Hello dear bookish pals and welcome to a brand new week on damppebbles. It’s the last week of November which means that it’s also the last few days of #R3COMM3ND3D2023. How is that possible? It seems like only yesterday we kicked things off on 1st November with David from Blue Book Balloon. Since then we’ve had the grand total of seventy-four books recommended with four brilliant books vying for the much coveted top spot! Will that still be the case after today’s guest has revealed their top three picks of the year? Let’s find out…

I have such a treat in store for you this week as my four guests are all superb book bloggers and some of my very favourite bookish folk. Kicking things off with style today is the absolutely fabulous Rae of Rae Reads. Rae’s blog is a treasure trove of bookish loveliness and you absolutely must give Rae a follow if you don’t already. I can promise that you won’t regret it!

So, what is #R3COMM3ND3D2023? It’s about sharing the book love. It’s a chance for authors, book bloggers, reviewers and bookstagrammers to shout about three (yes, *only* three) books they love. They can be written by any author, in any genre and published in any way (traditionally, indie press or self-published). But there is a catch. All three books must have been published in 2023. To make things interesting there are a couple of teeny, tiny rules; 1) the book must have FIRST been published in 2023 and 2) special editions and reissues do not count. See, it wasn’t too painful. I just like to keep you lovely people on your toes 😉

With further ado, here are the three books Rae recommends…

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Love, Theoretically ticked all the boxes for me. The chemistry was spot on, there was not only work life tension but enemies to lovers tension too. All in all great characters, a fun plot and a romance that made me sigh!
Rae’s Review of Love, Theoretically

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Divine Rivals was such a wonderful surprise. I loved everything about this book from the story with its mix of fantasy. To the characters who were engaging and loveable. Let’s just say I was charmed from first page to last!

In the Blink of An Eye by Jo Callaghan
This book had such an intriguing premise and I loved the original ideas that cropped up in this story. It’s the kind of book that made me think and kept my interest completely. In the Blink of An Eye is a brilliant police procedural but with a twist.

Thank you so much, Rae. Three brilliant choices which I’m sure will be added to many TBRs (mine included!).

About Rae:
I’m a mum of two and owner of a very cute cat. I’m usually found with tea, biscuits and a book in my hand.

Rae’s Blog and Social Media Links:
| Rae Reads | X (formerly Twitter) @rae_reads1 | Instagram @raereadsbookblog | Bluesky @raereadsbookblog.bsky.social |

Sadly submissions for #R3COMM3D3D2023 are now closed. Shortly after the last post I will be inviting you to attend the virtual after-show party, which should be lots of fun. We’ll get to gaze upon the marvellous and majestic beauty of 2023’s books and also crown 2023’s winner, if we have one (they’re all winners, right?). Until then stay tuned as we have lots more bookish gorgeousness heading your way.