Narrowing these down was so hard! This was a great reading year and I can’t wait to see what books 2024 brings.
Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan
At the beginning of 2023, I’d never read a Riordan book. Now I’ve read almost everything he’s written. This was the Riordan year!
Percy’s just trying to get his recommendation letters so he can go to college! And of course it isn’t easy.
The stakes aren’t as high as other books, and there are a lot of slice-of-life moments that made me so happy. I love each and every nod to the fans.
Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
He’s an actor and she’s helping him write his memoir. They had a one-night stand before they knew they were working together and it … didn’t go well. And he’s a humble man, ready to improve, so he asks for lessons!
This one is so sexy and so funny. And of course it pulled at my heartstrings too. I love a good celebrity/regular person romance.
They had such good chemistry and the forced proximity was so believable.
Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller
I was a little unsure at first, only because this is not connected to her other books. But I quickly fell in love with the setting and characters. I didn’t want this book to end; it was so magical. Biller’s spunky, wry voice is perfect for this historical romance.
Eli is a vulnerable character – stiff and awkward. Maria is lively and driven. This could have easily swerved into Manic Pixie Dream Girl territory, but it doesn’t.
Hotel of Secrets is more sensual and spicier than Biller’s other two books; and I think this fits the characters and situations.
I had a lot of feelings happen, especially toward the climax – the tension and drama are heightened to the max with both internal and external conflict.
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
This gave me so many fuzzy feelings! I was worried it would be too depressing since this takes place in a pre-stonewall NYC. Since it’s the 1950s there is a real danger that the characters could be arrested for being gay.
However, Nick and Andy found so much happiness together in their little bubble, and found acceptance in unexpected places. They had great chemistry and adorable banter.
There are definitely Newsies vibes if that’s your thing.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
Started out laughing and having a good time and ended it SOBBING.
Piers does not fall in love with Linnet right away, which is unusual for a James’ hero. Instead they banter and bicker and insist they won’t get married even though they’re super hot for each other and it’s an advantageous match.
The last third of the book takes a darker and more serious tone and this worked for me since there was just enough foreshadowing in the beginning. The way Linnet has to confront her own insecurities about her beauty and worthiness was just *chef’s kiss* for me.
New favorite Eloisa James for sure. You don’t need to read the other books in this series; they’re not connected other than just being fairy tale retellings.
Which BTW, I like that James doesn’t stick too closely to the fairy tale; it works so much better when she can just do her own thing with it and not feel too burdened by trying to make a faithful adaptation.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Mary Poppins + practical magic. I don’t know why I waited to so long to read this one. It’s the witchy romance I’ve been looking for.
I loved how everything came together in the end. I loved the romantic tension. Mika is lonely, and is insecure about people using her just for her magic. This plays off of Jaime’s insecurity about protecting his found family at all costs. These two fears are at odds with each other!
In Waves by AJ Dungo
This graphic novel is part historical non fiction and part memoir. The author explores the history of surfing while grieving the loss of his partner to cancer.
The way the artist is able to take something intangible, such as grief, and put it on the page… it’s true craft.
House of Roots and Ruin by Erin S. Craig
I was completely consumed by the story, the setting and the intrigue.
It is a companion novel to “House of Salt and Sorrows,” another fantasy horror book I enjoyed. I did not realize how scary and atmospheric this retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses was going to be, but once I was sucked in, I had to see it through.
Roots and Ruin could stand alone, but I think the experience is at best reading them in order.
Describing the plot of these horror/mystery novels is almost impossible without giving things away, here are the basic details: Verity can see ghosts, and she doesn’t always know they’re ghosts. She’s commissioned to paint a portrait of a duke’s son, and when she arrives at his estate, it becomes clear that something is terribly wrong.
Content warnings for traumatic birth, babies in peril, sexual harassment, violence
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
This was so vibrant and heartwarming! Also so rich and exciting. I’ve seen this billed as Percy Jackson and Hunger Games combined and I think that’s accurate, although it definitely has its own flavor and nuance.
I loved Teo, he was such a funny and likable character. He’s a trans boy and a semidiós (demi god) whose mother is the Bird Goddess. The way the world’s magic interacted with gender and identity was fascinating.
Meg Loves Words 