What I Read in December 2023

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Hello everyone! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! December is probably my slowest month (aside from March, the first month I started reading) due to the holidays, plus I was on a cruise for a week. I read 11 books this month, so let's get started.

Kiss and Don't Tell by Meghan Quinn: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on December 1st. This is the first book out of four in the Vancouver Agitators series. It was pretty good! Definitely not anything to write home about necessarily, but it was nice. I liked the main characters and the banter between them, and I found myself laughing a lot. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who loves hockey romances, but more so on the lighthearted side.

"Five hockey players, a cabin in the woods...and little old me, Winnie Berlin. Sounds like the start of a fantasy, right? But it's not. It's my reality. It all started when I got lost in the middle of the Canadian Rockies. A wicked thunderstorm sent my car mud sliding into a ditch and for a girl whose survival skills involve finding the nearest Starbucks, I was in deep trouble. Forced to abandon my car in search of help, I stumbled upon a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Soaking wet, irritated, and in desperate need of a hot shower, I knocked on the door for help only to be greeted by five boisterous, burly, and insanely attractive men. Not just men. Professional hockey players. I hit the motherload of fantasies, right? Wrong. Because as it turns out, one of them is my ex-boyfriend's half-brother. And when I end up crashing in their spare bedroom for the night, things take a very unexpected turn. I'm not sure any amount of survival skills can protect my heart from Vancouver Agitators star goalie, Pacey Lawes. But as long as we kiss and don’t tell, maybe everything will be okay..."

Those Three Little Words by Meghan Quinn: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on December 3rd. This is the second book out of four in the Vancouver Agitators series. I loved reading about Penny's pregnancy throughout this book, it made me laugh more times than I can count. I'm convinced that either the author knows how to write pregnant women well, or she was pregnant while she was writing this. It could've been both honestly. Again, I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys lighthearted hockey romances, but maybe also anyone who's been pregnant. It's an odd demographic to target I think, but maybe you'd feel seen reading it. I'm not totally sure.

"I knocked up my best friend's sister. Figured I would get straight to the point because how it happened is a mere snippet of the story I have to tell. The real meat and potatoes is what happened after. Let's start with how she decided to inform me and Pacey the news . . . together. Imagine that nightmare. I was going into what I thought was a hockey marketing meeting and then BAM! I'm going to be a dad and my best friend/teammate is attempting to imprint my face with his fist. It wasn't pretty. Threats were tossed around, friendships were revoked, and then I was marched up to her apartment, suitcases in hand, and forced to live with her so I could take care of her every need. Given how much I've pined for the girl, you would think that wouldn't be a hardship. Wrong. This is my one shot to win my teammate back. Pacey is the only family I've got, so hooking up with his sister isn't a mistake I can make twice . . . despite the fact that she's pregnant with my child. But with every mood swing, every pair of pants that doesn't fit right, and every late night run to find the perfect donut, I'm finding it harder and harder not to fall for my best friend's little sister."

Right Man, Right Time by Meghan Quinn: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on December 4th. This is the third book out of four in the Vancouver Agitators series. This one felt like a step down from the second book, at least for me. I think it was due to the age gap trope (with Ollie being ten years younger than Silas) that it was weird. She was essentially my age but every comment she made regarding her youth/Silas' old age just made me cringe. I would've given it three stars but the MMC seemed like a good enough character that I was willing to overlook her immaturity. I also liked how the Cane brothers popped back up in this book (another series by this author). I wouldn't recommend this one to anyone though.

"Running into your ex is never ideal. Running into your ex who is now dating your nemesis is a literal nightmare. That’s how I found myself in a sheer panic, reaching for the closest guy at the bar and kissing him. And to my delight he was easily the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. The only problem is, when I tried to walk away after thanking him for his help, he stopped me with three life-changing words . . .“You owe me.” That’s how I found myself, a college girl, in a fake relationship with a professional hockey player ten years older than me. At first it was easy. He helped me with my internship. I helped keep his ex away from him. We were becoming fast friends. It wasn’t until he started staying the night at my dorm did the rules of our arrangement become complicated. Now my feelings are involved and even though I kissed the right man at the right time, I’m worried he’s just waiting for the clock to run out."

Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher: I rated this book 6/5 stars and finished it on December 6th. Now listen, when I tell y'all I was hyped for this release last month, I was HYPED UP. I had read everything by her and was anxiously waiting for the release of the first book in her new Lakefront Billionaires series, and it was worth the wait. This is easily my favorite book by her, and I'm so excited to see what the rest of the series is going to look like. Dahlia and Julian's banter was top-notch, it was funny and clever, and I loved all of the English-to-Spanish translations at the bottom of the pages since both characters were bilingual. I also loved the Dreamland Billionaires cameos throughout since they're set in a similar universe as this one. I recommend this to everyone. Seriously, please read this. You won't regret it.

"Julian: If I ever caught on fire, Dahlia Muñoz would fan the flames with a smile. So, when she returns to Lake Wisteria, I fully intend to avoid the interior designer. At least until my meddling mother exploits my savior complex. The faster I help Dahlia find her creative spark, the sooner she will leave town. But while I was busy getting rid of Dahlia, I overlooked one potential issue. What happens if I want her to stay?

Dahlia: People say the devil has many faces, but I know only one. Julian Lopez—my childhood rival and family frenemy. I vow to steer clear of him while recovering from my broken engagement, but then the billionaire makes an irresistible offer. Renovate a historic house together and triple our profits. Our temporary truce becomes compromised as we face years’ worth of denied attraction and mixed emotions. Giving into our desire is inevitable…but falling in love? That isn’t part of the plan."

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on December 10th. This is the first in the Letters of Enchantment duo. I had heard a lot of good things about this book and had also heard that the fantasy element was fairly easy to grasp, so I decided to give it a shot and I'm so glad I did. I fell in love with Iris and Roman as the story went on, and I loved reading the banter between the two of them. The cliffhanger was very mean, but it means I have plenty to look forward to when I eventually read the sequel, Ruthless Vows (I'm hoping to read it sometime next year). I'd recommend this to anyone who is new to fantasy, or who enjoys young-adult romance.

"After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette. To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish—into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love."

Breakaway by Grace Reilly: I rated this book 3/5 stars and finished it on December 14th. Or at least, I think it was the 14th. I'm not totally sure honestly, but I don't think it matters. This book was pretty forgettable for me; the characters were bland, the spice was boring, and it was way too long for a cheeky hockey romance. I wouldn't recommend this one to anybody unless they want to waste their time.

"Cooper: As a pro-bound college athlete with a good-time reputation, I usually have my pick of puck bunnies. But lately, I’ve been in a dry spell that feels more like a curse, and the stress is affecting my game–the one thing that can’t happen if I’m going to keep building my case for a future in the NHL, starting with making team captain. Enter Penny Ryder. She’s my coach’s daughter, but the moment she pulls me into that ice rink closet and lets me have my way with her, she’s the one thing on my mind besides hockey. She wants me to introduce her to all the things she’s been dying to experience with a guy, and by looking at her list? We’re kindred spirits in the bedroom. If I say yes, I’ll be relaxed on the ice again—but if her dad finds out what we’re up to, I’ll be forced to say goodbye to the chance at being captain and finally earning my own father’s approval.

Penny: Thanks to the ex from hell, I’m a long way from being ready for a relationship–but after an unfortunate morning involving my roommate and a flying–ahem–personal toy, it’s clear that it’s finally time to reclaim my agency, one long-sought-after experience in bed at a time. Enter Cooper Callahan. He’s the most casual guy I can think to be with–but he just so happens to be my hockey coach dad’s star defenseman. An arrangement with him will force me to keep yet another major secret from my father, but the agreement we strike is simple: secret friends-with-benefits until he makes captain… and I cross off all the experiences on my list in order to finally move on from the incident that ruined both my life and my figure skating career at sixteen. Yet the longer our connection goes on, the more we trust each other, and the less I want to say goodbye. I know love leads to heartbreak, but what if it can also clear the ice for a breakaway?"

Too Late by Colleen Hoover: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on December 18th. I grabbed this on a whim when I was at Costco a few months ago and threw it in my bag at the last minute for my cruise. I ended up devouring it, and it's probably one of my favorite books by her. I thought the main characters were well-written, and the plot was much better than I thought it would be. I liked the twists too. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes true crime-related stuff, or for people who read Verity by her since it's kinda similar.

"Sloan will go through hell and back for those she loves. And she does so, every single day. Caught up with the alluring Asa Jackson, a notorious drug trafficker, Sloan has finally found a lifeline to cling to, even if it’s meant compromising her morals. She was in dire straits trying to pay for her brother’s care until she met Asa. But as Sloan became emotionally and economically reliant on him, he in turn developed a disturbing obsession with her—one that becomes increasingly dangerous every day. When undercover DEA agent Carter enters the picture, Sloan’s surprised to feel an immediate attraction between them, despite knowing that if Asa finds out, he will kill him. And Asa has always been a step ahead of everyone in his life, including Sloan. No one has ever gotten in his way. No one except Carter. Together, Sloan and Carter must find a way out before it’s too late…"

Zero Days by Ruth Ware: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on December 22nd. Toward the beginning of my cruise, I discovered a library. In this library were tons and tons of books, so I borrowed a couple and ended up reading this one. I read a couple of her other books earlier this year and I knew this was her latest release, so I gave it a shot. Unsurprisingly, it was pretty good. The only thing I didn't like was the ending because it didn't feel resolved to me, hence the four-star rating instead of five-star. I totally recommend it though, I think anyone who enjoys suspenseful thrillers will have a good time with this one.

"Hired by companies to break into buildings and hack security systems, Jack and her husband, Gabe, are the best penetration specialists in the business. But after a routine assignment goes horribly wrong, Jack arrives home to find her husband dead. To add to her horror, the police are closing in on their suspect—her. Suddenly on the run and quickly running out of options, Jack must decide who she can trust as she circles closer to the real killer."

Sable Peak by Devney Perry: I rated this book 6/5 stars and finished it on December 25th. This is the final book in the Eden's series. I'm so grateful to have gotten this book for Christmas because I devoured it easily. I've read this entire series over the course of the year and I can say it's my favorite series I've gotten to finish. This book is my favorite, easily. The way Vera loves Mateo with her whole heart is so wholesome, definitely the kind of romance I can get behind. I highlighted a lot in this book too, because so much stuck out to me. I'd recommend this to anyone who's read the rest of this series, or anyone who loves a good romance. Mateo will forever be my favorite Eden.

"Vera Gallagher is chasing constant. For four years, her life was anything but normal. And the years before that she refuses to even remember. Dwelling on the past only hurts. Life is fragile, a lesson her mother taught her well. She’s determined not to waste a moment of her newfound freedom. Maybe some would consider her crush on Mateo Eden wasted time. Maybe some would call her a fool for loving a man who hasn’t once dropped a crumb of interest her way. Still, to Vera, it’s Mateo or nothing. He’s handsome. Charming. Witty. And he loves his family the way Vera loves—with her whole heart. Maybe he’ll never notice her. Maybe she’s too damaged, too broken, to find that normal life she craves. Maybe her secrets will always keep them apart. But Vera will love him anyway. Whether Mateo realizes it or not."

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on December 26th. It is the first book in the ACOTAR series. I got this series as a Christmas gift because I wanted to see what the hype was about, and now I get it. It was pretty good! Feyre is a well-written, well-rounded character who I liked a lot, and ended up rooting for throughout the book. She's a total badass honestly. I recommend this to anyone who's new to fantasy or who wants to get into it. I think this is the best place to start because the world-building is so easy to understand.

"When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world. At least, he’s not a beast all the time. As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever."

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas: I rated this book 6/5 stars and finished it on December 28th. This is the second book in the ACOTAR series. After reading the first book, I was like, "Okay, Tamlin seems cool, but Rhysand seems better" and I'm so glad I felt that way. After reading this one, I'm totally on Team Rhysand now. He is just the perfect man. I don't think I've really come across a "perfect book" this year, but this is it. There was nothing in this book that I didn't like. I loved Feyre and Rhysand, I loved the plot and their respective character development throughout, and I loved the fantasy of it all. I thought it was amazing honestly, and I wouldn't change anything about it. I recommend this to anyone who's read the first one, but also to anyone who loves a good villain origin story. Rhysand is the villain who you want to root for, but also learn to love.

"Feyre has undergone more trials than one human woman can carry in her heart. Though she's now been granted the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, she is haunted by her time Under the Mountain and the terrible deeds she performed to save the lives of Tamlin and his people. As her marriage to Tamlin approaches, Feyre's hollowness and nightmares consume her. She finds herself split into two different one who upholds her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court, and one who lives out her life in the Spring Court with Tamlin. While Feyre navigates a dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms. She might just be the key to stopping it, but only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future-and the future of a world in turmoil."

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So, that's it! I read 11 books this month, which puts me at 210 for the year. That's a lot of books! *laughs* I know if anyone had asked me in March or April if I thought I'd end up reading that much, I would've said no so fast. While I'm not happy about why I threw myself into reading, I'm glad I did. I needed a constant that I could fall back on when the grief hit hard, and reading became that constant. I'm so thankful I started sharing my books with everyone in August, and I'm looking forward to sharing them in the new year. I hope everyone has a very happy and healthy 2024. Cheers!