Barnes & Noble released their list with The Best Books of 2023, and I couldn’t be happier.
Lots of books featured on this blog made the list, yay!!
Let’s analyze together the list with the most important categories (for us romance readers xD)
Table of Contents
Don't miss these FREE
BOOK PRINTABLES
Write beautiful reviews and keep track of all the books you’ve read with these FREE BOOK PRINTABLES. Simply fill out the box below to get your free book printables straight to your inbox!
The Best Cozies to Warm Cold Nights
Cozy fantasy romances!!! This category is one of my favourites.
Ā
A cozy fantasy romance or “light fantasy” is a story with a comforting setting. No high stakes or complicated plots, no betrayals or misunderstandings. Generally, cozy fantasies are character-driven, slow-burn romances, and they can be steamy or with no spice at all.
Ā
We often see cozy fantasy romances as retellings of fairy tales or in forbidden romances between faes and humans or witches.
Bookshops & Bonedust is set in the World of Legend & Lattes, a high fantasy with low stakes. Legend & Lattes was an instant TikTok sensation last year because of the cozy vibes, so it isn’t strange to see the second book on this list.
Ā
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries has one of the best cinnamon book boyfriends you will EVER encounter out there ā Wendell Bambleby. He is Emily’s colleague, and with his sparkly personality, he will surely steal your heart like he did with mine. A MUST-read!!
Ā
In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune is a retelling of Pinocchio with cute robots (remember Wall-E?). A cozy standalone fantasy ā you can’t go wrong with the author of “Wolfsong” (featured in this blog as well!!)
Books From This List featured in the blog:
- Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries: The Best Books like Divine Rivals to read Next
The Best Fantasies for Botany Enthusiasts
Loved this category!! So accurate!!
Ā
Foxglove is the awaited continuation from the Belladonna series, a gothic fantasy romance set in a Victorian setting.
Ā
Bring Me Your Midnight features witches and wolves, all mixed with a fantastical magical setting that brings flowers, the earth, moon, and sea to the table (hence the ‘botanical category,’ hehe). (Forbidden love trope alert ā yay!)
Ā
House of Roots and Ruin is the continuation of ‘House of Salt and Sorrows,’ a gothic horror tale. ‘House of Roots and Ruin’ is a retelling of ‘The Twelve Dancing Princesses.’
I’ve yet to read this one, but the praise the first book has received makes it a must-read for fans of YA horror books (with romance!!)
Books From This List featured in the blog:
The Best Romantasy to Cure Your "Fourth Wing" Hangover
Don’t know what to read after ‘Fourth Wing’? Barnes & Noble picked the best 2023 fantasy romance novels that are perfect to read after the popular romantasy
Throne of the Fallen is a steamy fantasy romance spin-off from ‘Kingdom of the Wicked.’ There is mystery, LOTS of steamy scenes, and Prince Envy, who was a fan favorite in the main series as a side character. If you love VERY morally grey antiheroes, this book is for you.
Ā
The Serpent of the Wings of Night was released in 2022, but the final book was published this year. This is a complete duology that is worth every minute of your time. The Hunfer Games featuring vampires and HUGE plot twists. And it’s free on Kindle Unlimited!!
Ā
The Hurricane Wars released in October 2023 and is, in my opinion, the most similar to ‘Fourth Wing’ (if you’re looking for something similar to Xaden and Violet’s relationship). It is based on a Reylo fanfic and features a REAL enemies-to-lovers story, forced proximity, and arranged marriage.
Books From This List featured in the blog:
- Throne of the Fallen: 12 Books like ACOTAR to read in 2023Ā
- The Serpent and the Wings of Night: The Best Fantasy Romance Books in Kindle UnlimitedĀ | Tier Ranking 20+ Popular booktok books ( fantasy romance edition )
- The Hurricane Wars: Books like ” A Curse for True Love” | The best Books like Divine Rivals to read next
The Best Enemies-to-Lovers Romantasy
The best 2023 fantasy romance novels featuring enemies-to-lovers, according to Barnes & Noble
I wouldn’t call this list strictly enemies to lovers, but more like rivals to lovers (at least for the first two books).
Ā
Divine Rivals was an instant hit and is nominated for Best Book of the Year by Barnes & Noble as well. I have very detailed guides for this book and the sequel, and it is in my top 3 for 2023 books. Rivals to lovers, WWI setting, a character-driven story… you will LOVE this story, and the ending will break your heart into pieces (but don’t be afraid, we’re promised a HEA in book 2).
Ā
A Study in Drowning is a gothic rivals-to-colleague-to-lovers fantasy romance with a whimsical setting. Featured as well in one of my lists on this blog, it instantly captivated me.
Ā
The Scarlet Veil is the new romantasy from the author of ‘Serpent & Dove,’ Shelby Mahurin. The heroine was present in her last series and was one of my recommendations for books like ‘A Court of Mist and Fury’ (among other book lists). It’s a Hades and Persephone retelling with vampires.
Books From This List featured in the blog:
- Divine Rivals: Divine Rivals Ultimate Guide | 12 Top-Tier Fantasy Romances where he falls first | In-Depth Guide to Ruthless Vows, the sequel to Divine Rivals
- A Study in Drowning: The Best Gothic Fantasy Romances to read in 2023
- The Scarlet Veil: The Best Gothic Fantasy Romances to read in 2023
The Best Romances That Play the Field
Sports romances!!! I love reading a good, fluffy sports romance from time to time, and these are 2023Ā top picks by Barnes & Noble
Well… I didn’t particularly enjoy Icebreaker, but I can totally understand why B&N added it to the Book of the Year. Nathan Hawkins is not your typical morally grey book boyfriend; on the contrary, he is a cinnamon roll… with a dirty mouth, hehe. And that’s what everyone and their mom loved about this book.
Ā
Sadly, I couldn’t, for the love of God, stand the heroine… She was annoying T_T.
Ā
The Long Game is from the same author as ‘The Spanish Love Deception,’ a grumpy sunshine European football romance with the typical Elena Armas slow burn style.
Ā
The Graham Effect is the story of Gigi Graham, the daughter of Garrett and Hannah from the first book in the Off-Campus series, The Deal. So, why the hype?? Well… ‘The Deal,’ despite being published in 2015, is like a staple in the sports romance book community. It is THE book recommended over and over again. So, it’s no surprise that ‘The Graham Effect’ is on this list.
Books From This List featured in the blog:
- Icebreaker : The Best Enemies to lovers Books to Read in 2023 Ā (Warning: not my favorite, but trying to be objective… lots of people like it)
- The Long Game: The Best Enemies to lovers Books to Read in 2023
The Best "Happily Ever Afters"
I would totally buy these books just for the covers… they’re beautiful!!!
Love Theoretically is another STEM-eminist romance hit from the author of The Love Hypothesis.
Ā
With love, from Cold World… had very mixed reviews. Despite its cute and quirky cover, ‘Cold World’ is a weighty rom-com romance. So, if you’re seeking a light read, this might not be the perfect fit.
Ā
On the opposite end of the spectrum from ‘Cold World’ and the last in this list, Done and Dusted, is a brother-best-friend cowboy romance with steamy scenes. It was an instant hit and the perfect book to dive into your cowboy era!
Books From This List featured in the blog:
- Love Theoretically: The Best Enemies to lovers Books to Read in 2023
The Best Meet-Cutes
Who doesn’t love meet-cutes? This are situations in which the future romantic couple meet in unusual situations.
Here are B&N best meet-cutes for 2023
Books From This List featured in the blog:
- My Roommate is a Vampire: The Best Books like Divine Rivals to read next | 12 Cozy Fall Romance Books to Warm Your Heart
The Best Holiday Romances
You can’t go wrong picking up one of the new Christmas Romances from Tessa Bailey. She loves writing exquisite dirty talkers, and her steamy scenes are chef’s kiss.
Ā
The same can be said for Sierra Simone, the author of Priest and Sinner.
Ā
Lucy Score is a well-known author in the rom-com community. She writes exquisite small-town romances, with Things We Never Got Over being her more popular book
Books From This List featured in the blog:
- Wreck the Halls and A Holly Jolly Ever After: Top Christmas Romance Books to read this year
Enjoyed this post? Feel free to spread the love by sharing it! Thank you!!
