Cruel Winter With You | Book Review

About The Book
Pediatrician Jamie Malek finds herself snowbound with Marc, her best friend’s younger brother turned tech billionaire—and the one she let get away. As a blizzard rages outside and sparks fly inside, old wounds and buried feelings resurface. What starts as a simple request for a roasting pan becomes an unforgettable winter’s night of rekindled connection.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/49PfSha

My Rating


This is a fun, Christmassy novella that you can read on a single (and preferably snowy) winter’s night. It’s part of an Amazon Original collection called Under the Mistletoe. As a huge fan of Ali Hazelwood’s work, I knew I’d probably adore this book—and it came as no surprise that I was right.

Despite being under 100 pages, this story was very well thought out. I felt like I got to know a lot about the characters in such a short period of time. The plot was engaging, and I really enjoyed the romance.

This is a forced proximity, best friend’s brother romance, with an age gap where the female main character is older. I loved the connection between the two characters, and let me just say, the male main character was such a green flag! Although the Christmas vibes weren’t very prominent, it still felt like a delightful winter romance.

“Next year, when we fly home for the holidays, we’re going to do it together.”

Overall, I loved everything about this story, and the ending was so satisfying. While it does include a bit of the miscommunication trope, I didn’t mind because it felt realistic. There is some spice in this book, but it’s not overly steamy—I’d give it about 1.5 out of 5 on the spice scale. If you’re looking for something quick and enjoyable to read this winter, I definitely recommend giving it a chance.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book! Don’t forget to follow the blog so you never miss any of my bookish posts. Also, if you could take a moment to head over to my Facebook page and give it a like, I’d really appreciate it.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Candy Cain Kills | Book Review

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

My Rating


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny