RANKING the 'best' romance books of 2023 so far! (TOP 9)

Despite being marketed as a romance, it didn't live up to the genre's expectations. I had seen this book everywhere in the romance sphere, so I decided to give it a shot, but it turned out to be a letdown.

First of all, the book is structured with incredibly long chapters, each about 100 pages, making it quite a tedious read. The story revolves around a heroine who is a comedy writer for SNL, and the first chapter delves into the intricacies of her work, which was mind-numbingly boring for me. I had no interest in learning about SNL, and this chapter was a struggle to get through.

Furthermore, the heroine expresses a lot of negativity and bias, particularly towards famous men, including the love interest, who is a pop star. Their first encounter is already tainted by her preconceived notions, which didn't make for an enjoyable reading experience.

The breaking point for me was the second chapter, set during the pandemic and presented in an email format. Listening to emails being narrated in an audiobook became unbearable. The constant recitation of "froms," "tos," "forwards," and "replies" in audio format was a major turn-off, and I had to give up on the book.

In summary, "Romantic Comedy" was a disappointment, and I wouldn't recommend it. It fell short of the romance genre's expectations, with long, tedious chapters and a narrative style that didn't work well in audio format. I'd advise skipping this one.

I gave it a mere two stars, and my Goodreads review of this book has garnered quite a few likes, probably because it's not a favorable one. Carly Fortune, despite being a popular author, hasn't managed to impress me with her books so far. Even her debut didn't leave a lasting impression, earning only three stars from me.

"Meet Me at the Lake" was an infuriating read primarily because I couldn't connect with the main characters. I found their motivations and choices annoying, to say the least. This was a frustrating experience for me, especially considering my soft spot for second chance romances, which happen to be my all-time favorite trope. I thrive on the angst and history between the main characters, but in this case, the history they shared was a mere 24 hours spent together a decade ago. They hadn't seen each other since, and their reunion only happened because of the heroine's mother's passing, leaving her with a Lakeside Resort to manage, and the hero was hired as a business consultant.

Initially, the premise sounded somewhat interesting. They had a brief connection during those 24 hours but went their separate ways. They planned to meet again a year later, but the hero never showed up, essentially ghosting her. Understandably, she wasn't thrilled to see him when they finally met at her newly inherited Lakeside Resort. What bothered me was how her feelings from a decade ago instantly resurfaced as if no time had passed. She seemed hopelessly in love with him, despite their brief encounter, and I couldn't wrap my head around it.

The hero's lack of effort in their second chance at romance was another letdown. He didn't show any sign of missing her or still caring for her. It felt like he made no effort to win her back, and she ended up doing all the chasing, despite him being the one who had originally run away. I can't stand romances where one party puts in most of the effort, and "Meet Me at the Lake" fell into that category.

In the end, this book just wasn't for me, and it's safe to say that Carly Fortune's writing style doesn't resonate with me. Unfortunately, her penchant for second chance romances doesn't seem to be a good fit for my reading preferences. So, "Meet Me at the Lake" didn't make the cut for enjoyable romances in my book.

I have to admit, I was quite saddened by the fact that I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped, especially because I'm a huge fan of the author's previous works. While I've loved all her other books, this one fell short for me, earning only three to three and a half stars at best.

First, the physical aspect of the book bothered me a bit because it came in hardcover and didn't match the paperbacks of her other novels, which was a minor annoyance. But what really disappointed me was the story itself. "Happy Place" had so many of my favorite tropes—second chance romance, fake dating, and forced proximity with the classic "only one bed" scenario. The premise sounded promising, as it involved two former lovers who decide to pretend to be a couple again while on a trip with their best friends to avoid spoiling another couple's happiness after their engagement.

However, I found myself more invested in the dynamics of the friendships rather than the romance itself. The hero felt one-dimensional and uninteresting, a departure from Emily Henry's usual captivating heroes. This lack of connection with the main characters hindered my enjoyment of the book. Additionally, the story was much sadder and more depressing than I anticipated. It lacked the comedic elements and banter that I've come to expect from Emily Henry's books, leaving me disappointed.

This book stood out due to its intriguing premise, which I found to be the most promising among the titles on this list.

The story revolves around a romance book influencer who embarks on a quest to rekindle her own Second Chance romance by reconnecting with her exes. One of her exes becomes her new roommate, and he happens to be a firefighter. Despite his initial reluctance, he reluctantly joins her on this adventure, and as they navigate the process together, they inevitably develop feelings for each other. The concept is undeniably cute, and it aligns well with the romance genre.

However, the book fell a bit short of my expectations because it felt somewhat surface-level in terms of character development, especially regarding the hero. I didn't feel as connected to the characters as I would have liked. Nevertheless, it was still an enjoyable read, offering a unique perspective as it delves into the world of romance book influencers.

This book pleasantly surprised me, especially considering it's a standalone spin-off of "The Soulmate Equation," which I found quite boring. What set this book apart and made it an enjoyable read for me was the delightful heroine.

In "The True Love Experiment," we follow a romance book author who decides to participate in a reality dating show produced by the hero. This show is like a romance book-themed version of "The Bachelorette," where each contestant embodies a different romance hero archetype. The concept of the reality show was highly entertaining, and I loved how it was executed.

The hero in this story is the show's producer and also a single dad with an adorable daughter. He's British, which adds to his charm. While the romance between them was well-crafted, what truly made the book shine was the assertiveness of the heroine. She's the type of woman who goes after what she wants, and she definitely wants the hero.

However, the romance had to remain discreet due to the show's nature, as they didn't want their relationship to spoil the program. Despite this, their connection was heartfelt and touching, making for a wholesome and heartwarming read. It's worth noting that this book is not particularly steamy, but it's more about the emotional connection between the characters.

This series follows three brothers, and this book focuses on the third brother, who has the most chaotic life. He's a functioning alcoholic and embarks on his own Second Chance romance with his childhood sweetheart, who is also his childhood best friend. Their relationship ended six years ago when he broke her heart. However, circumstances force them back into each other's lives when he needs to secure his inheritance from his grandfather's will, which requires him to spend a summer at their family's lake house where the heroine currently resides.

The story is filled with emotions, and I particularly appreciated the hero's journey of redemption. He has a lot of amends to make, and the heroine doesn't make it easy for him, although she also demonstrates understanding of his struggles.

This book is the second standalone in the Knock Em Out series, set in a charming small town. While I didn't love it quite as much as the first book in the series, it still provided a highly enjoyable reading experience.

One of the highlights of this book is the wonderful cast of characters that populate the small town. Lucy Score's writing is known for its humor, and this book maintains that hilarious tone while delving into deeper emotions and heartfelt moments. The story primarily focuses on a hero who is grappling with trauma and PTSD after being shot. He's also on a mission to uncover who shot him while unexpectedly falling for his new neighbor, who has a strong aversion to relationships and plans to leave town once her mission is complete.

I absolutely adore "Yours Truly" by Abby Jimenez. While it might not be my absolute favorite, it's definitely in my top three. This book is incredibly adorable, romantic, emotional, and heartwarming, giving me all the feels. It's a captivating romance between two doctors, and their journey is simply heart-melting.

The story starts with a terrible first impression between the hero and heroine, both doctors at the same hospital. However, things take a heartwarming turn when they begin exchanging heartfelt letters. The epistolary aspect of their relationship is so endearing, and their friendship grows as they eagerly anticipate seeing each other at work.

Both main characters have their share of issues to deal with. The heroine is recovering from a divorce and desperately trying to find a kidney donor for her brother. Meanwhile, the hero is grappling with anxiety, especially as his ex is about to marry his brother. He wants to appear unbothered to his family. When it turns out that his kidney is a match for the heroine's brother, he proposes a fake relationship as part of the deal, leading to some delightful fake dating scenarios.

What makes this romance so special is the incredible chemistry between the main characters. They both have deep feelings for each other but are afraid to admit it due to their past hurts. Their internal struggle and fear of vulnerability add depth to the story, making it even sweeter. I'm head over heels for this book and the characters' love story—it's a truly heartwarming read.

I recently finished reading "The Right Move" by Liz Tomford, and it turned out to be the best of the nine books I had to read. This one is a fake dating sports romance, and let me tell you, it exceeded my high expectations.

The hero in this story is an NBA player, and he's everything you'd expect from a dreamy sports romance lead. At first, he comes across as cold and unfeeling, trying to maintain a tough exterior, which is understandable given his status as a top NBA player. Building relationships has been difficult for him, but the heroine manages to break through his walls. Watching him fall so hard for her is heartwarming and endearing.

This romance starts as a best friend's brother scenario. The heroine is best friends with the hero's sister and, due to a bad breakup, needs a new place to stay. Her best friend offers up her brother's apartment, much to his chagrin. They become reluctant roommates, complete opposites in personality, but somehow perfect for each other. The fake dating element comes into play when the hero pretends the heroine is his girlfriend to impress his general manager, and predictably, things get complicated.

What sets this book apart is the genuine and real feel of their relationship. It's well-developed and beautifully written. I loved how the heroine opens up the hero's heart, and the hero helps her recognize her self-worth. "The Right Move" is a fantastic, heartfelt romance that now holds a special place in my heart, just like it does for so many others.