Tag: Book blog

Book Review: About Last Christmas by Rachel Scott McDaniel

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance
Length: 300 pages
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: RSM Publishing LLC
Release Date: October 23rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s trying to avoid a holiday disaster. He’s trying to earn his way off her naughty list. Both need a Christmas Miracle.

Greta Carlton is beautifully content running her antique shop in the snow-globe town of Silver Creek, sipping vanilla gingerbread lattes, and staying clear of drama. But a whirlwind encounter with a handsome stranger leads to a whimsical evening, stirring her heart to believe in movie-style romance. That is, until Leo disappears into thin (and snowy) air. Ten months later, he walks into her shop like the Ghost of Christmas Last, needing a favor.

She’s still mad.
He’s still charming.

Greta doesn’t have time for men with dimpled grins and the proclivity for vanishing. She’s got her own holiday project with an approaching deadline. Though the more she learns about Leo, the more she realizes he’s the only thing standing between her and a Christmas catastrophe. They agree to help each other reach their holiday goals. As they untangle feelings as stubborn as knotted Christmas lights, Greta wonders if second chances are like antiques—unexpected, imperfect, and everything you didn’t know you were looking for.

About Last Christmas is a sweet holiday romance wrapped in witty banter, heartfelt twists, and the dreamy thrill of finding love in the glow of twinkling lights.

SUPER SWEET.

Another book I can easily add to my holiday recs list. This was charming and full of all things small town. The quirky personalities, main street and the way the community rallies around each other.

I enjoyed the banter between Greta and Leo. They had a flirty and light vibe. If you love second chance and plenty of forced proximity this is worth the pickup.

And it was FULL of holiday magic. Which is a must for any wonderful holiday romance. After loving RSM’s historical romances I was so excited to see that this holds a magical story too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: loss of a loved one (recounted), strained parental relationships

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ARC Book Review: How to Kiss on Christmas Morning by Jenny Proctor

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Christmas Romance Novella
Length: 150 pages
Author: Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 25th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s merry and bright. He’s… not. But something between them is warming up.

Megan Sheridan just landed the perfect holiday a quiet week in the mountains house-sitting an event venue while the owners are away. Check the mail, answer the phone, keep the pipes from freezing—easy.

The only trouble? No one told Megan she’d be sharing the farmhouse with a very grouchy, very handsome farmhand.

Noah Hawthorne is a cousin of the owner, so she can’t exactly ask him to leave. But if he scowls at her one more time, she’s tempted to pack her own bags. She’s not about to have her Christmas ruined by a grump, hot or not.

But then a snowstorm knocks out the power, and Megan is forced to rely on her begrudging housemate. She quickly learns there’s more to Noah than terse replies and guarded looks.

But trusting a man with secrets is tough, and Megan isn’t sure she’s willing to gamble on someone who won’t open up.

When the magic of the holiday fades away, will she be holding her future? Or nursing a broken heart?

How to Kiss on Christmas Morning is a standalone, grumpy/sunshine holiday novella connected to the How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother series. Read for forced proximity, snowed in at Christmas vibes and a closed door heat level with chemistry and tension but only kisses on the page.

Thank you Jenny Proctor for the eARC.

WELL THIS WAS ADORABLE.

The holiday season really lends itself towards fast paced novellas in the midst of all of the chaos of the month. I loved picking this up and being back in Jenny Proctor’s universe and seeing all of the connections and moments with previously loved characters.

I loved the banter between Megan and Noah. They have that moment of kismet and were sweet on each other. It was a quiet and soft holiday together and it just makes you feel good. It has quintessential hallmark moments perfect for the season.

Overall audience notes:

  • Holiday Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Fledgling: The Keeper’s Records of Revolution by S.K. Ali

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Dystopia / Sci-fi
Length: 544 pages
Author: S.K. Ali
Publisher: Kokila
Release Date: October 8th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The first book in a gripping duology from acclaimed author S.K. Ali introduces a fractured world on the brink of either enlightenment or war.

Would you trade love for peace?

Raisa of Upper Earth has only lived a life of privilege and acquiescence. Ever dutiful, she accepts her father’s arrangement of her marriage to Lein, Crown Prince of the corrupt, volatile lands of Lower Earth. Though Lein is a stranger, Raisa knows the wedding will unite their vastly different worlds in a pact of peace: an infusion of Upper Earth technology into Lower Earth will usher in the final age of enlightenment, ending war between humans forever.

Or is justice more urgent?

Newly released from imprisonment, Nada of Lower Earth has found her own calling: disrupting the royal wedding. Convinced her cousin Lein’s alliance with Upper Earth will launch an invasive, terrifying form of tyranny, Nada sets out undercover to light the spark of revolution.

When Raisa goes missing a week before the wedding, all eyes turn to the rebels, including Nayf, Nada’s twin brother—a fugitive on the run. And when Nayf and Raisa meet, the long-simmering animosity they feel toward each other’s worlds slowly burns away into something unexpected.

But the Crown Prince wants his bride—and future—back. And he will go to the ends of the Earths to reclaim them.

SOLID.

Or maybe more? I feel like the ending kind of left things open but I do think enough of the story lines were closed off that it can be read as a standalone without any trouble. This wasn’t initially on my radar but I am so happy I picked it up. Fledgling starts out INTENSE and keeps that energy going for most of the book. I enjoyed the darker angles of the story and the how this dystopian world worked.

There were multiple POV’s from all different angles that added to the complexity of this story. From rebels, to government members to everything in between. I loved seeing the underside of Lower Earth and how that compared to Upper Earth. I enjoyed the complex character dynamics and how you never quite knew what was going to happen next and who might be the next cause of betrayal. World building and politics were heavy hitters here and made for a great read.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Dystopian / Sci-Fi
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: murder, torture

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ALC/ARC Book Review: Better in Black (Shadowhunter Chronicles) by Cassandra Clare

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance Novella Collection
Length: 464 pages
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ten original love stories by the reigning queen of romantasy, featuring fan-favorite couples from her #1 New York Times bestselling Shadowhunter Chronicles—one of the most popular series of all time, with more than 50 million copies in print worldwide!

Ten couples. United by love. Divided by danger.

Jace and Clary, seeking out an exiled Shadowhunter and learning that love can save the world—or destroy it. Will and Tessa, honeymooning in Paris when a séance sends them down an unexpected path. Simon and Izzy, observing increased demonic activity around New York, on a hilarious urban romp.

These are just a few of the beloved couples whose romantic escapades will have you on the edge of your seat across time and storylines from Cassandra Clare’s expansive Shadowhunters series. Don’t miss a chance to reunite with:

• Anna and Ari
• Emma and Julian
• Kieran, Mark, and Cristina
• James and Cordelia
• Thomas and Alastair
• Sebastian and the Seelie Queen
• Jocelyn and Luke

A love letter to every fan of the Shadowhunter Chronicles, this riveting story collection also includes a sneak peek at The Wicked Powers, the majestic trilogy that will be the grand finale of the entire series!

Thank you PRH Audio and Get Underlined for the gifted audiobook and physical copy.

I LIKED IT.

I feel like I haven’t read a Shadowhunter book in a hot minute and it was fun to be back in this world with so many of my favorite characters.

Each novella felt like a mini story and brought a swoony edge each time. I think even some of them might be hinting at future things to come? [There’s another series coming right??]

I’m not sure I’d say this is 100% a necessary book to read but I do think you’ll enjoy it if you’ve been a fan of the Shadowhunters over the years.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance Collection
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate

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