Author Reader Mama Romance lover
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.

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My favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

L.E. Wagensveld Why did I love this book?

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was unlike anything I've ever read. It was a fantasy mixed with a romance, doused in comedy but with a good helping of "feels."

Seriously… I'm not sure there was an emotion this book didn't hit me with. I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was fantastic, but I loved it so much I'm going to grab myself a physical copy as well.

Hart is a demigod who hunts reanimated bodies. Since his business is death, he sees a lot of Mercy, who runs her father's undertaking business, whether he wants to or not. Mercy despises Hart. He's too tall, too smug, too grumpy…but she can also admit he's delicious.

Whether or not you're into fantasy, if you love romance and adventure, get your hands on Hart and Mercy!

By Megan Bannen,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"A uniquely charming mixture of whimsy and the macabre that completely won me over. If you ever wished for an adult romance that felt like Howl's Moving Castle, THIS IS THAT BOOK." —Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient

Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the strange and magical wilds of Tanria. It’s an unforgiving job, and Hart’s got nothing but time to ponder his loneliness.  

Mercy never has a moment to herself. She’s been single-handedly keeping Birdsall & Son Undertakers afloat in defiance of sullen jerks like Hart, who seems to have a gift for showing up right…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Hello Stranger

L.E. Wagensveld Why did I love this book?

Katherine Center is a goddess of romance, and I will always read whatever she writes. Hello Stranger, her newest release, was so pithy, emotional, interesting, and just plain wonderful.

They say looks aren’t everything… When Sadie Montgomery is in an accident and suddenly struggles from a condition commonly called ‘face blindness, ‘ falling in love isn’t high on her list of worries. Not when her life as a portrait artist is on the line. But, as she struggles to hold on to her chance at the opportunity of a lifetime by employing the help of an acquaintance she knows little about, everything starts spiralling out of her control.

There’s a good twist, lovable characters, and romance that isn’t just ‘fluff’ but gritty and meaningful as well. What’s not to love?

By Katherine Center,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

The brand new romcom from New York Times bestselling romance sensation Katherine Center, perfect for fans of BOOK LOVERS and THE SPANISH LOVE DECEPTION.

"Love isn't blind, it's just little blurry..."

Sadie Montgomery has had good breaks and bad breaks in her life, but as a struggling artist, all she needs is one lucky break. Things seem to be going her way when she lands one of the coveted finalist spots in a portrait competition. Only it happens to coincide with a minor surgery she needs to have...

Upon recovery, it begins to dawn on Sadie that she can see…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The True Love Experiment

L.E. Wagensveld Why did I love this book?

Christina Lauren is always a go-to for me when it comes to romance. This best-friend writing duo really knows their stuff. They craft characters who are funny, deep, and stick in your memory long after you’ve closed the book for a final time.

The True Love Experiment was no different. Fans of CLo know that protagonist Fizzy was featured in The Soulmate Equation, which was released a few years ago. Well, she has her own book now, and going along on her journey to love was everything I hoped it would be!

Fizzy, a romance writer, has lost her faith in love. Can a stint on a reality TV show and an extremely sexy director change her stance and get her writing again?

By Christina Lauren,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The True Love Experiment as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Sparks fly when a romance writer and a documentary filmmaker join forces to craft the ultimate Hollywood love story—but only if they can keep the chemistry between them from taking the whole thing off script—from the “divine” (Jodi Picoult) New York Times bestselling authors of The Soulmate Equation and The Unhoneymooners.

Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is lost. Sure, she’s got an incredible career as a beloved romance novelist with a slew of bestsellers under her belt, but when she’s asked to give a commencement address, it hits her: she hasn’t been practicing what she’s preached.

Fizzy hasn’t ever really been in…


Plus, check out my book…

Breaking Down

By L.E. Wagensveld,

Book cover of Breaking Down

What is my book about?

Get your engine revving with this funny and heartwarming story of one woman’s happily ever after with a grease-stained knight.

Carmen Maclean is unmoored from her home and city when a long-term relationship turns violent. Determined to protect herself, Carmen heads to the small mountain town where her little brother lives, but her plans take a turn for the worse when car trouble leaves her stranded on the side of a lonely mountain highway.

Sawyer Stevenson is a divorced small-town mechanic, scared to let himself fall in love again. When he is tasked with fixing a Beetle better left to the junkyard, Sawyer is willing to accept the challenge. He didn’t count on meeting Carmen, or the feelings she would stir in him. 

My book recommendation list