I was scrolling through my reads of 2022 the other night and it occurred to me… I read some amazing books last year and I need to share these with you.
In 2022, I read 60 books in total which to me is something to celebrate. That is the most I’ve read in a single year. There were so many great reads to choose from, so choosing just ten was incredibly difficult.
I’ve comprised this list of my top 10 reads of 2022 that I would recommend to anyone that loves the genre it sits in or whether they’re looking for new genres to try. They are all 5 star reads of mine and I have tried to include a range of different authors so that you are able to find books and authors you may not have heard of.
I have kept this list spoiler free, any spoilers contained have been hidden in drop down toggles so don’t be afraid to read through my thoughts.
If you are interested in any of these books, click on the images of the books to view them on Amazon.*
Enough of this rambling and let’s talk books…
Thoughts
Genre: Fantasy/ Romance
I have to admit I was worried about this book and if it would live up to the rest of the series… but it most definitely did! This was the one book in the series that I did not struggle to pick up.
From the point of view of a (once) minor character, this instalment of the series continues the story whilst starting a new one perfectly.
A Court Of Silver Flames is notably more romance based than the others, with an increased level of smut. If you are a lover of smut and romance scenes this book may just be for you. However, it still retains a level of fantasy that the rest of the series offer.
If you are new to this series, I recommend reading the A Court Of Thorns And Roses synopsis below rather than the synopsis for this book to avoid spoilers.
Synopsis
Feyre is a huntress. And when she sees a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she kills the predator and takes its prey to feed herself and her family.
But the wolf was not what it seemed, and Feyre cannot predict the high price she will have to pay for its death…
Dragged away from her family for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding even more than his piercing green eyes suggest.
As Feyre’s feelings for Tamlin turn from hostility to passion, she learns that the faerie lands are a far more dangerous place than she realized. And Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.
Nesta Archeron has always been prickly – proud, swift to anger and slow to forgive. And since the war – since being made High Fae against her will – she’s struggled to forget the horrors she endured and find a place for herself within the strange and deadly Night Court.
The person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred, winged warrior who is there at Nesta’s every turn. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. And when they are forced to train in battle together, sparks become flame.
As the threat of war casts its shadow over them once again, Nesta and Cassian must fight monsters from within and without if they are to stand a chance of halting the enemies of their court. But the ultimate risk will be searching for acceptance – and healing – in each other’s arms.
Thoughts
Genre: Historical/Mythological Romance
Now, this was a book I bought on a whim thanks to a fellow reader over on Instagram. I love reading mythology retellings especially Greek based ones and this one definitely did not disappoint. I was introduced to mythological figures and origin stories I did not know existed and I was thrown into this story almost immediately. I really enjoyed the writing in this, Molly Tullis has a wonderful way of writing that is informative, descriptive and enjoyable.
Synopsis
Before the age of gods and men, the most ancient of the immortals, Nyx, pulled herself into creation. Her power encapsulated the night and all its secrets — where nothing goes unseen. Once respected for the balance and duality that she brought to the world, and the haven she created in Tartarus, the rise of the gods has brought the Goddess of Night’s influence into question.
Beside her, Erebus, the God of Darkness, grows restless. The primordial God has spent thousands of years amplifying Nyx and the powers of the night, acting as the final knell to her command. He has watched their children — Thanatos, Hypnos, and Chiron — usher the souls of mankind through life and threatens to blanket the world in darkness when his family’s reputations begin to tarnish.
Power hungry, a young Zeus lurks in the daylight, creating a cult of perception. He hatches a plan to take the throne from his father, Kronos, and bring down anyone who has the strength to defy him… primordials included. As Nyx and Erebus are divided on different sides of the struggle, their relationship is tested as well as the balance of night and day itself.
Thoughts
Genre: Mythological/ Fantasy Romance
I’m definitely a sucker at this point for a Greek retelling. Knowing this was one along with the stunning cover is why I bought this book. Other than that I knew nothing about it. I wanted to know more about Hades and Persephone as I knew barely anything about them and their story… was I expecting the level of smut in this book? NO. This was probably one of the first smutty books I read and after a short while I began to enjoy it.
Synopsis
Persephone is the Goddess of Spring in title only. Since she was a little girl, flowers have only shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hoped to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. All of that changes when she sits down in a forbidden nightclub to play a hand of cards with a hypnotic and mysterious stranger.
Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible. But nothing has ever intrigued him as much as the goddess offering him a bargain he can’t resist.
After her encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead, and his terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows-a love that is both captivating and forbidden.
Thoughts
Genre: Romance/Contemporary Fiction
If you’ve read my review on It Ends With Us you’ll already know my thoughts on this book. I was rather intimidated going into it due to how much hype surrounds this book both on Tiktok and Instagram.
I have to say, this is not usually my type of read. I love thrillers and fantasy, however, I absolutely devoured this book as much as it devoured me. I could not put this book down. I found the writing and plot so addictive I finished it wanting more. Thankfully there’s now a sequel out for me to read as soon as possible.
Please check out content warnings for this book, it is a very powerful book that has a lot of important yet triggering content.
Synopsis
Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems too good to be true.
Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.
As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.
Thoughts
Genre: Romance Graphic Novel
This is where I was first introduced to Nick and Charlie and they hold a special place in my heart. I’ve chosen to include the first volume as this is where it all starts. It may not be the “best” volume in the series but it deserves a place in this list as it’s the start of one of the best stories I have read. Nick and Charlie’s story is so relatable, you find yourself thrown back to the days you were in school and going through similar situations. Perhaps you were coming out at the time, or getting bullied. Well, prepare yourself for the nostalgia (both the good kind and the bad kind) because it’s worth it!
Covering a wide range of topics within the story, we tackle some difficult and misunderstood issues in today’s society such as eating disorders and mental health. I highly recommend you read content warnings before reading this.
Synopsis
Charlie and Nick are at the same school, but they’ve never met … until one day when they’re made to sit together. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance.
But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is more interested in Charlie than either of them realised.
By Alice Oseman, winner of the YA Book Prize, Heartstopper is about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.
Thoughts
Genre: Historical fiction
Growing up, I always had a fascination over the mystery that was Jack The Ripper which has seeped into my adult years where if there is a documentary, I will watch it! When I learned of this book I was so excited by nervous to read it so it sat on my bookcase for the best part of a year until one day I was looking for something to read and was I disappointed? Of course not!
I was completely engrossed in the story from the first page. I found myself completely obsessed with finding out how the characters were going to develop and what the conclusion would be…
Susannah was an absolute treat to read and go on a journey with. It’s safe to say I look forward to what this author comes out with in the future, as I will be patiently waiting.
Synopsis
London, 1888. Susannah rushes into marriage to a young and wealthy surgeon. After a passionate honeymoon, she returns home with her new husband wrapped around her little finger. But then everything changes. His behaviour becomes increasingly volatile and violent. He stays out all night, returning home bloodied and full of secrets.
Lonely and frustrated, Susannah starts following the gruesome reports of a spate of murders in Whitechapel. But as the killings continue, her mind takes her down the darkest path imaginable. Every time he stays out late, another victim is found dead. Is it coincidence? Or is her husband the man the papers call Jack the Ripper?
Thoughts
Genre: Psychological Thriller
I do love a thriller that grips your attention from the first page, and this was no exception. I found the story so uniquely intriguing that I just HAD to know what was going to happen. I devoured this book in such a short space of time due to the fantastic writing and the short snappy chapters.
Synopsis
One little girl.
Mirabelle’s mother loves her. She’s her ‘little doll’. Mother dresses her, paints her face, and plaits her hair. But as Mirabelle grows, the dresses no longer fit quite as well, the face paint no longer looks quite so pretty. And Mother isn’t happy.
Two little girls.
On Mirabelle’s 13th birthday, Mother arrives home with a present – a new sister, 5-year-old Clarabelle, who Mother has rescued from the outside world.
But Mother only needs one.
As it dawns on Mirabelle that there is a new ‘little doll’ in her house, she also realises that her life isn’t what she thought it was. And that dolls often end up on the scrap heap…
Thoughts
Genre: Fantasy
I cannot recommend this series enough. Throne Of Glass has everything a fantasy reader is looking for in a book series. I read the entire series last year and I already can’t wait to re-read it!
Throughout the series you follow Celaena Sardothian an infamous assassin, you’ll see her character development in full along with some amazing characters. I refuse to give you anymore details. Read the Throne Of Glass synopsis and if you start this series… prepare for the final installment Kingdom Of Ash. You will be left empty… broken… yet complete.
What I will say is give it a chance. The series doesn’t start the strongest, but by the end of book two you will be obsessed. I did actually enjoy the first book so I was hooked instantly.
Synopsis
Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.
In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake. She got caught.
Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament – fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?
Aelin Galathynius’s journey from slave to assassin to queen reaches its heart-rending finale as war erupts across her world .
She has risked everything to save her people – but at a tremendous cost. Locked in an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will to endure the months of torture inflicted upon her. The knowledge that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, but her resolve is unravelling with each passing day.
With Aelin imprisoned, Aedion and Lysandra are the last line of defence keeping Terrasen from utter destruction. But even the many allies they’ve gathered to battle Erawan’s hordes might not be enough to save the kingdom. Scattered throughout the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian must forge their own paths to meet their destinies. And across the sea Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen – before she is lost to him.
Some bonds will deepen and others be severed forever, but as the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight if they are to find salvation – and a better world.
Thoughts
Genre: Crime/ Thriller
READ. THIS. BOOK.
I genuinely LOVED this book. I found it so gripping and I just could not put it down. The plot posed a really interesting question… would you kill an innocent person to save someone you love ? It has you questioning your morals while you’re reading I really enjoyed reading about and questioning herself how far a mother will go to save her son.
Do No Harm is a fast paced, tense book that I think more people should be talking about.
I was kindly gifted an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review last year. This has not affected my review
Synopsis
My son has been taken.
And I’ve been given a choice…
Kill a patient on the operating table.
Or never see him again.
The man lies on the table in front of me.
As a surgeon, it’s my job to save him.
As a mother, I know I must kill him.
You might think that I’m a monster.
But there really is only one choice.
I must get away with murder.
Or I will never see my son again
Thoughts
Genre: Crime/ Thriller
I’m a massive fan of the Robert Hunter Series by Chris Carter, and if you follow me on Instagram you probably know that by now. I love this series; the gore, the plot, and the characters are so wonderfully written.
This installment is one of my favourites due to the plot. Without going into too much detail you get more insight into Detective Hunter and his past which is interesting and a real page-turner.
In classic thriller style, this book is fast-paced with short chapters enabling you to make significant progress without feeling it.
I highly recommend you read this series if you haven’t already but I highly encourage you to start at the beginning with the first book “The Crucifix Killer”.
Synopsis
When the body of a young woman is discovered in a derelict cottage in Los Angeles, Robert Hunter is thrown into a nightmare case. The victim suffered a terrible death, and on the nape of her neck has been carved a strange double-cross: the signature of a psychopath known as the Crucifix Killer. But that’s impossible.
Because two years ago, the Crucifix Killer was caught and executed. Could this therefore be a copycat killer? Or could the unthinkable be true? Is the real killer still out there, ready to embark once again on a vicious and violent killing spree, selecting his victims seemingly at random, taunting Robert Hunter with his inability to catch him? Hunter and his rookie partner, Garcia, need to solve this case and fast.
Every story has a beginning…
They met for the first time in college. Two of the brightest minds ever to graduate from the prestigious Stanford University. They met again in Quantico, Virginia. Robert Hunter has become the head of the LAPD’s Ultra Violent Crimes Unit. Lucien Folter has become the most prolific and dangerous serial killer in FBI history.
The FBI caught Lucien. He’s been in prison for years. But Lucien has just escaped. And he’s angry. He’s going to make the person who put him away suffer.
That person … is Robert Hunter.
And every story must come to an end…
So that's my top 10 reads of 2022
I hope you find something that has peaked your interest from this list of my top 10 reads of 2022. I thoroughly enjoyed each of these books, but book taste is subjective.
What are some of your top reads of 2022? Let me know, I may just end up finding one for my “Top 10 reads of 2023”
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2 thoughts on “Top 10 Reads Of 2022”
I also love Heartstopper, ACOSF and It ends with us so might have to check out some of your other faves too!