WELL.

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This wasn’t all bad, truly. I just feel like there was a whole lot going on for 200 pages and I think I got off on the wrong foot with the way the entire plot was set-up. It left me with more questions than answers.

There were a lot of good swoony moments and the kissing scenes were fantastic. I did like the second half more and I adored Ruben the most. He really did roll with the punches and had some of my favorite love confession scenes. I liked all of the holiday content and office place romance. There’s good banter and it’s witty. While things didn’t fully click for me, I look forward to more contemporaries from this author.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment 

Full review to come!

 WHOA.

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Y’all, this was really dang good. I seem to love magical horse racing competition books and this was no different. I thought the pacing was great and I loved the world building and how the magic system operated and those reveals at the ending had me reeling.

I also loved the characters. Dual POV was awesome (I did struggle a little on the audio because both characters sounded very similar and sometimes I had a hard time remembering who’s POV I was in). And there were even two subtle romances which I am absolutely always here for. I liked how the relationships between this found family weren’t always linear and that things are complicated. I like seeing the ups and downs as everyone is holding a few cards to their chests full of secrets I can’t wait to see unveiled.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate-high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, near death experiences, murder 

Full review to come.

 SWEET FOR THE SEASON.

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Another enjoyable read in this series. I’ve been saving this book for the holiday’s and it did not disappoint! I like how easy these books feel and give off the cozy historical romance vibe that will make you smile.

I adore this whole family and love all of the castle adventures. There’s cute moments between the main couple, Isleen and Simon. I liked their banter and their willingness to admit wrongs and how entirely cute they were together.

It’s a sweet and quick read that if you’ve liked the rest of the series you’ll love this one too.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Holiday Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low 

A NEW HOLIDAY FAVORITE.

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This book took me by surprise in all of the best ways (especially because I didn’t read the synopsis beforehand). I loved how complicated this was and the raw emotions in dealing with the “what ifs” in life and how that changes the trajectory we’re on.

Olivia had SO MUCH growth to find in herself and I love that this book showed all of the highs and lows. There were a lot of feelings that needed to be worked through and examined until Olivia could finally see the light on the other side. The alternate reality chapters worked beautifully in this story. I liked seeing another side and that Olivia got to as well.

When I found the romance angle I was SENT. I loved how this was brought into the plot and how subtle it’s woven in. All of the healing and the deep friendship that never broke had me smitten.

There’s plenty of holiday aspects too and while I wouldn’t call this a fluffy rom-com nor did I find it overly heavy either.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Holiday Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 1-2 open; low innuendo
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: divorce, grief/depression depiction, loss of loved ones 

 ENJOYABLY DARK.

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I didn’t know quite what to expect when I picked this up but I’m very glad I did! It ended up being a great dark academia read and the romance had me pretty smitten.

I loved the themes of being a survivor and the ups and downs that that journey can take you on. Things are never linear and this was a good example of those struggles. I appreciated seeing Effy find healing and love and someone to trust in her life that truly believed her. The romance was a slow sub-plot with a rivals atmosphere that I couldn’t get enough of.

The fae aspects were intriguing to me. I love seeing how different authors portray them in books. This was a twisted and haunting version that left me begging for answers until the final conclusion.

A really solid read and one I would not hesitate to recommend for the fall season!

Overall audience notes:
- YA Dark Academia
- Language: some strong
- Romance: one brief open; low explicit
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: grooming by a teacher, sexual abuse (very little detail) 

 4.75

THIS WAS SWEET.

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I love short and sweet Christmas romance books. This was a gem and I loved Wes and Maggie. The setting was fun with the explosion of kitschy holiday goodness and all of the snow that I’m grateful I never see in real life.

One of my favorite aspects was that even though Maggie was still a little affected by some of the teasing from high school she didn’t let that completely overwhelm her being kind to Wes initially. And the fact he gave her a genuine apology was beautiful. I love see characters act their age and to try their best to communicate instead of running away.

The only tiny thing I didn’t love was Brielle. The conflict that came to that added pages, but not content. I just could have done without.

That last 20% though? I loved it. I loved how not for one second did Wes try to hide that fact he had fallen for Maggie and that they found a way to make things work between them. It was precious.

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

4.5 stars

Thank you to GetUnderlined for the gifted copy.

WHAT A CONCLUSION.

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Y’all know I love Brandon Sanderson books and I was delighted to get my hands on an early copy and even happier to have it bring everything I wanted in the conclusion of Spensa’s story.

I LOVED HER GROWTH. When you look across the series at where Spensa started to where she is at the end, she feels new, but also, like the woman she was always supposed to be. I loved that she had ups and downs, apologies to make and strengths to show. Her perseverance is next level and I was here for all the knowledge she received.

Sanderson always writes incredible side characters and I loved this whole crew. The romance with Jorgen has some really great moments and I’m a smitten puddle as always for any crumble I get. Hesho is my new favorite and I loved his wise words and calming prescene. Not to mention the whole flight crew?? I LOVE THEM ALL.

I think this ended right where it needed to and I look forward to future expansion of this world.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate/high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, battle themes, drugging, murder 

 LOVING THIS AUTHOR.

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This is my third book by Salazar and I can easily say I have genuinely enjoyed everyone of her historicals. I loooove that this was set in the 1920’s. The speakeasy’s, Hollywood, and all of the design content was amazing.

I was very much attached to the slow burn romance and watching it unfold. I adored Zora and Harley. They were this match you weren’t expecting but had fantastic chemistry and conversation from the get-go. I do wish I could have seen a little more conversation between them in those closing chapters so I felt like I had some deeper understanding of the third act.

Watching Zora find her place and get the things she had worked so hard for was inspiring. She was a fantastic main character and one that you wanted to see shine. I love the side characters and friends, I loved her big family and the story really kept me captivated.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Fiction
- Language: low
- Romance: fade to black
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, illegal alcohol consumption, loss of a sibling, depictions of alcoholism