Book Review: "This Girl's A Killer" by Emma C. Wells

This was a wild read! When I heard that the main character was being called a female Dexter, I knew I had to pick this up, and I was utterly hooked.

Cordelia is a successful pharmaceutical sales rep who knows how to manipulate the system. She’s beautiful, fashionable, ambitious, and loved by her best friend Diane and her goddaughter, Samantha.

She’s also a killer. She’s made it her job to get rid of sexual predators and pedophiles who cross her path. She doesn’t consider it murder; to her, it’s karma.

“Once upon a time, I’d been a broken girl, unable to protect herself from the scary things. Now, I was the scary thing.”

But when things at work start going awry and she realizes her foolproof plan for getting rid of monsters isn’t quite foolproof, her attention to detail starts slipping. And when Diane starts dating a man that rubs Cordelia the wrong way, she starts to worry that her perfectly managed life may fall apart.

Although the book gets a bit graphic at times, it’s more about the chaos around Cordelia than the murderous acts. As the walls start closing in, the suspense and tension increase, and I couldn’t wait to see how Emma C. Wells tied everything up. What a great character and a great book!

Book Review: "City of Night Birds" by Juhea Kim

There’s something about making art—theater, dance, music, visual art, etc.—that provokes such strong emotions. That’s probably why artists are such rich sources of inspiration and drama, which make them perfect muses for fiction.

“The true cost of accomplishing something you want with your whole being is that the moment you get it, you realize that it’s not enough.”

Natalia, a prima ballerina, returns to St. Petersburg in 2019, two years after an accident disrupted her career. She is invited to dance again, something she both looks forward to and fears.

Being back in St. Petersburg evokes many memories for Natalia. She dreamed of being a ballerina since she was young, and achieved tremendous success, but at the same time, she also experienced rejection, loneliness, pain, and estrangement from her mother. And while she may be past her physical prime, she is determined to give an unforgettable performance.

She is reminded of Alexander, the talented dancer with whom she created magic—both creatively and emotionally. She also is reunited with Dmitri, the mercurial, spiteful genius who caused her a great deal of anguish and self-doubt.

This is a very introspective, slow-moving story, but I found it dramatic and utterly fascinating. It shifts back and forth through time, from Natalia’s childhood to the present, and follows both her career and her personal life. I loved the behind-the-scenes look at the cutthroat world of Russian ballet, and while at times I wished the pacing would speed up, I’ll definitely be thinking about this one for a while.

Book Review: "PS: I Hate You" by Lauren Connolly

“Arguably, hiding myself in a closet is in everyone’s best interest. These strangers want to watch me cry prettily. (But is that even physically possible? Who can have saltwater leaking out of their eyes and not look like a flushed, snotty mess?)”

Maddie’s older brother Josh died of cancer before he turned 30. He was the adventurous one, always trying to get Maddie to try new things and have fun. And this didn’t stop with his death: in his will he requested that she spread a portion of his ashes in each of the 8 states he never visited.

But Josh had one more trick up his sleeve, in that he assigned her a partner for her trips—Dom, his best friend. Maddie was in love with him for as long as she can remember, until one thing sent her running across the country to get away from him. Dom has always been a stickler for rules, so he’s not letting Maddie handle the ash-spreading herself, no matter how much vitriol she sends his way.

As they make each trip, there are awkward moments and emotional ones, as well as times when all Maddie wants is to be as far from Dom as possible. Along the way, they discover things about one another and each of their relationships with Josh, and Maddie realizes she must come to terms with her other fears and issues. She also must realize that her feelings for Dom have never dissipated; they’ve just grown stronger.

I’m a sucker for the found family trope, and I loved Maddie’s relationship with Dom’s family. Her mother and grandmother were written as one-dimensional monsters, and it broke my heart to see the way they treated her.

I wanted to love this book but it felt so schizophrenic to me. At times it was so moving and powerful; other times, Maddie was difficult to sympathize with and the miscommunication between her and Dom drove me crazy. It also got sooo steamy and it felt odd to me. But even with all that, I still cried, so…

Book Review: "The Jolliest Bunch: Unhinged Holiday Stories" by Danny Pellegrino

“I was an emotional kid, who turned into an even more emotional adult—one who mourns the good times as much as he mourns the bad. Perfect days end with me wiping up the same tears that result from the crappy days.”

The holidays always seem to bring out healthy doses of both joy and craziness. I guess that’s why they’re such great fodder for writers. In The Jolliest Bunch, Danny Pellegrino, host of the podcast “Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino,” shares some of his holiday memories. They’ll either make you feel good about your own experiences or make you think he doesn’t know what crazy really is.

Having read his last book, How Do I Un-Remember This, I really enjoy Pellegrino’s voice. His stories never seem so wild as to be preposterous, but they’re always at least a notch or two beyond the usual holiday experience.

Some of my favorites include: “The Nativity,” which meshes your typical Christmas play story with an overly dramatic child with abandonment issues; “Black Velvet,” in which he gives Mrs. Claus her long-overdue adventure; “The Night Before,” about his mother’s annual meltdown before hosting a Christmas Eve party; and “The Ghostly Duo,” where he recounts his experience being haunted by a gay, pop culture-savvy ghost.

Not every story was a winner for me, but many of them touched my heart, reminded me of my own experiences, and/or made me laugh. No matter what Pellegrino talked about, it reminded me to always find the joy in being with those I care about, because you never know when circumstances will change.

While I mostly read fiction, this book was a fun departure for me. This reminds me a bit of a David Sedaris collection but it has a charm all its own.

Book Review: "Five Gold Rings" by Kristen Bailey

Oh, my heart. Given that We Three Kings is one of my favorite books this year, I decided to go backward and read Five Gold Rings now. (They're both standalones but this one was written first.) Loved this one, too, Kristen Bailey!!

“‘Nah, it’s just I know Christmas people. I thought you’d be more of a low-key Christmas dude. A sensible jumper and mulled wine kind of man.’”

“‘I’m novelty jumper, all the way. I Christmas hard.’”

Christmas is approaching and Eve is excited. She can’t wait to get home from a conference to see her boyfriend Chris and go shopping with him for the last few gifts they need to buy. But when she arrives home, she finds her boyfriend in the shower…with another woman.

Angry and devastated, Eve throws all of the gifts she got for Chris’ family out the window, and then escapes to the jewelry store where she works part-time. The owners call on Eve’s coworker, Joe, to help lift her spirits. Of course, Joe has more than a tiny crush on Eve, so he’s all too happy to help, although he doesn’t want to come across inappropriately.

There’s another crisis at the store: five rings were not delivered to their correct recipients, which means their events could be ruined. So Eve volunteers to distribute the rings and hopefully save the day, and Joe—fresh from his other job as a barely clothed elf—will serve as chauffeur and partner-in-crime. Can they keep Christmas from imploding?

I was hooked on this book from the first few sentences. I honestly loved everything—the characters and their stories, the banter, the holiday spirit, the emotion, all of it. I’m a Bailey fan for sure now!!

Book Review: "Deck the Fire Halls" by N.R. Walker

One indie author I’ve become a huge fan of over the last 12-18 months is N.R. Walker. She writes lots of fantastic MM romances, and I think I’ve read at least 2-3 of her books this year alone.

Rob’s constant work as a doctor has burnt him out and left him with little opportunity for a life away from his job. It’s gotten so bad, he’s considering walking away from medicine completely. But a friend suggests he move to the small town of Hartbridge, Montana, to work as a general practitioner.

Hartbridge is one of those picture-perfect small towns where everyone is incredibly friendly. He meets his next door neighbor, Soren, who happens to be a muscular, sexy firefighter. Even though the last thing Rob wants is to jump into a relationship so soon, he wouldn’t mind jumping on Soren either!

Soren has never been attracted to a (slightly) older man before, but Rob drives him crazy. He has lived in town for two years and loves that there is an actual gay community, but there hasn’t been anyone for him. Until Rob’s arrival, that is.

The more time Rob spends in town, the more he falls in love with it. The sparks between him and Soren intensify as well, and while each wants to take it slowly to see if something real can develop, it’s becoming impossible to resist giving into their passion. What else can they do?

I loved the setting of this book and all of the characters. The banter was pretty great and the circle of friends cracked me up. This is one steamy book, but it’s also a romantic one!!

Book Review: "The Close-Up" by Pip Drysdale

“Am I the unreliable narrator of my own life?”

Zoe moved to Los Angeles after her first novel was sold and plans were made for its adaptation into a movie. But her best intentions of revising the book went awry, so she lost momentum and another aspiring author got the break that was supposed to be hers. And with one flop to her name, the pressure on her to knock her second book out of the park is definitely intense.

As she tries to come up with an idea for her second book, she works at a florist’s shop. And much to her surprise, she encounters Zach, a guy who ghosted her three years ago, just before he got his big break as an action movie star. She attempts to convince herself not to fall for Zach again, but shortly after pictures of the two appear online, he dumps her again.

“Because everything dangerous starts with warmth: fire, hope, love. Even hypothermia feels warm before it kills you.”

The pressure from her agent mounts, and to top it off, she apparently has a stalker, who is replicating incidents from her first book. She knows the book doesn’t end well for her protagonist, and doesn’t want the same thing to happen to her. But Zach and his security chief say they’ll get to the bottom of everything, and that she’s safe. Yeah, okay…

This started slowly but before I knew it, the tension ratcheted up, the suspense grew, and the book raced toward its conclusion. I have been waiting to read this for a few weeks, and I thought it was absolutely excellent!!

Book Review: "One Night, Two Holidays" by Ali Brady

While Christmas is held on the same day every year, Hanukkah moves around based on the Hebrew calendar. Some years it happens in late November or early December, some years it’s much later. But this year both Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah were celebrated on the same day.

Given the “Chrismukkah” celebrations, discovering Ali Brady’s novella was perfect timing.

It’s Christmas Eve. Jack is a medical resident, ready to release some of his stress by spending a few days with his family in Denver. The last thing he was counting on was an epic snowstorm that cancels all flights out of Chicago. He is sad, frustrated, and lonely.

Nessa is alone for Hanukkah, since her roommates both had other plans and her parents are traveling. When she witnesses Jack’s frustration, she tries to coax a smile out of him. After all, she and her roommates have been intrigued by him for a while.

When the power goes out in their building, Jack is caught completely unaware. He finds Nessa’s apartment and the two plan to wait the storm out together. They talk about each other’s holiday traditions, their hopes and fears, and of course, start to draw closer. (The game of strip dreidel didn’t hurt.)

I love how Ali Brady gave equal weight to both holidays and both characters. They had terrific banter and sizzling chemistry, but I loved how they took their time before anything heated up physically. This was really a sweet story.

Book Review: "Here One Moment" by Liane Moriarty

“If free will doesn’t exist, if all your decisions and actions are inevitable, are you still required to apologize for them?”

It seemed like an ordinary flight on an ordinary day. Yes, there were delays, but ultimately, the plane took off and headed for its destination.

Unexpectedly, an older woman stood up and got out of her seat. At first, no one paid her much attention. But then she started telling each passenger something—the cause of their death and the age at which they will die. Some were told they will die many years into the future, yet some were told their deaths will be sooner and, in some cases, more tragic.

Is this some sort of joke, some sort of scam, or does the woman really know of what she speaks? After the flight lands and the passengers go on their way, the woman’s predictions haunt them. Should they change the trajectory of their lives to avoid any possibility of dying the way she predicted? No one knows for sure until the first few deaths occur.

The narrative that follows traces a number of the passengers and how their lives are affected by what they were told. It also focuses on the woman and the story of her life, and how she came to the moments on the plane.

I felt like this book had a lot of potential but was just way too long. I definitely got attached to many of the characters, but the woman’s narrative never grabbed me, and it seemed to take me out of the story. Ultimately though, the book’s message of living in the moment and not having regrets is a good one.

Book Review: "Not in My Book" by Katie Holt

Rosie dreams of becoming a romance novelist, even though her own love life has been less than stellar. She leaves her Tennessee hometown to pursue her masters degree at NYU, and hopefully launch her career.

But in her writing workshops, she has to deal with Aiden, who is not a fan of romance. Or Rosie’s writing. It doesn’t help that he’s a tremendously talented writer of literary fiction—as well as insufferably handsome. In every class, he tears her writing to shreds, which infuriates her, and leads to them arguing in every class.

When their feuding becomes too much to bear, their professor steps in with an ultimatum: either they write a novel together which blends both of their styles or they have to leave the class. So they reluctantly start to work together, and of course, they bring elements of the things they dislike about each other into their characters.

All of their friends and classmates think they should just sleep together already, but they both use their writing to express their feelings for one another. Little by little their barriers come down and collaborating becomes less of a chore.

But when they both wind up competing for a prestigious fellowship, it ignites their rivalry once again. Can they finally be honest with each other and admit their feelings, or will their collaboration collapse for good?

This was definitely a fun read. I think it would have benefited from a dual narrative, to get Aiden’s perspective. But the banter between the two was definitely enjoyable.

Book Review: "What Happened to the McCrays?" by Tracey Lange

Thanks so much to Celadon Books for the advance copy of Tracey Lange’s latest book!!

When Kyle’s father suffers a stroke, he has to make his way across the country to his hometown of Potsdam in upstate New York. He’s upset about his father’s condition but also is dreading returning to Potsdam, since he left unexpectedly nearly three years ago. He’ll have to face those he left behind—friends, coworkers, family, and his ex-wife, Casey, whom he’s loved since he was 18.

While Casey isn’t surprised that Kyle has returned, his presence leaves her on edge. She really can’t be near him, but their lives intersect in so many ways. He is asked to coach the middle school hockey team for as long as he’s in town, and it finally gives him a sense of purpose.

The longer Kyle remains in Potsdam, the more he learns about the emotions his departure—and his return—stirred up. As he considers staying in town for good, he knows he can only do so if he and Casey are in a good place. But in order for that to be possible, there are many issues between them that need to be addressed, things that can no longer remain unsaid.

“You know, I think that’s how grief works. You have to feel it so you can heal it, not bury yourself in it. You get through it, and each time it’s a little less.”

I have enjoyed all of Lange’s books, and this one is definitely a favorite. There are so many beautiful moments, so much grief, emotion, and hope, and I felt like the characters were so well drawn.

The book will publish 1/14/2025.⁣

Book Review: "12 Dates of Christmas" by Brigham Vaughn

“It suddenly feels a little crazy to realize I totally uprooted my life in Chicago to move to some Christmas-themed small town on the off chance of finding love.”

Leo likes living in Chicago, but dating there drives him crazy. He’s tried it all—apps, bars, blind dates—but he can’t seem to find the right person. He’s even gotten scammed because he’s too naive.

His best friend Hayden had moved to the small town of Christmas Falls a year or so ago—reluctantly—but he ultimately found true love and decided to stay. With his job as a web developer, he can work from anywhere, so he decides to give Christmas Falls a try.

He already has a client in town he’s been working with—Nick, who runs a matchmaking service. When he meets Nick face-to-face for the first time, Leo is instantly smitten. But Nick is not only a widower, he’s straight. So when Nick offers to set Leo up on some dates as a way to thank him, Leo agrees.

Each date turns out to be a total flop. And after every date, Leo and Nick debrief, which Leo starts enjoying more than anything. When Nick tells Leo that he’s actually bisexual, Leo is filled with hope that they might get together. But Nick needs to be sure that his heart is ready to take a chance on love again. Will Leo be willing to wait?

This was my second trip to Christmas Falls, and I absolutely love this series. There were so many themes at play here that I loved, and the characters were just so appealing. I’m thankful that there are so many books in this series still to read!

Book Review: "A Very Bad Thing" by J.T. Ellison

I’ve been meaning to read this for a while, but I can certainly say this was well worth the wait!!

Columbia Jones isn’t just a bestselling author: she’s a phenomenon. And her latest book—which is being adapted into a Spielberg film while she’s still writing it—is sure to catapult her career even further. Her book tour stops are so in demand they have to hold them in theaters and other concert venues.

In Denver, on the last stop of her tour, she sees a face in the audience and it causes her to faint. She may have a minor concussion and an issue with the altitude, but she’s released from the hospital that evening. And then the next morning, she’s found dead in her hotel bed, covered in blood.

Who would’ve wanted Columbia dead? Why? These are questions being asked by many people, including Columbia’s daughter and manager, Darian; a detective specifically assigned to the case; and Riley, a talented young journalist Columbia hired to chronicle the tour and her career. The author’s death shocks the public and devastates her fans.

As the investigation into Columbia’s death (was it murder?) gets going, secrets about her are revealed that show how little anyone really knew her. It appears that the uncovering of these secrets definitely ruffle some feathers—and people are dying as a result. What is Columbia’s real story, and who else is in harm’s way?

This was absolutely fantastic. The book is nearly 450 pages yet I flew through it, and couldn’t get enough. There were lots of twists, some I saw coming and some that surprised me, and I didn’t want to stop reading at all. Now, onto J.T. Ellison’s backlist!!

Book Review: "The Broposal" by Sonora Reyes

Thanks so much to Forever and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book!!

Kenny and Han (short for Alejandro) have been best friends since the second grade, and both would do anything for the other. As roommates, they support each other, with Kenny’s executive dysfunction disorder and Han’s autism.

The biggest stress for Han is that he is undocumented, and he’s always worried that a situation might occur that will end with him being deported. When he gets a job at the restaurant where Kenny is assistant manager, his fears intensify, because the manager is always angry and threatening to fire people.

After Kenny and his on-again, off-again girlfriend break up, he gets an idea: he and Han should get married, and this way Han can get a green card. All of their friends and Kenny’s family think they’re in love with one another anyway.

Even if the marriage is just for show, Kenny loves the idea of being with Han, who has always struggled with relationships. But as they work to convince immigration officials that their marriage is real, their feelings start to blur. They’ll need to be worried about Kenny’s ex-girlfriend, though, as well as the government.

Kenny and Han really make a good couple, although Kenny is definitely wishy-washy. I wanted to love this book, but Jackie’s character is just awful—a person who works at a domestic violence shelter yet is abusive herself. She really made me consider DNFing the book a few times. But I loved Kenny and Han too much.

The book publishes 1/21/2025.

Book Review: "Exposure" by Ava Dellaira

More than 10 years ago, I read Ava Dellaira’s debut novel, a YA book called Love Letters to the Dead. It was an absolutely beautiful, powerful story. Exposure is Dellaira’s first adult novel, and it is equally powerful, moving, and thought-provoking.

In 2004, Juliette, a student at the University of Chicago, runs into Noah, a high school senior who was in a poetry class she taught as a volunteer project. Juliette is white and Noah is Black, but the two have grief in common. They hook up twice in Juliette’s dorm room.

In 2016, after years of struggling and trying not to lose hope, Noah realizes his dream of becoming a filmmaker. His movie is about to be released, and he and his wife, Jesse, a bestselling novelist, have recently had a baby. On the cusp of this life-changing opportunity, Annie, who was Juliette’s best friend, shares a bombshell about Noah that she recently discovered, and it threatens to upend everything he and Jesse have worked for.

“‘You wanna be able to say she’s good and he’s bad,’ Jesse says, ‘and it would be easier if it worked that way. We all want to be one of the good guys. But we have to live inside of the same story, and it gets messy.’”

The book is narrated by Noah, Jesse, Juliette, and Annie, and shifts back and forth between 1999 and 2016. Each character has their own issues to deal with, but all four are greatly affected by grief, and the book demonstrates how thoroughly it can affect a person.

I’ll admit I didn’t love everything these characters did, but I devoured this book. I’m definitely going to be thinking about Exposure for a long time.

Book Review: "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" by Ally Carter

If you combine an enemies to lovers (sort of) with a locked-room mystery, you’ll get this frothy and fun book. It’s utterly adorable, full of great banter and humor.

An author of cozy mysteries, Maggie would be more than happy to skip over the holidays. Her parents died right after high school and she recently got divorced, when her husband and her best friend had an affair.

One of the things Maggie dislikes most about the holidays is the forced need to socialize with people at parties. That is not Maggie’s thing. But when she is invited to the English estate of her absolute favorite mystery author, Eleanor Ashley (aka The Duchess of Death), she reluctantly accepts the invitation. (Plus, her editor demands she does.)

And then she realizes that she’ll be traveling with Ethan, a fellow author. She hates Ethan. First, he calls her Marcie every time they see each other. Second, he’s ridiculously handsome—and he knows it. And third, his books are huge bestsellers, while hers are, well…

When they arrive at Eleanor’s mansion, Maggie is in awe of meeting her hero. That first night it snows, and the roads are impassable—and yet Eleanor has vanished. Where could an 80-year-old woman with a bad leg go in the middle of a snowstorm? Is this a real mystery, or some type of contest? As Maggie and Ethan try to figure out what happened, they draw closer—and make some real discoveries about one another.

I definitely enjoyed this although it took some time for the pacing to pick up. But I enjoyed the concept and look forward to diving into Ally Carter’s backlist!

Book Review: "A Sky Full of Dragons" by Tiffany McDaniel

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway for this book! I don’t normally read middle-grade fiction but I love a good fantasy, plus I’ve been a fan of Tiffany McDaniel since her debut novel, The Summer That Melted Everything.

Spella was found in a cauldron one night by a witch known as Aunt Cauldroneyes, because of her ability to find almost anything in a cauldron. She raises Spella as her own, and teaches the girl how to make magical hats for all sorts of creatures.

When Spella turns 8, she gets an invitation to attend school at Dragon’s Knob, famous for teaching wizards and witches. But when Aunt Cauldroneyes is kidnapped (swallowed, actually), it’s up to Spella and her classmates to figure out what happened.

There are so many themes I love in this book—found family, friendships, finding your place and purpose, bravery, and, of course, magic. McDaniel’s storytelling is so hypnotizing, and I’d imagine it will resonate so much with anyone who loves magic.

I’m so grateful for the giveaway win and you can bet I’m ready for the next book in this series!

Book Review: "Shell Games" by Bonnie Kistler

Whoa. This book had me hooked from the very first page, and I barely moved from the couch in the few hours it took me to read it!

Kate Sawyer was a force to be reckoned with. She was a multimillionaire, a shrewd real estate developer, and well connected in both Florida society and state politics. She always did things her way—and that didn’t make life easy for her daughter, Julie, who felt like she was always living in her mother’s shadow.

When Kate marries her high school sweetheart Charlie, 50+ years after they first dated, it appears that she’s finally getting the happy ending she deserves. But on their wedding night, Charlie admits that he was behind one of the most notorious crimes from several decades ago. Horrified, Kate calls the police.

When Charlie’s alibi from back then checks out, no one is sure what has occurred. Charlie says he never admitted anything to Kate; Kate thinks Charlie is gaslighting her and trying to prove her mentally incompetent; and Julie’s husband Eric thinks Kate is in the early stages of dementia.

Julie worries about her mother, whose behavior becomes much more erratic since her wedding night. She isn’t sure what to think. Is her mother starting to lose her mind? Is Charlie trying to get Kate’s money by questioning her mental state? And why is Eric involved? Julie starts to wonder about her own marriage as well.

I love books when you can’t figure out whom you should trust, or how things are ultimately going to unfold. I kept waiting to see what the truth was and which characters I should be rooting for, and while Julie was an annoying character for a part of the storyline, I could find justification for her actions. This one kept me guessing!

Book Review: "Broken Threads" by Sagit Schwartz

I definitely fall prey to the whole #Bookstagrammademedoit concept, but never have I finished someone’s review of a book and immediately bought the book. At least until I read the review of Sagit Schwartz’s excellent short story, “Broken Threads.”

Clare has always dreamed of being a bestselling author but she can’t seem to land a deal. The longer it takes, the more resentful she becomes of those who do succeed, especially those she believes she has more talent than.

When Clare’s longtime job as a technical writer is eliminated because she can be replaced by AI, her desperation grows. She knows her historical fiction novel is excellent, but no agent will talk to her because she’s older and not photogenic. But with barely any money to cover rent, she’s willing to try anything.

Her last shot is approaching her neighbor, Amber, who has built a career as a successful influencer. Nearly everything Amber owns or wears has been given to her in exchange for mentions. Clare thinks having Amber promote the book will be a great idea, but Amber doesn’t think that effort will be successful. And then Amber suggests that she tell people she wrote the book, and in exchange, she’ll give Clare 50 percent of the profits.

Of course, when things seem too good to be true, they usually are. The book becomes a huge success but Clare starts suspecting that Amber is ripping her off. And then Amber winds up dead.

I devoured this in a very short time and I honestly could’ve read a full-length version of this. @sagitschwartz had me hooked from the very first word! This was a great story and so timely.

Book Review: "Scrooge You" by Brigham Vaughn

It’s the holiday season all year long in the small town of Christmas Falls, but residents really go all out when the holidays actually come along. Joel owns Ginger’s Breads, a bakery that he bought from his aunt and uncle. Everyone loves his baked goods, both sweet and savory.

Living in a small town means you pretty much know everyone. But Joel doesn’t recognize the handsome young runner who passes by the bakery early each morning. Thanks to a patch of ice in the street, Joel meets Hayden, who has moved to town from Chicago to stay with his mother and stepfather.

Hayden is grumpy because his life isn’t going the way he planned. His post-college job evaporated before he started, and no one seems to be hiring web designers right now. Given that he absolutely loathes Christmas, being stuck in a town called Christmas Falls is truly the seventh circle of hell.

But while Hayden seethes inwardly (and not always quietly), he is intrigued by the handsome, bearish baker whose pumpkin cinnamon rolls are pretty fantastic. Joel, whose life pretty much revolves around the bakery and town events, is attracted to Hayden as well, even though he’s probably 10-11 years younger than Joel.

Flirtation turns to friendship and sex, and it’s not long before both want to spend as much time together as they can. Hayden definitely wants out of Christmas Falls, however, and is hoping he’ll find a job back in Chicago soon. But as their feelings for one another intensify, what does this mean for their future?

This is the kind of rom-com I love, full of small town charm, steamy scenes, romance, humor, and emotion. It’s apparently the 9th book in a series written by different authors, and while I got the sense that certain characters probably were from previous books, this was fine to read as a standalone. How can you resist when a Scrooge regains their love for the holidays?

Book Review: "The Christmas Countdown" by Holly Cassidy

It’s almost Christmas, but Callie can’t seem to find the spirit this year. Even though it’s been seven months since Oliver, her childhood sweetheart and longtime boyfriend, broke up with her, she’s not feeling the holidays. And she’s certainly not going home to visit her family, given that Oliver’s family lives next door.

Callie’s sister Anita is never one to pass up the chance to meddle. She wants Callie to get her joy and sense of fun back, so she creates an Advent calendar challenge for her. Every other day, she’ll be challenged to do something out of her comfort zone (and she’ll get treats on the alternate dates). The plan is for Callie and Anita to accomplish the challenges as a pair.

On the first day of the challenge, Callie meets Marco, a handsome chef and baker. She’s immediately charmed by him, but her heart is too heavily guarded to think of Marco as anything but a friend. Yet the more time they spend together, the more her feelings start to get muddled. And when he steps in to replace Anita as Callie’s challenge partner, sparks really start flying.

At the same time that Callie is being challenged to recapture her holiday joie de vivre, things at work are becoming more stressful. She’s been able to tolerate still working at the same company as Oliver, but a new supervisor really causes chaos, and refuses to take any responsibility for the tension.

Can Callie and Marco complete the advent calendar challenge with their holiday spirit intact? Can two people who are trying to protect themselves from getting hurt actually let love in? Will Anita stop meddling and let things be?

This was such a fun and sweet read. I loved the whole concept of the book and the terrifically warm characters. And all of the descriptions of desserts made me hungry!! Holly Cassidy is the pen name of Hannah Mary McKinnon, and now I love books written by both.

Book Review: "Full Speed to a Crash Landing" by Beth Revis

I don’t read much science fiction, but when my friend suggested we buddy read the first book in Beth Revis’ new Chaotic Orbits series, I thought, why not? I mean, it was described as a “high octane sexy space heist,” so how could I resist?

Ada is a looter, trying to salvage anything she can from abandoned or wrecked spaceships. And while she found Roundabout first, she can’t profit from the spoils when she winds up with a giant hole in her ship and her spacesuit is running out of oxygen. She signals a nearby ship (obviously looking for loot as well) in distress, but it takes a long time for them to rescue her.

When she is finally saved by the crew of the Halifax, she is under scrutiny right away. They’re on a secret mission and really don’t want Ada tagging along, but she’s more than happy to take advantage of the luxuries aboard their ship.

While Ada tries to convince the crew to let her do the job she was paid for, the crew has other ideas. The captain of the ship isn’t actually the one in charge; it’s Rian, a handsome government agent who’s calling the shots. And he’s not convinced that Ada is an ordinary looter.

Rian fascinates Ada (and he’s great to look at), but she’s not sure what she’s up to. Who will win the battle of wills and flirtation to get what they want?

This was a quick read, partially because Revis didn’t do much world building to set the scene. Because it’s a novella, everything felt a bit rushed, and while I enjoyed Ada’s snark, it got to be a bit much after a while. I’m really curious to see how the story will develop, however.

Book Review: "Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet" by Samantha Allen

This book totally caught me by surprise. I thought it would be wacky, but it had so much heart, too.

“You saw me without seeing me. You touched me without touching me. If something good comes after this, I’ll see you there.”

Adam’s memoir about being an ex-Mormon dealing with his sexuality was a hit with readers. It also set very high expectations for his writing career, which in the years since his debut, hasn’t been very successful.

He’s shocked to find out that Roland Rogers, mega-action star and three-time People’s Sexiest Man, has requested that Adam ghostwrite his memoir. And it’s going to be quite the memoir, since Roland plans to come out, which should come as a shock to nearly everyone.

When Adam arrives at Roland’s mansion, he learns that penning this memoir may not be easy. It turns out that Roland is dead. But while his body lies underneath an avalanche of snow, his soul (or whatever) is back in his mansion, and he’s figured out a way to communicate with Adam. They figure it’ll take a month for the snow to thaw and for Roland’s body to be discovered. So they have to move fast, not only to write the book Roland wants, but to make it meaningful.

This is definitely not your typical ghost story! It’s beautifully written, emotional, funny, and even a little steamy. It’s also tremendously thought-provoking. Definitely one I’ll keep thinking about!

Book Review: "Bunt! Striking Out on Financial Aid" by Ngozi Ukazu and Mad Rupert

A few years ago, I fell head over heels for Ngozi Ukazu’s graphic novel series, Check, Please!. Recently, when reading an article ranking the top queer fiction books, I came across a mention of Ukazu’s latest graphic novel, and I had to jump on it at once.

Molly has wanted to go to art school at PICA, which is in her hometown, for as long as she can remember. But on the first day, she discovers that her full-ride scholarship no longer exists. Desperately wanting to go to school while keeping this from her mothers, Molly takes loans to stay afloat while looking for a solution.

In looking through PICA’s often-overlooked financial aid manual, Molly discovers a loophole. If she can recruit 9 of her fellow art students to play in a softball league, and if they win 1 game, everyone on the team will get major athletic scholarships.

Of course, at an art school, finding people willing to step outside their comfort zone and play an organized team sport is a bit of a challenge. But with the help of her best friend Ryan (himself a PICA dropout), who promises to coach the team, she begs, bribes, and cajoles students into joining the team. Some of the students are actually athletically inclined, while some are definitely not.

The team starts off horribly, even though there is definite promise. There are one or two ringers, plus a fashion student who can hit but refuses to run because it isn’t ladylike. But all they need is to win one game, and they find out that depending on one another and being part of a team feels good, too.

This was such a fun read, full of drama, joy, found family, and queer students finding their confidence. Mad Rupert’s illustrations are fantastic, and once again, Ukazu’s storytelling hit me in the feels.

Book Review: "Pick-Up" by Nora Dahlia

Sasha is trying to master the single mother thing, but she’s not been succeeding lately. It seems like she’s one step behind on everything, much to her children’s disappointment. And then there’s this annoyingly handsome father who keeps getting in her way. Why can’t he just go away?

Ethan is trying to do the best he can without running afoul of his ex-wife. He met Sasha when their kids were younger and he felt like they connected, but she doesn’t seem to remember. He doesn’t mean to keep messing things up for Sasha but he seems to have made an enemy of her.

Little by little, the friction between them (well, at least from Sasha) starts to ease, and there’s no denying they’re attracted to one another. But when a job opportunity takes Sasha to a Caribbean island and she discovers that one of her coworkers is—guess who?—they resolve to put their issues behind them and keep it professional.

Of course, the more time they spend together, their professional relationship starts to shift into something else. Ethan is certain what he wants; Sasha certainly wants Ethan but doesn’t know if she wants to disrupt her life and her kids’ lives. But he sure is tempting…

I love stories about adults behaving badly, particularly the foibles of parents. The banter between Sasha and Ethan is really fun, and although her ex-husband is a pretentious douche, their conversations cracked me up too. (“How had I ever wanted to have sex with someone who said ‘love and light’?”)

There’s a third narrator in the book (who, ironically, isn’t mentioned in any synopses) that I found utterly unnecessary, and anytime she popped up, it took me completely out of the story. I know that people like Kaitlin exist but I didn’t feel like she contributed anything to the story.

Book Review: "Beautiful Ugly" by Alice Feeney

I know I’m a huge outlier here, as I’ve seen so many rave reviews for this book. But despite an immensely promising start, this absolutely didn’t work for me.

“Marriage is made of a million beautiful and ugly moments stitched together into a shared tapestry of memories, all of which are viewed and remembered slightly differently, like two people staring at the same painting from opposite ends of a room.”

Grady is an author who is expecting to hear some exciting news. He’s eagerly awaiting the arrival of his wife, Abby, so they can share the moment together. When he calls to see how far away she is, she tells him she’s seen a body lying in the road ahead. Although he begs her not to stop, she does anyway; when he arrives at the scene shortly afterward he finds Abby’s car still running, her purse and phone on the passenger seat, and Abby nowhere to be found.

A year later, there’s not been a sign of Abby. Grady has completely fallen apart; he hasn’t been able to sleep or write since that night. With his financial situation becoming worse by the day, Grady’s publisher encourages him to get away to the small Scottish isle of Amberly, where he can hopefully be able to focus on his writing once again.

Amberly is definitely isolated. When he arrives Grady is sure he has spotted his missing wife, but he becomes convinced it’s grief and too little sleep that is making him see things. But strange things keep appearing in—and disappearing from—his cabin, and the island’s residents definitely seem to be hiding some secrets of their own.

I found the characters all really unlikable and it took a long while for things to start heating up. The twist was wild but didn’t quite sit well with me, and I felt like the book veered in a direction I didn’t enjoy. But don’t pay me any attention if you’re intrigued!!

The book publishes 1/14/2025.

Book Review: "Deck the Palms" by Annabeth Albert

I’ve been loving the holiday books I’ve read so far, but given it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a white Christmas, it’s always fun to read about a less-traditional celebration. And what better place than Hawaii?

Nolan has been in love with the theater since he was young, and he’s been lucky to perform both on and off Broadway. He loves NYC, but when his sister-in-law has complications with her pregnancy and his brother is in the middle of his deployment, he drops everything and heads to Oahu to help.

Once his nephew gets out of the NICU, Nolan plans to stay in Oahu for the fall season, and takes a short-term job as the music teacher and choir director at a middle school. His responsibilities include directing the school’s holiday festival, for which he’s teamed with the school’s hunky shop teacher, Merry.

Merry, a single dad to twin boys who happen to be in Nolan’s class, comes across as a giant surfing curmudgeon. It’s not that he doesn’t like Nolan (although it seems that way), it’s just that he’s learned not to get attached to people who are in Hawaii for a short time. And despite their attraction to one another, Merry is determined to keep things professional with Nolan.

Of course, their collaboration and friendship includes lots of flirting and even a little matchmaking on the part of Merry’s kids. But what happens when Nolan’s job ends and he heads back to NYC? Is the possibility of love worth the risk of pain?

Hawaii is one of my favorite places, and so it’s the perfect setting for this rom-com. I really enjoyed both of the main characters and their banter (not to mention the steam) and I found many of the supporting characters to be a lot of fun, too.

Book Review: "I Might Be in Trouble" by Daniel Aleman

“…people talk about dreams coming true as if it were a point of arrival—a final destination, and once you’ve reached it, there should be no going back….Nobody talks about what it’s like to get everything you ever wanted…and then lose it.”

David knows what it’s like to have it all. A few years ago, his first novel was a huge success and he was on the cusp of a smashing literary career. But much to his surprise, his second book didn’t make the splash he was expecting—it was a colossal flop.

Now he’s nearly broke, desperately trying to come up with an idea for a third book, and he is still pining for his ex-boyfriend. He spends time on Grindr, and while he knows it’s doubtful he’ll find anyone worthwhile, at least it’ll make him feel less alone.

One night he connects with Robert, a handsome man who is staying at the Plaza Hotel. There’s something magnetic about him, and while the sex is incredible, it feels like so much more than that. They hit a number of bars and clubs throughout NYC, and the more time they spend together, the more there seems to be a genuine connection between them. Late at night they wind up back at David’s apartment, and in the morning, David wakes up to find Robert dead.

How could this have happened? The thought of calling the police and opening his life up to scrutiny doesn’t appeal to him, so he calls the one person he can think of: his unflappable literary agent, Stacey. Stacey has a number of ideas about what to do with Robert’s body, and how David might use this to his advantage.

This book is a bit dark, a bit introspective, and utterly wacky at times. I was expecting something a bit different but I still enjoyed this, no matter how far-fetched it seemed.

Book Review: "The Christmas You Found Me" by Sarah Morgenthaler

“WANTED: HUSBAND FOR HIRE.” The day that Sienna’s divorce became final, an ad with this headline started appearing all over her small town of Caney Falls, Idaho. It’s the handiwork of Sienna’s best friend Jess, who was never a fan of Sienna’s ex-husband anyway.

While everyone in town knows the ad is a joke, Guy, a newcomer, doesn’t. When he introduces himself to Sienna he explains that his four-year-old daughter Emma is in end-stage kidney failure, and needs a transplant. But in order for her to remain on the transplant list, he must demonstrate financial stability, which he doesn’t have. A few hours after hearing this story, Sienna proposes to Guy, promising to be there for him until Emma gets the kidney she desperately needs.

Living and working on her family’s ranch is satisfying, but since her marriage ended, it’s been difficult to manage on her own, not to mention lonely. Guy and Emma’s presence makes things more enjoyable, and it’s not long before Sienna thinks of Emma as her stepdaughter and someone she’d do anything for.

While there’s no denying the chemistry between her and Guy, Sienna is afraid to get too close in case Guy wants out once Emma gets her kidney. But to be needed and wanted are feelings she’s not had in a long time, and there’s definitely a part of her that wants to be in this “marriage of purpose” for the long haul.

I’ve been a fan of Sarah Morgenthaler since reading her Moose Springs, Alaska series. (I would love another book in that series!) She creates such memorable, complex characters you can’t help but grow attached to.

I loved this book with every fiber of my being. It made me smile, made me blush, made me laugh, and made me sob. It’s not the jolly Christmas romance I was expecting, but it was simply amazing.

Book Review: "Stealing Time" by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs and Norman Birnbach

What a fun romp this was!! Thanks so much to Get Red PR Books for the complimentary copy!

It’s 2020 and teenage Tori is pretty dissatisfied with her life. Her parents are getting divorced, her father is annoying, and the pandemic has motivated her mother to move the two of them from their NYC home to Massachusetts to live with Tori’s aunt until the world gets back to normal.

Just before she heads to Massachusetts, “land of Boston accents, inferior bagels, lousy pizza, and having to be driven everywhere,” Tori makes a shocking discovery. (Well, she overhears it.) Apparently her paternal grandfather (whom she’s named after) was accused of a colossal jewel heist 40 years ago.

As if that’s not unsettling enough, the next thing Tori knows, she’s in 1980. The world—and NYC, for that matter—is very different than what she knows. She finds herself becoming allies with a teenage version of her father, on a mission to stop the jewel theft and perhaps correct the course of their family’s lives.

Getting used to a world without cell phones and the internet is not something that Tori ever wanted to do. It’s good to feel like you can have an impact on the future. But will she able to make it back to 2020? And will she have to share her secret with the 1980s version of her dad?

I’m a sucker for a time travel book, and this was a fun adventure. There was humor, emotions, family dysfunction, and so much more.

Book Review: "The Favorites" by Layne Fargo

More than three years after reading They Never Learn, Layne Fargo’s last book, I’ve been waiting for a new novel from her. I can definitely report that The Favorites was truly worth the wait!

Inspired by an American gold medalist in ice dancing when she was young, Katarina Shaw knew this is what she wanted to do. But as a girl growing up without money or family connections, just talent and drive, she has to work triply hard to make her dream come true.

She meets Heath Rocha, adrift in the foster care system, and she knows she’s found her partner. While Katarina is hungrier for greatness than Heath, he wants what makes her happy, so he commits to making their Olympic dreams a reality. And their turbulent relationship, along with a take-no-prisoners attitude and raw, unbridled talent, sees them reach the highest of highs and the lowest of lows—together and apart.

Yet when they finally reach the pinnacle of their career, tragedy strikes. Ten years after that fateful evening, an unauthorized documentary has been released, purporting to tell the whole story of Shaw and Rocha, chronicling their achievements, their failures, their supporters and detractors, and the unshakable bond between them.

This book is soapy, suspenseful, and absolutely addicting. I never thought a nearly 500-page book about drama in the ice dancing world would hook me so much, but this absolutely did. There’s lots of drama and even a little camp, and the book reminded me a bit of Daisy Jones. Bravo, Layne Fargo!

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the advance copy of the book. It will publish 1/14/2025.

Book Review: "A Reason to See You Again" by Jami Attenberg

Post-Thanksgiving and pre-holidays, here’s a healthy dollop of family dysfunction in book form!

Rudy was a Holocaust survivor who traveled the country speaking to groups about what life was like in the camps. His traveling secretary, Frieda, becomes his wife, and together they raise two daughters, Nancy and Shelly. Rudy is the peacemaker, the one who smooths Frieda’s rough edges, as she becomes increasingly critical of her daughters. (It intensifies more when she drinks, which is becoming a nightly activity.)

When Rudy dies, the three women are adrift without a buffer. Frieda’s drinking becomes more of a problem, Nancy leaves for college, and Shelly throws herself into her schoolwork in the hopes she can get as far away as possible. But Frieda’s abuse takes its toll on the self-esteem of both her daughters.

As the years pass, Nancy marries young and has a daughter, but isn’t really sure that this is the life she wants. Shelly moves to the West Coast and becomes a driving force in the rapidly growing field of mobile phone technology. The sisters don’t see other much, and when they do, their interactions are affected by uncertainty, envy, and resentment.

Meanwhile, Frieda has moved to Miami, and continues her self-destructive ways. She also has some guilt about how she treated her daughters when they were growing up, and she mourns the life she had before her husband died. But at some point, all three women realize that you can only blame others for your misery for so long before you need to take responsibility for your own life.

The story spans four decades, beginning in the early 1970s, and is narrated by all three women and Rudy. I felt the story had promise early but lost its way; there’s only so long you can read about people unhappy and not interested in changing things.

Book Review: "Pony Confidential" by Christina Lynch

I was curious about this book but when a friend said it was her favorite book she read last month, I had to give it a try. Wow. Just wow.

Pony remembers the best part of his life, when he was owned by a girl named Penny, who vowed they’d always be together. But one day he was given away without a word from Penny and he never saw her again. He has thought about her every day since, his sadness turned to anger and acting out as he is passed from owner to owner. He vows revenge.

Penny is a teacher, raising a teenage daughter and experiencing marital problems. Her everyday life is shattered when she’s arrested for a murder that happened when she was 12. She is extradited across the country, back to upstate New York. As she waits for her trial and for someone to find out the truth of what happened all those years ago, she thinks about a time in her life when she was truly happy, her time with Pony.

When Pony, with the help of other animal friends he encounters, realizes that his anger toward Penny has been misplaced, he’s determined to find her. He begins a journey to where he last saw her, and in the process makes some interesting discoveries.

“Empathy is painful and inconvenient, but it also can bring us a much deeper joy than material things, even carrots.”

This book was incredible. There’s humor, sadness, love, mystery, and self-discovery. It’s part Toy Story, part The Incredible Journey, and yet immensely unique. I’ll be thinking about this for a long time.