Welcome to the next segment of the Elite Romance series of 2023. This post is where I am going to list my TOP reads of the year, which wasn’t easy to narrow down. I have had a GREAT reading year and I am thrilled to be able to share all the delicious reads that I have here.
I have discovered some wonderful heroines this past year that is sweet, strong, courageous, and beyond endearing, and easy to relate to. These women are an inspiration, I love seeing them face unique challenges and rise above and grow beyond what they are in the beginning.
Val
So Val is one of those heroines that you instantly connect to. She is so relatable. She is basically the girl next door. She has normal insecurities and just wants to be love and accepted. She has had a rough time of it but love how sweet her vulnerabilities are. She tackles conflict in a healthy way especially in regards to the hero. While she stands up for herself, she also is balanced and doesn’t overextend herself or push things to the hero that would break him or emasculate him.
Tiana
Tiana was such a sweet heroine. She has suffered quite a bit of trauma and is more reserved and quiet and very shy. But I love how devoted and loyal she is. She has such a endearing personality where you just want to go to bat for her.
Deborah Samson
So I really adored this heroine. I love how patriotic she is and wanting to fight for her country. I mean this young woman has the declaration of independence memorized and even more than that. She is fierce, and strong and embraces the best parts of herself.
Lucy Betram
I really had a great time with Lucy. She was such a great balance of a heroine. While she is strong and has a backbone she also is mindful of the hero and his needs and I loved seeing that balance. She really writes wonderful refreshing heroines that fit the time they live in. So if you are tired of super modernistic heroines, then try this author out.
Raven
Raven was a heroine you can easily get behind. She is talented but also gives so much of herself for her family. We really see her journey and finding happiness and fighting for what she deserves in life.
Phoebe Somerville
Phoebe was like a breath of fresh air. She was such a delightful mix of cunning intelligence and bombshell beauty with a strong sense of self. She was spirited and pure fun to read.
Sarah Battersby
This heroine was delightful but honestly any heroine this author writes is beautiful. She was understanding of the time she lived in, embraced her femininity but also had a strong spine but was mindful of the hero’s mental health. It was so wonderful to see that type of heroine in a more recently released historical. We need more heroines like this!
Conor Cassidy
Conor is a Western heroine that you want to see more in the genre. She has such a fighting spirit and doesn’t back down. But she also embraces herself and doesn’t try to change who she is for “feminist” reasons. I love that she isn’t afraid to do what is necessary.
Denise
The heroine has such a battle to face but her inner strength was so admirable. She really deals with an emotional battle but loved seeing her overcome it and win in the end. J. Kenner writes some of my favorite types of heroines in a contemporary.
Winter
I normally struggle with prickly heroines but Elsie Silver wrote the best kind of a prickly heroine. I truly had so much fun with her character. She really has intelligence, and grace and is such a devoted mother but also has a sense of fairness and how she treats our hero….is perfection!
Indy
Indy is such a great partner for Ryan. I love her bubbly kind nature. She is full of color and energy yet has such a caring heart. She really fights for Ryan and sees the man he is and the man he is trying to be and supports him 100% and I love that.
Sarah
Sarah is the type of heroine that you just love to be around. She does deal with a disability and is in a wheelchair but she fights for what she wants and deserves and never gives up on the man she loves. She is honestly such a relatable heroine and love seeing her courage.
Dafne Mailloux
Dafne is a librarian and has a powerful ability with languages and understanding history. She is put in a situation that is challenging but she embraces it with such creativeness and heart. Love her ability to stand on her own and do what is needed.
Gemma
Gemma is such a protective mother. Why can’t we have more mothers like this in romance? She is strong and feisty and will do anything for her daughter. I love her strength and what she is willing to do to keep her daughter safe and loved. She is like a protective mama bear and I just loved seeing that being showcased.
Harper
Harper is a heroine who comes into her own in this one. We see so much character development in this book and it only made me admire this author more and want to read her more often. I really love she opens with Jake.
I loved Winter and I love Indy.
I just loved Phoebe Somerville in It Had to Be You. It took a while for anyone to give her the credit she deserved.
So many great books and leading ladies. I commend Silver on being able to sell you a prickly heroine.
I’m pickier about my heroines in books and when they are great, the book is usually a stellar read. I’ve got a few of your picks on my TBR list and now I’m more eager to read those books.