Book Sequels I Want to Read in 2023

There are a few sequels I’m excited to read in 2023. Some of them are the last books to some series that I look forward to finishing and others are the second book in the series. There is actually a bunch of them with no news of a sequel or a cover or publish date – so those are TBD (to be determined) and won’t be listed here. Also release dates may change so I will update these as needed. These are sequels I’m looking forward to reading in 2023!

Book Sequels I Want to Read in 2023

Two villains do battle for the heart of one girl in A CURSE FOR TRUE LOVE, the deadly conclusion of the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy

Release Date: 9/12/23


The second book in an epic, romantic fantasy trilogy based on Persian folklore, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare called “exquisitely crafted,” by bestselling and National Book Award–nominated author Tahereh Mafi.

Alizeh is the heir to the Jinn throne and fulfills a long-foretold prophecy of a Jinn sovereign destined to free her people from the half-lives they’ve been forced to live under the rule of humans.

Kamran is the heir to the human throne, and he’s being pressured to marry before he becomes king. When he falls in love with Alizeh and subsequently learns her true identity, he must question everything he’s been taught about Jinn and their future in his kingdom.

These Infinite Threads picks up at the explosive cliff-hanger ending of the New York Times bestselling novel This Woven Kingdom, and is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Tomi Adeyemi, and Sabaa Tahir.

Release Date: 2/7/23


This sequel to the contemporary fantasy Only a Monster—which New York Times bestselling authors Chloe Gong, Stephanie Garber, and C. S. Pacat called “captivating,” “unputdownable,” and “utterly fresh and unique”—will take Joan deeper into the monster world, where treacherous secrets and even more danger await.

Despite all of the odds, Joan achieved the impossible. She reset the timeline, saved her family – and destroyed the hero, Nick.

But her success has come at a terrible cost.

She alone remembers what happened. Now, Aaron, her hard-won friend – and maybe more – is an enemy, trying to kill her. And Nick, the boy she loved, is a stranger who doesn’t even know her name. Only Joan remembers that there is a ruthless and dangerous enemy still out there.

When a deadly attack forces Joan back into the monster world as a fugitive, she finds herself on the run with Nick – as Aaron closes in.

As the danger rises – and Nick gets perilously closer to discovering the truth of what Joan did to him – Joan discovers a secret of her own. One that threatens everyone she loves.

Torn between love and family and monstrous choices, Joan must find a way to re-gather her old allies to face down the deadliest of enemies, and to save the timeline itself.

Vanessa Len’s stunning Only a Monster trilogy continues with this second instalment, a thrilling journey where a secret past threatens to unravel everyone’s future.

Release Date: 6/7/23


Hazel Sinnett is alone and half-convinced the events of the year before—the immortality, Beecham’s vial—were a figment of her imagination. She doesn’t even know whether Jack is alive or dead. All she can really do now is treat patients and maintain Hawthornden Castle as it starts to decay around her.

When saving a life leads to her arrest, Hazel seems doomed to rot in prison until a message intervenes: She has been specifically requested to be the personal physician of Princess Charlotte, the sickly daughter of King George IV. Soon Hazel is dragged into the glamor and romance of a court where everyone has something to hide, especially the enigmatic, brilliant members of a social club known as the Companions to the Death.

As Hazel’s work entangles her more and more with the British court, she realizes that her own future as a surgeon isn’t the only thing at stake. Malicious forces are at work in the monarchy, and Hazel may be the only one capable of setting things right.

Immortality: A Love Story is the eagerly anticipated sequel to Dana Schwartz’s bestselling gothic romance, Anatomy: A Love Story.

Release Date: 2/28/23


Release Date: 11/21/23


Release Date: 12/31/22 (but I don’t see any information about the book anywhere so I think this date will change)


After the Seelie king Torin nearly froze me to death, I plunged through a portal into my true home. Turns out, my hometown is a wild Unseelie kingdom known as the Court of Sorrows. When Torin follows me and sees my new horns, he quickly realizes that his intended bride is an enemy of his realm. In fact, his name for my kind is “demon.”

But even if I have the horns of an Unseelie, I’m not welcome here, either. Queen Mab and her monstrous soldiers are delighted to torment us, accusing me of being a traitor. If we want to get out of the Court of Sorrows with our lives, the only hope we have is to stay as close to each other as possible–even if it means fleeing in horseback and sharing a bed. Every moment is bittersweet, since it could be our last–and Torin is condemned to kill anyone he loves.

Release Date: 1/24/23


In this heart-pounding conclusion to The Kinder Poison trilogy—which People magazine proclaimed a “delicious high-stakes adventure”—war looms over Orkena, but can Zahru save her people without losing herself?

War has come to Orkena.

Zahru has risen as Mestrah, and she is determined to peacefully end the escalating tensions with Wyrim, her country’s long-time enemy. Yet diplomacy proves to be futile, and when Zahru turns to Orkena’s allies for help, she finds that none are willing to come to her aid—not without Kasta ruling at her side.

As Wyrim advances on the capital, Zahru is desperate to protect her people, even if that means accepting Kasta’s help. But her enemy is merciless. And as ambushes and betrayals push Zahru to increasingly dark tactics, she wonders if perhaps Kasta had it right all along: maybe peace was never an option … and maybe she was never meant to do this alone.

Can Zahru spare her enemy without sacrificing her kingdom? Or will Orkena’s salvation only come if Zahru becomes the monster her people need?

Release Date: 2/14/23


Release date, cover, and blurb to be revealed soon!

Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power.

Oraya and Raihn’s story continues in book 2 of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King.

Release Date: 3/15/23


The captivating sequel to the Gothic-infused Belladonna, in which Signa and Death face a supernatural foe determined to tear them apart.

A duke has been murdered. The lord of Thorn Grove has been framed. And Fate, the elusive brother of Death, has taken up residence in a sumptuous estate nearby. He’s hellbent on revenge after Death took the life of the woman he loved many years ago…and now he’s determined to have Signa for himself, no matter the cost.

Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from prison if they will entertain his presence. But the more time the girls spend with Fate, the more frightening their reality becomes as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate’s past. With mysteries and danger around every corner, the cousins must decide if they can trust one another as they navigate their futures in high society, unravel the murders that haunt their family, and play Fate’s unexpected games—all with their destinies hanging in the balance.

Dangerous, suspenseful, and seductive, this sequel to Signa and Death’s story is as utterly romantic as it is perfectly deadly.

Release Date: 8/22/23


Release Date: 5/16/23


Zetian, now ruler of Chang’an, must balance dangerous politics with her quest for revenge in the sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Iron Widow, a blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction.

Having reclaimed her homeland from the Hunduns and learned the true nature of the gods, Iron Widow Zetian returns to Chang’an with Emperor-General Qin Zheng to rule together and attempt to deconstruct the corrupt and misogynist system that plagues the country. However, she must not only contend with political unrest and continued Hundun attacks but also with the gods themselves, who hold Li Shimin’s life in their hands and seek to control Zetian as their puppet.

Dangerous forces seek to undermine Zetian at every turn. Can she enact positive changes as a fair and just ruler, and change the system from within? Or will she be forced to rely on fear and violence, and succumb to her darker instincts, becoming almost as corrupt as Chang’an’s previous rulers, in her quest for vengeance?

Release Date: 8/29/23

What sequels are you excited for in 2023?

Let me know in the comments!

Let’s Talk Bookish: Holiday Books | 12/23/22

Let’s Talk Bookish is a bookish meme that was created by Rukky @ Eternity Books and now is hosted by Aria @Book Nook Bits, where each Friday, bloggers write posts discussing the topic of the week! Definitely check out her blog for more bookish content plus more Let’s Talk Bookish topics and the schedule.


This week’s topic is:

December 23: Holiday Books (Aria ~ me)

Christmas books and movies dominate the media during the winter season, but Christmas isn’t the only holiday being celebrated. Do you like reading holiday books at all? 

It’s not my favorite genre (I like Christmas movies more than books) – but I like to read 1 or 2 Christmas romance books during the holidays, at least! Sometimes it’s too cheesy for me, or maybe I’ve just become to cynical in my old age lol…but a holiday romance here and there is fun during the holidays.

Have you ever read a holiday book about another religion?

I’m not Jewish but my husband is and that’s what made me decide to read The Matzah Ball and I thought it was great to see how other religions are celebrated around the holidays. Hanukkah and Christmas sometimes coincide and they both include celebrating with festive lights so I thought it was a fun holiday romance book.

What about a holiday book not set during the winter season? 

There are some books where they celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in the story maybe because they are only a few weeks away. I love Fall because it’s spooky season, but I guess Halloween isn’t exactly a holiday? We don’t get it as a day off at least. I’m trying to remember if I’ve read any books celebrating Diwali and I feel like I have but can’t come up with a title in my head off the cuff.

If you’re religious but don’t celebrate Christmas, do you feel represented in the holiday media?

I don’t think a lot of other religions get much representation when Christmas is in full force. My child did come home with a Hanukkah menorah craft she did at school which was nice to see along with her other Christmas arts and crafts. I definitely don’t see much about Kwanzaa though I know when my son was in Kinder he did a coloring activity for Kwanzaa. It would be nice to see more holidays represented.

How the Grump Saved Christmas by. Claire Kingsley | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: How the Grump Saved Christmas

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Author: Claire Kingsley

Pages: 339

Publication Date: 11/16/22

Categories: Romance, Holiday Romance, Christmas, Small Town Romance, Second Chance Romance


Hardworking Isabelle Cook has a serious problem. Her family farm, site of Tilikum’s Christmas Village, is in trouble. Big trouble. And worst of all? The man trying to buy it is none other than the grumpiest, grinchiest man of them all—Elias Stoneheart.

That’s a big nope. She’s not letting him get involved. Not with his heart made of coal.

Elias Stoneheart is in the business of making money, not friends. Especially when his boss is promising a long-awaited promotion. All he has to do is convince one struggling family to sell their farm.

The problem? It’s Cook Family Farm. And Isabelle Cook is his ex.

He might have history with Isabelle, but this is just business. A Christmas-loving farm girl is not going to come between him and his ambition.

And Christmas? He hates it. Christmas Village needs to go.

But as Elias spends time in the small town, holiday spirit—and Isabelle—get under his skin. And she might be the only one who can melt the ice around his heart.

Author’s Note: a sassy farm girl takes on a grumpy businessman in this stand-alone, snowy, small-town Christmas romance. Saucy banter, a guard donkey, plenty of holiday cheer, and a heartwarming happily ever after that will make you believe in the magic of Christmas.

Content Warning: parental neglect, miscarriage

How Christmassy can this book get? Look at that book cover – it screams holiday, small town romance. And that’s exactly what I got! Here’s what I thought:

+ This is Hallmark Christmas movie worthy! It’s set in a small town, a big company wants to buy the land where Christmas Village takes place every year and where Elias’ ex-love lives. So he comes back to help buy the land for his job and being back there reminds him of why the place is important to the community and the woman he loves.

+ It has a great cast of character with everyone pretty much getting a happy ending!

+ It’s a second chance romance and there is definitely a past between Elias and Isabelle and a past. Elias is such a Scrooge and Isabelle is the only one who can really open and melt his heart. So it was nice seeing him succumb to Christmas, the people around him and Isabelle again. It’s very heartwarming. There are sexy scenes but it’s very rushed, nothing very detailed.

~ It’s predictable but it’s what I expect of a holiday romance. It hit a lull for me in the middle because of it. Maybe I was wishing for a little more chemistry or heat between Elias and Isabelle?

~ It’s a lot of holiday cheer to the point of it maybe being too much with everybody getting their happy ending? But eh…you just gotta go with it!

Tropes: small town romance, second chance romance, a Christmas miracle

Spice Level: 🌶

Why you should read it:

  • you want a story with lots of holiday cheer, and happily ever afters
  • small town romance, second change romance, a snowy small time with a tight community
  • fun characters

Why you might not want to read it:

  • overload on happiness? lol…maybe too cheesy at some parts

My Thoughts:

If you are looking for a holiday romance where the guy is basically Scrooge and he has a second chance to “make things right” then this book is it. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made it into a Hallmark movie! I found this one enjoyable and heart warming. Was it predictable? Sure! But isn’t that why we read holiday romance?

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Looking Back on 2022: Series That I Started or Finished

I haven’t been the best lately and finishing a series – but that’s why I’ve found duologies really work well for me! This year there were some series I got to finish (YAY!) and some series that I started and hope to eventually…someday. Let’s take a look at the series I read this year:

Series That I Started or Finished in 2022

Here’s what I started:

Okay that’s a long list of series I just started! lol…this is why I end up not finishing some series. 😅

The ones I won’t be continuing are:

  • A Deadly Education by. Naomi Novik (maybe)
  • Forging Silver into Stars by. Brigid Kemmerer (maybe? I rather finish the Defy the Night series!)
  • The Witch Collector by. Charissa Weaks (maybe)
  • House of Beating Wings by. Olivia Wildenstein (definitely will not)

Here are the series that I finished:

I did pretty good in finishing some series this year and mostly because a bunch of these are duologies! I hope I can finish a bunch of series in 2023.

What series are you looking forward to finish or start in 2023?

Let me know in the comments!

Looking Back on 2022: Books with Twins

Twin tropes are very popular in books but I try to limit my time reading too many of them because to me they get repetitive and I don’t know what it is but I don’t like reading about two siblings that look exactly alike. Even if their personalities are different, I guess I just want diverse looks! I like the bond of twins, and when there is conflict it always makes a compelling story but I’d rather read about sisters that are different in looks, maybe to add a bit of diversity, than two people that look exactly alike. Here are the books I read in 2022 that had twins in the story:

Books with Twins

Do you like the twin trope? I think I like it best when the other twin is evil 😅. It makes the story more interesting.

Let me know in the comments!

WWW Wednesday | 12/21/22

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam over on Taking on a World of Words.

The idea is pretty simple, every week you dedicate a post to the three W’s:

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

What are you currently reading?
What have you just finished reading?
What are you going to read next?

I slowed down on reading this month! There was just so much to do with the end of school before Winter Break and then my hubby left this weekend for his 2 year contract in Okinawa, Japan. There was a crazy storm system moving over Hawaii since Sunday – lots of rain and wind! My husband left on a red-eye on Sunday night and his flight took him through 3 hours of turbulence to San Francisco where he was delayed almost 2 hours – then an 11 hour flight from there to Haneda airport in Japan, where he missed his connecting flight to Okinawa, but had a chance to book a ticket on a later one. Yesterday he finally face-timed me at 6am, my son came running into the room to say hi to him (Okinawa is like 43 hours ahead of Hawaii) so he’s in “the future” as I like to tell my kids. 😅 Anyway I’m glad he made it. I don’t envy him having to travel for 30 hours (yuck) – maybe now I can settle down, relax and read more books.

What are you reading right now?

Books I Hope Santa Brings This Year | TTT | 12/20/22

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Please check out her website for more TTT topics!

This week’s topic is:

Books I Hope Santa Brings This Year

I only have these five books I want for Christmas! What books do you hope to get as gifts this year?

What’s on your TTT?

Happy Book Birthday | New Releases | 12/20/22

Happy book birthday to these new releases! Check out this list today:

The next book in the epic fantasy series by USA Today bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair.

Isolde, newly coronated queen, has finally found a king worthy of her in the vampire Adrian. But their love for each other has cost Isolde her father and her homeland. With two opposing goddesses playing mortals and vampires like chess pieces against one another, Isolde is uncertain who her allies are in the vampire stronghold of Revekka.

Now, as politics in the Red Palace grow more underhanded and a deadly blood mist threatens all of Cordova, Isolde must trust in the bond she’s formed with Adrian, even as she learns troubling information about his complicated past.


Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Are you getting any new books this week?

Happy Reading!

Goodreads Monday: Heartbreaker (Hells Belles, #2)

Happy Monday!

Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme where you chose a random book from your Goodreads TBR and show it off. This meme is hosted by Budget Tales Book Blog.

Title: Heartbreaker (Hells Belles, #2)

Author: Sarah MacLean

Pages: 391

Publication Date: 8/22/22

Links: Goodreads | Amazon

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean follows her highly acclaimed Bombshell with Heartbreaker, featuring a fierce, fearless heroine on a mission to steal a duke’s secrets…and his heart.

A Princess of Thieves

Raised among London’s most notorious criminals, a twist of fate landed Adelaide Frampton in the bright ballrooms of Mayfair, where she masquerades as a quiet wallflower—so plain and unassuming that no one realizes she’s the Matchbreaker…using her superior skills as a thief to help brides avoid the altar.

A King of Reputation

Henry, Duke of Clayborn, has spent a lifetime living in perfection. He has no time for the salacious gossip that arises every time the Matchbreaker ends another groom. His own reputation is impeccable—and the last thing he needs is a frustrating, fascinating woman discovering the truth of his past, or the secrets he holds close.

A Royal Match

When the two find themselves on a breakneck journey across Britain to stop a wedding, it’s impossible for Clayborn to resist this woman who both frustrates and fascinates him. But late-night carriage rides make for delicious danger…and soon Adelaide is uncovering Clayborn’s truths, throwing his well-laid plans into chaos…and threatening to steal his heavily guarded heart.

Have you read this book? Let me know in the comments below!

Weekly Wrap Up | 12/18/22

Aloha friends!

The kids are officially on Winter Break – my daughter caught another cold, I went to see the show Hamilton yesterday which was amazing and today is when my husband leaves for Okinawa, Japan to work for 2 years.

So now starts a journey I never thought I’d be in since he’s already out of the military – I really didn’t think I’d be doing the whole single-parent thing…but it’s the thought of trying to keep my kids happy and okay during the holidays and I mean more emotionally than physically. It’s Hanukkah week (Happy Hanukkah) and my hubby usually does the candles and prayer every night. And then there is Christmas morning of course – but we usually head over to my mom’s for lunch so they will be surrounded by family and New Year’s we usually stay in because the fireworks terrifies my dog and Hawaii on NYE is bonkers. But right after New Year’s is our daughter’s 6th birthday. SO he’s going to miss a lot of family moments and I know I’ll do the best I can…but sometimes the thought of doing everything alone is daunting and overwhelming. I just have to learn to ask for help more (and I have plenty help – my family lives 30 minutes away, I have friends too). It is what it is and I guess I should start planning for that Japan trip which we are tentatively planning for October 2023!

Anyway I hope your week was wonderful and you have a fabulous start of the new week – it’s the countdown to Christmas! 😆

Blog Posts:

It’s been a busy week! So I haven’t done much reading – hoping I can do much more reading this week but we shall see!

Books I Read:


Currently Reading:

Shows/Movies I Watched:

  • The Hills (Hulu) – I binged Laguna Beach and now been working my way through The Hills while working on my Etsy keychains. I think it’s crazy to look back and see the fashions of the early 2000’s. I’m SO old lol…
  • Harry & Meghan (Netflix) – I love their love story and really can the press just leave them alone? It’s awful to live that way…

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!