Beth Favorite’s Books of 2023!

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Bethlylou

It’s that time of the year! Where we look back at all of the books we read this year and pick our favorites. These are my favorite books of 2023. They are in no particular order but in order that I read them.

The Dangerous Damsels series by India Holton – The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, The League of Gentlewoman Witches and The Secret Service of Tea and Treason were such a fun trilogy of books I loved all the prim and proper pirates and witches and their flying houses. It has the perfect mix of romance, hijinks and adventure.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty – Keeping with the pirate theme. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is such a fun story of piracy, adventure and magic. Unlike most books where the protagonist is young and just starting out, Amina is in her 40’s and well established. She has to come out of retirement for this adventure and not only have battle the present but the past. So much fun.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros – This was the book of the year. I don’t remember the last time that people were excited about the release of a book. The sequel, Iron Flame got the full Midnight release party treatment. Violet has a chronic illness that makes her a poor candidate to be a dragon rider but she’s forced to join by her mom. In a mixture of Hunger Games and Harry Potter. Violet will become a rider if only she can survive, which in this school is not a given. Did I mention there are dragons?
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade – Spoiler Alert and it’s sequel All the Feels are delightful. This is such a nerd romance. It’s mixture of romance, fandoms and fan fics is irresistible. Who doesn’t dream of meeting a handsome actor and falling in love? Marcus and April are the perfect couple. It’s also so great to have a plus size romantic lead. To often we are forgotten about so it’s great to finally get the guy at the end.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – This was another TikTok find. I am a sucker for enemies to lover trope and I guess also the relationship of convenience trope. It was was such a fun read and I was invested from the beginning. I can’t wait to read more from Ali Hazelwood.

Those were mine. I want to hear what books you loved this year! Maybe they will be mine in 2024!

Quick Review: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Bethlylou

Do not get me wrong. I liked this book but it was a little be a let down from the Fourth Wing. It just didn’t have to same punch as the first book in the series. I couldn’t put the Fourth Wing down but Iron Flame I felt at times dragged on. I felt like it spent too much time at Basigiath and then also too much at Riorson House training. They spent so much time preparing for the battles that by the time we get the battles they are over too soon. That being said. I still am very much enjoying the dynamic between Violet, Tairn and Andarna. Andarna is really the superstar of this book. Who doesn’t love a sassy teenage dragon?! I kinda felt that Violet and Xaden’s relationship took a couple of steps back. What I loved about their relationship in the first book is how much faith and support Xaden gave Violet. Xaden in the first half book, spent hovering and being overprotective. They eventually worked it out but the obsessiveness they both have for each other is borderline creepy. My struggles with this book withstanding, it still is an excellent series and I’m very much invested in it and will be waiting for the next book to come out.