November flew by and I felt like I was getting a little of my reading groove back. I did a little mood reading, finding comfort in shifters, some erotica novellas, and a cozy why choose reread. I also read four ARCs- three of which were holiday romances. My reads this month also included a total of four new-to-me authors.
I saw a post that Laurann Dohner was battling a recent diagnosis of colon cancer. That is what my hubby has been fighting since the end of January this year. I picked up her Nightwind Pack series in solidarity and support, and I really enjoyed them. Her co-author on that series, Kele Moon, was also a new-to-me author. I read my first book by Roxie Ray after seeing numerous Facebook ads that kept grabbing my attention. I adored the concept of a neurodiverse werewolf and she really delivered. The novel was fun, sassy, and everything I hoped it would be. I also picked up "Stuck on Them" by Maya Nicole for the same reason. As I started reading it felt familiar, and sure enough I read it a couple years ago. That didn't stop me from reading it again though. I really need to move on to the next book in the series, LOL.
Life is busy, sometimes sad, and the holidays are now upon us. Adjusting to the hubby's terminal prognosis has been hard. He and I are taking some bucket list trips while he is still well enough to go. We are enjoying spending time together doing some of the little things too. In November, we took almost a week for a road trip across Colorado, up through Nebraska to South Dakota, across Wyoming and back through Colorado to home. We saw Car Henge, visited our first Buc-ees, saw Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, the Black Hills, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. It was a good trial run on traveling with his newest bag attachment. (He now has bilateral nephrostomy tubes and an ileostomy.) In December, we are taking a first class trip to Kauai, Hawaii- a new state for both of us.
No one knows what the future holds, but I do know one thing. Talented authors will continue to publish books which take us away into new worlds where we can escape for a bit. For that, I am ever so thankful.
Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely
ARC: Release Date-10/28/2025
#BrothersBestFriend #FakeRelationship #GrumpySunshine
#Holiday #SingleDad #Sports #ARC
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. It is written in first person from an
alternating dual POV, can be read as a standalone, and ends with a HEA.
Fun banter abounds as Isla challenges Rowan to set aside his
Grinch persona and embrace the holiday season. I love their bets, their secret
crush, and the fun little dates they go on while “fake” dating. Their chemistry
is electric, and the spicy scenes were fun to read. Spending the Christmas
holiday in the small town of Evergreen Falls allows the characters to
participate in the various small-town competitions and leads to laughter along
the way. Rowan is walled up to avoid being hurt again. I do love how he is with
his daughter, Mia, and his little dog, Wanda. I also really enjoyed that both
characters have parents they are close to and that are madly in love.
This was my first holiday read of the season, and I really
enjoyed it.
A Grump in Moose Falls (Moose Falls #2) by Emily Silver
ARC: Release Date- 11/07/2025
#FriendsToLovers #FakeRelationship #GrumpyHero #Holiday #LGBTQIA+
#MM #Virgin #SmallTown #ARC
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. It is written in first person from an
alternating dual POV, can be read as a standalone, and ends with a
heart-warming HEA.
Ollie is an awkward, nerdy, anxious hero that I absolutely
adored. Hunter is more self-assured, a little grumpy, and rocking the
lumberjack vibe. When Ollie needs a fake boyfriend for a work holiday party,
Hunter steps up for the role. Friends since they were babies, they really know
each other. It was a joy to read as they finally see each other as more than
their best friend. Spicy times are hot and tender. The support they offer each
other is dreamy. This was a fast read that carried all of the warm holiday
feelings of love and peace and hope.
Yule Be Mine by Piper Rayne
ARC: Release Date-11/13/2025
#CinnamonRollHero #ForcedProximity #OneBed #Holiday #SmallTown #ARC
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. It is written in first person from an
alternating dual POV, can be read as a standalone, and ends with a HEA.
Carter and Ashley have a little history they have to
overcome at the beginning of this book. Fortunately, Carter quickly wins Ashley
over with his kindness and his genuine good guy personality. Meanwhile, Carter
falls seriously hard for Ashley: twin sister of his best friend, and maid of
hone to his best man for the holiday wedding. I loved how Carter couldn’t help
himself in being of awe of Ashley. They work well together finalizing the plans
for Steph and Doug’s wedding. Their chemistry leads to some spicy snowy times
that are both tender and hot.
Small town holiday festivities abound and bring some laughs
along the way. I loved the idea of a Santa festival! This was a quick, fun
read, that left me feeling warm and cozy inside. Now I want to put up my tree.
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The Flirting Game (Love and Hockey #6)
by Lauren Blakely
ARC: Release Date- 12/12/2025
#OppositesAttract #Sports #ReadAndListen #FakeRelationship
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. Written in first person from an alternating
dual POV, this can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
I started this book on audio as part of the Audible Plus
catalog. It is narrated in duet by Sean Masters and Brooke Bloomingdale. I
found their narration of the book to be funny and a very enjoyable listen. They
really brought the characters to life. I finished the book as an eBook ARC from
the author.
Skylar is bold, strong in her beliefs, and a little bit of a
mess. But she owns it and I love her for it. Ford is focused on having the best
last season in the NHL and is completely committed to his career. Skylar
completely upends his world. I loved the way they both are with their dogs.
Zamboni and Simon are excellent secondary characters. They can’t resist the
heat between them and the way they actually like each other. Ford gives good
grovel to get their HEA, but only because he beat Skylar to it.
This was a fun read and listen.
The Cuddle Clause by Roxie Ray
#Paranormal #Shifter #ForcedProximity #FakeRelationship
#GrumpySunshine
This standalone romance is written in first person from an
alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA. I kept clicking on the Facebook ad
for this one till I finally just decided to read it already. I am not sorry.
Maggie is a little down on her luck when she finds what she
thinks is the perfect roommate arrangement. Roman, a neurodivergent werewolf
shifter, needs someone like Maggie more than he realizes. I loved Maggie’s
acceptance of Roman. I loved her snark and her sense of humor. I loved how they
were able to be friends who gave each other the quiet moments when they were needed.
Their attraction was steady and they really couldn’t help but give in. I loved how Roman takes care of Maggie. I
adored how he fell hard for her.
This was a fun read with the just right amount of heat
blended with humor. The characters were likeable and I loved how they each grew
in their own ways, and healed to some extent, as they got to their HEA.
🐾 For fans of:
→ fake dating with fangs
→ grumpy/sunshine but genderflipped
→ structured touch, cozy spice, and emotional support cuddles
→ neurodivergent romance that doesn’t center trauma
→ one (1) sacred plate
Stuck on Them (Why Choose Them Standalones)
by Maya Nicole
#ReverseHarem #WhyChoose #MFMM #Workplace #OneNightStand #CurvyGirl #Reread
Just as good the second time around. A very well done, hot,
why choose romance.
This super steamy contemporary why choose romance is written
in first person from alternating multiple POV and ends with a HEA. This was my first book by this author, and
I really enjoyed it.
I was intrigued when I saw the blurb for this one, and I was
excited I could squeeze it in between arc reads. It had many funny moments, lots of seriously
hot times, and characters that were easy to love. Sometimes in this type of book I feel like
the characters don't really get a chance to be developed. There are so many and you have to have the
physical relationship evolve too. It makes it tough to make the characters more
than a caricature. That is not the case
with this book. I felt like each of the
men and Paige were thoughtfully developed.
I was able to get to know what drives each of them and what their
baggage entailed. I love that each character has moments of vulnerability. I love that they struggle in the beginning
and have to develop communication in order for the relationship to survive.
Paige is a force of a woman.
I love how she pushes past her heartbreak and her vulnerabilities to go
after what she really wants. I love how
she supports each man in a different way and how she helps each of them grow
while they help her do the same. Her
sticky note obsession was something I really identified with too. I couldn't
put this one down. If you haven't read
the why choose trope before this is an excellent place to start.
Claimed (Nightwind Pack #1)
by Laurann Dohner and Kele Moon
#Paranormal #Shifter
Written in third person from a dua POV, this book can be
read as a standalone and ends with HEA. I picked up this book out of KU from
this new-to-me author to help support her after she had a recent medical
diagnosis. I am not sorry. And I bought
the rest of the series. I can’t wait to read the rest of them.
Brandi is a confident professional woman who draws a short
straw and is abducted from a gas station. She is a feisty fighter though and
she runs. Her screams draw the attention of Nightwind shifter, Jason, who come
to her rescue. Their chemistry is HOT and when an accidental mating heat is initiated,
they had to fix it right?
I loved the elements of danger and the devotion and
obsession Jason has for Brandi. Brandi has a level head. I really liked her
character. I loved the side characters, and I am looking forward to them
getting happy endings.
Shattered (Nightwind Pack #2)
by Laurann Dohner and Kele
Moon
#SecondChance #Paranormal #Shifter
Written in third person, this can be read as a standalone
and ends with a HEA. Readers may find the most enjoyment, however, by reading
this series in publication order as characters overlap between books and an
over-arching plot takes place across the series.
Amber comes home reluctantly to be with her dying mother.
Desmon has missed the mate who got away all those years ago. As
misunderstandings are cleared, it is heart-breakingly obvious that they could
have avoided their time apart. They have insane chemistry. I love how their
knowledge of each other from childhood allows them to rebuild some trust. They
face forces who try to keep them apart, which makes their HEA even sweeter.
This was a fun read with some heat, suspense, and family
drama that kept me engaged.
Cursed (Nightwind Pack #3)
by Laurann Dohner and Kele Moon
#RomanticSuspense #Paranormal #Shifter
Written in third person from an alternating dual POV, this action-packed
book ends with a HEA. Though Jazz and Shawna’s story is contained in this book,
readers will want to read this series in order due to an over-arching plot
through the series.
I have a serious girl crush on Shawna. She is a warrior, a
survivor, and a true bada$$. She has taught herself how to defend herself out
of necessity and I adored her. Jazz is a kindhearted alpha who is 100%
committed to Shawna. I loved their chemistry and their banter. I also really
loved Shawna’s relationship with other pack members, especially Jason. There is
a lot of action in this one and I couldn’t put it down.
Tempted (Nightwind Pack #4)
by Laurann Dohner and Kele Moon
#RomanticSuspence #Paranormal #Shifter
Written in third person, book four in the series ends in a
HEA. Though Kade and Lauren’s story is contained in this book, readers will
find the most enjoyment reading this series in order.
Lauren is human, and a little oblivious until she is forced
into a situation where reality becomes undeniable. I love her bravery and the
way she accepts the changes that confront her. I adored her friendship with
Roni. Kade is sensitive but tough. He falls fast and hard for the spunky human.
I loved the heat between them. I adored Kade’s relationship with his brothers.
There is a lot of action in this book as danger surrounds the pack.
This was a fun read, and I want more books in this series.
Fresh Cream (Milk for the Minotaurs #1) by X. Callisto
#Erotica #MFMM #WhyChoose #ReverseHarem #HuCow #Novella
A smutty quick read that was enjoyable.
Four Lawyers and a Hot Wife by Lacey Cross
#Erotica #HotWife #FreeUse
This short story collection was smutty smexy fun. Easy to
read and full of hot times as Miranda gets to know her bosses very, very well.
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