I read a lot in January, so this post will be a bit long. I had a lot of amazing reads so grab a drink and a snack and let’s get into all these books!
Snowed In Fling by G. Marie
It’s New Year’s. This is supposed to be my day, well week, off – a time to rest, relax and remember my company’s strict no fraternization with clients policy. Because, as each day goes by, my crush Eli Fox, our most valuable client, becomes stronger and harder to ignore. But I’m up for a coveted promotion and that means my day off has turned into a day with Eli- working. It was all good until a snowstorm left us stranded together, and in a moment of weakness, I finally gave in to the urge to kiss him. And he kissed me back. But I got nervous and ran…right into a snowbank. Stuck and humiliated, there’s only one person to call. And like a knight- in a- shining- SUV, Eli comes to the rescue and I spend New Year’s at his luxury mountain house. And as the clock ticks closer to midnight, the fireworks between us start to ignite. I’m not sure how this is going to turn out, but I do know, this new year is going to start with a bang!
I really enjoyed this. I liked that the characters knew each other for a bit first.
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable… but not too amiable. Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen. Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society—just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar. The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule…
I really enjoyed this! Daphne did do one thing that I did not like at all but I loved her and Simon’s romance.
My Roommate Is A Vampire by Jenna Levine
Cassie Greenberg loves being an artist, but it’s a tough way to make a living. On the brink of eviction, she’s desperate when she finds a too-good-to-be-true apartment in a beautiful Chicago neighborhood. Cassie knows there has to be a catch—only someone with a secret to hide would rent out a room for that price. Of course, her new roommate Frederick J. Fitzwilliam is far from normal. He sleeps all day, is out at night on business, and talks like he walked out of a regency romance novel. He also leaves Cassie heart-melting notes around the apartment, cares about her art, and asks about her day. And he doesn’t look half bad shirtless, on the rare occasions they’re both home and awake. But when Cassie finds bags of blood in the fridge that definitely weren’t there earlier, Frederick has to come clean…
I loved this! So cute and funny. I could not put it down.
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, this author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better… —Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814 But this time, the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry—he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams… Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself…
I loved this book so much! Great banter and I cried so much at the end.
For Always by K.C. Everly
Jason Clovely is my brother’s best friend and my former tormentor, and just my luck—he’s in Windmere for the holidays at the same time as me. It’s been ten years since I’ve seen him, and surely we’ve grown up since then. Right? When we unexpectedly end up stuck in a cabin together—cue all the cliches—we make a truce to act like adults in our forced cohabitation. And let me tell you. We did some very adult things. The lines between animosity and attraction become blurred, and the person who used to be my enemy turns out to be someone I want to spend time with. We decide to continue our ceasefire while we’re in town, and to my surprise, we’re having an amazing time together. Worse, I’m dreading the inevitable goodbye when we return to our lives outside of Windmere—separately. But Jason’s been holding something back, and it’s something that might crumble not only our fragile truce, but my heart as well.
This was good! Very sweet with lots of steamy moments.
An Offer From A Gentleman by Julia Quinn
Will she accept his offer before the clock strikes midnight? Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball—or that “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight. Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?
I really enjoyed this. Sophie is such a great character. The caretaking in here was amazing.
Meet Me There by Judy Corry
When sixteen-year-old, Ashlyn Brooks, runs into a sweet British guy in the dark Chemistry lab, she has no idea she’s actually sitting in the pitch black room with her longtime rival, Luke Davenport. She also doesn’t know that she’s stepped into another one of the football captain’s pranks. It isn’t long before she’s sharing things she’s never told anyone, and starting to fall for the mysterious guy with a sexy accent who seems to understand her in a way no one ever has before. When Luke’s mom dies the summer before his senior year, he turns to pranking Ashlyn to keep his mind off his loss. But the more he gets to know her, the more he regrets using his fake British accent in the first place. Soon Luke is walking the thin line of keeping his lies a secret and wishing he could tell her that the boy she’s falling for is really him.
This was really sweet and I enjoyed it. I like the conversations around the grief and cancer element but wasn’t a huge fan of the secrets even though I knew they were for a reason.
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London. Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for…well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret…and fears she doesn’t know him at all. Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone’s preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same – especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide…is she his biggest threat – or his promise of a happy ending?
This was the romance I was most excited for, and while I enjoyed it, I loved the plot in here as well as Penelope.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise. Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret. Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die
This was SO GOOD. I loved the romance and Violet is such a great, strong character. I laughed, I cried, and got excited. That ending though… I really need to get to the next one soon.
Don’t Forget Me by Judy Corry
Eliana Costa has never kissed a guy. Her best guy friend, Jess, is more than willing to help her out. He has plenty of experience, since he finds a new girlfriend every other week. But when a practice kiss brings on feelings Eliana hadn’t bargained for, her already messy life is thrown into a new level of chaos. Life is already more than she can handle after her dad’s disappearance. Eliana worries that if she admits her feelings to Jess, she just might lose her best friend. And right now, a best friend is all she needs. But when another girl tries to date Jess, Eliana is forced to decide if taking a chance on love is worth the risk.
This was good. A lot of drama and some less talked about real life elements. Eliana was such a great character. I loved the ending.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy
Enter the world of Charlie’s four unlikely friends, discover their story and their most important life lessons. The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse have been shared millions of times online – perhaps you’ve seen them? They’ve also been recreated by children in schools and hung on hospital walls. They sometimes even appear on lamp posts and on cafe and bookshop windows. Perhaps you saw the boy and mole on the Comic Relief T-shirt, Love Wins? Here, you will find them together in this book of Charlie’s most-loved drawings, adventuring into the Wild and exploring the thoughts and feelings that unite us all.
This was so sweet and heartwarming. I loved the artwork in here so much.
Scarred by Emily McIntire
Prince Tristan Faasa was never destined for the throne. That was always his brother, Michael. The same brother responsible for both Tristan’s tormented childhood and the scar that mars his face. When their father dies, Michael is set to assume the throne, and Tristan is set to steal it. The leader of a secret rebellion, Tristan will stop at nothing to end his brother’s reign. But when Michael’s new betrothed, Lady Sara Beatreaux arrives, Tristan finds himself in the middle of a new kind of war. The kind that begs the question of what’s more important, the crown or the woman about to wear it. Sara has one plan. Marry the King and eradicate the Faasa line, even at the risk of her own peril. But she never expects the Scarred Prince. He’s dangerous. Forbidden. And one of the men she’s been sent to kill. But the line between hatred and passion has never seemed so thin, and as secrets come to light, Sara grows unsure of whom she can trust—torn between vengeance and the villain she was never supposed to love.
This was so good! Very dark and smutty. I loved the ending.
Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan
When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees. Archer’s Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.
I loved this just as much as I did last year if not more. I enjoyed Mia’s annotations and connected with the characters even more.
Blood Sport by Chloe Higgins
From a young age, all Evie has known is that her brother is her only family. After their parents were murdered at a young age by an unknown perpetrator, her brother, Miles, has protected her from the world, sheltering her from as much evil as possible. But the one thing he couldn’t shelter her from was his best friend, Jaylen Black. Evie has had a crush on Jaylen since they were kids, but growing up, she realized that maybe she should steer clear of him and his playboy ways, not wanting to have her heart broken by him. But this doesn’t stop her from finding him attractive, and irresistible. Jaylen being on the college soccer team with her brother means he’s always around, making it hard for Evie to stay away—until one night when everything changes and Evie’s world is tipped upside down. She thought she knew everything about Jaylen, but there was one thing she had yet to find out—he was a vampire. As Evie fights to keep her head above water with the weight of her overprotective brother bearing down on her shoulders, she learns more about the murders happening in Pullman and if they are in any way connected to the murder of her parents. Along the way, she finds herself gradually being pulled closer to Jaylen, no matter how much she tries to pull away. Throughout this wild rollercoaster, Evie learns more about herself than she could have ever imagined. She learns that no matter how hard she tries to fight the attraction between her and Jaylen, she will always be…his girl.
This was a wild ride! I loved the characters and the murder mystery element. I’m desperate for book two now!
Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins
Emma London never thought she had anything in common with her grandmother Genevieve London. The regal old woman came from wealthy and bluest-blood New England stock, but that didn’t protect her from life’s cruelest blows: the disappearance of Genevieve’s young son, followed by the premature death of her husband. But Genevieve rose from those ashes of grief and built a fashion empire that was respected the world over, even when it meant neglecting her other son. When Emma’s own mother died, her father abandoned her on his mother’s doorstep. Genevieve took Emma in and reluctantly raised her–until Emma got pregnant her senior year of high school. Genevieve kicked her out with nothing but the clothes on her back…but Emma took with her the most important London possession: the strength not just to survive but to thrive. And indeed, Emma has built a wonderful life for herself and her teenage daughter, Riley. So what is Emma to do when Genevieve does the one thing Emma never expected of her and, after not speaking to her for nearly two decades, calls and asks for help?
I really enjoyed this. I loved the family drama, romance and the mystery element. I sobbed at the end.
My One and Only by Kristan Higgins
Divorce attorney Harper James can’t catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister’s destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she’s being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic. Harper can’t help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick’s eyes, Harper’s always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting—just around the bend.
This was really sweet and funny. I loved the ending and cried.
Destiny Untold by Alicia Morgan
After the death of her parents, Ava Worthington wants nothing more than to protect her three younger sisters. Yet when dark forces attack, turning her world upside down, Ava is compelled to team up with the handsome and mysterious Lucas Grant to protect the only family she has left. Afraid of Lucas’ true identity and the dark desire she feels for him, Ava has no choice but to set down a path, to discover her magical destiny. But will it be enough to save her sisters and her heart?
I enjoyed this. It was a very fast moving plot and my favorite character ended up being someone unexpected.
Mirror of Malice by Tee Harlowe
He’s supposed to be my salvation, but he might just become my ruin. I’m a prisoner in my own castle. Trapped by my apple-loving narcissist of a stepmother, desperate for my betrothed to rescue me. Yet it’s not my one true love who comes—it’s the king of thieves. Just perfect. He takes my stepmother’s mirror, the source of her power, but leaves with an additional treasure: me. Now I’ve traded one prison for another. Penn Vanderbilt is cunning, captivating, and completely insufferable. He’s also secretive about his stolen goods . . . and the reason he kidnapped me. Forget the thief’s plan. I’ve got one of my own: pretend to go along with his little scheme while plotting my escape. I’ll only have to con the greatest con man alive. Never mind that I might be falling for him. The price of failing is my kingdom. But succeeding might just cost my heart.
I loved this! Amazing story, characters, and romance. I couldn’t put it down and read the whole book in a night. I can’t wait for more books in this series!
The Exception To The Rule by Christina Lauren
On February 14, an accidental email to a stranger opens the door to an unexpected relationship in a captivating short story by the New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners. One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?
I loved this! I loved all the emails in here. I wish this was longer so I could spend more time with these characters that I love so much.
Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez
They’re falling in love, yet they’ve never met. Maybe fate can intervene in a heartwarming “what-if” short story about new beginnings by the New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly. Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?
This was so good! I cried and loved the family vibes. The romance was sweet too.
Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne
For a hopeful and hopeless romantic, it’s love at first sight—with a little twist. Rosie Whittaker and her sister are up for some Galentine’s pampering at a day spa. Getting locked inside a flotation tank is so Rosie. Enter a firefighter hero determined to pry this luckless pearl out of her high-tech shell. All Rosie has to go on is a dreamy voice and a flirty sense of humor. Remain calm, Rosie. This could be what you’ve been waiting for. Is this the man she’s waited for her whole life?
This was so funny! Leo was such a sweetheart.
Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson
Princess Ilaria has had it up to her tiara with the paparazzi, her own wild reputation, and the public eye. Trading places with her assistant, Ilaria wants just one blissfully ordinary weekend. Then a handsome photographer with a sexy Scottish burr offers to be her guide. Sparks fly, but how long can they last? Ilaria’s secret has to come out—and it could ruin a perfectly serendipitous romance.
This was okay. I’m not a huge fan of royalty in my romances so I knew going into it that I wouldn’t love it. The ending was cute though.
Broken Rivalry by R.G. Angel
Poppy: Once, I walked the halls of privilege, but in a heartbeat, I watched my world crumble. Now, as I stand at the threshold of Silverbrook University, I’m armed with nothing but a scholarship and a determination to reclaim a semblance of my former life. But fate has a cruel sense of humor. Ethan Hawthorne, the golden boy of my former elite world and my ex-rival, is here. His every smirk is a reminder that the past is not easily outrun. Ethan: At Silverbrook, I’m the guy with the world at his feet—star athlete, heir to a legacy, the guy who always wins. But Poppy? She was the one challenge I never conquered, the one competitor who never played by my rules. Her return in my life is a curveball I never saw coming. She’s changed, hardened by life’s twists, and now she captivates me more than ever. Our history wasn’t just competition; it was a clash of hearts and egos. Now, the rules have changed. I’m not just out to win a petty game. This time, I’m playing for her heart.
I really enjoyed this. This book was hard to put down and I’m excited for more books in this series.
With Any Luck by Ashley Poston
Every person she kisses finds their true love, and it’s never her—until now, in this funny and magically romantic short story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics. Audrey Love is cursed to be the person before you find your soulmate, the girl you dump for your true love. So when her best friend disappears hours before his Valentine’s Day wedding, Audrey fears that she did the unthinkable and kissed him at last night’s bachelor party. With help from the best man, she retraces her steps to find the missing groom and, with any luck, a true love of her own.
This was fun and quite funny. I really liked the main characters and The Hangover vibes.
Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory
This Valentine’s Day, Daisy Murray has her heart set on binge-watching rom-coms. Instead, an earthquake traps her inside a bakery with its impossibly rude and insufferably handsome owner and head baker. They already have a history: she’s always smiled, he’s always scowled. Where better to finally get to know each other than amid the disaster? Then again, they have no choice. Besides, it could have its sweet, undeniable, and unpredictable perks.
This was good. I wish it was longer and didn’t move quite that quick. It did make me hungry though.
Future Like This by Bethany Monaco Smith
I’m a mess. I kept it together alone for years, pulling every thread tight to keep from unraveling. Now here I am, a mess of tangled strings on the floor, trying to sort myself out and put myself back together.
Not just for me. For my baby and for the man I love. For the relationship I have with him.
I’ve spent too long being the strong one. Being vulnerable doesn’t come easily to me. But as I stare into the deep green eyes of the man whose heart I’m breaking every time I don’t let him in, I know I have to let my walls down. I need to let him in and let my hurt out so I can heal and grow stronger. So I can be the best version of myself, mom to our daughter, and partner to Miles. No matter how broken I am, I’ll do whatever it takes to fix things, so I can finally have the future I’ve always dreamed of—the future I finally believe I deserve—with the love of my life and our daughter. Future Like This is the eighth book in the Friends Like This series and the second book featuring Miles and Amelia’s love story. This is a direct continuation of book seven and all the previous books in the series. If you haven’t read them yet, head back to the beginning and jump on the roller coaster in Friends Like This.
So good! Bethany knows how to make me bawl my eyes out. I love these characters so much.
To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
Sir Phillip knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he’d proposed, figuring that she’d be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn’t. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her . . . and more. Did he think she was mad? Eloise Bridgerton couldn’t marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking . . . and wondering . . . and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except . . . he wasn’t. Her perfect husband wouldn’t be so moody and ill-mannered, and while Phillip was certainly handsome, he was a large brute of a man, rough and rugged, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But when he smiled . . . and when he kissed her . . . the rest of the world simply fell away, and she couldn’t help but wonder . . . could this imperfect man be perfect for her?
I loved this. I really liked that the author added rep for depression, suicide, and abuse in here. I adored Phillip and Eloise and loved their romance. Plus the whole letter writing was adorable.
Those are all the books I read this month! Thank you for reading. Until next time.