The Best of 2023 – Lisa’s List
2023 has been an interesting reading year for me. It had highlights and lowlights, but my highs have been very high. Here’s a sampling of what I adored. In no particular order, here are my favorites,
Georgie All Along by Kate Clayborn
Kate Clayborn never, ever misses. The story of a PA who decides to resurrect her dreams of becoming an author this one is sad, sweet, and beautiful all at once.
Buy it at Amazon
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
This Hibbert book wasn’t for everyone, it seems (we gave it a B-) but I really enjoyed the romance and the character growth here. It’s absolutely also my favorite YA of the year.
Buy it at Amazon
A Love by Design by Elizabeth Everett
My favorite in Everett’s The Secret Scientists of London series, this is funny, bright, sparkly and easy to read.
Buy it at Amazon
A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase
One of my favorite pieces of women’s fiction of the year, it’s a road trip filled with familial love, conflict, small details and humor. A must-read.
Buy it at Amazon
The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub
My notorious pickiness about Pride and Prejudice retellings have finally lead me to a great one that’s original, intelligent and thrilling. A great feast of a book that doesn’t let you go for a second.
Buy it at Amazon
A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel
by KJ Charles
It’s KJ Charles, do you need me to say anything more? OK, this one is smart, fun and sexy and well worth reading.
Buy it at Amazon
How to Tame a Wild Rogue 
by Julie Anne Long
It’s Julie Anne Long, What do you need to know? It’s hot, it’s funny, it’s got great characters and the historical accuracy is vibrant from the word go.
Buy it at Amazon
Marvelous
by Molly Greeley
An interpretation of a real-life story, this Beauty and the Beast-esqe tale is warm, romantic, sad, heartbreaking – perfect.
Buy it at Amazon
Marrying Off Morgan McBride by Amy Barry
Put me down as a fan of the McBride family for life. Her romances are unforgettable and hilarious and funny and sexy. My favorite historical in a year that was absolutely dotted over with great historicals.
Buy it at Amazon
Friends Don’t Fall in Love by Erin Hahn
Country music, friends to lovers, good food and great romance – this is what Friends Don’t Fall in Love is made of. A terrific little slice of contemporary joy, I enjoyed it greatly.
Buy it at Amazon
I’ve only read the KJ Charles one from your list! But the rest all look really good too. Thanks for a great list!
Thank you for reading!
Great list Lisa! Both Georgie All Along and the KJ Charles are on my own list for best of 2023. I expect to thoroughly enjoy the JAL and Barry when I get to them – they’ve both been on my TBR for a while. I just added the Greeley, Taub, and Chase based on your reviews/list. ;-)
Hope you have fun with all of them!!
I enjoyed reading your list – thank you! I haven’t read any of these but Georgie All Along is in my TBR and I intend to catch up on The Palace of Rogues series (I have most of them but have only read the first two, both of which I liked a lot). I’m interested in the McBride series but I’m waiting for the price to come down on the e-book versions :)
I hope you enjoy the ones you snag!
I enjoyed looking through your list! I’ve only read the KJ Charles book (totally agree with your assessment there) since I rarely read m/f these days, but I admit I’m intrigued by more than one of the books on your list. After going back to read (or reread) the reviews, I’ve added a few to my TBR-maybe list for further study! :-) Especially the Hahn and the Barry.
Thank you so much!
I’ve been looking forward to seeing your list! Thank you! How to Tame a Wild Rogue by JAL is so good! I read Thousand Miles to Graceland for the road trip and was surprised to find there was so much more to it and I hope there are more McBride brother’s stories coming. I look forward to checking out the rest of the books on your list.
It really is, and I hope you enjoy reading the others!
Georgie All Along is on my TBR and I have been eyeing A Thousand Miles to Graceland. Will have to put it on my Christmas wishlist.
Hope you enjoy ’em all!
Loved Georgie, All Along and Friends Don’t Fall in Love. I have yet to read a book by either author that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy.
Honestly, KC never misses. This was my first Hahn, I need to see her backlog.
The Taub book is getting lots of very good press. I’m adding AT LEAST that one from your list to my endless TBR.
You know it takes a lot to get a reaction out of me when it comes to P&P books! Hope you enjoy the one you pick!