Somehow November was one of those months where I felt like I barely had a second to breathe, let alone read… and yet when I sat down to tally everything up, I realized I finished 15 books. FIFTEEN! Apparently juggling a Kindle, a stack of library books, Libby holds/releases, Audible listens, Spotify audiobooks, and my beloved Kindle Paperwhite really adds up. I got a 3-month free Kindle Unlimited trial when I bought it (dangerous), and if you’re an Amazon Prime member you can snag a free Kindle First Reads book every month (https://www.amazon.com/firstreads)-which I always do. Plus, Spotify gives you 15 free audiobook listening hours, and of course I rely heavily on Libby and my local library. The biggest surprise of all? I had two five-star reads, including a romantasy. I know. Who even am I? My heart will forever belong to contemporary romance, but I couldn’t deny how good that one was.
And if you’re wondering when I actually found time to read during such a busy month, it all happened in the little pockets of life. I keep my Kindle in my purse at all times, so when the kids have soccer practice I sit in the car and read (hr practice, twice a week). And every night Ben has 20 minutes of reading homework, which somehow turns into the two of us cozied up on the couch reading together for an hour-one of my favorite parts of the day. And of course all those nights I read late and tell myself ‘just one more chapter.’ All those tiny moments added up to a big, book-filled November. If you want to check out my past reviews, they’re right here. I just joined Book of the Month, loving it (two of the books I’ve gotten have gone on to be everywhere online and I feel cool knowing I read them first lol)! I finally joined Goodreads —let’s be bookish besties! Here’s my profile. My rating system is at the bottom. Now, let’s dive in!
Your Knife, My Heart 5/5 – (read on Kindle Unlimited)-I can’t believe how much I loved this dark-romance military thriller. The chemistry is instant – their first interactions are already hot, charged, and so well written. And their hair? Obsessed. This author can write chemistry. I melted over lines like “I find comfort in her tender presence.” Cameron is such a soft, sweet cinnamon roll underneath all that intense, badass/mentally unstableness, and it completely works. Heads up: it’s very violent, but it fits the tone of the story and never felt gratuitous to me. And THAT ENDING. OMG. I need the next one immediately – thank goodness it comes out December 9 and I don’t have to wait five years! I was so surprised how much I loved this one.
More Than Nothing 5/5 (read on Kindle Unlimited) – People are so mean to this poor girl, and my heart ached for her. I love her name – Elenie! And Roman’s note with the phone? Absolute perfection. What a total sweetie for doing that. Meanwhile… Frank is the WORST. I adored this book from the very beginning. One of my favorite quotes ever: “The French use the phrase ‘ink drinker’ instead of bookworm.” I’m obsessed. And the fact that she’s an “arm freak” (arm-obsessed) made me laugh – such a fun detail. The epilogue was perfect, the spice level was just right, and the story completely delivered. I loved this romance! This got recommended to me and I was more than thrilled, love a good recommendation, I never would have found this book otherwise.
Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal 4.5/5 (Audible listen- excellent cast!) – This was so much fun. The naked-show conversation had me literally laughing out loud, and the Kringle event “shrinkage” bit? I was wheezing. They’re both so awkward in the BEST, most hilarious way, and his friends Cole and Story absolutely stole my heart. I couldn’t keep a smile off my face the entire time. It’s holiday perfection with spice, tons of dirty humor, and so much swearing — in other words, a great time. The parents-coming-home scene? I DIED. He’s just… so awkward, and I loved every second. The only reason it’s a 4.5 instead of a full 5 is because of the narrator character – I didn’t love him, and I didn’t love how the main characters interacted with him. But overall? A hilarious, spicy holiday delight.
Heart the Lover 4/5 (Library book) I’m giving this one a higher score because it’s genuinely so well written, but wow… I was actively mad at this book (I wanted to give it a 2). Unpopular opinion incoming. She describes Sam as “panting” constantly, which felt a little odd – I cannot say I’ve ever heard my husband pant at me lol. And the way she handles conflict with both boys? I just wanted her to stand up for herself more and stop letting them treat her the way they do. Not hearing from Yash for an entire month? Absolutely not. Nobiko was right: “he’s keeping you on the hook.” If you love old English literature, you’ll enjoy this one – there are tons of classic references woven throughout. But seriously… she couldn’t find a way to tell Yash that one crucial thing? That felt like a decision they should have made together. And missing her flight three times for someone who treated her like that? It’s HER SON! I’m sorry, but no. That made me genuinely dislike her so so much – it was such a baffling choice. I did cry at the last page, but overall, I struggled with her character, I actively disliked her. The writing is excellent, but the decisions? Rough.
In a Jam 4.5/5 (Library book) – Such a cute romance! The football game scene where they run into Christine had me grinning – it’s funny and awkward in the best way. I loved how she’s helping Gennie (poor Gennie!), and Noah is just the sweetest. The farmers market chapter? Adorable. I didn’t totally get the “student” one-liners at the start of each chapter (like “students will be able to drunk dial”), but the actual story more than made up for it. And the lines in this book?!
“I don’t think you’re forgettable. Believe me. I know. I’ve tried to forget you. I couldn’t. Nothing I did chased those memories away.” Ugh, perfection. It was a little long for this story I thought (only reason I’m not giving it a 5) – I checked at the halfway mark and was already 200+ pages in. But Noah? Absolute perfection. The birthday cake and the scene that follows? Sweet AND hot. The “I’m home.” “Yes. Seems like you are.” moment? Swoooon. I loved when he really gets his confidence about halfway through, and I’m so glad Gennie was in therapy and doing the work. THE FARM SIGN. OH NOAH. Just the right amount of spice, and even though it was a tad long for me, overall this was super cute and really satisfying.
Beautiful Exile 4/5 (Kindle Unlimited) – I love how there are always secret hot single billionaires lurking around in these tiny small towns – it cracks me up every time. Her guard dog who only speaks German? Obsessed. Arden is so feisty, and Linc… absolute sweetie pie. I loved how he quietly lets her grow into her own confidence and never rushes her. This line? “I know my worth. I can take it if you have a little freak out. I’m still gonna be here. Waiting for us to fix it. And that’s what we’re doing. Perfection is impossible. Mending broken pieces isn’t.” — SWOON. That is adult-worthy romance at its finest. I loved how he steps in with her brothers, and the closeness she shares with her foster/adoptive siblings gave me total Chestnut Springs vibes in the best way possible. And him buying her art? I melted. This is technically part of a series, but you absolutely don’t need to read the others first — it stands perfectly on its own. And as a twin mom, I adored the ending. This definitely made me want to pick up the rest of the series!
Bonds of Hercules 3.5/5 (Audiobook)- I listened to this one, and honestly, I think I liked the first book (Blood of Hercules) way better – mostly because the house chart made it so much easier to follow (I read paperback for the first book and gave it a 5/5!). In this one, I felt lost half the time, and if you haven’t read book one you will be very lost. The spice? Oh, it’s THERE. Very spicy, including some unexpected men-on-men scenes. And the ear scene… kinda gross but also somehow hot? Kahron is peak “you are mine, I will protect you” MMC, and I loved him. But Alexis? I swear she should not be alive with how much she gets hurt. JESUS. My biggest complaint: the female narrator was awful at male voices. And the sound mixing? Every time they whispered the audio went quiet and I kept rewinding and STILL couldn’t hear it. So frustrating. Plot-wise, I didn’t understand why no one just killed Patron and Achilles. Also, I wish we got more of the three of them together -their dynamic is so good, and the romance-lover in me kept wanting more actual lovey-dovey moments. Book one earned its slow burn, but I thought we’d get more payoff here. Nix was amazing as always. The raccoon? Too cute. I wish there had been more with her parents, and way less arena stuff -it dragged. But the matching thigh tattoos? HOT. And that arena moment – did not see that coming. The ending goes from zero to one hundred spice-wise, which was fun, but overall I just didn’t love this one as much as the first.
Three Pucking Words 4/5 (Kindle Unlimited)-I loved how he calls her honey – he’s just such a sweetie. The hotel lobby scene where he stands up for her? Perfection. And the line “I love yogurt too, honey” absolutely made me swoon. What I adored most is that he’s simply a good guy. Not a reformed playboy, not a “bad boy turned soft,” just genuinely good from the start. And bless this book for no third-act breakup – my favorite kind of romance. A really cute hockey romance with a cinnamon-roll MMC who stays wonderful the whole way through. Loved it!
Catch the Sun 3/5 (Libby – audiobook)-I loved how obsessed she is with his biceps -truly a highlight. But this one is a sloooow burn with a lot of teenage angst, and the tiny kiss to the side of her head at 45% had me laughing. I just don’t love main characters who are this young. Ella drove me a little nuts the whole time — constantly pushing him away and then pulling him right back in. Their RV goodbye scene was peak teenage drama, and honestly, the whole thing felt more like a YA book. And it absolutely did not need to be 15 hours long.
Wedding Dashers 3.5/5 (Libby – audiobook) –I loved the narrator for this one! And honestly… did anyone not see that twist coming after their bar conversation?🙄 It cracked me up. This is a really fun romcom with two of my favorite tropes: one bed and forced proximity on a trip. Carter is such a total d-bag, and I found it hilarious when Jack tries to have the whole “safe sex, disease-free” talk and she’s like… what are you even saying? I laughed out loud. Ada did get a little annoying with how she inserts herself into everything, and I still don’t understand why Jack would tell her his best friend was having second thoughts. I also really dislike the whole “I’m breaking up with you / not telling you how I feel for your own good” thing – it drives me nuts. Overall it was a fun listen and the epilogue was sweet, but I do wish we’d gotten more time with them actually together as a couple.
Shatter Me 3/5 (Libby – audiobook) –The narrator’s voice was a little too girlish for me, and the scratching sound effects threw me off at first -I had to Google it, but apparently it’s meant to mimic crossed-out lines in her journal. Once I knew that, it made more sense, but it was still… a choice. Warner – listen, the future with him could be something. Evil, but something. I’d absolutely be a monster for him lol. And Adam… sweet, gentle Adam. My biggest issue? I hate when a book ends right in the middle of the story with zero closure – it really ruins the experience for me.
The Four Engagement Rights of Sybil Rain 3/5 (Libby — audiobook)- Sybil was pretty whiny, and her relationship with her “therapist”… I mean wellness coach… was so strange. Flying to see her the weekend of her wedding? I was relieved when we learned the woman finally told her she needed an actual doctor. Jaime also seemed like a total d-bag in their relationship – he gets annoyed by her unpacking style on vacations? And “did what he thought she wanted” by canceling the wedding? Give me a BREAK. Seb… ugh lol. I’m glad he finally told the truth to Jaime, but I cannot believe Sybil didn’t stay and fight for him on the beach. That whole scene made me groan. The book also felt very repetitive at times. And I’m sorry, but “a couple hundred” people tuning in to a livestream for an underwear company felt wildly unrealistic high. Also – aren’t there other viewers around? The scene mentions blankets set out for people, and she’s just whipping out a full tripod and doing a live stream? Plus, she travels around with three engagement rings, including a four-carat one?! Ma’am. I did like the ending, but overall it was an eye-roll-heavy read for me, probably should have given this a 2 lol.
Merry Little Kissmas 3.5/5 (Kindle Unlimited) – I love a hockey romance, and this one was really cute with a touch of holiday spice. My only gripe was how often she’d slip into the whole, “Oh, he couldn’t possibly mean that nice thing about me—no way, not me!” vibe. It got a little repetitive and “poor little me” after a while. But overall, it’s a sweet, festive romance with some spice and cozy holiday charm.
You’re Next 3/5 (Kindle Unlimited) – Read this because it was on a ‘top TikTok romances’ list. I’m pretty sure this is book two or three in a series, because it drops you right into the middle of everything and I felt lost – like there were big chunks of information missing from the setup. If you like multiple-partner dynamics, this book is definitely for you, but the characters felt a little immature at times (the high-five after the kitchen scene at her mom’s house… lol what?!). And listen… that’s just a lot of fluids. Then no shower at the camp afterward? YIKES lol. I also really struggle to buy into the “three men… then four men!!” situation, and these “societies” that apparently exist – do these things actually happen in real life and I just have no idea? The whole bomb situation and honestly the entire plot felt highly unbelievable to me, especially how chill everyone was with all the sharing. It wasn’t terrible, but just not believable to me.
It’s Different This Time 3/5 (Audible) – This might be an unpopular opinion, because everyone else seems to love this book, but it just didn’t work for me (I feel like my 3 rating is generous). The heroine felt whiny, and the dual timeline jumped around so much that it pulled me out of the story. She is so guarded – to the point of being a little insufferable. Everyone tells her she’s beautiful and she just… pretends to be oblivious? It got old fast. And the whole situation with Riley and Liam? One hundred percent her fault. I was actually mad listening to it. Her getting upset about his engagement – again, on her – and it was in the past so who cares? I spent most of this audiobook annoyed because the drama was created entirely by her choices, and she refused to take any accountability. Overall: fine, but frustrating — and definitely not the experience most readers seem to be having.
My rating system:
- 5 stars – I loved this book and would recommend it to someone looking for their next book to read. This is a book I would re-read and am slightly jealous of anyone who gets to experience it for the first time!!
- 4 stars – I really liked and enjoyed this book, it was solid. Glad I read it.
- 3 stars – I liked this book enough to finish it, but wish there would have been something more – and probably wishing it had changes
- 2 stars – It was hard to finish, but I made it to the end. I don’t understand why people liked this
- 1 star – Really annoyed I finished this book, did not like it
- DNF – Did not finish, just couldn’t do it
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