My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: My Favorite Holidate
Author: Lauren Blakely
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

Fable and Wilder are one of my favourite fake relationship couples that I’ve read in a while. They both obviously have feelings for one another from the beginning, but they’re small and subtle. Not the big, tricky forever love that I often read about. Yet, they’re also intense enough that both enjoy using their fake relationship ruse as an excuse to act on their feelings. And to get to know one another better. It’s a little bit of a love at first sight kind of feeling, but not one that made me want to roll my eyes at the predictability.

Brady might be a great catalyst for all of the nonsense that occurs in My Favorite Holidate, but he’s actually a total creep. I mean, the cheating and the horribleness is one thing, but as the story goes on, he just gets easier and easier to completely hate. He is absolutely detestable, and constantly jumping in to just be irritating. He doesn’t even seem like much of a threat to Fable and Wilder’s happiness until the very end. Mostly he’s just creepy and irritating. But then, when he does completely overstep, I love that he is completely shut down. I’m a big one for poetic justice and the “bad guy” getting their Just Desserts. But this was definitely one of my favourite ways in which this was done.

I love Fable’s creativity and the way in which she is able to create something out of nothing. I used to love making Christmas ornaments with my mum and sister, but they were most definitely never anywhere near as good as the ones which Fable creates. The fact that this gift giving is part of her love language and the way in which she shows her affection is also incredibly cute. Honestly, I spent a lot of my reading of this imagining the amazing things that Fable was able to create.

Wilder is the opposite from Fable – where she is creative, he is analytical. They might have similar personalities, but they have very different approaches to the way they experience their lives. he might be an incredibly driven man, but he’s also immensely sweet and kind of adorable. Having said that, it’s the two other women in his life who totally steal the show. His daughter, Mac, is really sweet and a bit of a firecracker, plus I love that she has a good relationship with her mother – not something I’ve read heaps of lately. Then there is Bibi. I would read a whole series of books which feature Bibi in some way, shape or form, she is an absolute hoot!

I loved the entire premise of this book and the whole journey was a lot of fun. Plus, even though this might be a standalone romance, it connects in with two more Lauren Blakely series that I can’t wait to dig my teeth into! Not that I need anymore books on my TBR… but I love that I have them to add anyway!

<- The Bromance ZoneThe Real Deal ->

Image source: Amazon

Love Me Like You Do by Erika Kelly

Book Review
Overview

Title: Love Me Like You Do
Author: Erika Kelly
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

I really like the beginning of this Christmas romance and felt like it had a whole lot of potential. But then, when I put it down, I literally forgot all about it. I figure if I put a book down and forget that I’m even reading it for a day or two, it might not be the book for me. I did give it a second and third shot after forgetting that I was even reading it… and honestly, it just didn’t click. I think that it was a little bit too slow and filled with description. Honestly, it was an okay book, but I have so many on my shelves that are must reads, that I just couldn’t quite dive into it.

Image source: Goodreads

Joyful Courage by Dr. Casey O’Roarty

Book Review,
Overview

Title: Joyful Courage: Calming the Drama and Taking Control of Your Parenting Journey
Author: Dr. Casey O’Roarty
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Mental health
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I picked this up because, as with everything, I’m trying to find ways to improve on my parenting skills. Particularly as I now have a Threenager on the loose. Whilst I don’t regret reading this, there weren’t necessarily any new ideas or wisdom imparted during this read. However, it was good to reflect on skill sets and emotional regulation that I know about, just haven’t necessarily been practicing lately. Rather than being a groundbreaking read for me, it was one in which I could use the words to reflect and remember some of the tactics that I’ve already been working on, but often forget about in the heat of the moment.

One of the aspects of this novel that I enjoyed the most is that it gave me a name with which to refer to that out of control feeling. The moment before I become “Yelley Mum”, I know that I’m starting to let my emotions run away with me. I’ve boarded the “Emotional Freight Train”. And now, everytime I manage to hop off on time and not turn into out of control yelling mum, I smile to myself and wave goodbye to the train in my mind’s eye. I like that just being able to name the feeling that I know we all have has helped me to minimise the frequency with which it barrels through our lives.

Although there were no new techniques suggested in this for me, I’m also aware that I’ve been through a fair bit of therapy and I’m currently studying to become a therapist. Examining my responses, triggers and emotions is all part of the parcel. But, it still reminded me to do so in my own parenting journey as well as my personal life. And for someone who hasn’t necessarily had the opportunities to use these techniques, this would be a great and open way to start exploring some of these ideas.

Image source: bol.com

Joy to the World by Nicole Zoltack

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Joy to the World
Author: Nicole Zoltack
In: Twelve Lords for Christmas (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I enjoyed this novella, it was a light and easy story that I got through pretty quickly. However, I wasn’t completely obsessed, and I don’t know if I want to read more Zoltack or not. It was a fun story, but one that was also somewhat forgettable. Just a simple and pleasant way to pass time, entering a world of regency romance at Christmas time.

Joy to the World features a false marriage proposal and blackmail which leads to real love and a happily ever after. I like that Eliza spends a lot of this story thinking through her choices and refusing to be tricked for a second time. When one Duke replaces another, she doesn’t just dive into her new situation, but rather, wonders what she needs to do to actually have a happy and healthy life. She doesn’t just dive into this new world without thought.

This wasn’t necessarily much of a Christmas story, but it was still one that I enjoyed. I like that everything takes place at Christmas-time, but it isn’t the focus of the story. This is a hard novella to write a review about, because whilst it was enjoyable, it wasn’t necessarily unforgettable. It was just… simple, pleasant and quite cute.

<- A Most Inconvenient EarlThe Lady’s Guide to Mistletoe and Mayhem ->

Image source: Amazon

It’s Hotter at Christmas by HelenKay Dimon

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: It’s Hotter at Christmas
Author: HelenKay Dimon
In: Kissing Santa Claus (Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

I didn’t mind this story, and even though it’s technically part of a series, the not minding means that I’m counting this as a standalone. Not a bad story, but not one that had me overly keen to dive into anymore of Dimon’s writing. I think the thing about this that I loved the most was the idea of celebrating Christmas in Hawaii. It was definitely a lot more similar to the kinds of Christmases that I’m used to. Hot, sunny and filled with joy.

As someone who lives in a bit of a tourist region, I totally get Ted’s hesitation on welcoming Marissa into his life. It doesn’t matter where you live, there are still the same everyday concerns. Plus, tourist regions are more expensive. I loved how straight to the point he was about this. And how his hesitation to committing to Marissa was based in reality. But, he was also refusing to consider the exception to the norm when he laid down the law.

Marissa is somewhat feisty. But in a kind of awkward way. It feels very point on and just… loud. Not the kind of feisty heroine that I tend to prefer. Probably part of the reason that I’m not completely obsessed with this story like I wish I was.

<- Bah, Handsome!Kissing Santa Claus ->

Image source: Amazon

Ho Ho Hell No by Skye Winter

Book Review
Overview

Title: Ho Ho Hell No
Author: Skye Winter
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

I really wanted to like this novel, but honestly, I read two chapters and had absolutely no interest in continuing. I think that this was story was trying way too hard to have a “unique” and sassy lead. But honestly, she wasn’t sassy at all. And I couldn’t relate to the characters at all. So on to my next attempt at a fun Christmas tale.

Daphne by Dawn Raffel

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for xo orpheus book cover

Title: Daphne
Author: Dawn Raffel
In: Xo Orpheus (Kate Bernheimer)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Feminism, Greek mythology, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2013

Thoughts

Daphne was an enjoyable and fun short story. Rather than focusing on the original tale of Daphne, it focuses on what happened after. After her initial gratefulness to escaping Apollo’s unwanted affections, she begins to feel resentment. And I mean, why not? Not only is his attempt at assault and not understanding no the reason why she was turned into a tree, she was then completely forgotten.

I love how Raffel uses a number of different techniques to tell this story. You really get a feel for Daphen’s emotions and her resentment. It also consistently and constantly mocks the men within the Greek pantheon. Describing them as arthritic and impotent at a number of points. Which, I for one found hilarious. Especially when compared with the freedom being older affords Daphne and the other women.

This didn’t quite end the way I anticipated – rather than being a happy ever after with a young and beautiful heroine, it was one in which age is embraced. The freedom that comes with no longer having to conform to a certain standard of beauty and age. I, for one, can’t wait to get to this point in my life!

<- The Last Flight of DaedalusDemeter ->

Image source: Goodreads

Crystal Skull by Jessica Andersen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Crystal Skull
Author: Jessica Andersen
In: On the Hunt (Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Andersen & Deidre Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

Thoughts

The Crystal Skull had a bit of an Indiana Jones kind of vibe to it. But with a paranormal spin. It made it very easy to dive into it, and the novella length meant that I really didn’t have to stress too much about the fact that I didn’t want to put this down. The action, the archaeological dig and the finding of things that go bump in the night were wonderfully enjoyable in and of themselves. Then, add in the romantic angle, the forgiveness and the hints of a greater world out there, and you have yourself a story that is incredibly difficult to put down.

JT and Natalie are obviously going to end up together from the very beginning. And overall, they manage to build a fairly good relationship. Although, it was kind of quick. I mean, they started off as a fling, split up, and then all of the paranormal drama of this story brings them back together. And they quickly realise how much they love each other and start their happily ever after. There’s a whole lot of action in between, but I do like that, ultimately they support each other in their somewhat ill-advised compulsive moments (alright, Natalie’s somewhat ill-advised compulsions).

I remember the whole scare of the world ending (using the Mayan Calendars), and I like that this is obviously part of a series that was created in the build up to this. However, even though the premise was enjoyable, I don’t think that it’s one that I’ll continue on with. It was a well-written and good story. But, the idea feels a little bit dated now that we are almost ten years past this point. Maybe I’ll just have to dive into something else written by Jessica Andersen (that I can find in eBook form).

<- The CollectorRed Angel ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

A Brief Lesson in Native American Astronomy by Rebecca Roanhorse

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Brief Lesson in Native American Astronomy
Author: Rebecca Roanhorse
In: The Mythic Dream (Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Retellings, Space
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I’m beginning to realise that if I pick up a story by Roanhorse, it’s probably going to be dark and twisty stuff. And I’m entirely on board with that. So far, I’ve loved everything that I’ve read by her. And A Brief Lesson in Native American Astronomy was no different. A retelling of a myth that I’ve never known (but plan to look up), space and well, I guess a sort of zombie that left me feeling quite uncomfortable. What more could you want?

I really want to read the Deer Hunter and the White Corn Maiden now, as it isn’t one that I actually know. Plus, I want to see what dark elements Roanhorse has added, and what are actually a part of the original. I know that the space elements are definitely unique to this version, I want to know what else is…

At the core of this tale is that we need to sometimes just let people go. It’s all about obsessive love and not being able to say goodbye. And sometimes, if we can’t let them go, we damage ourselves and those around us. I definitely felt like cringing and curling up into the foetal position at the end of this tale, that’s for sure.

<- Fisher-BirdBridge of Crows ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

Bah, Handsome! by Jill Shalvis

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Bah, Handsome!
Author: Jill Shalvis
In: Kissing Santa Claus (Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

Hope and Danny start out this Christmas novella on two different sides of the fence to begin with. But, I love that Danny quickly decides to work with Hope, rather than against her. Indeed, her fight with her brother to keep her B&B inspires him to move forward with his life in a different direction to what he had maybe previously planned. They end up working incredibly well together, and I really enjoyed how Danny’s quiet support and presence is what ultimately wins Hope over. Even if she fights it right up until the very end.

Although I really enjoyed this story, I didn’t love that Hope’s financial pressures and situation weren’t actually resolved at the end of this story. I mean, there was the great happily ever after, but I wanted to know more about her wonderful future. It’s all well and good that Danny’s future is kind of sorted, and that he’s told the horrible loan shark to go take a hike. But, I wanted to know that that had some kind of positive impact on Hope’ls looming deadline.

I really enjoyed the idea of a couple falling in love at a cute little B&B. At Christmas time. As the snow falls all around them. This was just cute, simple and sweet. Nothing really intense as far as plot line, but I didn’t need an intensity to the plot line when I chose to read this Christmas romance. I wanted something cute, enjoyable and with all of the happiness and sweetness that a good Christmas romance entails.

<- Lock, Stock and Jingle BellsIt’s Hotter at Christmas ->

Image source: Amazon