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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,627 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 More Than a Silly Crush

Isla Ryder Why did I love this book?

Give me a book with a cinnamon roll MMC and I’m in, make him a cowboy?! I’m sold from the get-go and that was the case with More Than a Silly Crush.

Of course, it does take more to build an unputdownable read, and this book delivered all around. Both Parker and Bluebonnet were easy to love, and the storyline played between serious tension and cute, light-hearted moments so well that nothing felt one-note.

The horses in the story felt well researched (a major win for me in any book!) and I was ready to go visit Stargazer Springs before I even turned the last page. I love this series (and its adjacent one) so it was an easy call to make this one my top read of the year!

By Remi Carrington,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked More Than a Silly Crush as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

I only saw him as my best friend’s little brother . . . until I married him.

Getting pregnant before the wedding wasn’t my plan, but surprise! Then my fiancé (correction, ex-fiancé) tells me to take care of the problem. And that’s how he becomes my ex.

But being a single mom in this small town won’t be easy. Maybe not even possible. I’m a large animal vet. It’s not like I can take my baby to work with me.

Then my best friend’s younger brother drops to one knee and proposes so that I won’t be a single mom.…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Chemistry of Love

Isla Ryder Why did I love this book?

I love smart characters, and I think too often we don’t get them, or their brains are almost seen as an undesirable trait. That was far from the case here.

Anna was allowed to be smart and capable throughout, and Marco was appreciative of all her quirks. I love how much chemistry (pun intended... sorry!) the author was able to pull out in this closed-door romance. It was sweet and fun and the perfect read for a self-care evening.

By Sariah Wilson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Chemistry of Love as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

True love requires a little research and development in a funny, heart-racing romance by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Paid Bridesmaid.

How can Anna Ellis, a geeky, brilliant, and hopelessly smitten cosmetic chemist possibly win over Craig Kimball, the man of her dreams―who also happens to be her boss? The answer is Craig’s empathetic (and handsome) CEO half brother, Marco. The makeup mogul knows Craig for the ridiculously competitive rival he is. Whatever Marco has, Craig wants. That can be Anna, if she’s game to play.

All Anna and Marco have to do is pretend they’re falling in…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Broken Trust

Isla Ryder Why did I love this book?

This book had the perfect balance of guy saving the girl and girl kicking a$$ in the boardroom.

I don’t love a damsel in distress and the FMC is never that, but she does get into some trouble and the MMC is right there to step in and support her however she needs it. That is something to get swoony over!

This is a sweet romance, but with a backdrop of boardroom drama that kept me turning pages well into the night. I had to see how Galen and Jax would get out of the bind they were in and get the happily ever after they worked so hard for.

By Brooke Burton,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Broken Trust as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Jax learned early on that it's a bad idea to mix business with pleasure. But he has to question his resolve when small-town spitfire Galen crashes into his world.

A killer in the boardroom? Check!

Beauty as well as brains? Check!

Loves hole-in-the-wall restaurants, local markets, and greasy cheeseburgers? Where has she been all his life?

Galen's entire life has been controlled by her overbearing father, who's tried to mold her into a carbon copy of himself. When she arrives in the sunny haven of Daytona Beach, Florida, the only thing on her mind is sealing the deal on an…


Plus, check out my book…

Christmas Eves at Pine Mountain

By Isla Ryder,

Book cover of Christmas Eves at Pine Mountain

What is my book about?

Kelsey couldn’t be more excited about the Christmas Eve party. It’s going to be her perfect chance to have a meaningful conversation with her long-time crush, Christian. But everything that can go wrong does. Luckily, Ryan is there to help. Ryan holds the title of Kelsey’s bestie, but the idea of more tugs at him. If Kelsey could see what he had to offer, would she feel the same?

When Kelsey’s Christmas Eve wish takes on a life of its own, she inexplicably wakes up on December 24th… again. And again, and again. How long will Kelsey be stuck in this tinsel-fueled day before she sees who she should really be kissing under the mistletoe?