I love starting a new book and I instantly know I'm going to love it. The way it captivates me and pulls me in, making everything around me fade away. That's exactly what these Favorite Romance Books of 2023 did for me. They gave me all the swoons, made me laugh and cry, and most importantly, they made me feel! I think there's something special about a story that makes me feel emotionally invested, like I'm a part of this amazing story, hanging out with truly wonderful characters. I found each book on this list exciting and entertaining and they all gave me a serious book hangover. I can't say enough good things and recommend each and every one.
Favorite Romance Books of 2023
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is officially one of my favorite books EVER! 6 stars! I loved it more than words can express. It’s a book that I never wanted to put down and the world around me faded away as I fell in love with Vanessa and Aiden. I thought the humor, internal dialogue, and simmering emotion were fantastic and the build was phenomenal. There is not one thing about it I would have done differently. Perfection!
The Golden Dynasty (Fantasyland #2) by Kristen Ashley
This book. My heart. It was brilliant! The Golden Dynasty was filled with so much drama and emotion, passion and pain, healing and love and I absolutely loved it. I swear there were times I couldn't breathe as I read because I felt so immersed in Lahn and Circe’s lives. The characters, details, and phenomenal build were everything. This was one of those stories where I would read for hours and it only felt like minutes. It was a complex and beautiful story all rolled into one.
Kristen Ashley has previously been on my Favorite Books list for Ride Steady and Walk Through Fire in 2015, Wild Like the Wind in 2018, Quiet Man in 2019, and in 2020 for both Dream Maker and Free. In 2022 she was on my list twice for Still Standing and Dream Keeper. This year, she's on my list four times! What can I say? She's a favorite and I like what I like. You'll find the other books below.
Things We Hide From the Light (Knockemout #2) by Lucy Score
I absolutely loved every single thing about Things We Hide From the Light. It was everything I could have wanted from the fun, entertaining scenes to the emotional, heartfelt ones to the playful antagonism and building sexual tension. I loved all the characters, the community of Knockemout, and the bit of mystery happening. I freaking adored this!
Lucy Score has previously been on my Favorite Books list for Rock Bottom Girl in 2019, for both By a Thread and Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door in 2020, and in 2021 for Forever Never. In 2022, she was on my list twice for Things We Never Got Over and Maggie Moves On.
King of Wrath (King of Sins #1) by Ana Huang
King of Wrath was absolutely incredible! I loved the animosity, emotion, drama, and passion. All the intricate details and layers completely pulled me in. From the beginning, I was caught up in Vivian and Dante’s world and loved watching their walls come down as they opened up and became vulnerable. It consumed me. I had so many feelings and emotions and was rooting for them the entire time.
Making the Match (River Rain #4) by Kristen Ashley
I absolutely loved Making the Match. LOVED! I loved the characters, the conflicts, the different families, and how all the amazing scenes and moments played out like a movie in my head. This story was emotional and raw, and more times than I could count, I got choked up. I love a story that makes me feel and this one definitely did!
Kristen Ashley has previously been on my Favorite Books list for Ride Steady and Walk Through Fire in 2015, Wild Like the Wind in 2018, Quiet Man in 2019, and in 2020 for both Dream Maker and Free. In 2022 she was on my list twice for Still Standing and Dream Keeper. This year, she's on my list four times! What can I say? She's a favorite and I like what I like. You'll find the other books above and below.
Fighting the Pull (River Rain #5) by Kristen Ashley
Fighting the Pull was a truly exceptional story filled with so much feeling and emotion that there were times I just had to take a minute to catch my breath. I loved it all! Hale and Elsa were everything! I loved the details, the depth, all the amazing characters, and the build to an incredible ending. I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint.
Kristen Ashley has previously been on my Favorite Books list for Ride Steady and Walk Through Fire in 2015, Wild Like the Wind in 2018, Quiet Man in 2019, and in 2020 for both Dream Maker and Free. In 2022 she was on my list twice for Still Standing and Dream Keeper. This year, she's on my list four times! What can I say? She's a favorite and I like what I like. You'll find the other books above and below.
Coach (Treasure State Wildcats #1) by Devney Perry
I absolutely adored Coach! Millie and Ford were the best. I couldn't read it fast enough and there was never a time I wanted to put it down because I felt so pulled into the story. From the sweet moments to the playful ones, the drama, emotion, and heat, this book was fantastic!
Devney Perry has previously been on my Favorite Books list for The Coppersmith Farmhouse in 2017, The Clover Chapel in 2018, and Steel King (previously titled Gypsy King) in 2019. In 2020, she was on my list Riven Knight and The Bribe. In 2021, she was on my list twice for Tin Queen and The Bluff.
On the Way to the Wedding (The Bridgertons #8) by Julia Quinn
On the Way to the Wedding was an exciting and fun read with the perfect amount of emotion and longing mixed in and I loved all the feelings it evoked in me. I have loved all the books in the Bridgerton series but there was something so very special about Gregory and Lucy and them coming together. This story was a beautiful end to the series.
The Girl in the Woods (Misted Pines #2) by Kristen Ashley
The Girl in the Woods was an exciting, thrilling, and passionate read! I loved the characters, the intensity, the slow-burn romance, and the suspense element that was playing out. This had a fantastic build that had me hooked right until the end. Amazing read!
Kristen Ashley has previously been on my Favorite Books list for Ride Steady and Walk Through Fire in 2015, Wild Like the Wind in 2018, Quiet Man in 2019, and in 2020 for both Dream Maker and Free. In 2022 she was on my list twice for Still Standing and Dream Keeper. This year, she's on my list four times! What can I say? She's a favorite and I like what I like. You'll find the other books above.
Darius (Black Dagger Brotherhood #0.5) by J. R. Ward
I absolutely loved Darius! A truly fantastic read. This was a story I wanted but didn't realize how much I needed it. Learning about Darius and Anne had me holding my breath because I knew what was coming but I hung on every detail as they came together and fell in love. I loved their story, their ups and downs, and their beautiful happily ever after.
J. R. Ward has previously been on my Favorite Books list for Devil's Cut in 2017, Lover at Last in 2019, The Savior in 2020, and The Viper in 2022.
I read On the Way to the Wedding in October of 2023 and for whatever reason, I never posted my review. That was a huge mistake on my part because I loved it and it became an instant favorite the moment I picked it up. This is why that particular review was posted in 2024, I wanted to make sure I had the review up when this Favorites post went live.
Kristen Ashley is one of my favorite authors. When I started 2023 I had no idea how much her books would consume me. Well, I did (because they always do!), but I didn't know four of her books would make my Favorites list. I am not one bit sorry! I loved them all!
Lastly, I want to say THANK YOU and express my gratitude to everyone who visits this blog and follows me on social media. I am so grateful for your support. I appreciate every comment here, as well as on Instagram and Facebook. I love the friendships I've made and all the love in the book community. A big thanks also goes out to the authors, publicists, and publishing houses for gifting me amazing books to read and share. After 10 years of blogging, I still get excited and am grateful every single time. Thank you all!
Have a wonderful 2024!
xo
Gretchen
Gretchen
What were some of your favorite reads in 2023? What books are you looking forward to in 2024? Let me know!
