Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays: A Grinchy/Sunshine Holiday Romance by Susan Renee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a cute, quick read. It took me a hot second to understand the title. I liked the grinch grumpiness mixes with sunshine in this story. The story flowed well and the characters were enjoyable. It was a definitely a cute read for the season.
Super Enemies by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have read several books by this author. I did enjoy this book and could connect with it. I am conflicted on how I would use it with the children that I work with. I feel like there wasn’t a clear resolution for the siblings that younger children can understand. This would be better for children that can infer decision making. Overall, it was a nice, relatable story.
Snow in Love by Libby Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really liked the dynamic between Connor and Sienna. This book was a very quick read but had a well thought plot. I really appreciated the detail to their mental and physical growth overcoming the obstacles they both had. Sienna’s mom frustrated me but I appreciated Sienna persevering and taking one for herself. It was a great story to kick off my Christmas reading season!
A Christmas to Remember: An Anthology from 5 Prince Publishing by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really love Christmas Anthologies! It reminds me of my childhood when my aunts and grandma would swap Christmas books and share the magic of Christmas. This anthology was well done. The stories flowed very nicely together and none of them felt out of place. Merry Mix-Ups was my favorite in the collection. If you are into the spirit of Christmas- add this to your list!
I Love You Today by Julie Navickas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a quick read and enjoyable. I enjoyed the dynamic of the characters together and their connection. I really liked Austin’s character and could feel his pain. There are lots of relatable elements in this book like heartache, love and connection. I would read more by this author for sure!
Finding Bryce by Debra Parmley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a nice short novella to read after a really long day. I was sucked into the plot but would have liked it to be a little longer! I thought the characters were well developed especially in such a short read. Their connection was deep. I look forward to seeing how the series develops.
Someone Exactly Like Me by Debbie Cromack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I liked the chemistry between Nicco and Destiney. Their frustrating way of miscommunication in what they are looking for is something relatable. I enjoy slow burn romances where love is earned. I felt that the ending was a little rushed especially since the book took me a little bit to get into. Overall, it was a good read and I look forward to Book 2.
Kiss Away Your Pain by Debbie Cromack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really liked this book. The chemistry between Enzo and Candi is palpable. I enjoy stories with a slow burn and like Book 1, this fit that well for me. Enzo was a delicious book boyfriend for sure. I also enjoyed the plot line for this book a little more than book one. This was hooked me sooner.
Hot for Teacher – Shakespeare Made Us Fall in Love by Felicia Carparelli
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was a quick read. I did like the character Juliet but I had a really hard time with Jim. I struggled with him calling her “Miss Teacher Lady” and the strong emphasis of him needing more culture by way of his speaking. I appreciated that she was a teacher and he was an ex-Marine in construction as that is something I can connect with. I just had a difficult time connecting with their particular love story. Overall, it was a cute book.
Lucas the Spy Cat: A Children’s Mystery Adventure with Creativity & Imagination Boosting Activities by Samantha Shannon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Quick, short read! Really enjoyable for kids. I was drawn to this story because of the cat. I have read others by this author as well. I would read this with my students and use it in the classroom.
Master Catteneo by Sylvia Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a fun, quick read. I do enjoy this genre a great deal. The chemistry between Alessia and Catteneo is good. The storyline/plot was interesting and provided a hook with the missing mates. I am looking forward to the final war.
Breathe Underwater by Anise Storm
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I am not a fan of mafia romance but I enjoyed this. There were great scenes (especially the staircase) as well as a good flow. The characters were well developed. I am glad that I picked this up. I really like this author a lot and look forward to reading more.
Yesterday’s Over by Becky Flade
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I really liked the forensic anthropology angle of this. Trudy and Bend were great characters (Ben having a cat was an added bonus for me.) I liked the plot and would like to know some of the supporting characters a little more. I liked the feel of this book best of the ones that I read. I would definitely read more by this author.
Fall to Pieces by Becky Flade
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a good read. Definitely felt Lexi’s pain over Robert. This book was character driven and had good interpersonal relationships. It had a different feel to it than the other one. I liked the mix of genres.
A Love Restrained by Becky Flade
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a quick and sexy read. I liked that they met at her lingerie store. Definitely an empowering concept in that. Also, super hot telling his expectations of her and their chemistry was well designed. I enjoyed it overall.
Just One More Egg: A Science Folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Super cute read! I could see using this in my classroom. I like the classic feel of the story particularly the illustrations. I could see this as a resource in a science unit about food chains. I really enjoy books by this author and find them useful and enjoyable.
An Inheritance To Die For by Judy Moore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a good story with a good plot. It was a true cozy mystery book! I’m not sure Beck and Devon work for me overall. I love coastal settings and this one reminded me a little of Murder She Wrote. I would read others in the series.
Defying Ella by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a good, quick read. There were several connectable elements in the story. Ella’s relationship with her sister and history with Jared were well thought. It was also good to have mental health topics addressed in the book. I would read others by this author.
Hate You Later by Ciara Blume
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book. I really liked Hudson and his relationship with Georgia. I loved the focus on pets too- animals put a good perspective in stories. You learn a lot about characters when animals are a part of it. I enjoyed the frenemies plot and thought overall the story was good. I would read more by this author.
Moby Plays the Flute by Eeha Bhatt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The was a really beautiful story. I love the music aspect as well. The relationship between the father and daughter were beautiful. The is something I would read in my classroom. The father being called away was touching in a heartfelt way.
Dinosaur Friends: 2 books in 1: A Present for the Volcano and Saving Conifer’s Eggs by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed these books! I am an elementary reading intervention teacher and found that these would be engaging for the kids that I work with. The story was engaging and I feel like my students would like them. I look forward to reading other ones by this author. I also would like to use this in the classroom.
Felines and Fatalities by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a good follow up to book 1. I really enjoy the cute nature of the story and the plot is enjoyable. Anything with cats in it is a winner for me. It is a cozy mystery novel that keeps you engaged. I really enjoyed the cat show that Ellie hosted.
The Prisoner of Paradise by Rob Samborn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The history in this book was beautifully written. I am a big fan of mixed timelines and past lives. This book hit the mark! Some very beautiful love notes and quotes in this story which kept it captivating. The ending left enough for the reader to wonder and need to know what happens next!
Necrosis by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I am always fascinated by books like this. It was a quick read and had a lot of good action in it. I usually do not like zombies but I didn’t mind the idea of them in this read. The female lead was good and I found the story enjoyable.
The Girl Who Escaped by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book. I definitely was interested in the development of what happened that night. This psychological thriller really had some good points and brought interesting perspective to some hard topics like human trafficking. The dog was a great addition to the story. I definitely would read more by this author.
Tropical Date by R.S. Jonesee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a good book. I had a hard time with Marissa. While I understood the reason she was the way she was, I just couldn’t really connect to her. I liked Weston a lot and thought it was great that he came in to help his mom. I would read more by this author.
I Loved You Yesterday: Book One in the Trading Heartbeats Trilogy by Julie Navickas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this love story between Josh and Mavis. Love is really complicated sometimes and feelings get messy. Trying to sort out the feelings from the past for her navigate the present was very challenging for her. Knowing what to let go of and what to hold onto. I also liked Josh and thought his character was well done. I look forward to the next installment!
My Darling Rogue by April Moran
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book. Cecilia and Gabriel have great chemistry. I really liked the vibe that Gabriel gave as the leading man and he said some really swoon worthy things. Cecilia had the right amount of feisty energy and I enjoyed the dialogue between them. I look forward to reading more.
Fairly Royal by Grace Grahme
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a good read. I enjoy this genre and this book did not disappoint. I liked the character development of Phillip and Anna. The way they were able to accomodate both of their backgrounds into their togetherness was good. I would read more by this author.
Scandalously Yours by Anise Storm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book 5 of the series! I really enjoyed this book a lot. The chemistry between Kris and Alessia was well developed. It had a good balance of romantic points, tragedy and healing in the plot arc. I thought that this was a great addition to the series and can be read without reading the others.
