2023 Book Reviews
It Starts With Us—Colleen Hoover
This was my most anticipated read of the year because I loved It Ends With Us so much. Overall, I think that it was a good sequel that answered the question of what happens to the main characters years down the line—something we’re often left to think about after a book is over. I loved how much the characters grew and how ultimately everyone had a happy ending. A light-hearted and easy read.
Regretting You—Colleen Hoover
I truly had no idea what to expect when I started this one but it had me from the beginning. Jaw drop. A story told from the perspective of a teenage girl and her mother with conflicting personalities. The main characters are navigating their own growth through tragedy. Not your typical romance book by Colleen Hoover and I loved that.
Every Summer After—Carley Fortune
Carley is one of my favorite new authors. Her writing is similar to Colleen Hoover, as she writes a solid romantic plot with complex characters. A delicate balance of romance and how people and choices mark our hearts forever.
Malibu Rising—Taylor Jenkins Reid
Everyone told me how good this book was, and though I would agree, it was hard to stay in at times. The entire plot takes place throughout one day which I think makes things feel a little drawn out. However, I do love a book that dives into the past to give depth to each of the characters. I loved the protagonist and in some ways feel like I really resonated with her.
Meet Me At The Lake—Carley Fortune
This book was one of my favorites of the year. The storytelling of love across different points and throughout the complexities of life was incredibly relatable. I found myself rooting for Fern and Will, separately and together. Also told over several years, this one had me hooked from start to finish.
November 9—Colleen Hoover
Catching up on my CoHo reads this year with another one and apparently love stories told over time are my new sought after genre. This story held my attention from the first line and included a twist that I never saw coming. A complicated love story that was far from the ordinary.
The Therapist—B.A. Paris
This book had me absolutely on the edge of my seat. I just could not put it down. A story about a house with a devastating secret that makes you want to figure out who was involved and why no one wants to talk about it. Paris masterful in her writing of thriller and mystery while building characters out and making you wonder if everyone is who she says they are.
The Silent Patient—Alex Michaelides
If you are into dark and spooky psychological thrillers, this book is for you. I bought this one on a whim and so glad that I picked it. Alicia is locked away for murdering her husband tragically, but she hasn’t spoken a word since. The question is why? Another one that I couldn't put down for a second. Just trust me on this one, if this is your vibe.
Bring Me Back—B.A. Paris
Another psychological thriller with shocking twist. This one reminded me of Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough. True to the style of the author, this book has you thinking one way and then takes a sharp turn when you least expect it. Nothing makes sense until it does and it’ll take you to the very end to realize that you can imagine anything, even the unbelievable.
Then She Was Gone—Lisa Jewell
A disappearance. A budding romance. A character or two that don’t seem quite right. This book is not for the faint of heart and had me on my toes, not trusting what anyone said. (TW: abduction and pregnancy)
The Quarry Girls—Jess Lourey
Jess is a local author and this story features the infamous quarries and Valley Fair of Minnesota. It was a mystery that rocked me to my core because it was based on the true story of serial killers in the area in the 1970s. A good, chilling mystery thriller to read at the end of summer.
The Darkest Corners—Kara Thomas
A perfect book to read during spooky season. A mysterious death. An inmate on death row. And a person who may be hiding the truth. Following ghosts that she left behind in her hometown, Callie returns in search of the truth—to many things. And all of her questions will be answered, one way or the other.