One Day In December // Book Review

About The Book
Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story. What follows for Laurie, Sarah, and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming, and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3RBLkYS

My Rating


Unfortunately, this book has a lot of my pet peeves when it comes to romance novels. I wanted a cute, winter love at first sight romance, with a few obstacles. However, this wasn’t a traditional romance, and they weren’t actually together for much of the story. Also, only some of the novel is based at Christmas time, so keep that in mind.

In the book we follow Laura, who, one December day, is instantly drawn to a young man she sees out of the bus window. She spends a year searching for who she calls bus boy. Then, her best friend introduces her to her new boyfriend, Jack, whom, as you could’ve guessed, is bus boy.

Thus years of pining follow, as the two try their best to move on from their connection. But does this actually work? No, because throughout the book, there is seriously this emotional pool between them. As the reader, I would get so frustrated that they just wouldn’t admit their feelings and attempt to be together.

“If anyone ever asks if I’ve ever fallen in love at first sight, I shall say yes. For one glorious moment on the 21st of December 2006.”

The biggest con is that we watch them try, and fail, to fall in love with other people. Or in Jack’s case, randomly hook up with other women. For being a romance novel, I wanted them to actually be together, which isn’t the case. We never get to actually view them as a couple, which is frustrating to me.

However, the books most redeeming quality is the writing. I loved Josie Silver’s writing style. Although the plot wasn’t my favorite, and I didn’t really enjoy 75% of the book, the writing is what kept me reading, and I would probably pick up more of her books in the future.

Overall, the one thing that is desperately missing from this book is an epilogue. If you were going to give me an almost 400 pages romance novel without actually any romance. I’m gonna need an epilogue so that I get a tiny glimpse of the love interests actually being together. Nevertheless, I did like the message that home isn’t a place, but a person, which is a very romantic sentiment.

Sorry, if this review was a little bit spoilery. I didn’t know how to write it without adding my actual thoughts, which could be considered spoiling the book. But, if you are a fan of book reviews usually spoiler free ones give my blog a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Christmas Songs // Book Tag

Hi Friends,
Today, for day 8 of Bookmas, I’m going to be doing the ‘Christmas Songs’ Book Tag created by That Artsy Reader Girl. I have never done this tag before, which made it even more fun to do.


Related Post: Better Than The Movies // Book Review

This was easy, because my favorite book couple is probably Liz and Wes from ‘Better Than The Movies’ by Lynn Painter. I love their dynamic and love story.


Related Post: Kiki’s Delivery Service // Book Review

The first book that comes to mind is ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ by Eiko Kadono, since she leaves home in the beginning of the book. It’s such a fast read that was really cute. And, I’m sure the anime film adaptation is just as good.



As a kid, I loved ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ by Dr. Seuss. It still holds a special place in my heart.



I have too many on my list, so I’d really love any book. I have an Amazon wishlist that has a ton of books that I would love to get on Christmas.



I’m a baby when it comes to books, and I’ll cry at a lot of them. Most recently ‘Serpent and the Wings of Night’ by Carissa Broadbent made me ugly cry.


Related Post: The Holiday Swap // Book Review

Anything that embodies a Hallmark movie! I’m all about a good plot, but a little bit of cheesy romance. The one that I always recommend is ‘The Holiday Swap’ by Maggie Knox, because I can definitely see it being a Hallmark movie one day.


Related Post: Caraval // Book Review

I’m going to talk about the ‘Caraval’ trilogy by Stephanie Garber, because to me all the book were very well done. However, my favorite is ‘Caraval’, which is the first book. In my opinion, it was a great start to the trilogy.


Related Post: Divergent // Book Review

Four, from ‘Divergent’ by Veronica Roth because I’m into the brooding, serious, and misunderstood type, with a heart of gold. I think it would make for an interesting snow day.


Related Post: One Of Us Is Back // Book Review

Sadly, ‘One Of Us Is Back’ by Karen M. McManus wasn’t my favorite book. I still enjoyed it, but as the ending to a great YA thriller trilogy it was a letdown.



I’m so excited for ‘Happily Never After’ by Lynn Painter! It’s an adult romance about two love cynics, and I cannot wait to read it. The release date is set for March of 2024.


I think that all the questions were very creative, and I can see myself doing this tag again next year. In the comments, let me know you answers to these questions. Don’t forget that you can always follow the blog, to ensure that you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Whiteout // Book Review

About The Book
Atlanta is blanketed with snow just before Christmas, but the warmth of young love just might melt the ice in this novel of Black joy, and cozy, sparkling romance—by the same unbeatable team of authors who wrote the New York Times bestseller Blackout! As the city grinds to a halt, twelve teens band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life. But will they be able to make it happen, in spite of the storm?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3t3Zh8H

My Rating


This is an anthology that features six romance stories centered around black teens. The main narrative follows Stevie and Sola, navigating a challenging phase in their relationship, providing a catalyst that intertwines and connects the other stories. Despite the varied plots, each tale presents unique yet collectively interesting perspectives on romance, making it a cohesive anthology.

Stevie bears similarities to Sheldon from ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ While the characters are enjoyable, the briefness of the stories limits the depth of character exploration, and there’s minimal character development. However, given that this is a short story collection, this is not unexpected.

The Atlanta setting, right before Christmas, creates a captivating atmosphere heightened by a snowstorm. The wintry backdrop enhances the holiday spirit, providing a cozy reading experience that captures the essence of a cold December night.

“But Christmas just adds an extra bit of magic to the love, you know? The special gifts, the parties, the lights, the mistletoe.”

The great thing is that I don’t find that I liked any story in the anthology more than any of the others. However, none of them really stood out to me – they all fell somewhere in the middle of my expectations. Separately, and collectively, I’d give them 3 stars, which I think is a solid rating.

Overall, the book is a quick and fun read, showcasing wholesome romances among black teens. Though not a traditional Christmas read, the winter setting makes it an ideal choice for a snowy night, adding a lighthearted touch to the seasonal reading list. And, this is high praise coming from someone that doesn’t normally enjoy anthologies.

In the comments, let me know if you plan on reading this book. Don’t forget that you can always like and share this post. If you enjoy book reviews please support my blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Read Or Not // Holiday Edition

Hi Friends,
Today is day 6 of Bookmas, and I’m going to be talking about holiday reads. Specifically, the ones I think are worth reading, and the ones that aren’t.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3taqfva
Related Post: Eight Nights Of Flirting // Book Review

Let’s start this off on a high note and talk about my favorite holiday read of 2022. This is the cutest YA Hanukkah romances that I have read. I completely recommend it, and love that it isn’t a Christmas book, since that’s what people typically read this time of year.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3tbDnjF
Related Post: In A Holidaze // Book Review

Honestly, this book wasn’t for me – from the romance, to the plot, I just couldn’t get into it. However, the writing was decent, but I will say that this is a book I would pass on. It really isn’t anything special.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/483IbXd
Related Post: The Holiday Swap // Book Review

If you love Hallmark Christmas movies (which I know aren’t for everyone), then you will love this book. This seriously feels like you are watching one of there cheesy but heartwarming holiday movies, and I loved every second of it. I think that you should definitely give this book a read.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/4ajmODo
Related Post: So, This Is Christmas // Book Review

I don’t want to go on a tangent about how much I dislike this book, so I’ll keep it short. This is a young adult contemporary that I was not a fan of whatsoever. Enough said.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/418Epd0
Related Post: A Merry Little Meet Cute // Book Review

This book was a pleasant surprise because not only was it a cute holiday romance it is super steamy. I loved all the funny moments and it had great bipolar representations. I think it is good holiday read for someone that doesn’t mind a good amount of spicy.


Buy Book: https://amzn.to/3RuoQJb
Related Post: All I Want For Christmas // Book Review

If you are looking for a super cheesy and ridiculously Christmas read, then this is the book for you. As for me, it didn’t really work. In my opinion, I am going to have to say that it isn’t worth the read.


I hoped that this helped you plan your December TBR a littler better. Don’t forget to like and share the post. And, you can always support my blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Family Game // Book Review

About The Book
A confession to a grisly crime. A murder. And, suddenly, the game is in motion. Harriet Reed is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir to an extremely powerful American family. When Edward’s father hands her a tape of a book he’s been working on, she is desperate to listen. But as she presses play, it’s clear that this isn’t a novel. It’s a confession to murder.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/47AZWNM

My Rating


This was a very slow moving thriller that focused mainly on the main character. We get to learn a lot about her, and the story is told through her eyes. And although it wasn’t a quick paced story, I really enjoyed it and think that it’s a great winter time thriller.

In the book, we follow Harry, a novelist, who is newly engaged to Edward. Her fiancé comes from a very wealthy family. But Harry soon learns that the family not only has money, but secrets as well. Although she finds herself drawn in to her new family, she’s starting to wonder if they can truly be trusted.

Harry as a main character was great. I found her to be likable and for the most part smart. And I love that she was a thriller author, and used the knowledge she gained from writing her books to help her uncover some of the family’s secrets. However, Harry has a secret of her own, which shows the darker side to the character, but also very human side.

“Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive.”

No, I won’t say this book is full of twists and turns, but there were a few moments that shocked me. I enjoyed the slower pace of this book, and I loved that it was at Christmas time. I haven’t read many thrillers that take place during the holidays, so it was a nice change for me. And the mention of Krampus, although small, was pretty interesting.

I have heard others say that they wished that the book focused more on the family game part, which is understandable, considering it’s the title. However, that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book. And the ending was fantastic! It started off as a four star, but was bumped up to five because those last few chapters.

Overall, the writing was excellent, the plot was amazing, and my reading experience was great. I will 100% be reading more from this author, and I would recommend this book to others who are looking for a thriller to read in the winter time. But please check trigger warnings before picking up this book.

In the comments, let me know if you will be reading this book. Don’t forget that you can stay up to date with the blog by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Did I Read My 2023 Anticipated Releases?

Hi Friends,
For day 2 of Bookmas, I am going to be taking a look back at my most anticipated book releases of 2023. I have done 4 anticipated releases post this year, so I am hoping that I have at least read half of the books that I was excited for this year. If not, I am going to try and make it a priority to read some of them before the year is over.

I did a post talking about my most anticipated YA romances, and I am happy to say that I read 3 out of the five books I mentioned in that post. I read ‘Never Vacation with Your Ex’, ‘Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl’ and ‘Borrow My Heart.’ But, I wasn’t able to pick up ‘Promposal’ and I completely forgot about ‘The Borrow a Boyfriend Club.’ However, I am still interested in both of those books.
Related Post: 2023 YA Romances // Anticipated Releases

My next release post was talking about 2023 summer books. I read 5 of the books in that post, which were ‘The Only One Left,’ ‘The Seven Year Slip,’ ‘One of Us Is Back,’ ‘Delicate Condition,’ and ‘Foxglove.’ And, all of these books were between 4 and 5 stars for me. As for the ones I didn’t read we have ‘Summer Rental,’ ‘Business or Pleasure,’ and ‘Ghosted: A Northanger Abbey.’ All of those books still sound so good. There were two other books in this post, ‘The Trap‘ and ‘Good Bad Girl‘ that I didn’t read, but started. And, since putting down ‘Good Bad Girl’, I haven’t heard the greatest thing about it, so it might be a DNF.
Related Post: Anticipated Releases // Summer 2023

Moving on to a post I did recently, my October anticipated releases. I am going to keep this short and sweet by saying that I have yet to read any of the six books I mentioned. Still, I am very interested in all of them. Lastly, is my November book release post and, like October, I haven’t read any of these books. I might try and get to one out of six books in that post, which will most likely be ‘Iron Flame’ or ‘Betting On You.’
Related Post: Anticipated Releases // October 2023
Related Post: Anticipated Releases // November 2023

Honestly, I don’t think I did too badly this year when it came to reading books I was excited for. It doesn’t shock me that I did poorly in October and November, since I’m a mood reader and like to read certain books during those months. In the comments, tell me if you have read any of my anticipated releases, and if they are worth the read. Don’t forget that it is completely free and makes me smile when you follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Raising The Horseman // Book Review

About The Book
Kat Van Tassel wants nothing to do with Sleepy Hollow’s ghostly history. But when her mother gives her the original Katrina van Tassel’s diary on the two-hundredth anniversary of the Headless Horseman’s haunting, a new legend begins to take shape, weaving together the past and the present in eerie ways.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3uEar4t

My Rating


Honestly, I don’t know what I was expecting out of this book, because even the cover screams “middle grade Headless Horseman retelling”. Although, it is supposed to be young adult I can say that is not how it reads. And if you know me, you know, I’m not typically a fan of the middle grade genre. So it’s not surprising that I didn’t love the story.

In the book, we follow Kat, who is an ancestor of Katerina van Tassel. In her hometown, there’s this legend that the Headless Horseman protects Katerina’s descendants. But, Kat wants more than just to live in Sleepy Hollow forever like Katerina. However, when she’s given Katerina’s diary, she learns a lot more about her and her dreams.

Unfortunately, the characters in this book were basic. There wasn’t much insight into their personalities or motivations. The story lacked any depth in the characters, and there was absolutely no character development whatsoever. The romance aspect was very predictable and insta-lovey, which I am not a fan of.

“Family legend says he always swore it was the Headless Horseman who chased him through the hollow.”

And, don’t even get me started on Kat letting people walk all over her. The book completely brings forth a toxic relationship dynamic, which I was not expecting. However, it does add an interesting layer of complexity to the story, but it left me angry with the protagonist and her choices.

Although, I had issues with the characters, the chapters where we got a glimpse into Katerina’s life through her diary entries were fantastic. This storytelling approach was, for me, the highlight of the entire book. It was enjoyable to read about Katerina’s journey and her character development. I loved how the author showcased that our desires may not always be what we truly want.

Overall, the book fell short of being truly engaging, and the writing style, unfortunately, leans toward juvenile. Still, the story might appeal to a more younger audience looking for a quick read. On a positive note, the book delves into the theme of familial accountability, emphasizing that individuals shouldn’t be solely defined by the actions of their family.

Let me know if this book is on your TBR. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other readers. If you would like to get notified whenever there’s a new post, hit the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Never Vacation With Your Ex // Book Review

About The Book
A YA second chance romance where the rules for getting over an ex turn out to be more complicated than they seem. Kaylee Jordan’s one refuge, and the thing she looks forward to every summer? The vacation her family spends in Malibu with the Freeman-Yus. This year, there’s only one problem: Kaylee and their son, Dean, dated for the past three months, and Kaylee just unceremoniously dumped him.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/47yKm5s

My Rating


This is a friends-to-lovers high school romance, but with a twist – the love interests have actually already dated and broken up at the beginning of the book. However, they must now, as the title suggests, go on summer vacation with their families, and try to navigate this new normal as exes.

Kaylee is the female, and she has major commitment issues. She’ll date someone for a few months, break up with them, and then start a new relationship (or shall I say fling) with somebody else within weeks. She is also one of the star players on her high school volleyball team.

I understand that Kaylee had commitment issues, since in high school things are always changing. Also, she had a lot of struggles comparing herself to her mother, who was an Olympic volleyball star. All of these things factored into her commitment phobia. However, I didn’t like the fact that everyone blamed her for the break up.

“I could be the heartbroken one. I’ve just taught myself not to be.”

You could clearly see that she was struggling with the break up in her own way. Yes, Dean, her ex, was vividly sad, but her feelings should not have been ignored. Also, he clearly knew the rest. He was taking a chance dating her, because they were friends, and he saw her romantic history firsthand.

However, I did like the writing in this book, because I didn’t find it to be juvenile. The ending was done well, and I liked Kaylee’s character development. Also, there’s a slight exchange of service plot between Kaylee and Dean that I enjoyed, which isn’t surprising since it is one of my favorite plot devices.

Overall, it’s a easy read with a good plot. Also, I did like that Patrick and Siena from ‘With And Without You’ made an appearance in the book. I will continue to read more from this duo, since this isn’t their worst book, but it definitely isn’t there best either. I had a fairly decent reading experience, so I would call that a win.

In the comments, let me know your favorite book by this author duo. If didn’t already know, you can follow the blog to help show your support!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

You, Again // Book Review

About The Book
Can they stop hating each other long enough to fall in love? When Ari and Josh first meet, the wrong kind of sparks fly. They hate each other. Instantly. Ari and Josh never expect their paths to cross again. But years later, as they’re both reeling from ego-bruising breakups, a chance encounter leads to a surprising connection: friendship.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3MVvm98

My Rating


If you are looking for the perfect fall romcom, then this is the book for you. This is a ‘When Harry Met Sally’ retelling, which is a plot I don’t actually know very well, since I’ve never seen the film. However, the book follows Ari and Josh, who couldn’t be more different.

Ari and Josh meet multiple times throughout the years, and when they are both at their lowest, they once again encounter each other and strike up unlikely friendship. This is marketed as a friend without any benefits story. And it was the chef’s kiss if you had read the book, then you know that this is a pun.

I loved Ari and Josh’s dynamic throughout the book. One can see the chemistry between them from a mile away. They both had things they needed to work through, and I loved how the story was told. Their relationship never felt rushed, and yes there were times when I wanted things to progress a little more quickly. However, I completely understood the characters’ thoughts and actions.

“No one should marry the person who makes them happy. Marry the person you want by your side at your absolute lowest point.”

I had such a great time reading this book, and although it was not a super fast-paced read, I was so invested in the story. It is a romance book for readers that do not typically read love stories, because we are following two characters that are not actually in a relationship and have no desire to be together. Or, so they think.

Overall, the writing was fantastic, the characters are amazing, the slow burn was done perfectly and that ending made me cry. In addition, the fact that Ari was bisexual and talked about throuples was something that I was not expecting, but it added a fun element to the story, and I love the diversity. Also, there isn’t a whole lot of intimate scenes in the book but the sexy scenes we do get are very steamy.

In the comments, let me know if I should watch ‘When Harry Met Sally.’ Do not forget to share this post with others. And, if you like book reviews, give my blog a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Legends And Lattes // Book Review

About The Book
After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time. The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3QIZgPa

My Rating


If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy with a not much depth to the plot than this book is for you. I had such a fun time reading this book and it put me in the fall mood. I can see people who don’t really like heavy fantasy stories enjoying this book. Also, Liking coffee isn’t a requirement of having a good time reading the book but I think it’s necessary.

The plot follows Viv, a newly retired orc bounty hunter, who decides to open a coffee shop in a small town. Along the way, she makes some friends, introduces people to the wonder that is coffee, and falls in love. The mix of fantasy and cozy charm in this plot was perfect.

The characters in the book were all great, and they all had their own unique personalities. I loved the found family aspect that this book had. Viv made real connections with these people, and they wanted to help her succeed. It was all very wholesome. But my favorite character was Thimble, who became the shop’s baker.

“Well, shit. Milky bean water. I’ll be damned.”

There is, of course, a romance that develops between Viv and Tandri, who practically becomes the assistant manager at the shop. It was so sweet, watching them go from coworkers, to friends, to more. Their relationship grew and developed very naturally, and I loved it. I also enjoyed that Viv listened to Tandri, and the other people that she trusted. She didn’t have an “I’m the boss” mentality, and was open to suggestions.

Of course, there is a fantasy plot, but it was honestly very minimal. I did feel like there wasn’t much to the action side of things, which I’m not sure I loved. However, I knew going into this book that the plot was more low-key and it really is just a cozy fall read. Still, the fantasy elements are there. Obviously, the story is about an orc, and we also have some other equally fantastical characters.

Overall, the writing was great, and the story was interesting. There is also the message that you don’t have to forget your past to start over or take a new path, which I really liked. I can see fans of fantasy video games, like World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls, or other similar games, really getting a kick out of this book.

In the comments, let me know if you enjoyed this book. Don’t forget you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook too! Before you leave, hit the follow button to get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny