This week I read four novellas (including one reread) and one full length novel. This is the time of year where I am trying desperately to wrap up annual reading challenges. I an still just a little short of my 200 book goal for the year, but I still have 10 more days. I did manage to complete the monthly challenge in Claire Kingsley's group with the last item being a reread of a holiday favorite. "Unwrapped" was the perfect answer for that.
I also completed the A to Z Challenge and a full card Bingo for Carol's Crazy Bookish World. Carol's page is always a joy and if you want to learn about all kinds of books she is an excellent resource.
Here is a link if you feel like joining an awesome group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/440366536380630
I am almost finished with the 52 book B.A.N.G. Book Club Challenge and I hope to have that posted for you next week. But alas, I have new ARCs on my kindle that get my attention next.
Two things that I love about completing reading challenges:
1. I get to go through my kindle, my TBR, and even my book shelves to pull books I have been wanting to read but never found time to do so in order to meet a challenge requirement. A perfect example of this is "The Warm Up". I met Xio Axelrod at Indies Invade Philly in 2022, where I purchased the book from her. It has been on my shelf for over 2 years and I finally read it and loved it. "Quick & Dirty" is another one that I purchased more than 2 years ago but I finally read as a book beginning with the letter "Q". Now I am desperate to read the whole series.
2. It helps me read new authors. Jenny Colgan's novella met a challenge requirement of a book with a book on the cover. A new -to-me author, I really enjoyed her witty writing style and I will be looking to read more of her books in the future.
Then there are mood reads. I am thrilled that I am finally getting to tackle my TBR and the occasional mood read. "Wed to the Krampus" by Cara Wylde was a pleasant surprise. The world the book was set in was fascinating and I log to return and read about other monsters in that series. I wanted a Krampus book after remembering a conversation with some other book lovers last year. When I saw this, I knew I had to give it a try. Zero regrets.
With Christmas a few days away, and the new year rapidly approaching, I wish all of us a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. If it is filled with god books and some stolen reading time in a corner then all the better. Until next week, happy holidays and happy reading.
Reading Challenges:
#ReadingChallenge
Book Reviews:
Unwrapped by Taryn Quinn
#FriendsToLovers #MMF #LGBTQA+ #Holiday #Virgin #WhyChoose #Novella #ReRead
This is the best written MMF menage I have read. I really appreciated the way the author
handled the developing feelings of each of the relationships. Each person was an equal who brought
something different to each connection.
I loved how the guys had to address their feelings for each other as
well as their feelings for Cait. I also
really appreciated how each of them have to come to terms with their own
beliefs as well as society's over what makes a "normal" relationship
vs. the feelings they are experiencing.
I also appreciated the varied and realistic reactions they receive from
their families when they expose their relationship as a threesome.
The physical relationship between each of them was also handled well, with emotions being a big part of the physical joinings. The bedroom scenes are very hot and explicit. They are well-written and flow in a believable manner, which is not always the case in menage romance. I have to say that I really enjoyed this book to the point that I stayed up way too late to finish it rather than getting my sleep. I could see additional stories following the characters a little later down the road as they pass some of the bridges they discuss and anticipate in this book while considering their future. This was very well done and if you like a book where everyone is loving everyone you should not miss this one.
12/19/2024: My second read through this week and I still feel the same as I did 5 years ago. I will add that this book is written in third person from multiple POV.
Quick & Dirty (Quick Billionaires #1) by Whitley Cox
#Billionaire #FlingToForever
Though the prologue is written in first person from Tate’s
POV, the rest of the book is written in third person from Parker’s POV. This is
a standalone that ends with a mushy sweet HEA.
Parker is a travel journalist who has lost herself in a
toxic relationship over the past 3 years. After a nasty public break-up, she
moves on to her next assignment with a deluxe uber-exclusive resort in French
Polynesia. There she meets Tate, the billionaire owner of said resort, in one
of my favorite meet cutes of all time. Over the next 10 days, Parker
rediscovers herself, her desires, and her happiness through Tate and a series
of adventures. I loved that she was able to look inward (with a little encouragement)
and see where her current life not only made her unhappy but was a denial of
her true self. I loved her growth arc in the book as she gains confidence to
ask for what she needs and pursues what makes her happy.
Tate is a soft heart. Aside from the prologue, we learn
about Tate through Piper’s eyes. He is really something: almost too
perfect. He does have some walls up to
try to prevent heartbreak, but they are no match for the chemistry and
connection with Parker. Banging like bunnies, they help Parker break free from
boundaries she has embraced in the past. These two are hot and their chemistry
melts the page.
There was a lot to love about this book. I am seriously ready to read more of this
series. For anyone looking to fill a book challenge of a title starting with
“Q” nd loves steamy romance- here it is.
“…whether it is a visit to the next town over, a road
trip in the car or a flight to a faraway land, never stop exploring. Never stop
having fun, never stop having adventures and never stop living the life you
want to live. Because we have only one, so make the most of it.”
Wed To the Krampus (Arranged Monster Mates #12)
by Cara
Wylde
#CinnamonRollHero #Paranormal #Monster #Holiday #FatedMates #ArrangedMarriage
#Novella #Virgin
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Aura is a human woman who after losing everything goes to
the temple to donate her blood and see if she has a monster for a soulmate.
Krampus is a monster who has been alone forever. He is lonely and he is trying
to be the monster he needs to be to be good in a relationship. When he decides
to go to the Temple and see if he has a soulmate, he never envisioned how
wonderful his life could be.
I fell hard for Krampus. He is unlike any Krampus story I
have ever heard. Yes, he is huge and could be considered scary looking. But his
heart is so incredibly soft. He is so
good, kind, and sensitive. When he meets Aura, he just wants to take care of
her and convince her to love him despite his exterior. Seriously, he is my
favorite monster yet. I loved Aura’s
matter-of-fact attitude and resilience after everything she has been through.
She just wants to be loved. They realize how good they are together, develop a
fast love, and a wonderful future. Together, neither one ever needs to be
lonely again. This left me wanting more from these fantastic characters in a
setting in a world very different from my current one.
A Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan
#Holiday #RoadTrip #Novella
Written in third person, this is a standalone. Though billed
as a short story, I felt it was more like a novella at 127 pages long.
I liked Mirren’s character. Though adulthood can be a
struggle, she has maintained a good heart. She is patient with her overbearing,
dramatic mother and dotes on her great aunt Violet. I actually adored her
relationship with Violet. We should all have an auntie like her in our lives.
Theo is the beleaguered nephew of Philip; an uncle who is
more crafty than kind. Threatened, he is convinced to follow Mirren as she
searches for the rare book from her Aunt Violet’s childhood. Theo is a good guy
in a bad situation.
The star of this story is the scenery as the two traverse
England, Wales, and Scotland in search of the book. A peek into the rare book
seller world was also fun and intriguing. The author’s writing brought the
areas they visited to life and made me want to visit, even in the winter
months.
I didn’t feel that this was really a romance. Theo and
Mirren share an attraction and form the beginnings of a friendship. They flirt,
but it never goes beyond that-not even a kiss. The end of the book leaves the
possibility of a relationship open, but I couldn’t really call it a a HFN let
alone a HEA. That said, this was an enjoyable read that I finished in one
sitting.
The Warm Up by Xio Axelrod
#CinnamonRollHero #Sports #Novella
Written in third person from an alternating dual POV, this novella
is a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Zim is 27, a hockey league champion, and a quiet and
good-hearted man. Suji is 30 and the head nurse of pediatrics at a major
Philadelphia hospital. When they first meet, they share instant chemistry. Upon
their second meeting, things get interesting because Suji misunderstands Zim’s
intentions in her ward. I liked both characters. This short read packs an
emotional wallop as Zim begins his charity in honor of his lost twin sister and
Suji works in an intense and emotional environment. I love that Zim allows Suji
to see him as he really is. I liked how they fight for a relationship that they
both know can be something more than they have experienced before. I loved Zim’s
relationship with his parents and the many ways he shows Suji that he really is
a good guy.
This was a quick, steamy, heart-warming hockey romance. I
read it in one sitting and I loved every minute of it.
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