| Book #, Information & Link | Mini Book Review |
Book #1 of 2025:
Powerless by Elsie Silver
(Chestnut Springs 3) | Childhood friends who’ve been secretly in love with each other and a runaway bride situation meet our friends in Chestnut Springs. Still loving this series and I’ll be so sad when I run out of Elsie Silver books to read. If you enjoy a bit of an angsty romance with some extra spicy bits, you’ll love this series! |
Book #2 of 2025:
Reckless by Elsie Silver
(Chestnut Springs 4) | Book 4 in the Chestnut Springs series and this one had me in tears within the first 1/3 of the story. I absolutely loved Winter and Theo’s story. I can’t really my favorite parts without spoilers, so let’s just stick with it was absolutely swoony. |
Book #3 of 2025:
Hopeless by Elsie Silver
(Chestnut Springs 5) | Ahhh the end of the Chestnut Springs books and I’m not ready! I’m so happy we finally got to Beau’s story and that by the end of this books we not only got his Happily Ever After, but were able to enjoy the after of the Happily Ever Afters for the rest of the characters I’ve grown to love over the series. Wonderful series and it gave me all the warm fuzzies. |
Book #4 of 2025:
Hate Hex by Gina LaManna | Trixie has spent a lifetime repressing her magic, until one night, she meets a grumpy, devilishly handsome vampire in a dark alley, and she accidentally activates her powers. After Trixie puts a teeny, tiny hex on her new nemesis, Dom retaliates in a big way. It’s all clever enchantments and witty curses, until Dominic’s brother suddenly returns, hellbent on revenge. A nice little paranormal romance to shake things up! I enjoy this author and other books in her connected series. This was a fun stand-alone book and is currently free on Kindle Unlimited. |
Book #5 of 2025:
Fourth Wing (The Emperean Book 1) by Rebecca Yarros | I hardly ever do it and definitely not this quickly, but with the 3rd book in the series coming out this month I decided to do a re-read of the first two. I actually enjoyed it more upon the second reading, knowing some of the twists and recognizing the breadcrumbs dropped along the way. It is a very satisfying book with interesting world building. Of course, I hate a cliffhanger ending (which is why I wanted to throw the second book at the wall when I realized I caught up to real time). With that being said, on to (or back to) book 2! |
Book #6 of 2025:
Iron Flame (The Emperean Book 2) by Rebecca Yarros | The second book of my re-read to get ready for the newly released third book. Once again I enjoyed a second look and seeing all the clues scattered around that I overlooked the first time. With that being said, knowing about some of the difficult parts made me dread getting through them all over again. With the shocking cliffhanger, I’m so happy that I can start the next book now! |
| Book #7 of 2025: Onyx Storm (The Emperean Book 3) by Rebecca Yarros | The third book in the series and I’m so glad I re-read the first two before jumping into this one. This one was a book of growth, for all of the main characters we have grown to love over the series. There were some battles that left me hanging on the edge of my seat and some pretty hilarious moments that had me giggling. This was the best in the series so far, even though I hate yet another cliff hanger that makes me want to throw my book at the wall. This is also the first time in quite a while when I’ve read a popular book series as it has come out and I am loving all the social media reactions content surrounding this book! |
Book #8 of 2025:
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez | Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it’s now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They’ll date each other and break up. This is not a sweet and sappy beach read. It was so freaking good and OHMYGOD the feelings. I was either in love with Justin or ready to sob my face off. Absolute perfection. Highly recommend and currently free on Kindle Unlimited! |
Book #9 of 2025:
Part Of Your World
By Abby Jimenez | Once I finished Just for the Summer (and loved it), I realized it was actually the second book in the series. So, obviously I had to go and read this one, since it was book 1. Loved this opposites attract love story and the peeks of characters from the other book. In fact, I went back and re-read the end of the other book too so now I’m ALL caught up. A great little series and I highly recommend it. And apparently I read the third book in the series last year. |
Book #10 of 2025:
Ink of Copper by E.M. Meyers | Celebrating her recent divorce, Ellie Whitmore books a cruise to the Greek Isles where she meets Evander. Thrust into a mythical world, Ellie soon finds nothing is as it seems as she struggles to control the one thing she fears most. This Olympian-centered retelling of The Odyssey is a lot. It’s got a ton of Ancient Greek characters and super long and pops back and forth between times and people. While I did enjoy it, I do feel like a couple more rounds of editing would have been helpful. For Ancient Greece lovers, it’s like a grown up Percy Jackson adventure. |
Book #11 of 2025:
Rebel Homemaker by Drew Barrymore | In her first lifestyle and cookbook, Drew shares recipes, stories from her life, and personal photos that show how she lives a healthy, delicious, and joyful life through her own rebellious brand of homemaking. A mix of stories and recipes and I found the stories more engaging. I especially liked her 30 meal memories, which makes me want to write down meals I have had that have stuck with me. Like the filet mignon served at our wedding reception that we ate in the happy fog of getting married in front of our friends and family. It was delicious. |
Book #12 of 2025:
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison | A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story. I absolutely loved the Lovelight Farms series, so when this book came out I immediately had it on my Must Read list. I love the Baltimore setting and the slow burn of our main couple. The author not only writes love stories well, but her spicy scenes are believable AND hot. Loved the book and can’t wait for the rest of this new series. |
Book #13 of 2025:
The New Rules of Menopause | Dr. Stephanie Faubion from the Mayo Clinic brings her expertise on current treatments and research together with an honest, real-world approach to help people understand how the rules of their bodies are changing – and what they can do about it. No new info here, but a good overview and refresher for those approaching peri. I find it fascinating that GenX is going through peri now and not silently suffering but TALKING about it. |
Book #14 of 2025:
Hot Hex Boyfriend by Carly Bloom | Delia doesn’t believe magic exists, however, when she accidentally breaks a hex and restores her family’s powers, she’s forced to accept a new reality: she is a witch. Just when Max thinks he’s done keeping an eye on the bumbling Merriweather women, now he must help his neighbors learn to control their magic before they out witches everywhere. A cute little RomCom in the vein of Practical Magic with just a small amount of spice. A fun and quick read and a nice stand-alone magical romance. |
Book #15 of 2025:
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez | Currently a free book for February for Prime members and I recommend you RUN to download it! You guys, I LOVED this couple so much. And their best friends. And the romance. And the part I can’t talk about because I don’t want to ruin it. I was laughing out loud. I was cheering. So, so good! |
Book #16 of 2025:
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez | Yup, another re-read. After reading the 2 other Part of Your World series books out of order, I figured I might as well re-visit the 3rd book in the series. Especially because it was one of my favorite books of 2023. In this one we have a misunderstanding/enemies to lovers/pretend boyfriend/crazy family spectacular. It’s laugh out loud funny, so incredibly sweet and has parts that absolutely caused me to cry. Again. |
Book #17 of 2025:
Zero Stars Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer | A man and his girlfriend find themselves trapped on an island resort after the sun explodes. And that’s what happens on the first 2 pages. There is class wars, quickly dropping temperatures and the chaos of trying to make it off the island alive. I thought it was entertaining, funny, honestly a little sad at how shitty people can be to each other. |
Book #18 of 2025:
Wild Side (Rose Hill book 3) | I love Elsie Silver and her connected series, especially the Rose Hill series! This latest book is a wonderful, perfect, sexy, hilarious addition and I enjoyed every chapter. If you haven’t tried her yet, I highly recommend her books (and this one is currently free on Kindle Unlimited!) |
Book #19 of 2025:
Right Where We Left Us by Jenni Devon | Described as “Perfect for fans of Lucy Score, Right Where We Left Us is a searing and unforgettable romance.” And nope. They need to get Lucy Score’s name out of their damn mouth. This is an absolute DNR for me because I got about 100 pages in and gave up. It was so wordy and overblown and full of every cliche. And just annoying and irritating, rather than romantic. Add this to the nope pile. |
Book #20 of 2025:
Right Man, Right Time by Megan Quinn | A college girl finds herself in a fake relationship with a professional hockey player ten years older than her, but as they become fast friends and start staying the night together, the lines between fake and real start to blur. I cannot for the life of me figure out why this book is so highly starred on Amazon. I’ve enjoyed Megan Quinn’s books before, but this one is just kind of terrible. It feels kind of immature, like a high schooler is writing a romance and just throws a lot of abrupt spicy scenes into it. I mean, did the author really write this book, or was it a lonely man with AI…? |
Book #21 of 2025:
Will they or Won’t They by Ava Wilder | As the stars of the hit paranormal TV show Intangible, Lilah and Shane spent years pining for each other onscreen . . . until Lilah ditched the show at the end of season five in hopes of becoming a movie star. With no such luck, she’s back to film the much-hyped ninth and final season. But coming back means facing one of the biggest reasons she left: Shane. If you love enemies to lovers and second chance love, this is the book for you. A slow burn and a fun look at ‘behind the scenes’ of a TV hit. |
Book #22 of 2025:
An Accidental Odyssey by KC Dyer | Gianna Kostas is on the cusp of a fairy-tale life. Sure, she’s just lost her job, but she’s about to marry one of New York’s most eligible bachelors. On her way to taste wedding cakes, though, things go sideways. Shocking news sends Gia off on a wild journey halfway around the world in pursuit of her ailing—and nearly estranged—father. A fun father and daughter adventure of traveling and eating through the Mediterranean. This book made me crave both a plane ticket… and all the amazing food that Gia was eating! |
Book #23 of 2025:
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks | When Maggie Banks arrives in Bell River to run her best friend’s struggling bookstore, she expects to sell bestsellers to her small-town clientele. But running a bookstore in a town with a famously bookish history isn’t easy. To help save the store, Maggie starts an underground book club, running a series of events celebrating the books readers actually love. But keeping the club quiet, selling forbidden books, and dodging the literary society is nearly impossible. Especially when Maggie unearths a town secret that could upend everything. This book just didn’t do it for me at all. I found it just too slow and really didn’t care about the characters |
Book #24 of 2025:
The Summer Guests (Martini Club book 2) by Tess Gerritsen | A second adventure with our group of retired CIA agents (I read the first one in 2022 and loved it!). In this one after a teenager vanishes and Maggie’s neighbor becomes the prime suspect, she joins the investigation, determined to prove her friend’s innocence. A really good murder mystery and a great visit back to the Martini Club! |
Book #25 of 2025:
Mr. Fixer Upper by Lucy Score | This is marked as a standalone, but it’s actually followed by The Christmas Fix which I read last year. This one is HGTV meets Hallmark channel with a little bit of spice. Loved the couple and loved the grand gesture. This was a good one to just disappear into for a few hours. |
Book #26 of 2025:
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun (book 3) | Finlay Donovan has been in messes before — after all, she’s an author and single mom who’s a pro at getting out bloodstains for rather unexpected reasons — but none quite like this. The third in the series and while it took me a bit to get back into it, this was a fun adventure. A mix of suspense, mob bosses, and some Lucy and Ethel energy! |
Book #27 of 2025:
Story of my Life by Lucy Score | Hazel Hart was a successful romance novelist until a breakup drives her straight into writer’s block. Desperate for inspiration, Hazel impulse-buys a historic home online and flees Manhattan to tiny Story Lake, PA. I LOVE Lucy Score books and this one is fantastic! Lots of grumpy love interest and small-town shenanigans. I can’t wait until the next book in the series comes out! |
Book #28 of 2025:
Off to the Races by Elsie Silver (Gold Rush Ranch 1) | I love Elise Silver and haven’t read this series yet, so I downloaded it to read on the plane. This series looks like it’s set around a horse racing family, which isn’t my typical thing as I’m not a horse girl, but we will see. This book is a grumpy vs sunshine enemies to lovers situation. All in all, I enjoyed it and it made a 4.5 hour plane ride fly by. I didn’t love the main couples dynamic, but I’m open to the next book in the series. |
Book #29 of 2025:
Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn | This book is the sequel to Killers of a Certain Age and I loved revisiting our retired assassins for another adventure.Together the foursome embark on a wild ride across the globe on the double mission of rooting out the Museum’s mole and hunting down the gangster who seems to know their next move before they make it. Loved this book and it was a great continuation of the series! |
Book #30 of 2025:
Every Move You Make by Sloan Spencer | A ‘why choose’ throuple romance. It had a lot of promise and then just kind of burnt itself out for me. It went from 0 to fully spicy with little warning and my pet peeve of everyone immediately falling in love with each other was out in full force. Be warned: for readers with a very high spice tolerance. |
Book #31 of 2025:
Atomic Habits by James Clear | This book draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits. I’ve actually started this book twice, but it’s not because I didn’t enjoy it. I actually find it fascinating and love all the different ways to build new habits. My problem is that after reading a particularly resonating chapter, I need to sit with it a bit. Also, I read it on my kindle and really need to buy my own hardback copy so I can highlight all the pages! Love it, recommend it. But buy a physical copy. |
Book #32 of 2025:
A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver (Gold Rush Ranch 2) | Book 2 in the Gold Rush series. In this one, A former soldier moves to a small town and is forced to live under the same roof as the woman he’s been anonymously chatting with online, and their chemistry is undeniable. So we’ve got some grumpy/sunshine and some forced proximity. All in all, it’s a good medium burn book with some secrets and a good relationship with a needed therapist. |
Book #33 of 2025:
The Front Runner by Elsie Silver (Gold Rush Ranch 3) | Book 3 in the Gold Rush series and this one is my favorite so far. We’ve got a rich, misunderstood bad boy and a take no crap vet. There’s some fake dating trope and some misunderstood villain. Loved the story and can’t wait to finish up the series with just one more book. |
Book #34 of 2025:
A False Start by Elsie Silver (Gold Rush Ranch 4) | The last book in the Gold Rush series and I’m sad to say goodbye to the characters that I have grown to love. This one is a grumpy/sunshine/best friends sister romance. I loved the two main characters and the fact that they had to figure their own crap out in order to get together. A great finish to the series! |
Book #35 of 2025:
Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg (Whimbrel House Book 4) | I read the Whimbrel House series last year and thought it was completed with the 3 books. I was surprised to see this one pop up on Kindle Unlimited — but according to the acknowledgements, so was the author! This addition to the series is set 4 years after book 3 and centers around Owein and the final fight with bad guy Silas Hogwood. It took a bit for me to get back into it, but the writing was magical and now I’m hoping for a surprise book 5. |
Book #36 of 2025:
Rewind it Back by Liz Tomforde (Windy City Book 5) | You guys. The way I SOBBED at the end of the book. I’ve loved the whole Windy City series, so I’ve been waiting for the 5th book to come out for a while. I was so happy to finally get to Rio’s story and OHMYGOD it was my absolute favorite of the entire series. If you’re looking for a really well written romcom series with low to medium spice and super strong friendships, download this one ASAP. It’s currently free on Kindle Unlimited and I highly recommend it! |
Book #37 of 2025:
Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score | House-flipping sensation and YouTube star Maggie Nichols can’t wait to dig into her next challenge, restoring a crumbling Victorian mansion in four months or less. She has her to-do lists, her blueprints, and her team. What she doesn’t have is time for sexy, laid-back landscaper Silas Wright. I knew going into this book it would be good because Lucy Score is an amazing author, but holy guacamole it was SO GOOD! Hilarious and sweet with a strong willed female lead and dreamy love interest. I want to jump into the pages and live in it. 6 out of 5 stars! |
Book #38 of 2025:
Forever Never by Lucy Score | Brooding, protective Brick falls for free-spirited Remi, his brother’s ex, who returns home with a dangerous secret, igniting an irresistible, slow-burn romance. I love Lucy Score and honestly this was my least favorite book of hers. Which still makes it better than a lot of other authors books. It was the grumpy, pining overprotective dude and the wild child chick. But I guess they were just too combative with each other for me to really enjoy them as a couple. Also, the random murder mystery suspense bit just was a bit too much going on. Meh. |
Book #39 of 2025:
Born in Fire by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 1) | I love a good KF Breene series and this one has been on my list for awhile. I just had to be in the right mood to start a new magic/fantasy world building saga. In this first book, a supernatural bounty hunter teams up with a vampire to solve a top secret case and kick some ass. Not as strong of a start as some of her other books, but enough promise to have me looking forward to the next book. |
Book #40 of 2025:
Raised in Fire by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 2) | The second book in the series and building on the world and characters we met in the first book. This one revolves around an out-of-town murder mystery, as well as growth of the main story and relationships. This one was better than the last, and I’m fully invested in the series now. |
Book #41 of 2025:
Fused in Fire by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 3) | This latest book in the series is the most exciting of the three books so far! Lots happens in this book moving the story forward, with new alliances and a crazy journey through the Underworld. Lots of fun and some really funny bits too. Onto the next book! |
Book #42 of 2025:
Natural Witch by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 4) | I was looking forward to continuing Reagan’s story in this 4th book only to be surprised that it was actually about Penny’s journey (who we met in a previous book). It’s still in the same universe and friends from previous books show up, but it took me a bit to switch gears and get into it. With that said, I do enjoy Penny and her story and looking forward to the next book where it continues. |
Book #43 of 2025:
Natural Mage by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 5) | Well dang, this book flew by! Growing on Penny’s story and finally working her into Reagan’s world. And house. Teaming these two up brought a world of hilarious chaos and I loved it! A huge battle was won, setting up for the next book. After 5 books in the series so far, I’m excited to keep going! |
Book #44 of 2025:
Natural Dual-Mage by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 6) | The conclusion to another trilogy within the larger series. This book came to a head with a huge battle with all the main players from the last 6 books. Very fast moving and a lot of fun! It looks like the next two books will center around a new (yet unknown) character… so onward we go! |
Book #45 of 2025:
Warrior Fae Trapped by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 7) | A new character takes over for this next book in the series. This time a human who narrowly escapes being turned into a vampire. Once again, we still have some characters from the rest of the books as this one tells her story. I really liked Charity and I’m looking forward to the next book and how she will grow into her cool powers before bringing everyone back together. |
Book #46 of 2025:
Warrior Fae Princess by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 8) | Well dang, 8 books down for this series and it has flown by! The 2 warrior fae books in the middle had their own side quest, which was nice. I enjoyed Charity and her growth over the two books. Next up, it looks like we are back to Reagan’s point of view with all the story’s merging together for the last few books. |
Book #47 of 2025:
Revealed in Fire by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 9) | Ooooh this one was good. All the main players from the last few groupings of books is coming together to fight against the big bad! It’s basically like the beginning of an Avengers Assemble moment. Loved it, loved it and the end had me ready to immediately move to the next book! |
Book #48 of 2025:
Mentored in Fire by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 10) | The second to last book in the saga and things are coming to a head. Reagan finally meets her father and get to know his world. The rest of the friends are trying to come and save her. I loved the ‘double-crossing’ vibes and the surprise at the end with allegiances. I’m looking forward to the upcoming battle to close out the series! |
Book #49 of 2025:
Battle with Fire by KF Breene (Demon Days, Vampire Nights Book 11) | The last book in the whole series — which means I have read over 4,500 pages in this universe! We have the final battle and all the happy endings for all of our different people who we have grown to love throughout the series. I love that the series ended with how it began — with Reagan. But this time she has finally found a place where she fits in. A very fun series from KF Breene! |
Book #50 of 2025:
Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn | Scottie Price just started a new job and everyone is happily married. In an effort to impress her boss, Scottie mentions her nonexistent husband in a company meeting. This kicks off a whole series of hilarious events, including a fake husband, and an eight-day long marriage summer camp. Lots of ridiculousness and a good amount of spice. This one is a great beach read! |
Book #51 of 2025:
Love Among Vines by Madison Score | When struggling artist Jade Gardner finds herself broke, dateless, and roped into her ex’s wedding, a fake relationship with grumpy winemaker Everett Rhodes seems like the perfect short-term solution. We’ve got some forced proximity, opposites attract and fake dating in this fun romance. I loved the relationships of Jade and all her new friends in towns. My one peeve is the 2 week timeline for the main part of the book. Currently free on Kindle Unlimited! |
Book #52 of 2025:
The Vampire in the Potting Shed by Hailey Edwards | Ana, a latent werewolf who runs a pet resort, discovers a mysterious dog and a handsome vampire in her shed while facing a territorial alpha threatening her home. A fun little supernatural adventure that is currently free on Kindle Unlimited. I really enjoyed this one and it’s a great start to a series. My only complaint is that it was too short and I have no idea when the next book is coming out. |
Book #53 of 2025:
The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn | After getting fired for the third time, Bonnie St. James and her best friend impulsively take jobs running a coffee shop in a tiny Scottish Highland town, hoping a change of scenery will spark a fresh start. There’s a sexy, grumpy handyman, a charming village, and all the small-town drama. I loved the cozy Highland setting and Bonnie’s journey of self-discovery, though the sudden drama with her best friend felt a bit jarring. I’m also not a huge fan of hate-to-love romances that flip from icy to steamy so fast, but the humor and heart kept the story charming, and the neatly tied-up ending was sweet and satisfying. |
Book #54 of 2025:
Maybe This Once by Sophie Sullivan | This small-town, opposites-attract romance follows two people who enter into a carefree summer fling, only to discover that their hearts are in much deeper than they expected. It’s a very sweet, closed-door romance, filled with family involvement and a slow, tender second-chance love story that builds gradually. I really enjoyed the warmth of the characters and the cozy, small-town setting, which gave the story an inviting, feel-good vibe. That said, the writing style leaned a little too flowery for my taste at times, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. Overall, though, it’s a heartfelt and charming read for anyone who enjoys a gentle, romantic escape. This book is the third in a series and will be published in February 2026. |
Book #55 of 2025:
Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws | When a destination wedding plus-one search goes wrong, Calder ends up stuck sharing a room in paradise with his sworn nemesis, Dakota. What starts as years of mutual loathing turns into an unexpected “enemies with benefits” fling. Great banter, a fun and sexy enemies-to-lovers arc, and very funny family interactions made this a fast, entertaining read, with sizzling chemistry and sharp dialogue that kept me hooked from start to finish. Added benefit, I picked up the printed version at the book store and it is gorgeous with printed edges — cats on one side and plaid on the other. So freaking cute! |
Book #56 of 2025:
Nobody’s Perfect by Sally Kilpatrick | After twenty-five years of marriage, Vivian Quackenbush’s world flips when her husband asks for a divorce. One impulsive YouTube video later, she’s viral and suddenly navigating heartbreak, friendship drama, and the chance to reinvent herself. I liked this one best when it embraced the chaos and let Vivian be messy and real, though the friend drama felt a little off. Overall, an entertaining read. |
Book #57 of 2025:
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City 1) by Sarah J Maas | Bryce Quinlan seems to have it all until tragedy shatters her world, pulling her into a dangerous investigation that pairs her with Hunt Athalar, a fallen angel bound to serve the Archangels. I absolutely loved the dynamic between Bryce and Hunt and their shift from enemies to buddies to something deeper. The heroine is fierce, Hunt is brooding and compelling, and the emotional finale hit me hard (yes, there were tears). This was a reread for me since I last picked it up in 2020, but it was just as powerful the second time around and now I’m finally diving into the rest of the series. |
Book #58 of 2025:
House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City 2) by Sarah J Maas | Book 2 of the Crescent City series and this one is action-packed. Bryce, Hunt and their friends get pulled into the rebel’s plans and there are twists and turns up until the explosive ending. A lot happens in this book and it really sets up the big fight that is coming in the last book of the series. With that being said, at over 800 pages, it is a gigantic amount of book — I do feel like maybe it could have been edited/streamlined a bit. On to the next one! |
Book #59 of 2025:
House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City 3) by Sarah J Maas | The third and final book in the Crescent City series and it was full of twists and turns with all the drama coming to a head. Where the last book felt like some parts could have been edited, this one (at 852 pages) was action packed with adventure. This series exceeded my expectations and I’m so happy that I re-started it from the beginning to do a full read through. Also, I hunted down the special edition bonus chapters and they were the perfect ending… after the ending. |
Book #60 of 2025:
Wild Card (Rose Hill 4) by Elsie Silver | Just released this week, is the last book in the Rose Hill series! In this book, we get Bash and Gwen’s story and I loved it! It had some grumpy/sunshine and ‘off limits’ tropes throughout. Also, really loved getting to know Crazy Clyde better, as well as revisiting characters from the previous books in the series. Another great one from Elsie Silver! |
Book #61 of 2025:
Neon Gods (Dark Olympus 1) by Katee Robert | This is the start of a dark romance Olympus series that tells the story of Hades and Persephone. It’s like an extra spicy, mob boss, backstabbing political take on Olympus. If you enjoy dark romance and spice, you may want to give this one a try. |
Book #62 of 2025:
Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus 3) by Katee Robert | This is the 3rd book in the Neon Gods series. I skipped book 2 because my library had this one available, but they are mostly standalone so no biggie. This one tells the story of Achilles, Patroclus and Helen of Troy. It’s very Hunger Games coded with trials to compete to become the next Ares. It gives you a couple villains to worry about, but the competition is engaging and goes quickly. Also, extra spicy for this triad love story. |
Book #63 of 2025:
Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws | I accidentally read the 2nd in this series when on vacation in August, so I looped back around to get to the beginning of the series. In this book, a grumpy mountain man (and brother to the main character in Seven Year Itch) wants to become a single dad and is looking for a surrogate. He finds the perfect fit and we get a little grumpy/sunshine romance that is both sweet and hilarious. Another great book in the series and I’m looking forward to reading the next one when it comes out! |
Book #64 of 2025:
Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews | On the eve of her wedding, interior decorator Keeley Murdock catches her fiancé with her maid of honor, unleashing a legendary meltdown that leaves her jilted and shunned by her small town. Just as her business falters, she’s hired by the mysterious new owner of a bra factory to restore his crumbling mansion for a dream woman that he hasn’t actually met. This book didn’t know what it wanted to be — it was trying to be a romance and then randomly a murder mystery but mostly a mess. Its main focus was spending a stupid amount of money to redo a plantation house. The main character was selfish and self absorbed, and the love interest was boring and kind of an asshole. Add to that some casual racism that had me googling whether the author was racist and it was a turd of a book. |
Book #65 of 2025:
Heart of Hope by Lucy Score | This small town romance has it all. A close family that is dealing with the aftermath of losing one of their own. A fling with a stranger who isn’t being quite honest. And all the family feels for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was in full-on tears at the end (happy tears) and it was totally worth it. Also, be sure to read the epilogue in the Lucy Scores website of a Christmas 10 years after the book ends. |
Book #66 of 2025:
Magical Midlife Rescue by KF Breene (Leveling Up Book 11) | I love this series! Even at 11 books in, it’s still fun and fresh with ridiculous hijinks that make me giggle. In the latest book Jessie and her team have been split from two of their own. So they have two separate adventures that overlap and come back together. Another fun one and honestly this series may be good enough to do a full re-read when it is complete. |
Book #67 of 2025:
Fall I Want by Lyra Parish | I downloaded this book because I felt like a warm and cozy fall themed romance. The first half delivered — it was very Gilmore Girls meets Hallmark movie. However, once they get together about halfway through, it’s like a different person wrote it. Tons of spice, but in a juvenile ‘I love you’, ‘no, I love you more’ kind of way. It was just awful. After getting through it, I have no interest in continuing the series. |
Book #68 of 2025:
He Falls First by Jill Shalvis | I feel like there was a lot of hype around this book and I was curious if it would live up to it. I’m happy to say, it did! Loved the slow growth of a relationship with two people with baggage. Great family dynamics and believable challenges. Really enjoyed this one and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series as it comes out. |
Book #69 of 2025:
The Relaxed Woman by Nicola Jane Hobbs | One of the authors I follow recently recommended this book, so I stuck it on my reserve list at the library. The idea is that women have for so long seen their worth as trying to be the perfect partners/mother/colleague/friend/etc only to feel not good enough. Instead, we feel overburdened and stressed. This was one of those books that I could have fully highlighted and marked up the margins, but as it was a library book I added a ton of thoughts to my notes app. One phrase that really resonated with me is “untangle your sense of worth from your productivity.”
I feel deeply how bullshit it is to get caught up in the ‘busy game’ of showing everyone around you how worthy you are by ‘bragging’ about how busy and needed you are. I worked hard to get out of this cycle myself and it now drives me absolutely crazy when others try to pull me into the busy competition. The first half of the book dealt with the problem, with the second giving you ideas of rest rituals and ways you can learn to become a ‘relaxed woman.’ |
Book #70 of 2025:
Always Only You by Chloe Liese | On the surface, this is a sweet friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance between a hockey player and social media manager. However, it is a multifaceted look at love when someone is on the spectrum, as well as had rheumatoid arthritis and lives with chronic pain. This is the first I’ve read by this author and I absolutely loved her style of storytelling! After finishing this book, I immediately went on my library website and put in holds for more Chloe Liese books! |
Book #71 of 2025:
Dare I Say It by Naomi Watts | Billed as ‘the book Naomi Watts wishes she had when she first started experiencing menopause symptoms’. It includes advice from doctors, hormone experts, and nutritionists to take the secrecy and shame out of menopause and aging. Overall, it was a good read but really nothing new here. I was really hoping for more information about different symptoms we may not realize are part of peri/menopause and how to handle them. |
Book #72 of 2025:
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez | I’ve read every book written by Abby Jimenez and have never been disappointed. This one was sweet and bittersweet throughout and I found myself on the verge of tears many times. Between the family challenges in caring for their mother and the longing for an easier life, it was a roller coaster ride of a read and ended beautifully. |
Book #73 of 2025:
Unbecoming a Lady by Therese Oniell | A fun and interesting collection of profiles of American women who refused to conform to societal standards. They bucked everyday niceties and blazed their own trails. They were collectively unbecoming as women, but they forever changed what women can become. I loved this book and highly recommend it as a stocking stuffer for all the ladies in your life! |
Book #74 of 2025:
Last on the List by Amy Daws | I don’t know why I’m reading this series all out of order… but this is the first book in the series that contains Seven Year Itch. But it might also be the last in another series by the author? I’m confused. Anyways, this one centers on a single dad CEO and his go-with-the-flow nanny who is taking a break from the corporate world. I loved seeing little Everly, who has a hand in the other matchmaking books in the series. This one was fun and steamy. And I do love a beautiful book with sprayed edges. |
Book #75 of 2025:
Ever After Always by Chloe Liese | This book is part of the Bergman Brothers series, so I had high hopes after enjoying Always Only You. This one was a marriage in crisis/second chance romance and I really, really did not like it. I found it painfully uncomfortable and just didn’t love the couple together, even after they worked on their marriage and improved their communication. Just not a winner for me. I have another couple from the library, so fingers crossed that this was a one-off that I didn’t like. |
Book #76 of 2025:
Love at First Sighting by Mallory Marlowe | A social media influencer accidentally shares a sighting of a UFO on her live feed, then had her own Man in Black experience. This is a fun romantic comedy crossed with a sci-fi murder mystery. Nothing too deep, but very cute. Loved the take on the fake influencer friendships and the clout chasing behavior. |
Book #77 of 2025:
If Only You by Chloe Liese | Another book from the Bergman Brothers series, and thankfully this one was as good as the first! This book centers on Ziggy… the little sister of the family and ‘good girl’ who decides to toughen up her image a bit with a bad boy. Fun story with good character growth. One character gets diagnosed with Celiacs and has to go gluten free, and I wish I had a professional baker like him to make my GF food! |
Book #78 of 2025:
The Medusa Protocol by Rob Hart | I was so excited to see this sequel to Assassins Anonymous at the library, because I loved the first book and couldn’t put it down! This one centers around Astrid, who has been kidnapped and thrown into a black site prison on a remote island with a doctor trying to extract something from her memories. Between her trying to figure out who arranged for her interrogation, how to break out of the prison, and the rest of the assassins trying to find her, this book was full of twists and turns and a very satisfying ending. Great for thriller readers! |
Book #79 of 2025:
My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely | A fun holiday read by Lauren Blakely! This one is a fake dating billionaire romance with a hot single dad boss. Very sweet with a bit of spice and a the perfect book to curl up with in front of the Christmas tree. A great stocking stuffer for your friend who loves Hallmark Christmas movies! |
Book #80 of 2025:
That’s a great question, I’d love to tell you by Elyse Myers | I borrowed this one from the library and initially felt a little guilty about that. I mean, I really like Elyse Myers and I want to see her successful. But I really try not to accumulate books, so library it was. And… um, pretty glad I went with that choice because this book is kinda boring. I like her and I like her storytelling, but the book just doesn’t capture it for me. At all. I put it down. Skipped ahead to a different story. Put it down again and finally gave up. |
Book #81 of 2025:
A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher | A witch returns to her magical hometown after 13 years, seeking help for her shifter goddaughter, only to face her ex-boyfriend who is now the Alpha of the local pack. A cute romcom with a low stakes mystery and spicy second chance romance. Good world building and lots of opportunity for more books in the series. |
Book #82 of 2025:
Fan Favorite by Adrienne Gunn | A 35-year-old copywriter joins “The Key” reality dating show to reconnect with her high school sweetheart, but finds herself caught between him and the show’s grumpy producer. Obviously The Key is the book version of The Bachelor and this book is perfect for reality show lovers. I felt like the beginning had a slow start and I almost out it down, but once she joined the rest of the girls on the show it picked up. |
| Book #83 of 2025: Honeymoon Phase by Amy Daws | Book 3 in this mountain men matchmaker series and this one centers around the youngest brother, Luke. We have a sham marriage, forced proximity and friends-to-lovers all in one. We also get to keep up with the other couples stories, which I love in a series. Another fun romance and I do love the beautiful sprayed edges on the book. This series would make a great gift for a romance reader who likes a little spice! |
Book #84 of 2025:
Royal Icing by Madison Score | If you enjoy Lucy Score and her sister Madison Score, you’ll love this latest book! It’s a fun holiday romance with a hardworking baker and a handsome prince — basically a Hallmark movie in a book. Super fun. Happy ending. And great little bonus epilogue too. |
| Book #85 of 2025: | …Coming soon… |
