Best Books of 2023

2024 is here and I'm so excited by all the possibilities this new year will bring. But before I dive into a year of wonderful new reads and re-reads, it's time to look back at my 2023 year in books. In 2023 I read 75 books, including a few re-reads that I fell in love with all over again. I tried 23 debut/new-to-me authors and discovered some wonderful authors whose backlists I cannot wait to dive into. And finally, I participated in my lucky fourteenth A to Z Reading Challenge, a fun challenge that usually leads me to at least a couple of books I might not have moved to the top of my TBR pile otherwise.

I read a number of excellent books last year, but below are my top reads of 2023 (six in total made the list - I just couldn't narrow it down to five). All of the books on this list were first-time reads because re-reads are generally books that are already favorites of mine.

Wit and Sin's Best Books of 2023

1. Emma of 83rd Street (For the Love of Austen, Book 1) by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Review

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2. Identity by Nora Roberts
Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Review
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3. “You Just Need to Lose Weight”: And 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon
Genre: Non-Fiction
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4. Codename Charming (Palace Insiders, Book 2) by Lucy Parker
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Review
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5. The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen (The Doomsday Books, Book 1) by KJ Charles
Genre: Historical Romance
My Review
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6. One Duke Down (Rogues to Lovers, Book 2) by Anna Bennett
Genre: Historical Romance
My Review
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Review: Codename Charming by Lucy Parker

Codename Charming by Lucy Parker
Series: Palace Insiders, Book 2
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9780063040106
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Petunia De Vere enjoys being the personal assistant to lovable, bumbling Johnny Marchmont. But the job has its share of challenges, including the royal’s giant, intimidating bodyguard, Matthias. Pet and Matthias are polar opposites—she’s spontaneous and enthusiastic, he’s rigid and stoic—but she can sense there’s something softer underneath that tough exterior…

For Matthias Vaughn, protecting others is the name of the game. But keeping his royal charge out of trouble is more difficult than he imagined because everywhere Johnny goes, calamity ensues, and his petite, bubbly assistant is often caught in the fray. Matthias hates the idea of Pet getting hurt and he’s determined to keep everyone safe, even if it means clashing with his adorable new coworker.

When a clumsy moment leads to a questionable tabloid photo, the press begins to speculate that Pet is romantically involved with Johnny. To put an end to the rumors, the royal PR team asks Pet and Matthias to stage a fake relationship and the two reluctantly agree. But as they spend more time together outside of work, they begin to wonder what real emotions this pretend connection might uncover. Especially when a passionate kiss leaves both of their heads spinning…

Petunia De Vere is the personal assistant to the newest member of the royal family. It’s a job she excels at, but she never expected her career to include being launched through the air by her accident-prone boss. Johnny Marchmont is a sweetheart, but his mishaps are quickly becoming a habit and Pet is frequently in the crosshairs. This doesn’t sit well with Matthias Vaughn, Johnny’s intimidating bodyguard and frequent catcher of Pet. When the tabloids try to stir up trouble for Johnny and make up a story about him and Pet, the royals’ PR teams ask Pet and Matthias to pretend to date and dispel the rumors. The only problems is the fake dating starts to feel all too real…

Codename Charming is a delight! It’s sweet, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking – Lucy Parker absolutely nailed it. I’ve been so eager to read Matthias and Pet’s story ever since their brief encounter in Battle Royal and it was definitely worth the wait.

Matthias is a case of still waters running deep. The former foster child, now royal bodyguard, is familiar with loss, loneliness, and pain. Matthias is protective and has a huge heart that most don’t take the time to see. His looks make him intimidating but he’s oh-so-gentle in reality. Pet is the sunshine to his grumpy. She’s a whirlwind of bright energy and she’s so warm and welcoming I wish she were real so I could be friends with her. But Pet’s sunny exterior also masks pain and vulnerability. Life hasn’t always been as easy for her as one might think, but that doesn’t stop her from being kind and generous. She and Matthias may be pretending to date for the paparazzi but the attraction between them is one hundred percent real. Their romance is a slow burn delight. I loved the tension building between them as they find love, support, and happiness together.

Some books just lift your spirits and Codename Charming is one of those for me. Pet, Matthias, their friends and family are hilarious and this book actually made me laugh out loud. Parker’s mix of humor and heart was top-notch and just left me smiling. You don’t have to have read Battle Royal to enjoy this book but I highly recommend it anyway.

Codename Charming is the perfect story to be swept away by. It’s as charming as the title suggests and is filled with endearing characters, hilarious antics, moments that will tug on your heartstrings, and a love story that is wholly romantic.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
Series: Palace Insiders, Book 1
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9780063040069
Release Date: August 17, 2021
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Ready…
Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere. When Sylvie's unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has used her fame to fulfill her dream of opening a bakery. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess.

Set…
Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.

Match…
When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they fight to come out on top.

The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.

In this royal battle, can there be room for two?

Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere have been at loggerheads ever since she was a contestant on Operation Cake, a Great British Bake Off-style show. She accidentally beaned him with a unicorn hoof, he voted her off the show, she loves edible glitter and fantasy, he’s a staid traditionalist, he’s grumpy, she’s sunshine… you get the idea. Four years later, Sylvie has a successful shop on the same street as Dominic’s and they’re still poking at each other. It’ll only get worse now that Sylvie is also a judge on Operation Cake. Sylvie and Dominic are also competing for the contract of a lifetime: the opportunity to make the cake for Princess Rose. The monarchy loves Dominic’s style but the bride is drawn to Sylvie’s personal, fantastical touch. The stakes have just been raised on Dominic and Sylvie’s personal battle. Which baker will prevail? More importantly, will being in close quarters cause the simmering attraction that’s always been between them to boil over?

Battle Royal is sweet, sassy, and sparkling! Lucy Parker swept me away with this enemies-to-lovers/opposites attract romance. There’s fondant and fun for ages, but Parker gives the book emotional depth that will hit you in unexpected moments.

I wish Sylvie were real just so I could be friends with her (and go to her amazing bakery, Sugar Fair). She’s bright, sparkly, and so loveable, but there’s a core of loneliness to her. I loved that she had a found family and Parker does a great job showing those relationships but my heart still broke for Sylvie and all she’s lost. I adored Sylvie’s sweetness and spine of steel, her determination, and her whimsy. Dominic is a harder nut to crack at first. He comes across as cold and foreboding; a staid traditionalist who will never color outside the lines. But Parker does an excellent job of showing his true character and his growth without changing him completely. There’s a core of loneliness in Dominic that broke my heart and I wanted to see him find love. He seems like he’s made of ice but he really does have a good heart, one that’s slightly battered. He is unexpectedly sweet and incredibly supportive; he just has trouble showing it sometimes. Dominic and Sylvie’s romance starts off slow burn but once things turn you’re in for a ride. The two of them are not as different as they seem and I loved how well they complemented one another. It’s a bumpy ride for them at times but I truly enjoyed watching their relationship unfold.

Relationships – romantic, familial, and between friends – are at the heart of Battle Royal. I enjoyed how Parker interwove all types of relationships throughout the story. The one small issue I had with the book is there were a lot of plot points vying for attention (to give them away would spoil the book) and the elimination of one or two would have given the others room to breathe and develop better. Even with that issue, I still adored Battle Royal from beginning to end and I cannot wait to see what Parker has in store for Dominic’s sister, Pet.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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