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 None of This is True

Miranda Rijks Why did I love this book?

This is, in my opinion, one of the best psychological thrillers of the year.

Sure, it has the suspense and the twists and that claustrophobic feeling that grabs you by the throat and compels you to keep turning the pages. But for me, it’s the characters in this book that brought it alive.

Alix and Josie were so believable; I could imagine being there in that restaurant in London when they met for the first time and realized they were "birthday twins." I felt as if I was in Alix’s studio listening in as she recorded her podcast, and I was there, my heart thumping, when one shocking reveal after another made me gasp out aloud.

This is a very contemporary domestic thriller set in London, about a true crime podcast and two families with shocking secrets.

I’m new to audiobooks, and I was blown away by the incredible narration by Nicola Walker, one of the UK’s leading actresses, and her co-narrator, Louise Brealey. I felt lost when I finished listening, and the characters have stayed with me for weeks.

By Lisa Jewell,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked None of This is True as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Buy now and prepare to be hooked from the Number One bestselling thriller author . . .

* AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *
* OVER 6,000 FIVE STAR REVIEWS *
* AUDIBLE NO.1 SIX WEEKS IN A ROW *

'Gloriously dark' Lucy Foley
'A moody, slippery novel' Gillian McAllister
'One hundred percent brilliant' Clare Mackintosh
'Shocking and creepy and glorious' Nicola Walker
'Utterly addictive' Claire Douglas
___________

Celebrating her 45th birthday at her local pub, podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie is also celebrating her 45th.

A few days later, they bump…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Don't Let Her Stay

Miranda Rijks Why did I love this book?

When Jo’s stepdaughter Chloe comes to stay, she’s excited to introduce her to baby Evie. Unfortunately, Chloe is the stepdaughter from hell. Don’t Let Her Stay is such a clever book, based on a simple premise but delivers so much, with secret after secret making me gasp out aloud.

I reckon it’s the realism in this book that makes it so compelling. The characters jump off the page, and just when you think you have it all figured out, bam, you don’t! As a veteran psychological thriller reader, it’s rare that I’m totally surprised.

This one got me and stayed in my mind long after I finished the book.

By Nicola Sanders,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Don't Let Her Stay as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Joanne knows how lucky she is, Richard is a wonderful husband, Evie is the most gorgeous baby girl, they live in a beautiful house, life couldn't be better. But then Richard's twenty-year-old daughter Chloe turns up. Chloe hasn't spoken to her father since the day he married Joanne two years ago. But with the arrival of her baby sister Evie, Chloe wants to make peace. Richard is delighted, and since Joanne is struggling with the new baby, he suggests Chloe could move in and help. It sounds like the perfect solution, even if Chloe doesn't seem to like Joanne very…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Flatmate

Miranda Rijks Why did I love this book?

I love a book set in a work setting, especially as I’m a full-time author, so I no longer have dodgy colleagues! The Flatmate follows Ria, who has returned to work following an enforced sabbatical after the shocking death of her colleague and best friend, Livvy.

Enter Amanda, her new flatmate, and Livvy’s replacement. When Ria starts receiving messages and gifts from dead Livvy, her colleagues think Ria is losing her mind.

Author Gemma Rogers is great at pacing and creating believable and sometimes unpleasant characters. I loved the believability of this story and read the book in one sitting.

By Gemma Rogers,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Always trust your very basic instincts or prepare for the consequences...

It was surreal returning to work after a sabbatical following the suspicious death of my best friend Livvy.

On my return to the company apartment, I was surprised to find Livvy's replacement, Amanda Dowd firmly entrenched as my new flatmate.

She'd seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

But something didn't feel right. I felt on edge.

Everyone seemed to love Amanda, even my ex-Jayden was blinded by her outgoing personality and model-like looks.Yet her desperation to become friends felt unnatural.

When I began to receive calls, photos and presents from…


Plus, check out my book…

The Homemaker

By Miranda Rijks,

Book cover of The Homemaker

What is my book about?

Imogen is juggling two jobs and a young family, and she’s pregnant again. 

Enter Maria, the perfect housekeeper. Little by little, she installs herself at the heart of Imogen’s family – doing the school run, cooking meals, and caring for Imogen’s little girl. But once she has won the family’s trust, Maria starts to do some digging. And discovers that Imogen has been keeping a terrible secret, a secret which Maria threatens to reveal unless Imogen starts to run this home the way Maria sees fit.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Imogen has no choice but to comply—a terrible mistake. As the full scale of Maria’s horrifying plan becomes apparent, Imogen realizes that everything she holds dear may fall victim to The Homemaker.