BOOKS | RECOMMENDATIONS | 2023
Top 5 Fiction Books Of 2023
I read 25 books this year!
I accepted the challenge to read 25 books this year, and I am proud that I was able to complete it. Out of those 25, there are 5 Fiction books that I think everyone should check out.
1. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
From behind closed doors, she sees everything.
This is a brilliant thriller that will be hard to put down until you finish.
Millie is desperately looking for a job when she gets hired as a housemaid by a rich family. However, from Day 1 Millie senses that staying there would not be an easy task for her. Nina who has hired her is a mysterious woman who behaves strangely and blames her for everything. And Nina’s daughter adds to her misery with her tantrums. Her husband Andy seems like the only saving grace and an ideal husband any lady could have.
I loved Freida’s style of writing. She keeps the reader engaged throughout. The language used is simple yet interesting.
2. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
You’d kill to be on it
This is a classic WhoDunIt novel that will keep you guessing. The slow-building tension will keep you reading.
Five main characters turn up for Jules and Will’s lavish wedding, taking place on a small island off the coast of Ireland. The background of the island and the missing phone signals sound so scary in itself. Some of the guests are suppressing secrets.
A “body” is found in the storm.
I particularly liked the build-up of characters and the end of the novel kept me astonished for a while.
3. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
When I picked this book, I was not sure I would enjoy reading about the seven husbands of a single lady. It sounded repetitive and predictable. However, the author gave enough surprises to keep me engaged throughout. Loved reading it.
If you like gossiping, this book may interest you a lot 😃.
Kudos to Taylor Jenkins Reid for crafting such a complex character of Evelyn Hugo. The portrayal of Hollywood in the book feels incredibly authentic, making Evelyn’s character feel like a reflection of the real Hollywood world.
4. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Alicia Berenson is a mental health patient who is suspected to have killed her husband, Gabriel. But she has gone silent after the murder.
Theo Faber is a psychotherapist who gets a job at the Grove where Alicia is being treated. He takes the mammoth responsibility of getting to know Alicia and making her talk.
This book is absolutely “unputdownable”. The climax will shock you and keep holding onto you for a while.
5. The Housmaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
This perfect home has one rule. Don’t look behind the doors.
After reading The Housemaid, I could not stop picking this one. The Housemaid’s Secret is similar to The Housemaid in a way that both books blew my mind. It is hard to decide which one was better.
Millie is still struggling in her life living in a dodgy apartment. The only bright spot in her life is her advocate boyfriend, Brock who wants to settle down with her. But Millie hasn’t revealed everything about her past life to him and so, she keeps him on a hook.
Millie gets a new job in a posh penthouse where she learns that the wife, Wendy rarely comes out of her bedroom. Millie suspects that Wendy is in trouble and wants to help Wendy escape from her husband, Douglas.
A jaw-dropper. You won’t be able to put this book down once you begin.
Here’s me getting ready to get to my next challenge in 2024 with the hope of finding more such gems. Best wishes for the holiday season!