Well, it’s that time of the year again: time to recap all of our favorite books read in 2022 with you all!
If you want to take a little trip down memory lane, you can also check out our 2021 reading highlights right here!
This blog post contains affiliate links. If you buy something on my recommendation, I will receive a small commission. Purchasing via these links will not cost you any extra and will help me cover the costs of book blogging. You will find more info on my privacy policy and disclaimer pages. Thank you!
Our reading year overall
Books read
Marie: I aimed lower this year for my reading goal. I wanted to read 50 books and I managed to read 53 books, so I’m pretty happy about it! That being said, I feel like, compared to the past years, I wasn’t blown away by too many books. I’m a bit sad about it.
Nyx: This was a lovely year! I didn’t read as much (40 books versus 44 last year) but I rated quite a lot of them 5 stars. Here’s a little throwback and let’s hope 2023 is even better!
Our 2022 year in books
Favorite protagonist
Nyx: Elsie from If You Still Recognise Me. She’s a bisexual British-Chinese girl who’s dealing with a previous toxic relationship and has a crush on Ada, a girl she’s never met in real life. We follow her through the summer, a summer that will be all about discovering herself. I absolutely loved seeing her growth and gaining confidence. The character is so beautifully written with many layers that I couldn’t help but care deeply for her.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon, Book Depository, Blackwell’s
Marie: Exactly Where You Need To Be was an incredible surprise. The main character deals with OCD and anxiety and I absolutely related to her and loved seeing her grow. Plus, excellent friendships, soft relationship, road-trip, this book has everything I loved. One of my favorites.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
A book that fell flat
Nyx: A Hundred Other Girls. It was pitched for fans of The Devil Wears Prada and The Bold Type and, oh my god, I was so excited about it! Unfortunately, it wasn’t really what I was expecting. I had some issues with the main character and there were too many pop culture references crammed in 300 pages.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: I’m so sad to say I was disappointed by Dark and Deepest Red. I expected a lot from this author, but unfortunately, for me, this book fell a little flat and I had a hard time getting into it.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
A book that surprised you
Nyx: If You’re Out There. I had such a great time reading this! The blurb alone sounded so good, I mean… your best friends moves away, stops talking to you and suddenly starts posting weird Instagram posts. Is she ghosting you or is there something really wrong? Well, it was better than what I expected. I loved the friendship, I enjoyed all the twists and turns and the fact that the romance (so lovely by the way!) was only a subplot was A+!
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell’s
Marie: The Girls I’ve Been was a excellent surprise. I’ll admit it, it felt a bit out of my comfort zone, but, damn. Once I started, I was hooked and just ended up loving the entire thing, with its messy characters and twists and, wow. If you’re looking for an excellent twisty read, definitely recommending this.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
A book that rocked your world
Nyx: Exactly Where You Need to Be. A road trip between two best friends before everything changes. Ugh, that was just amazing. I loved the friendship, the road trip, the main character, the mental health representation, the romance, the writing. A delightful and heartwarming story that will stay with me for sure!
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: I adore Rachel Lynn Solomon’s work and her latest release, See You Yesterday, won my heart. LOVED the whole “oh we’re reliving the same day over and over again” storyline, LOVED the romance, LOVED the characters. Overall, just excellent, A+, screaming about this one forever.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Favorite book cover art
Nyx: The Summer of Broken Rules. This cover screams summer and damn I’m freaking in love with summer! I love the colors, I love the vibes, I mean just looking at the cover you know you’re in for a good time! Spoiler alert… you definitely are!
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Marie: If You Could See The Sun has one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen. I just love the art so, SO much okay. The inside of the book was just as incredible.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
A take-my-money
Nyx: Carrie Soto is Back. I’m such a Taylor Jenkins Reid fan! I’ve read most of her books and I’m always blown away. Her stories, her characters are always so well fleshed out, it always gives me a lot of feelings. This one was no exception. It was just amazing! I can’t wait to see what kind of story she comes up with!! No matter what, she can have all of my money, no questions asked.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell’s
Marie: Well, Wibbroka’s books are still my brand, what can you do. I’ll always auto-buy everything they write and this one was no exception. I needed a story about long-distance relationship, for real, and this one delivered. Forever a fan of their work.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
A sequel that overshadows the first book
Nyx: Archenemies. I LOVED The Lunar Chronicles and even if this series isn’t as good (nothing can be really), I had such a good time reading this story about superheroes! And this second installment was really good. And that cliffhanger??! I need the next book right now!
Marie : This is the only sequel I read this year, soooo… I need to go with that same book!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Most disappointing book
Nyx: Honey Girl. I didn’t really get all the love surrounding this story. I enjoyed the themes explored like anxiety, the search for perfection, being lost in your twenties and trying to figure out your own path. Unfortunately, I had a bit of a hard time getting into the story.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell’s
Marie: I read We Were Liars a loooong time ago and it messed me up, okay. Obviously, I had expectations with this prequel, but, wow. It was… messed up. Not in the way I expected it to be. It was a little too much drama, for me, I think. Maybe I changed, but I just, nope.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Favorite ship
Nyx: Shay and Dominic from The Ex Talk. I loved the tension between them, all their interactions and their smartass banter, I really adored them together. What I also liked was the fact that they both struggled with loneliness and they managed to find each other. Ugh, so good.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: on Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell’s
Marie: I adore the friends to lovers trope and oh my god, why didn’t I read You and Me on Vacation sooner?! These friends, growing together, growing apart, the tension, the feelings, the everything ahhhhhhh this was too good. This book has my entire heart and soul.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository–Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Our favorite reads of 2022
Marie: I don’t feel like a lot of books really blew me away, this year. I had a few favorites, sure, but… not enough, maybe? Anyway, here are 3 of the real highlights of this reading year!
PARACHUTES: This, wow. This book blew my mind, I wanted to throw my e-reader against a wall while I read. Infuriating, excellent, unforgettable. I adored it and 200% recommend it.
☂️ Buy on Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell’s
EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED TO BE: Excellent mental health representation, friendships, road trip, soft romance, I’m just so, so soft for this book.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
WITH AND WITHOUT YOU: I can’t not mention this book. I just needed this book in my life and here it is. That’s all.
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Nyx: I rated a lot of books 5 stars this year! So many favorites! Here’s my top 3:
PARACHUTES : We follow two immigrant girls as they navigate wealth, power, friendship, and trauma. It was gut-wrenching and powerful. I loved the flawed characters and the whole story just left me speechless. A must-read for sure!
☂️ Buy on Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell’s
EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED TO BE : I totally fell in love with this story! Road trip? Check! Awesome friendship? Check! Heartwarming romance? Check! On point mental health representation? Check! This one’s got everything I love, just go read it now!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
CARRIE SOTO IS BACK : We follow a legendary athlete who attempts a comeback when the world considers her past her prime! A powerful novel about the cost of greatness. And yes, Taylor Jenkins Reid did it again. Such an emotional story, just breathtaking!
☂️ Buy on: Amazon, Book Depository, Bookshop, Blackwell’s
Most anticipated books for 2023
Marie: I have a LOT of books on my 2023 releases TBR and, hopefully, some of them will be as incredible as they sound. Here are three books I can’t WAIT to scream about soon!
ALL ALONE WITH YOU: A sunshine/grumpy pair, anxiety rep, soft romance. I know once again Amelia Diane Coombs will win my heart with this YA contemporary and I’m here for it.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW: This is a story about Honor, growing up in front of the public eye and how, years later, it still messes everything up in her life. This sounds EXCELLENT and I can’t wait to read this.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
THE FRAUD SQUAD: A working-class woman infiltrating Singapour’s high society?! Losing herself on the way, maybe?! This is a book I’ve been wanting to read my whole life, okay.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
Nyx: I’m excited about so many books, it’s really hard to choose! Well, I tried…here’s my top 3:
LIVE YOUR BEST LIE : “Sometimes the prettiest Instagram feeds hide the darkest—and bloodiest—secrets.” Oh my god… just give me the damn book right this second! Told in multiple POVs, with social media posts and flashbacks, this one sounds right up my alley!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW : This one is about a girl and her famous family who is literally fracturing from within as their dirty laundry gets exposed. Oh, all the drama! I need it now!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
HAPPY PLACE : A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual week-long vacation with their best friends. This second chance romance sounds freaking delightful!
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on : Blackwell’s
Want more book recommendations? Check out these posts:
- My top 10 most anticipated adult books for 2023
- 20 Most Anticipated YA Books for 2023
- 10 Underrated YA Mystery Books I Recommend
📌 Pin our 2022 year in books on Pinterest!
What are some of the best books you’ve read this year? Please give us ALL the recommendations!
Subscribe to the newsletter for more book recommendations, exclusive intl giveaways, behind the scenes and more:
If you loved People We Meet on Vacation, please give Lovelight Farms a shot because you will ADORE IT. Happy New Year, and good luck reading next year to the both of you!!!!
Oooooh thank you SO much, adding this to my TBR immediately, it sounds so good!! Have a wonderful new year!! <3 <3
I love this look at your year end! I adored Carrie Soto. It was one of my top books this year.
Thank you! ☺️
Yaaay, it was SO good 😍😍
Thank you so much for stopping by 😘
i relate to not having many favorites this year! i enjoyed the large majority of what i read but not many stood out to me either 🙁 but i’m so glad to see that you enjoyed the girls i’ve been—it’s truly an amazing book! and wow @ parachutes being on both of your favorites lists, i definitely need to read it soon! can’t wait for everyone wants to know either, i know kelly loy gilbert won’t disappoint hehe <3 hope you both have a wonderful reading year next year (and with more standout favorites)!!
I hope this year will bring more outstanding reads, fingeres crossed! <3 I hope you can read Parachutes soon, I really loved it, it was such an incredible surprise.
Thank you so, so much, May! Have a fantastic reading year!! <3
It is always lovely to see your yearly wrap up! Although I’m sorry you feel like less books wowed you Marie, I do miss that feeling. When I was younger it felt so much more regular.
I had seen A Hundred Other Girls advertised and been curious about it. It is shame it was a disappointment for you Nyx. You would want a main character you could root for, so it is a shame she was questionable?!
Wishing you both a lovely new year 💜
Aww, thanks! That’s so lovely to hear! 😊
Yeah, I was a bit disappointed by it 😕
Thank you so much, have a lovely 2023!! 😘😘
I read two Coombs books last year and both earned high ratings from me. So, I am with Marie eagerly awaiting that book. I loved both your rocked-your-world books too. I DNFed Family of Liars which shocked me because I am a super fan of We Were Liars. –sigh– Here’s to another great reading year and Happy New Year to you both
YES! I’m such a fan of Coombs books, I’ll read everything she writes. I was also disappointed by Family of Liars, I don’t know, I just didn’t find the same feelings I had while reading We Were Liars.
Have a wonderful, wonderful year, Sam! <3
Well done on reading so many books, I’m sorry that less blew you away than normal though Marie. Its lovely that Nyx found so many five star reads though.
I’m sorry to hear about both of your disappointments. Is Dark & Deepest Red your only book by the author? I’ve got Blanca & Roja but still need to read it 🙈
Ooh If You’re Out There is on my tbr but I haven’t seen it mentioned before. I’m glad it was well done. The Girls I’ve Been is on my tbr too. I think it has an adaptation as well? But I could be misremembering. I definitely need to read at least one book by Rachel Lynn Solomon this year too. I’m glad See You Yesterday was a hit.
Somehow I still haven’t read anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid yet either. I definitely hope to read at least two (Evelyn Hugo as it seems the place to start, Daisy Jones to read it before it’s adaptation releases) this year though.
Ooh so I haven’t got to the Marissa Meyer series that you’ve included but I will say that Gilded by her was in my top 3 books of the year. Just as a heads up it’s very different in tone to TLC though.
Sorry to hear about both of your disappointments. Having a hyped or highly anticipated book let you down is awful.
I haven’t read any of your top threes (at least partially because I never seem to get to many contemporary novels) but it’s wonderful that two of them were the same for you. And I really hope your 2023 most anticipated books live up to your expectations.
My other two favourite books were Juniper & Thorn and The Final Strife. Off the top of my head contemporary wise I loved Girl, Unframed.
Thanks! 😊
Oh my god yes, you ABSOLUTELY need to read some Taylor Jenkins Reid books. They never disappoint 😍
We’ll need to check those out!
Thank you so much for stopping by and happy reading! 😘😘
I haven’t read very many books mentioned here, but I enjoyed reading your answers regardless. I was also really happy to see Carrie Soto and the Summer of Broken Rules mentioned, my loves – totally adore both books!
Thank you so much, Kat! The Summer of Broken Rules was such a lovely book, I need to read more books like this one always. <3
Loved seeing your 2022 favorites 💖 I really need to read If You’re Out There, I’ve had this on my TBR for ages, but somehow I always forget to read it 😱 I also LOVED See You Yesterday, such a great book 🥰 Exactly Where You Need to Be is high up on my priority list for 2023!
Ahhhh yay you should give it a try, Caro! I’ve had it on my TBR for SO long as well and I ended up really loving it <3
I look forward to reading this post from you every year! As always there are some stories I had to add to my TBR. I’m so glad “People we meet on vacation” (US version of the name) made the list! Happy 2023 🙂 xxx
Melina | melinaelisa.com
Aww, that makes us so happy 🥰🥰
Have a lovely 2023!! 😘
Looks like you had an amazing reading year! People we meet on vacation is AMAZING and I am so happy you loved it!! The Fraud Squad also looks reall good and I have Happy Place on my TBR 🙂 Great post!
Thank you so, so much, Jamie! 🥺 I can’t WAIT to read Happy Place as well, it sounds so good 🙂 I hope you’ll have a wonderful reading year!