Top Ten Worst and Best of 2023

I think at this point I’m just procrastinating on writing all of the reviews I have had piling up but I really wanted to do a best and worst for last year. 2023 was a little mixed if I’m honest, I fell back into love with reading and really found my flow by the end of the year and was loving books and taking the time back to read again. So here is my top ten worst and best books of the year.

Worst Books of 2023

• Savages by Natalie Bennett – I had high hopes for this one, I thought it was going to be a really good dark romance but it ended up being poorly written and uses trauma in an awful way.
• The Boy From The Woods by Harlan Coben – I think this would have been an okay book if I had clicked with the characters. But I didn’t connect with any of them and I found the story to be boring and convoluted.
• The Silent Bride by Shalini Boland – This is another one where the characters were awful and the storyline was unbelievable. I was expecting a lot more from the story and the ending was awful.
• Four Money by Jayne Rylon – I’m usually a sucker for tropey romance but this one had none of the endearing bits I love, there was so much happening and so little explanation or depth.
• The Winter Princess by Skye MacKinnon – There was so much plot missing in this book, and so much insta-love which is usually fine when something then grows but this was missing that as well.

• Twisted by Steve Cavanagh – I really wanted to love this one, but I hated the writing style, the ending was poorly done and the big twist at the end was unbelievable.
• Cupcakes, Trinkets and other Deadly Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge – The main character was so sickly sweet and the twist ending was obvious to everyone else but the Jade, it was so frustrating and just not an enjoyable experience.
• The Queen’s Alliance by Jessica Gleave – This one is a shame because it had a good premise but the execution was not there. It read as though it had never been edited and there just wasn’t enough depth or explanation to keep the story interesting.
• Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron – I thought this one was going to be a new favourite but I struggled with the world building and the magic system. There was so much that wasn’t explained and so many plotholes it was gaping.
• The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – I really wanted to love this one, and I thought I was going to until the relationship aspect took over and I hated the moments they shared. It was so convoluted, especially with how quickly things devolved.

Best Books of 2023

• Fourth Wing and Iron Flame – This should come as no shock to anyone, these books had me in a death grip. I adored the characters, the dragons and the world, phenomenal books.
• I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy – I listened to Jennette McCurdy narrate this one and I thoroughly enjoyed her honest look at her mother and their relationship. It was an interesting book and a great look at child stars.
• Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree – This was such a cozy read, and I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who is looking for something fantasy but without all the huge commitment this is it.
• Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – Divine Rivals took me by surprise. I really loved the set up of the characters, and the way they shared letters and how the war and war zone played out.

• Mr Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein – I loved this one, it was such a good middle grade with a great story and puzzles. I loved it
• They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera – I listened to this one and loved just how intricate the story was despite it only happening over the course of 24 hours. There was such joy and sadness in the end, but it was a brilliant read.
• The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud – I really liked this book series, I only managed to get through the first two books ready for the Netflix series and I’m so sad I didn’t carry on. Will definitely be picking the other books up in 2024.
• Yellowface by R.F. Kuang – I had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up but it was such an interesting read. I loved the insight into the publishing world and how everything worked out in the end.
• The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James – The dual perspectives and timelines really made this book the creepy delight it was. There was a haunting quality that really transcended both timelines and I loved learning about all the different characters.

What were your favourite books of the year? Have you read any of those on my list? Let me know!