Tag: young adult

Top Ten Tuesday | My Go-To Romance Authors

Posted February 9, 2026 by Haze in Top Ten Tuesday, Weekly Book Memes / 33 Comments

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.

Today’s topic is Love/Valentine’s Freebie  

I decided to feature some of my favorite authors for romance for this week’s topic. These are authors with more than a few books I’ve read and loved, and who I’m still interested in reading. I love some more than others, and they all have different writing styles, but I get a lot of joy out of reading them! Do you have any go-to romance authors? Please share your recommendations, I’m always looking for more!

Ten Of My Go-To Romance Authors

  1. Taylor Jenkins Reid – She doesn’t write the typical Happy Ever After romances, but her books do often revolve around BIG LOVE and always give me a ton of feels. Her stories live rent free in my heart!
  2. Mhairi McFarlane – Also not your typical romance writer, but her books are so valuable to me and give so much insight into the topic of love and human nature.
  3. Beth O’Leary – I loved some of her books more than others, but even the not-so-good ones are good for light entertainment and for that reason I continue to read them.
  4. Jennifer E. Smith – She writes young adult romance, but I started reading them years ago so her books are kind of “grandfathered” into my reading lists whenever I need a nostalgic pick-me-up.
  5. Ashley Poston – She’s a new favorite! I’ve read two books and loved them, and I’ve already borrowed more from the library! I especially love the magical realism element to her stories, and the vibes!
  6. Emily Henry – I also love some of her books more than others, but all of them always feel like safe go-tos for comfort reads, and so I keep going back to them.
  7. Kasie West – Another author “grandfathered” in from my younger days. I still love her books and I think they’re relevant and lovely regardless of audience age.
  8. Katherine Center – She might be one of the most consistently good romance writers with consistently good stories. Her books have such a wonderful balance of light-heartedness and profundity that I think is not appreciated nearly enough.
  9. Christina Lauren – Their books are delightful snacks for me. They don’t keep me full for long, but sometimes all you want is a snack to satisfy a craving, and their books fill that role for me.
  10. Tessa Dare – I love historical romance but haven’t read many recently because I don’t like some of the outdated ideas that come with them. I get it, it’s true to the time, but still. Tessa Dare manages to write wonderful historical romance that feature feminist ideas and I love them!

Have you read any of these authors? What did you think of them? Would you read any of their books?

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Book Review | Better Than Revenge by Kasie West

Posted February 2, 2026 by Haze in Book Reviews / 1 Comment

Better Than Revenge by Kasie West

A swoony new romance from the author of Sunkissed! When her football-player boyfriend and now ex lands the podcast job she’s been dreaming of, a girl takes matters into her own hands by enlisting the help of his nemesis to get revenge.

Seventeen-year-old Finley has only ever had one to become a famous podcaster. This includes coming up with the perfect pitch to land her on her school’s podcast team. But when her football-obsessed boyfriend, Jensen, decides to also try out—and uses her idea—she’s left confused and betrayed. 

Determined to get back at him, Finley and her friends try to find the perfect revenge scheme, but quickly discover that Jensen is almost-impossible to best. Keyword, almost. 

By chance, Finley discovers a knack for kicking and decides to take Jensen’s spot on the football team. To help her train, she recruits Jensen’s cute but conceited nemeses, Theo. Soon the two discover that their connection runs deeper than football. But Finley can’t let herself get distracted, and Theo has secrets of his own. Is true love really better than the perfect revenge?

For the Reading Challenge(s):
2026 52 Book Club Reading Challenge (Prompt #48: Related to the word “nemesis”)

The Reason

Still in the romance binge-read mood.

The Quotes

“We all make mistakes. It’s how we deal with our mistakes that really define our character.”

“When are you going to realize that I just want to be near you, Finley? All the time.”

“I came here for you,” Theo said suddenly, an intensity in his voice. He pointed to the picture. “Your grandma’s story is interesting and I know how much it means to you, but…I came here for you.”

My Thoughts

Finley may be a high-school student, but her feelings and issues are so relatable, and I was feeling them all with her. I was incensed with Jensen, bittersweet about her grandmother, grateful for her amazing friendships, excited about her podcast, determined with her training, and fluttery about her closeness with Theo. It was such a journey going through all of it with her, and I especially loved her grandmother’s stories.

I loved Kasie West and she was an automatic read for me at one point, but it’s been a while since I read her books and I thought it might be because I aged out of her target audience. And I have, sort of. I’m no longer a teen or young adult, but I have realized that good books transcends age, era, and any kind of demographic people box them into, and so I’m just reading whatever I want and loving the good books.

Also, I believe stories are important for the purpose of allowing us to see from other people’s points of view and learning empathy. I never want to forget what it was like to be a young adult or dismiss a young person’s feelings about what’s important to them. I think this story is a great reminder of that because of the parallels of Finley’s story along with her grandmother’s. I loved it!

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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Book Review | Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Posted January 17, 2026 by Haze in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in—both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. When her family is struck by tragedy, Daunis puts her dreams on hold to care for her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother’s hockey team.

After Daunis witnesses a shocking murder that thrusts her into a criminal investigation, she agrees to go undercover. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home. How far will she go to protect her community if it means tearing apart the only world she’s ever known?

For the Reading Challenge(s):
TBD

The Reason

This book keeps turning up and catching my attention, so I decided to finally read it!

The Quotes

“We love imperfect people. We can love them and not condone their actions and beliefs.”

“When someone dies, everything about them becomes past tense. Except for the grief. Grief stays in the present. It’s even worse when you’re angry at the person. Not just for dying. But for how.”

“People say to think seven generations ahead when making big decisions, because our future ancestors—those yet to arrive, who will one day become the Elders—live with the choices we make today.”

“Some boats are made for the river and some for the ocean. And there are some who can go anywhere because they always know the way home.”

The Narrator(s)

Isabella Star LaBlanc. She did an amazing job! I was completely immersed in the story.

My Thoughts

I went into the story blind and was very surprised to find it was a contemporary young adult story. I had initially assumed it was historical fiction, but I also really loved reading about Indigenous people in our contemporary times and how that looks like for them. It was very eye-opening. I thought it started a little slow, but at the same time, I love how that set the stage for us. It got really interesting once the whole criminal investigation thing was revealed to the MC, Daunis, and the stakes got a lot higher after that. I’m not sure how to describe how I feel, but the story felt very real and emotional to me. The author did mention in an afterword that she was inspired by real events. I love that there was so much to takeaway from the book; about self-love, romantic love, the respect for tradition and culture, the strength and resilience of people who have not been treated very well. I am so glad I finally read this.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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Book Review | The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Posted December 15, 2025 by Haze in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. Having missed her flight, she’s stuck at JFK airport and late to her father’s second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley’s never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it.

For the Reading Challenge(s):
N/A

The Reason

I recently finished another one of the author’s books, Field Notes on Love, and loved it and I’m craving love stories so I decided to read another one.

The Quotes

“It’s not the changes that will break your heart; it’s that tug of familiarity.”

“Did you know that people who meet at least three different times within twenty-four hour period are ninety-eight percent more likely to meet again?”

“It’s one thing to run away when someone’s chasing you. It’s entirely another to be running all alone.”

“I like how you’re neither here nor there. And how there’s nowhere else you’re meant to be while waiting. You’re just sort of suspended.”

The Narrator(s)

Casey Holloway. It was great, no notes!

My Thoughts

I have read this before and as per usual, have completely forgotten everything about it. I did rate it 5 stars on Goodreads though, so I knew I was going to love it again, and I did! It does hit differently now than when I read it more than ten years ago; I was younger back then and remember the nostalgia and the romance of young love more clearly. Now that I’m older and more practical about love, I feel so much concern in the back of my mind for the two MCs falling in love after only a couple of days and during significant moments in their lives! I’m also judging Hadley’s father hard!

However, putting my practical real life tendencies aside and only focusing on the MCs’ stories, it was easy to get immersed in their world and their lives, and feel the romance of their meet-cute. I particularly loved how witty Oliver was, with his banter, and the way he made Hadley feel comfortable with him. It’s such a sweet, wonderful love story, and I still love it reading it now.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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Book Review | Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith

Posted December 14, 2025 by Haze in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith

Having just been dumped by his girlfriend, British-born Hugo is still determined to take his last-hurrah-before-college train trip across the United States. One snag: the companion ticket is already booked under the name of his ex, Margaret Campbell. Nontransferable, no exceptions.

Enter the new Margaret C. (Mae for short), an aspiring filmmaker with big dreams. After finding Hugo’s spare ticket offer online, she’s convinced it’s the perfect opportunity to expand her horizons.

When the two meet, the attraction is undeniable, and both find more than they bargained for. As Mae pushes Hugo to explore his dreams for his future, he’ll encourage her to channel a new, vulnerable side of her art. But when life off the train threatens the bubble they’ve created for themselves, will they manage to keep their love on track?

For the Reading Challenge(s):
N/A

The Reason

I’ve been craving sweet love stories!

The Quotes

“Most things are easier than you think,” she says. “It’s deciding to do them that’s hard.”

“That’s the thing. You almost never know when you’re saying goodbye to someone forever.”

“His heart aches, not because he loves her—he hasn’t for a long time now—but because he loved her once, and that’s something that never completely leaves you.”

“You don’t know what happiness is – what it really means – until it’s taken away from you. Then you realise the world will never be as bright as it was.”

My Thoughts

I’ve been missing light-hearted romance stories and liked the sound of this one. Two strangers traveling together in a somewhat forced proximity, and learning about each other and themselves in the process of their journey. It’s cute and a little cheesy, but it was sweet and feel-good, and I needed to feel good. I loved the two MCs and the way they interacted with each other. I loved how unique Hugo’s situation was, and how he struggled to find his place as an individual. I loved Mae’s passion for telling stories and eventually finding her own. It got really emotional near the end and I’m not ashamed to say I sobbed like a baby. I’ve read a couple of books previously by this author and enjoyed them, and I think I’ll be reading more.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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Book Review | Vengeful by V.E. Schwab

Posted April 5, 2025 by Haze in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

Vengeful by V.E. Schwab

A super-powered collision of extraordinary minds and vengeful intentions—#1 New York Times bestselling author V. E. Schwab returns with the thrilling follow-up to Vicious.

Magneto and Professor X. Superman and Lex Luthor. Victor Vale and Eli Ever. Sydney and Serena Clarke. Great partnerships, now soured on the vine.

But Marcella Riggins needs no one. Flush from her brush with death, she’s finally gained the control she’s always sought—and will use her new-found power to bring the city of Merit to its knees. She’ll do whatever it takes, collecting her own sidekicks, and leveraging the two most infamous EOs, Victor Vale and Eli Ever, against each other.

With Marcella’s rise, new enmities create opportunity–and the stage of Merit City will once again be set for a final, terrible reckoning.

For the Reading Challenge(s):
2025 52 Book Club Reading Challenge (Prompt #TBD)

The Reason

I read Vicious, the first book in the series, and loved it. I wanted more of the story.

The Quotes

“How many men would she have to turn to dust before one took her seriously?”

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a human versus a human or a human versus an EO or an EO versus an EO. You do what you can. You fight, and you win, until you don’t.”

“The next time you point a gun at someone, make sure you’re ready to pull the trigger.”

“The life I had is gone. There’s no getting it back. I’d rather make a new one. A better one. One where I don’t have to pretend to be weak to survive.”

My Thoughts

I didn’t like this book as much as the first one. I loved the characters, and still do, but there were so many plot holes and issues with the story this time around that were really convenient and annoying. The storytelling style with the jumping timelines was also an issue; it was very confusing and tedious to get through.

The catalyst of the story was stupid, in my opinion, because Victor justified doing many bad things by saying that he was trying to cover their tracks, but that doesn’t make sense at all because anyone with any common sense would realize that it’s exactly what would bring attention to them. I also didn’t like how conveniently things were resolved in the end during the boss battles. I still love Sydney and Mitch, and I think June is a very interesting new character. I want to know what happens to them in the next book, but I’m not looking forward to slogging through the jumping timelines storytelling style, and if the plot is going to have issues like in this book, I don’t know if it’s going to be worth it. I truly hope it gets better.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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Book Review | Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Posted February 21, 2025 by Haze in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?

For the Reading Challenge(s):
2025 52 Book Club Reading Challenge (Prompt #41: Cover font is a primary color)

The Reason

I’ve enjoyed the author before and there was a buddy read for this book.

The Quotes

“Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to play at being human.”

“The absence of pain led to an absence of fear, and the absence of fear led to a disregard for consequence.”

“He wanted to care, he wanted to care so badly, but there was this gap between what he felt and what he wanted to feel, a space where something important had been carved out.”

“There are no good men in this game.”

My Thoughts

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book! I had no expectations going in, I didn’t even know what it was going to be about, but I just got sucked into the story and the rest is history. I loved the format of the story, the way the story unfolded. It was interesting to see Victor’s POV at the beginning, to see himself with all his flaws, and to see Eli through his emotions.

Mitch and Sydney were also very interesting characters. I loved seeing Victor with them, as opposed to Victor with Eli. I think the thing I love most about the book is all the complexities of the different relationship dynamics between every single character. There’s so much I can’t talk about because of spoilers, but suffice to say this book is worth reading just to explore the different ways the characters are with each other and why they like/dislike/trust/distrust each other.

I will be reading the next book in the series and I cannot wait to see more of the characters and how the story unfolds!

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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Book Review | Far From You by Tess Sharpe

Posted June 27, 2024 by Haze in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

Far From You by Tess Sharpe

Nine months. Two weeks. Six days.

That’s how long recovering addict Sophie’s been drug-free. Four months ago her best friend, Mina, died in what everyone believes was a drug deal gone wrong – a deal they think Sophie set up. Only Sophie knows the truth. She and Mina shared a secret, but there was no drug deal. Mina was deliberately murdered.

Forced into rehab for an addiction she’d already beaten, Sophie’s finally out and on the trail of the killer—but can she track them down before they come for her?

For the Reading Challenge(s):
2024 Diversity Reading Challenge
2024 Audiobook Challenge

The Reason

Because I love Tess Sharpe’s other books!

The Quotes

“But my heart isn’t simple or straightforward. It’s a complicated mess of wants and needs, boys and girls: soft, rough, and everything in between, an ever-shifting precipice from which to fall.”

“I’ll choose you. No matter how hard it is. No matter what people say. Every time, I’ll choose you. It’s up to you to choose me back.”

“Bad ideas are sometimes necessary.” It sounds so much like an excuse, it’s such an addict thing to say, that it makes my skin crawl.”

“When you’re kept by a secret, the first time you hear it spoken out loud is mesmerizing.”

The Narrator(s)

The author herself. It was so good, I always love it when an author narrates their own book because you can hear their emphases and expressions.

My Thoughts

Tess Sharpe is one of my favorite YA Thriller authors and I don’t think that anyone even comes close to her when writing these plots and these badass female MCs. I didn’t like this one as much as the others I’ve read by her – The Girls I’ve Been and Barbed Wire Heart – but that’s relative and only because the other two were so good.

My Feels

I love that the MC was so flawed and had her faults; we see her struggling really badly but still tapping into her inner reserves of strength and resolve. I love that she’s so worth rooting for, and I’m really awed by Tess Sharpe’s ability to write such interesting characters.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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Book Review | Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Posted June 26, 2024 by Haze in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?

Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard a little about Charlie – the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months – but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him.

They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…

For the Reading Challenge(s):
2024 Diversity Reading Challenge
2024 Library Love Challenge

The Reason

I was looking for a quick read and the books were available on Libby. I didn’t expect to love them so much but I just blew right through all of them and it might be my favorite thing in the whole world!

The Quotes

“You can’t tell whether people are gay by what they look like. And gay or straight aren’t the only two options.”

“There’s this idea that if you’re not straight, you HAVE to tell all your family and friends immediately, like you owe it to them. But you don’t. You don’t have to do anything until you’re ready.”

“We reached the point where we knew that whatever people said or thought about us, we knew who we were. And we loved ourselves anyway.”

The TV Show

There’s also a TV show based off the graphic novels and I love it! The cast is amazing; I love their chemistry and how everything just sizzles on screen!

My Thoughts

I don’t read a lot of graphic novels and I didn’t think I’d be interested in these books at all because they were about teenage romance and I’m way past that stage. I do still read fantasy YA because of the fantasy/adventure elements, and I used to love contemporary YA but haven’t been able to relate in years. So it was such a wonderful surprise to read these and realize how much I love them! Nick and Charlie has become one of my favorite fictional couples ever, if not *the* ultimate favorite. They are the cutest and I can’t stop shipping them! This is one of the most wholesome stories ever and it brings me so much joy!

My Feels

All the feels! All the joy! All the wholesomeness, all the cuteness, these books are everything! It’s such a feel-good, happy, heartwarming, cute aggressive, lovely and loving story! I feel like everything in the world could be going wrong, but I could read about Nick and Charlie, and the whole world would be alright again. They are everything good in this world, and we must protect them at all costs!

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Have you read this series? Would you read it or watch the show? Did you like it or do you think you would like it?

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10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston | Book Review

Posted December 27, 2023 by Haze in Book Reviews / 4 Comments

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation.

Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents’ house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That’s when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.

When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she’s started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.

This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever… or is it?

The Reason

I love the premise, and I love the idea of having all those blind dates and all the fun that could be had from them. I’ve also been really craving light and easy reads with low stakes and lots of fun. I must admit that I’ve been feeling a bit FOMO with the Christmas season and everyone reading Christmas-themed books. I’m still reading A Christmas Carol, but I thought this would be an acceptable Christmas read too.

The Characters

Omg, I love them all so much! Well, okay, not all of them. I love Sophie, Olivia, Charlie, and Wes, of course. I love Sophie’s sister and the baby, Anna. I love Sophie’s Nonna, and her big family, and how crazy they were. I didn’t like the Evil Joes! I also really disliked Griffin. Yuck. Eww. Blerghh.

Okay, to be perfectly honest, I didn’t like that her big family couldn’t keep confidences, and that they were basically using her heartbreak and love life for their entertainment. However, I love that element of big family dynamics being portrayed so well in the book, and for the sake of the story, it did help her get over her breakup.

My Thoughts

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did! I thought it would be a fun and silly teenage love story, something I could read and feel nostalgic about my own teenage dating days and how cringey I used to be with boys. It was fun and silly, alright, but it was so good!

The pacing is amazing, I have to say. The way the story was told, plans laid, each blind date by blind date, the dates we meet, the way they all moved the story along, the breaks between when it wasn’t all about the dates, but also about family and friendships and sisterhood. I started this book just before bed, intending to read a bit and continue the next day. I ended up staying up late to finish the whole thing!

My Feels

I am obsessed with this book! Who knew I could still feel this way about a contemporary YA romance at my age?! And honestly, while I never cared before about reading Christmas-sy books during Christmas season, I’m beginning to see why it feels so magical. It’s really something else to read the book, date by date, while I’m experiencing those same dates and feeling the spirit of Christmas.

My Rating

5/5 stars. I feel like I want to keep this book handy to read again next Christmas, but perhaps that’s only because I don’t have other Christmas-sy books on my radar yet. I’ll be on the lookout for more Christmas-themed books for next year from now on!

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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