And just like that … we’re a quarter of the way through 2023!
My reading this year has definitely been slower than prior years, but I think that’s just a result of shifting away from a focus on how many books I can read in a month and truly savouring the books that I’ve picked up. I’ve read some big books too, over 500 pages, and loved each one of the bigger books.
Today I’m sharing my favourites of the year so far, in no particular order.
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score was my first book of 2023 and it truly set the bar high for the books that followed. I’ve never read a romance novel that was over 500 pages before but it took me only four days to polish off and then I wished there was more because I wasn’t ready to let the characters go. Fortunately, the sequel was released the following month (which I’m hoping to pick up soon) and there’s a third book coming out later this year as well. Lucy Score is definitely a new favourite author and I’ve added two more of her books to my shelves this year.
The Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver. I never thought cowboy romance would be my thing, but THIS SERIES HAS MY HEART. I love that Elsie is a local author and each one of these books was better than the one that came before it. While I was sad to turn the final pages of Powerless, I’m already counting down the days until Reckless releases and I can’t wait for Winter’s story.
Before I Go by Kennedy Ryan. My first Kennedy Ryan, but definitely not my last. This book had SO MUCH HEART and emotion and it was a wild ride. I started it on audio from the library while commuting to and from the office, but I couldn’t two more day ’til I was back in the car again to keep reading, so I ended up buying the ebook so that I could continue with Yasmen and Josiah’s story. On Storygraph, it lists the book as Skyland #1, so I’m hopeful that we get one of Yasmen’s friends’ story next.
Maame by Jessica George. This book was all over Bookstagram and I bought it on a whim when I took myself on a solo bookstore date and I was BLOWN AWAY. It’s a debut novel and I’m so in awe of Jessica’s writing, and I also can’t wait to see her craft grow even more with future novels. Maddie’s story was poignant and captivating and absolute perfection.
I’m excited to see where my reading goes from here – the year is certainly off to a pretty fantastic start!
Writer Grrl Reads 