Hello friends!

Can you believe we are almost in December? That’s CRAZY! This year flew by and I didn’t even notice the time passing. But here we are, almost in December, so that means I’m showing you for the last time in 2024 my monthly TBR.

If you read my post on How I Create My Monthly TBR Lists, you already know my magical formula to create a good reading month. This is the formula I planned on keeping for the entire year, so the goal I set was to read 2 paperbacks, 2 audiobooks, 1 ebook, and 1 manga volume each month.

But this month, I’m rebelling! Ok let’s not exagerate…

This month I decided to listen to my heart and read whatever I wanted! Sure, I still have a plan like I usually do, but I’m taking a break from most of the series I have ongoing. This includes my current manga “Death Note”, the “Seafire” series, and the “Night Spinner” series. I often struggle with reading series because I have a very small attention span and I end up losing interest if I don’t devour the series in a short amount of time. The funny thing is that I have tons of series to start (and finish) in my TBR list, but I usually put them to the side because I’m almost never in the mood to read series.

So this month you will see a ton of standalone books – and I couldn’t be happier! Without further ado, here are the books I’m planning on reading:

This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:

1. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

We are starting the list with (what I think is) a fluffy book. I’ve had this book on my TBR for a while now, and now it’s finally time to read it! I felt like this month I needed a really easy romance to balance all the thrillers I added, so it was a no-brainer! It seems like the main character plays chess, and that’s very interesting to me because I don’t think I’ve ever read a story like that before.

Synopsis

“Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays. After the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning bad boy of chess.
Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone—especially Mallory. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash prizes and, despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist….
As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren’t only on the board, the spotlight is hotter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce(-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…)”

2. Lights Out (Into Darkness #1) by Navessa Allen

Are you surprised to see this book here? This has been ALL over TikTok and I’m jumping on the hype train! This seems like a really fun and different New Adult Romance – and if I’m being honest, I believe I’m going to devour this book. I’ll keep you updated on my thoughts!

Synopsis

““I don’t need another kink.”
That thought pops into my head whenever I pull up my favorite social media app, but alas, every time I scroll, I learn something new about myself, and another one is born. And yes, I know I’m responsible for what the algorithm shows me, but I’m trying to ignore that fact.
Lately, my feed has been dominated by masked men. I’ve favorited videos with them dressed in full cosplay, decked out in futuristic military apparel, and wrapped up like ghouls.
But more than anything else, my FYP is filled with shirtless men wearing ghost masks. Bonus points if they’re heavily tattooed, wielding a knife, or covered in fake blood. At night, I dream about being chased by them, of them catching me and doing deliciously dark things to my more than willing body.
I never could have guessed that by sending one drunken text, those dreams would become my new reality.
Lights Out is a fast-paced dark romance with a morally grey male lead. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the TWs at the beginning of the book.”

3. The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Here is the first thriller on the list – but not the last one! I enjoy Lucy Foley’s murder mystery books very much, so when I found out she released this book with a dinner party theme… I was immediately sold on it! As I often do with thrillers, I don’t know a lot about this book and I don’t plan on knowing – I just want to start it and see how it goes. Fingers crossed!

Synopsis

“Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin…
It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.
But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered.
THE FOUNDER * THE HUSBAND * THE MYSTERY GUEST * THE KITCHEN HELP
It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at… The Midnight Feast.”

4. When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons #6) by Julia Quinn

This is the only series I decided to continue in December because not only I’m having a really good time reading it, but I’m only 3 books away from finishing this series! I have no idea what to expect from this book since we don’t get a lot from Francesca in the previous books – the only thing I know is that she becomes a widow very soon after her first marriage. I’m curious to see how the story will unfold. Hopefully, it’s a good one!

Synopsis

“In every life there is a turning point.
A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one’s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.
After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer — the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.But that was then… Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love… until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets…”

5. The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

I read a great Riley Sager book in November (“Survive the Night”), so I’m hoping I’ll find another amazing read in “The House Across the Lake”. Most of the time I try to go into thrillers without knowing too much about the story, and this book is no exception – I didn’t even read the synopsis (but you can, I left it below in case you’re curious). I’ve heard most people liked this book, so hope it will live up to the hype!

Synopsis

“Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress trying to escape a streak of bad press, has retreated to the peace and quiet of her family’s lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars and several bottles of liquor, she passes the time watching Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple who live in the house across the lake. They make for good viewing—a tech innovator, Tom is rich; and a former model, Katherine is gorgeous.
One day on the lake, Casey saves Katherine from drowning, and the two strike up a budding friendship. But the more they get to know each other—and the longer Casey watches—it becomes clear that Katherine and Tom’s marriage is not as perfect and placid as it appears. When Katherine suddenly vanishes, Casey becomes consumed with finding out what happened to her. In the process, she uncovers eerie, darker truths that turn a tale of voyeurism and suspicion into a story of guilt, obsession and how looks can be very deceiving.
With his trademark blend of sharp characters, psychological suspense, and gasp-worthy surprises, Riley Sager’s The House Across the Lake unveils more than one twist that will shock readers until the very last page.”

6. Misery by Stephen King

Here’s a fun fact about my experience with this book: I actually tried reading it about 15 years ago, but I never finished it! At the time I marked it as a “book to finish”, and since now I’m in a thriller mood, I believe this is the perfect opportunity to finally get into this book! I was enjoying it at the time, so I’m not dreading reading this at all – I’m very excited to finally see how the story ends (I didn’t even see the movie, so I’m going to be surprised either way). Anyway, I’m super excited for this one!

Synopsis

“Paul Sheldon is a bestselling novelist who has finally met his number one fan. Her name is Annie Wilkes, and she is more than a rabid reader—she is Paul’s nurse, tending his shattered body after an automobile accident. But she is also furious that the author has killed off her favorite character in his latest book. Annie becomes his captor, keeping him prisoner in her isolated house.
Annie wants Paul to write a book that brings Misery back to life—just for her. She has a lot of ways to spur him on. One is a needle. Another is an axe. And if they don’t work, she can get really nasty.”

Aaaand there you have it friends, my TBR list! As usual, I hope you liked this post! Let me know if you have any recommendations for me. You know I’m always grateful for those!

Thank you for reading, have a great day!