Best Books of 2023 at Booklover Book Reviews
Our Best Books of 2023 list features many books released in 2023. But top quality fiction has no expiry date, so we add wish list novels to our reading pile too.
Romance
Browse all our articles, featuring books that contain an element of romance, whether that be simmering romantic tension or a full blown love affair — heartwarming, heart breaking or heart racing!
Recent standout reads for us in the romance genre are The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton, Ashley Poston’s The Seven Year Slip, Pip Williams’ The Bookbinder and Mhairi McFarlane’s Last Night. And, it would be hard to go wrong with some of our all time top romance reads such as the iconic One Day, The Flatshare and The Time Traveller’s Wife, the quirky under-appreciated gem Resistance Is Futile and the uplifting Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.
Finally, if you too think romance and humour make the perfect match, then we recommend checking out our most popular Book List: 30 Top Romantic Comedy Novels.
Ashley Poston’s The Seven Year Slip, Book Review: Wisely charming
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston is a wisely charming novel exploring love and passion, and their inevitable partners in life, loss and grief. Read our review.
The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James, Review: Gothic mystery
The Woman in the Castello is Kelsey James’ highly entertaining suspense-filled and romantic gothic mystery novel set in post-war Italy.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn Review, Mark Lawrence’s Library Trilogy
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is the utterly captivating novel that begins Mark Lawrence’s new fantasy trilogy for book lovers, The Library. Read my full review.
The Bookbinder of Jericho, Review: Pip Williams’ deeply moving tale
The Bookbinder of Jericho is Pip Williams’ captivating new historical fiction novel, and a companion read to her worldwide bestselling The Dictionary of Lost Words. Read my full review.
The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner, Review: Atmospheric
The London Séance Society is a new atmospheric historical fiction novel from Sarah Penner, the first since her breakout 2021 debut, The Lost Apothecary. Read my review.
Go As A River: Shelley Read’s haunting debut & movie news
Go As A River is Shelley Read’s haunting historical fiction debut novel about female grit and resilience and a movie adaptation is underway. Read my review.
Mhairi McFarlane’s Last Night, Review: Depth-filled rom-com
Mhairi McFarlane’s Last Night is a modern friendship romcom with uncommon emotional depth and refreshingly unexpected humour. Read my full review.
Alice Hoffman’s The Bookstore Sisters & Everything My Mother Taught Me, Review
The Bookstore Sisters and Everything My Mother Taught Me are two compelling short reads by bestselling author Alice Hoffman. Read my review.
Nicola May’s The Hub & Mark David Green’s The Travel Truth, Mini Reviews
Nicola May’s The Hub and Mark David Green’s The Travel Truth are both entertaining warm-hearted reads that blend romance, humour and mystery. Read on for more…
The Oceanography of the Moon by Glendy Vanderah: Enchanting
The Oceanography of the Moon, Glendy Vanderah’s enchanting third novel, is about shedding secrets, the power of love and redemption. Read my full review.
I English U: RomCom author JR Laurence interview + #Giveaway
Read Q&A with Author JR Laurence on I English U, an international romantic comedy novel. Plus, 2 ebook copies and 1 audiobook copy to giveaway worldwide thanks to Top Floor Books.
Impossible (aka The Impossible Us) by Sarah Lotz, Review: Shimmers
Sarah Lotz’ Impossible is a wonderfully executed genre-bending novel that shimmers with romantic tension and pulsates with heart. Read my full review.
Orphan Rock: Dominique Wilson’s inspiration + Book Review + #Giveaway
Dominique Wilson discusses the inspiration behind her new historical novel Orphan Rock, I share my review, plus thanks to Transit Lounge Publishing two lucky AU/NZ readers will win a paperback copy.
138 Dates by Rebekah Campbell, Review: Hard-earned happiness
Rebekah Campbell’s 138 Dates offers readers candid lessons from one woman’s journey of personal growth in business, love and life. Read my review.
Love and Other Puzzles by Kimberley Allsopp, Review: Clever
Love and Other Puzzles, Kimberley Allsopp’s entertaining debut novel is a cocktail of wit and nostalgic pop-culture minus the hangover. Read my full review.