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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,608 authors and super readers for their 3 favorite reads of the year.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Things We Never Got Over

Isabel Jolie Why did I love this book?

I absolutely loved the Knockemout series. It’s both romantic comedy and romantic suspense, which is hard to pull off.

But what do I love the most? The southern-ish town. It comes to life in the pages of these books, as do all the characters. And the love scenes…oh my.

My BFF and I read these around the same time. We had so much fun talking about these characters and debating which man was the best (book boyfriend). Even now, I can’t decide. It depends on the day and my mood as to which one I love the most.

By Lucy Score,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Things We Never Got Over as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*
THE UNMISSABLE TIKTOK SENSATION*
OVER 1.6 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE

Grumpy, small-town barber + hopelessly romantic runaway bride = great big bust ups, all the tension and lots of steamy encounters!

Escaping her seemingly perfect wedding, Naomi Witt arrives in rough-around-the-edges Knockemout, Virginia, running to the rescue of her estranged twin, Tina.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn't changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi's car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected: the 11-year-old niece she didn't know she had. Now she's stuck in town with no job, no plan,…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Hook Up

Isabel Jolie Why did I love this book?

I discovered this book as part of an audiobook promotion. I loved it so much that I purchased the paperback so I could re-read all the words. Crisp fall days, college football games, part-time college jobs—they all come roaring back in this book.

Generally, I’m not a huge fan of romances between college kids because I’m a cynic at heart and I tend to roll my eyes and think…please, they are babies. They must grow up. But, not with this book. Anna Jones and Drew Baylor are two old souls. They’ve been through so much, and I found myself cheering for these two to break down each other’s protective barriers.

The Hookup is a heartwarming page-turner with oh-so-hot scenes, and it’s so yummy, it belongs on the shelf of books you want to read again and again.

By Kristen Callihan,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Hook Up as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

USA TODAY BEST-SELLING BOOK The rules: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no telling anyone, and above all... No falling in love Anna Jones just wants to finish college and figure out her life. Falling for star quarterback Drew Baylor is certainly not on her to do list. Confident and charming, he lives in the limelight and is way too gorgeous for his own good. If only she could ignore his heated stares and stop thinking about doing hot and dirty things with him. Easy right? Too bad he's committed to making her break every rule... Football…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Terminal List

Isabel Jolie Why did I love this book?

When I purchased this book, I did it out of curiosity about how Jack Carr, a former SEAL, depicted fight scenes. I watched the TV series a couple of years ago. I loved this book because Jack Carr loads on the details. I learned so much about guns and knives and the mentality of a soldier—details a romantic suspense writer craves.

What put this into my top three list is how the story unfolds. It’s powerful, gripping, and incredibly well-written.

And, there’s the spark of the beginning of a love story. Just a spark. James Reece’s life has been upended, and he’s nowhere close to being open to a relationship, but my romance writer’s soul loves the promise of what might be.

By Jack Carr,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked The Terminal List as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

**SOON TO BE A TV SERIES STARRING CHRIS PRATT**

'With a particular line in authentic tradecraft, this fabulously unrelenting thrill-ride was a struggle to put down' Mark Dawson, bestselling author of The Cleaner

James Reece has nothing to live for and everything to kill for in the debut thriller from former Navy SEAL Jack Carr, perfect for fans of Lee Child and David Baldacci.

On deployment in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Commander James Reece's entire team is killed in a catastrophic ambush. But the deaths don't stop there, and Reece soon discovers that this was not an act of war by a…


Plus, check out my book…

Cloak of Red

By Isabel Jolie,

Book cover of Cloak of Red

What is my book about?

In the past, he was paid to protect me. Now, he's being paid to marry me. My first operation in the field, the marriage is a cover.

Damian Fisher is a CIA legend with a shaggy beard, chocolate curls, and deep blue eyes. I never expected to work with him as an equal. I'd bet he never expected it either. My overprotective father is powerful, and I wouldn't put it past him to pull a stunt like this to protect his baby girl. 

But I no longer need protection. Only lines blur when our relationship becomes all too real. It's not just our mission on the line—it's our hearts and lives. What will I sacrifice to unravel the past and stay true to my mission?