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The best books of 2023

This list is part of the best books of 2023.

We've asked 1,641 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 Rewrites of the Heart

Susie Black Why did I love this book?

Romance author JJ Spritely’s life is turned upside down when two of her fictional characters seemingly jump out of her manuscript and appear in the author’s home. Author Terry Newman penned a rip-snorter of a well-written plot chock full of comedic coincidence with an exquisite sense of timing.

Newman’s sharp-tongued dialog is crisp and snappy. Sassy JJ’s zingers and character Blake’s deadpan commentaries have more than enough snark to make readers laugh out loud.

Part paranormal, part rom-com, Rewrites of the Heart is a fast-paced, fun trip to never-neverland.  

By Terry Newman,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Rewrites of the Heart as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

JJ Spritely, romance author, writes characters that jump off the page. Figuratively, that is. She never expects them to make a literal leap smack dab into her world. But Alex Zurich and Blake Teesdale do just that. And they're on a mission to help JJ write her own personal love story with a man she recently met, Kennedy King Cooper. A history professor, Cooper doesn't see the value of romance novels and he has even less regard for those who write them. Until he meets a woman who haunts his thoughts. There's only one small snag in Alex's and Blake's…


My 2nd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder

Susie Black Why did I love this book?

Author Mary Cunningham penned a hilarious, madcap story chocked full of zany characters. The plot runs at a breakneck pace with the protagonist, hapless travel agent Andi Anna Jones, getting herself out of one mess only to fall into a bigger one the next time.

Cunningham liberally peppers Andi’s antics with snappy dialog that is spicier than hot salsa. Add a dash of romance with a smokin’ hot local sheriff to the foibles, and you’ve bought yourself a ticket to a wild ride from Cancun to Las Vegas.

Fast-moving and adventurous, Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder is more fun than whacking a pinata.  

By Mary Cunningham,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Andi Anna Jones, so-so travel agent and amateur sleuth, puts aside her resentment of her father's widow and books a sixtieth birthday cruise to Cancun for Ruby and three friends. Never does Andi imagine the cruise will include the murder of a has-been lounge singer--or that Ruby might be the main suspect. Flirting with more than danger after arriving in Mexico, Andi connects with charming local sheriff, Manual Gonzales. An embarrassing night involving the sheriff, too many margaritas, and a Mariachi band, can't quell her determination to clear the name of her ex-stepmother. While gathering clues and interviewing witnesses, however,…


My 3rd favorite read in 2023…

Book cover of The Perfect Breasts

Susie Black Why did I love this book?

The Perfect Breasts is a gripping tale of the impact breast cancer has on every aspect of the lives of each member of a family.

Author Cara Bertoia penned a tautly emotional plot driven by love, loss, trust, family ties, and the inner strength one must summon to face adversity created by both human fallibility and fate rather than turning away.

This book forces readers to face a hard truth: The ultimate symbol of femininity and womanhood can either be a source of great strength and pride or, when lost, a weapon to destroy one’s faith in life and oneself.

By Cara Bertoia,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

The Perfect Breasts is a personal and raw short story about boobs, by Cara Bertoia author of Casino Queen, written to honor breast cancer awareness month. All proceeds from every page read on Kindle Unlimited to every book bought will be donated to cancer research!

Brilliantly written, The Perfect Breasts is a riveting tale that chronicles the lifelong impact breast cancer has on every aspect of the lives of the Clein family. It should be required reading for every woman because it does not soft-soap the emotional effect of a life-threatening disease.
— Susie Black author of The Holly Swimsuit…


Plus, check out my book…

Rag Lady

By Susie Black,

Book cover of Rag Lady

What is my book about?

Recent college graduate Holly Schlivnik dreams of being a writer, but fate has other plans. A family crisis throws her into an improbable situation, and her life will never be the same.

Determined to make her own luck when things don’t happen the way she plans, the irrepressible young woman takes a sledgehammer to the glass ceiling and shatters it to smithereens.

The wise-cracking, irreverent transplanted Californian takes readers on a raucous, rollicking rollercoaster ride of her hysterical adventures as a ladies' apparel sales rep traveling in the deep South as she ends up finding herself along the way.