Our Violent Ends | Book Review

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About The Book
In 1927 Shanghai, Juliette must make Roma believe she’s guilty of murder to protect him from the Scarlets, while Roma, still grieving his best friend’s death, is determined to set things right. Amidst rising political tensions and a monstrous new threat, they must team up to save the city. But as they battle danger and secrets, their tangled feelings for each other become the greatest challenge.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4hjcxK9

My Rating

This is the exciting sequel and conclusion to the These Violent Delights duology. For some context, it’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, and this book picks up right where the first one left off. It’s packed with just as much action and excitement, so be warned there are spoilers ahead!

We once again follow Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov. After everything that happened in the first book, they’re not on the best terms, but their feelings for each other are still there. This creates a lot of tension in the story as they try to navigate their personal drama while dealing with political and dangerous situations.

I actually liked the plot of this book even more than the first one. The slow-burn romance between Juliette and Roma is still there, keeping all the tension and angst without feeling repetitive. I’m honestly amazed at how Chloe Gong kept me hooked, especially since I usually prefer faster-paced romances.

The world-building in this series is so interesting, and all the characters are fun to read about. There’s also another romance in this book that I loved, adding even more to the story. Gong does such a great job creating an immersive world and characters that feel real.

“In this life and the next, for however long our souls remain, mine will always find yours.”

The plot kept me just as engaged as the first book. It builds on everything from book one and ties things together really well. I was hooked from start to finish, enjoying all the twists and surprises.

There was never a dull moment for me. There were some really heartbreaking parts that made me feel so much for the characters, and the ending hit me hard. I’m a sucker for a happier ending in Romeo and Juliet retellings, even though I know their story is always meant to end tragically.

Overall, this was an amazing and satisfying conclusion to Chloe Gong’s duology. I can’t wait to read more of her books, as she’s quickly become one of my favorite authors. If you haven’t started this series yet, I definitely recommend it!

Please let me know if you’ve read anything by this author! It would mean a lot if you could like this post, leave a comment, and share it with a friend. If you’d like to go the extra mile to help my blog grow, please consider following it.

Until the next chapter,
Bunny

A Touch Of Darkness | Book Review

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About The Book
Persephone, the Goddess of Spring, has always caused flowers to wither at her touch. After a fateful card game with Hades, the God of the Dead, she’s bound by a contract to create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom. As she battles her own limitations and spends more time with Hades, she begins to wonder if her freedom isn’t the only thing at risk—but her heart as well.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4jeBlVd

My Rating

I want to gush about this book and say how amazing it is, but I’m having a hard time putting my thoughts into words. This doesn’t usually happen with my book reviews, so please excuse this one if it isn’t the most articulate. The main takeaway is that I absolutely loved this book and the romance. It’s one of those stories that isn’t particularly fast-paced, but you simply cannot put it down.

In the book, we follow Persephone and Hades, and if you couldn’t already guess, it’s a Persephone and Hades retelling. I didn’t know much about these two going into the book, but I want to mention this in case you’re really into Greek mythology. Persephone is a college student who gets lured into Hades’ world after unknowingly making a bet with him. Persephone isn’t naïve, nor is she afraid to stand up to Hades, which I loved about her.

Hades was very protective of Persephone early on. I adored how it almost felt like he fell in love with her first. Despite his feelings, he didn’t try to control her. He wanted her to see his softer side and understand that he wasn’t the evil god she initially believed him to be. There’s always a reason behind the choices he made and the things he did. I really enjoyed seeing this side of him while he still maintained his strong, intimidating god-like presence.

“Darling, that’s only the start of what I want to do to you.”

The plot was so engaging, and the conflict throughout the book was very understandable. There wasn’t much miscommunication, and let me just say—the spice was amazing! If you’re a closed-door romance reader, you could probably enjoy this book by skipping the spicy scenes, but for me, it was about a four out of five on the spice scale. That said, the book isn’t overloaded with spicy moments—it definitely prioritizes the story over smut.

The writing style was fantastic, and I felt the book ended nicely. I’m curious to see where the next book in the series will go. I especially loved how we got a few chapters from Hades’ perspective at the end. There’s also a book series that tells the same story solely from his perspective. While some might find it odd to read the same story twice, that’s just how good this book was—I’m honestly dying to see the story through his eyes.

Overall, this is such a good book—it’s seriously addictive. It’s a retelling, somewhat romantasy, and spicy read, which are all things I gravitate towards. I honestly don’t think I have any cons for this book, which is rare! It wasn’t too dark or overly insta-lovey—it had more of an ‘attraction at first sight’ vibe, which I found to be a nice touch.

In the comments, let me know if this book is on your TBR—do you enjoy mythology retellings? If you love book reviews and all things bookish, don’t forget to hit the follow button before you go!

Until the next chapter,
Bunny

January 2025 | To Be Read

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Hi Friends,
Today I’m sharing my January 2025 TBR! I’m so excited for a new year, and I know there are only good things ahead. To make picking my TBR a little more fun (and because I’m terrible at coming up with bookish prompts), I decided to buy some amazing TBR cards off Etsy. I picked six prompt cards this month because I wanted to start the year with a realistic TBR. As a mood reader, I’m not always great at sticking to a TBR, but some months I may pick more prompts—like eight—depending on how much of a challenge I’m up for. Let’s jump into the cards I picked and the books I’ll be reading!

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4gBATyF

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Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4gWTYLG

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4fNvQd5

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4gK7N09

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4fO1tmT

Book Club
Some of you might not know that I’m a Rosy Sunday Social Club chapter host! For January, our pick is Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. I honestly know very little about this book, except that Sally Rooney typically writes adult literary fiction. There will be a happy hour discussion for this book, and you can grab free tickets [here]! I’d love for you to read the book and join me for a fun bookish conversation so we can share our thoughts!

In the comments, let me know what’s on your TBR for the month. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other readers! If you’d like to help my blog grow, please hit the follow button to get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Books With Bunny Featured | Rent. Article

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Hi Friends,
I am so excited to share that Books With Bunny was featured in a recent Rent. article!

Rent. article blurb:
In the hustle of daily life, it’s easy to forget to pause and be present. Slow living encourages us to savor the moment and prioritize what truly matters. As winter sets in, whether you’re cozying up at home in Bend, OR, Burlington, VT, or an apartment in Edgewater, NJ, slowing down during these colder months creates space for rest, renewal, and a deeper connection with yourself.

Read the full article here: 6 Ways to Embrace Slow Living This Winter | Rent.
Rent is a subsidiary of Redfin.com

It was such an honor to be asked to participate in the article, and I really hope you all check it out. I read the article and think it was a really wonderful piece about embracing slow living, which is something I’m trying to focus on this winter. As always, please make sure to hit the follow button before you leave, as it keeps you updated with all my blog content and helps my blog grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Best Books Of 2024!

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Hi Friends,
Today we’re doing my ‘Best Books of 2024’ post! I’m actually super excited to share this, because I had such a great reading year in 2024. I read so many five-star books and discovered a ton of new favorites. It might have actually been my best year since starting my blog, which is crazy to think about! Without further ado, here are the best books of 2024, according to me.


12. Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
This book surprised me, because I didn’t even know it existed until it was recommended to me. I loved the witchy aspects of the story and the romance plot. I had such a good time reading this book, and didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. It’s definitely an underrated gem that fans of romance with magical elements should check out.
Related Post: Witch Of Wild Things | Book Review


11. Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong
This is the conclusion to the Violent Delights duology, and as a whole, I truly enjoyed this series. The ending was done so well—I loved so many elements of this book, and the characters are amazing. There were moments when I cried, was shocked, and couldn’t put it down. The ending was intense and fast-paced, keeping me invested the entire time.


10. A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
I loved every second of this book. It’s a spicy Hades and Persephone retelling that I think about all the time. If you’re looking for a book with great spice and a compelling plot, this is it. I didn’t know much about the original Hades and Persephone myth going into it, but I had such an amazing time reading it, and I’m excited to continue with the series.


9. Reckless by Elsie Silver
This is part of the Chestnut Springs interconnected standalone romance series, and it came as no surprise that I loved this book. After reading the first book in the series, I knew I’d be obsessed with Winter’s character and connect with her on a deeper level—and I wasn’t wrong. This book features a trope I haven’t read much of, and I really enjoyed it. I loved the pacing and romance, even though I’m not usually a fan of the “older woman, younger man” trope. Winter’s character, and her similarities to me, really made this book special.


8. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
This cozy fantasy may not be for everyone, but I found it incredibly enjoyable. I loved the world-building and the journal-entry format—it’s such a fun way to tell a story. Emily and Wendell’s characters were great, and their romance was done perfectly. It wasn’t the main focus, but their connection was clear, which I really liked in a cozy fantasy.
Related Post: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries | Book Review


7. How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
I haven’t enjoyed many books by Grady Hendrix, so I went into this one with low expectations—but I ended up sobbing by the end. It completely blew me away and made it onto my best books of the year list. This is a grim horror involving puppets (I know, that sounds wild, but trust me). If you’re a horror reader, give this one a chance—you won’t be disappointed.


6. Powerless by Elsie Silver
Another book from the Chestnut Springs series, and it features the friends-to-lovers trope. I can’t explain why I loved this book so much, but I think it has a lot to do with Sloan and Jasper’s characters. Their personalities made this book so good. I also loved the character development, which is something I really enjoy in romance novels.


5. Wisteria by Adalyn Grace
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’re probably not surprised to see the third book in the Belladonna series on my best books of 2024 list. This is one of my all-time favorite fantasy romance series, and I recommend it all the time. I’m sad it’s the final full-length book in the series, but I loved how it was wrapped up. As a Blythe fan, I’m so glad we got a book from her point of view.


4. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
If you enjoy lyrical writing and historical fiction with magical elements, this duology is for you! I can’t explain how incredibly well-written this book is, and the plot is like nothing I’ve read before. Iris and Rowan are literal couple goals. Their chemistry was off the charts, and the pacing was perfect—so much happened, and the world-building was incredible.
Related Post: Divine Rivals | Book Review


3. Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
I’ve never read a thriller with such a shocking twist. I couldn’t put this book down and binged it in one sitting. I’m probably late to the game on this one, but if you haven’t read it, you definitely should. If you love mysteries with isolated settings, family drama, and a Halloween backdrop, this book is for you.
Related Post: Daisy Darker | Book Review


2. Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
I had mixed feelings going into this one, but I couldn’t put it down. There were so many moments that had me giggling and blushing. This is the perfect book for someone just getting into the romantasy genre. While there’s actual romance in the book, you can tell where it’s headed, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. The MMC and FMC are perfect for each other, and the ending left me eager for the sequel.


1. Happy Place by Emily Henry
I can’t believe my favorite book of 2024 is a second-chance romance. I’m usually not a fan of this trope, but this book struck such a chord with me. I felt all the feels. I think you have to be in a very specific place in your life to fully appreciate this story, but everything from the characters to the plot, romance, and conflict was perfect. This is a book I’ll be recommending for years to come.
Related Post: Happy Place | Book Review

And there you have it—my best books of 2024! Please hit the follow button so you never miss my new posts, and I’d love to hear your favorite books of 2024 in the comments. Do you agree with my list? Let’s chat!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Worst Books Of 2024!

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Hi Friends,
Today, I’m sharing my ‘Worst Books of 2024’ post. I do this every year, and I always like to include a disclaimer. This is not me hating on anyone who enjoyed these books or the authors. These are simply stories that didn’t work for me or that I didn’t enjoy—and that’s totally okay. Reading is subjective, and it’s perfectly fine to share your honest thoughts about a book. So, let’s dive into my list of the worst books of 2024!


12. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz (Author), Stephen Gammell (Illustrator)
I don’t think this is necessarily a bad book, but there wasn’t much to it. It’s a collection of middle-grade spooky stories. My husband actually read it as a child, and these stories scared him a lot. However, reading it as an adult, I had a very different opinion. Some of the stories are quite cheesy, with a few silly ones and, yes, a couple of creepy ones. Overall, though, it was a very simple book that didn’t entertain me much, which is why it’s on this list.


11. Mistletoe Season by Kathleen Fuller, Pepper Basham, and Sheila Roberts
This is another book I didn’t exactly hate, but I didn’t love either. Surprise, surprise—it’s a collection of short holiday stories. I’ve been pretty vocal in the past about not typically enjoying short story collections, so it shouldn’t come as a shock that this book made this list. Unfortunately, the stories didn’t stand out, and I wasn’t a fan of most of them. It’s not a book I’m likely to remember, and it’s one I probably wouldn’t recommend.
Related Post: Mistletoe Season | Book Review


10. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
I hate including this book on this list or even giving it a rating because it’s a poetry collection, and it’s clear the poems are very personal to the author. However, poetry is a genre I don’t usually read, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. As one of my first poetry collections, I found it a bit too heavy. The subject matter was quite intense and not at all what I anticipated. While I can see how many readers might resonate with some of the poems, I didn’t feel any real connection to them personally.


9. I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang
I had such high hopes for this book, but it ended up being a major letdown. I’m not sure if I’m just aging out of YA, but the storyline didn’t unfold the way I expected, and the romance fell flat. In my opinion, it also sends a really problematic message about teenage love. Overall, I don’t have many positive things to say about this book.


8. What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
This is another book I was told was amazing, but for me, it was a miss. It’s an adult mystery thriller, and I expected the mystery to be fast-paced and shocking. However, I found the book slow, and the plot was very predictable. There were no jaw-dropping plot twists, and I saw the ending reveal coming.


7. Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
I really wanted to like this book, but the plot just wasn’t executed in a way I enjoyed. Sadly, my overall enjoyment while reading it was lacking. I will say that the ending was fairly interesting and somewhat surprising. However, it didn’t make up for the book as a whole, which felt very underwhelming and not enjoyable to read.


6. A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole
I am so frustrated that I bought into the hype behind this book because it’s not a romance I think should be romanticized at all. Again, this is a YA novel, so I had to keep that in mind while reading. But the ending was horrible, in my opinion. I honestly cannot believe the author went that route—it really made me angry. It’s not a book I think should be as popular or raved about as it is.
Related Post: A Thousand Boy Kisses | Book Review


5. A Game Most Foul by Alison Gervais
This is another YA book that I just didn’t enjoy. I liked the mystery plot and the Sherlock Holmes element. However, the story didn’t flow well, and I felt that many aspects didn’t quite work. I wasn’t a fan of the writing style or the characters. It was an easy read, but nothing special.
Related Post: A Game Most Foul | Book Review


4. Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison
This book had so much promise in the beginning, but I was really upset by the end. I will say, though, please take this with a grain of salt, as I might be a bit dramatic with my feelings. However, some of the characters’ actions—especially those of the female main character—really frustrated me. The ending was probably what caused me to drop this book’s rating significantly. Let me just say, I literally almost threw my phone across the room while listening to it.


3. We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
I don’t understand why people say this is one of the best horror stories they’ve read. For me, there were too many unanswered questions, and the ending felt a bit open-ended. It seemed like the author was trying to be experimental and make this an elevated horror story, and maybe that’s what it is, but I just didn’t get it. That said, I’m not on the hype train for this book.
Related Post: We Used to Live Her | Book Review


2. Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn
This book had many good things going for it, but the love story was probably its downfall, which isn’t ideal since it’s a romance. One thing to note is that this is a second-chance romance, a trope I typically dislike. However, I’m slowly warming up to it, which is why I decided to give this book a chance. I feel like if the author had taken a completely different approach to resolving their relationship, I might’ve liked it more. But honestly, I didn’t care for the male main character or all of his excuses.
Related Post: Resting Scrooge Face | Book Review


1. Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
I had heard nothing but good things about this book, and the cover is adorable, but unfortunately, I don’t want to say I hated it, but I really hated it. Everything about the friends-to-lovers trope, the characters, the writing style, and the plot just didn’t work for me. There are many other things about the book that I didn’t enjoy, and it was almost a DNF for me, which should tell you how much I disliked it.
Related Post: Lovelight Farms | Book Review

There you have it—my Worst Books of 2024. It was actually a challenge making this list because I’ve had a very good reading year. In the comments, let me know if you agree with any of my thoughts on these books. Feel free to share some of the books you didn’t like in 2024. And, as always, hit the follow button so you never miss a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bookish, Blogging & More | 2025 Goals

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Hi Friends,
Happy 2025! I can’t believe it’s the first day of a New Year. I’m excited to see what this year brings. I have so many fun content ideas for all my bookish platforms and can’t wait to bring them to life. To kick off the New Year, I want to share my 2025 goals. These goals cover my blog content, reading, and personal life.

Blog Goals
Quality Over Quantity: I’ve always worked hard to stick to a blogging schedule, and for the most part, it works. However, I want to be more flexible with my content in 2025. Instead of striving for three posts a week, I want to prioritize quality over quantity. If that means publishing only one post some weeks, I’m okay with that as long as it’s the best it can be.

Book Reviews: In 2024, I struggled to stay on top of book reviews. There are still so many I haven’t published! This year, I’m determined to change that. Instead of waiting weeks to write and post reviews, I’ll try my hardest to publish them shortly after finishing each book.

Originality: I always aim to be creative with my content, but sometimes it’s challenging. In 2025, I want to brainstorm more unique and innovative bookish posts. Some of my favorite posts have been the ones that feel fresh and unlike anything I’ve seen in the book community.

Bookish Goals
Backlist Books: I’m not sure if this was a goal of mine last year, but I hope to focus more on backlist books in 2025. I often get caught up in reading new releases and neglect older titles. However, there are so many books that have been out for years that I’d love to read.

Read More, Buy Less: I want to read more books from my shelves than I buy each month. This might sound ambitious, but I’d really like to cut back on book purchases in 2025. Essentially, my goal is to read more books than I purchase each month. For example, if I buy eight books in January, I want to read at least ten books I already own. I hope that makes sense!

Reading Goal: Every year, I set a reading goal, and this year is no different. Last year, I aimed to read 115 books—and I managed to hit that goal! This year, I’m lowering my goal to 100 books. The reason for this change is that many of the books I want to read are longer and more emotionally intense. A smaller goal feels more realistic and aligned with the type of reading experience I’m aiming for.

Personal Goals
Workout: I’ve always been an exercise girlie (I even have my yoga teacher certification!), but I feel like I let fitness take a back seat in the latter half of 2024. I’d love to get back into my fitness routine and rekindle my love for working out.

Author PA: I’m so grateful to be starting my journey as an author PA. In 2025, I’d love to grow in this role, connect with more authors, and help them share their work with the world. I’m always happy to work with all budgets and assist authors with social media marketing.

Baby E: This has been a goal for my husband and me for the past four years. Hopefully, 2025 will be the year we’re blessed with a pregnancy and, possibly, a baby. It’s been a long, challenging journey, but we’re still holding on to hope that we’ll finally see those two pink lines.

And there you have it—my 2025 goals! Let me know your reading goals for the New Year in the comments. As always, you can follow me on other social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Please consider hitting the follow button—you won’t want to miss all the exciting blog content I have planned!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Cozy Christmas | Book Tag

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Hi Friends,
Happy Bookmas Day Twenty-Four! I can’t believe there’s only one more sleep until Christmas. I thought it would be really fun to end Bookmas with a festive little Christmas book tag. I’m not sure who the original creator of this tag is, but I watched Books with Brittany’s video featuring it, and it seems like the perfect way to wrap up Bookmas.


For me, that book is definitely Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter. This book made me laugh, smile, and cry. It’s definitely one of my all-time favorite YA romances.
Related Post: Better Than The Movies | Book Review


The first book that instantly comes to mind is Sadie by Courtney Summers. I don’t know much about this book except that it’s a young adult mystery, and I believe it includes a podcast element as well. I’ve read another book by this author that I think is a bit underrated, but I know this is one of her more popular works.
Related Post: The Project | Book Review


That would definitely be A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair. This was such a great spicy romance! I loved the relationship between the FMC and MMC, and the spice was just incredible. There are smutty scenes in this book that I still think about and even go back and reread.


This one is a newer recommendation for me, but I’ll probably continue recommending it for years to come, Happy Place by Emily Henry. I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this book, especially since it features a trope I don’t particularly like.
Related Post: Happy Place | Book Review


It has to be Iris and Rowan from the Letters of Enchantment duology. I absolutely loved their chemistry and was rooting for them from the very first chapter. This is a duology I adore not just for the romance but for its amazing plot as well.
Related Post: Divine Rivals | Book Review


For me, that would be The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent. I still think about this book and can’t believe I haven’t continued the series yet. It ended on such an intense cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. This is one of those books that stays with you for days, weeks, or even months after you’ve finished it.
Related Post: The Serpent And The Wings Of Night | Book Review


This is such a hard question for me to answer because I don’t feel like there’s any book world I’m completely obsessed with. However, I really enjoyed the world in Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. It’s so similar to our own, but it features magical creatures and otherlands, which I find fascinating.
Related Post: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries | Book Review


That’s 100% Adalyn Grace. I’ll buy every book she releases and will probably always rave about her work. I own way too many copies of the Belladonna series, but I’m not mad about it—it’s one of the best young adult/new adult fantasy romance series I’ve ever read.
Related Post: Belladonna | Book Review

Thank you to everyone who has been keeping up with my Bookmas content! I hope you’re having a wonderful Christmas Eve. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, I hope you’re having a great evening and wishing you a happy rest of December. In the comments, let me know your answers to some of these questions! Please like and share this post with others, and if you’ve been loving my Bookmas content, consider giving the blog a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Kingdom of Sweets | Book Review

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About The Book
Twin sisters, cursed by their godfather, lead starkly different lives. One Christmas Eve, an enchanted Nutcracker transports them into the magical Kingdom of Sweets, where one makes a dangerous bargain with the mysterious and powerful Sugar Plum Fairy.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4guBouk

My Rating

This is a standalone fantasy and a retelling of The Nutcracker. I really enjoyed the author’s original take on the story and how fast-paced it was. The plot follows twin sisters Clara and Natasha, whom I found to be very interesting. Clara is cursed to embody light, while Natasha is cursed as the dark twin. Both sisters bear heavy burdens because of their gifts, and the story explores how these curses shape their lives and choices.

The plot was quite dark, but I found it fascinating. It really delves into how envy can fuel a person’s actions and the lengths someone will go to when they feel wronged. Natasha, the protagonist, was such a complex character. Although she’s initially portrayed as understanding and deeply loving toward her sister despite her dark curse, her actions throughout the story reveal that she does have some real darkness within her.

The worldbuilding in this book was incredible. The magical realm Johansen created was vivid, immersive, and at times even creepy, which added to the darker tone of the story. I also appreciated how the theme of forgiveness was explored—though forgiveness is offered in some cases, one can never truly forgive someone who has wronged them. As for the ending, it was intense, shocking, and very well done. It kept me guessing right up until the last page.

“Who really knew, after all, how the old fairy tales died, or where the story might end?”

That said, my biggest issue with this book is that it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. While I enjoyed it while reading, and there were so many strong elements, I don’t think it’s a story I’ll remember a year from now. For a book with such compelling characters and themes, it’s a bit disappointing that it doesn’t stand out more in my memory.

Even so, I think this story will appeal to many readers, especially those who don’t usually gravitate toward Nutcracker retellings. One of my favorite aspects was how the author took inspiration from The Nutcracker but turned it into something completely original. The darker, more complex direction she chose to take really brought new life to the story.

Overall, I did enjoy the book while I was reading it. It really is a story that shows how we are made up of both light and dark parts, and that no one is truly all light or all dark. While it might not have made a lasting impact on me, I still think it was a wonderful retelling and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh twist on a classic holiday tale.

In the comments, let me know if you have ever seen the actual ballet production of The Nutcracker. Sadly, I have not, but I have read some great retellings of the story. Don’t forget to like this post and share it with other readers. And if you would be so kind as to hit the follow button, that would be amazing.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Merry Ever After | Book Review

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About The Book
Evie, a single mother seeking a fresh start, has no room for romance—until rugged farmer Luke tempts her to break her no-dating rule. While Evie is set on keeping things casual, Luke is determined to prove he’s in it for the long haul. In this steamy holiday short story, opposites attract as they explore whether love is truly worth the risk.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3P7Bs7d

My Rating

This is one of those fast and easy holiday novellas that you can read in one sitting. It’s part of the Amazon Originals Under the Mistletoe collection of short winter romance stories. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t my favorite. I had high hopes because I’ve heard amazing things about Tessa Bailey’s books, but the plot just didn’t work for me.

The romance felt very insta-lovey, and we didn’t get to know the characters well. Of course, it’s a novella, so it’s challenging to include significant character development or show a deep connection growing between two characters in under 100 pages.

“Maybe it’s the holidays that have me wishing for . . . more out of this simple life of mine.”

Still, I wanted more from the story, and I didn’t get much of a holiday vibe from it. That said, I did enjoy the writing style and appreciated the single mom aspect of the story. However, everything felt rushed—it was basically, “I like you, you like me, let’s be together forever.”

Overall, I’d probably pass on this one since there isn’t much substance to the story. That said, the spice was pretty good—I’d give it a 2.5 out of 5 on the spice scale. And as always, I’m a fan of books that include an epilogue, so I appreciated that the novella wrapped up with one.

In the comments, let me know if you’re a fan of holiday novellas! Don’t forget to like this post and share it with all your bookish friends. Please hit the follow button so my blog can continue to grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny