Finished reading: Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night by Kresley Cole πŸ“š

🌢️🌢️🌢️🌢️🌢️ as always. Werewolves continue to not be my thing but I love witches.


Finished reading: No Rest For The Wicked by Kresley Cole πŸ“š

Listen, all these Immortals After Dark books are 🌢️🌢️🌢️🌢️🌢️, okay? That’s just what’s up. I like this one better than the one that came before it, definitely more my vibe.


Finished reading: A Hunger Like No other by Kresley Cole πŸ“š

Incredibly high spice level, all the chili pepper emoji 🌢️! A Valkyrie/vampire hybrid and a werewolf (there wolf) fall in love. I’m reading this as I listen along to the first season of Fated Mates.


Finished reading: The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung πŸ“š

A 2024 Caldecott Honor winner.


Finished reading: Two New Years by Richard Ho πŸ“š

Winner of the 2024 Sydney Taylor book award.


Finished reading: Nacho y Lolita/Nacho and Lolita by Pam MuΓ±oz Ryan πŸ“š

Pam MuΓ±oz Ryan won the Children’s Literature Legacy Award. This was where NoveList Plus recommended starting with her work.


Finished reading: Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor πŸ“š

Reading my way through this year’s American Library Association Youth Media Award winners. This won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book. It’s super cute.


Finished reading: Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas πŸ“š

A sizzling historical that has two refreshing leads: she’s a writer, not a bluestocking. He is a gambling club owner, not a duke.


Finished reading: Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas πŸ“š

Classic 90s pre-Victorian historical, medium spice level.


Finished reading: The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun πŸ“š

Lovely! What if the dude who was producing The Bachelor fell in love with the bachelor? This book is all kinds of sweet and affirming, with great queer, neurodivergence, race, and mental illness rep.


Finished reading: New Adult by Timothy Janovsky πŸ“š

Like if 13 Going on 30 was instead 23 Going on 30. Timothy Janovsky’s characters make me so happy, they’re so heart-full. Also lots of good stuff about keeping comedy in its proper place in your life rather than letting it become an all-consuming obsession.

<img src=“https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/17595/2024/1000002085-01.jpeg" width=“600” height=“600” alt=“A book titled ‘New Adult’ by Timothy Janovsky is centrally placed on a textured fabric surface, surrounded by colorful tarot cards and small heart-shaped stones. The book cover is adorned with illustrations of young adults engaged in various activities and has stars scattered around. The image features a quote from the New York Times praising the novel as “witty, playful, heartbreaking, and intensely poetic”. The overall mood of the image is whimsical and colorful, evoking a sense of curiosity.">


Finished reading: A Dish Best Served Hot by Natalie CaΓ±a πŸ“š

A lovely, slightly spicy romance. This one resonates a lot because one of the main characters is an oldest sibling who feels responsible for everything.


Finished reading: A Proposal They Can’t Refuse by Natalie CaΓ±a πŸ“š

Super sweet and a little steamy romance.


Finished reading: In the Case of Heartbreak by Courtney Kae πŸ“š

Highest of recommendations here. This book is a cute romance but it’s also healing to read.


Finished reading: Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield πŸ“š

Full review coming later, but I loved this confection of a YA romance from Ravynn K. Stringfield, my creative nonfiction for academics teacher. A Francophile Black American girl falling in love with Paris and a cute Parisian. Highly recommend.


Finished reading: The Frame-Up by Gwenda Bond πŸ“š

I thought this was going to be a romance book with a heist, but I was mistaken. It’s a heist book with a romance! It’s beautifully done. Full review coming soon. The Frame-Up releases February 13. Pre-order it now!


Finished reading: Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky πŸ“š

Another delightful romance given to us by Timothy Janovsky, whose little details feel so calculated to please me. This time: The Great Movie Ride (RIP) figures in a key scene.


Finished reading: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert πŸ“š

I’m late to this party but happy to finally be here. As sweet and hot as the romance here is, it’s the portrayal of fibromyalgia that makes my heart sing.

An e-reader displaying the cover of a romance novel by Talia Hibbert, featuring an illustration of two people and a cat. The title is 'Get A Life, Chloe Brown' and it is a USA Today Bestseller.

Finished reading: For Never & Always by Helena Greer πŸ“š

I love it so much. Finished it in under 48 hours. Helena Greer has given us a lovely place in Carrigan’s Christmasland and a host of delightful people to populate it. I keep seeing different bits of myself in each of her characters and it makes me happy. Highly recommend.

A close-up view of an open book with an inscription on the blank page in a handwriting font. The inscription reads: I hereby officially declare a Shenanigan.

Finished reading: How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow πŸ“š

Lovely and sweet. Made me cry when the main character’s mom really shows up for her. Also kinda makes me want to travel to DC.

A hand holding a book titled 'How to Excavate a Heart' by Jake Maia Arlow in front of a brightly decorated Christmas tree.

Finished reading: Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun πŸ“š

This one was so lovely it made me cry. I can’t even sum up. Go read the description if it sounds good to you, try it out. Highly recommend.

A hand holding a book titled 'Kiss Her Once for Me' by Alison Cochrum in front of a brightly decorated Christmas tree with colorful lights and ornaments.

Finished reading: You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky πŸ“š

Oh my goodness I love it. Matthew Prince starts out as a spoiled party boy but Janovsky slowly pulled the onion layers back until I loved him. And his love interest Hector is wonderful. Highly recommend.

A hand holding a book titled YOU'RE A MEAN ONE MATTHEW PRINCE by TIMOTHY JANOVSKY in front of a decorated Christmas tree and a lit fireplace.

Finished reading: In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae πŸ“š

A lovely place-based friends-to-lovers second chance. As often happens, the third act breakup made me want to yell at the main character but the book had me happy-teary by the end.

A hand holding a book titled β€œIn the Event of Love” by Courtney Kae in front of a colorful Christmas tree, with a rose and lights visible in the background. The book is a romantic novel set in a winter wonderland.

Finished reading: Eight Kisses by Mindy Klasky πŸ“š

Eight Hanukkah romance stories. I read one each night. My favorites are the one with the Frisky Bean coffee shop and the one with empty nesters reconnecting.

A hand holding the book β€œEight Kisses” in front of a window with a menorah on the sill, showcasing a cover featuring two people embracing and a lit menorah. The book is a collection of eight stories of Hanukkah romance by various authors.

Finished reading: Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur πŸ“š

The first holiday rom-com of a month where I hope to read many. Elle is an astrologer who dreams of a big love. Darcy is an actuary who’s terrified of having one. This book’s heat level is sensual, a couple explicit scenes. A lovely book but I wish the third act break-up had been resolved more quickly so I could’ve had more joyous reunion time.

The book Written in the Stars in front of a Christmas tree