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12

Top Ten Tuesday – My Most Anticipated Books Releasing During the First Half of 2024

January 9, 2024/17 Comments/by Suzanne

 

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 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

This week’s TTT topic is Most Anticipated Releases of the First Half of 2024.  This is always an easy topic just because, of course, there are always so many books that I’m excited to get my hands on.  I have ARCs for several of these so I’m glad I don’t have to wait too long to dive into them. As always, it’s mostly romance with just a hint of historical fiction and fantasy.

My Most Anticipated Releases of the First Half of 2024

 

1. BRIDE by Ali Hazelwood  –  “A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis.”

2.  THE CATCH by AMY LEA – “A grumpy lobster fisherman tosses a fashion influencer’s impeccably curated life overboard in the next romantic comedy from international bestselling author Amy Lea.”

3.  FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry  – “A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.”

4.  JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez – “A sharp and scintillating summer novel that will make readers laugh out loud and cry happy tears from the New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly.”

5. THE PARADISE PROBLEM by Christina Lauren – “Christina Lauren, returns with a delicious new romance between the buttoned-up heir of a grocery chain and his free-spirited artist ex as they fake their relationship in order to receive a massive inheritance.”

6. THE ROM-COMMERS by Katherine Center – “She’s rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own?  Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies—good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates—The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!—it’s a break too big to pass up…But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone—much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.”

But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself. She will convince him that love stories matter—even if she has to kiss him senseless to do it. But . . . what if that kiss is accidentally amazing? What if real life turns out to be so much . . . more real than fiction? What if the love story they’re writing breaks all Emma’s rules—and comes true?”

7.  THIS COULD BE US by Kennedy Ryan – “Soledad Barnes has her life all planned out. Because, of course, she does. She plans everything. She designs everything. She fixes everything. She’s a domestic goddess who’s never met a party she couldn’t host or a charge she couldn’t lead. The one with all the answers and the perfect vinaigrette for that summer salad. But none of her varied talents can save her when catastrophe strikes, and the life she built with the man who was supposed to be her forever, goes poof in a cloud of betrayal and disillusion.

But there is no time to pout or sulk, or even grieve the life she lost. She’s too busy keeping a roof over her daughters’ heads and food on the table. And in the process of saving them all, Soledad rediscovers herself. From the ashes of a life burned to the ground, something bold and new can rise. But then an unlikely man enters the picture—the forbidden one, the one she shouldn’t want but can’t seem to resist. She’s lost it all before and refuses to repeat her mistakes. Can she trust him? Can she trust herself?  After all she’s lost . . .and found . . .can she be brave enough to make room for what could be?”

8.  THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS by Katherine Arden – “During the Great War, a combat nurse searches for her brother, believed dead in the trenches despite eerie signs that suggest otherwise, in this hauntingly beautiful historical novel with a speculative twist from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale“

9. THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah – “From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah’s The Women—at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.”

10. A HAPPIER LIFE by Kristy Woodson Harvey – “With “her signature warmth and Southern charm” ( E! Online ), the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds and the Peachtree Bluff series presents a tender and touching novel about a young woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a life-changing summer in North Carolina.”

 

* * * * * *

Question:  Are you planning to read any of these?

https://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/TTT-Big2.png 203 500 Suzanne http://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/trimmed-Copy-of-Bookish-Logo-copy.png Suzanne2024-01-09 11:22:532024-01-09 11:22:53Top Ten Tuesday – My Most Anticipated Books Releasing During the First Half of 2024

Romance Review – LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL by Sarah Grunder Ruiz @berkleyromance

January 5, 2024/16 Comments/by Suzanne
Romance Review – LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL by Sarah Grunder Ruiz @berkleyromanceLast Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
four-half-stars
Series: Love, Lists & Fancy Ships #3
Published by Berkley Romance on January 2, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Romance
Pages: 368
Source: Netgalley
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop
Goodreads

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

 

Last Call at the Local is the third installment in Sarah Grunder Ruiz’s Love, Lists & Fancy Ships series and it honestly might be my favorite one yet! What I love about this series is that each book makes me feel so much. Whether I’m laughing at some hilarious banter or shedding tears about a sad turn of events, my heart is just always full the entire time I’m reading. Last Call at the Local was no exception to that and I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience.

Set in Ireland, the story follows Raine, a young American woman who has run into some bad luck that has left her broke and with little more than the clothes on her back. She stops in at a pub called the Local, where she has a very one-sided conversation with the pub’s cat, Sebastian, and meets Jack, who is not only Sebastian’s charming owner but he’s also part owner of the Local.  Jack and Raine hit it off immediately and once he hears about the predicament she is in, he offers her a temporary job at the pub to help her get back on her feet.  Neither Raine nor Jack realize how life changing this chance encounter and temporary job will turn out to be.

I cannot even express how much I adored both Jack and Raine.  They were just so perfect together and it was a joy to watch them interact and explore their growing feelings for one another.  I also admired them as individuals though because they’re both facing some mental health challenges.  Raine initially comes across as a free spirit, and while she is to a degree, she is also living with ADHD, which makes it hard for her to buckle down and focus. That’s why, when we meet her, she has been working as a traveling musician all over Europe. She figured it was the best of both worlds, a way to make money from her passion for music, but also no set schedule, no boss to answer to, and no family to be disappointed in her.  Jack, on the other hand, is dealing with the challenges of living with severe OCD. Ruiz handles the exploration of both ADHD and OCD thoroughly and respectfully, and I felt like I learned so much by having access to Jack’s and Raine’s inner thoughts and experiencing ADHD and OCD from their perspectives.

I loved being back in this world and was absolutely thrilled to bump into Ollie and Nina again and see what they’ve been up to.  Everything about this book was just perfect and I can’t recommend it and the whole series highly enough.  If you’re looking for a book that will leave you with a full heart and a smile on your face, be sure to check out Last Call at the Local.

 

Thanks so much to Kristin Cipolla from Berkley Romance for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour.

four-half-stars

About Sarah Grunder Ruiz

Sarah Grunder Ruiz is a writer, educator, and karaoke enthusiast. Originally from South Florida, she now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and two children. She holds an MFA in creative writing from North Carolina State University, where she now teaches First-Year Writing.

Website | Goodreads | Instagram

https://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/last-call-lg.jpg 700 454 Suzanne http://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/trimmed-Copy-of-Bookish-Logo-copy.png Suzanne2024-01-05 05:35:592024-01-04 22:54:16Romance Review – LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL by Sarah Grunder Ruiz @berkleyromance

Top Ten Tuesday – My Ten Favorite Books of 2023

January 2, 2024/36 Comments/by Suzanne

 

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 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

Happy New Year, everyone!  I want to start off by apologizing for my lack of blogging and blog hopping for the past few weeks. Time got away from me, and I was planning to use my vacation to get all caught up and that just didn’t happen. All plans went out the window when I ended last week by face-planting on my neighbor’s concrete sidewalk one night while taking a mis-delivered package to their house (Thanks USPS!).  I’m okay aside from a busted chin and sore jaw, but needless to say, I spent the rest of my vacation on the couch reading.  I don’t think I have it in me to backtrack and try to get caught up on comments, so I hope it’s okay if I just start fresh this week.

Okay, back on topic.  This week’s TTT topic is Favorite Books of 2023. The hardest part about this topic is narrowing down to just ten favorites.  I did it here to fit the topic’s criteria and the ten I selected are ones that just really resonated with me and have stuck with me in many cases for months after I read them.  I really do have so many more favorites though and if you want to see more, later this week I’ll be posting my top 23 reads for 2023 on my Bookstagram account.

 

* * * * *

My Favorite Reads from 2023 (in no particular order):

 

   

     

1. YOURS TRULY by Abby Jimenez

2. FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros

3. THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP by Ashley Poston

4. THE PARIS DAUGHTER by Kristin Harmel

5. HEARTLESS by Elsie Silver

6.  NONE OF THIS IS TRUE by Lisa Jewell

7.  THE FRAGILE THREADS OF POWER by V.E. Schwab

8.  THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS by Kristy Woodson Harvey

9.  ALWAYS ONLY YOU by Chloe Liese

10. THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW by Adrienne Young

 

* * * * * *

Question:  Did we share any favorite reads in 2023?

https://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/TTT-Big2.png 203 500 Suzanne http://thebookishlibra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/trimmed-Copy-of-Bookish-Logo-copy.png Suzanne2024-01-02 05:35:552024-01-01 23:15:21Top Ten Tuesday – My Ten Favorite Books of 2023
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me

Hi, I'm Suzanne. Proofreader by day, book blogger by night, devourer of books 24/7. My reading tastes: Basically you name it, I probably like it. I read a lot of contemporary and historical, both adult and YA, and I've also been enjoying more and more fantasy lately. Hobbies include: buying and hoarding of books, rambling about books to anyone who will listen, and trying to recommend books to my family and friends whether they are readers or not - because seriously, how can you not love to read books?

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🎄🩷 PINK WEDNESDAY - CHRISTMAS TREE 🩷🎄 🎄🩷 PINK WEDNESDAY - CHRISTMAS TREE 🩷🎄

On Wednesday, we try to create bookish pink Christmas trees! 😅

My little tree has a bit of Charlie Brown vibe, but I still couldn’t resist sharing it since it contains more books I’ve enjoyed reading this year. 

Books Featured:

✨First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
✨Love in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly
✨The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton
✨Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renee Rosen
✨Freeing the Wild by Paisley Hope
✨Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
✨Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady
✨Gabriela and His Grace by Liana De La Rosa
✨Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
✨Anywhere You Go by Bridget Morrissey
✨A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
✨Not Part of the Plan by Lucy Score
✨The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
✨Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese
✨Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
✨Overruled by Lana Ferguson
✨Red Card by Maren Moore
✨How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin
✨Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards
✨Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura

❓QOTD - If you celebrate Christmas, what’s one gift you would love to wake up and find under your tree on Christmas morning?  If not, what’s a gift you have received (for any occasion) that you really loved?
Thanks for the free book @berkleyromance #BerkleyP Thanks for the free book @berkleyromance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley & #gifted ALC @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner

✈️ Review - LOVE IN PLANE SIGHT ✈️

Author - Lauren Connolly

Pub Date - 12/16/25

This story follows Beth, a young woman who has always dreamed of becoming a pilot. She has started taking baby steps toward making that dream a reality but financially it was a stretch for her. She flew once with her brother’s best friend, George, but due to mechanical issues, they almost crash. George wants to make amends with Beth, so he offers to give her flying lessons for free. Beth is nervous about this because she has developed a crush on George in part because of how he was able to safely bring their plane down. Can she contain herself if he suddenly becomes her instructor?

My favorite thing about Connolly’s novels is that they really tug on my heartstrings.  Beth has so much going on in her life. Her mom is sick so most of Beth’s money has been going to try to help her. Beth is also the result of an affair and her father basically wishes she did not exist. The bright spot in her life is her absolutely precious half brother, Shawn, who is a cinnamon roll and golden retriever all rolled into one and so supportive of her.  George quickly becomes another bright spot for her as he helps her make her dream a reality and as she realizes that her feelings for him are becoming more than a crush. 

I loved the dynamic between Beth and George. Where she’s this people-pleasing ray of sunshine, he’s much more grumpy and stoic, but at the same time, just as supportive of Beth as Shawn is.  They were an easy couple to root for. I also adored the found family vibes as Beth and Shawn forge the most amazing half sibling relationship, in spite of their hateful father. 

I read this one with my eyes and ears and thought Karissa Vacker’s narration was just beautiful. She perfectly captures the depth of emotions that Beth experiences throughout the story, as well as the hilarity of Beth and Shawn’s unique and very dramatic book club nights. She had me wanting Shawn to get his own book because I just fell so hard for his personality!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

❓QOTD - Favorite way to travel?
🩷 BOOK WREATH - BERKLEY ROMANCE STYLE 🩷 So 🩷 BOOK WREATH - BERKLEY ROMANCE STYLE 🩷

So many of my favorite reads this year have come from @berkleyromance and @acebookspub so I thought it would be fun to share them all in a festive holiday post. Most of these were gifted from the publisher so thank you so much, Berkley Romance and Ace. 🩷

Books Featured: 

✨First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
✨The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover
✨Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen
✨Love in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly
✨Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
✨One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
✨Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake
✨Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter
✨The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Payne
✨Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca
✨Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura
✨While It Was Snowing by Julia London
✨Secret Nights and Northern Lights by Megan Oliver
✨Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler
✨Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
✨The Love Simulation by Etta Easton
✨If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
✨What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
✨Ride with Me by Simone Soltani
✨Gabriela and Her Grace by Liana De La Rosa
✨Anywhere You Go by Bridget Morrissey
✨Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady
✨Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
✨Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz
✨Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson
✨No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel
✨Revolve by Bal Khabra
✨The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson
✨The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong
✨The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest
✨Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay
✨A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
✨Overruled by Lana Ferguson 
 
 ❓QOTD - What are some of your favorite reads of the year?
❄️ Review - WHILE IT WAS SNOWING ❄️ Autho ❄️ Review - WHILE IT WAS SNOWING ❄️

Author - Julia London

Pub Date - 10/28/25

I’m making steady on my holiday TBR and one of my most recent reads was While It Was Snowing. 

This was such a charming and heartwarming holiday read about two strangers who unexpectedly end up spending the holidays together. Amy is just looking for a quiet place to paint. She needs to finish five paintings for an upcoming art show, but between her needy ex, her children, and her overbearing parents, she can’t find a moment of peace. The solution comes in the form of a vacant lake house that her friend offers to let her stay at for two weeks.  Amy jumps at the offer but then is shocked when it turns out her friend’s sister has also rented out the lake house, to Harrison, a professional golfer looking for a quiet place to rehab after an injury that has put his life and career on hold. After an initial awkward encounter, Amy and Harrison decide to share the house.

I love a good forced proximity story and just ate this one up as Amy and Harrison go from basically avoiding each other, to seeking each other out more and more as they realize they have a lot in common and great chemistry.  They have both hilarious moments as well as some cozy, romantic ones as a snowstorm threatens to snow them in together.  A trip to stock up on supplies had me absolutely cackling at them and their banter and silly antics as they really started to bond.  There’s also a healthy dose of family drama when Amy’s family descends on the lake house, interrupting the cozy little sanctuary Amy and Harrison have created. 

I also loved that Amy and Harrison are both middle aged. I thought that was pretty refreshing and not something I come across often enough. 

I’m a big fan of London’s books, especially since she’s so great at including dogs that are adorable scene stealers and she did not disappoint in this book. Duchess is an elder dog who also happens to be blind and she is absolutely precious!

If you’re looking for a heartwarming, lighthearted holiday romance, this would be a great choice. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - What’s your favorite holiday beverage? Or what are you reading this weekend?
🎧 AUDIOBOOK MINI REVIEWS 🎧 Thanks to @prhau 🎧 AUDIOBOOK MINI REVIEWS 🎧

Thanks to @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner for the gifted ALCs

✨NEXT TIME WILL BE OUR TURN by Jesse Q. Sutanto✨

Pub Date -11/11/25

Izzy Chen feels like she’s the black sheep of the family. That is, until her grandmother walks into their family’s Chinese New Year celebration with a girlfriend and proceeds to kiss her in front of everyone. Izzy is shocked but Magnolia sees her own struggles with identity and acceptance in Izzy. The story then transforms into a dual timeline story where Magnolia tells Izzy her life story and about how she meets Ellery, the love of her life.  This is a beautifully written and sometimes heartbreaking coming of age story that explores themes of family and sisterhood, as well as women’s rights and making hard choices. The audiobook narration was fantastic as it made me feel like I was there with Izzy listening to Magnolia tell her story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 💫 ️

✨AND THEN THERE WAS YOU by Sophie Cousens✨

Pub Date -11/18/25

When we meet Chloe, she is dreading going to her college reunion because she’s stuck in a job she doesn’t like and living back at home. Chloe doesn’t want to show up alone so she signs up for a dating service and she gets paired up with Rob, who is handsome, well read, and quite possibly her perfect match. There’s a big catch when it comes to Rob that required me to suspend disbelief a bit, but I love Sophie Cousens’ books so it was easy to roll with it & see where the story took me. I’m glad I stuck with it too because I ended up really enjoying it. I was captivated by Chloe’s journey because she learns so much about herself. Kerry Gilbert narrates and does a great job capturing both the story’s heart and the humor. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 

✨ THE LIBRARIANS by Sherry Thomas ✨

Pub Date - 9/30/25

Four librarians play amateur sleuths when two of their patrons end up dead. I loved that some of the librarians’ motivations for solving these murders were to keep some of their own long-buried secrets hidden.  I thought the writing was clever but the pace was a little slow in the beginning. Louisa Zhu’s narration was great. Loved the unique voices she gave each character. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

❓QOTD - Any fun weekend plans?
🪄 FANTASY FEATURE - THE WAND KEEPERS by Tiffany 🪄 FANTASY FEATURE - THE WAND KEEPERS by Tiffany McDaniel 🪄

If you’re looking for a gift idea for the middle grade reader in your life, I highly recommend The Wand Keepers series from @authortiffanymcdaniel .  I don’t read many books geared towards younger readers but I couldn’t resist giving this fantasy series a try since McDaniel’s adult books are some of my all time favorites. I’m so glad I did too because these books are just so whimsical and absolutely delightful! Thanks so much to the author for the gifted copies!

The stories have witches and dragons, and even a mummified cat named Egypt. They are also the perfect blend of fantasy, mystery, and adventure, along with the most imaginative worldbuilding! Spella, the young witch who is the protagonist in the series, is such an easy character to root for. I loved meeting her in the first book and getting to know her even better in the second installment, and I also adored all of her friends that we meet along the way.

This series is perfect for younger fans of Witchings and Eva Evergreen. Books 1 and 2 are available now!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - What was your favorite book or series when you were a child?

AOTD - My favorites growing up were the Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and the Sweet Valley High books. I also loved all of Judy Blume’s and Beverly Cleary’s books.
🔎 Review - THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIMEOF THE YEAR 🔎 Review - THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIMEOF THE YEAR 🔎

Author - Ally Carter

Pub Date - 9/24/24

I normally stick to romances when I read holiday books, but I just couldn’t resist The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year after seeing so much hype for it on Booksta last year and especially after realizing that it features bookish characters in a locked room mystery.  Bookish characters and locked room mysteries are two of my favorite things, so this book felt like it was written for me. 

It did not disappoint either. The synopsis describes it as “Knives Out gets a rom-com twist” and I think that’s a pretty apt description.  Maggie is a successful cozy mystery writer, while Ethan Wyatt is popular thriller author.  Maggie cannot stand Ethan so she is less than thrilled to get an invite to an exclusive Christmas party at an English estate, only to arrive and find Ethan there as well.  The big surprise though comes when it turns out the host is the most power author in the world, Eleanor, the Duchess of Death herself. 

Eleanor is in her 80s now and Maggie wonders if she is looking for an author to take over her popular series. Are she and Ethan in some kind of competition? Maggie continue to wonder about this when Eleanor goes missing from her room in the middle of a snowstorm.  Has something really happened to her or is this all some kind of test? 

I love a good enemies/rivals to lovers, forced proximity romancey, so I thoroughly enjoyed watching Maggie reluctantly have to team up with Ethan to follow clues and figure out what has happened to Eleanor, especially as other shady things start to happen at the estate.  The mystery element of this story is really good, and I also very much enjoyed watching the sparks fly between Ethan and Maggie. 

Definitely a solid holiday read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - If you read mysteries, do you prefer them thrilling or cozy?  Or what are your last-now-next reads?
🎅🏻 Review - BIG NICK ENERGY 🎅🏻 Author 🎅🏻 Review - BIG NICK ENERGY 🎅🏻

Author - Morgan Elizabeth

Pub Date - 10/24/23

I have officially started my Holiday TBR reading and decided to start with a romance that was on my TBR last year but I didn’t get to it, Big Nick Energy. 

Shae is a single mom who, along with her two young daughters, is experiencing her first holiday season post-divorce.  Shae has been dating and met Connor Finch on a dating app, and while the two were not a love match, they have developed a great friendship and so Connor invites Shae and her girls to come to his dad’s house for Thanksgiving.  Connor doesn’t want them to be alone, but he also thinks that Shae might actually be a perfect match for his dad, Nick.

This is a grumpy-sunshine romance where it’s Shae who is the grump, while Nick is just the sexiest, sweetest golden retriever, cinnamon roll hero.  I adored the sweet, caring way he had when he interacted with Shae’s girls, Harper and Ruby, but thought Shae might actually murder him when he tells them about Christmas magic as it relates to the Elf on the Shelf.  I absolutely melted though when after putting his foot in his mouth, Nick is determined not to make more work for Shae since she is barely getting by as it is and so he drives the two-hour round trip to her house everyday during the holiday season to set up the Elf in different magical scenarios for Harper and Ruby. 
 
This was such a cute and fluffy holiday read with the perfect amount of spice! I loved watching Nick and Shae slowly start to bond the more time they spend together, and especially the way he helps to rebuild her trust in men after dealing with her awful ex. 

If you enjoy grumpy-sunshine romances, found family, and the “he falls first” trope, this is the holiday book for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - What’s your favorite holiday tradition? 

AOTD - The Elf on the Shelf was kind of a pain when I did for my son, but I have to admit I kind of miss it now that he’s too old for it and he still mentions it as one of his favorite traditions from his childhood Christmas holidays.
Thanks for the free e-arc @berkleyromance #Berkley Thanks for the free e-arc @berkleyromance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley & #gifted ALC @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner

⏳Review - HER TIME TRAVELING DUKE ⏳

Author - Bryn Donovan

Pub Date - 12/9/25

Rose is a free spirit and who likes to dabble in magic. Rose is tired of the kind of men she meets and is feeling lonely after attending a friend’s wedding. She loves the idea of an old-fashioned gentleman and decides to try a romance spell that will bring her the kind of man she has in mind. Rose doesn’t really think it will work so imagine her surprise when Henry Leighton-Lyons, the grumpy, handsome Duke from a Regency Era portrait she had admired at the museum where she works, shows up in her apartment. Henry was right in the middle of posing to have the aforementioned portrait painted when he found himself expectedly time traveling to the future, seemingly abducted by Rose. Rose vows to help Henry return to his own century, but while she has to figure out a way to reverse the spell, she also tries to help Henry adjust to and fully experience 21st century life. 

This was such a fun read! It was pretty hilarious watching Henry try to figure out how modern day life works, especially since it’s so very different from his proper Regency Era ways.  I also loved the chemistry that quickly develops between Henry and Rose.  They have an undeniable connection and Henry ends up utterly bewitched by Rose, even in the midst of his frustration with feeling so out of place. 

If you haven’t already read it, Donovan has another standalone novel set in this same world, Her Knight at the Museum.  I loved seeing characters from that book make an appearance in this one, especially Griffin, who tries and fails to bond with Henry over their time traveling experiences. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of spicy, grumpy-sunshine romances and time travel!  I also recommend doing it as an immersive read because Brittany Pressley narrates & as always, her performance is fantastic — spirited & entertaining throughout, but also perfectly capturing the surprisingly emotional ending. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

❓QOTD - If you could time travel, would you choose the past or the future? Why?
🎧 AUDIOBOOK MINI REVIEWS 🎧 Thanks to @macmi 🎧 AUDIOBOOK MINI REVIEWS 🎧

Thanks to @macmillan.audio #macaudio2025 for the gifted ALCs.

🎄CHRISTMAS PEOPLE by Iva-Marie Palmer 🎄

Pub Date -9/30/25

After her ex broke her heart, Jill took off for L.A. to become a screenwriter & hasn’t returned to her small hometown for years. This year, however, she finds herself not only there, but after a drunken night, wakes up stuck in a Hallmark-style holiday movie that is set in her town and that features everyone she knows, including her ex. Jill is not a Christmas person, but the only way out of the movie is to do all of the Hallmark-y things. I love Hallmark holiday movies so this one was right up my alley. Patti Murin’s narration made this such a great listening experience. I really enjoyed this second chance romance and thought the magical realism was used well in this cozy holiday story! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

📚 THE FORGET-ME-NOT LIBRARY by Heather Webber📚

Pub Date -11/4/25

Forget Me Not is a small town that draws travelers to it if it senses they are seeking something. Once there, the town and its residents will help the travelers find what it is they are looking for. Julie is drawn to Forget Me Not when she goes on a roadtrip to try to figure out what she wants from life. She is also dealing with unresolved trauma. Julie soon forms a strong friendship with Tallulah, a single mom who works at the library, and with other townsfolk. Her experience in Forget Me Not gives Julie a purpose and she starts to heal. With beautiful prose, magical realism, & an uplifting heartfelt message, this book is sure to charm readers. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ 💫 ️

👻 THE CATHEDRAL OF LOST SOULS by Paula Brackston 👻

Pub Date - 11/11/25

This is an excellent follow-up to the first book in the Hecate Cavendish series. I enjoyed getting to know more about Hecate as she starts to use and understand her powers.  Hecate’s enemy is still lurking, & she realizes it’s up to her to save those she loves. I enjoyed watching Hecate continue to grow into a strong, independent woman & I love her relationship with her father and new friend, Inspector Winter.  Marisa Calvin’s narration is perfect for this fast-paced, atmospheric tale. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

❓QOTD - Current read?
🎄 SHELFIE SUNDAY 🎄 Hey book friends, I hope 🎄 SHELFIE SUNDAY 🎄

Hey book friends, I hope your weekend is going well. I’m back today to share my bookshelves all decked out of the holidays. 

I went with a pink theme this year and really like it, although I’m not sure how long those garlands will last since my cat keeps trying to climb up and get them. If they’re kissing in future photos, you’ll know why! 😅

❓QOTD - How is your holiday decorating and shopping coming? Or what are you reading this weekend? 

🏷️ holiday decor bookshelves happy holidays merry Christmas decorations
Thanks for the free book & #gifted ALC @berkleyrom Thanks for the free book & #gifted ALC @berkleyromance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley & @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner

🐺 Review - THE MATING GAME 🐺

Author - Lana Ferguson (@lanafergusonwrites)

Pub Date - 12/2/25

I’m a big fan of Lana Ferguson’s spicy romance books, and I had such a great time with her latest, The Mating Game.  It’s a shifter romance and basically a standalone sequel to The Fake Mate, which is another book I loved. 

This story follows Tess, a contractor who does home renovation and who is hoping to land her own TV show. Tess is on a plane to her next job in a small town in Colorado when she suddenly develops flu-like symptoms and ends up in the ER.  It is here where her life gets turned completely upside down.  Tess isn’t sick at all. She’s actually a late-presenting omega wolf shifter and she’s in danger of going into heat for the first time, especially if she finds herself in close proximity to any alpha shifters.  Unlucky for Tess, her client, Hunter Barrett, just happens to be an alpha, and a sexy one at that!

This was such a fun read! The chemistry between Tess and Hunter is off the charts and add to that that is a grumpy-sunshine romance, one of my favorite tropes, and I was in heaven! I loved everything about their interactions, especially the hot shifter lessons that take place once Hunter figures out exactly what is going on with Tess. I also really loved the psychological journey that Tess experiences as she learns to embrace this new side of her identity. 

I did an immersive read and was completely obsessed with the narration of Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Summers.  They were so fantastic together, and I found myself laughing out loud at the way they made Ferguson’s dialogue pop and then swooning as they brought the steamier moments to life.  They had me turning pages so fast I actually tore one, lol!

This is another winner from Lana Ferguson!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

❓QOTD - If you could shift into any kind of animal, which animal would you choose?
Thanks for the free ARC & #gifted ALC @berkleyroma Thanks for the free ARC & #gifted ALC @berkleyromance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley & @prhaudio #prhaudiopartner

✨Review - SPARKS FLY ✨

Author - Zakiya N. Jamal

Pub Date - 12/2/25

Sparks Fly is the adult debut from Zakiya N. Jamal, and it’s a cute and spicy romance with a premise that drew me in immediately.

Stella is a late bloomer who decides a visit to the local sex club is the perfect way to finally lose her virginity. She meets a sexy stranger that she has amazing chemistry with, but just as things heat up between them, they both realize they don’t have protection and Stella decides it wasn’t meant to be.  Imagine her surprise when she goes to work the next day and her almost hookup is there. It turns out that he’s Max Williams, the brother of her company’s CEO, and he’s also the creator of an AI program that is now threatening her job.  Talk about awkward!

I love a good workplace romance and was really into this one because these two characters really are just so attracted to one another and they have so much in common outside of work, including that they’re both bisexual and they also share some of the same nerdy interests. They were just so cute when they were being nerdy!  They finally decide to pursue a relationship but to keep it completely separate from work. I loved watching their relationship blossom and was fully invested in them as a couple.  I also liked how the threat of the AI program added an extra layer of tension to their relationship. I thought the discussion that surrounded the use of AI was very well done and relatable, especialy since so many of us feel threatened by AI if it’s used irresponsibly. 

I read this one with my eyes and ears and thought the audiobook was a real treat. Narrators Benjamin Charles and Jeanette Illidge really captured the chemistry between Max and Stella so well, and I also appreciated the emotion they brought to their performance especially as it pertained to the characters’ frustrations about AI.

I really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more from this author!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓QOTD - Does AI worry you at all?
🎄MY HOLIDAY TBR 🎄 Hey book friends! I have 🎄MY HOLIDAY TBR 🎄

Hey book friends! I have already read and loved a few holiday books this year, such as Good Spirits, Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal, and Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon, but I have a huge Holiday TBR for the month of December that I’m hoping to get through. Some are leftovers from last year that I didn’t get to, while others are new releases, both full length novels and several novellas.

Here’s my list:

🎅🏻Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace
🎄Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakeley
❄️The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
⛄️Merry Little Bookshop by Ali Brady
🎅🏻Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer
🎄The Mistletoe Kisser by Lucy Score
❄️Mistletoe Meet Cute by Bella Matthews
⛄️While It was Snowing by Julia London
🎅🏻Merry Me by C.R. Jane
🎄Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk
❄️Better Not Pout by Maren Moore
⛄️Big Nick Energy by Kristen Bailey

🎅🏻Highland Hearts Holiday Bookship by Tricia O’Malley
🎄The Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth
❄️Big Nick Energy by Morgan Elizabeth
⛄️A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart by Morgan Lockhart
🎅🏻A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan
🎄A Little Holiday Fling by Farah Heron
❄️The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan
⛄️The Mistletoe Bet by Maren Moore
🎅🏻Snow Place Like Home by Laura Pavlov
🎄One Night Two Holidays by Ali Brady
❄️A Very Merry Mistake by Lyra Parish
⛄️Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth

❓QOTD - Have you read any of these? Or do you have any holiday recs I should add to my list?  If not, what’s your first read of December?
✨Bookish Holiday Gift Idea: Harper Muse Classic ✨Bookish Holiday Gift Idea:  Harper Muse Classics - Painted Editions ✨

If you have a book lover in your life who enjoys literary classics, or if you’re looking for a beautiful addition to your own home library, I have the perfect gift idea for you, Harper Muse Classics - Painted Editions. 

 Each book has beautiful hardcover artwork painted by artist Laci Fowler, with a distinctive one-of-a-kind jacket and interior treatment. In addition to sculptured emboss on the cover, other features include gold foil title and page edges, a beautiful ribbon marker, and high-design quote pages throughout.

These novels are the perfect addition to any well-appointed library or as a classic gift for any lover of fiction. Each book can be purchased individually.

Whether you’re buying this as a gift or for yourself, this remarkable edition features:

✨A beautiful high-end, hand-painted hardcover with gold foil title
✨Decorative interior pages featuring pull quotes distributed throughout
✨Matching ribbon marker and gold page edges

Some of the Titles Available as Painted Editions:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

❓QOTD - Do you read classics?  What are some of your favorites? 

#bookishgifts #classicliterature #prideandprejudice #janeaustenbooks #homelibrary
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