Can’t stop, won’t stop. Last year read so much that I decided to break my favorite annual post (my reading list) into a monthly series. 2023 has already proven to be just as productive as 2022, so I will continue to post a monthly reading list.
As an extra bonus, Mighty Miley will be posting her reading lists from time to time. You can also keep up with Hunkiedorië this year as I release more book content than I have in the past.
Something new this year is an added 5-star rating system!
1 star: Did not like it
2 stars: It was okay
3 stars: Liked it
4 stars: Really liked it
5 stars: It was amazing
This should go without saying, but this is just my opinion. Reading books is a deeply personal experience. Something that really strikes the right cord with me may not be your flavor or vice versa. I have the utmost respect for authors and creative types. And although they may not get a high ranking from me, it does not diminish the amount of hard work and bravery it took for them to produce their content. You will never be able to please everyone, nor should you try. I hope that my followers are inspired by the books that I share and form their own opinions. Let me know what you think. Do you have any suggestions on what I should read next?
Click here to find my full 2023 Reading List on Amazon
*Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What I’ve read so far:
Disclaimer: there may be a few spoilers; if you read on you have been warned.
Hunkiedorië’s January Bookshelf 2023
Hunkiedorië’s February Bookshelf 2023
And now…may I present…
Hunkiedorië’s March 2023 Bookshelf:
The Age of Witches
by Louisa Morgan
Media: Audiobook | Genre: Fantasy | Tags: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Witches
In Gilded Age New York, a centuries-long clash between two magical families ignites when a young witch must choose between love and loyalty, power and ambition, in this magical novel by Louisa Morgan.
In 1692, Bridget Bishop was hanged as a witch. Two hundred years later, her legacy lives on in the scions of two very different lines: one dedicated to using their powers to heal and help women in need, the other, determined to grasp power for themselves by whatever means necessary.
This clash will play out in the fate of Annis, a young woman in Gilded Age New York who finds herself a pawn in the family struggle for supremacy. She’ll need to claim her own power to save herself and resist succumbing to the darkness that threatens to overcome them all.
Hunkiedorië Review: A tale of three witches in Gilded Age New York, this coming-of-age story was filled with passionate and strong female characters during a time when women had little to no power over the path their lives took. I listened to this on Audible which helped with what could have been a slower-paced book if I was reading it on my own. However, the voice actor’s American accent was extremely grating and made some portions of the story feel a bit painful to listen to.
You Slay Me (Aisling Grey #1)
by Katie MacAlister
Media: eBook | Genre: Romantic Comedy/Urban Fantasy | Tags: Paranormal Romance, dragons, demons
Aisling Grey is a courier enjoying a free, work-related trip to Paris when she learns she’s a Guardian. That’s a keeper of the Gates of Hell, for those who don’t know. She finds this out from Drake Vireo, who’s scrumptiously sexy-at least in his human form. Now Drake has stolen the package Aisling was sent to deliver, and she must track him down, get the package, and try to resist the passion boiling inside her.
Hunkiedorië Review: This whole series read like a supernatural-themed Janet Evanovich book. I loved the magical element and a normie girl being thrust abruptly into an entirely secret world. The books did drag on a bit and I feel as though the romantic element of these books totally missed the mark, there was very little character development and the whole relationship between Aisling and Drake just felt lackluster and was poorly written. The books felt the same throughout the series, this was an okay read for me, but not one that I think I will go out of my way to recommend. I loved the idea but I felt like it missed the mark.
Fire Me Up (Aisling Grey #2)
by Katie MacAlister
Media: eBook | Genre: Romantic Comedy/Urban Fantasy | Tags: Paranormal Romance, dragons, demons
Aisling Grey is back and in more trouble than ever. She thought being a courier would be easy. It’s not. She thought being a Guardian would come naturally. It doesn’t. She thought she could get out of being a wyvern’s mate. She can’t. And she never thought she’d be irresistible to men. But she is.
Light My Fire (Aisling Grey #3)
by Katie MacAlister
Media: eBook | Genre: Romantic Comedy/Urban Fantasy | Tags: Paranormal Romance, dragons, demons
Aisling Grey is juggling being a demon lord, a Guardian, and a wyvern’s mate, even though she’s keeping her distance from said wyvern, Drake, these days. But her presence is still required at a meeting of the green dragons. Since several attempts have been made on her life, Drake is sure to get protective of her. Which might not be a bad thing when war breaks out and all hell breaks loose-literally.
Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey #4)
by Katie MacAlister
Media: eBook | Genre: Romantic Comedy/Urban Fantasy | Tags: Paranormal Romance, dragons, demons
I’m Aisling Grey—but you can call me “frustrated.”
The dragon of my dreams—uber-sexy Drake Vireo, wyvern of the green dragons—has finally decided to make an honest woman of me. That is, if we ever make it to the wedding at the same time! Being left at the altar may have cooled my jets, but not my passion…a good thing when Drake disappears, and it’s up to me to find him.
Most brides just have in-laws to worry about. Me? I have warring dragons, ticked-off demon lords, eternal damnation, and a mage who wants to challenge me for an otherworldly position I don’t even want. At least Jim, my doggie-demon, is always at my side. He’s never let me down—yet…
Playing With Fire (Silver Dragons #1)
by Katie MacAlister
Media: eBook | Genre: Romantic Comedy/Urban Fantasy | Tags: Paranormal Romance, dragons, demons
Gabriel Tauhou, the leader of the silver dragons, can’t take his eyes of May Northcott—not even when May, who has the unique talent of being able to hide in the shadows, has slipped from everyone else’s sights.
May, however, has little time for Gabriel—not when she’s hiding from the Otherworld law, hunting down a blackmailer, and trying to avoid a demon lord’s demands. But her ability to withstand Gabriel’s fire marks her as his mate, and he has no intention of letting her disappear into the darkness she seems to prefer.
Then May is ordered to steal one of Gabriel’s treasures—an immensely important relic of all dragonkin—and he must decide which to protect: his love or his dragons.
Hunkiedorië Review: Coming out of the Aisling Grey books I was excited to read more about Gabriel, but these books were painful to read. May is a doppelganger, created from the shadow of her twin, a naiad called Cyrene, and this whole book felt like it was trying way too hard to be funny that it just became eyerollingly obnoxious. In typical fashion, I bought this whole series and other Katie MacAlister series related to this because I usually commit to reading everything available but I quickly abandoned ship after book 3 of this series, I just couldn’t force myself to get through another book. Again like I said with her Aisling Grey books, cool concept, the right idea, but poor execution.
Up In Smoke (Silver Dragons #2)
by Katie MacAlister
Media: eBook | Genre: Romantic Comedy/Urban Fantasy | Tags: Paranormal Romance, dragons, demons
Though May Northcott’s heart belongs to Gabriel Tauhou, leader of the silver dragons, being stuck in Abaddon has significantly cooled down her love life—especially since a demon lord is trying to woo her. So far, May has resisted his efforts, but it’s getting increasingly harder to thwart disaster. So May is shocked when Gabriel encourages her to give in to the demon prince. But her fire-breathing boyfriend has an ulterior motive. Since May was created in the mortal world, her surrender would give her master access to that world, where he would lose most of his powers. It looks as though May will have to barter to gain her freedom and fulfill her destiny by Gabriel’s side. But will a deal with the devil make life heaven or hell?
Me and My Shadow (Silver Dragons #3)
by Katie MacAlister
Media: eBook | Genre: Romantic Comedy/Urban Fantasy | Tags: Paranormal Romance, dragons, demons
May Northcott is a woman at the end of her rope. She’d almost gotten used to her employer, the ex-demon lord Magoth, spending his days hanging around her home and interrupting her private moments with her dragon lover Gabriel. Then trouble appears in the form of a nearly dead man on her doorstep. With May fighting to control the dragon shard, Magoth wrangling to regain his position and powers, and a mysterious and deadly dragon bent on their destruction, Gabriel has his work cut out for him. Now, he’ll have to claw his way through all the distractions and convince May that their love is strong enough to conquer all of their enemies.
Howl’s Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle #1)
by Diana Wynne Jones
Media: Audiobook | Genre: YA Fantasy | Tags: Magic, Young Adult, Adventure
Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle.
To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.
Hunkiedorië Review: I knew this story as the beloved Studio Ghibli film but was surprised when I saw this on an Audible sale list. It has sat in my library untouched for a while and I hate myself for waiting so long. This book was delightful and the voice actor was truly magical. I LOVED this book. I followed up by watching the movie for the first time (I was not impressed).
House of Many Ways (Howl’s Moving Castle #3)
by Diana Wynne Jones
Media: Audiobook | Genre: YA Fantasy | Tags: Magic, Young Adult, Adventure
When Charmain Baker agreed to look after her great-uncle’s house, she thought she was getting blissful, parent-free time to read. She didn’t realize that the house bent space and time, and she did not expect to become responsible for an extremely magical stray dog and a muddled young apprentice wizard.
Now, somehow, she’s been targeted by a terrifying creature called a lubbock, too, and become central to the king’s urgent search for the fabled Elfgift that will save the country. The king is so desperate to find the Elfgift, he’s called in an intimidating sorceress named Sophie to help. And where Sophie is, the great Wizard Howl and fire demon Calcifer won’t be far behind.
How did respectable Charmain end up in such a mess, and how will she get herself out of it?
Hunkiedorië Review: I can’t really say why I skipped book two in this series, but I was excited to see that my journey into the world of Howl’s Moving Castle didn’t need to end with book one. This was just as adventurous as the first book and I enjoyed it.
Corsairs: Bethiah (Corsair Brothers #5)
by Ruby Dixon
Media: eBook | Genre: SciFi/Romance | Tags: SciFi, LGBTQ, Romance
I have a reputation for being the most chaotic bounty hunter in the universe.
What they don’t know? My private life is just as messy. I’ve got a sweet, innocent, cloned human woman who wants to be my lover…and a grumpy cyborg paramour who might be jealous that he’s not the center of attention.
The solution? A triad. Can three very different people love and work together all on the same small spaceship? We’re about to find out.
(Please note – this book is F/F/M and everybody touches everybody. If you’re not into that, this isn’t the book for you!)
Hunkiedorië Review: SPACE PIRATES, always my favorite. I devour Ruby’s Corsair books every time a new one comes out. I was a bit hesitant because sapphic stories have not been my favorite in the past. But I think my issue in the past was that all those seemed to be age gap and not the sapphic element. I loved Jamef in this, I have been so curious about his character and he is just the sweetest and a great balance to Bethia.
Yearning for Her
Tiffany Roberts
Media: eBook | Genre: Urban Fantasy/Romance | Tags: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fae
A wicked incubus. A curvy, delectable human female. One night of passion that changes everything.
Willow Crowley’s world comes crashing down when she discovers her boyfriend has been seeing another woman. The dream she’d held of a life with him is shattered in an instant, leaving her alone with nothing except heartache.
She vows never to open herself to that hurt again… Until a seductive, otherworldly stranger with white hair, piercings, and icy blue eyes promises her a single night of pleasure. No strings attached. But that night isn’t enough for him. He wants more, more than she’s ready to give. How can she trust him not to break her heart when he isn’t even human?
Kian has lived promiscuously for four hundred years, feeding on the desire of the humans he and the fae considered prey. But when he locks eyes with a purple-haired female, something inside him shifts irrevocably.
No one else can sate his hunger. He wants her. Needs her. Yearns for her. Yet she refuses to submit to the carnal delights he promises. She wants more. She wants…love. Can he mend her broken heart? Can he love a mortal woman?
Hunkiedorië Review: I’m a big fan of Tiffany Roberts’s writing and this book did not disappoint. A curvy heroine and a sex-powered broody fae…yes, please. It was cute, it was smutty, it was great.
Taken by the Dark Elf King (Monstrous Mates, #1)
by Charlotte Swan
Media: eBook | Genre: Fantasy/Romance | Tags: Fantasy Romance, Fae, Enemies to lovers
**MY FAVORITE BOOK OF THE MONTH**
Princess Elveena has never seen a dark elf in her life. As princess of the light of elves, their two kinds have been separated since before her birth. When a royal messenger arrives inviting them to a ball hosted by the king of the dark elves, Elvie knows she cannot pass up on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Even after the warnings from her father, Elvie knows this will be a night she’ll never forget. She expected to end the night with sore feet from the endless hours of dancing…not to be engaged to the king himself!
Trapped in this new kingdom, Elvie knows she must make the most of her new situation. With each passing day, she learns that King Arkain is not what she thought a dark elf would be like. Sure, he is mean and beastly compared to the males she is used to but Elvie quickly finds that to be the reason he excites her so much.
As the threat of war looms, will this budding passion between Elvie and the king continue to blossom? Or will she lose herself and all that she loves in the process?
Hunkiedorië Review: I was lucky enough to get Captured by the Orc General as an ARC. But I am all about doing things in the right order so I read this book first. It had been sitting on my wish list for a long time and I finally had the excuse I needed to read this and I LOVED IT. The tooth-achingly sweet relationship develops between Elvie and Arkain was so fun to read. I love me a giant badass MMC who is really a cinnamon roll for the FMC.
Captured by the Orc General (Monstrous Mates #2)
by Charlotte Swan
Media: eBook (ARC) | Genre: Fantasy/Romance | Tags: Fantasy Romance, Orcs, Enemies to lovers
Royal alchemist Kaethe knows two things:
- Drinking tea made from steeped riverhearts will cure almost anything.
- Never, ever trust an orc.
But when a rumor that she believes pertains to her missing brother has her leaving the safety and warmth of King Arkain and Queen Elvie’s court, she finds herself in the heart of the orc’s territory. Brokenbone Mountain is rumored to be filled with unspeakable danger. And if you can survive the harsh elements, those foul creatures that call the mountain home will enjoy feasting on your bones. Delightful.
Bazur, General of the Black Claw Clan, has no time for humans. The years have turned him as cold as the mountain he calls home. The last thing he needs to turn up in one of his traps is a brightly-colored hair human who danger seems to be following like a shadow. Bazur should turn her away and let the beasts have an easy dinner. But there is something about her that stops him. That propels him to take her in and keep her safe. Even if she seems terrified of him.
When one of his soldiers falls ill, Kaethe is the only one able to save him. In return, Bazur promises her safe passage through the mountain and volunteers to watch over her while she acts as a healer to his village. As the nights on Brokenbone Mountain grow longer and colder, Kaethe and Bazur learn that the other is not what they appear. Will their distrust for each other give way to the passion brewing between them? Or are some old wounds too deep to heal?
Hunkiedorië Review: Orc romances are one of my favorite things of all time, second only to space pirates. Charlotte Swan jumped up to the top of my favorite authors with this series. I love the development of her characters and the world she has built. I can not wait for book three!
Auctioned to the Alien Beast (Highest Bidder #1)
by Michele Mills
Media: eBook | Genre: Urban Fantasy/Romance | Tags: Alien, Romance
I’m half-naked under bright lights at the Auction House because I need money to save my mother’s life. There’s no other way. Tonight, my virginity is for sale. Mysterious, wealthy men sit in the darkened audience. A deep, raspy voice continues to up the bidding for me, and I find myself secretly hoping he’s the one.
The lights go up. I turn, seeking out the man who won. And a huge male marches forward and takes my hand, ready to immediately perform marriage vows. And he’s…he’s…not human. Flashing red eyes, dark gray skin, and…tusks. I blink and look around. Is this a joke?
My fists beat against his hairy chest. He grins, picks me up, and tosses me over his massive shoulder. And stomps off into the night.
Hunkiedorië Review: I have liked Michelle Mills books in the past and loved that there were shifters and aliens in this series. This was probably my favorite of the series. The shifter books were okay, but the human books just weren’t my thing. I ended up giving up on the series about halfway through.
Auctioned To The Grizzly Shifter (Highest Bidder #2)
by Olivia T. Turner
Media: eBook | Genre: Urban Fantasy/Romance | Tags: Shifter, Romance
Grizzly shifters like me don’t last long without a mate. Not when your inner bear is a snarling, rabid beast. He’s getting harder to control. Every day, I feel my grip on him slipping. It won’t be long now until he’s full-on feral. Then there will only be one option. A bullet in the head. The feral monster will have to be put down. And he’ll bring me down with him. My mate is the only one who can save me. But she’s not here, and I’m running out of time. In desperation, I go to an auction. When I catch a whiff of her delicious scent, my bear nearly loses it. And when I see her on that stage with other men bidding on what’s mine, my bear wants to destroy everything and everyone. I won’t let him. Not this time. She’s mine to protect. And those men are mine to destroy. May the highest bidder win? Screw that. May the snarliest, most vicious, most possessive man win. Winning bidder or not, I’m taking her. And I’m going to claim my mate.
The series where the Highest Bidder always wins. Welcome to a one-of-a-kind Auction House where humans, shifters, and aliens bid on love. These ultra-rich men are ready to bring home their virgin prizes. Are you ready to join in and wish you were the one on the auction block?
Auctioned to the Lumberjack (Highest Bidder #3)
by Olivia T. Turner
Media: eBook | Genre: Urban Fantasy/Romance | Tags: Second Chance Romance
I’m tired of living alone. Tired of nothing but the trees keeping me company. There are reasons I live the way I do. Reasons that I broke up with my fiancé – the love of my life – and that I stay on this mountain away from everyone and everything. But one email is about to change it all. I’ve been invited to a secret auction where I can bid on a virgin wife. I have no interest in accepting the invitation until I find out my ex-fiancé is one of the women. Can I stand by why other men bid on her? No way. But the fact remains, I’m not the same man I was before the accident. I have to save her… but then I’ll let her go. Until I see her lit up on stage, and everything changes. I won’t be letting her go… I’ll do whatever to make her want to stay.
Auctioned to the Pack Alpha (Highest Bidder #4)
by Olivia T. Turner
Media: eBook | Genre: Urban Fantasy/Romance | Tags: Shifter, Romance
I’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff in my life, but an auction for women? That’s got to be on top of the list. And they want to use my ranch for their next one. It’s secluded in the Montana mountains, where no one will interrupt their twisted little game for billionaires. I sign the contract and let them use the space. I’m mostly in my bear form these days anyway, wandering through the forest, and I could use the easy cash. On the night of the auction, I go check it out. Not to bid on a girl, just to make sure everything is on the up and up. I won’t allow any girls to be sold against their will. Not on my property. That’s when I see her on stage. I know immediately she’s my mate. My inner grizzly does too. Although we seem to be the only ones who know this girl is off-limits because the other men are bidding on her. In a few seconds, they’ll know she belongs to me, no matter who has the winning bid. I’m taking her. And I don’t care if I have to burn the whole place down to do it.
The series where the Highest Bidder always wins. Welcome to a one-of-a-kind Auction House where humans, shifters, and aliens bid on love. These ultra-rich men are ready to bring home their virgin prizes. Are you ready to join in and wish you were the one on the auction block?
Auctioned to the Tusk Warrior (Highest Bidder #6)
by Michele Mills
Media: eBook | Genre: Urban Fantasy/Romance | Tags: Alien, Romance
I’m on stage at the Auction House, ready to sell my virginity to the highest bidder. No matter if he’s human, shifter, or…alien. I hope to snag a quiet, contemplative, and easily influenced billionaire.
He’ll need the patience to put up with an aloof “bad girl” like me. I dress entirely in black, never smile and have no plans of ever falling in love. Safety and security, with an assumed name, is what I require. And if this mysterious buyer wants to marry me and move us to his remote mansion in the hinterland, all the better.
My goals are simple: Wreak retribution upon my enemies. Care for my darling, ailing senior cat.
The lights go up, and a roar echoes in the audience. A heavily armed, tattooed male pounds his fists against his hairy chest and strides straight for me, a look of extreme cunning flashing in his other-worldly red eyes. What the heck? My jaw drops when I see this “man” who wants marriage on the spot. He’s…he’s an alien warrior with tusks?
Ugh. How am I supposed to reign over this handsome, muscle-bound alien alpha? My body might be for sale tonight, but my heart is certainly not part of the bargain.
The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories, #1)
by Chris Colfer
Media: Audiobook | Genre: Children’s/Fairy Tale | Tags: Fairy Tale, Children’s, Fantasy
Alex and Conner Bailey’s world is about to change in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales. The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with fairy tale characters they grew up reading about. But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.
Hunkiedorië Review: I was looking for something simple with Harry Potter types vibes to listen to as I fell asleep at night. But, I ended up getting into the story and listening to it during the day not wanting to miss a thing. Very cute and fun. I will say this is the first book I have actually had to slow down on Audible. Author and narrator Chris Colfer (who you may know from Glee) reads this very fast in the audiobook version.
We are just getting started, and I can not wait to share my monthly reading list with you all as we move through 2023. If you have any suggestions please let me know!
My Favorite Book this Month:
Taken by the Dark Elf King (Monstrous Mates, #1)
My Top 5 Reads of 2023 (thus far)
My Top 5 Reads of 2022
- Corsair/Corsair Brothers/Risdaverse (series)
- Ice Planet Barbarians/Ice Home (series)
- The Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac (series)
- Bonds That Tie (series)
- Dragon Kin (series)
My Top 5 Reads of 2021
- The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter (Theodoa Goss)
- The Viscount Who Loved Me (Julia Quinn)
- The Toll (Neal Shusterman)
- The Midnight Library (Matt Haig)
- The Immortals (Jordanna Max Brodsky)
My Top 5 Reads of 2020
- Mr. Dickens and His Carol (Samantha Silva)
- Scythe (Neal Shusterman)
- Thunderhead (Neal Shusterman)
- The Vine Witch (Luanne G. Smith)
- Ready Player One (Ernest Cline)
My Top 5 Reads of 2019
- The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman)
- Strange Practice (Vivian Shaw)
- Dreadful Company (Vivian Shaw)
- Grave Importance (Vivian Shaw)
- Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
My Top 5 Reads of 2021
- The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter (Theodoa Goss)
- The Viscount Who Loved Me (Julia Quinn)
- The Toll (Neal Shusterman)
- The Midnight Library (Matt Haig)
- The Immortals (Jordanna Max Brodsky)
My Top 5 Reads of 2020
- Mr. Dickens and His Carol (Samantha Silva)
- Scythe (Neal Shusterman)
- Thunderhead (Neal Shusterman)
- The Vine Witch (Luanne G. Smith)
- Ready Player One (Ernest Cline)
My Top 5 Reads of 2019
- The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman)
- Strange Practice (Vivian Shaw)
- Dreadful Company (Vivian Shaw)
- Grave Importance (Vivian Shaw)
- Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
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