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

Resting Scrooge Face | Book Review

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About The Book
Nola dreads Christmas in her charming hometown of Bright Harbor, but a mysterious letter from a fellow holiday Scrooge might change everything. Unbeknownst to her, the pen pal is Caleb—the boy who broke her heart—sparking a secret, flirtatious correspondence. As old wounds and new feelings surface, can they overcome their past to write a love story worth keeping?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/406LdIY

My Rating

I was not a fan of this book at all. I hate saying that because I could see how much potential the story had, but the delivery fell completely flat. This is a first-love, second-chance, holiday romance novella. It’s a very quick read, and the plot initially captures your interest.

Unfortunately, I hated the direction the author took with the story. I wanted so much more for the female main character. I understood that they were both teenagers when they broke up, but the male main character’s excuse for breaking her heart and essentially ghosting her was that he was immature (valid) and that he thought she deserved a life outside their small town while he was meant for small-town life. That reasoning felt so lame.

“I can’t imagine that someone who despises Christmas as much as I do would have gold stationery.”

I hate when characters make decisions for other characters. And now, suddenly, she’s “the one that got away”? No, she’s the one you pushed away. It also felt like he only wanted to rekindle their relationship because she was staying in town. So, would he have wanted to be with her if she were leaving again after the holidays? If you love someone, here’s a thought: go with them. Home isn’t a place—it’s who you’re with.

Overall, this book was a no for me. I completely apologize for this rant of a review, but you can probably tell I had a lot of issues with the story. On a lighter note, I did enjoy the secret pen pal aspect of the plot, and there were quite a few funny moments throughout the story.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book. If you didn’t know, it’s available on KU and Audible! Don’t forget to like this post, and you can make my holiday by giving the blog a follow. Your support truly means the world to me.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Cruel Winter With You | Book Review

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About The Book
Pediatrician Jamie Malek finds herself snowbound with Marc, her best friend’s younger brother turned tech billionaire—and the one she let get away. As a blizzard rages outside and sparks fly inside, old wounds and buried feelings resurface. What starts as a simple request for a roasting pan becomes an unforgettable winter’s night of rekindled connection.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/49PfSha

My Rating

This is a fun, Christmassy novella that you can read on a single (and preferably snowy) winter’s night. It’s part of an Amazon Original collection called Under the Mistletoe. As a huge fan of Ali Hazelwood’s work, I knew I’d probably adore this book—and it came as no surprise that I was right.

Despite being under 100 pages, this story was very well thought out. I felt like I got to know a lot about the characters in such a short period of time. The plot was engaging, and I really enjoyed the romance.

This is a forced proximity, best friend’s brother romance, with an age gap where the female main character is older. I loved the connection between the two characters, and let me just say, the male main character was such a green flag! Although the Christmas vibes weren’t very prominent, it still felt like a delightful winter romance.

“Next year, when we fly home for the holidays, we’re going to do it together.”

Overall, I loved everything about this story, and the ending was so satisfying. While it does include a bit of the miscommunication trope, I didn’t mind because it felt realistic. There is some spice in this book, but it’s not overly steamy—I’d give it about 1.5 out of 5 on the spice scale. If you’re looking for something quick and enjoyable to read this winter, I definitely recommend giving it a chance.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book! Don’t forget to follow the blog so you never miss any of my bookish posts. Also, if you could take a moment to head over to my Facebook page and give it a like, I’d really appreciate it.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Three Holidays And A Wedding | Book Review

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About The Book
Seatmates Maryam and Anna bond over a turbulent flight to Toronto, sharing their deepest hopes and fears—unaware that Maryam’s longtime crush, Saif, overheard everything. An emergency landing leaves them snowbound at the whimsical Snow Falls Inn. As Maryam connects with Saif and Anna discovers unexpected love, both women find the magic of the season in the unlikeliest of places.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3P3iui3

My Rating

This was a sweet winter romance that followed two young women with very different lives and struggles. When their worlds collide, they form an unexpected friendship and create some holiday magic. I found this book to be a heartwarming holiday read that offered more than just romance—it contained a surprising amount of depth.

In the novel, we follow Maryam, a Muslim woman traveling to Toronto with her family for her younger sister’s wedding. She is strong and level-headed, always putting others first. While snowbound in a small town, she begins to reevaluate her life and take steps to heal from past heartbreak. I especially enjoyed watching her personal growth throughout the book. She reminded me a lot of my mother, who, coincidentally, has the same name

The story also follows Anna, who is traveling to Toronto to spend the holidays with her boyfriend and his family. Although she tries to put on a positive and optimistic front, she is still grieving her father’s death. She is also struggling with feelings of loneliness. While snowbound, she starts to realize that she may have been merely playing a role in her own life. I loved watching her emotional journey unfold.

I found the bond between Anna and Maryam to be wonderful. It was clear that this friendship was something both of them needed. It was nice to see how protective Maryam was of Anna. I liked that Anna appreciated everything Maryam did for her family. It was kind of Anna to offer help whenever she could, even to people who were essentially strangers. The relationship Anna had with Maryam’s grandfather, along with his close bond with Maryam, was really touching. He served as a wise voice for both of them.

“Who doesn’t secretly love holiday movies?”

In the story, Ramadan, Christmas, and Hanukkah all happen around the same time, which offered great representation. I especially liked how open Anna was to learning about Ramadan and her fond memories of celebrating Chrismukkah. One of the highlights of the plot was how it seamlessly included three different cultures and holidays. The authors did a great job incorporating these holidays into the story.

As for the romance, it was really well done. I enjoyed both love stories. They were somewhat predictable and had a Hallmark-movie vibe, but they were sweet and satisfying. Maryam’s romance follows a second-chance, childhood-friends trope. Anna, on the other hand, finds herself attracted to someone unexpected.

Overall, this story is about love, family, faith, and the joy of the holiday season. One aspect I didn’t love as much was that, at times, the story felt like two separate narratives. They were connected only by being set in the same town and featuring overlapping characters. However, the authors did a great job of blending the plots together seamlessly in the end. While it wasn’t a standout book for me and the story didn’t feel as engaging as I had hoped, I truly appreciated how it celebrated multiple cultures, making it a unique and diverse holiday read.

In the comments, let me know if this book is on your winter reading list. If you’d like to help my blog grow, please like this post and share it with other readers. Another way you can support the blog is by following it, which is completely free to do.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Holiday Edition | Books Meet Movies

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Hi Friends,
Happy Bookmas Day Eighteen! Today we’re doing something really fun—well, fun in my opinion—talking about movies and books, but with a holiday twist! Of course, there are tons of movie adaptations of books we know and love. However, there are also quite a few books, especially holiday-themed ones, that remind me of certain movies. So, I’m here to share some Christmassy novels that bring to mind some of my favorite holiday films.

Borrowed Hearts / Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey
A lot of people might not remember Borrowed Hearts, but it was a staple in my house growing up. In the movie, a very wealthy man enlists one of his employees and her daughter to essentially “play house” with him for the holidays—for business purposes.

While the book Faking Christmas doesn’t have the exact same plot, there are definitely some similarities. The main character lies to her boss, claiming she owns her family farm. He also believes she has a husband and kids. When he somewhat invites himself over for Christmas dinner, she has to pretend the farm is hers (it’s actually her sister’s) and that she’s married with children. To pull off this charade, she pretends her nemesis is her husband and takes on the role of mother to her sister’s kids.

Both the movie and the book share a similar theme, but Faking Christmas leans more into romcom territory.

The Holiday / I’ll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone
The Holiday is probably one of the most popular Christmas romance movies released. I personally think it’s much more than just a romance—it’s also about self-discovery and realizing we can (and should) be the main characters of our own lives.

The book I’ll Be Gone for Christmas is a fun, holiday-inspired romcom. In this story, two women, Bee and Clover, swap places over the holidays. Obviously, there’s romance as Clover is drawn to Bee’s sister, while Bee begins to fall for Clover’s ex-fiancé. “It sounds like a messy, delightful romance that I hope will give me the same feelings as The Holiday!

The Nightmare Before Christmas / The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
The Nightmare Before Kissmas is described as a reimagining of The Nightmare Before Christmas. While I didn’t fully get those vibes, I can see why others might.

This is an MM romance with a twist: the Prince of Halloween falls in love with the Prince of Christmas. I loved the world-building, and I have to say the Prince of Halloween was definitely pretty similar to the Halloween King we know and love, Jack Skellington. If you’re a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas (which is a Christmas movie, by the way!), you might want to give this one a try.
Related Post: The Nightmare Before Kissmas | Book Review

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read any other books that remind you of your favorite holiday films! If you want to stay up-to-date with me, follow me on Instagram. And don’t forget to like this post and follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Holiday Reads #2 | Books Meet Fashion

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Hi Friends,
Happy Bookmas Day Seventeen! I’m doing a holiday books meet fashion post today. I’ve done this twice before, and I absolutely love creating outfits based on book covers. I think these outfits not only match the book covers well but are also super cute!

Shop The Look
Dress: https://amzn.to/3ZExibF
Shoes: https://amzn.to/3BsKxo0
Headband: https://amzn.to/49AlewZ
Book: https://amzn.to/41C4Sli

Shop The Look
Sweater: https://amzn.to/3VDLr7O
Tank: https://amzn.to/49GdF7P
Jeans: https://amzn.to/3VBwmE4
Shoes: https://amzn.to/3Bte0ya
Book: https://amzn.to/49NUCIY

Shop The Look
Dress: https://amzn.to/4gstiCg
Jacket: https://amzn.to/4gBPObD
Boots: https://amzn.to/4fiK59O
Purse: https://amzn.to/49Bs4lR
Book: https://amzn.to/4gEeTD2

In the comments, let me know which of these looks is your favorite. Before you go, consider making my holiday by giving the blog a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Kiss Her Once For Me | Book Review

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About The Book
After a year of struggles, Ellie Oliver agrees to a marriage of convenience with her landlord, Andrew, to solve their mutual problems. But when they spend the holidays with Andrew’s family, Ellie discovers his sister, Jack, is the woman she fell for the previous Christmas Eve. Now, Ellie must decide between the safety of a fake relationship and risking her heart again.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3BEwbkj

My Rating

This is a fun twist on the classic fake dating trope. In this holiday romcom, the main character is still somewhat hung up on the woman she spent last Christmas with. This Christmas, things aren’t looking great, but when she strikes up a bargain with a wealthy man to be his fake fiancée for the holidays, she ends up coming face-to-face with the woman she gave her heart to last Christmas—and she just so happens to be his sister. Tell me that doesn’t make for a messy, good time!

The main character, Ellie, had so many layers to her. She was bi and demisexual, had an anxiety disorder, and was afraid to try new things or put herself out there. She tried to keep people at arm’s length and was hesitant to cut toxic people out of her life. Deep down, she just wanted to be loved. Her character development throughout the story was one of my favorite parts.

As for the love interest, Jack, I did enjoy her to a point. At times, I completely understood her, but by the last chapter, she really kind of upset me. However, I understand she had a lot going on in her life and was just as afraid of failure as Ellie. Despite this, I do think they complemented each other well. Although I didn’t love the miscommunication trope in this book, I still really enjoyed their relationship.

“Some of us have to fight to let ourselves be vulnerable enough to fall in love.”

That said, I found it a little weird that Ellie essentially wrote online web comics about everything that happened in her life. Not only did she create a comic about her first meeting with Jack, but she also started a new one about the fake fiancée arrangement. On top of that, she wrote another comic that was essentially about her everyday life. This level of oversharing online felt like something more suited to a personal diary than for everyone to see.

However, I really enjoyed Andrew, Jack’s brother, and liked all the other side characters as well. There was so much more to this book than just the romance, but the romance served as the main plot that held the story together. Regarding the writing, I found it a bit slow at times and not as engaging as I would have liked.

Overall, this isn’t my favorite queer or holiday romance, but it’s still a fairly cute read. My biggest con, though, is the ending. At one point, it truly broke my heart for Ellie. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll leave it at that. Now, this book does have some spice, but I believe there are only one or two chapters of actual spice. You can skip those without missing any important context. I’d rate the spice level a 2 out of 5.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book and enjoyed it, or if you have any other recommendations from this author. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other readers. If you’d like to help my blog grow, please give it a follow—it’s completely free to do so!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

5 Series I’m Excited To Start In 2025!

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Hi Friends,
Happy Bookmas Day Fifteen! For today’s post, I’m going to be sharing five book series that I really want to start in 2025. Keep in mind, I’m a huge romantasy girly—it’s easily become one of my favorite genres in 2024. So, naturally, there are plenty of fantasy romances on my list. However, I wanted to highlight a variety of series rather than sticking to just one genre.

The Thursday Murder Club Series by Richard Osman
I know this is a much-loved cozy mystery series, and with a movie adaptation of the first book coming out soon. I’ve been meaning to dive into it for a while—I even own the first two books! However, I haven’t quite been in the cozy mystery mood yet. That being said, 2025 will be the year I jump in, and I’m super excited. A mystery series centered around a retirement community sounds like such a fun, unique premise.

Boys of Tommen Series by Chloe Walsh
This is one I’ve been putting off like crazy because I know it’s going to break my heart. I believe I own all the books in the series, but it’s just so intimidating! It’s a new adult romance series that deals with heavy topics. However, I know so many people love it, and it’s supposedly the type of series that you’ll want to binge read.

Magnolia Parks Universe by Jessa Hastings
I tried starting this series in 2024 but didn’t make it far into the first book before setting it aside. I’ve heard it’s better to tandem-read the first two books (Magnolia Parks and Daisy Haites), and then do the same with the rest of the series. I’m slightly nervous because the series explores toxic relationships, but I’m excited as well, because a lot of people compare it to Gossip Girl. While I never read the Gossip Girl books, I was a huge fan of the TV show. So, this gives me hope that I might enjoy this series.

The Halfling Saga by Melissa Blair
This is a romantasy series that, honestly, I don’t know much about. My husband gave me the first book as a gift last year, and since then, I’ve collected the rest of the series. I haven’t heard many people talk about it, so I’m excited to go in with an open mind. I’ll definitely let you all know if it’s worth reading!

Dreamland Billionaires Trilogy by Lauren Asher
I have heard this series is very hit-or-miss for people. A few complaints that I hear from romance readers are that the books are quite long. Still, I’m excited to try out Lauren Asher’s writing, and a series of romance novels that essentially take place at Disneyland sounds so good. Also, the tropes for each book really have me more hyped to start this trilogy.

There you have it, five book series that I am desperately hoping to start in the new year. I would love to know in the comments if you have read any of these books, and please let me know your star ratings as well. But remember to keep your thoughts spoiler-free. Before you go, hit the follow button so that you never miss out on a new bookish post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

BOTM vs. Aardvark | Book Boxes

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Hi Friends,
Happy Bookmas Day Fourteen! In this post, I’ll be doing a battle of the subscription book boxes. There are so many book boxes out there, but two that I tried in 2024 were Book Of The Month and the Aardvark Book Club box. They are fairly similar, but I wanted to share my thoughts on both, and let you know which one I preferred.

I won’t be using a pros-and-cons format because, honestly, both subscription boxes have pretty much the same advantages and drawbacks. I want to preface this by saying that whichever one you choose really comes down to personal preference. These are just my opinions on what I thought of both boxes.

Book Of The Month
I honestly get so many Book Of The Month books secondhand, so when I was generously gifted a six-month subscription for Christmas last year, I was very excited! If you’d like to try BOTM, you can use my referral link (click here) to get your first box for just five dollars.

During my subscription, I believe I skipped two months because the book selections for those months didn’t appeal to me. Each month, you can pick from a handful of books across various genres, including historical fiction, literary fiction, fantasy, and romance. However, I noticed that horror wasn’t often represented, which was a bit of a bummer.

They also offer add-ons, and sometimes I felt that the add-ons were more appealing than the main selections. However, I wasn’t willing to pick a book I didn’t like just to pay extra for an add-on. Additionally, since I can find so many Book Of The Month titles at my local Half Price Books, the subscription didn’t feel worth it to me—especially since I didn’t always love the monthly selections.

Aardvark Book Club
I’ve been really enjoying the Aardvark Book Club box! That said, I’ve noticed they don’t feature as many well-known authors or titles, as compared to BOTM. One big plus is that their boxes arrive quicker, and their books are harder to find secondhand.

I did skip one month when none of the book choices captivated me. Still, they sometimes offer signed copies, which I think is pretty cool. I also love that their logo on the books is more subtle and inconspicuous. Unfortunately, I don’t have a coupon code for Aardvark, but if you sign up for the service, please let me know in the comments so I can potentially earn a free monthly credit. Thank you!

If I had to compare the two, I’d say they’re very interchangeable, and their pricing is about the same. I’d recommend Book Of The Month to someone who primarily reads well-known authors and popular titles. On the other hand, Aardvark Book Club is perfect for readers who want to branch out and discover lesser-known authors and hidden gems.

In the comments, let me know which of these services you prefer! Personally, I’ll continue buying Book Of The Month books secondhand and might resubscribe in 2025. I also plan to stick with Aardvark Book Club in 2025. Don’t forget to hit the follow button before you go! And once again, you can use my referral link to get your first Book Of The Month box for just five dollars.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

These Books Will Self Destruct | 2025 Challenge

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
Happy Bookmas Day Thirteen! Writing that seriously shocked me—I can’t believe we’re almost two weeks into December. Today, I’m doing a post I tend to write around this time every year, where I choose books from my shelves that I either need to read next year or unhaul. As a huge reader and book hoarding addict, there are always books I never seem to get around to, and end up completely ignoring for years. This little challenge helps me prioritize those neglected books and declutter my bookshelves.

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price
This is a mystery retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I bought it on a whim without knowing much about the plot, and I still haven’t picked it up. Honestly, I don’t have much desire to read it, so it’s going on this list. If I don’t get to it, I’ll unhaul it. I believe it’s part of a Jane Austen retelling mystery series, so if I do end up reading it, I might inadvertently start a new series.

The Appeal by Janice Hallett
I found this for three dollars at Half Price Books, and at the time, the plot sounded somewhat interesting. However, I’m not sure it’s my kind of book, which is probably why I’ve been avoiding it. That said, I still want to give it a chance. If I end up unhauling it, I won’t be too upset.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power
I believe this is a YA version of Lord of the Flies with female characters. It’s set in isolation and involves a pandemic—possibly a horror story as well. I’ve owned it for a while but completely forgot about it, so it’s officially on my self-destruct TBR.

Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed
I only bought this book because Karen M. McManus blurbed it—she’s one of my favorite YA thriller authors. However, I’m not particularly excited to read it. It’s a chunky book, and the plot doesn’t sound all that intriguing. Hopefully, it will pleasantly surprise me.

Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco
I’ve tried to unhaul this book so many times, yet something keeps telling me I’ll actually enjoy it. I think it’s a retelling, though I could be wrong. I do know it’s a fantasy, and the premise seems promising. Fingers crossed that I’ll finally get to it in 2025.

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala
I remember being excited about this book because it sounded like an interesting YA horror. However, the cover screams springtime, and since I’m a seasonal reader, I haven’t picked it up yet. I’ll likely get to it next year, but don’t hold me to that.

The Midnight Game by Cynthia Murphy
I haven’t had much luck with YA mystery thrillers lately, but I want to give this author’s books a try. I own three of them, but haven’t read a single one, so I decided to start with this one, as it sounds the most interesting. If I don’t read or like this book, I’ll unhaul all three.

They’re Watching You by Chelsea Ichaso
This is another YA thriller, but I don’t have high hopes for it. I previously tried a book by this author and DNF’ed it, because I didn’t enjoy the story or writing style. Still, I want to give the author another chance. If I don’t like it, I’ll unhaul it without any hesitation.

The Witch, the Sword, and the Cursed Knights by Alexandria Rogers
This is a middle-grade book, and possibly the start of a series. The premise sounds compelling and fun, but I’m not a big middle-grade reader. I have several middle-grade books on my shelves, and this challenge is the push I need to read at least one of them.

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
I tried to read this earlier this year but DNF’d it because I couldn’t focus on the audiobook. I’m hoping it was just bad timing. If I don’t pick it up next year, I’ll say goodbye and pass it along to someone else.

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
I’ve heard this series is terrible but also a lot of fun. It’s an alien smut series, which intimidates me because I’ve never read anything like that before. I’ve heard they’re quick reads, and since I like spicy books and enjoy light, mindless reads between heavier novels, I want to give it a try. But if I don’t read it next year, I’ll accept that it’s not for me and unhaul it.

Sanctuary of Shadows by Aurora Ascher
Truthfully, I don’t even remember what this book is about. I bought it secondhand because it has beautiful sprayed edges. But it’s been sitting on my shelf untouched. If I’m not going to read it, I have no reason to keep it—no matter how pretty it is.

Do you have a self-destruct TBR? I don’t usually do well with this challenge, but I’m hoping to make a real dent in it next year. I’ve been pretty good about unhauling books lately, but I’d like to read some of them before letting them go.

In the comments, let me know which book from this list you think I should prioritize in 2025. And before you go, don’t forget to follow the blog so you never miss a new post!

Until the next chapter,
Bunny