Emma's Books of the Year 2023

It’s hard to believe I am sitting down once again to write a books of the year post. It feels like only yesterday that I did my post for 2022 but yet 2023 is drawing to a close and it certainly was another very quick year. I reached my goal for my Goodreads Reading Challenge and read over 100 books although I would have loved to have read more. The last month of the year was extremely busy and I couldn’t seem to concentrate for long periods of time. None the less I have read some brilliant books this year and I have picked ten of my favourites to share with you. Thanks again to Sharon for hosting my reviews on the blog and for her friendship and all the chats throughout the year. So without further ado and in no particular order here are my books of the year for 2023.

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent was published in March of this year but I had an early copy and couldn’t resist sneaking it in at the tail end of 2022. I’m sure this book will be on my readers books of the year because it was simple phenomenal ad Liz is certainly at the top of her game. With the killer opening line that she is famous for this book sucks you in from the very first word and it is impossible to leave out of your hands. It’s dark and twisted and just what we have all come to expect and love from this author and Sally Diamond has most definitely been a talking point this year earning widespread acclaim and critical success. 

Sally becomes the centre of attention for an act that is abhorrent to many but beneath it all there is a painful past to share as she steps out into the world for the first time making new friends. She is not a conventional character by any means and the further the story develops the more your mind is blown.I can’t really say much about it except to say that is a disturbing read packed full of fear, trauma, manipulation, damage and mistreatment with a central character who will affect you in so many ways. Its an outstanding read which if you haven’t already discovered make sure you get a copy as soon as possible. You can read my full review here. 

I’ve been a fan of Emma Davies since I first read her novella Merry Mistletoe many years ago. She took a break from her usual women’s fiction to write in the cosy murder mystery genre but this year made a welcome return with the first in the Clearwater series - Secrets of Clearwater Castle. This is a feel-good romantic tale with lots of trials and tribulations along the way and I adored every minute of it. It follows Lowri who is widowed with a young daughter as she has inherited some land that her husband had kept secret from her. The setting is just gorgeous and the plot wonderfully written with a wide variety of characters that capture a piece of your heart. It’s a real page turner of a book which reminded me just how much I love reading. It was an absolute pleasure to accompany Lowri on her journey as she tries to heal but she also has to try and save Clearwater. My full review can be found here. I hope it won’t be too long until book two in the series is published as this is one that has stayed on long in my mind since I finished reading it.

Emma's Books of the Year 2022

It’s hard to believe another year is over and despite it being a tough year for us all we have made it through. I managed to reach my Goodreads goal of reading 100 books with just a few extras read as well and now I’ve looked back on what has been another fabulous year for books. I’ve discovered a number of new authors and once again loved books from some of my all time favourites. It was hard to narrow my choice down to ten but I have managed it and below you will find my favourite books of 2022. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Sharon for her continued friendship and for hosting my reviews on the blog. 

I’m looking forward to what 2023 brings in terms of books and I already have a number of blog tours lined up for the new year. I think I’ve even already read a book which will feature on my 2023 books of the year but as to what that is I’ll leave you to guess. Perhaps put your guesses in the comments section. So without further ado here are my top ten books of 2022.

Andrea Mara is a queen at the top of her game and just gets better and better with each book she publishes. I already have her 2023 book – No One Saw A Thing on my TBR pile and know it will be just as good as Hide and Seek. This was a sublime read full of tension, suspense and twists and turns right until the very last page. There was a whirlwind of characters to get to know with suspicion falling in every corner as to what happened to young Lily Murphy whilst playing a game of hide and seek so many years ago. There is a creepy and unsettling feeling throughout as Johanna moves into the estate years later and discovers her house is where Lily once lived. Johanna can’t let sleeping dogs lie and she becomes dogged in discovering the truth of what happened and as a reader you are with her every step of the way in what was an utterly brilliant book which was extremely well plotted leaving you guessing until the last possible moment. My full review can be read here. 

I’ve loved all the books Tracy Rees has written in the historical fiction genre and was delighted to see last year she turned her hand to women’s fiction writing for my favourite publisher Bookouture. The Little House by the Sea is the first in what I hope will be a long series set in the village of Pennystrand. This is a gorgeous, warm and inviting read following Kitty Roberts as she up sticks and moves from London to the small village of Pennystrand. She gets work in an estate agents and her life is transformed and what a journey of discovery she goes on. It was fabulous to read of what she goes through and how she transforms into someone more confident and capable and someone who starts to believe in herself and her abilities. An exciting story awaits you between the covers of this wonderful book and I was sad to finish it and that’s why I hope there will be more to come from these characters and the fabulous setting. It’s a rare author that can write in multiple genres but Tracy Rees nails it and I know will continue to do so. My full review can be read here.