What I Read in November 2024

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Hello! My reading was very slow again this month because I'm finishing up my degree, so I was very busy and unable to read as much as I would've liked to this month. With that said, I was only able to read five books this month. Let's talk about them!

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey: I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and finished it on November 9th. This is the second book in the Big Shots series and follows Tallulah and Burgess. I've had this book on my shelf for about six months now, and getting the advanced copy of the third one finally pushed me to read the second one. I thought it was really slow to start, which is probably why it took me so long to get through. I liked the characters though, and I thought the storyline was good. I'd recommend this and the rest of the series.

"Tallulah is smart, vivacious, and studying to be a marine biologist. She’s also twenty-six and broke. So when Burgess, a battle-scarred hockey veteran and newly single dad, offers her a job as his live-in nanny, she jumps at the opportunity to get paid while living in a super fancy neighborhood and being around Lissa, his cool but introverted tween. Her tween charge isn’t the only one who could use some help fitting in, though. According to…well, everyone except Burgess, he needs to get back on the dating scene, and adventurous Tallulah is just the girl to show him how. But as boundaries are slowly crossed and Burgess finds himself pulled between his daughter, who wants her parents back together, and his insane chemistry with Tallulah, a huge rift is formed, and Tallulah does the “right” thing—breaks her own heart and walks away. Though Burgess knows it’s for the best—he’s too jaded, with too much baggage—a chance meeting, and a new push from his daughter, forces him to put everything on the line and fight to prove he learned his lessons well and is worthy of a happily ever after with Tallulah."

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey: I rated this ebook arc 5/5 stars and finished it on November 12th. This is the third book in the Big Shots series and follows Chloe and Sig. Thank you so much to NetGalley for an early arc copy of this book! I absolutely loved this. I just finished The Au Pair Affair on Saturday and fell in love with Sig and Chloe instantly. I loved how the first five or six chapters were of just them meeting for the first time, getting background on their relationship, and then jumping into the present day. I loved their chemistry, I loved how they were the center of each others universe, and I loved getting to know some of the minor characters. All in all, I had a great time, and I'd absolutely recommend this. I can't wait for it to come out in February next year so everyone else can love it as much as I have.

"When professional hockey player Sig Gauthier’s car breaks down and his phone dies, he treks into a posh private country club to call a tow truck, where he encounters the alluring Chloe Clifford, the manic pixie dream girl who captivates him immediately with her sense of adventure and penchant for stealing champagne. Sparks fly during a moonlight kiss and the enamored pair can’t wait to see each other again, but when Sig finally arrives to meet his dad’s new girlfriend over dinner, Chloe is confusingly also there. Turns out the girlfriend is Chloe’s mother. Oh, and they’re engaged. Sig’s dream girl is his future stepsister. Though the pair is now wary of being involved romantically, Chloe, a sheltered harp prodigy, yearns to escape her controlling mother. Sig promises to teach her the ins and outs of independence in Boston—but not inside his bedroom. They both know there can never be more than friendship between a famous hockey player and his high-society, soon-to-be stepsister. But keeping their relationship platonic grows harder amid the developing family drama, especially knowing they were meant for so much more…"

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on November 14th. This is the third book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series and follows Teddy and Gus. I've been waiting for this book in the series since I read the first book last year and it lived up to every expectation I had about them as a couple. The enemies were enemy-ing hardcore, the banter was fantastic, and the spice was top-tier. I'd absolutely recommend this to anyone who loves cowboy romances.

"Teddy Andersen doesn’t have a plan. She’s never needed one before. She’s always been more of a go with the flow type of girl, but for some reason, the flow doesn’t seem to be going her way this time. Her favorite vintage suede jacket has a hole in it, her sewing machine is broken, and her best friend just got engaged. Suddenly, everything feels like it’s starting to change. Teddy’s used to being a leader, but now she feels like she’s getting left behind, wondering if life in the small town she loves is enough for her anymore. Gus Ryder has a lot on his plate. He doesn’t know what’s taking care of his family’s 8,000 acre ranch, or parenting his spunky six-year-old daughter, who is staying with him for the summer. Gus has always been the dependable one, but when his workload starts to overwhelm him, he has to admit that he can’t manage everything on his own. He needs help. His little sister’s best friend, the woman he can’t stand, is not who he had in mind. But when no one else can step in, Teddy's the only option he’s got. Teddy decides to use the summer to try and figure out what she wants out of life. Gus, on the other hand, starts to worry that he’ll never find what he needs. Tempers flare, tension builds, and for the first time ever, Gus and Teddy start to see each other in a different light. As new feelings start to simmer below the surface, they must decide whether or not to act on them. Can they keep things cool? Or will both of them get burned?"

Lights Out by Navessa Allen: I rated this audiobook 5/5 stars and finished it on November 24th. This is the first book in the Into Darkness series and follows Aly and Josh. I had the ebook on my Kindle for a while but never wanted to start it until I heard how hilarious the audio was, and I went with that instead. The audiobook is easily one of the best I've ever listened to. The banter between Aly and Josh is great, and I loved the duet narration because you heard each character in the other's POV as well. I'm so excited for the sequel next year, and I'd absolutely recommend it. Check your triggers though, as it can be dark for some people.

"Trauma nurse Aly Cappellucci doesn’t need any more kinks. She likes the one she’s landed on just fine. To her, nothing could top the masked men she follows online. Unless one of those men was shirtless, heavily tattooed, and waiting for her in her bedroom. She dreams about being hunted by one in particular, of him chasing her down and doing deliciously dark things to her willing body. She never could have guessed that by sending one drunken text, those dreams would become her new reality. I want things most people don’t, craving darkness and depravity instead of light and love. Josh Hammond has spent his life avoiding the limelight, but his online persona is another story. At night, he posts masked thirst traps for his millions of fans to drool over, but one follower has caught his eye: Aly. After reading a comment begging him to break into her house wearing a mask, he decides to take her up on her offer. Together, Aly and Josh live out their darkest fantasies, unaware that Aly has captured the attention of someone else. Someone with far more sinister intentions than a little light stalking. As Josh turns from predator to protector and the stakes heighten, he must ask himself how far he’s willing to go for the woman he’s obsessed with."

Swallow Your Pride: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on November 30th. This is the first book in the Carlson Brothers series and follows Jessa and Aiden. I thought it was good! I liked Jessa and Aiden as characters, and I really enjoyed Jessa's storyline throughout. I'm excited to read the second book next month!

"He’s not just attractive, kind, and self-aware. He’s also my boss, and my dead father’s best friend. I had been running from my past, thinking that connecting with my family in Florida was what I needed to find myself. Instead, I’m at a funeral and being gifted shares of a company I didn’t even know existed. Some office flirtation turns into longing, which turns into desperation for one another. When our tension reaches its peak, it’s clear we can’t hold back this attraction, and it nearly feels too good to be true. A man who’s not only eager to please but willing to learn what excites me. I’ve always wanted someone who wanted to take care of me, and it seems like Aiden Carlson is more than eager to let me call him daddy. I just hope our secret office romance or the past I’ve been running from doesn’t ruin the best thing I’ve ever had."

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So...that's it. I only ended up reading five books this month. Next month should be lengthier since I'll be graduating college so I'll have more time to read. I do wanna say this now though...December will be my last post. Not ever necessarily, but for a while. I'm not finding joy in blogging about my books anymore, and I miss that. I'm not gonna take my reading as seriously next year either. It'll still be me blogging though, so I hope you stick around for it.

Anyways, yeah. See you next month, and happy holidays!