Huge thank you to C. S. Autumn for a copy of this in return for an honest review.

From the very first page, I was hooked on Asher and Dalton. Their best friends-to-lovers story is pure magic, and I couldn’t stop rooting for them. Dalton is such a cinnamon roll—so sweet and totally oblivious to the fact that his best friend of 12 years, Asher, has been in love with him all along. When they get stuck in a cabin during a snowstorm, everything comes to a head, and Dalton finally realises that maybe he’s been in love with Asher all this time.

The support and love they received from their families was so heartwarming to see, and the pinky finger holding completely melted my heart.

This novella is another perfect installment to the Home for the Holidays collection. If you’re looking for a fluffy, feel-good holiday romance with just the right mix of sweet and steamy, I highly recommend this one. It had me smiling from start to finish!

I went into this blind and was completely engrossed. I loved this take on the Icarus story. Icarus is an art thief, stealing from a wealthy collector to help his father. Helios, the collector’s son, is trapped in his father’s house and isolated from the world. 

 

Their meeting sparks a beautifully crafted relationship where they uncover truths about each other, themselves, and their families. The characters are so compelling, and their growth feels raw and genuine. With tension, intimacy, and discovery, it’s as heart wrenching as it is captivating.

This was absolutely adorable! It’s everything you’d expect from a fake dating, enemies to lovers romance, but still fun, and full of heart. Scottie and Irene are messy and complex, and had great character development that made their journey feel real. 

 

I loved the way it tackled deeper themes like self-esteem, heartbreak, and navigating toxic relationships while still being light and enjoyable. The friendship groups were fantastic, and Scottie’s family completely stole my heart. The Christmassy scenes added an extra cosy vibe, perfect for the time of year.

This book picks up right after The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and follows Sidra (formerly Lovelace) as she adjusts to life in her new body kit, alongside Pepper’s heartbreaking backstory. The dual narratives are perfectly balanced and kept me hooked throughout. 

 

I adore the found family dynamic in these books. Sidra, Pepper, Owl, and Tak were fantastic characters, and their relationships felt so real and full of warmth. Sidra’s journey to define her identity and find her place was deeply relatable, and the ending tied everything together beautifully. 

 

I much preferred this to the first book; the smaller, more intimate scale made it far more impactful. It’s a touching, hopeful story about belonging and what it means to be human.

This has been on my shelf since release so I'm happy I finally got round to reading it.

I was glad to see Jacks and Evangeline finally get their happily ever after. Their dynamic was definitely the heart of the series. However, I wasn't surprised by Aurora's shady behavior or Apollo's villainy. They were both very predictable, which took away any suspense.

I was loved the return of Chaos and Lala. They are always entertaining, and I would love to read a book solely focused on them. They added a much-needed dose of humor to the story.

Overall, this was a solid conclusion to the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy. It's exactly what you'd expect: a blend of fantasy, romance, and a touch of darkness. While it wasn't as magical as the Caraval series for me, it's still a worthwhile read.

Huge thank you to Valerie for a copy of this in return for an honest review. 

This book was such a joy to read! It's the perfect feel-good romance, with depth, heart, and representation that feels authentic.

The story centres on Frank, who is non-speaking following a tumor in his childhood, and Bennet, a single dad to Libby, a young girl who is deaf. When Bennet moves back to the small town he grew up in, hoping to escape city life, he meets Frank, and what begins as a cautious, reluctant friendship slowly turns into something special.

I adored the way Bennet takes the time to really listen to Frank, not just hear him, but understand him. Especially as most people tend to talk at him. It’s a beautiful exploration of how communication is so much more than words. Frank’s relationship with Libby absolutely melted my heart. The moments they shared were tender and genuine, showcasing an unspoken connection that transcends barriers.

The inclusion of ASL and text exchanges as part of the storytelling was a standout feature for me. It brought the characters’ experiences to life in such a meaningful way. It was a thoughtful touch that made the book even more immersive.

Frank and Bennet have my whole heart. This book is a perfect blend of love, family, and second chances, and left me smiling from ear to ear. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea! Reyna and Kianthe are such great characters, and their decision to escape the queendom to open a cosy tea and bookshop is just perfect. Life goals right there. Their chemistry and warmth made the story such a joy to read. 

 

I was pleasantly surprised by how much adventure there was, with a bit more mystery than I expected too, which kept things lively and added a twist to their idyllic new life. This book was a lovely mix of fantasy, romance, and mystery, and I’m  looking forward to more from this world!

The characters are absolutely the heart of The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. Kizzy and Jenks stood out for me, bringing so much warmth and humour to the team. But honestly, every crew member has something special to offer, and the way they all genuinely care for one another feels authentic and deeply endearing. 

 

This is definitely more of a character-focused story than a plot-driven one. The narrative feels somewhat segmented, like a series of connected adventures rather than one overarching plot, which made it feel perfect for a TV series. It gave me vibe as Firefly/Farscape, with the quirky crew and the warmth of a chosen family. 

 

There’s a lot of world-building, and while I appreciated all the details, the pacing did feel a bit slow at times. Still, I’m looking forward to exploring more of this universe in the rest of the series.

"It is another thing to learn about loving someone. Aesthetics don’t always matter."

Huge thank you to Quinton for a copy of this in return for an honest review. 

Not gonna lie, I was worried about reading a holiday book in November as I'm definitely team "no Christmas til 1st December" but this sounded too cute to pass up. 

Perrin and Inari's friendship ended in high-school after a rejected declaration of love, but by sheer coincidence, they're reunited at an artists retreat taking place over the Christmas period. We learn so much about them in this short novella, and you can't help but root for their second chance. I loved their passion for their crafts, the witty banter, and the steamy moments, but what truly made me love this was the representation of Inari as non-binary and autistic and Perrin's journey of self-discovery as a demisexual. This book is a heartwarming and inclusive celebration of love, friendship, and acceptance. I'd happily read a full length novel about these two, and I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a feel-good holiday read!

I read this for a book club and went in completely blind, knowing very little about the story. It's a powerful and heartbreaking novel that tackles some incredibly difficult themes. While I liked the letter format, it took some getting used to, especially the dialect. The audiobook narrated by Samara Wiley was a lifesaver, as her performance brought the characters to life and made the reading experience much smoother.

Celie's journey is truly inspiring. She starts off as a young, abused woman and gradually grows into a strong, independent individual. Her transformation is both heartwarming and empowering. Shug Avery was such a character, but her impact on Celie's life is bittersweet. While she helps Celie to discover her own sexuality and strength, she also leaves a trail of broken hearts in her wake.
Nettie's letters, while informative, didn't quite capture my attention as much as Celie's.

However, I was really happy with their reunion at the end.

I was really impressed with how the book managed to capture forty years of a woman's life in less than 300 pages. The Color Purple definitely shows the power of human resilience and the enduring nature of love.