The Best Books We Read in the First Half of 2023

Nyx: You and Me on Vacation. Two best friends. Ten summer trips. One last chance at love. This one was glorious! Friends-to-lovers plot, traveling, quirky and flawed characters, slow-burn romance and intrigue, it has all the ingredients I’m looking for in a great story. Absolutely loved it! Go read it now!

Marie: I have no words. This book was THE hyped book of this 2023 so far and I was scared. It didn’t disappoint. It’s messed-up and just, does not shy away from some terrible publishing truths. Just, woah. Definitely a must-read.

Nyx: Unfortunately… none. Girls with Rebel Souls is the only sequel I’ve read so far this year and I just wasn’t as hooked as I was with the previous ones.

Marie: I haven’t read any sequel. I guess it’s safe to say I’ve been moving on from series a little bit, this year, aerm.

Nyx: Yellowface! The cover alone is intriguing… and the blurb… damn! Yellowface is a bold and hard hitting commentary about the publishing world and it looks razor-sharp! Plus, my sister already read it and totally loved it… so yeah I’m pretty sure I’m going to be hooked from the very first page!

Marie: This family has grown up under the public eye (a TV show) for years… and now, even when the show’s over, the spotlight follows them. I’m just pumped because I love these kind of stories about celebrities and living under the spotlight and everything else.

Nyx: Business or Pleasure! I’m such a huge fan of Rachel Lynn Solomon and I’m so excited about this one! It’s about a ghostwriter and a one night stand that turns out to be the person she’s meant to ghostwrite her next book for… It sounds fun and spicy, with a lot of banter! Addictive I’m sure!

Marie: Holly Bourne is a must-read author for me. You tell me she’s writing a YA dystopia called You Could Be So Pretty and I’m not going to read it? Hm, not likely..

Nyx: Girls with Rebel Souls. I was pretty hooked at the begining of this series but unfortunately this last installment didn’t meet my expectations. I found it to be dragging a bit and lacking in twists. A duology would have been best I think.

Marie: I don’t read a lot of science-fiction now, and maybe I just wasn’t as into the genre as I used to be, but… yeah. This book was a bit disappointing for me, it felt confusing at times and I wasn’t as hooked as I expected to be.

Nyx: Every Summer After. This books took me by complete surprise as I was expecting a cute summer romance but it was deeper than that. It was romantic and messy. The charaters were flawed and it had a lot of heart, childhood longing and second chances. I just couldn’t put in down, 100% obsessed!

Marie: This was an excellent YA thriller about toxic friendships and I’m still thinking about it. Always recommending this!

Nyx: Lauren Ho from Lucie Yi Is Not a Romantic. This book was so funny, honest and refreshing! I loved the writing and I was rooting for the main character so hard! I’m really looking forward to reading more from Lauren Ho as I had such a good time reading this one. Give me more!

Marie: I know I’m going to be reading more books by K.L. Walther soon! I loved The Summer of Broken Rules, this story gave me all the summer rom-com feels and I loved it!

Nyx: Ben from A Thousand Miles. Road trip, estranged high school sweethearts, friends-to-lovers, second chances, it has in all. And Ben, oh my sweet Ben… Caring, insecure, he always chooses the safe path with makes him lost and unfulfilled. I liked seeing him grow and finally fight what what he really wants.

Marie: Ann Liang’s growing to be one of my favorite authors, friends. Her YA contemporary books have so much heart and this one, with the fake-dating trope (!!) made me swoon.

Nyx: Gracie from The Stand In. Gracie looks so much like famous acress Wei that she’s offered to take her place temporarily. She was a relatable character I easily found myself rooting for. She’s imperfect and endearing grappling with issues of identity, family, loneliness and yearning for love. She’s anxious but also determined. Loved her!

Marie: My favorite author duo had to make an appearance here, obviously. I adore their characters, but this one particular main character just rang a bit too close to home with her perfectionism, if you ask me. Also childhood best friends? YES PLEASE?

Nyx: After I Do. Aaaah, my queen Taylor Jenkins Reid! When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. I didn’t actually cry but it was a emotional and heartfelt story, it really moved me! The struggles of the characters were raw and honest and the writing outstanding, as always.

Marie: I did, once again, NOT read any book that made me cry so far this year. I don’t know if I’m just not picking the right books because I’m afraid, or just haven’t found the one that packs enough emotions for me. ANYWAY, I think the closest book to this was The Cartographers. The main character’s dealing with depression and it’s pretty heavy, that’s for sure, but also a very good book!

Nyx: With and Without You. This one is about long-distance relationships and it just made me smile. When Sienna decides it’s time to part with long-term boyfriend Patrick, she somehow talks herself out of it when he tells her he’s moving to Austin just prior to their senior year. Cute, sweet and smart, this is a lovely YA romcom just perfect for summertime!

Marie: I think this book was the most fun book I’ve read so far this year. I was entertained from page one, adored the characters, the adventure, (end of the world and traveling with a prince? What?!) the surprises. SO fun.

Nyx: The Neighbor Favor. I absolutely love this cover! The drawing, the colors, the vibes, I want to pick it up and read it and put it on my shelf so I can stare at it whenever I can!

Marie: I think I might have to pick the same one as Nyx here, because I mean, have you seen this cover?!

13.What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Nyx:

• The Davenports : It’s 1910 in Chicago and we follow four determined and passionate young Black women as they discover the courage to steer their own path. It looks like the perfect gateway into historical fiction and romance! I’m super excited to read it!
• Never Vacation with Your Ex : Another precious book by this amazing duo! Childhood besties ? Second chance romance ? California ? I’m all in!
• This Time It’s Real : This romcom is about a girl who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class! It looks hilarious, heartwarming and so freaking cute! I’m really looking forward to reading this one, I bet it’s going to give me all the feels!

Marie:

• The Legacies: I am a huge fan of Jessica Goodman’s books and I’m already obsessed with this one because it has rich people and mysteries and that’s totally my thing okay.
• Every Summer After: My sister rated this 5 stars and it sounds exactly like the kind of book I would rate 5 stars, just as well, so… Obviously I need to read it asap.
• A British Girl’s Guide: I adore Laura Taylor Namey’s work and am SO excited for this upcoming book. That’s all, read her books, friends. Please. You won’t regret it.

For more book recommendations, you might also be interested in:

• The Best Books We Read in 2022 (For Now)
• What’s on my TBR – 10 Adult Books I’m Dying to Read
• 10 Books I Hope Will Be New Favorites in 2023

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What are some of your favorite books of the year so far? Any books you’re anticipating for this second half of the year? Let us know everything in comments!