Fiction Books I Read in 2023 + My 2024 List

Over the last 4-5 years I have been more intentional to keep track of the books I’ve read each year. In 2021 I read 54 books with an almost even split between fiction and non fiction. In 2022 I read 42 books with almost an even split again. In 2023, I’ve read about 130 so far this year with about half of my reading again is fiction and the other half non-fiction. Since I have a few other non-fiction books I plan to finish the next few weeks I decided to start my recap with fiction.

A few things to keep in mind before I share the books and my personal scoring for them. First, I prefer non-fiction over fiction so I am not as familiar with specific genres or other literary terms (like trope). I also do not buy any of these books or own any of them unless they were gifted or found at a thrift store. I use Kindle Unlimited, Libby app through the library, or the physical library to check out and read all of these. In my entire house, I think I own 30 or less fiction books. One of them is on the list below. Second, we should talk about how I rate books. Like I said, I’m not great with knowing any fiction book terms or genres other than the basics so here’s the Steph scale on how I rate these books.

Rating Scale

5⭐ – This book was incredible and I will think about it for weeks if not months and years later (Harry Potter fits into this for me). I remember character names in these books.
4⭐ – I liked it while reading it and it was entertaining but probably already forgot the character names after the last page. Sometimes I forget what the story was about even a few days later. You’ll find a few of those below.
3⭐ – The book either had an odd story line or details that I didn’t understand and felt less logical and therefore didn’t entertain me much. I probably remember more about this one than the 4 star purely because I was annoyed that it wasn’t better.
2 ⭐ – I probably should have DNF’d it. But thought it may turn out better. I was wrong.
1⭐ – I likely only finished because it was short or someone recommended it and I decided to slog through. Likely poor judgement on my part.

2023 Books

These are the books I remember and are worth mentioning why I liked them or didn’t or what you may get out of them.

Shadow and Bone – 4 ⭐ I liked this one enough to reserve the 2nd and 3rd to read and will likely watch the Netflix show on it.
The Twelve Dates of Christmas – 3⭐ I’m trying to remember this one even though I only read it a month ago. Main character does some type of small town 12 dates you pay for and they plan for you.
Famous for a Living – 4⭐ What I liked most about this one is the focus on phone technology specifically and how the main character really had an addiction to her phone and how it impacted her thoughts and actions. For what would seem like a surface level romantic comedy I enjoyed it.
The Missing Years – 3⭐ This was one of the books where the old historic house is a character itself. It was okay but not great.
Love Redesigned – 4⭐ This is a longer book but I enjoyed actually reading how the story played out between the two of them.
Ice Breaker – 3⭐ I know this one is pretty popular but the main character had shared she had done a lot of self reflection and therapy but it didn’t really play out in her relationships which was kind of confusing.
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe – 3⭐ This was another Jenny Bayliss (same as the 12 Dates of Christmas) and you’ll find on another below on the list I liked more.
Every Duke Has His Day – 3⭐ This was an interesting book. A big part of the story line was the two dogs
A December to Remember – 4⭐ Unfortunately I don’t remember what this one was about.
Never Rescue a Rogue – 4⭐ This was entertaining. There was a fake engagement and then a slight bit of mystery.
7 Year Slip – 4⭐ This was an interesting concept about a slip in time but not worth it.
Once Upon a Broken Heart– 4⭐ I read the three books in this series this year. The first one hooked me enough to keep reading. What I liked was it didn’t really wrap up the story in a settling way by the end of book one so book two was a must.
Ballad of Never After – 4⭐ Part of the Once Upon a Broken Heart Series.
A Curse for True Love – 4⭐ This year I fell into enjoying fantasy novels. This was one of them. And the third in a series (Once Upon a Broken Heart) that I read this year.
Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us – 5⭐ This is a kid’s book by Kobi Yamada who is my favorite kid’s author. He has a unique way for making something that adults may see as complicated into something approachable and beautiful.
Trying – 4⭐ Another Kobi Yamada Kid’s book and still so beautiful. I just like some of his others a bit more.
Noticing – 4⭐ Similar as the above – beautiful book and well worth it to purchase and read to kiddos. Just didn’t stick with me as much as some of his others.
A Most Agreeable Murder – 4⭐ Quite a few of these books take place in 1800s. While I don’t recall the story lines, they’re entertaining.
History of Wild Places – 5⭐ I absolutely loved this book. I came across it in a store in western PA and almost bought it after reading the inside cover. I found it at the library and am so glad. I think about this story often.
A Lady’s Guide to Scandal – 4⭐ A fun and easy read with an 1800’s ish setting.
Things We Left Behind – 4⭐ Book 3 in the Knockemout series. It was a thick book but enjoyed it.
Divine Rivals – 5⭐ I enjoyed this book so much. If it wasn’t for 4th Wing, this may have been my favorite of the year.
Fall of Wrath and Ruin – 3⭐ I’ve found the fantasy books I enjoy the most overall are those in the Young Adult section. This one questioned went a little too far for me and I didn’t enjoy it.
Secluded Cabin Sleeps 6 – 3⭐ Maybe don’t read this before you go to an Airbnb in the woods.
Mexican Gothic – 4⭐ This is another book where the old house took on a character of its own.
The Woman in Cabin 10 – 4⭐ I initially put this one as 5 stars right after reading it because I enjoyed the plot and twists. But I didn’t find myself thinking about it after a day or so so I adjusted to 4 stars. I believe this was my 3rd Ruth Ware and probably my favorite so far.
Love Theoretically – 5⭐ – I’ve enjoyed many of Ali Hazlewood’s books and her focus on women in STEM. This was another great one.
The Charm Bracelet – 4⭐ I found this author, Viola Shipman, (which is actually a pen name after his grandmother for Wade Rouse) at the library.
The Writing Retreat – 3⭐ – Really hoped this was going to be good but then it got weirddddd. The cover I liked though.
Satisfied: Finding Hope, Joy, and Contentment Right Where You Are – 4⭐ This was an impromptu pick off the library shelf. I thought it was a book on home decoration and realized a few pages in I was wrong, but I still really enjoyed it!
The Three-Mile Walk: The Courage You Need to Live the Life God Wants for You – 4⭐
Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year – 3⭐ Loved the setting in Scotland but didn’t feel like the recipe book purpose really wove it’s way through the story and felt disjointed.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway – 3⭐ Another Ruth Ware. This was almost a DNF. It was okay but would recommend the Lying Game or Woman in Cabin 10 first.
Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) – 5⭐ This was one of my favorite reads of the year. It was the closest feeling I’ve ever had to reading Harry Potter again for the first time. I was very skeptical about the dragons and such but it was absolutely worth it.
Flight Risk (The Booking Agents, #2) – 3⭐ Another impromptu reading. It was a little odd. I also never read the first book so may have missed some of the context. I wouldn’t read it again.
The Recipe Box – 5⭐ This one is another one by the pen name Viola Shipman. I have a recipe box with my mom and grandma’s recipes (who have both passed) and so this book touched me in a way that it may not for everyone else. It was truly a treasure to read.
Off the Map (Beck Sisters, #3) – 5⭐ I didn’t read books 1 or 2 in this series, but still really enjoyed this book. It’s set in Ireland and there’s a road trip, camping, and National Park involved. It also connected the adventure to family memories and it was also a really special read for me.
Part of Your World (Part of Your World, #1) – 3⭐ I liked the 2nd book in the series, Yours Truly, a lot more than this one.
Yours Truly (Part of Your World, #2) – 4⭐ – I had rated this one a 5 but can’t remember any of it which means I really enjoyed reading it but forgot about the characters and story after so I moved it to a 4.
Happy Place – 4⭐ An Emily Henry book which are fun and easy to read. I have two on my list this year.
Things We Hide from the Light (Knockemout, #2) – 4⭐ Entertaining and fun with a little bit of mystery. I’ve read the others in the series as well.
The Paris Apartment – 4⭐ I really love Lucy Foley Books but still love The Guest List more than this one.
Notorious (Rebels of the Ton, #1) – 4⭐ Quite a few of these books take place in 1800s
The American Roommate Experiment – 4⭐ Fun and fast paced. While reading it I didn’t want to put it down.
The Hunting Party – 4⭐ Another Lucy Foley. Enjoyed it a lot but still not as great as the Guest List.
Thank You for Listening – 5⭐ A romance about audiobooks and self acceptance.
Much Ado About You – 5⭐ A romance set in a small English town that was just adorable. A great cozy read.
Enjoy the View (Moose Springs, Alaska #3) – 4⭐ I read the others in the series last year prior to booking our honeymoon in Alaska. This was a fun read once we knew we were headed there. There’s a lot about rockclimbing and tourism in the book.
Nora Goes Off Script – 4 ⭐ Easy romance but with a little more depth.
Something Wilder – 4⭐ I thought this would be a typical rom com but then it took a turn. At first I was a little turned off by it and then I was more intrigued.
Book Lovers – 4⭐ Another from Emily Henry that was an easy and mindless read.

Additional 2023 Fiction

I forget most of the details of these so I’m saving you from having to read more text by just listing titles and reviews together.

Someone Else’s Honeymoon -4⭐
Mr. Malcolm’s List – 4⭐
Booked on a Feeling (A Sweet Mess, #3) – 4⭐
Secretly Yours (A Vine Mess, #1) – 4⭐
The Dating Plan (Marriage Games, #2) – 4⭐
Right Man, Right Time (The Vancouver Agitators, #3) – 4⭐
Mile High (Windy City, #1) 4⭐
Practice Makes Perfect (When in Rome, #2) 4⭐
The True Love Experiment 4⭐
Just My Type 4⭐
Miles and Miles of You (The Harts, #1) 4⭐
Let’s Not Be Friends 4⭐
Heartless (Chestnut Springs, #2) – 3⭐
Flawless (Chestnut Springs, #1) – 3⭐
Not The Man I Thought He Was – 2⭐
Summer Reading – 3⭐
The Honeymooner (Paradise Bay, #1) – 3 ⭐
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting – 3⭐
Best Served Hot – 3⭐
Business or Pleasure – 4⭐
Never Fall For Your Fiance – 3⭐
Same Time Next Summer – 4⭐ –
Love Wager – 4⭐ –

On My List for 2024

Iron Flame – I did purchase this and am about 25% of the way through but decided I want something to look forward to in December/January so plan to finish it then.
All the Light We Cannot See – I surprisingly do own this book and started it before but didn’t finish it. Planning to attempt a revisit before watching the series on Netflix.
Continuation of the Shadow & Bone series and others by the author also so then I can watch the Netflix series.
A few Alice Feeney books like Daisy Darker and Rock Paper Scissors.
Ruthless Vows which is the 2nd book after Divine Rivals.
Trying out and expanding my genres. This year I did a lot more fantasy and thriller and a little more gothic and horror.

I don’t plan out my fiction reads for the year as I do non-fiction. While I’m very intentional in what I want to read and learn, the fiction books to me are purely for fun. So I often take a weekly trip to the physical library and browse the aisles. Sometimes I check out books I have found on GoodReads, other times I pick based on the cover or author, and other times I just take a chance. There were quite a few fiction books I didn’t finish this year and returned and those aren’t included on this list but I’m glad I tried them.

If you’re interested in what I read in non-fiction this year and recommend (as well as my pre orders for next year) stay tuned for an upcoming post on those!