Thank you to the author for an eARC.

ADORED THIS.

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Do you ever spend a whole day reading a book and just love it? That’s how I felt here. This was a fast paced read filled with lots of friends to lovers angst that I have been waiting to read for months. I loved Brooks and Molly’s story. They ended this series beautifully!

I loved Molly’s character arc. I tend to struggle with ridiculously dramatic, wealthy type family backgrounds and while yes I did have to push past that a time or two, I thought overall it was written well. Molly learned to find her own ground and when she stood up for herself (and Brooks) it made me want to give her a high five. YAY for boundaries!

Brooks is the goofy guy we’ve seen across all of these books and I enjoyed getting his POV this go around. His personality is so fun and let me tell y’all I was straight swooning at all of the little things he did for Molly. I love little gestures and they’re plenty here to melt your heart.

The faking dating, one bed, and friends to lovers tropes were all highlighted well. I did notice a few repetitive inner monologue scenarios, but in the end. I truly loved reading this and it was the best book for me to pick up.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warning: fatphobia, discussion of weight and food restriction, emotionally manipulative parent 

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

LOOOOVED.

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Joanna Barker’s books never let me down. Even her novellas are some of my favorites because she can captivate an audience beautifully with whatever romance she is writing. I AM HERE FOR IT ALWAYS.

I loved both of these characters. Roland and Cassie were the sweetest. There was plenty of interaction between them, lots of soft moments, and kisses in the snow. YAY.

The plot was handled amazingly too. I loved how the twin switch worked out between Cassie and her sister. I love when siblings love and take care of each other and this was no exception. Especially when the go get the girl line comes up? Done. I am a puddle of swoon.

All in all, perfect for the season. You’ll love these characters and this story and I hope it gives all the warm fuzzies it gave me.

Overall audience notes:
- Regency Holiday Novella
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: none 

OMG.

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I can’t help but sit in awe each time I read a Sanderson book because HOW DOES HE DO IT. I LOVE the Cosmere world and everything about it. The characters, stories, emotions, relationships. His books have it allllllll. And this era is slept on and I need more people reading this!

I do think it’s important to note that this series (especially this last book) have some key commentary and discussions about the Cosmere as a whole. I won’t say more than that, but read them. READ THEM.

Wax and Wayne are my favorite duo. I love the Western + Sci-fi combination. And for two genres I don’t read a ton of, I should not be surprised that Sanderson has made me love it. I love the gun slinging action, the magic system, and the countdown to the end that had me listening to this book faster than I expected.

Writing spoiler free is hard, especially for one of my biggest waited releases of 2022. I just loved it. I couldn’t comment on one thing about it that I needed to be different. Things ended as I kind of expected, and still filled with all of the hope and love these characters present against impossible odds. This bromance is one that will stand against time and I will now be impatiently waiting for the next Sanderson book.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses + light innuendo
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical violence, gun violence, explosions, near death experiences, loss of life 

A LOT OF FUN.

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If you’re looking for a unique holiday romance, this is it. Read this book. I’ve been waiting for this one since it was announced and it did not disappoint.

I loved the hidden identities spy mystery plot. It’s still kept light and humorous, but adds that bit of an intense edge that plays off of everything else beautifully. Lacee and Park end up having to work together and you wouldn’t believe the sparks that fly off of these two.

The plot meandered just a bit for me and I think that’s why I’m feeling closer to a four star. Don’t get me wrong, LOVED this book, but there’s something holding me back.

The story itself had me speeding through it and I liked the level of Christmas feels it gives. There’s plenty of fiery banter (and faaantastic) kisses that I love, especially in categorically sweet romances. The twists are easy to guess yet so entertaining to watch unfold. I laughed out loud quite a bit and think this is one of the better Christmas books I’ve ever read. I love when things feel fresh!

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, gun violence, physical altercations  

Full review to come!

WORKED FOR ME.

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I knowww some people will find this too Hallmark adjacent for them, but it hit all the right notes for me so I am here for it and here to recommend this one for romance lovers who want a dash of spice alongside their Hallmark movies [books].

We’ve got the small town, the millionaire coming home to see an old flame, a cute Christmas farm that needs saving and more. I enjoyed all of these tidbits and how the author put them together. Elias is written as a really great grump. I felt his Grinchyness and you could easily see the slow thawing of his heart.

I didn’t love how Elias and Isabelle re-started their relationship (benefits moments are never my thing) buuut I do admit that this worked out well enough that I had few complaints past that. They actually worked on their relationship and opened up about the past. There were a few key flashback moments that helped the details connect too.

Romantic and simple, with a level of spice that I prefer, definitely pick this one up for the season!

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 2-3 brief open; low explicit
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: miscarriage (recounted briefly) 

THIS WAS FUN.

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I feel like I don’t have a lot to say for this review, but I still enjoyed it enough to give it four stars?? Words are hard.

Eric’s voice was probably the best part of this. I loved the way Miller chose to portray him and it did feel like his movie self come to bookish life. That endearing and charming guy who’s trying to do best by his kingdom but also easily falls in love with a woman from the sea. It works!

I liked the addition of the curse. I think it did add enough backstory to further the book and give a few more scenes than were seen in the book. This book does a good job of covering what happens in the movie and combining it with Eric’s past.

Definitely want to read more of these books from different Prince’s perspectives. It’s fun and reminiscent of childhood and an easy listen.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical altercations, near death experiences 

Thank you to Book Club Favorites and Simon & Schuster for the gifted copy.

BORING.

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Goooood heavens. I thought I was getting one book and got another and I’m sad about that.

Things started off well, I liked the initial vibes and was curious about how all of this was going to go down, little did I know, how monotonous it would be.

Mostly it’s Ann going to work, hanging out with coworkers and occasionally finding something interesting. THEN SOMETHING EXCITING FINALLY HAPPENED, a murder! Who’s done it?! And while for a minute there I wasn’t sure, it became pretty clear, pretty quickly, who it was.

And then I spent the rest of the book trying to speed (3x audio) read through it.

The writing itself was good, it was the organization of plot and ideas that I found lacking. Parts of the ending had some tidbits that were interesting and at last gave the book the “dark” academia vibe I was told it had.

I just really needed more in many areas.

Overall audience notes:
- Mystery
- Language: some strong
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, fatmisia, drug use and abuse, car accident 

VERY CHARMING.

I enjoyed this one so much. It was light, fast and all the things I need for a great novella. I would have loved a full length book with these characters because they were fire. I loved the banter and how the second chance, rivals to lovers romance came about.

There was even some good character growth and openness for a short book. Allowed some moments of connection for me that help me love a relationship.

Also THE FOOD. This book will make you so hungry. I now need fancy smores and yummy crepe cakes ASAP.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance Novella
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses 

AAAAAMAZING.

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You know a series is good when the sequel is just as awesome as the first book. Those second books usually get me and that was not the case here. WHOOP.

I LOVE Bri. I love that she fits well into the YA FMC category. She is definitely 16 going on 17 but also is strong, capable, and willing to learn. I loved her progression in this book and look forward to continuing to see that arc grow over the series.

The flow of action to quiet to intense to sweet was perfect. I loved the balance and felt like I got every angle I needed to love this book. I constantly felt a need to read one more chapter before putting it down because I was way too involved in every part of the story. I loved that the magic system and world building was a lot less confusing than I had found it in Legendborn. The expansion of everything worked really well here and I feel like I have a full grasp of the systems now.

I’m pretty sure this love triangle situation is out to torture me and I’m rolling with it for now. BUT DON’T WORRY, I HAVE A SIDE. I honestly have no idea how it’ll play out though.

The ending had my jaw drop and shouting, how did I not see that earlier?!. Which is the best kind of cliffhanger. I’m very much in love with this writing and storytelling and cannot wait to know what happens next.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: a little strong
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, murder, physical and magical violence, references to slavery, PTSD, trauma, sexism, possession