I hope this doesn’t feel unnecessary with all of the end of the year content, but tbh, this is so fun (and painful) that I just couldn’t resist. As usual, my tiers are based on Taylor Swift songs and we’re sticking with the tiers from last time around, so “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is a tier for the books where I finished them, but I wondered why I didn’t give into my earlier impulse to DNF; “Tolerate It” is for the books that were for books that kind of felt like a slog to get through, but I don’t necessarily regret it; “Mr. Perfectly Fine” were books that were fine, the intrigue was there, but I felt distanced from the book somehow at the same time; “Bejeweled” is for the books that are great, but aren’t living rent free in my head; and “Dear Reader” is for those books living rent free in my head. So, let’s get started!
We are Never Ever Getting Back Together
I think that this book is probably great for people who go in with the right expectations, but the problem is, I don’t know what expectations those would need to be. This book does not feel like it hits the beats of either a romance novel or a women’s fiction so much as it hits between the two in a way that’s not fully satisfying for either direction. However, it also could have been my mood at the time, so I wouldn’t not recommend it, but it’s definitely not the book for me. I received this book originally as an ARC from Netgalley, but I believe I listened to it for free via Amazon/Audible.
Tolerate It
I liked each of these books enough that I want to continue in the series, but at the same time, they took me a ridiculous amount of time to read because I kept getting sidetracked by legitimately everything. I did originally receive Witches Get Stuff Done as an ARC, but the other two I believe I borrowed from KU.
Mr. Perfectly Fine
These eight books were all good, but they don’t rise to the level of me wanting to push them on people. They’re not the first books that come to mind when people ask for a recommendation. They do not have the same staying power that the books in “Bejeweled” have. Please note, this has nothing to do with the star rating. For example, I gave Ink Blood Sister Scribe five stars, but it’s in this category because I never really think about it. But it’s a great book! Just ultimately, it’s a great book that’s not for me. That said, I cannot wait to read more from most of these authors and to continue the books from series. I had Play to Win and A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel as ARCs, I believe.
Bejeweled
These 15 books are all absolutely amazing. Some of them were the books I got lost in when I was having a hard time. Some of them pop in my head randomly. They are mostly books that I would feel comfortable recommending, if I haven’t already. Twelve of these books have places on my physical keeper shelf and… honestly, one more of them should because I own it too, but I didn’t see it earlier so either I’ve leant it out or it’s hiding somewhere in my house… Anyways, my point is, even though these books aren’t in my top tier, they are still amazing and wonderful and I highly recommend. I had Full Moon Over Freedom and The Long Game as ARCs, I think.
Dear Reader
These books are the ones I can’t stop thinking about. Four of them are on my top fourteen of the year and Hook Shot was ineligible because it’s a re-read. The other two would be honorable mentions if I’d done such a list because I love them a lot. If you’ve not given these books a try and they sound at all interesting to you, this is me encouraging you to pick them up. I love all of these books so much. I did receive ARC copies of Inheritance, Hook Shot, and What the River Knows.
Closing Thoughts
What did you think about these books? Any you loved? Hated? What were some of your most favorite 2023 releases? Let me know down below!
xx
firewhiskeyreader 