makes me very happy.
Book Review: She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott & Alyson Derrick
Synopsis: Alex Blackwood is a little bit headstrong, with a dash of chaos and a whole lot of flirt. She knows how to get the girl. Keeping her on the other hand…not so much. Molly Parker has everything in her life totally in control, except for her complete awkwardness with just about anyone besides her mom. She knows she’s in love with the impossibly cool Cora Myers. She just…hasn’t actually talked to her yet.
Alex and Molly don’t belong on the same planet, let alone the same college campus. But when Alex, fresh off a bad (but hopefully not permanent) breakup, discovers Molly’s hidden crush as their paths cross the night before classes start, they realize they might have a common interest after all. Because maybe if Alex volunteers to help Molly learn how to get her dream girl to fall for her, she can prove to her ex that she’s not a selfish flirt. That she’s ready for an actual commitment. And while Alex is the last person Molly would ever think she could trust, she can’t deny Alex knows what she’s doing with girls, unlike her.
As the two embark on their five-step plans to get their girls to fall for them, though, they both begin to wonder if maybe they’re the ones falling…for each other.
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Like this post? Why not read this one too: 2024 Reading Goals
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