I have accepted the fact that picking a top three, or even a top twenty is next to impossible for me so I've given up! Instead, I'd like to share with you all the books released this year that were 5* reads for me!
The Marriage Act - John Marrs (January 2023)
In a world where an oppressive right-wing government have decided not only to enforce, but to police and interfere with marriages - till death do you part is starting to feel all too possible. A chilling and intense story with a stunning cast of characters.
The Space Between Us - Doug Johnstone (January 2023)
Three people all experience fatal strokes when a comet hits the earth … but survive. When they find an alien being who they name 'Sandy', they realise their lives will never be the same again as this unlikely trio set off on a daring adventure to save him. An action-packed, astral adventure full of heart.
The Silence Project - Carole Hailey (February 2023)
Emilia hasn't heard her Mother speak since she was 13, not even when she burned herself to death along with thousands of her followers. Now, Emilia is breaking the silence on The Community, and on her Mother. A fierce novel that blurs to the line between heroes and villains.
The Forcing - Paul E. Hardistry (February 2023)
As the world falls apart, a youth government forces everyone over the Age of Responsibility into exile. David finds himself trying to escape into a dangerous world, but finds the people might be even more dangerous. This striking story is a cinematic call-to-arms about the world we live in.
Rootless - Krystle Zara Appah (March 2023)
Efe and Sam were a team - until an unplanned pregnancy finds them on different sides for the first time. When Efe disappears, they're forced to confront the unspoken between them. A striking, emotional debut about identity and love.
Her - Mira V Shah (March 2023)
Rani and Natalie live very different lives - but as they become closer and get to know each other, Rani finds that Natalies perfect life she's been coveting isn't all it seems to be and now, they're both in danger. A cinematic thriller set in an unsuspecting suburbia with truly shocking twists.
End of Story - Louise Swanson (March 2023)
Fern is a writer in a world that has outlawed writing. The children of the world are left sleepless without bedtime stories and Fern decides to join an illegal storytelling ring. But soon, fiction and reality are blurred. A compulsive, compelling piece of speculative fiction that left me reeling.
Death of a Bookseller - Alice Slater (April 2023)
When a new girl starts at her bookstore, Roach recognises a kind of darkness in her despite her light and kind exterior and an obsession starts. But Laura doesn't want her, so Roach will have to take advice from her idols - stalkers, murderers to try and win her over. Dark, chilling and thrilling.
Seven Exes - Lucy Vine (May 2023)
Esther is doing great - but she wants somebody to love. When a magazine suggests there are 7 loves in a woman's life, she goes back down memory lane to see if 'the one' could be one that got away. A hilarious and witty story about many different loves we feel, full of heart and warmth.
Oh Sister - Jodie Chapman (March 2023)
Three women have spent their lives in an oppressive religious community and now find themselves on the outside, but even there, they can't escape the control of their leaders. This story is so deeply rooted in real life that it's a real-life horror story that won't get out of my head.
Wild Things - Laura Kay (May 2023)
El has decided she needs to be more wild this year - and now she's finding herself moving to the countryside to make a mini-commune with her 3 best friends. Which would be simpler if she wasn't hopelessly in love with one of them. A joyous, funny and heart-warming story about self-discovery and love.
Thirty Days of Darkness - Jenny Lund Madsen (May 2023)
After openly criticising one of the most popular crime authors, Literary darling Hannah is challenged to write a crime novel in just a month. But when she arrives at a remote Icelandic village in hopes of inspiration and solitude - she finds herself in a murder mystery instead of writing one. A thrilling, haunting story about murder, revenge and betrayal with an icy chill that stays with you.
My Own Worst Enemy - Lily Lindon (June 2023)
Emmy is her own worst enemy. So when she meets fellow actor Mae at an audition, she's exactly like her which makes her the enemy too and their rivalry soon takes over their lives. A playful, hilarious queerly romcom with plenty of heart and warmth.
The Rachel Incident - Caroline O'Donoghue (June 2023)
When Rachel finds out her former professor is in a coma, she revisits the year that their lives became entangled in ways that have followed her ever since. This is a messy, real, raw story about love but it's not a love story.
Bellies - Nicola Dinan (July 2023)
Ming and Tom were building a life together, but when Ming transitions and starts to live her life truthfully as a woman, Tom has to face his own identity as a gay man too. As they grow up, grow apart and grow into themselves, we watch and wonder what makes us who we are. Tender, authentic and moving - this is simply beautiful.
Open Throat - Henry Hoke (July 2023)
A queer mountain lion explores the city of LA, and watches on at the humans who live there with a curious gaze. A moving, introspective and stunning short story, that holds a mirror at human nature and asks what really makes someone a human.
I Wish We Weren't Related - Radhika Sanghani (July 2023)
Reeva's father just died. But she thought he died thirty years ago - and now she's stuck at his old home with sisters she hasn't spoken to in years, grieving someone she never knew. But now, she might finally get the answers about her family that she's been searching for. Breath taking, deeply emotional and darkly funny and relatable. I'd read Sanghani's shopping lists to be honest with you.
You Were Always Mine - Christine Pride & Jo Piazza (July 2023)
When Cinnamon finds a little blonde, blue-eyed baby in a park with a note, everyone thinks she's insane for taking her in. But she can't just leave her, no matter what it costs her. A beautiful, bittersweet story about identity, family and love with stunningly complex characters in a striking story.
This Summers Secrets - Emily Barr (June 2023)
Senara found a lot of things at Cliff House - an unlikely friendship with the nonagenarian matriarch, Martha, a taste of wealth - and bones. It seems that Cliff House has plenty of peoples secrets buried there; and they're coming out. A quiet, clever YA thriller with stunning characters, a complex mystery and vivid settings.
My Hot Friend - Sophie White (May 2023)
Jo had a baby, Claire a breakdown and Lexi had a breakup — these three women have all been feeling alone, but when their lives unexpectedly collide they start to figure out what friendship really means. A simply stunning story about the highs and lows of friendship, authentic, heartbreaking but dryly funny and relatable.
The Fascination - Essie Fox (June 2023)
Twins Kenzie and Tilly have been used as part of their fathers fake elixir sales since their childhood. Theo was given away by his Grandfather, to be taken in by a strange doctor. Eventually, everyone finds themselves in the company of the Captain and his strange circus of freaks. A spellbindingly dark and fantastic journey into the underbelly of victorian showbusiness - a gothic masterpiece.
Just Another Missing Person - Gillian McAllister (August 2023)
Police inspector Julia is on just another missing person case - until it isn't. A masked man threatens to share a secret that would ruin her family if she doesn't frame someone for the murder of the missing girl. A devilishly dark thriller full of truly unguessable twists - cinematic and compelling with truly intruiging characters.
Fair Rosaline - Natasha Solomons (August 2023)
Before Juliet, Romeo and Rosaline were star-crossed lovers. But soon Rosaline realises Romeo isn't what he seems, and their love story isn't going to have a happy ending. So when his eyes turn her to young cousin Juliet, Rosaline knows she has to stop him before it ends in tragedy. A subversive retelling of a classic. Highly imaginative and beautifully woven together to show the darker side of the story.
This Could Be Us - Claire McGowan (June 2023)
Kate and Andrew had a beautiful life with two children - until she decides to run away. She couldn't face being the Mother to a profoundly disabled child so she just left. But now her daughter has learned to communicate and Andrews book has been optioned for a movie - by Kates new producer husband and she has to face the life she left behind. A deeply moving, painfully emotional story about family.
Cleaner - Brandi Wells (August 2023)
She's more than just the cleaner at this office, she knows everyone and everything. Their vices, their needs, their wants - and she can help them, push them in the right direction. And she will make sure anyone threatening her and her friends will be taken care of. A subversive and highly conceptual novel - alienating and so compelling.
My Husband - Maud Ventura (July 2023)
A nameless woman keeps track of everything her husband does, attempting to control the power imbalances and making sure he never leaves her. They're a family now, not just a couple - and she will do anything to keep him. A subtle, muted thriller with a deliriously deranged narrator that was absolutely addictive and compelling.
Sex Ed - Kristen Bailey (July 2023)
Mia and Ed are best friends, but when Ed develops a crush on a new teacher at their school he confides in Mia that he's still a Virgin. So naturally, Mia offers to teach him all about sex - purely as best friends, of course. But nothing is ever so simple. A silly, steamy, sweet romance full of patented Kristen Bailey charm.
No Worries if Not! - Lucy Nichols (August 2023)
Charlotte has had enough of apologising for existing. But when she snaps at an obnoxious manspreader on the tube, she doesn't expect to go viral ... or for the man to actually be quite charming. This was a triumphantly witty and wickedly smart story full of feminist themes and clever commentary. An absolute delight.
Bad Men - Julie Mae Cohen (July 2023)
Saffy doesn't have a problem killing men - until Jon. Suddenly, she doesn't want to kill him but kiss him instead. But when they find themselves in a murder mystery, they have to work together to catch the bad man. A devilishly dark and funny story with a perfect anti-hero.
Begin Again - Helly Acton (July 2023)
Frankie isn't happy with her life, but her death sucked too. But now she has the chance to try out the different lives she could've had if she'd made different choices - but which one is right? What life does really want for herself? A brilliant, funny, relatable and unique novel full of life and a brilliant take on afterlife bureaucracy.
You Could Be So Pretty - Holly Bourne (September 2023)
Belle and Joni both know the Doctrine - Belle follows it religiously to be pretty and loved, but Joni rejects it and it's attempts to weaken women. They thought those were only two options, until they find an unexpected friendship that gives them an idea. A powerhouse novel full of feminine rage and sisterhood in a unique dystopian setting.
The Borrow a Boyfriend Club - Page Powars (September 2023)
When Noah starts a new school, he just wants to finally be seen for who he is. So he joins the elusive borrow-a-boyfriend club, acting as a stand-in date for his classmates. He wants to prove he's 'man enough' - but club president Asher is making things complicated. A brilliant, joyous queer YA story about not only finding yourself but finding the your chosen people.
Persephone Made Me Do It - Trista Mateer (September 2023)
A striking poetry collection that reaches into the untold voice of Persephone that is healing and cathartic but also fuelled by divine feminine rage and fury. A beautiful addition to Mateers mythology poetry series.
Good Bad Girl - Alice Feeney (August 2023)
Years after a baby is stolen, a woman is killed in a care home. And someone here knows the truth; Patience who works in the home after running away from home, Edith who lives there and is lying too, Ediths daughter Clio who doesn't trust anyone. One of them knows the secret that could unravel it all. A masterpiece of a thriller, full of complex twists and plenty of dark secrets.
The Kamogawa Food Detectives -
This Japanese bestseller tells the story of the Kamogawa Diner, where a Father and Daughter find the meals that only exist in your memories and recreate them for you to experience all over again. A beautiful, emotional and warm story that was an absolute delight to read. Also, it made me very hungry.
Hold My Girl - Charlene Carr (October 2023)
Tess is trying to piece her life together after daughter was stillborn, and Katherine finally has everything now her daughter has been born. But their lives are shattered when they discover their samples were swapped at the IVF centre. The only was I can describe this is so, very human. A memorable, lasting story with a powerful message about motherhood and love.
The Beaver Theory - Antti Toumainen (October 2023)
The final instalment in the Rabbit Factor series sees Henri settling into his new life as a stepfather, a partner and a potential murder suspect. This quirky, irreverent comedy/thriller was an amazing end to a thoroughly entertaining series.
Her No.1 Fan - Abby Davies (September 2023)
An actress on a medical drama is kidnapped and held hostage by her number one fan who expects her to save his deranged grandmother - but that's just the start. Another fabulous thriller from Davies with a dark horror twist and a wonderful homage to the classic King story, Misery.
Five Rings - Kristen Bailey (October 2023)
Eve was looking forward to Christmas until she finds her boyfriend in the shower with another girl, but hasn't got time to think about it when she finds herself on an adventure given by her boss at the jewellers to reunite five couples with their rings before Christmas … along with her colleague who is definitely in love with her. It's silly, it's sweet, it's festive and full of Bailey charm - crazy and chaotic in the most delightful ways.
Upstairs at the Beresford - Will Dean (November 2023)
Prequel to The Beresford, we visit the Beresford Hotel - looked over by the enigmatic and mysterious Mr. Balliol. The hotel is at full capacity, but nobody staying there is going to leave the same way - if they leave at all. A masterful thriller about the depths of desperation and despair people can reach, looking at blinding examples of humanity and inhumanity in a compulsive story.
How Not To Murder Your Ex - Katie Marsh (December 2023)
A darkly funny ensemble thriller that follows Clio and her friends after her ex Gary appears dead on her doorstep. She'd wanted to kill him but she'd never actually do it, so now it's a race for the friends to free Clio from being sentenced for murder and find the truth about who killed Gary. This is a hilarious vigilante mystery story full of crazy hijinks and beautiful friendships.
Also some honourable mentions to some absolutely amazing five-star reads that weren't published this year but I finally read:
In Defence of Witches by Mona Chollet - a powerful non-fiction book that explores the complicated historical relationship between witchcraft and misogyny.
The Employees by Olga Ravyn - a strange speculative fiction story about human and humanoid employees on a failing space ship.
After Dark by Jayne Cowie - a dark speculative novel where men are kept on curfew to reduce violence that is one of the best feminist literary stories I've ever read.
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