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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,639 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 Fourth Wing

Mignon Mykel Why did I love this book?

I am not a fantasy reader. I usually don’t care for epic series. But I do love how Rebecca Yarros weaves tales and her ability to write groups of friends goes beyond her military romances and new adult romances.

I was absolutely entranced by Fourth Wing and the world Yarros gives us. “Obsessed” is an understatement. While I wait for book two to release in November, I can’t help but theorize what will happen next. Is Violet’s mom a good guy or bad one? How hard does Xaden have to grovel? Yarros has called herself Dain’s apologist…surely it will take all five books for me to feel the same, right?

The twists, turns, and emotional highs and lows captivated me!

By Rebecca Yarros,

Why should I read it?

12 authors picked Fourth Wing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An Instant New York Times Bestseller
A Goodreads Most Anticipated Book

"Suspenseful, sexy, and with incredibly entertaining storytelling, the first in Yarros' Empyrean series will delight fans of romantic, adventure-filled fantasy." --Booklist, starred review

"Fourth Wing will have your heart pounding from beginning to end... A fantasy like you've never read before." #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history.…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Royal

Mignon Mykel Why did I love this book?

It’s no secret that Susan Stoker is my main go-to for military romances and books that live in one overall world. Nearly every book is an 11 of 10 stars for me, but The Royal was easily one of my favorites of the year.

Cal and June’s story is kind of a Beauty and the Beast meets Cinderella story, with a scarred hero and a heroine who ends up living at the hands of her evil stepmom and stepsister. It’s a little instalove-ish but Stoker’s heroes often know when they know, and if it’s fast? So be it. Regardless of the speed of falling, it all felt organic. 

By Susan Stoker,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

In this modern Cinderella story, New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker weaves a tale of stepfamilies, stalkers, and a suspenseful, sweeping romance that proves true love can conquer all.

Former military man and member of a royal family Callum Redmon can’t deny his sense of responsibility. So when his cousin’s latest love interest claims to have a stalker, Cal reluctantly meets with the young woman and her mother. He wants to write off the situation as a complete farce―if only his feelings for another member of the household could be as easily dismissed.

Since her father’s death seventeen years…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Bless Your Heart

Mignon Mykel Why did I love this book?

Lyra Parish is one of my favorite people in the book world, so watching her venture out on her own after a solid career under a two-person pen name has been incredibly exciting.

I’m a sucker for small towns and cowboys, and Parish delivers in this first book in Valentine, Texas! I love seeing her Texas come out and this cast of characters has been incredibly fun to fall for! I’m anxiously waiting for book three to release in January (and oh my gosh, all the titles in this series are so Southern and so fun!).

By Lyra Parish,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Bless Your Heart as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

I have three simple wishes:
1. Keep my houseplants alive.
2. Open a charming bed-and-breakfast in my small town.
3. Never see or speak to Beckett Valentine again.
None of those things are currently possible.

When Beckett decides he’s also interested in purchasing the Horseshoe Creek Ranch, my dreams of owning a bed-and-breakfast become a nightmare.
He refuses to give me what I want while playing dirty—a common theme in our rivalry.
Because of him, we’re in a ridiculous bidding war for the land.

We might have hated each other since our teens, but the stakes have never been so…


Plus, check out my book…

Lone Wolf

By Mignon Mykel,

Book cover of Lone Wolf

What is my book about?

After being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Kellie finds herself in a sticky situation. She’s given an opportunity: a witness protection-type program where her protector will stand in as her husband. The catch? She will never be Kellie again. Now as Kaelyn Johansen, she’s moving to a small town with her “husband of five years.” Hemming is quiet, large, and short with words. Every bit the military man he looks and quite the opposite of this baker. Now the question is, can they pull it off?