grayciouslygreyreader's Reviews (142)

Read this in a day. I just thought this was going to be a spicy Krampus book and it was so much more. Loved the world building in this. I’ll be reading more from this author now. 

This book is a heartwarming “found family” story about Posey,  who lives a quiet life running a bookstore in a small town, and Noah, a man deeply scarred by a traumatic past. After a devastating event in his teens, Noah has spent years raising his younger brother while working nonstop, leaving no time for a personal life. Posey, who helps run the bookstore with a fatherly-like boss figure who might just be apart of a mob, meets Noah through a coffee shop next door. Their initial one-night encounter unexpectedly blossoms into something more as they navigate Noah’s complicated life. As their relationship deepens, an event occurs that changes their lives forever. The story is emotional, compelling, and filled with moments that make you root for both characters. It would make an excellent movie. I just couldn’t put this book down! Lovedddddd it! This is one author that I will continue to read in the future.

Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine is one of my favorite books I read this year. I could not put this book down. It’s literally packed with all the tropes we love: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, snowed in, one bed…only it’s one tent instead! 

Margot Bradley is a romance writer whose career gets canceled after being exposed during a live chat with her readers. She doesn’t believe in “happily ever after” and has a secret alternate “happily never” endings to all her books just for her. While doing a live chat, her alternate endings are leaked. Her fans are furious that she doesn’t believe in the books she writes, and Margot feels like her career is over. Her sister, who is also her biggest fan, sends her to Alaska to escape and try her hand at writing a new genre: mystery now that she feels she won’t be accepted in the romance community again.

Upon arrival, she literally jumps into the arms of Forrest Wakefield, who is chopping wood, as a moose approaches her. Forrest is actually a doctor, but he left his job to take care of his dad and help run the resort, which is why he is in the middle of nowhere, Alaska. There are two other groups of people staying who have visited before because they like how secluded it is (no Wi-Fi) and all the outdoor activities they can do as a group. Margot quickly realizes that she will have to take part in these activities that her sister had planned in advance. 

Margot and Forrest perfectly fit the enemies to lovers trope as both have emotional wounds, including heartbreak while learning to trust again. Like I said, I couldn’t put this down, and this would be a book that I would reread again for all the feels. Very few books I’ve read more than once. 

Thank you @netgalley @atriabooks for this gifted ARC.  

This charming Hallmark-style Christmas story follows two rival writers who are both sent to Noelville, a whimsical, Christmas-themed town. Both characters are cynical about the holiday spirit and are tasked with writing about the town as a top destination to visit during the season. As an enemies-to-lovers story, their initial animosity gives way to romance as they experience the magic of Noelville together. At just 122 pages, the novella quickly pulls readers into the holiday mood, offering a heartwarming and festive escape.

Blood of Two Crowns takes you on an unexpected and thrilling journey, following the evolving relationships between Mareina, Nakoa, and Malekai. While the first book in the series made it clear who I might favor for Mareina, this sequel delves deeper into the characters' complexities, making it hard not to love them all. The world-building is both tense and beautifully crafted, adding richness to the story. One of the highlights is Nakoa's character growth, which adds depth to his role and makes him even more compelling.

Blood of Two Crowns is a sequel that picks up where A Kingdom of Blood and Magic left off, so it's essential to read the first book to fully understand the story. The second book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series to resolve the plot twists.

December Dread

by Jess Lourey

Pages: 268

Pub: Thomas & Mercer

Available now in paperback, audiobook, and KindleUnlimited.

Being a thriller reader who likes a sprinkle of everything else throughout the year, I wanted to find some more thriller/ mystery holiday reads to mix up with the cozy ones. That’s where December Dread by Jess Lourey comes in. This is part of a Murder by Month romcom series and is number 8, but don’t let that stop you from reading. These books can be read alone and in any order. 

There  is the Candy Cane Killer who has returned for another holiday season.  They leave their mark by leaving a candy cane on their next victims door.  Mira James who returns home knows some of the people who have been victims and she fits the profile of these women. She tries to figure out who the killer is while taking a private investigator program. Will she figure it out before it’s too late or will she become the next victim?

This was an easy light read and not as intense as some thriller/ mysteries are. There is online dating and very little romance, so don’t let the romcom aspect throw you off, if that’s not your thing. The next book is January Thaw which I plan to read. 

Thank you @netgalley ,  @jesslourey , and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for this approved read.

This is a short read with only 184 pages, and 25 chapters making it readable as an advent calendar. I thought that was cleaver, however I read this in a day. This story flows well and has you suspicious of everything with all the family drama involved.  This holiday thriller takes place in a remote cabin home during a snowstorm with an estranged pair of sisters and their husbands. Which one holds a dark secret? You will find out soon enough. This is a perfect read for someone wanting a little holiday mixed in with their thrillers, without investing a lot of time. 

Strike and Burn by Taylor Hutton sizzles from the very beginning.  This is a great book for someone interested in dipping their toes in dark romance without it being too dark in the romance aspect.  This book has multiple POV’s between Honor Stone and Strike Madden including flashbacks to Honor growing up in a neglected and abusive home that shaped who she is when she gets to know Strike Madden. This book is fast paced and I honestly couldn’t put it down, and when I had to I was looking forward to when I could pick it up again.  What I liked most about the dark MMC is that he is more of a protector instead of being a MMC that is essentially an abuser which seems to be the case with many dark romances. There is definitely a respect he has for Honor and never degrades her or force her to do anything. Please be advised of trigger warnings such as child abuse (learning about Honor’s childhood), domestic abuse (Honor’s parents and her sister, Grace’s boyfriend),  and adult themes with explicit content.