I got quite a few books read this month. There are quite a few Christmas books and there will be a lot more next month. Did you read any good books this month?
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and deliver them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey. One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule–but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her–even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known.
It took me forever to read this book. It seems a bit overhyped, but I enjoyed it. I cried throughout it quite a bit too.
Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis
Girl, Stop Apologizing is the life- changing guide you need to dump your excuses, embrace your dreams, set boundaries, and gain real confidence in life.
This book was great! Very inspiring and touched on a lot of things I feel and deal with.
Dark and Stormy Knights edited by P.N. Elrod
1. A Questionable Client (Kate Daniels, #0.5) by Ilona Andrews: Kate Daniels guards shifter Saiman, less trustworthy than the enemy.
2. Even Hand (Dresden Files, #11.6) by Jim Butcher: “Gentleman” John Marcone, Chicago’s most dangerous crime lord, fights water demon with defenses against White Council wizard Harry Dresden.
3. The Beacon by Shannon K. Butcher: Hereditary fighter faces monster that killed his father and town, with a little girl that attracts said monster.
4. Even a Rabbit Will Bite by Rachel Caine: Liesl trains the new Dragonslayer before she faces the last dragon.
5. Dark Lady (Vampire Files, #12.75) by P.N. Elrod: Vampire nightclub owner Jack Fleming promises radio to resident ghost.
6. Beknighted by Deidre Knight: Artist tries to free knight painted in real gold.
7. Shifting Star (Signs of the Zodiac, #4.6) by Vicki Peterson: Skamar, Tibetan for star, newly created tulpa, fights another vicious male of Tulpa.
8. Rookwood & Mrs King by Lilith Saintcrow: Vampire private eye is hired by wife to kill the woman’s vampire husband.
9. God’s Creatures (Kitty Norville, #0.8) by Carrie Vaughn: Cormac follows a werewolf to convent school.
I really enjoyed most of these stories. I really liked this theme too!
The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer
Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach. But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg. Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.
This was so good! I loved the chronic illness rep in here plus getting to read about a different culture was great too.
How to Kiss Your Grumpy Boss by Jenny Proctor
Perry Hawthorne is my boss. Only my boss. And I do NOT have a crush. When one of THE Hawthorne brothers—known by their chiseled jawlines and their family-run farm and event center—hires me to be his virtual assistant, I do everything I can to keep him firmly in the work zone. His grumpy demeanor helps. His smoking hot profile picture does not. But even if I do have a crush (a very tiny one), I can’t catch real feelings for a million different reasons. Besides the whole business part of our relationship, I’m a single mom. I have to think about what’s best for my son, Jack. And my grumpy, divorced, humorless boss isn’t exactly giving me “ready to be a stepdad” vibes. When Perry upgrades me from virtual to in-person assistant, I wonder if I’ve gotten him all wrong. He’s actually pretty great with Jack. And with me? Let’s just say the chemistry crackling between us might vaporize all my reasons for keeping my distance. Trouble is, after his messy divorce, I’m not sure Perry’s ready to bet on a new relationship. But it isn’t just my heart that’s on the line. It’s Jack’s, too. And after everything we went through before my husband died, I’m not sure that’s a gamble I’m ready to take, no matter how desperate Jack is for a daddy.
This was so cute and funny! I loved the apple puns in here so much.
A Nascar Holiday 3 by Jean Brashear, Marissa Carroll, Brenda Jackson, Liz Allison, and Wendy Etherington
Have a Beachy Little Christmas by Liz Allison and Wendy Etherington An island romance between Tiffany McMillan, the boss’s daughter, and Jesse Harwood, a NASCAR team engineer, is strictly forbidden, but can they keep the passion at bay during a company holiday getaway Winning the Race by Brenda Jackson NASCAR driver Miles Gregory roars back into town just for a Christmas wedding – until a reunion with his high school sweetheart gives him a reason to stay… All They Want for Christmas by Marisa Carroll Santa, if you’re listening, all NASCAR driver Trace Collier’s daughter and single mom Carrie Ferrell’s son want for Christmas is a family. ‘Tis the season for mischief and matchmaking! A Family for Christmas by Jean Brashear NASCAR crew chief Gib Cameron gets a crash course in life’s little surprises when he sees his first love, Cassie Wheeler. Just what – or who – has she been keeping under wraps?
These were so cute! I liked pretty much all the stories in here. Absolutely loved the Nascar element.
Everything for You by Bethany Monaco Smith
Lauren Barnes captivated me the first moment I met her. Her effortless charm drew me in, her smile brought me to my knees, and her beautiful heart captured mine in an instant. Over the last year I’ve fallen harder for her than I ever thought possible. Just as I think we’re about to get our happily ever after, everything changes. The fierce woman I love grows cold, distant, and mean. She pushes me away and refuses to talk to me as I cling to her for dear life. The last thing I want to do is lose the woman who owns my heart. But as her pain presses on all my insecurities, I start to wonder if there’s anything left to fight for or if I’ve already lost her. Can Todd and Lauren’s relationship survive the pain of grief and loss and the haunting insecurities from past relationships? Find out in this steamy and emotional interracial small-town romance. I loved this so much! So emotional and had amazing characters. I loved the connection between all the books.
Snowflakes and Sparks by Sophie-Leigh Robbins
The best fake snow decorations in L.A.? Done by me. About to get a promotion? Also me. Sent to a sleepy small town right before Christmas to save a bookstore? Unfortunately, me again. Old Pine Cove was the one place on earth I had sworn I’d never return to. Then my boss asked me to manage one of our bookstores there. I wanted to tell her no way, but that would definitely lower my chances of being promoted once I returned to L.A. So I sucked it up. Besides, it was only supposed to be temporary. What could possibly go wrong? Gosh, how naïve of me. Alex Denverton opening the door with that smoldering look of his, that’s what went wrong. It had been ten years since I crashed his truck and made a run for it. And now he was back in my life. How was I supposed to focus on work knowing he was right next door? And why did I ever agree to organize the annual Winter Walk with him? One thing was certain, though. If I wanted to have a magical Christmas, I couldn’t ask Santa to make it happen. It was up to me to decide: go big or go home.
This was so cute and funny! I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to continue this series.
Naughty List by Melanie A. Smith
Naughty List is in the anthology Mine This Winter. This is the synopsis for that: Keep cozy with stories featuring enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, fake relationships, and forced proximity, all set during winter-time. Seventeen titillating stories from USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance authors in a spicy collection curated by The New Romance Cafe. Available for a limited time only, HEA guaranteed.
This was really good. Very smutty and I loved the characters. I really want to read more with Joanie and Greg now.
The Path to You by Carrie Ann Ryan
The moment I saw Bethany Cole, I knew she was not only out of my league, but in a whole different world. Only I didn’t realize I’d met her before. An explosion stole part of my past, including the first time I’d seen her pretty face. Now she’s an A-list celebrity. And I’m just a Wilder. But when her boyfriend cheats on her, Bethany needs a safe place to hide from the paparazzi. The Wilder’s Retreat seems like the perfect escape. Only every time we see each other it’s hard to remember we come from two different worlds. And that the danger that follows her is only the beginning.
I loved this book so much! I teared up a few times reading this. The way this one ended, I know the next book will break me but I’m dying to read it.
Love to Prove You Wrong by Sophie-Leigh Robbins
For Addy, small-town life is just perfect. She’s about to expand her inn with ten new rooms and a petting zoo, and she’s helping the mayor’s son organize his wedding. If only her pet duck would stop escaping all the time, her days would be an absolute breeze. But then Justin Miller shows up at Addy’s check-in desk. The guy went from small-town stud to lead actor in a popular series, and he’s behaving exactly like the celebrity he is. Smug grins, dimples to die for, and hordes of women chasing him all over town. Addy has no intention of letting him in her life again—not after what happened in high school. So what if he keeps trying to prove he’s changed? No amount of helicopter rides and intimate outings will change the truth: Justin Miller is nothing but trouble.
This was so cute! I loved it and really want to read the final book.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed. But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast. And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?
This book was insane! I couldn’t put it down. There were so many twists and turns in here that I never saw coming.
Christmas in Alaska by Debbie MaComber
Gold River, Alaska, isn’t your average town. After being jilted by her fiancé, Caroline Myers ends up there—thanks to her matchmaking aunts, who send her on what appears to be a vacation. Not surprisingly, they have something different in mind. Something that involves spending a snowy Christmas in handsome Paul Trevor’s home—as his Mail-Order Bride. There’s nothing typical about Snowbound, Alaska, either. Jenna Walsh met Dalton Gray on the internet and now, a month before Christmas, she’s going to Alaska to marry him. But on the flight to Fairbanks, she meets Reed Kenner, who’s not impressed with her plan to marry Dalton, a man he detests (for good reason, as Jenna later finds out). So Reed decides to change her destination—and her marriage plans. Which is why Jenna finds herself at Reed’s cabin in tiny Snowbound. It’s currently a one-woman town (and the other woman’s out of town). That leaves Reed, a bunch of eccentric old men, a few grizzly bears—and Jenna. Hmm. Looks as though Jenna’s going to be a Christmas bride after all. The Snow Bride!
I didn’t really like the first book in here, but loved the second one.
Falling for the Holidays by Jody Holford
MAYBE FOREVER Nate Jamison gets more than he bargained for when he falls for his new employee, Lindsey Archer. She doesn’t think they’ll mesh, but complications arise when they get along a little too well… SOMETIMES ALWAYS Grayson Jamison knows all about regret and letting go. When Cassie Summers comes back into his life, he promises that this time, he won’t let her go. But Cassie has a secret and as much as they both want to rewrite the past, what she has to do could jeopardize their future. SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS After high school, Nick left to travel the world but now he realizes everything he wants was right there in front of him. Eve tells herself she’s moved on but when Nick comes home, she realizes she still loves him. But they’re older now and she doesn’t want to let go of her dreams to chase the past.
This was really good. I really liked how all three stories connect in some way.
Those are all the books I read this month! Hope you enjoyed! Until next time.