This year we’re doing things a little differently! Usually we have a LOT of favorites lists and posts but this year we decided to stick to just one post. We’re both quite busy and Isabelle didn’t even read that much this year. So we’re combining all the different posts into one. All genres and both 2022 books and older books will be found in our list. Enough chitchat though, let’s jump into those lists and find out which books were our favorites this year!

Candyce

Like we said at the beginning of the post, we normally have a week of two filled with favorite posts in the new year. Being busy has us doing things differently. I have to tell you that this was really challenging. I read 200 books in 2022 and 65 of those books got 5 stars. Bringing it down to 10 was very hard, but I tried. I’m sure if you asked me tomorrow this list would be different, but this is what it is right now!

10. Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea – Ashley Herring Blake

Middle grade books are something I love to read because of the messages and lessons you can find. Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea is definitely a more emotional story. Our main character lost her mother in a tragic accident that also left her with severe anxiety. Hazel feels so much and with her whole heart that this book had me in tears quite a few time. Grief is something we all deal with differently, but this book was beautifully written.

9. The Do-Over – Lynn Painter

Lynn Painter is another author that’s quickly become a favorite. The Do-Over is a groundhog day story except on Valentine’s Day. While this story is lighthearted, it also made me cry, because it does deal with some emotional things. Emilie and Nick also had me grinning while reading, so it was worth the emotional aspects.

8. Under the Whispering Door – TJ Klune

TJ Klune has become a favorite author of mine after just reading two books. Even though I love The House in the Cerulean Sea just a little bit more, Under the Whispering Door also left its mark. Our main character isn’t a good person and it isn’t until he dies that he starts to see what matters in life. This book deals with grief, happiness, love, family and really makes you think.

7. Girls of Paper and Fire – Natasha Ngan

Girls of Paper and Fire is a trilogy I’ve been wanting to read for awhile and I read all three of the books last year. This author created a world that was cruel, but also so interesting. Believe me that there are some difficult times and subjects in this book, but I loved how the main character developed and fought back.

6. Only a Monster – Vanessa Len

Only a Monster is a book I enjoyed so much I actually read it twice in 2022. The first time I read my eARC before it released. I read it again when TBR and Beyond had it as a monthly group read. The idea of the monsters needing to take time from people for their magic to work was a really interesting concept. Especially when the main character didn’t want to do this at all when she discovers it’s in her. The events at the end of the book left me wanting more and I can’t wait for the next book.

5. If This Gets Out -Sophie Gonzales & Cale Dietrich

If This Gets Out wasn’t the typical contemporary romance I was expecting. These authors really dived into the downside and problems all of the attention can really do. Having the record company telling you how to dress and act. Don’t get me wrong there were plenty of lighthearted moments, but I liked that the authors decided to tackle more serious subjects as well.

4. Shadow Princess – Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Zodiac Academy is a series I saw everywhere and just had to give a go. These books get better and better as they go along and I’ve become so invested. So much happens in these books and the authors really know how to write an emotional roller coaster. Part of me is scared to continue (I’m halfway through book 6 now), because so many readers have been saying how heartbreaking they become.

3. House of Sky and Breath – Sarah J Maas

I read House of Sky and Breath in March 2022 and I still think about that ending. The last few pages were some I read a few times, because I just didn’t expect to get what I was reading. It’s a huge book, but it kept me on the edge of my seat. I want to reread everything to see all of the foreshadowing I missed, haha.

2. Kate – Tate James

The Madison Kate series by Tate James was my introduction into dark romance in 2022 and it kind of took over my reading. Kate was the perfect ending to an amazing series. I loved Kate and her guys, the twists and turns, and it was very spicy! I’m almost done with the Hades series by Tate James and she’s definitely an autoread author for me now.

1. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care – Ashley Herring Blake

After talking about this book so much in 2022, I have to put it on my number one spot. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care was everything I was hoping in this book. It had humor, a great romance, character growth, an amazing cast of side characters, and I just couldn’t put it down.

Isabelle

I haven’t read that many books this year unfortunately, so that also means it was a bit harder to make this list. Out of all the books I read, 10 were rereads so I won’t include those in my list. We wanted to challenge ourselves a bit with this list this year, so I’m going to share my top 10 books and they will be in order. I looked at my 5 and 4,5 stars reads and ranked them based on my enjoyment but also how much I remembered them. That means I might leave out certain 5 star reads for some 4,5 star reads! Here we go!

10. All of Our Demise – Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman

I really enjoyed this one but I did like the first book a little bit better. There were some twists I didn’t see coming and while my favorite characters didn’t end up with who I wanted, I can’t be mad about it in the end. I wish there would be a third book but it’s also nice to have finished a series.

9. If This Gets Out – Sophie Gonzales & Cale Dietrich

This was my first book of the year! I loved it!! Sophie Gonzales proved to possibly my favorite YA contemporary/romance author. I’m already looking forward to her next book. This was cute but it also had some very deep moments.

8. As Good As Dead – Holly Jackson

The final book in the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series. Wow! This went in an unexpected direction for sure. I personally love the darker themes, it felt like a natural progression throughout the series but I do know not everyone agrees. For me, it was a great ending to the series, except for maybe the last couple of pages.

7. You’re Invited – Amanda Jayatissa

This was such a good mystery! I loved the setting, most of the book takes place in Sri Lanka. It also features some toxic relationships, especially a toxic female friendship. While I love to read about strong female friendships, in mysteries I really enjoy reading about the toxic ones. This one had me guessing for quite a while so that was well done.

6. The Good Daughter – Karin Slaughter

I’ve finally gotten back to reading Karin Slaughter books. And I was not disappointed! I always mention her as one of my favorite authors and this book reminded me why. It was super dark but had a great mystery. I saw some twists coming, others were very unexpected. This was definitely a great book!

5. Even Though I Knew the End – C.L. Polk

I adore Tordotcom novellas and this one was no exception. It might even be my favorite Tordotcom novella. I loved the setting, the mystery and the characters. They story progressed nicely but was still well developed. I am always in awe when authors can achieve so much in such little pages. The rest of the books C.L. Polk wrote are definitely on my to read list after this one.

4. Before the Devil Breaks You – Libba Bray

It was hard picking which The Diviners novel I would include in this list. Since I could only mention 10 books I wanted to limit myself to one per series. I ended up picking Before the Devil Breaks You mostly because of the ending. There was a twist I never saw coming, I didn’t think the author would go there but now I’m scared for the final book. The setting in this series is amazing and love that Libba Bray doesn’t shy away from the ugly parts of history.

3. Only A Monster – Vanessa Len

This was an unexpected favorite this year. I got the eARC after liking the title of the book. But if I’m honest, I wasn’t expecting that much from it. I was so wrong! This book was wonderful. I love time travel and this one had an interesting take on it. It also makes you wonder who the monsters and the villains are. I can’t wait for the sequel that’s coming out later this year.

2. The Golden Enclaves – Naomi Novik

This was another one I had so much trouble with! I read both The Graduate and The Golden Enclaves this year but forced myself to pick one. They were both great reads and this has become one of my favorite series. I love the characters and the world is dark but so interesting. Normally the fact that the Last Graduate is still set at the Scholomance would win me over but that ending was just to painful. I also love the story in The Golden Enclaves, the difficult matter discussed and the look at the wider world. Now I’m just hoping for at least a novella set after the end of the series.

1. House of Sky and Breath – Sarah J. Maas

My number one book of the year! It was pretty hard and picking this one means House of Earth and Blood and Court of Silver Flames fell of my list. But oh my, that ending. I just couldn’t not pick this one. I had put down House of Earth and Blood over a year ago but after seeing some TikToks I just had to pick it up. And I flew through both books in the series. While Sarah J Maas definitely has some issues, as do these books, I am also in awe of her craft. She writes wonderful characters, I love the found family trope in all of her series and the political intrigue in this one was so good. I also know there will be some twists in the last book that will have been foreshadowed and I will again be amazed. But for now, this second book in the Crescent City series wowed me and I want to reread all of it soon.

And those are our favorite reads of the year! It was hard narrowing it down but we enjoyed doing it. What do you think of our lists? Have you read any of these? Let us know in the comments!