Today, I am posting my last post for 2024 – and what a great year we’ve had together! I absolutely love this time of the year, because I always feel very inspired and motivated to start the new year with good energy and giving my all!
I loved 2024 because it was a great year for me. Sure, there were a lot of ups and downs, as we often encounter in life, but it was a very positive year for me overall. I feel like I grew a lot, and I had wonderful and unexpected experiences I never dreamt of having.
And for that I am thankful.
I am thankful for this incredible year and the amazing experiences I had.
I am thankful for the year that is coming and all the good things that will happen.
And I’m also thankful for you friends, for reading my crazy reviews and posts. It truly gives me joy knowing that someone reads what I write and I’m very grateful for all of you! So here’s a very sincere: Thank you. 🙂
Friends, I wish you all the best for 2025. I wish you health, wealth, and plenty of good times with the ones you love – and of course, I don’t even need to say plenty of good books as well!
I hope you’re doing well! I hope you’re enjoying your holidays, and even though I am too… you know me – I’m always too eager to start working on my yearly goals and on my brand-new TBR! So that’s exactly what I’m bringing you today: all the books that I’m planning on reading in January!
If everything goes well, I’m starting 2 new series (a contemporary romance and a fantasy) and I’ll continue 2 series I’m currently reading (one long and another one being a trilogy). To complement all these series, I’ve picked 2 thrillers books from my TBR as well!
It’s going to be a very interesting month! So without further ado, here are the books I’m planning on reading in January:
What a great way of staring the new year, am I right? Let’s dive in!
1. Steel Tide (Seafire #2) by Natalie C. Parker
I was pleasantly surprised when I read the first book in the series, “Seafire”, because I feel like I usually have some difficulty picking up great sea/pirate books. But so far I’m enjoying this series, so I’ll be continuing the story in January! I’m curious to see if she’s going to find Aric in this one!
Synopsis
“The second book in a heart-stopping trilogy that follows the captain of an all-female ship intent on taking down a vicious warlord’s powerful fleet. Caledonia may have lost her crew, but she’s not done fighting yet. After nearly dying at the hand of a powerful foe, Caledonia is pulled from the sea and nursed back to health by a crew of former Bullets that call themselves Blades. The Blades escaped Aric Athair’s clutches and now live a nomadic existence, ready to disappear at a moment’s notice should trouble come their way. But Caledonia wants to do more than just hide. She wants to find the Mors Navis and her beloved sisters. She wants to continue fighting Aric’s fleet and to take back the Bullet seas. She’ll need to do everything in her power to convince the Blades that fighting is their only option, that there has to be a life better than the one under Aric Athair’s reign, and that finding the women of the Mors Navis is the first step to revolution.”
2. Penance by Kanae Minato
Ever since I read “Confessions” by this author, I knew I wanted to read other stories from her so after some digging, I found this book. Unlike my first experience with Kanae Minato, I’m going into this book without knowing too much about it. I’m hoping this is a nice thriller that will shake up my reading TBR for January!
Synopsis
“The tense, chilling story of four women haunted by a childhood trauma. When they were children, Sae, Maki, Akiko and Yuko were tricked into separating from their friend Emily by a mysterious stranger. Then the unthinkable occurs: Emily is found murdered hours later. Sae, Maki, Akiko and Yuko weren’t able to accurately describe the stranger’s appearance to the police after Emily’s body was discovered. Asako, Emily’s mother, curses the surviving girls, vowing that they will pay for her daughter’s murder. Like Confessions, Kanae Minato’s award-winning, internationally bestselling debut, Penance is a dark and voice-driven tale of revenge and psychological trauma that will leave readers breathless.”
3. Off the Grid (Full Throttle #1) by K. Bromberg
Of course, I needed a good contemporary romance to add to my monthly reading list! This is the first book in a romance series with a car racer as a main character. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this, so I’m super excited to see what it is all about!
Synopsis
“Spencer Riggs is sexy, intense and driven in his pursuit of all things racing. That pursuit now includes me. The cocky bad boy of racing struts onto my father’s team like he owns it. One look from him and I can tell he thinks he owns the boss’s daughter too. I’m determined to resist that panty-melting smile he keeps flashing my way. I have no time for distractions. Fulfilling a last promise to my father is my only goal. Race after race, city after city, I do my best to keep it professional. I swear I do.But one night after a hard-fought win, we’re celebrating, and Riggs claims his own sweet victory. Me. His sizzling touch owns my body, but it’s the broken man beneath the public façade who slowly wins my heart. Before I realize it, Riggs is the one I’m willing to risk everything for. Even if it means breaking a promise. But with our hearts on the line, will he risk everything for me?”
4. It’s In His Kiss (Bridgertons #7) by Julia Quinn
I’m only 2 books away from finishing this series! So far I’m enjoying the stories – some of them more than others -, and I’m very curious to read about the younger siblings’ stories. This book in particular is about Hyacinth! I’m not sure what to expect of her love story, but I hope it’s a good one.
Synopsis
“The seventh novel in Julia Quinn’s globally beloved and bestselling Bridgerton Family series, set in Regency times and now a series created by Shonda Rhimes for Netflix. This is Hyacinth’s story: she’s all grown up and ready to cause havoc… All the ton agree: there is no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton… Fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken and – according to some, particularly Gareth St. Clair – probably best in small doses. But there’s something about her – something charming and vexing – that grabs one and won’t quite let go. Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual – and annually discordant – Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth’s every word seems a dare, and she offers to help him out with a knotty inheritance problem he’s facing. However, as they delve into the mysterious St Clair history, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the past – but in each other; and that there is nothing as simple – or as complicated – as a single, perfect kiss.”
5. Final Girls by Riley Sager
In the last few months I’ve been in a thriller kick – or should I say Riley Sager kick? I’ve been really enjoying his books, so for January I decided to read one more thriller from him that has been on my TBR for a while – and I think it’s the first book of his that I have shelved if I remember correctly! So once again, I’m going into this without knowing too much about the story. Can only hope this will be a good one!
Synopsis
“Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout’s knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media’s attempts, they never meet. Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past. That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy’s doorstep. Blowing through Quincy’s life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa’s death come to light, Quincy’s life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam’s truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished.”
6. The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
This has been on my TBR for a very long time, so I think it is the right time to finally start it! I’m a little apprehensive just because this is a longer series – which is something that I struggle to finish sometimes -, but I think the beginning of the year is the perfect time to read a cozy series like this one, so I’ve decided it to give it a go. I know I’m late to the Raven Cycle party, but I’m glad I’m still reading it!
Synopsis
““There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love… or you killed him.” It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive. Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little. For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.”
Aaaand there you have it friends, this is my TBR list for January! 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!
Just wanted to hop in here and wish you all a Merry Christmas!
My wish for you is that you have a wonderful time spending the holidays with the ones you love, surrounded by tons of love, warmth, and yummy food – and good reads, of course!
Please enjoy yourself and have a lot of fun during this magical season!
How are you all doing today? I hope you are well! As you can tell by the title and cover of this post, today I want to share some of my anticipated releases for 2025 with you!
This year, I found a ton of books that will be published in 2025 that I’m interested in reading, so I want to share them all with you. Some of these books I found from book vloggers I follow, some of them I searched on Goodreads, and others were found only because I follow a few of my favorite authors! I think I’ve put up a good selection of books today—18 books, to be exact.
Spoiler alert, there will be PLENTY of beautiful covers in here, and I do not shut up about it. Consider yourself warned!
Ok, enough rambling! Here are the books I’m the most excited about:
What a great selection, don’t you think? Let’s take a closer look!
1. Warrior Princess Assassin (Untitled series #1) by Brigid Kemmerer
Release date:September 2nd, 2025
This title is very funny, but also very intriguing to me! I was immediately sold on it when I read the synopsis (you can read it below). It sounds super interesting to me! We don’t have a cover and we don’t know a lot about it yet, but I’m definitely keeping an eye on this new release.
Synopsis:
“The trilogy follows three characters – a princess with a secret, the handsome warrior king with fire magic she must marry for a political alliance, and the assassin who has been tasked with killing them both. The assassin, however, is the princess’ first love.”
2. The Woman in Suite 11 (The Woman in Cabin 10 #2) by Ruth Ware
Release date:July 8th, 2025
So this is supposedly the follow-up story to the iconic “The Women in Cabin 10” published in 2016. I’ll tell you a little secret: I haven’t read the first book, but it has been on my TBR for a very long time! So I think this is a great opportunity to read both books in 2025. The cover is stunning, by the way!
Synopsis:
“In this follow-up to #1 New York Times bestselling author Ruth Ware’s multi-million copy mega-hit The Women in Cabin 10, Lo Blacklock returns to attend the opening of a luxury hotel, only to find herself in a white-knuckled race across Europe. When the invitation to attend the press opening of a luxury Swiss hotel—owned by reclusive billionaire Marcus Leidmann—arrives, it’s like the answer to a prayer. Three years after the birth of her youngest child, Lo Blacklock is ready to reestablish her journalism career, but post-pandemic travel journalism is a very different landscape from the one she left ten years ago. The chateau on the shores of Lake Geneva is everything Lo’s ever dreamed of, and she hopes she can snag an interview with Marcus. Unfortunately, he proves to be even more difficult to pin down than his reputation suggests. When Lo gets a late-night call asking her to come to Marcus’s hotel room, she agrees despite her own misgivings. She’s greeted, however, by a woman claiming to be Marcus’s mistress, and in life-or-death jeopardy. What follows is a thrilling cat-and-mouse pursuit across Europe, forcing Lo to ask herself just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to save this woman…and if she can even trust her?”
3. Caught Up (Into Darkness #2) by Navessa Allen
Release date:June 10th, 2025
As I’m writing this post, I’m currently reading the first book in the series, “Lights Out”. I’m enjoying it, so I’m curious about the second book coming up in 2025! This was a no-brainer for me, of course I had to add this to my 2025 anticipated releases list.
Synopsis:
“I wanted this woman, and I was a man who always got what he wanted. Nico ‘Junior’ Trocci knows Lauren Marchetti is off limits. She is sweetness and laughter, whereas Junior exists in a world of violence and depravity. Men like him don’t get to have women like her. It’s why he pushed her away back in high school and has kept his distance ever since. But when Junior looks Lauren up online, he discovers the shy, bookish girl he remembers is gone. In her place is a strikingly beautiful woman whose social media is filled with scantily clad pictures of herself and a connection to a nearby play club. Junior’s innocent curiosity quickly turns into a dark obsession. But watching Lauren from a distance isn’t enough; he needs to make her his. He’s ruthless; a walking red flag. Good thing red is my favorite color. Lauren is intrigued by the mystery man who keeps showing up at her club, who tempts her white-hot desires. But as their flirty online messages stir up a deeper form of connection, Lauren worries she’s developing real feelings for this brooding stranger. As their combined desire ratchets up to a breaking point, who will seduce who? And will they survive the fall? Caught Up is a fast-paced dark romance with a morally grey male lead. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warning at the beginning of the book.”
4. If Not For My Baby by Kate Golden
Release date:August 5th, 2025
Another stunning cover! I found this book randomly on Goodreads, and I was curious immediately because it’s a romance book about a rock star and his backup singer! If I’m being honest, I’m not really into music-themed books, but I’m intrigued about this one, I’m not sure why. I just hope it’s good!
Synopsis:
“It’s the duet of a lifetime when a rock star and his backup singer find a new kind of harmony off stage in this sensational contemporary romance. Clementine Clark isn’t looking for love. Growing up with a single mom who weeps over a new guy each week tends to have that effect on a girl. But Clementine doesn’t mind being the rational one—she’s even buried her musical dreams so deeply within herself that she hardly notices the hole it’s left in her life. That is until her best friend calls her with a life-changing opportunity: to join Irish megastar Halloran on his first US tour as a backing vocalist. Clementine wants to reject the offer, but the pay is enough to change her and her mom’s life. Overnight, Clementine goes from serving enchiladas at the Happy Tortilla to belting high notes before a cheering crowd. But the whiplash of trading small-town Texas for sold-out stadiums is nothing compared to the rush of performing with the enigmatic Thomas Patrick Halloran. Poet, introvert, and lyrical genius, Halloran quickly gets under Clementine’s skin. The two couldn’t see the world more differently. And yet, over the course of the next eight weeks on tour, the romantic rockstar might just strike an unforgettable chord in Clementine. But will it be enough for an encore?”
5. We Met Like This by Kasie West
Release date:September 16th, 2025
Are you really surprised to see a Kasie West book here? As you can see, there is no cover and there is not a synopsis – but who cares? We both know I only need to see Kasie West’s name on it to read it! If this is not reader loyalty, I don’t know what is!
Synopsis:
No synopsis available yet.
6. With a Vengeance by Riley Sager
Release date:June 10th, 2025
If you have been following my blog for the last couple of months, you know I’ve been on a Riley Siger kick. I’ve been enjoying his books a lot, so when I saw this new release, I added it to my TBR. So it seems like this book is set on a luxury train – it’s giving me “Murder on the Orient Express” vibes! Very curious about this one, I hope it’s good!
Synopsis:
“One train. No stops. A deadly game of survival and revenge. In 1942, six people destroyed Anna Matheson’s family. Twelve years later, she’s ready for retribution. Under false pretenses, Anna has lured those responsible for her family’s downfall onto a luxury train from Philadelphia to Chicago, an overnight journey of fourteen hours. Her goal? Confront the people who’ve wronged her, get them to confess their crimes, and deliver them into the hands of authorities waiting at the end of the line. Justice will at last be served. But Anna’s plan is quickly derailed by the murder of one of the passengers. As the train barrels through the night, it becomes clear that someone else on board is enacting their own form of revenge—and that they won’t stop until everyone else is dead. With time running out before the train reaches its destination, Anna is forced to hunt the killer in their midst while protecting the people she hates the most. In order to destroy her enemies, she must first save them—even though it means putting her own life at risk.”
7. Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
Release date:January 14th, 2025
I immediately added this book to my TBR when I read another reviewer describing this story as a mix between a Ghibli story and the book “The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea” – so I thought, “say no more”. It’s impossible for this book to be more appealing! Luckily it comes out in January!
Synopsis:
“A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical journey when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike and enchanting fantasy novel. On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. And only the chosen ones—those who are lost—will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets. Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop’s new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it. Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice—by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds. But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own—and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.”
8. Sunrise on the Reaping (Hunger Games #0.5) by Suzanne Collins
Release date:March 18th, 2025
I was so surprised to know another Hunger Games book was coming out! I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for this book. It seems like this prequel is about Haymich – and I’m so down to read it! This is probably one of the books I’m most excited about – or maybe THE book I’m the most excited about.
Synopsis:
“When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for? As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight… and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.”
9. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
Release date:July 15th, 2025
Another beautiful cover! I admit I don’t a lot about this book, but that happens often so no surprise there. I’ve found this randomly on Goodreads, but it seems so magical that I had to add it to my TBR! I’m a little picky when it comes to witch stories, but I have high hopes for this one.
Synopsis:
“An enchanting novel about a witch who has a second chance to get her magical powers—and her life—back on track, from the national bestselling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Sera Swan was once one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her magical Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and a bit grumpily) helps Aunt Jasmine run an inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guest’s shenanigans, tries to keep the talking fox in check, and longs for the magical future she lost. When she learns about an old spell book that could hold the secret to restoring her power, she finds herself turning to Luke Larsen, a gorgeous and icy historian who might be the only person who can help her unlock the book’s mysteries. The fact that he also happens to be her one-night stand from years ago is totally irrelevant. Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and trying not to fall in love is a lot for anyone, but Sera is about to discover that she doesn’t have to do it alone…and that the weird, wonderful family she’s made might be the best magic of all.”
10. Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Release date:February 4th, 2025
A new contemporary romance by Ali Hazelwood? And it’s a standalone?! Sign me up! It seems like this is a new adult story that follows a competitive diver and a swimmer – I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like that before? I’m very curious to see what this is all about! As a side note, the cover could be a little better… in my humble opinion!
Synopsis:
“A competitive diver and an ace swimmer jump into forbidden waters in this steamy college romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis. Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A Junior at Stanford and a student-athlete who specializes in platform diving, Scarlett prefers to keep her head down, concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her career. She has no time for relationships—at least, that’s what she tells herself. Swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy, Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It’s how he wins gold medals and breaks records: complete focus, with every stroke. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes. So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water…”
11. A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young
Release date:January 7th, 2025
There were two things that sold me this book: Adrienne Young being the author, and the fact that it is a standalone! This seems to be a little different from what I know she usually writes, but I’m curious to see what the story is like and how she writes other genres.
Synopsis:
“A woman investigates her brother’s mysterious death while coming to terms with her own haunting past in this atmospheric novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unmaking of June Farrow. The only thing James and Johnny Golden have ever had is each other. For as long as she can remember, James’s deep connection with her twin brother, Johnny, has gone beyond intuition—she can feel what he feels. So, when Johnny is killed in a tragic accident, James knows before her phone even rings that her brother is gone and that she’s alone—truly alone—for the first time in her life. When James arrives in the rural town of Hawthorne, California to settle her brother’s affairs, she’s forced to rehash the ominous past she and Johnny shared and finally face Micah, the only person who knows about it. He’s also the only man she’s ever loved. But James soon discovers that the strange connection she had with Johnny isn’t quite gone, and the more she immerses herself into his world, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Johnny was keeping secrets, and he’s not the only one. What she uncovers will push her to unravel what happened in the days before Johnny’s death, but in the end, she’ll have to decide which truths should come to light, and which should stay buried forever.”
12. The Floating World (The Floating World #1) by Axie Oh
Release date:May 13th, 2025
A new series by the amazing Axie Oh? Again, sign me up! The synopsis sounds amazing. And I have to say this cover is absolutely stunning! This year we will have great covers.
Synopsis:
“Lower your gaze. The light is not for you. Ex-soldier Sunho lives in the Under World, a land of perpetual darkness. Possessing just his name and sword, he comes across the score of a lifetime – a chest of coins for hunting down the girl who wields silver light. Ren is a spirited acrobat travelling with her family. But everything changes when they are attacked by a demon. Desperate, Ren releases a blast of silver light and kills the monster – but cannot save her beloved uncle from grievous injury. Determined to save him from succumbing to the poisoned wound, Ren sets off for the mountains, where the creature came from – where Ren herself fled from ten years ago. Her path collides with Sunho’s, but he doesn’t realize who she is. As the two grow closer, it becomes clear their pasts – and destinies – are more entwined than they could possibly have imagined… Inspired by Celestial Maidens from Korean myth and pitched as Final Fantasy meets Castle in the Sky, an amnesiac sword-for-hire and a theatre troupe performer with mysterious powers discover that their destinies will change the fate of multiple worlds.”
13. What Happens in Amesterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Release date:May 6th, 2025
Seriously, everybody is bringing their A-game on with these covers! How beautiful is this one?! I’ve also added this book to my list based on how much I enjoy this author’s books. And I also don’t think I’ve ever read a book set in Amsterdam? It seems like the main character is traveling to start a new job away from home, and she lands there. Seems like the setup is very nice and it will bring up the beauty of Amsterdam!
Synopsis:
“Dani Dorfman is looking for an escape. She’s not expecting a new job to take her all the way from Los Angeles to Amsterdam, but after recently getting dumped and fired, she’s determined to make this a fresh start. But at the end of a disastrous first week, the big move is looking like an even bigger mistake. Especially when she crashes her bike into Wouter van Leeuwen, her family’s handsome Dutch exchange student from ten years ago. Her first love, until he inexplicably ghosted her… Wouter is at a crossroads of his own – in order to inherit his gorgeous family home on a canal, he needs to get married. And when Dani’s job falls apart, she needs a visa. Dani is certain Amsterdam is just temporary. But could the charming quirks of her new city, and a second chance at love, become her reasons to stay?”
14. The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Release date:May 20th, 2025
I’ve been loving Katherine Center’s books since I started reading them in the last couple of years. I think she’s a great author and she always wows me with her writing and unique stories. I don’t know a lot about this good, but coming from her… I’m sure it will be a hit!
Synopsis:
“It’s a thin line between love and love-hating. Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can. Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise! But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen… but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two. Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.”
15. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Release date:April 22nd, 2025
Another addition is based on the author. It seems like Emily Henry likes to write about writers because once again, this is a romance between two. Wasn’t “Beach Read” about writers as well? Still, I think this will be a popular book in 2025, so I’m sure I’ll hop on the hype and read this as well!
Synopsis:
“Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry. Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years–or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century. When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game. One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over. Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition. But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room. And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.”
16. Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
Release date:April 1st, 2025
I’m not even going to talk about this cover because I’m sure you’re tired of seeing me praise 2025’s covers – so I’ll just skip to the part where I tell you that I’ve added this book to the list not only because it sounds amazing, but it is written by the amazing Beth O’Leary. She’s one of the few authors I read adult romcoms from (along with Katherine Center, Emily Henry….), so I thought I would give this one a go! It seems like this is a “we’re trapped together” kind of romance, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy this!
Synopsis:
“Two strangers find themselves stranded at sea together in this epic new love story by bestselling author Beth O’Leary. What if you were lost at sea…with your one-night stand? Zeke and Lexi thought it would just be a night of fun. They had no intentions of seeing each other again. Zeke is only in town for the weekend to buy back his late father’s houseboat. Lexi has no time for dating when she needs to help take care of her best friend’s daughter. Going back home with a stranger seems like a perfect escape from their problems. But a miscommunication in the dark, foggy night means no one tied the houseboat to the dock. The next morning, Zeke and Lexi realize all they can see is miles and miles of water. With just a few provisions on the idle boat, Zeke and Lexi must figure out how to get back home. But aside from their survival, they’re facing another challenge. Because when you’re stuck together for days on end, it gives you a lot of time to get to know someone—and to fall in love with them.”
17. Wish Upon a K-Star (Once Upon a K-Prom #2) by Kat Cho
Release date:March 1st, 2025
I LOVED “Once Upon a K-Prom” by Kat Cho, so you should’ve seen my face when I saw the author was writing another book in the same Universe! I had no idea this would become a series, but I’m very happy that more books are coming. This is certain to be a must-read in 2025 for me!
Synopsis:
“A spin-off to the New York Times best-selling Once Upon a K-Prom, a K-pop idol and an up-and-coming K-drama star must fake date in this fresh and funny romcom that Korean pop culture fans will absolutely swoon over! Moon Minseok—or Moonster as this WDB fans know him—wasn’t born to lead. Even as part of the world’s most popular K-Pop group, he found comfort in his role as the jokester, the sidekick, the unserious one (with the cutest smile). But now WDB is drowning in dating scandals, and it’s time for Moonster to take charge of the group’s image. Shin Hyeri has been dealing with some scandals of her own. An up-and-coming K-Drama actress, she’s been labeled a “nepo baby” (with a famous idol as a big brother) and now, a bully (which couldn’t be further from the truth). Desperate to show the world that she’s earned her spot, Hyeri is determined not to let her rising star crash and burn. When these two childhood enemies get caught up in yet another scandal while co-hosting a K-Pop festival, there’s only one solution that will save both of their reputations: appear on one of Korea’s most popular variety shows, Our Celebrity Marriage (where celebrities pretend to get married and compete in ‘newlywed’ challenges). The plan is simple—pretend to get along, win back the fans, then go their separate ways. But what happens when a fake marriage leads to real feelings? Will Moonster and Hyeri bow to the pressures of their famous realities, or will they decide their love is something worth fighting for?”
18. Onyx Storm (The Empyrean #3) by Rebecca Yarros
Release date:January 21st, 2025
I haven’t started this series yet, not because I don’t want to, but because I’m waiting for all the books to come out to finally read it. This may be weird to some people, but I feel like this series will be difficult to put down, so I don’t want to wait between releases! I want to have all the books available to grab them one after the other – all of this to say that even though I’m excited for the release of the third book in the “Empyrean” series, I won’t be reading it anytime soon! Still, I thought I would put it here since it’s still an exciting release!
Synopsis:
“THE STORM IS COMING… Get ready to fly or die in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros. After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun; and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust. Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves – her dragons, her family, her home, and him. Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming… and not everyone can survive its wrath”
And there you have it friends, these are a few of my anticipated releases for 2025. Tell me about you, do you have any books you’re excited to read? Let me know so I can search them up!
“(…)He told me once that sometimes, with some people, it’s not about winning or losing, That with some people, it’s just about playing.” – 4/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: gambits, chess plays, strategy, championships, tournaments, bratty siblings, medical bills, and grief.
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…)
I don’t think I’ve ever read a story with a chess theme before, so this was a very interesting and fun read to me! I enjoyed this book for the most part: it was fast-paced, there were plenty of fun situations, and I liked the chess theme very much. I also enjoyed the romance, and the situations created by the author for them to keep meeting – that was one of my favorite things about this book. Who knew chess could be so fun? Now, with that said, I didn’t rate this book higher because there were two main things about the story that I didn’t like that much. The first one, and the worst, in my opinion, is the constant sex talk. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m no prude and I’ve read plenty of young adult romances that had sex scenes or sex talk, and that didn’t bother me in the slightest… but this book was on another level. It was uncomfortable to read at times because not only they were constantly talking about it, but the weirdest part was that even her younger sibling (who is 12 years old btw) was also part of the conversation – and even initiated it at times. She kept taunting Mallory about her sexual experience and preferences, and even told the male lead about her sister’s sex life… and it’s just uncomfortable to read. This is probably my least favorite thing about this book! I just think it was unnecessary to the story. Another thing I didn’t love about this book was Mallory’s personality. She’s not the worst character I’ve ever encountered in YA romance, but it’s funny how she tries to portray herself as a responsible young adult… while being very immature! She has a massive victim mentality and she keeps telling the readers that she is responsible for the demise of her family – which, spoiler alert, she is not. It just got tiring and I kept rolling my eyes while she kept whining. Again, not the worst character ever, but very annoying and difficult to empathize with at times. This is not exactly related to the story itself, but I thought I mention it here: the author added a note at the end of the book – that I highly recommend reading if you’re reading this book -, where she talks about how chess is mainly a male-dominated sport and how there is a lot of gender inequality. I had no idea! I was very surprised to know that there are separate tournaments for men’s and women’s chess. I thought this was very interesting and insightful knowledge, and I’m glad the author decided to share it with the readers to give some perspective. If you ask me if I thought the book was realistic, I would tell you the truth: I don’t know. I don’t know a lot about chess, so I can’t tell you if the story is accurate compared to real life or not. But if I had to guess, I would say it’s not the most believable story because the main character is a teenager who hasn’t played chess for a while… but she’s very talented to the point that she beats trained players like it’s nothing. That to me is a little hard to believe, but who knows? Also, it’s not that serious, this is fiction after all! Overall, I liked this book. It’s not a perfect book by any means, but the story was entertaining and I had fun reading it. I probably wouldn’t recommend this to a younger audience – like pre-teens and younger – because of the reason I mentioned before. Don’t be fooled by the cover like I was!
I hope you’re doing well! Are you excited for 2025? I know I am! Today I’m following up with a tradition here on the blog, with a post you already know was coming: my reading goals for the next year!
I love to make plans for the new year, and of course, my reading needs a ton of planning! Well, maybe just a little, but I love to set some new goals for the new year! My reading goals for 2025 will be similar to the ones I wrote in 2024, so don’t be surprised if you find some of them familiar.
One goal you won’t see this year is to reduce my book collection. I’m so embarrassed to say that I’ve had this same goal for the past few years… and I never reached the number I wanted! I have a ton of books, and even though I sold some of them and will keep selling them, I’ve accepted it will take time to reduce my collection. So this one is out of the list for now!
Ok, without further ado, here they are!
1. Read 60 books
This is probably the most important goal for me! This item is not news to you because every year my reading goal is set to 60 books. This means I plan on reading about 5 books per month, which I believe is a good number for me! It definitely depends on the year how easy it is to achieve it: some years it’s easy and I end up surpassing the goal; other years it is challenging! So this is a perfect number because it can be both depending on how my year is going! If I read 60 books in a year, I’ll be more than happy with my reading year in general!
2. Read 24 books from my physical TBR
I had a similar goal last year, but this time I’m planning on reading 12 books instead of 24! Reading from my physical TBR has been a bit of a struggle for me, so this year I’m making my life easier by lowering the number to read just 1 per month. I would love to reduce the amount of books I own, so this is why this goal is important to me. I want to prioritize what’s currently on my shelf, so hopefully this will go smoothly!
3. Read 1 fantasy series I have always wanted to read
In 2024 I’ve had the goal of reading 2 fantasy series, but in 2025 I’m going to make my life easier (once again) and commit to reading just one! I have a hard time committing to long book series, so I’ve added this goal to get out of my comfort zone and maybe fall in love with stories I usually don’t pick up. Here are some examples of series: Dune, The Lord of the Rings, A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Red Queen, City of Bones, Shadow and Bone, Throne of Glass, and many more!
4. Read 1 big book (>500 pages)
I’ve been struggling with this goal for the past few years, so for 2025 I’m going to try to read a single book over 500 pages. As I mentioned a million times before, I’m intimidated by big books, and since I know I’m missing out on some amazing stories, I need to fight this!
5. Only buy 12 books max
Even though I want to reduce my collection, I still want to have fun and freedom to visite bookstores and buy a few books whenever I feel like it – so this way I can buy books, but in a controlled way. If I follow this rule, I’ll be able to buy one book per month, and that should be more than enough for me.
6. Read every day
This may seem a simple one, but I really would love to read every single day. I know it won’t be easy, but I thought I would put this here as a way of making sure I read every day. I know this is going to be a little challenging, but I think I can easily read a few pages a day!
So what do you think of my reading goals for 2025? I think all of the reading goals that I’m setting are both challenging and achievable!
Tell me about you! Do you have any reading goals for 2025? Let me know!
Today I’m bringing you one more holiday-themed post! I hope you’re doing well and I hope you are excited for the holidays just like I am – can’t you tell I’m excited?
Every year I write a “Books I would love to find under the Christmas Tree” post, so it only makes sense for me to keep it up in 2024! But there’s a small difference this year – instead of 10 books, I’m doing 8 this time. To be honest, I struggled a little to find books to add to the list, so I kept it a little shorter this year. It seems like I don’t want to receive any books, but I promise you it is not the case!
So today I’m bringing you 8 books that I would be thrilled to find under my Christmas tree. These are books that have been on my radar for the last few months and I don’t have physical copies (yet).
Ok, enough talking – let’s dive in!
Let’s take a closer look at each book individually!
1. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas by Yoru Sumino
I have been intrigued by this book for a very long time! It seems like a really interesting and deep story, and the cool thing is that it is a graphic novel! As far as I know, this is a duology and the last book was published for the first time in 2026 – so I think it’s safe to assume this is going to stay a short series, which is great news for me. I would love to read this in a physical format!
Synopsis
“In this deeply moving first-person story, an introverted high school boy finds his classmate’s diary―and learns her biggest secret. Yamauchi Sakura is dying from a pancreatic disease and now he is the only one person outside her family to know the truth. The last thing the boy wants is to be her friend, but Sakura’s cheerful demeanor and their shared secret draw them together in this heartrending tale of friendship and mortality.”
2. Gleanings (Scythe #3.5) by Neal Shusterman
The science-fiction/fantasy series “Scythe” is one of my favorite book series of all time. So you should’ve seen my face when I saw the author released this new book! I thought this was a novella type of book, but it seems like it’s a full-length book, which was very surprising to me. But when I get to this book, I will need to read the entire trilogy again first because I want to have a fresh memory! Needless to say, I would be thrilled to find this book under the Xmas tree!
Synopsis
“The New York Times bestselling Arc of the Scythe series continues with “captivating…thrilling” ( School Library Journal ) stories that span the timeline. Storylines continue. Origin stories are revealed. And new Scythes emerge! There are still countless tales of the Scythedom to tell. Centuries passed between the Thunderhead cradling humanity and Scythe Goddard trying to turn it upside down. For years, humans lived in a world without hunger, disease, or death with Scythes as the living instruments of population control. Neal Shusterman—along with collaborators David Yoon, Jarrod Shusterman, Sofía Lapuente, Michael H. Payne, Michelle Knowlden, and Joelle Shusterman—returns to the world throughout the timeline of the Arc of a Scythe series. Discover secrets and histories of characters you’ve followed for three volumes and meet new heroes, new foes, and some figures in between. Gleanings shows just how expansive, terrifying, and thrilling the world that began with the Printz Honor–winning Scythe truly is.”
3. Beyond the Story by BTS & Myeongseok Kang
Of all the books I’m sharing with you today, this is the only one you will recognize from my previous posts. The reason behind this is that I actually started reading the audiobook version a few months ago. But I never made much progress because I realized something important: this shouldn’t be read as an audiobook. Sure, there’s an audiobook version available, but I believe this book needs to be experienced in its physical form. There are photographs and art to be enjoyed… and I can’t do that with the audiobook version. And that is why I would be super happy if I ever get this book in a physical copy – because that would mean I can finally read it!
Synopsis
“THE FIRST EVER OFFICIAL BOOK— Published in celebration of BTS’s 10th Anniversary, stories that go beyond what you already know about BTS, including unreleased photos, QR codes of videos, and all album information. After taking their first step into the world on June 13, 2013, BTS will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut in June 2023. They have risen to the peak as an iconic global artist and during this meaningful time, they look back on their footsteps in the first official book. In doing so, BTS nurtures the power to build brighter days and they choose to take another step on a road that no one has gone before. BTS shares personal, behind-the-scenes stories of their journey so far through interviews and more than three years of in-depth coverage by Myeongseok Kang, who has written about K-pop and other Korean pop culture in various media. Presented chronologically in seven chapters from before the debut of BTS to the present, their vivid voices and opinions harmonize to tell a sincere, lively, and deep story. In individual interviews that have been conducted without a camera or makeup, they illuminate their musical journey from multiple angles and discuss its significance. In addition, portrait photos that show BTS as individuals and artists open the book, and throughout there are concept photos, tracklists of all previous albums, and over 330 QR codes. As digital artists, BTS has been communicating with the world through the internet and this book allows readers to immediately access trailers, music videos, and more online to have a rich understanding of all the key moments in BTS history. Complete with a timeline of all major milestones, BEYOND THE STORY is a remarkable archive—truly everything about BTS in one volume.”
4. Penance by Kanae Minato
Ever since I’ve read “Confessions” from this author, I became very interested in reading her other books. So I decided to add this one to the list! If it’s as good as the one I just mentioned, I’m in for a treat!
Synopsis
“The tense, chilling story of four women haunted by a childhood trauma. When they were children, Sae, Maki, Akiko and Yuko were tricked into separating from their friend Emily by a mysterious stranger. Then the unthinkable occurs: Emily is found murdered hours later. Sae, Maki, Akiko and Yuko weren’t able to accurately describe the stranger’s appearance to the police after Emily’s body was discovered. Asako, Emily’s mother, curses the surviving girls, vowing that they will pay for her daughter’s murder. Like Confessions, Kanae Minato’s award-winning, internationally bestselling debut, Penance is a dark and voice-driven tale of revenge and psychological trauma that will leave readers breathless.”
5. The Girl With No Reflection by Keshe Chow
I’m not ashamed of saying that this book caught my attention by its beautiful cover and intriguing title – and nothing more, because I have absolutely no idea what it is about. The truth my friends, is that I’ll be that person for the rest of my life – picking books by the cover whener I feel like it! Do I really care? Not really! Santa please, put this beauty under my Xmas tree!
Synopsis
“A young woman chosen as the crown prince’s bride must travel to the royal palace to meet her new husband—but her world is shaken when she discovers the dark truth the royal family has been hiding for centuries—in this lush fantasy debut perfect for fans of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night and Violet Made of Thorns. Princess Ying Yue believed in love…once upon a time. Yet when she’s chosen to wed the crown prince, Ying’s dreams of a fairy tale marriage quickly fall apart. Her husband-to-be is cold and indifferent, confining Ying to her room for reasons he won’t explain. Worse still are the rumors that swirl around the imperial whispers of seven other royal brides who, after their own weddings, mysteriously disappeared. Left alone with only her own reflection for company, Ying begins to see things. Strange things. Movements in the corners of her mirror. Colorful lights upon its surface. And when, on the eve of her wedding, she unwittingly tears open a gateway, she is pulled into a mirror world. This realm is full of sentient reflections, including the enigmatic Mirror Prince. Unlike his real-world counterpart, the Mirror Prince is kind and compassionate, and before long Ying falls in love—the kind of love she always dreamed of. But there is darkness in this new world, too. It turns out the two worlds have a long and blood-soaked history, and Ying has a part to play in the future of them both. And the brides who came before Ying? By the time they discovered what their role was, it was already too late.”
6. The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Ever since I started reading Katherine Center’s books, I have become obsessed with her stories! She writes wonderful books, and I wish more readers gave her a chance to be wowed. This is one of the books I haven’t read yet, so I would be thrilled to find it under the Xmas tree. I don’t know a lot about this story in particular, but I prefer it that way at times – so I’ll probably start this one without knowing too much about the story.
Synopsis
“She’s rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own? Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies―good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates―The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!―it’s a break too big to pass up. Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone―much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.” Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script―it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme. But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself. She will convince him that love stories matter―even if she has to kiss him senseless to do it. But… what if that kiss is accidentally amazing? What if real life turns out to be so much… more real than fiction? What if the love story they’re writing breaks all Emma’s rules―and comes true?”
7. Kimi Ni Todoke, Vol. 1 by Karuho Shiina
Oh, I would be so happy to find this beauty under the Xmas tree! I’m so obsessed with this story that I devoured both of the series on Netflix – the manga version and the live-action action! This is a manga series I definitely want to read in the future, so I’m reading this regardless I have a physical copy or not. Very excited to dive into it in the future!
Synopsis
“Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine…for a horror movie. With striking similarities to a haunting movie character–jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor–she’s mistakenly called Sadako by those around her. But behind her scary façade is a very misunderstood teenager. Too shy to fit in, all she wants to do is make some friends. But when the most popular boy in class befriends her, she’s sure to make more than just that–she’s about to make some enemies too!”
8. Borrow my Heart by Kasie West
If you have been following my blog for a while, you already know I’m a huge Kasie West fan! I’ve read almost all of her books by now, and this book is one of the exceptions that I haven’t gotten into yet. So for that reason, I would be thrilled to find this book under the Xmas tree! Kasie writes the cutest and most fluffy contemporary YA romance you’ll ever read, so I will always recommend her books to readers of the same genre.
Synopsis
“When a girl overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friends for being catfished, she jumps in to save the day—and pretends to be his online crush. Wren is used to being called a control freak. She doesn’t care; sticking to the list of rules she created for herself helps her navigate life. But when a cute guy named Asher walks through the door of her neighborhood coffee shop, the rulebook goes out the window. Asher is cute, charming… and being catfished by his online crush. So Wren makes an uncharacteristically impulsive decision—she pretends to be the girl he’s waiting for to save him from embarrassment. Suddenly she’s fake-dating a boy she knows nothing about. And it’s… amazing. It’s not long before Asher has her breaking even more of her own rules. But will he forgive her when he finds out she’s not who she says she is? Wren’s not so sure… After all, rules exist for a reason.”
Cool selection, right? Whether I find these in my Christmas tree or not, I still really want to read them in the future. Oh, dear Santa, I’ve been good(ish) this year! I’ll take my reward in books, thank you very much!
What about you, friends? What books do you hope to get this Christmas? Do you have a book list for Santa ready? Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments!
Thank you for reading, aaaand I’ll see you in the next one!
We are now in December, the last month of the year – I still can’t believe how fast time passes -, so it’s time to share with you all the books I read in the previous month of November!
November was a good reading month, I ended up reading 7 books with positive reviews, so not bad at all! I was able to read some of the books I planned on reading for the month, but something unexpected happened as well: I read a few random thrillers.
If you know me, this is a little out of character for me. Even though we all have different reading phases that come and go, it’s not very common for me to want to binge on thrillers. I suspect this shift was inspired by celebrating Halloween this year, which left me more immersed in the spooky season.
So that’s how my month went in a nutshell! Wanna take a look at my November reads? Let’s go!
These are the books I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:
1. Seafire (Seafire #1) by Natalie C. Parker: 3.5/5⭐
I feel like it’s difficult for me to find good YA pirate books that I actually enjoy, so I went into this book with low expectations. I think from all the books I’ve read recently with this theme, this is probably one of my favorites. I liked the all-girl crew and their dynamics and roles (both in the story and on the ship), although I have to say it was a little difficult in the beginning to distinguish them because there were so many of them. At the end of the day, it was an okay book. It dragged a little at some points, but overall it was a good reading experience.
Synopsis
“After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, who have lost their families and homes because of Aric and his men. The crew has one mission: stay alive, and take down Aric’s armed and armored fleet. But when Caledonia’s best friend and second-in-command barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all… or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?“
2. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager: 4.5/5⭐
This was one of the thrillers I picked randomly this month, and it was an amazing wild ride! I can confidently say it became one of my favorite Riley Sager books. The story was super creepy and mysterious, and I kept wondering what really happened in that house – I just regret reading it at night because of how scary it was! It was surprising and the many plot twists made the book entertaining and engaging. The story starts slow, but it progresses to a point where it gets difficult to put down the book! For a random pick, this ended up being a great and unexpected read!
Synopsis
“What was it like? Living in that house. Maggie Holt is used to such questions. Twenty-five years ago, she and her parents, Ewan and Jess, moved into Baneberry Hall, a rambling Victorian estate in the Vermont woods. They spent three weeks there before fleeing in the dead of night, an ordeal Ewan later recounted in a nonfiction book called House of Horrors. His tale of ghostly happenings and encounters with malevolent spirits became a worldwide phenomenon, rivaling The Amityville Horror in popularity—and skepticism. Today, Maggie is a restorer of old homes and too young to remember any of the events mentioned in her father’s book. But she also doesn’t believe a word of it. Ghosts, after all, don’t exist. When Maggie inherits Baneberry Hall after her father’s death, she returns to renovate the place to prepare it for sale. But her homecoming is anything but warm. People from the past, chronicled in House of Horrors, lurk in the shadows. And locals aren’t thrilled that their small town has been made infamous thanks to Maggie’s father. Even more unnerving is Baneberry Hall itself—a place filled with relics from another era that hint at a history of dark deeds. As Maggie experiences strange occurrences straight out of her father’s book, she starts to believe that what he wrote was more fact than fiction. In the latest thriller from New York Times bestseller Riley Sager, a woman returns to the house made famous by her father’s bestselling horror memoir. Is the place really haunted by evil forces, as her father claimed? Or are there more earthbound—and dangerous—secrets hidden within its walls?”
3. Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon: 4/5⭐
It was a nice book, but if I had to pick a favorite from this author, it would definitely be “The Ex Talk”. This was fun and a unique story, but I didn’t connect to it as much as I did with her other book. Still, the characters were great (and I loved the love interest), the weather theme was fun and different, and their backstories were also interesting and added a layer of depth. But if I’m being honest, I didn’t care too much about them trying to get their bosses together – which is essentially the book’s big plot -, so that’s why I probably didn’t rate this a little higher. I still liked it for being entertaining and an unique story!
Synopsis
“Ari Abrams has always been fascinated by the weather, and she loves almost everything about her job as a TV meteorologist. Her boss, legendary Seattle weatherwoman Torrance Hale, is too distracted by her tempestuous relationship with her ex-husband, the station’s news director, to give Ari the mentorship she wants. Ari, who runs on sunshine and optimism, is at her wits’ end. The only person who seems to understand how she feels is sweet but reserved sports reporter Russell Barringer. In the aftermath of a disastrous holiday party, Ari and Russell decide to team up to solve their bosses’ relationship issues. Between secret gifts and double dates, they start nudging their bosses back together. But their well-meaning meddling backfires when the real chemistry builds between Ari and Russell. Working closely with Russell means allowing him to get to know parts of herself that Ari keeps hidden from everyone. Will he be able to embrace her dark clouds as well as her clear skies? A TV meteorologist and a sports reporter scheme to reunite their divorced bosses with unforecasted results in this charming romantic comedy from the author of The Ex Talk.”
4. To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn: 4.25/5⭐
Who knew this would end up being one of my favorite Bridgerton books? I always liked Eloise as a character, but I just couldn’t imagine her as the main character of her own romantic story until I read this book – let alone her becoming a stepmother! I really liked how this was not only a love story, but a family story! I liked the twins, and Sir Phillip’s backstory before Eloise came into the picture, and how they all fit so well together as a family. It wasn’t the story I was expecting, especially knowing how Eloise is as a character and what she believes in – but it was a really pleasant surprise. It was a very heartwarming book, something this series needed. Francesca is next!
Synopsis
“My dear Miss Bridgerton, We have been corresponding now for quite some time, and although we have never formally met, I feel as if I know you. Forgive me if I am too bold, but I am writing to invite you to visit me. It is my hope that we might decide that we will suit, and you will consent to be my wife. —Sir Phillip Crane Sir Phillip Crane knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he’d proposed, figuring that she’d be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except… she wasn’t. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her… and more. Did he think she was mad? Eloise Bridgerton couldn’t marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking… and wondering… and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except… he wasn’t. Her perfect husband wouldn’t be so moody and ill-mannered, and while Phillip was certainly handsome, he was a large brute of a man, rough and rugged, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But when he smiled… and when he kissed her… the rest of the world simply fell away, and she couldn’t help but wonder… could this imperfect man be perfect for her?”
5. The Giver by Lois Lowry: 4/5⭐
I’m sure you know this book (or maybe even saw the movie version) because it has been around for a while. Some even consider it a classic! I’ve seen this book cover plenty of times before, but only when I saw a snippet of the movie I became interested in reading it – so that’s exactly what I did in November! It is a very interesting dystopian story with a unique concept, and I liked it for the most part – but I wasn’t too keen on the last quarter of the book if I’m being honest. It felt very unsatisfying for being so sudden and rushed, and the ending was a little too ambiguous for my taste. I get that that’s the purpose of the chosen end – to make the reader fill in the blanks – but it felt like an “easy escape” to the complex story. Other than that, I think this was a powerful book with a very interesting concept.
Synopsis
“In a world with no poverty, no crime, no sickness and no unemployment, and where every family is happy, 12-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community’s Receiver of Memories. Under the tutelage of the Elders and an old man known as the Giver, he discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy. With echoes of Brave New World, in this 1994 Newbery Medal winner, Lowry examines the idea that people might freely choose to give up their humanity in order to create a more stable society. Gradually Jonas learns just how costly this ordered and pain-free society can be, and boldly decides he cannot pay the price. The Giver is set in a future society which is at first presented as a utopia and gradually appears more and more dystopic, so could therefore be considered anti-utopian. The novel follows a boy named Jonas through the twelfth year of his life. Jonas’ society has eliminated pain and strife by converting to “Sameness”, a plan which has also eradicated emotional depth from their lives. Jonas is selected to inherit the position of “Receiver of Memory,” the person who stores all the memories of the time before Sameness, in case they are ever needed to aid in decisions that others lack the experience to make. As Jonas receives the memories from his predecessor—the “Giver”—he discovers how shallow his community’s life has become.”
6. The Island by Adrian McKinty: 3.5/5⭐
An interesting book, that surprised me two times – the first time when I started reading it and it was nothing like what I imagined; and the second time when I realized I was having fun reading it! I guess that’s my fault for not reading the synopsis, but I digress! How to describe this thriller? I would say it’s a cat-and-mouse kind of thriller because the main characters are being chased on an island and have no way of escaping. So I’m sure you can understand how stressful this was to read at times – but the good kind of stressful, of course. It starts out slow, but the pace picks up and eventually, it gets very hard to put the book down. Also, I really liked the main character in this, and how strong and smart she was – I believe she was one of the reasons why I liked this book as much as I did. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into cat-and-mouse thrillers!
Synopsis
“It was just supposed to be a family vacation. A terrible accident changed everything. You don’t know what you’re capable of until they come for your family. After moving from a small country town to Seattle, Heather Baxter marries Tom, a widowed doctor with a young son and teenage daughter. A working vacation overseas seems like the perfect way to bring the new family together, but once they’re deep in the Australian outback, the jet-lagged and exhausted kids are so over their new mom. When they discover remote Dutch Island, off-limits to outside visitors, the family talks their way onto the ferry, taking a chance on an adventure far from the reach of iPhones and Instagram. But as soon as they set foot on the island, which is run by a tightly knit clan of locals, everything feels wrong. Then a shocking accident propels the Baxters from an unsettling situation into an absolute nightmare. When Heather and the kids are separated from Tom, they are forced to escape alone, seconds ahead of their pursuers. Now it’s up to Heather to save herself and the kids, even though they don’t trust her, the harsh bushland is filled with danger, and the locals want her dead. Heather has been underestimated her entire life, but she knows that only she can bring her family home again and become the mother the children desperately need, even if it means doing the unthinkable to keep them all alive.”
7. Survive the Night by Riley Sager: 4.25/5⭐
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would! This ended up being exactly the type of thriller I enjoy the most: eerie… and full of plot twists. And that my friends, is the cool thing about this book: you have no idea who to believe because you can’t figure out what is reality and what is fantasy. The fact that the story is situated in the 90’s gives it an extra eerie vibe – especially because cell phones weren’t a thing and communication wasn’t as it is today, it was normal to only use pay phones. I really enjoyed the dark atmosphere and the eeriness of the details, and I was getting very anxious about what would happen next. Let’s just say, I didn’t see it coming… I didn’t see any of that coming! Definitely recommend it!
Synopsis
“Charlie Jordan is being driven across the country by a serial killer. Maybe. Behind the wheel is Josh Baxter, a stranger Charlie met by the college ride share board, who also has a good reason for leaving university in the middle of term. On the road they share their stories, carefully avoiding the subject dominating the news – the Campus Killer, who’s tied up and stabbed three students in the span of a year, has just struck again. Travelling the lengthy journey between university and their final destination, Charlie begins to notice discrepancies in Josh’s story. As she begins to plan her escape from the man she is becoming certain is the killer, she starts to suspect that Josh knows exactly what she’s thinking. Meaning that she could very well end up as his next victim.”
As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon.
What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!
So I heard you were looking for some book recommendations to gift your loved ones – and of course, I’ve got your back!
Today I’m bringing you 3 books I read this year that I would gift other book lovers. In this list you’ll find a Romance, a Thriller, and a Non-Fiction book in today’s selection! You just need to figure out the genre the other person likes to read and look for the right recommendation.
Wanna see today’s list?
Let’s take a closer look at each individual recommendation!
1. The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté: 5/5⭐
If you’ve been following my posts, my Non-Fiction pick won’t come as a surprise. I absolutely loved this book and can confidently say this is one of the best books I’ve read this year! It’s a book written by the wonderful physician Gabor Maté and it talks about how trauma and illness develop when you are living in a toxic culture. It was fascinating and I saw myself a lot in it, so if your loved one is into science and/or psychology this may be a good option for a gift!
Synopsis
“By the acclaimed author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, a groundbreaking investigation into the causes of illness, a bracing critique of how our society breeds disease, and a pathway to health and healing. In this revolutionary book, renowned physician Gabor Maté eloquently dissects how in Western countries that pride themselves on their healthcare systems, chronic illness and general ill health are on the rise. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug; more than half take two. In Canada, every fifth person has high blood pressure. In Europe, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 30 percent of the population. And everywhere, adolescent mental illness is on the rise. So what is really “normal” when it comes to health? Over four decades of clinical experience, Maté has come to recognize the prevailing understanding of “normal” as false, neglecting the roles that trauma and stress, and the pressures of modern-day living, exert on our bodies and our minds at the expense of good health. For all our expertise and technological sophistication, Western medicine often fails to treat the whole person, ignoring how today’s culture stresses the body, burdens the immune system, and undermines emotional balance. Now Maté brings his perspective to the great untangling of common myths about what makes us sick, connects the dots between the maladies of individuals and the declining soundness of society—and offers a compassionate guide for health and healing. Co-written with his son Daniel, The Myth of Normal is Maté’s most ambitious and urgent book yet.”
2. Hello Stranger by Katherine Center: 4.5/5⭐
I had to add this book as my Romance pick because I believe it deserves more hype! This was probably one of the most fun and unique books I have read this year – and that’s saying a lot! What I liked the most about this book was how unique and original the story was. Who would even remember to create a love story with a main character who acquired temporary face blindness… and has to look at faces for a living? Can you imagine how funny the love story is since she can’t recognize the love interest? The story is genius and leads to many funny and heartwarming events. Definitely recommend this one if you want to gift a nice book for a romantic!
Synopsis
“Love isn’t blind, it’s just a little blurry. Sadie Montgomery never saw what was coming… Literally! One minute she’s celebrating the biggest achievement of her life—placing as a finalist in the North American Portrait Society competition—the next, she’s lying in a hospital bed diagnosed with a “probably temporary” condition known as face blindness. She can see, but every face she looks at is now a jumbled puzzle of disconnected features. Imagine trying to read a book upside down and in another language. This is Sadie’s new reality with every face she sees. But, as she struggles to cope, hang on to her artistic dream, work through major family issues, and take care of her beloved dog, Peanut, she falls into—love? Lust? A temporary obsession to distract from the real problems in her life?—with not one man but two very different ones. The timing couldn’t be worse. If only her life were a little more in focus, Sadie might be able to find her way. But perceiving anything clearly right now seems impossible. Even though there are things we can only find when we aren’t looking. And there are people who show up when we least expect them. And there are always, always other ways of seeing.”
3. Survive the Night by Riley Sager: 4/5⭐
For my Thriller pick, I want to recommend a book I’ve read recently that I enjoyed very much. I don’t want to give the story away, but it involves a girl who is being driven across the country possibly by a serial killer. The same serial killer who killed her best friend. Isn’t it intriguing?! What was so great about this story was the never-ending plot twists! Personally, that’s how I love my thrillers, so it was a very entertaining story from beginning to end. This is a great option if you’re looking for a thriller to gift!
Synopsis
“Charlie Jordan is being driven across the country by a serial killer. Maybe. Behind the wheel is Josh Baxter, a stranger Charlie met by the college ride share board, who also has a good reason for leaving university in the middle of term. On the road they share their stories, carefully avoiding the subject dominating the news – the Campus Killer, who’s tied up and stabbed three students in the span of a year, has just struck again. Travelling the lengthy journey between university and their final destination, Charlie begins to notice discrepancies in Josh’s story. As she begins to plan her escape from the man she is becoming certain is the killer, she starts to suspect that Josh knows exactly what she’s thinking. Meaning that she could very well end up as his next victim.”
So there you have it friends – I hope you enjoyed this mini-recommendation post and I hope you took some ideas from it to gift your loved ones.
Sprayed Edges 