Top Ten Books from 2023

Did you have a great reading year? I certainly did! It’s a miracle that this list has been whittled down to just 10 because I could easily add at least 5-10 more books to it! 2023 has been a spectacular year for Christian fiction, and I have been so impressed with the quality of books that continue to be published in this genre. For those who have wondered whether they should dip their toes into Christian fiction genre, believing it to be your grandma’s kind of stories, I think you’ll find that things have changed – and definitely for the better!

This list has a consistent theme of historical fiction because it is near and dear to my heart. I cannot get enough of learning about history, and when an author brings it to life in a fresh and new way, I want to share it with everyone who will listen.

So, if you’re here listening, sit back and enjoy this list of my Top Ten Favorite Christian Fiction Books (in no particular order) from 2023!

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1. The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz

No list would be complete without that year’s latest release by Laura Frantz, and if you’ve been around Bliss, Books, and Jewels for any length of time, you’ll know that Laura’s books have always been among my favorites. This year’s novel was a step above the rest, bringing history from Scotland and America into one glorious story.

Read my review here.

2. Millie’s Treasure by Kathleen Y’Barbo

This book was an oldie, but a goodie, and probably more so for me because I am this close to living near Memphis where the story takes place. I have gushed oh-so-much about this thrilling historical tale quite a bit already, but in case you need an additional convincing that you should read it, too…trust me, you should! The original version is sadly out of print now. I don’t think you can even download it to your Kindle. I was fortunate that my library had it. Be on the lookout, though…a little birdie has told me it’s due for a re-release soon!

Read my review here.

3. A Brighter Dawn by Leslie Gould

Wow…if you have not yet read an Amish story with a historical twist, you need look no further than this new series by Leslie Gould! I did not have a chance to read book 2 which came out just before 2023 ended, but this first book in the series was an excellent addition to a huge slate of 2023 releases from Bethany House.

Read my review here.

4. In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

Two books into this series, and I can now say that I LIVE for these books when they come out! Gabe had some very exciting news for fans of her Timeless series this past year, too. Not only is book 3 coming out in 2024, but she will be adding at least TWO more books to the series as well! Holy moly…5 incredible time crossing books – I cannot wait!

Read my review here.

5. Sunrise by Susan May Warren

It has been years since I last read a book by Susie May, and I have no excuse for waiting so long next time! This gorgeous cover was practically glowing on the library shelf, and I couldn’t help but grab it to see what all the fuss was about (trust me, the reviews everywhere are great). The ending of Sunrise has a bit of a cliffhanger, and I expect 2024 will find me reading the other two books in the series.

Read my review here.

6. The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel

Irish stories are not my usual go-to for fiction, but Jennifer has the most amazing way of bringing that country and its culture to life on the page. I did not want The Maid of Ballymacool to end AT ALL! It was an excellent retelling of the classic Cinderella tale complete with a very dashing Prince Charming and an evil stepmother. You will not find your reading time wasted if you decide to add this book to your TBR pile, I can promise you that!

Read my review here.

7. Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund

I was blessed to find this book on my first trip to Storyfest in 2022, and while it’s an old backlist book from Jody Hedlund, it was FANTASTIC! The beginning is a bit slow, but once you hit the midway point, the book sucks you in and will not let go until you reach the end. The historical aspects were fascinating, and gave the story such depth. Highly recommend!

Read my review here.

8. The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson

This year found me reading more historical books that included suspenseful elements. When I tell you that this book was good, I mean it was GOOD! It’s a hard book to discuss too much because the chances that I’ll give something away are high. Let me just say that if you love historical novels, especially told from a dual timeline perspective, and a bad guy who is really bad (I mean, so bad that he just oozes hatred straight off the page), then you definitely need to read The Keys to Gramercy Park!

Read my review here.

9. Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham

This book gets my top audiobook recommendation for the year. Seriously, the people who narrate this story (3 different people) completely bring it to LIFE. While I loved the story on its own merits, I think listening to it made it a more enjoyable experience by a mile. This novel is Mayberry meets Lord of the Rings meets Scotland with a contemporary romance that readers will adore.

Read my review here.

10. A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander

Tamera’s books are THICK…easily 400-500 pages each. I’m slowly making my way through her backlist, and trying to squeeze in at least one per year. At that rate, I may never catch up with new releases, but oh well…anything she writes is golden no matter when I read it. 😉 This was the last book from her Belmont series, and without a doubt, she saved the best for last! The two main characters were a match made in musical heaven, and I’m thrilled I got to go along for the ride. You don’t have to read the first two in the series because this book stands well on its own, but the entire Nashville scene from a historical standpoint is so much more rich if you read the entire series.

Read my review here.

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How about you? Did we have any similar bookish favorites for 2023? I don’t know about you, but I am already SO EXCITED about what’s to come with Christian fiction for 2024. Many of my favorite authors have books releasing in the new year, and there are also several debut authors that I can’t wait to try (Jamie Ogle and Heather Kaufman, just to name a couple).

Here’s wishing you lots of bookish blessings and happy reading for 2024!