It’s a new year and I thought I’d start it strong by creating a one-stop shop for every book I read this year. The full list is below — plus a brief description with links to buy and, if I’ve written a full review, a link to read it!
Ps. here’s what I read in 2023!
January
- The Fury by Alex Michaelides — a murder mystery on a Greek island told out of order and by an unreliable narrator. Full review.
- The Getaway List by Emma Lord — a young adult romance and found family story set one summer in NYC. Full review.
- Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham — college girl drama turned deadly. Full review.
- One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy — series of essays that reflect on the female millennial experience. Full review.
- First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston — endlessly entertaining and twisty con artist story. Full review.
- Family, Family by Laurie Frankel — this book broaches subjects like abortion, adoption, and teen pregnancy in a way that feels real and loving. Full review.
- The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins — rich people problems in a fancy estate with a huge twist. Full review.
- Good Material by Dolly Alderton — messy trainwreck of a breakup that you can’t look away from. Full review.
- The Women by Kristin Hannah — brilliant novel about a Vietnam War nurse that’ll break your heart repeatedly. Full review.
- A Lady’s Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin — perfect dramedy for Bridgerton fans. Full review.
- The Silence in Her Eyes by Armando Lucas Correa — somewhat forgettable short lil thriller. Full review.
- The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon — fantastic historical fiction inspired by a true story of a midwife. Full review.
- Mercury by Amy Jo Burns — about a family that runs a roofing business in Mercury, a small blue collar town. Full review.
- The Search Party Hannah Richell — reunion for a group of college friends where the trip does not go as planned. Full review.
February
- Ladykiller by Katherine Wood — fast-paced beachy thriller perfect for vacation. Full review.
- Dark Matter by Blake Crouch — suuuch a solid science fiction book that kept me on the edge of my seat. Full review.
- My Murder by Katie Williams — trippy short novel with a sci-fi element and a fun twist. Full review.
- Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross — sequel to Divine Rivals (and final novel in the series). Full review.
- The Resort by Sara Ochs — fun little vacation thriller. Full review.
- Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand — suuuuch an emotional and heartfelt novel about a family matriarch’s untimely death. Full review.
- The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight — young adult novel about finding love on a flight. Full review.
- Bye Baby by Carola Lovering — propulsive domestic drama I was so here for. Full review.
- Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle — sweet and surprising novel with some romance and a dash of magical realism. Full review.
- Scenes of the Crime by Jilly Gagnon — a bit forgettable of a thriller. Full review.
March
- Wildest Sun by Asha Lemmie — a coming-of-age historical fiction about a young French aspiring writer who believes her father is Ernest Hemingway. Full review.
- Come and Get It by Kiley Reid — a campus drama that was like a crash I couldn’t look away from. Full review.
- Listen For the Lie by Amy Tintera — takes a v popular trope (true crime podcast) and absolutely kills it (pun intended). Full review.
- Watch It Burn by Kristen Bird — bless my Texas heart because this one has ALL THE THINGS. Full review.
- Vulture Capitalism by Grace Blakeley — whip smart and incredibly enlightening — and at times utterly depressing. Full review.
- As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh — a teenage love story set in a war zone. Full review.
- Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton — was not expecting this book to break my heart as much as it did. Full review.
- Fly Away by Kristin Hannah — sequel to Firefly Lane. Full review.
- The Gimlet Slip: A Novella by Fiona Davis and Greg Wand.
April
- Pretty Boys Are Poisonous by Megan Fox — short collection of poems. Full review.
- The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves — dramatic romance about life after loss. Full review.
- The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell — tackles cognitive biases in a witty and entertaining way. Full review.
- The Last Love Note by Emma Grey — true love, immense loss, and finding a way to continue on. Full review.
- Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez — romcom with the perfect fake dating set up. Full review.
- The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand — as full of the drama its title suggests. Full review.
- Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth — jumps between the perspectives of three women who were raised in the foster system. Full review.
- Annie Bot by Sierra Greer — realistic feeling futuristic sci-fi about a female robot. Full review.
- The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley — sweeping story with love, action, and time travel. Full review.
- Funny Story by Emily Henry — Emily Henry doesn’t miss, this one is fake dating. Full review.
May
- Middle of the Night by Riley Sager — Stranger Things coded. Full review.
- The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean — starts with a young woman emerging from the woods after being missing after two years. Full review.
- Turtles All The Way Down by John Green — YA about a teen with OCD. Full review.
- The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard — a magical realism/speculative fiction that takes place in a society where time is physical. Full review.
- One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware — brainy scientist main character agrees to go on a reality tv dating show on a deserted island. Full review.
- The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand — about a woman who recently lost her husband in a tragic accident. Full review.
- The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren — spunky, down-on-her-luck female main character fake dates a dreamy big business heir. Full review.
- Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life by Helen Fisher — adorable read that was as much about the journey as the destination, full of colorful characters. Full review.
- This Summer Will Be Different by Carly Fortune — fun summer romance with spice and yummy oysters. Full review.
June
- Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan — lots of rich people with outrageous rich people problems. Full review.
- The Husbands by Holly Gramazio — main character realizes her magic attic spits out new husbands. Full review.
- A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand — drama-filled book set on Nantucket. Full review.
- The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center — light-hearted romance with fun characters. Full review.
- The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand — starts with two mysterious deaths and the tense and unstable state they leave their best friends in. Full review.
- Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly — no plot just vibes billed as like Schitt’s Creek. Full review.
- The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis — meh thriller I probably should have DNFed. Full review.
- The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand — affairs, rich people problems, wedding gone wrong. Full review.
- The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine — sequel to The Last Mrs. Parrish that was every bit worth the wait. Full review.
- The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley — brings us back to the lives of GUP (gay uncle Patrick) and his niece and nephew. Full review.
- One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin — romance with a heavy storyline on friendship. Full review.
July
- Margo Has Money Problems by Rufi Thorpe — precious and weird little book I LOVED. Full review.
- Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand — amazing conclusion to Elin’s epic collection of Nantucket novels. Full review.
- Kill For Me, Kill For You by Steven Cavanagh — Two women meet, and they each want justice in this Hitchcock-inspired psychological thriller. Full review.
- Honey by Isabel Banta — about one of the era’s teen pop icons, her career, her rise to fame, and the rumors throughout it all. Full review.
- All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker — an epic story spanning decades of heartbreak, mystery, violence, revenge, and, of course, love. Full review.
- A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston — comfort reader steps into a fictional world she’s been obsessed with for years. Full review.
- I Want You More by Swan Huntley — sapphic thriller that ends in an epic fashion. Full review.
- The Wedding People by Alison Espach — morose premise, endless irony, witty banter, dark humor all wrapped into a perfect novel. Full review.
- Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan — fun summer romcom with some heart to it. Full review.
- The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley — a fast-paced delight of a thriller set at an inn. Full review.
- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion — nonfiction narrative that follows the year after her husband dies unexpectedly. Full review.
- Home Front by Kristin Hannah — themes include war, marriage, parenthood, PTSD, friendship, loss, addiction, recovery. Full review.
- House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen — a suspenseful story with heart and loved every second of it. Full review.
August
- Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell — blew me away with its nostalgia, heart, and sweet characters. Full review.
- Five-Star Stranger by Kat Tang — an unnamed character whose gig economy job was being whatever you need him to be. Full review.
- Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman — follows a disaster situation of a plane is going down directly into a nuclear power plant in a small town. Full review.
- Pearce Oysters by Joselyn Takacs — family drama set in a small coastal town in Louisiana. Full review.
- The Storied Life of AJ Fickry by Gabrielle Zelvin — short and sweet read that had everything — lovable characters, heartbreaking moments, heartwarming moments. Full review.
- Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun — delightful sapphic romance ft. second-chance romance, friends to lovers, and many, many one bed moments. Full review.
- The New Tourist by Paige McClanahan — the book asks the reader to travel with intention, leave places better than you found them, and learn about new cultures rather than just going to places to get the photos you want. Full review.
- Never Whistle at Night: short stories — original and shiver-inducing tales introduce readers to ghosts, curses, hauntings, monstrous creatures, complex family legacies, desperate deeds, and chilling acts of revenge. Full review.
- The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord — cute things, witty banter, and classic Emma Lord charm. Full review.
- Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams — historical fiction 🤝 romance. Full review.
- Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman — quick read that feels even quicker because you won’t want to put it down. Full review.
- Meant to Be by Emily Giffin — loosely based on JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bassette. Full review.
September
- The God of the Woods by Liz Moore — an incredible read, full of tragedy, mystery, and heart. Full review.
- Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler — follows the author’s stay in a facility after having suicidal thoughts. Full review.
- By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult — super well researched novel re-imagines if Shakespeare didn’t write his own plays. Full review.
- The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown — a girl discovers a magical book one day that upends her and her best friend’s lives. Full review.
- The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop — I love Kelly Bishop, Gilmore Girls, and general nostalgia. Full review.
- Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors — weren’t any likeable characters combined with a very bleh plot involving everyone making questionable decisions. Full review.
- The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave — follows estranged siblings who reconnect after their father’s suspicious death. Full review.
October
- The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel — a whodunnit/whoisabouttodoit that will keep ya on your toes. Full review.
- Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs — reminded me so much of Practical Magic but make it a sweeping, harrowing adventure. Full review.
- What I Ate In A Year by Stanley Tucci — kind of a pretentious food diary. Full review.
- All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby — action-filled story set in a small town. Full review.
- On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel — two sisters from a poor town in Ohio where drugs, sex work, and, recently, murder plague its residents. Full review.
- What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena — dead teenaged girl found in the field of a local farmer in a small town. Full review.
- The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer• — a warm hug with a side of mystery and adventure. Full review.
- The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman — a sweet second chance romance filled with heartwarming moments and a sprinkle of magic. Full review.
- The Unraveling by Vi Keeland — domestic drama that follows a woman whose husband just died. Full review.
November
- Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty — follows a commuter flight in Australia when one passenger stands up mid flight and walks down each aisle point and each passenger and telling them their age of death and cause of death. Full review.
- Dinner For Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz — memoir covering Joy’s career as an actress, her involvement with a community of people (ahem, cult), becoming a mom, and getting her life back in the wake of it all. Full review.
- Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys — follows a ragtag group people on a journey to escaping the WWII war zone via the Baltic Sea. Full review.
- A Queen’s Game by Katharine McGee — historical fiction that follows three young women all tied to Prince Eddy— heir to the thrown. Full review.
- The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams — a book for book lovers, and it warmed my heart (then broke it) and warmed it back up again. Full review.
- Dear Dolly by Dolly Alderton — a compilation of Dolly’s advice column (she is very well suited for her role as an “agony aunt”). Full review.
- The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood — starts with the main character dying but gets a second chance at life and romance. Full review.
- Madwoman by Chelsea Beiker — about a mother of two who has a lot hidden from her husband and family. Full review.
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsoliver — a reimagining of Charles Dickens’s DAVID COPPERFIELD, but set in the late ‘90s early ‘00s opioid crisis in southern Appalachia. Full review.
December
- Disney High by Ashley Spencer — nostalgic but very diplomatic and well reported book on Disney. Full review.
- Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney — up-and-coming author gets his big break the same night his wife goes missing. Full review.
- A Winter Wish by Emily Stone — heartfelt enemies to lovers story full of Christmas. Full review.
- What Fresh Hell by Lucy Vine — very British, short and sweet, and absolutely chaotic. Full review.
- The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter — rivals-to-lovers romance mystery set at Christmas. Full review.
- Short stories by Fredrick Backman — THE ANSWER IS NO, A DEAL OF A LIFETIME, AND EVERY MORNING THE WAY HOME GETS LONGER AND LONGER. Full review.
- The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose — a cozy little read that brings back the full cast of characters and spreads a little holiday cheer. Full review.
- Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark — follows three adult siblings and their holiday traditions in their famous mom’s mansion in upstate New York. Full review.
- This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel — family of seven has a messy life full of love, and when their youngest starts wanting to wear dresses and have long hair, nothing changes and also everything changes all at once. Full review.
- Everybody is a Liar by Liv Constantine
- Winter Street and Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand — lil series of shorties covers a family set in an inn on Nantucket at Christmas. Full review.
- The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue — lovely little british story following two friends in their 20s figuring out their life. Full review.
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho — timeless story of the pursuit of happiness. Full review.
- The Life Impossible by Matt Haig — magical story of the meaning of life. Full review.
BookNerdalie 