Bookish Posts and Books Read of Week of December 10th through December 16th
So this week was such a slow reading week for me and I have to tell you I am really missing reading books! But these end of year posts really take time since I am doing them both here and for instagram. December is just such a busy month for me, its also why I try to get the majority of my reading done before December. But even though this week was a slower reading week, it was still a great reading week with 7 books read even if one of these books was a DNF. And I also have been watching many Christmas movies. I normally have a whole list in December I like to go through. Tomorrow I will have a list if you are looking for some good Christmas movies to watch. Can you believe we are this close to Christmas? And 2 weeks away from 2024? That is insane peeps. What a fun ride 2023 has been so far. If you want to see my go to list of christmas movies check out my post HERE
(All my books read and their reviews are on Goodreads, I have linked for you)
List and Link book reviews with ratings and descriptions of opinions via goodreads
Book Read-How the Hitman Stole Christmas by Sam Mariano—Rating 4.5 Stars—This book was wild fun! If you love dark romance then I highly recommend this one. Other than the assassin aspect, it had such charm and sweet romantic notes to it and the Christmas vibe was just right. I just had a blast. Definitely want to buy this one.
Book Read-Do Not Forsake Me by Rosanne Bittner—Rating 5 Stars—So this was a reread. I had a very close friend read this, so I decided to do a reread of it even though I practically have this series memorized by now haha
Book DNF-Among the Heather by Samantha Young—So I wanted to love this, I really did. But this book is not a good one. The heroine was horrid and toxic and abusive and I just couldn’t go more than 40%. I just had to drop it. This is one of my hard limits when the hero is being abused for no good reason other than the heroine not willing to face the truth. She was constantly demeaning the hero and physically attacked him and by that I mean she kicks him in the groin (this is NEVER okay unless you are defending yourself from being attacked or raped) And there is zero justification for how she treats him. I couldn’t believe I was reading a Samantha Young, she always writes good heroines, so I was so disappointed.
Book Read-a De Russe Christmas Miracle by Kathryn Le Veque—Rating 5 Stars—This book was beyond delightful. I had such a fun time with it. If you are looking for a christmas book that is full of heart and Christmas magic and the true spiritual meaning behind the holiday, you need this book in your life. And you can read it on its own if you want to. I have only read one book in this series, and its just about the family getting together for Christmas and man it melted my heart. Seriously if you enjoy historical romance, read this book.
Book Read-Captive of the Horde King by Zoey Draven—-Rating 4.25 Stars—This was a really fun read! I absolutely loved it. While it wasn’t perfect or anything, I really enjoyed this sci fi/epic fantasy themed story. If you liked Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley, I highly recommend these books. It has a epic fantasy theme on a planet with a barbarian warlord type of hero. Very fascinating and just was a wild ride. And very eager to see how the series grows here.
Book Read-God of Fury by Rina Kent—Rating 4.5 Stars–This book was wild and crazy and full of heart. This was also the first MM romance that this author has written. It was highly impactful. I do think its one of the better books of the series. While its not my favorite,
Book Read-Christmas in a Cowboy’s Arms Anthology—Rating 4 Stars–Such a fun anthology. I don’t get a chance to read too many of these, but all the stories were quite fun. My favorite was the Rosanne Bittner one, but all were completely solid and had strong western Christmas vibes to it.
Bookish Posts to Look Forward To
Elite Romance of New To Me Authors
Elite Newly Published Works
Elite Book Covers
Elite Atmospheric Reads
Christmas Book Tag
Current Reads
Well I have a current great lineup here. The first being Kingdom of Corruption by Bella Di Corte. This is book 4 in the Fausti Family series and I can’t wait to get to this one. It most likely will be a romantic suspense feel and I am eager for that. Then we have A Marriage Made in Scandal by Elisa Braden and I am eager to return to Elisa Braden. The later books in the series have been beyond exceptional. I am finally getting back to Aja James with Pure Destiny, and eager to return to this world again. This isn’t a couple I am super invested in so I have been dragging my feet, but I want to get to the dragons so I really need to finish this series off. Hold Fast is a book I have been seeing a bit on Instagram and booktube and I am highly intrigued. Its supposed to have Julie Garwood vibes so I am curious about it. Then I had to add a Christmas romance to the mixup so I decided to grab up The Christmas Blanet by Kandi Steiner. While this authors’ sports romances don’t always work for me, I have been wanting to try out her small town books so I am very eager for this one here.
Book Releases I am Excited For
Hero’s Flight by Janie Crouch
Big Dick Energy by Lani Lynn Vale
Saving 6 by Chloe Walsh
My Weekly TBR
These are books that I have for what I term a flexible TBR shelf for the week. As some of you know, I have been working on switching from being a mood reader to a TBR reader where I just work around a flexible weekly TBR. This week I am starting on the Christmas reads alongside with some new releases and series I am working through.
Favorite Book of the Week
New Additions to AR Library
I am working my way through collecting KA in physical form. I just love these collector editions for the Rock Chicks. I now have my tairen soul series complete. I wanted to get these before the new covers come out and they become harder to find. And of course, I also want to get physical copies of her other series. I just love these covers so much. Linda Kage has a new series coming out so of course I couldn’t resist. And excited for more of KA Tucker.
Seven books is a solid week. I had no idea you had an IG. Just went to follow. Those bookstagram accounts are a lot of work, so that, a job, and seven books is a big accomplishment.
December is always a slow reading month for me too!
I have been in a major reading lull. Still you got 7 books in which is great!! Have a great week!
I had hoped you would enjoy Among the Heather. I know how much you were looking forward to it. At least you had plenty of other splendid reads 🙂 Have an amazing week, sweets!! xo
I can’t believe there’s only two more weeks left before 2024! I used to love Samantha Young, but I’ve had several disappointments from her so I don’t even bother now. I think either my reading tastes have changed or her writing has.
I’ve been mostly reading holiday romance anthologies. The novella lengths are working for my busy life right now.
Yep, in a little awe that Christmas is less than a week away. There are only so many hours in a day so it makes sense that reading had to take a hit for your wonderful Best of posts and vote. So fab of you to do all that, Renee. Oh yup, the Rosanne Bittner series is going to be a re-read for me at some point, too.
Have a good week, Renee!
My reading has been super slow the last two months. I’m so looking forward to getting back into my regular routine after the first of the year. I’ve manage only one Christmas movie so far… I need to step up and watch some more in the next few days!