favorite books read in 2023 pt. 2

Hello guys! Happy New Year, I hope you guys had a good time celebrating exactly the way you wanted to. Whether it was with loved ones, or cuddled up at home relaxing alone. I'm back again to continue my favorite books in 2023! I always tend to break this up into multiple posts, not only is it easier to digest for you guys, but it also helps me not feel so overwhelmed by writing all of these reviews at once. These posts are always long, so let's hop into it!

please note that anything with an asterisk (*) was an ARC I received. It didn't change my opinion of the book, but mentioning it for transparency's sake.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

“To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys."
Rhys clinked his glass against mine. “To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered.”

Sarah J. MAas, A Court of Mist and Fury

Genre: Romantasy, Fantasy, New Adult Fiction, Adult Fiction

Rating:★★★★★

While I personally wasn't super wow-ed by the first book in the ACOTAR series, the same could not be said about the second book. I understand when you're planning to write a series, especially a fantasy series, there is usually a lot of world building and description in the first book to introduce the world to you. Unfortunately that wasn't what made ACOTAR fall flat. I felt like the writing style was very average, and the plot was extremely slow up until the 75% mark. After that the last 25% of the book was really good.

Now ACOMAF is an entirely different story. The story leaves off a little bit after the first book ends off. And right off the bat you're invested. The writing is much better, and I felt like the pacing of the story itself was much better. You are introduced to so many new characters, and you fall in love with every one of them. It's an extremely diverse list of characters, and it's fun to see how they all interact with one another, and somehow even though you just met them, SJM does a great job of explaining the history between all of the characters, without it coming across as clunky. It also doesn't make the story drag on. It makes you want to read even faster.

Especially coming from someone who is reading the book after 4.5 of the books are already out. Knowing that the second book is so good, it makes you want to find out what happens in the other books. I can't say too much, mainly because this is the second book in a series, but I will say, if you weren't wow'ed by the first book in the series, I would say keep going, because books 2,3, & 4 are all 5 stars for me!

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“Some men's childhoods are permitted to last forever, but women are so often reminded that there is work to be done.”

TAylor Jenkins Reid, Carrie Soto is Back

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating:★★★★★

Now I am no stranger to TJR. She is one of my Insta-read authors, and not only that, but I tend to rate her really high. This book was no exception. Even though I care nothing about tennis, she somehow finds a way to write this where I care. To be honest this book is more than just a tennis player. It touches on family relationships, grief, and being unapologetically yourself, especially as a woman.

While there is a romance subplot, it's honestly the least important part of the story, and wouldn't tell you to read it for that. Carrie Soto is a cocky, talented, crass woman. And she is just completely herself 100%, and it's something that was really admirable to read about. Whether you love her or hate her, you really respected the fact that she wasn't fake. To your face or otherwise.

I think my only gripe with the story, was the fact that she was of Mexican descent.And while it's difficult being a woman athlete, I can imagine that it's even more difficult being a woman Hispanic athlete. An extra thing she probably had to overcome, and it wasn't touched upon at all in the story, and as a fellow Hispanic, I kinda wish it was.

Nonetheless, I 100% recommend you give this a read.

Gods & Monsters by Shelby Mahurin

“Hope isn’t the sickness. It’s the cure.”

Shelby Mahurin, Gods & Monsters

Genre: YA, Young Adult Fantasy, Fantasy, Romantasy

Rating:★★★★¾

This was the third and final book in the Serpent & Dove series. After the slow pacing of the second book (which had an amazing ending), this book starts with a bang right off the bat. I feel like this book could not have ended better. I'm honestly really sad that this trilogy is done, even though I believe Shelby Mahurin did say she is going to do a spin-off at some point, which is really exciting.

This is another book I can't say too much about, since this is the final book of a series, but I really enjoyed it!

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

“What a woman wears or doesn’t wear doesn’t give anyone the right to touch them. Well, you know he’s had a rough childhood. Abandoned by his mom, didn’t know his father, raised by his grandma who passed. We’ve all BEEN through a lot but that don’t give you no excuse to abuse girls.”

Tiffany D. JAckson, Grown

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

Rating:★★★★

This is the second book by Tiffany D. Jackson, and straight off the bat I want to mention how obsessed I am with this cover. Not only that, but I have enjoyed both books I've read by Tiffany. She is a great story-teller. She writes really interesting characters, and you spend the whole time wondering how the story will unfold.

The story follows Enchanted, a high school student who wants to be a singer. So she goes to an audition, which is where she meets Korey Fields (a famous R & B singer). From there her dreams of being a famous singer take off. Until Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands, with no memory of what happened the night prior. Who killed Korey?

This story made me feel all of the emotions, and I was completely shocked by the end. Honestly the whole story had me gasping audibly. It's definitely a little dark, but I 100% recommend.

Dealbreakers by Lauren Forsythe*

"I always see it, you know. It's a shame to hide a smile like yours."

Lauren Forsythe, Dealbreakers

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance

Rating:★★★★

It's always interesting when I go back and go through all of my favorite books of the year. I received this book as an ARC, and after reading a whole bunch of books that were pretty disappointing, this was fun. It was a work-rivals to lovers novel. The banter between the two characters was really funny and fun. I really like Lauren's writing style, and I finished this book so quickly.

After reading this novel, I look forward to giving some of her other books a read!

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Check out the rest of my favorite books of 2023:

• favorite books read in 2023

So this post is already too long, so I'm not gonna chat for too much longer. I just want to know, have you read any of these? If you have, what are your thoughts? If you haven't, have I convinced you to give any of these a try? Whatever thoughts you have, let's chat in the comments!