January 2022 Reads

January 31, 2022 by Haley Burrill in Books

Happy belated New Year, y’all!

The new year means a new reading goal, and I have to be honest, I already modified mine.

Last year I read 125 books, right? So, my initial thought was to up the ante right out of the gate and set my 2022 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal to 140. Which is pretty audacious, I must admit lol.

Then I started talking to a friend who said she knows she’s planning to read some thicc bois this year (my words, not hers lol), and because of that, decided to set her goal a little lower to start and then will increase it as the year goes on, if necessary.

Since I already read a 725 page book this year, and am planning on reading a few more that are at least 500+ pages, I modified my 2022 reading goal to 100 books.

But, hey! Whether your 2022 reading goal is 100, 52, 12, or literally just one book, you are doing amazing and can call yourself a reader!

Now, without further adieu, let’s get into what I read in January.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: The Mortal War is over, and 16-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhuners are at peace at last. And she can finally call Jace her boyfriend. But nothing comes without a price. Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her - his mother just found out he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead her to losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

My Thoughts: This is Simon’s redemption book and you cannot convince me otherwise. Like I actually enjoyed his quick quips and untimely humor instead of being irrationally irritated with him a majority of the time as I was the last three books lol. Admittedly though, this book was probably the weakest so far in the series - which, in a series as strong and addicting as the Mortal Instruments, should not discount it at all. I just think that after the big ending of the third book, transitioning into the next great adventure for this Shadowhunter/vampire/werewolf/warlock crew of misfits was bound to stumble a little bit before it found its footing. You know? That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this fourth installment and appreciated all of the new side characters and plotlines that were introduced because all of them added layers and depth to this YA fantasy. So, although I’ve seen a few reviews on Goodreads absolutely shitting on this book, I say you should continue on if you’ve made it this far into the series.

CITY OF LOST SOULS by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

My Thoughts: DAMN. MY BOY JACE CANNOT CATCH A BREAK. He’s been basically bound to Clary’s evil, weird brother, Sebastian, and plot twist: we can’t kill Sebastian without killing Jace too. So, this book was a whole slew of stressful situations. Specifically involving Clary doing some shit that makes you want to audibly scream, “KNOCK IT OFF, CLARY.” Homegirl just RUNS into danger and then figures out how to maneuver it later. I will say, there were parts in this story that made me second guess whether or not we could trust Sebastian. They had us in the first half, not gonna lie…lol ;). Anywho, aside from all that drama, I appreciated that we got to spend some decent page time with Isabelle and Simon, Alec and Magnus, and even a little more than usual with Maia and the new guy, Jordan. This book took some crazy turns, had various battles that made me clench my teeth, and multiple scenes that hit you RIGHT IN THE FEELS. Definitely pick up the fifth installment of the Mortal Instruments series if you’ve already made it this far.

THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Between life and earth there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets? Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

My Thoughts: Wow this book was impactful. It was such a unique premise and really made me reflect on how I view regrets in life. I think it’s natural for most people to dwell on choices they made in the past and wonder how their lives might be different if they had only gone with the alternative. In this story, Nora gets to see how her life would have turned out if she had made a different decision about something specific through the Midnight Library. It was really fulfilling to vicariously see how her life would have turned out in all of the different “books” she visits because she realizes there’s positives and negatives to every life no matter what regret she was erasing. Understandably, some people will find this book depressing, but it helped that Nora was a likable character because I had an easier time walking through this experience with her. I know I’m definitely late to this book, but if you haven’t picked it up yet, I highly recommend you do! Content/Trigger Warnings: suicide, overdose, depression, alcoholism, cancer, drug abuse.

FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT by Elle Cosimano

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Finlay Donovan is killing it… except, she’s really not. A stressed-out single mom of two and struggling novelist, Finlay’s life is in chaos: The new book she promised her literary agent isn’t written; her ex-husband fired the nanny without telling her; and this morning she had to send her 4-year-old to school with hair duct-taped to her head after an accident with scissors. When Finlay is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel with her agent over lunch, she’s mistaken for a contract killer and inadvertently accepts an offer to dispose of a problem in order to make ends meet. She soon discovers that crime in real life is a lot more difficult than its fictional counterpart, as she becomes tangled in a real-life murder investigation.

My Thoughts: LOL. Why did I take so long to read this book?! It was a WILD ride to say the least, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Finlay is the perfect main character for this story, and I loved that she had an underdog energy about her because it made all of her W’s even more satisfying. That said though, I MUST give a shout out to a supporting character - Vero. Between her dry humor and matter-of-fact side comments, I could not stop chuckling. She definitely added another element to this unfathomable, comedic storyline. On a more serious note though, my heart was definitely racing at various points of this book, and the multiple plot twists constantly had me asking “whodunnit?” Overall, if you want something a little upbeat with a premise I’ve never encountered before, you’ve gotta pick this one up!

THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships - but her friend does, and that’s what got into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand - wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees. That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor - and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Standford’s reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive’s career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding six-pack abs. Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under a microscope.

My Thoughts: This was a bookstagram impulse buy and one I do not regret at all. I was INVESTED in this book. Y’all know I love a fake dating trope, but I love them even more when the main characters are both likable, quirky, and have amazing chemistry (pun intended). Olive and Adam were perfect for each other in all the ways that counted and it’s impossible not to root for them. Between bonding over their love of science, sharing quick-witted banter, and supporting each other through some difficult situations, I was absolutely SWOONING. Honestly? I laughed, I cried, I binged this book in a day. Needless to say, you MUST pick this one up.

WHAT STORM, WHAT THUNDER by Myriam J. A. Chancy

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: At the end of a long, sweltering day, as markets and businesses begin to close for the evening, an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude shakes the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Myriam J. A. Chancy masterfully charts the inner lives of the characters affected by the disaster - Richard, an expat and wealthy water-bottling executive with a secret daughter; the secret daughter, Anne, an architect who drafts affordable housing structures for a global NGO; a small-time drug trafficker, Leopold, who pines for a beautiful girl; Sonia and her business partner, Dieudonne, who are followed by a man they believe is the vodou spirit of death; Didier, an emigrant musician who drives a taxi in Boston; Sara, a mother haunted by the ghosts of her children in an IDP camp; her husband, Olivier, an accountant forced to abandon the wife he loves; their son, Jonas, who haunts them both; and Ma Lou, the old woman selling produce in the market who remembers them all. Artfully weaving these lives, witness is given to the desolation wrecked by nature and man.

My Thoughts: This was a heartbreakingly beautiful historical fiction novel that follows different individuals who were affected by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. All of the characters, though experiencing their own adversity after the destructive event, are connected in some way. I will say, this book is definitely a slower burn. Each chapter is the perspective of a new character where you learn what role they play in this community, their background, and how the earthquake affected them personally. Which means you have to get used to how each new person thinks, feels, and speaks. So, although it took a little more time to get into each person’s story, this format allowed me to develop a deeper connection with all of them individually. In addition to the characters, I appreciated learning more about Haiti, its culture, and how aid is provided after a natural disaster (spoiler: it’s not great.) If you’re looking for an impactful read that will help you gain perspective on a different country, this one is definitely worth picking up.

CITY OF HEAVENLY FIRE by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell. The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons? When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever know is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned…

My Thoughts: *Deep sigh* This was not just the final book of The Mortal Instruments series, this was a love note to all of the readers who became as invested as I did. Everything I could have wanted out of the ending to this adventurous tale was delivered in the most beautiful mix of ass-kicking scenes, heartbreaking moments, witty banter, gestures of hope, and more. There are some new characters introduced in this book that foreshadow the spin-off series (The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices), so there’s quite a few storylines to follow that all play into the bigger picture. However, because the format of this book is broken into different perspectives, I never found it overwhelming to keep up. Not to give anything away, but the ending is imperfectly perfect and I appreciate the author didn’t give us everything we wanted for the end of this series on a silver platter. If it isn’t obvious, I was a big fan of this book and an even bigger fan of The Mortal Instruments series overall. So go read it lol.

EVER AFTER ALWAYS by Chloe Liese

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Aiden - I’ve spent 12 years loving Freya Bergman and 12 lifetimes won’t be enough to give her everything she deserves. She’s my passionate, tender-hearted wife, my best friend, and all I want is to make her happy. But the one thing that will make her happiest is the one thing I’m not sure I can give her: a baby. WIth the pressure of providing and planning for a family, my anxiety’s at an all-time high, and I find myself pulling away, terrified to tell my wife how I’m struggling. But when Freya kicks me out, I realize that pulling back has turned into pushing too far. Now it’s the fight of a lifetime to save our marriage. Freya - I love my cautious, hard-working husband. He’s my partner and best friend, the person I know I can count on most. Until one day I realize the man I married is nowhere to be found. Now Aiden is quiet and withdrawn, and as the months wear on, the pain of our growing distance becomes too much. As if weathering marriage counseling wasn’t enough, we’re thrown together for an island getaway to celebrate my parents’ many years of perfect marriage while ours is on the brink of collapse. Despite my meddling siblings and a week in each other’s constant company, this trip somehow gets us working through the trouble in paradise. I just can’t help worrying, when we leave paradise and return to the real world, will trouble find us again?

My Thoughts: This book was exactly what I needed right when I needed it. Tbh, after reading the first two books of the Bergman Brothers series, Aiden had become a character I wasn’t a huge fan of. He kind of gave off dickhead vibes. So I had low expectations going into this one, but am pleased to report, we turned that ship around. Aiden suffers from anxiety which I relate to, so I had a lot of empathy for his situation. Thus far, Freya has the badass big sister that everyone wishes they had, but I liked that we got to see the vulnerable side of her in this book because it gave her character more depth. Though their relationship is a roller coaster of emotions throughout this entire storyline, it was easy to buckle up for the ride and enjoy watching Aiden and Freya find their way back to each other. Needless to say, I definitely recommend it!

REMINDERS OF HIM by Colleen Hoover

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: After serving 5 years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her 4-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself. The only person who hasn’t closed the door on her completely is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and one of the few remaining links to Kenna’s daughter. But if anyone were to discover how Ledger is slowly becoming an important part of Kenna’s life, both would risk losing the trust of everyone important to them. The two form a connection despite the pressure surrounding them, but as their romance grows, so does the risk. Kenna must find a way to absolve the mistakes of her past in order to build a future out of hope and healing.

My Thoughts: CoHo does it again folks! Between her signature writing style and the addicting characters she always seems to nail, this book is one I’ll be thinking about months from now. I could literally feel the heartache and pain in my chest that Kenna went through in the past and continues to experience presently. Then there are the small nuggets of hope we pick up along the way that make it feel easier to breathe because it means Kenna’s future isn’t already solidified. Ledger’s character wasn’t my favorite at first, but slowly grew on me. He was stuck in such a tough position due to Kenna’s situation, so it was impossible not to feel for him as he worked through the frustration and confusion. Together, their connection was undeniable no matter how hard both Kenna and Ledger tried pushing each other and their feelings away. I was banging my head against a wall waiting for them to open their hearts enough to let the other person in. So, in conclusion: get ready to feel all the feels, my friends. All the feels. This is definitely a CoHo book you should pick up and quickly!

THE GILDED ONES by Namina Forna

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs. But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity - and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death. Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called the alaki - near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire’s greatest threat. Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she’s ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to rain for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be - not even Deka herself.

My Thoughts: This book has been hella hyped on Bookstagram, so I was excited to dive into it because y’all know I love a YA fantasy. Per usual, I went into this book not knowing what it was about, and the first part of it reminded me a lot of the book The Grace Year because they’re trying to figure out what girls of the village are “pure” and suitable for marriage. Then it quickly takes a turn where the girls who are considered “impure” are basically deemed demonic and either bloodlet for the gold in their blood or tortured as the village priests try to figure out how to kill them. However, Deka is saved by a woman who works for the emperor and is training other girls like her to form an army. Honestly, although this book had its strong points, it kind of felt like it only floated between two tones: an intense tone as Deka discovered her abilities during training and while fighting the deathshrieks and a lighter/dramatic tone as she tries to figure out more about her past while forging new relationships. I was never extremely invested in the story, and though Deka is an objectively strong character, I found it somewhat difficult to genuinely connect with her throughout the entirety of this experience. Overall, it was a good book, but it definitely wouldn’t be in my top YA fantasy recommendations.

THE FLAT SHARE by Beth O’Leary

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time. But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers, and of course, the fact that they still haven’t met yet, they’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…

My Thoughts: This was freaking cute. Extremely predictable, but sometimes we need that in our lives, do we not? Tiffy is an incredibly eccentric character with an eclectic style and personality. She’s just the type of person who other people are drawn to because of her bright presence in any room and her ability to see good in everyone. Leon is a quiet giant teddy bear. He’s got the biggest heart and puts everyone’s needs ahead of his own. Basically after Tiffy moves in, she and Leon start leaving post-it notes for each other all over the place since they’re never home at the same time, and I kind of loved that that’s how their friendship blossomed. From there, I was just WAITING for them to cross paths to see how their fun chemistry translated from paper to in-person. There are a couple of darker plot lines woven into this story involving Tiffy’s ex-boyfriend and Leon’s brother, but overall this was a really fun read if you’re into British rom-coms.

LUCKY by Marissa Stapley

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Lucky Armstrong is a tough, talented grifter who has just pulled off a million-dollar heist with her boyfriend, Cary. She’s ready to start a brand-new life, with a new destiny - when things go sideways. Lucky finds herself alone for the first time, navigating the world without the help of either her father or her boyfriend, the two figures from whom she’s learned the art of the scam. When she discovers that a lottery ticket she bought on a whim is worth millions, her elation is tempered by one big problem: cashing in the winning ticket means she’ll be arrested for her crimes. She’ll go to prison with no chance to redeem her fortune. As Lucky tries to avoid capture and make a future for herself, she must confront her past by reconciling with her father; finding her mother, who abandoned her when she was just a baby; and coming to terms with the man she thought she loved - whose dark past is catching up with her, too.

My Thoughts: I wasn’t sure how this book was going to go, but I’m pleased to report I absolutely loved it! For starters, the premise is unlike anything else I’ve read and the entire experience was a wild ride. It was impossible for me not to like the main character, Lucky. The story bounces back and forth between her past - being raised by a con artist - and the present - where she’s on the run for embezzlement. At first, I assumed she’s going to be a morally gray character based on her current situation, but that quickly changed as I got to know her better. Though scamming people is basically what she’s best at, she constantly has an internal battle of knowing she can easily get some money from innocent people, but hating that she’s lying to them at the same time. The author also does an amazing job of making you question what side characters Lucky can really trust because most people who can help her have either hurt her in the past or you suspect have an ulterior motive. For being less than 250 pages, this book had me hooked from the start and I definitely recommend adding it to your list of books to read this year!

WITH YOU FOREVER by Chloe Liese

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Axel - Rooney Sullivan is sunshine incarnate. Warm, bright, always smiling, she’s everything I’m not and the last person I have any business desiring. Desperate to hide a hopeless attraction, I’ve done everything possible to keep my distance… until a charades game gone wrong brought that to a grinding halt. Since then, steering clear of Rooney has been impossible. In a matter of months, she’s kissed me speechless, commandeered my art career, and infiltrated not only my dreams but my home. The woman who was once avoidable has become the last thing I needed: temptingly within reach. Rooney - Axel Bergman is a gorgeous grump who doesn’t have the time of day for me. Thankfully, I’ve kept my crush under wraps… Well, until I kissed him. Charades got away from me, okay? It was an accident! I haven’t seen him since, which is for the best. My life is a mess, and the last thing I need is to embarrass myself further with the man who avoids me like that’s his job rather than painting modern masterpieces. It seems the universe, however, has a different plan. When Axel and I unexpectedly find our paths - and problems - converging, a marriage of convenience proves the perfect solution. At least until I’m facing my most serious problem yet: a once-loveless marriage of convenience that’s inconveniently become a love match, after all.

My Thoughts: So the Bergman Brothers series has become somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me and I REALLY wanted to hold off on reading this book as like a little treat to myself. However, I was in a slump and needed to read something I knew would bring me out of it, so With You Forever, it was. I feel like we’ve gotten to know Rooney’s character better through the first three books than we have Axel, so I was excited to get to know the oldest Bergman boy. This grumpy-sunshine trope was beautifully done as we watched Rooney and Axel dance around each other as friendly temporary roommates of sorts until the emotional and sexual tension was too much to bare lol. There are plenty of laugh out loud scenes, fun low-key banter, heartwarming conversations, and swoony-worthy encounters throughout this story, and I was invested in every part of it. The only thing that was odd to me is how abruptly it ended. It just felt a little more rushed than the previous three books felt, and I think it could've faded out a little smoother. Other than that, I’m a big fan and cannot wait for the next Bergman Brothers book to come out! :)

TO LOVE JASON THORN by Ella Maise

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Jason Thorn is my brother’s childhood friend and how stupidly in love with that boy I was. He was the first boy that made me blush, my first official crush. That excitement that bubbles up inside you, those famous butterflies - he was the reason for them all. But, you only get to live in that fairytale world until they crush your hopes and dreams then stomp on your heart for good measure. And boy did he crush my heart into little pieces. After that, I did my best to stay away from him - and let me tell you, it was pretty hard to do. When tragedy struck his family and they moved away, I was ready to forget he ever existed. Now he is a movie star, the one who has a dimpled smile and makes all of the women go into a screaming frenzy. Do you think that’s dreamy? I don’t think so. How about coming face to face with him? Nope, still not dreamy. Not when I can’t even manage to look him in the eye. Me? I’m Olive, the writer of the book that inspired the movie he’s about to star in on the big screen. As of late, I’m also referred to as the oh-so-very-lucky girl who is about to become the wife of Jason Thorn. Maybe you’re yet again thinking this is all so dreamy? Nope, nothing dreamy going on here. Not even close.

My Thoughts: I honestly wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did! It was recommended to me by my Kindle, so I figured I’d give it a try. The book’s format changes between Jason and Olive’s perspectives which I think was essential for building a connection with both of them. From the start, I was kind of assuming Jason is just a typical f-boy who has zero redeeming qualities because he thinks he’s the shit. However, as I got to know him better through his internal dialogue, he found his way into my heart. Olive was the ideal protagonist for this book. She was the perfect balance of head-strong, stubborn, clever, and sweet. I think it would’ve been annoying if she swooned for Jason right away, so I like that the author made him WORK FOR IT. Plus, after they did start falling for one another, you could feel the adoration and love radiating off the pages. I was obsessed with how unapologetically into each other they were. There are definitely some descriptive steamy scenes in this book (like there’s a disclaimer about them on Goodreads lol), so if that’s not your jam then you can probs pass on this one. Otherwise, this was a fun and spicy lil rom-com to cozy up with on a Saturday!

TO HATE ADAM CONNOR by Ella Maise

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: So you may ask, who is Adam Connor? He’s the recently divorced, Academy Award-winning actor who just moved in next door with his kid. He also happens to be an exquisite male specimen and the most infuriating sly bastard I’ve ever come across. Let’s be honest here, wouldn’t you wanna take a peek over the wall to catch a glimpse of him? Wouldn’t you melt away after watching him workout as his 5-year-old kid cheered him on? While I was being thoughtful by not breaking and entering and was actually considering going over to offer him a shoulder to cry on (because of his divorce), instead he had me thrown in jail after a small incident. After that day, I was mentally plotting ways to strangle him instead of jumping his bones. Even if he and his son were the best things since sliced bread, I couldn’t fall for him. No matter what promises he whispered on my skin, my curse wouldn’t let us be. I wasn’t a damsel in distress - I could save myself, thank you very much - but deep inside, I still hoped Adam Connor would be the hero of my story.

My Thoughts: This book follows Lucy who is Olive’s best friend. We know from To Love Jason Thorn that Lucy is a sarcastic, sassy, strong woman, and v sexually driven lol. She’s also extremely protective of Olive and dedicated to their friendship. When her ex-boyfriend breaks up with her and moves across the country, Lucy moves in with Olive and Jason in their Bel Air mansion. Adam Connor moves next door and after an unfortunate incident, Lucy ends up becoming somewhat of a nanny for his son, Aiden (the cutest little kid, my gosh). I absolutely SWOONED over this rom-com. It was everything you could want from an enemies-to-lovers trope, and I loved that the author allowed each character to stay true to who they were even as their love-hate relationship progressed. The banter alone is worth the read. My only issue is there were some subplots sprinkled throughout the book that were supposed to lead up to a revelation at the end, but I felt like they weren’t as strong as they should’ve been. Also, just a friendly warning, this book has a disclaimer on Goodreads about the steamy scenes, and there’s also a couple of scenes that could be triggering to some people. So, please keep that in mind if you decide to pick it up. All in all though, I loved Lucy and Adam’s story and read this book in one evening lol.

And that’s January for ya!

2022 Book Count: 15

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s your go-to genre when you’re in a reading slump? Let me know in the comments!

December 2021 Reads

December 31, 2021 by Haley Burrill in Books

And that’s a wrap!

I read many more books this year than I anticipated and December was a huge contributor. Between losing myself in the Mortal Instruments series, holiday-themed books, and taking advantage of my new Kindle Paperwhite, ya girl read hella books this month.

Not all of them were winners, but most were enjoyable.

So, let’s dive into it!

*All summaries taken or paraphrased from Goodreads

IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER by Tessa Bailey

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When an out-of-control party lands Piper in jail, her stepfather decides enough is enough. He cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar in Washington. Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. She’s determined to show her stepfather and the hot, grumpy local that she’s more than a pretty face. Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan - and this town full of memories - may have already caught her heart.

My Thoughts: UGH why did I not pick up this gem sooner?! I was absolutely SWOONING over this Schitt’s Creek-inspired romcom. THAT’S RIGHT. I’ll say it again - *clears throat* - SCHITT’S CREEK-INSPIRED ROMCOM. Now that we’ve got that covered, let me tell you about the heart bursting cuteness that is the budding romance between Piper and Brendan. The contrast between this ray of sunshine and burly grump was just enough to make them the perfect match, and I loved watching their relationship develop. It definitely started off a little rocky, but I almost preferred that because the pace was so satisfying. It never felt too slow or fast - just really organic and natural. I gotta give a shout out to a side character, Piper’s sister, Hannah. She was a grounding presence to Piper’s flightiness, but still adored Piper which honestly added much more depth to the sisters’ dynamic in general. Each scene of this book truly served a purpose to the overall storyline which was equally broken into fun events, emotional moments, steamy scenes, and heartwarming interactions. I just really loved this love story and highly recommend you pick it up before I keep asking if you’ve read it yet lol. :)

CITY OF BONES by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: When 15-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within 24 hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance when her mother disappears and Clary is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

My Thoughts: I really loved this book for the most part. There’s a twist at the end that’s a little strange and doesn’t sit right with me lol, but otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Between the quick quips between the main characters, the action-packed scenes, and heartbreaking flashbacks, my emotions were on a rollercoaster ride the entire time. It was very fun to see some of the characters from the Infernal Devices series either mentioned in conversation or included in this new adventure. Kind of felt like I knew a secret these characters didn’t yet lol. Overall, this book had the Cassandra Clare touch we all know and love, and that keeps me coming back for more. So basically, I definitely recommend picking up this YA fantasy if you’re looking to dive into a series anytime soon. :)

LUMBER SNACK by Mae Harden

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Millie Partridge is forced to be the maid of honor in the wedding of her former best friend. She hates the bride, groom, and her Bartlett green dress. When she decides she’s had enough, she laughs during the vows, flips the bird and walks out of the wedding. Knowing she doesn’t want to stay in Boston for Christmas, but not having anywhere else to go, she takes off to Maine and doesn’t look back. After a series of unfortunate events, Millie finds herself snowed in at the Barnes Orchard family farm in the house of a hot guy named Sam. She has no recollection of how she got there, but due to a freak snow storm she’s stuck there. Little does she know this could be a Christmas miracle.

My Thoughts: Okay, so this novella is part of a series called 12 Days of Kissmas and it was kind of like a bookstagram challenge that I saw and decided to try lol. In the spirit of the holidays, this was a really cute, quick read. Especially if you’re into the forced proximity and fast romance type of tropes. Millie and Sam are such down-to-earth characters and it was fun watching them make the best of this unforeseen situation. I appreciated that there was a balance of sweet and steamy scenes because it made their “falling fast” romance feel less forced. So, if you’re looking for a fun, festive, spicy read, I’d recommend giving this one a try! Also, on an unrelated but related note: This book is the first one in the 12 Days series because Sam finds Millie in a pear tree and her last name is Partridge lol.

STUCK AT CHRISTMAS by Georgia Coffman

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: On the second day of Christmas, these two turtle doves are stuck together. As a doctor, Graham’s practice is his priority and leaves little time for dating. Until Isabel. To Graham’s surprise, one night is all it takes for him to fall for her, even though he knows next to nothing about her. He never thought he’d see his mystery woman again, but like a holiday miracle, she shows up at his clinic one night with her young daughter. Every minute Graham is with them only makes him fall harder, but their situation isn’t so simple. Getting stuck in a closet with Isabel just days before Christmas might be the gift they didn’t know they needed.

My Thoughts: This is the second installment of the 12 Days of Kissmass and what a sweet read it was. I liked that there was more to the characters than just their attraction for one another. Graham, for example, is trying to come to terms with his best friend dating his little sister and the frustrations that come with being the only single family member around the holidays. Isabel, on the other hand, is busy being a single mom whose whole world revolves around her daughter, Sasha. Which makes this whole story even sweeter when Graham ends up hitting it off with Sasha as he tends to her sprained wrist and wins Isabel over. Who doesn’t love a hot doctor that’s good with kids tho, yanno? The spice factor in this novella wasn’t turned up as high as the last book in this series, but it definitely sufficed. Plus, Stuck at Christmas is a short 92 pages, so if you’re looking for something cute around Christmas, this could do it for you!

A CHRISTMAS TART by Lola West

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: On the third day of Christmas these childhood rivals have perfect chemis-tree! Patrick Laroux and Maxine Redgrave hate each other. It’s palpable. The whole town knows it. They have been at each other’s throats since their sand castle building days. But what everyone doesn’t know is that there was a winter, a long time ago, when Max had a secret and Patrick was there for her. They forgot to be hateful and thought maybe, just maybe, they were in love… But you know, then it all fell apart. Until now. Get ready to watch tension fly and the three french biddies meddle when Max and Patrick reconnect at the Laurent Bakery in Martha’s Vineyard.

My Thoughts: This third novella of the 12 Days of Kissmass series was as naughty as it was nice lol. The nice: I loved the background story of how Patrick and Max connected when they were teenagers. The innocence and genuine adoration they shared for each other was incredibly endearing, and it was heartwarming that those feelings surfaced unapologetically as they reconnected as adults. The naughty: for being a novella, this book was full of steamy scenes, but they were scattered throughout the second half in a reasonable spacing. So, it’s not like the author was throwing them in there all willy nilly. If you like an enemies-to-lovers trope in a small town setting involving a hot guy who owns a bakery and smoking gal who runs the local bookstore all during Christmastime, then I recommend picking up this novella for sure! :)

GHOSTS by Dolly Alderton

Rating: 4.2/5 stars

Summary: Nina Dean has arrived at her early thirties as a successful food writer with loving friends and family, plus a new home and neighborhood. When she meets Max, a beguiling romantic hero who tells her on a date that he’s going to marry her, it feels like all is going to plan. A new relationship couldn’t have come at a better time - her thirties haven’t been the liberating, uncomplicated experience she was sold. Everywhere she turns, she is reminded of time passing and opportunities dwindling. Friendships are fading, ex-boyfriends are moving on, and worse, everyone’s moving to the suburbs. There’s no solace to be found in her family, with a mom who’s caught in a baffling midlife makeover and a beloved dad who is vanishing in slow-motion into dementia.

My Thoughts: I both loved and hated how relatable this book was in relation to Nina’s romantic and platonic relationships evolving. It was incredibly validating to see the struggles she goes through while trying to “get back out there” in the dating world because everything she’s experiencing is what, IMO, all women in their late 20s-early 30s go through. Especially when you’re surrounded by people who are in happy relationships, buying homes, doing the adulting couple-y things lol. Whereas, you’re still single (probs happily so), but starting to wonder, “when will it be my turn?” The pacing of this book is extremely steady throughout, and although it’s not full of super thrilling events, the pages truly turned effortlessly. Though it’s described as a rom-commy-type of book, I would say the funny/entertaining elements of this book are tucked into the dialogue between characters and in Nina’s head. Which I almost appreciated more because it wasn’t in-your-face comedy, yanno? Overall, I think if you’re someone like me who has been experiencing the struggle that is the current dating landscape, and/or have ever been ghosted, then you will definitely appreciate this book. Content Warning: If you have or are experiencing a loved one going through the stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, the storyline with Nina’s dad may be hard/upsetting for you, so please proceed with caution.

THE HOLIDAY SWAP by Maggie Knox

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell - both critical to her success as a show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie’s identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family’s bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won’t get the memo that they’re over. With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven’t done since they were kids: switch places. Looking for her own escape from reality, Cass agrees. But temporarily trading lives proves more complicated than they imagined, especially when rugged firefighter Jake Greenman and gorgeous physician’s assistant Miguel Rodriguez are throw into the mix. Will the twins’ identity swap be a recipe for disaster, or does it have all the right ingredients for getting their lives back on track?

My Thoughts: This book checks off everything you need in a feel-good, Christmas-themed story; including the swoony romances and mouth-watering descriptions of fresh baked goods. While Charlie and Cass are identical twins, they definitely have different personalities which made this experience very fulfilling. It was really satisfying to see each woman thrown out of her comfort zone into something they never thought they’d wanted: Charlie running her family’s bakery back home and Cass jumping into creating fresh new recipes for her sister’s show in the busy city of L.A. Sprinkle in their developing romances with the most heart throbbing guys we could ask for and I was in love with every page of this story. Plus, everything was tied up in the most immaculate bow by the end of it that there wasn’t any loose end to be seen. If you’re looking for something fun, a little different, with heartwarming growth across all relationships, and a little holiday theme tied in then I definitely recommend adding this to your reading list!

WINTER STREET by Elin Hilderbrand

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Kelley Quinn is the owner of Nantucket’s Winter Street Inn and the proud father of four, all of them grown and living in varying states of disarray. Patrick, the eldest, is a hedge fund manager with a guilty conscience. Kevin, a bartender, is secretly sleeping with a French housekeeper named Isabelle. Ava, a school teacher, is finally dating the perfect guy but can’t get him to commit. And Bart, the youngest and only child of Kelley’s second marriage to Mitzi, has recently shocked everyone by joining the Marines. As Christmas approaches, Kelley is looking forward to getting the family together for some quality time at the inn. But when he walks in on Mitzi kissing Santa Claus (or the guy who’s playing Santa at the inn’s annual party), utter chaos descends. With the three older children each reeling in their own dramas and Bart unreachable in Afghanistan, it might be up to Kelley’s ex-wife, nightly news anchor Margaret Quinn, to save Christmas at the Winter Street Inn.

My Thoughts: This was my first Elin Hilderbrand book, and it won’t be my last! I absolutely adored the Quinn family in this novel about returning home for the holidays and the mishaps, traditions, clumsy conversations, and endless love that ensues. The POV format of this story was absolutely perfect for really developing a deeper connection to each character, and it was impossible not to get wholly invested in all of the chaos and dramatics surrounding this specific holiday reunion. I loved each character through their flaws and was rooting for all of them to make it through the shit storm each was experiencing. Margaret was by far my favorite character, as she brought a warmth to the Winter Street Inn where so much was dampening the normally vibrant holiday celebrations. Hilderbrand even made it hard to entirely dismiss Mitzi, who kicked off the dark clouds this year, which was a feat in itself. Honestly, this book felt like being invited to someone’s family Christmas where dysfunction is almost expected to occur, and you’re left sitting in a comfy chair watching it all go down while sipping on a warm mulled cider. All in all, I’d definitely recommend this!

MERRY CHRIST-MESS by Dee Ellis

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Mila Masters has her life figured out. Writing splashy stories by day while she writes dirty ditties at night, she knows better to want for more. Unless it’s the love and adoration it seems everyone else is finding. Sweet, forever after love is for romance books, not real life. Or maybe she has had the best book boyfriend right in front of her. Micah Townes busted his ass to get his life right. A troubled youth means he takes nothing for granted. Especially the most important person in his life, Mila. Even if he wants more from her, he knows not to ask at the risk of losing her. A double date raises the stakes of their friendship - which maybe is not just a friendship after all.

My Thoughts: What a great friends-to-lovers romance novel! It was quite a passionate story between Mila and Micah, but there was definitely an undeniable connection between them. I will say, I’m surprised they hadn’t acted on their feelings sooner, but this spicy little Christmastime romance novella was an eventful love story that I really enjoyed. Definitely recommend continuing onto this fourth book in the 12 Days of Kissmas series!

A VERY PIERCED CHRISTMAS by Ember Davis

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: After years of traveling for her blog, Rowan is seeing more of the world than she ever thought. There’s something tugging her home for more than just the holidays and she has no idea what it is until she meets Levi Michaels. They’ve been talking via text about a custom motorcycle, but she had no idea how sexy Levi would be until she goes to pick up the bike. Maybe he’s not a reason to stay. Maybe he’s a reason to keep traveling.

My Thoughts: This is the fifth installment of the 12 Days of Kissmass, and has been my least favorite so far. While I was reading this novella, it just felt like so much of the storyline was forced or overdone. It didn’t feel like a natural progression with their relationship, and the connection they share goes from 0 to 60 then back to 0 then to 100 all of a sudden. I didn’t necessarily love Levi and Rowan as main characters either. They just seemed very melodramatic to me, and when the storyline hit a point of resolving issues, it felt like the author was handholding me through the process - which was very unnecessary. I don’t know. There was some sort of disconnect I had with this book and I never managed to fully recover enough to like it all that much. I guess if you have a huge love for motorcycles, tattoos, piercings, etc., then this would be more up your alley? Maybe? I don’t know. I’m just never going to read it again lol.

CITY OF ASHES by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary: Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what’s normal when you’re a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who’s becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn’t ready to let her go - especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary’s only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter, Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil - and also her father. To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings - and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

My Thoughts: IMO, this was a solid second book in The Mortal Instruments series. I still can’t get behind the weird plot twist that continued as an element of the storyline from the first book into this one. I felt like the author was dropping more hints this time around, though, that there is falsehood to what we know, so I’m banking on that a bit. There was a generous mix of action-packed events and slower, more dialogue-focused scenes that were perfectly paced throughout the book which I appreciated because there were a lot of new details to take in. Although I still cannot stand Simon most of the time, it was cool that his character development took a completely different turn than what I was expecting. It’s like he finally has more to his personality other than being in love with Clary who keeps saying, “I might love you back… eventually. Maybe.” lol. Poor sap. Most of the characters showed some sort of growth in this book -specifically, Jace and Clary - but it wasn’t necessarily in their behavior or maturity as much as it was their abilities. Overall, I really enjoyed City of Ashes and absolutely devoured the pages. So, needless to say, I’ll be continuing on this fun lil YA fantasy journey. :)

BARBARIAN’S LADY by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: You’d think a tall woman would fit in on a planet of 7-foot-tall aliens, but even on the ice planet, Kate is still an oddity. She’s everything all the other cute, dainty human women aren’t. One guy in particular - the alien Harrec - is determined to embarrass Kate by pretending he’s interested. He’s a jokester that flirts like mad and hits on her constantly just to make her feel foolish. He gets under her skin and makes her so frustrated she wants to scream. When a side-trip to a glacier turns into a nightmare and the two are forced to survive alone, Kate sees another side to the enticing blue alien. Even with no one else around, his compliments keep coming and she starts wondering if the attraction between them is real.

My Thoughts: This storyline went a different direction than I was expecting it to, but I really enjoyed it! There’s been a pattern in the previous books where, basically, the two people at hand find some way to do a couple’s retreat until they resonate with each other. This time around, Harrec is a big dummy and thinks he will take the same approach to get Kate alone, but his plan goes quite awry in a life threatening way and leaves them fighting to survive. I didn’t love either character, but I definitely liked them and was rooting for them to bridge the communication gap they initially had. It was refreshing too that Kate was a different body type from what the previous women had been illustrated as in previous books. Overall, this was cute and I liked it.

BARBARIAN’s RESCUE by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Rogue slavers have landed on the ice planet and captured the tribe. The only ones not snatched? Summer, a walking human motormouth with no skill except that of incoherent babbling, and Warrek, who’s as silent as he is attractive. Two more unlikely people have never been paired together. And now they’re supposed to form a rescue team. Saving the others is either going to bring them closer together - or drive them completely apart. Summer is pretty sure the feelings she’s having for her alien companion are as unrequited as they are inappropriate, but since they aren’t going to make it out alive, what harm is one teeny, tiny kiss?

My Thoughts: We loved this opposites attract sci-fi romance! The POV format was absolutely perfect for this book because Warrek is a very quiet boi and understanding his internal dialogue was essential for buying into this developing relationship with Summer. Even though Summer never shuts up, it was also really helpful to have her thoughts as well because she didn’t externally process everything as you’d expect. The change up in plot was very refreshing as they help the rest of the tribe escape this stalled spaceship that’s holding them hostage. This book is quite spicy as we’ve come to expect with the IPB series, and I definitely think it’s worth the read!

BARBARIAN’S TEASE by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: It should have been a one-night stand. Brooke never intended to seduce Taushen, but things happened. She doesn’t dwell on the past and while it was great, she’s not looking for a relationship. Of course, try telling that to Taushen. The big blue alien’s in love after one night, and making things darn awkward. They’ve got bigger problems than whether or not Brooke is his woman, like the ‘cargo’ of the spaceship that landed there. But Taushen’s not giving up. He thinks Brooke is his mate and will do anything to keep her.

My Thoughts: WHEW! Let’s start by talking about the pacing of the spice in this book because it comes in HOT. Right from the start, Dixon was serving up some STEAM. It definitely teeters off towards the middle, but I kind of appreciated that because it lined up perfectly with the storyline. Additionally, I loved that Brooke was not trying to fall into the same pattern as many of the other women did where she runs off with Taushen to be in close proximity until they resonate. She was like “nah, but you can teach me how to hunt, build fire, and survive on my own.” Her approach just allowed their relationship to develop much more organically. This was definitely one of my favorite books in this series, and probably the last I’ll read this year, but all in all, I highly recommend this one!

CITY OF GLASS by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: To save her mother’s life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace doesn’t want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight. As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. This book finally gave me the much needed peace of mind that I’ve been WAITING for in this series as it solves the mystery we’ve all had to endure the last two books. Let me just say though, a few plot twists had to happen in order to make that resolution available, but BOY, was it worth it. This book is packed to the brim with action-packed events, “oh shit” discoveries, and all the feels you can imagine. I loved that this book took place in a new environment - Alicante - because it gave this ongoing experience a fresh perspective. I will say, I definitely like Clary more in this book, but I’m so glad someone finally called her on her shit which is being incredibly impulsive and not considering how her actions will affect other people. The antagonist, Valentine, is evil as ever, and because he gives off the vibes of being a guy who mansplains and gaslights, the big scene of this story is incredibly fulfilling. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the third installment of the Mortal Instruments series. To be honest, this book felt like it was wrapped up perfectly, so I’m not really sure where the series goes from here, but I plan to continue on. Definitely recommend pushing through to this book if you started the series and are unsure whether to continue on.

HOLIDAY HOME RUN by Priscilla Oliveras

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Event planner Julia Fernandez is in Chicago for an internship that she hopes to turn into a full-time job. She’s ready to live on her own, out from under her family's expectations that she take over their catering business in Puerto Rico and away from their year-round baseball fever thanks to her three brothers. Ex-MLB pitcher Ben Thomas knows what it’s like to have different dreams than your family intends for you, but since his injury-caused early retirement, he’s been struggling to find the sense of family baseball once brought him. When he volunteers as the emcee for Julia’s big holiday fundraiser for a local youth center, he finally begins to find a sense of purpose working with the kids and alongside Julia. She’s focused on organizing the best holiday event the youth center has ever seen, not on romance. But Ben… he’s got a game plan that includes both.

My Thoughts: This novella was really cute. It was very sweet, both of the main characters were likable, and definitely had you rooting for them by the end of the story. However, there wasn’t any real “wow factor” here. Nor was it OTT holiday themed. Just simply cute. Did I enjoy it? Sure! Would I recommend it to people? Maybe if they’re super into baseball, but it probably wouldn’t be my first choice. I’ve heard great things about this author’s full books though, so I may give one of those a try since her writing was easy to sink into.

THE MATZAH BALL by Jean Meltzer

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: 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-curious publisher insists she writes 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 neer expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.

My Thoughts: I got mildly burned out on the Christmas-themed books I was devouring this month, but still wanted something holiday-themed. I saw this book come up on my bookstagram feed a few times and figured I’d give it a go. The premise of this book was unlike anything I’ve seen before which was really refreshing. It was interesting learning more about the Jewish traditions during Hanukkah and what usually goes into the eight nights. I think I had a soft spot for the side storyline involving Rachel’s chronic illness because it has to do with exhaustion and sleep (which I definitely have experience with lol), so watching her having to calculate daily what she has energy for and planning ahead to make sure she doesn’t overload herself was all too relatable. What I wasn’t a huge fan of is all of the misunderstandings/miscommunications between Rachel and Jacob, but it was fun to watch them slowly trust each other. If you’re looking for something to read around the holidays that is a little different, this might be a good book to try.

THE MISTLETOE PACT by Jo Lovett

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: On Christmas Eve eight years ago, Evie and Dan made a pact: if they weren’t married by thirty, they were going to marry each other. Of course, neither of them took it seriously, even if Dan has always been mesmerized by Evie’s beautiful smile, and Evie has always fancied Dan, her best friend’s brother. But then “it” happens. They wake up on Christmas Eve, the night before Evie’s 30th birthday in Vegas… married. Surely if they just get a quick divorce, they can go back to the way things used to be, right? If it wasn’t for the alcohol none of this would’ve happened. They can just go back to being friends. Except moving on is easier said than done when you’ve secretly loved each other forever… but if one of them doesn’t admit that, what happens to their friendship? If they don’t get together this time, what happens to the pact? Are they really ready to let go of it for good?
My Thoughts: This book had no business being as long as it was. It truly could’ve wrapped it up at least 50-70 pages sooner than it did. While it was entertaining for the most part and definitely had me rooting for Dan and Evie, I felt like it was just sooo dragged out. Also, The Mistletoe Pact they made when they were younger felt so irrelevant to the bigger picture since they got a divorce literally right after they fulfilled it. Evie had me banging my head against a wall on multiple occasions because she kept trying to convince herself that the current “nice guy” she was dating surely is “the one” simply because he’s nice when she’s clearly incredibly indifferent towards him. Whereas, Dan kept inching towards that “leap of faith” with Evie, but never actually committed, and I truly wanted to shove him off that ledge the entire book. Overall, this was a cute book and enjoyable for the most part. It was just much longer than it needed to be, so I can’t say this would be at the top of my holiday book recommendations.

A CROSS-COUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Courtney Walsh

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Lauren Richmond isn’t a fan of Christmas. Which is why she rarely makes the trip home to the Midwest for the holidays. After all, she has plenty to keep her busy- namely, her duties as a set decorator on a TV sitcom. But this December, Lauren’s brother and his wife are expecting a baby, so her brother arranges a ride home for her with his good friend, Will. Unfortunately for Lauren, she’s been trying to forget college baseball coach and childhood crush Will Sinclair for more than ten years. Now, thanks to her fear of flying, she’s stuck in a car with him from California to Illinois. She’s circumspect and organized. He’s flirty and spontaneous. She’s convinced people don’t change. He’s trying to prove to her and himself that he has. On this cross-country road trip, they’ll both discover that history doesn’t exactly repeat itself… but like any good Christmas carol, it does have a second verse.

My Thoughts: What a fun enemies-to-lovers rom-com! From the moment Will and Lauren hit the road all the way to reaching home, this book gave me all the feels. Will was likable for me right off the bat - and not just because he’s described as a Chris Evans look alike lol. He just provides a gentler, relaxing presence in this story which perfectly compliments Lauren by contrasting her prickly, closed-off behavior. That said though, as Lauren’s walls started to slowly melt on this cross-country roadtrip, it was so easy to warm up to her. Since their history was through Lauren’s older brother, it was fun watching them re-learn each other in this new context as adults. Honestly, I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for a book to read around the holidays that isn’t “Christmas in your face” then definitely give this one a try!

ONLY WHEN IT’S US by Chole Liese

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Ryder - Ever since she sat next to me in class and gave me death eyes, Willa Sutter’s been on my shit list. Why she hates me, I don’t know. What I do know is that Willa is the kind of chaos I don’t need in my tidy life. She’s the next generation of women’s soccer. Wild hair, wilder eyes. Bee-stung lips that should be illegal. And a temper that makes the devil seem friendly. Willa - Rather than give me the lecture notes I’ve missed like every other instructor I’ve had, my asshole professor tells me to get them from the silent, surly flannel-wearing mountain man sitting next to me in class. Well, I tried. And what did I get from Ryder Bergman? Ignored. What a complete lumbersexual neanderthal. Mangy beard and mangier hair. Frayed ball cap that hides his eyes. And a stubborn refusal to acknowledge my existence.

My Thoughts: Why aren’t more people talking about this book? It was so good! In addition to loving both characters, the backstory laid out for each of them was so detailed, it was impossible not to get emotionally invested in Ryder and Willa. In addition to the perfect pacing of their relationship, I appreciated that Ryder and Willa’s individual character development happened on a realistic timeline because it made buying into the “frenemies” even easier. This book was full of quick quips, heart wrenching moments, sweeter than sweet interactions, steamy scenes, and more. Honestly, what more could you ask for in a romance novel? Seriously, put this on your “TBR” list as soon as you can!

ALWAYS ONLY YOU by Chloe Liese

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Ren - The moment I met her, I knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of gold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes my knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day she and I became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of my game - besides, hockey, that is. I’m a player on the team, she’s on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been my virtue. Frankie won’t be here forever - she’s headed for bigger, better things. I just hope that when she leaves the team and I tell her how I feel, she won’t want to leave me behind. Frankie - I’ve had a problem at work since the day Ren Bergman joined the team: a six foot three hunk of happy with a sunshine smile. I’m a grump and his ridiculously good nature drives me nuts, but even I can’t entirely ignore that hot tamale of a ginger with icy eyes, the perfect playoff beard, and a body built for sin that he’s annoyingly modest. Before I got wise, I would have tripped over myself to get a guy like Ren, but with my diagnosis, I’ve learned what I am to most people in my life - a problem, not a person. Now, opening my heart to anyone, no matter how sweet, is the last thing I’m prepared to do.

My Thoughts: Y’all. My heart <3. I loved this tale of Ren and Frankie, and was absolutely smitten with both of them. Ren is a giant ginger hockey player who has a soft spot for Shakespeare plays and has been SWOONING for our girl Frankie for 3 years. Frankie is a badass woman who has faced adversity others cannot imagine and is still living her life as a boss. This slow burn romance was so easy to get lost in and vicariously experience all the feels the MCs were going through. Not only was this book endearing as it was entertaining, but it also contained the perfect amount of spice that really tied a bow on everything. In short, I’m loving this Bergman Brothers series and highly recommend you pick up this second installment!

Welp that’s that on that.

2021 Book Count (FINAL): 125!

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Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year! Let me know what books you’ve got on deck for January in the comments.