Cruel Winter With You | Book Review

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

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

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

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

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

Candy Cain Kills | Book Review

About The Book
When Austin’s family retreats to a remote cottage for Christmas, he’s dreading the forced holiday bonding. But the cabin’s dark history brings a chilling twist, as a legendary killer named Candy Cain emerges with a deadly agenda. Now, surviving the season means staying off her sinister naughty list.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4fenRFM

My Rating


This book might not be for everyone because it is a bit cheesy; however, I found it to be a really fun, classic ‘90s and early 2000s horror story. If you’re a lover of horror movies, I think you’ll really enjoy this book. I love how it ties in the holiday aspect, and it was such a quick read.

In the book, we follow a family spending Christmas at a rental home in a small town. But once they arrive, they learn that the house has a gruesome history. Years ago, a family died in a fire there, although some townsfolk believe the family was actually murdered.

The plot is so engaging, and there’s never a slow moment, even though this isn’t the most intense horror story, nor is it an example of elevated horror. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters—they felt like a real family with struggles and issues but still loved each other. Their reactions to everything that was happening was very normal.

“Why don’t we have one more cup of cocoa. . . then go to church and raise some hell?”

There was a twist that I didn’t see coming, and I loved it. I really enjoyed the nostalgic feel of the book, and the writing style was also a highlight for me. It wasn’t too gruesome or scary. If you’re looking to dip your toes into the horror genre, I think you should give this one a try.

Overall, this is an easy and creepy read that’s perfect for readers who want a holiday story that isn’t your classic Christmas romcom. You can easily finish it in a day! It has made me want to pick up more books from this author, especially since I know this book is part of a horror holiday novella series. It may not be the most original or intense horror I’ve ever read, but I would still recommend it to other horror lovers like me.

In the comments, let me know if this book has been on your radar. If you enjoy book reviews and other bookish content, go ahead and hit the follow button so you never miss out on a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Holiday Books | KU Edition

Hi Friends,
Happy Bookmas Day Four! Today, I’m sharing a post all about new holiday book releases! I could easily tell you about the many amazing traditionally published holiday books that have recently come out. Or, I could tell you about just as many that are set to be released this winter. But today, I want to focus on supporting indie authors, instead. So, here are some holiday releases I’m excited to dive into this winter—all of which are available with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. Let’s show our love for indie authors!



Santa’s Coming by Serena Pier
Released: October 24, 2024
This is the first book in a series of novellas, and it’s a single mom romance—definitely not something I usually read. It features an instant-connection, strangers-to-lovers holiday romance with playful banter and plenty of Santa role-playing. And yes, it’s spicy! I think this will be a quick, steamy read that I’ll absolutely love.



Pine Creek Lodge by Lynette McCornan
Released: November 10, 2024
First off, the cover of this book is stunning, which immediately caught my attention. But when I found out it’s a sapphic Christmas romance, I knew I had to add it to my TBR. The tropes include rich-meets-poor, forced proximity, and (I believe) grumpy-sunshine vibes. I can’t wait to dive into this one!



When the Fake Snow Falls by Heather Garvin
Released: November 15, 2024
I love a good old-fashioned fake dating story, and when you add winter magic into the mix, you’ve got the makings of an amazing read. In this book, Chase enlists Candace to be his fake girlfriend for the holidays. There’s witty banter, an open-door romance, and while it’s a slow burn (not my favorite), it ticks off so many of my favorite romance trope boxes that I’m sure I’ll enjoy it!



Naughty Or Nice by Sophie Snow
Released: November 19, 2024
This holiday novella was one I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of! It features some of my favorite tropes, including age gap, small-town romance, and—yes—a Santa kink. At under 200 pages, it’s quick and spicy. Oh, and the male love interest? He’s her best friend’s uncle. Could this plot get any better?


In the comments, let me know if you’ve read any of these books, or if you’ve downloaded any of them to your Kindle library. There are so many more indie/KU romances I could recommend, so like this post if you want to see a part two. Don’t forget to show your support for my blog by hitting the follow button!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

My Christmas Wishlist | Holiday 2024

Hi Friends,
It’s Bookmas Day Three! I thought it would be fun to share my holiday wishlist. While I do have many books on my wishlist, I also have a few bookish items as well. Keep in mind, this isn’t a comprehensive list—it’s just the highest-priority items.

Also, I know this goes without saying, but I am incredibly grateful for every gift I receive and feel so blessed to get anything at all.


Shop My List
Fourth Wing Bag:
https://amzn.to/49kYKzZ
Kindle Page Turn:
https://amzn.to/3ZjkAPr
Hexed (Never After, 6) by Emily McIntire:
https://amzn.to/49nHD0b
The Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars, 1) by Thea Guanzon:
https://amzn.to/4eU49Py
Forgive Me Father by Katerina St Clair:
https://amzn.to/3D5YmJf
A Pirate’s Life for Tea (Tomes & Tea, 2) by Rebecca Thorne:
https://amzn.to/4eYrEa3
Given Our History by Kristyn JJ Miller:
https://amzn.to/3Zg3ORw
Off to the Races (Gold Rush Ranch, 1) by Elsie Silver:
https://amzn.to/4f1NdGX
The Complete Briar U Series Set by Elle Kennedy:
https://amzn.to/4ijcEGU

There you have it—my holiday wishlist! I’d love to know what you’re asking for this holiday season. Do you write a Christmas list every year, or are you like me and just share your Amazon wishlist with family and friends? Let me know in the comments! Before you go, don’t forget to click the follow button so you’ll be notified whenever there’s a new Bookmas post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Book Deals | Cyber Monday 2024

Hi Friends,
Today, I wanted to share some of the craziest Cyber Monday book deals happening on Amazon right now. I know I just posted a holiday gift guide, but I don’t want any of my fellow book lovers to miss out on some great discounts. These are either books I would buy or ones I’ve read that are on major sale right now.



A Tempest of Tea (Blood and Tea) By Hafsah Faizal
Cyber Monday Price: $8.93
Original Price: $20.99
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/4fWzfY3



Magnolia Parks By Jessa Hastings
Cyber Monday Price: $6.45
Original Price: $17.00
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/3Zu84Om



So This is Love: A Twisted Tale By Elizabeth Lim
Cyber Monday Price: $7.45
Original Price:
$19.99
Buy Here:
https://amzn.to/4fOyfoY
Related Post:
So This Is Love | Book Review



Divine Rivals By Rebecca Ross
Cyber Monday Price: 7.81
Original Price: 18.99
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/4180KJL
Related Post: Divine Rivals | Book Review



These Hollow Vows By Lexi Ryan
Cyber Monday Price: $9.51
Original Price: $17.99
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/3ZcKWCH



Wild Love By Elsie Silver
Cyber Monday Price: $6.65
Original Price: $17.99
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/419WSry



Malibu Rising By Taylor Jenkins Reid
Cyber Monday Price: $5.79
Original Price: $18.00
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/4ePXxlj



The Thursday Murder Club By Richard Osman
Cyber Monday Price: $6.68
Original Price: $18.00
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/3ZuDsMI



Home Before Dark By Riley Sager
Cyber Monday Price: $6.85
Original Price: $19.00
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/41bp3X7



Mexican Gothic By Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Cyber Monday Price: $5.53
Original Price: $17.00
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/3Zg7wuo
Related Post: Mexican Gothic | Book Review


These are just a few of the books that are on sale—there are so many more! I definitely recommend checking out Amazon to see if any of the books you’ve been eyeing are discounted. Also, this is the perfect time to get some holiday gift shopping done, especially if you have a reader in your life. I know I’ll be sharing my Amazon book wishlist with my husband and family. If you enjoyed this post, please hit the like button and follow the blog!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bookish Gift Guide | Holiday 2024

Hi Friends,
Today I’m sharing my 2024 holiday book gift guide. These gift ideas are perfect for any bookworm in your life. Personally, I know I’d love to receive every single thing I’m going to talk about in this post. I tried to make this a very budget-friendly gift guide and not too repetitive from my previous ones. However, there may be some overlap of gift ideas.

Some of these gifts can be found on Amazon; however, I’m a big supporter of small businesses, so I’ve worked hard to recommend gifts that can also be found on Etsy. I’ve also included some books that I think many readers would enjoy.


Blind Date With A Book
I think this is such a timeless gift, and I’ll continue to recommend it year after year. You just can’t go wrong with a blind date with a book! There are so many Etsy shops that specialize in this type of gift, and a lot of the time, you can include your Goodreads link (or the recipient’s) to make sure they don’t receive a book they’ve already read or own. These blind date packages often include cute little extras like highlighters, bookmarks, or even sweet treats. Most of the time, they range anywhere from $15–$22, which I think is a great price for such a fun gift.


Special Editions
Let’s face it—book lovers get so much joy from a pretty book! I’ve definitely bought books based on their covers or sprayed edges alone. This holiday season, gifting them a special edition of their favorite book or a new release with sprayed edges would be a wonderful idea. You can go the simple route and buy one off Amazon—I’d recommend the Lightlark: Collector’s Edition or Legends & Lattes: Deluxe Edition. However, I suggest checking out Etsy! There are so many small businesses like ColorfulNarrative and SprayedBookEdges. Just keep in mind that Etsy options are typically more expensive than shopping on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble, but you’ll be supporting a small business, and the book will be more unique.


Kindle
This is probably the most expensive gift I’m going to recommend, but it’s such a staple for readers. I think it’s the perfect big gift for someone who loves physical books but doesn’t have space for a personal library—or for a reader looking to try out ebooks. If you want to go all out, you could preload it with a few books as well. There are lots of Kindle models to choose from, but I know the Kindle Paperwhite is the most loved. That said, the regular Kindle is a great option too.


Kindle Unlimited Subscription
You might think it’s silly to gift a Kindle Unlimited subscription if they don’t already own a Kindle, but the Kindle app works on most devices! So, if buying an actual e-reader is out of your budget, I recommend gifting a KU subscription instead. The only downside is that Amazon only offers gift subscriptions in 6-, 12-, and 24-month increments, which can make it a bit pricey. I do hope they add a 3-month option soon. Still, I think it’s a great idea and probably not something most people would think to gift.


Blue Light Glasses
This is a great gift idea for anyone who spends a lot of time reading on their phone or iPad. It’s also perfect for bookish social media addicts like me! Blue light glasses help reduce eye strain and make screen time more comfortable. They’re available in a variety of price points and styles, so you’re bound to find something that fits.


MP3 Player
I’ll be honest—I find these a bit silly. That said, I can see their appeal, and I wouldn’t be upset to receive one as a gift. Essentially, these MP3 players let you download music as well as audiobook apps and the Kindle app. They’re great for younger readers who don’t have cell phones, but they’re also good for teenagers and adults who get distracted by social media while trying to read.


Bookish Merch
I’m grouping all bookish merchandise into one category because this post would be way too long otherwise. Every reader I know would love to get a shirt or mug inspired by their favorite books—or just catered toward book lovers in general. You can find plenty of options on Amazon, but I think Etsy is 100% the way to go for this type of gift. There are so many small businesses focused on selling bookish merchandise. I even have my own bookish Etsy shop, BlackheartBookshelf!


Belladaonna By Adalyn Grace
I couldn’t create a gift guide without mentioning this book! If you’re looking for a fantasy that leans more toward romantasy as the series progresses, this is the one to go for. I think this series works for both new and longtime fantasy readers. And don’t worry about it being YA—it feels much closer to New Adult. You can gift the entire series or just the first book, depending on your budget.
Related Post: Belladaonna | Book Review


The Hunger Games: Illustrated Edition By Suzanne Collins
This series is timeless, and everyone should read it! I loved how well-written it was, and Katniss is such an incredible protagonist. It’s a dystopian fantasy that’s action-packed and light on romance, making it a great pick for a variety of readers.


Winter Books
This is more of a broad recommendation. I wouldn’t necessarily suggest a holiday-themed book—especially if the recipient isn’t into feel-good, Hallmark-style romances. A winter-themed book is a great alternative. One option is ‘One Day in December‘ by Josie Silver. I’ll be honest—I didn’t personally enjoy it. However, I think that’s more of a “me” problem, as I can see many readers loving it. What I did enjoy was the writing style—it kept me hooked even when I wasn’t into the story itself, which makes it a solid gift choice.
Related Post: One Day In December | Book Review


Let me know if you enjoyed this bookish gift guide, and please share any other bookish gift ideas you might have in the comments. If you’d like, you can check out my Amazon book wishlist to see some of the books I’d love to receive this year. Don’t forget to follow the blog before you go!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny