Trope; Mix
Author: Indie
Available: KU, Amazon, Print, Audio
Book: singles and Series
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: Ranges between 🌶 to ⑤
Hello Book loves this is a compile list of all of my favorite five star books from 2023. I found these books and authors on tiktok so I hope you will check each one out. Also Happy holidays everyone, I hope the year ends great for you.
My first book on the list is Commanding the flame and shield By SJ Barnett. I love this fantasy filled adventure book. It's intense and leaves you guessing at every turn I would definitely check it out. It is available on KU, Print and Audio, here is some of the summary:
August Porter is a lucrative investor, admired for his ethics and respected for his success. Engaged to a beautiful businesswoman, his life looks like the American dream. But August has a secret.
The legendary Alvara of Grayshell has two missions in life: guard humanity from the demons freed from Hell, and steward half-Angel souls into their own dimension when their celestial powers arrive. For months, she’s been haunted daily by August’s face
The second book in the line of is also by SJ Barnett, it is a brand new romance call South of the Skyway. It is about Brexley and Rhyett who just happen to meet a Bar one night and it takes off from there.. My favorite thing about this book is the female friendships in it. Both of these books are apart of a series. I would check them both out. Available on KU, Print here is the summary for South of the sky way:
After years of hard work finally paying off, I am finally content with my life just the way it is. I've built my bookstore from the ground up with my very best friend, and don't need any distractions.
Which is why the more than six feet of tattooed man-muscle waltzing into our favorite bar can—under no circumstances—be anything more than a chemistry-crazed one night stand.
Or two. Three max, okay?
Sydne Barnett Information
My third book is "Of shadow and Moonlight" series by Luna Laurier. This was one of my first books I bought when joining tiktok and put it off for so long. I am so happy that I recently read it because I fell so madly in love with this world and these characters. It's a fantasy involving vampires and goddess. Definitely one of my new obsessions and worth the hype. This available on KU, Print for now; Here is a little bit of the summary from the first book:
When Damien appears in her life, her world turns upside down when he shows her the hidden magic that lies in the shadows of her world and within herself. Suddenly plunged into a hidden war that has raged for countless centuries between gods and monsters, Cassie begins to feel the weight of her secret, which she has kept hidden all her life.
Luna Laurier Information
The next book on the list of favorites is "Love Rx" by Devon Atwood. This is a cute spicy romance about what happens when a Doctor actually plays Doctor with a patient. Definitely worth the read if you like spicy fun adult romances. Available on KU, Print and its the first in a series, here is a bit of the summary:
Dr. Lachlan Cade can tell Laurel needs help, and even if it means bending the rules, he’s going to give it. Laurel is just as determined never to rely on a man again, but that’s a hard vow to keep when Lachlan’s touch makes her tachycardic and his soothing promises feel like warm honey on her tongue. Despite her misgivings, Laurel finds herself in a predicament with only two choices--go with Dr. Cade to his house for treatment, or rack up a medical bill in the hospital she can't afford.
Devon Atwood information
Unexpected Eva by Vh Nicolson is my next favorite on this list. It's about an age gap relationship between Eva and Knox but Eva is also his best friend daughter and the closer to his son age. They end up together and then all hell breaks lose. Absolutely one of my top favorite books with consenting adult age gap romance. Its available on KU, Print and Audio, and here is some of the summary:
The billionaire hotelier bids an extortionate amount to secure one-to-one dance lessons with her.
Older. Sexy as sin. Her father’s best friend. FORBIDDEN.
He makes her an offer she can’t refuse. “STAY WITH ME TONIGHT.”
One night. Just one night to extinguish the undeniable flame that burns ferociously between them.
But destiny has other plans and things quickly spiral out of control. One night turns to two, then three, then four... but their secret tryst has to remain exactly that. A SECRET.
Frozen Flames is my Second favorite Vh Nicolson book of this year. This is one that I was blessed enough to ARC read for. I enjoy is so much, its literally about a Hockey Player and his wife, they meet in college, fall in love easily but the older they get and the more successful they became the more their marriages suffers. Now they have to figure out if it's meant to be or not. This one will give you all the feels. I recommend any of VH books very highly. It is available on KU, Print, and here is a bit of the summary:
I’ve been in love with Ash Johansson for as long as I can remember.
Former hockey player for the NHL, he now has his dream job coaching the team he loves.
Except, while he’s off living his best life, I’m left here.
Not in a loveless marriage, but in something much worse; a lonely one.
VH Nicolson Information
Invoking the blood is a spicy 1000 page vampire romance novel by Kalista Neith, it was one of the first books I ever found on tiktok and by far one of my favorite. It is about different types of magical people and how they live in the world. I love Faye and the shadow prince and how they fall in love with each other. I also love how Kalista gives a twist on MMF romance. I definitely recommend for those who love spicy fantasy books. Its available on KU and Print, now a bit of the summary:
Faye agreed to her sister’s brilliant idea to sneak into the Hunter’s Moon ball. A night the vampires in attendance held sacred, lusting under the eerie glow of the blood red moon. Faye was no vampire. She wasn’t even a race that possessed magic. Her ceremony failed, marking her an Anarian. A mortal without magic.
After a run in with the Shadow Prince, Faye begins dreaming of him. His yearnful gaze leaves her feeling cherished after she wakes. A pleasant daydream, since men like him didn’t exist. Not for women like her.
The next book on my list is apart of a series by Ambrosia Harris, it's called Kore and it's a retelling about Hades and Persephone. It is a romance about Greek gods and the original story of them with many new modern twists. One of my all time favorite books and I definitely recommend to people who like romantic retellings. It available on Print and Audio, and here is a bit of the summary:
Before Persephone was known as The Dread Queen, she was but a young goddess who went by the name of Kore, pulling flowers from soil to create life. Nothing more is spoken on the all feared Queen and her rise to power.
Not of her journey.
Not of her time in the realm of the dead where she showed the King of Darkness what it means to be loved.
He claims the Underworld is no place for Love. She is determined to prove him wrong.
Next book on the my favorites list is going to be Dani galliaro Christmas Novella "Glittery". It is about a young woman in the prime of her life that decides to become a surrogate and meets the love of her life all at the same time. I definitely recommend this for those who like contemporary romance that is funny as heck. This is available on KU and Print and now a bit of the summary for you all:
After a self-destructive past, Sloane's been good for a really long time. And now, she’s got the opportunity to be extra good for her brother and his partner by acting as their surrogate. But as she struggles to get pregnant, she feels somewhat unfulfilled in the bedroom department.
Enter Noah, the gorgeous son of a gun eyeing her while she's dancing the night away at a bachelorette party. After a steamy summer night together, Sloane disappears without a trace, leaving Noah crushed.
My Next favorite is a short Hanukkah Spicy novella by Becca Fogg, that came out this year. It is a MMMMF spicy romance that has different scenes on each night of Hanukkah. If you like spicy smutt and holidays this is the book for you to read. It is available on KU and print and here is a bit of the summary for you all:
You've been given an opportunity that could make your career!
One catch—you have to co-present with your charismatic rival.
. . . who spends December at a cabin in the mountains.
. . . which means spending Hannukah with him.
. . . and his three equally obnoxious, drool-worthy best friends.
. . . none of whom you've had unprofessional thoughts about. Honest. Really. Promise.
Can you take care of business and escape before a snowstorm hits?
Or do the Menschmen have their own plan in mind?
Blue Reflections by Amanda Casey is my next favorite book on the list. This is book one of a new series. It is about mermaids, the sea, Scotland and magic along with Romance and adventure. Definitely recommend to those who like magic and fantasy. It is available on KU and Print, here is a bit of the summary for you all:
Selia is not the only one curious about the arts. She’s caught the eye of handsome watercolor artist Damien Malloch, whose moonlit paintings capture more than her heart.
Amanda Casey Information
The Cursed is my next favorite on the list and it is the Second in the Coven series by Harper L Woods. This is one of my all time faves of the year, it involves witches, demons, magic, lore and myths. I love the way this book takes you back to the past of the world and all takes past in the present, you find out the originals of vampires and witches. I recommend it to anyone who love fantasy, and myths. It is available on KU, Print and audio and here is a bit of the summary:
Betrayal!!! He was the deception waiting in the night; the truth I never saw coming. After a lifetime of manipulation, I finally learned the truth. I was his puppet—even if I never saw my strings.
Even knowing how deep his betrayal runs, I can’t shake the undeniable connection between Gray and I—the way a single glance from him sets my soul on fire. We are not the same. We're enemies, poised to battle for the future of the very thing I’d wanted to destroy.
Harper L Woods Information
The wild One is by Daisy Jane and it's my next favorite on the list. It is a spicy reverse age gap between a single mother and a mechanic. Spicy romance with extra spicy and a cute story of falling in love. Definitely one for my smutty romance fans. It is available on KU and Print and here is a bit of the summary for you all:
Enter Beck, a single mom new to town. When she shows up at Beau's automotive shop, he isn’t expecting to meet the woman who will lift him from depression and turn his life around.
Daisy Jane information
My final favorite on this list is "Never Getting back together" by Krysti Meyers. I was lucky enough to read an Arc of this and this book will be available on Dec 12th on KU, Print. It is a slow burn enemy to lovers romance that is so cute and adorable. I love this one by Krysti just as much as her other first one. I would recommend it to those who love hallmark cute romance novels. It is available on KU, and Print and here is a bit of summary from the book:
Gilmore Girls meets Sweet Home Alabama in this small-town, second-chance romance. Quinn is hustling to make her dream of owning her own business come true. But first, she'll have to survive a week of hosting her small town's Founder's Festival with her ex.
If you made it this far, I want to thank you for joining me for my 2023 favorite books list. I hope you found this blog helpful and as always all of my links are listed below.
Tea, love and books as always my loves
Meli
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