Published: 21st November 2016
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
My Rating:
After a messy breakup, Leigh Holloway is ready to start her life over. Until her parents put the family home on the market and call her back for one final, memory-making Christmas. The last thing she wants to do is deprive her mom of the perfect holiday, so she'll lie her way through the visit and worry about her future in the New Year. Too bad the only bar in town is owned by a guy she seriously wronged in high school.
Leigh's best friend broke Croy Dawson's heart, and Croy knows it was Leigh's fault. They've never liked each other, but Croy isn't cruel: he'd never turn away a pretty woman in need of some family-Christmas fortification. He doesn't expect her to drink just enough candy-cane martinis to tell him her secrets—and he definitely doesn't expect to get caught up in her holiday madness.
Despite the surprising love and laughter, Croy and Leigh can't escape the truth: he can't walk away from his family obligations and she has a life and career to reboot. But anything is possible if your holiday comes with a twist…
This is another holiday read I absolutely had to review. I had never thought of myself as a person who had seasonal reads. I mean, I never truly limit myself to reading a certain type of book at different times of year. I feel no strong urge to read Halloween appropriate reads or anything but I do enjoy a good Christmas read and a good summer read and I tend to like to read them at the right time of year (but then I also like reading summer reads any time of year, especially when it’s cold out and I want to remember the sun). That being said, this book and my other Christmas read, Christmas Joy, have converted me. I think I am a fan of Christmas books and I certainly wish I had read these in December to get me in the Christmas spirit, I am currently functioning on supermarket seasons where you get excited about Christmas as soon as Halloween is out of the way.
What Made This So Good Then?
I loved the family aspect and the fact that this begins from a family coming together for the holidays. I love any book that includes family and I’m glad both Leigh and Croy’s family are central in this novella. I mean, the fact that Leigh’s family are gathering to say one last farewell to the family home and pack up their belongings is sweet because that is such a heart-breaking event because it’s the end of an era and you got that reading the book.
It was quite nice reading this and seeing Leigh almost revert to her middle child self. Her one sister has all the chaos going on as she goes through a divorce with a new baby and having to live with her parents and her other sister is newly married but struggling with being a step-mom to a daughter who really doesn’t appreciate it so Leigh is stuck not wanting to draw attention to her self and her own problems. She figures it’s safer to keep schtum and wait for it all to blow over and her problems to be sorted before she reveals her problems. It was quite fun to read.
You’re Not Raving, What Were The Drawbacks?
I admit, I had di have issues with this little read. One of them was the fact that Croy and Leigh’s connection felt sudden. I mean, I was reading how Leigh was dreading seeing him and then they meet and they seem to hit it off instantly? That wasn’t what I was expecting! Also, the whole drama between them is practically non-existent. There is no issue between them, they have a little history but neither holds a grudge and it’s water under the bridge. It bothered me that part.
I also wish there was more family time. I mention I love that this is centred around family but I don’t feel like we saw enough of them. Croy’s felt more well rounded and developed than Leigh’s did as well. I just wanted more of the family always.
And finally I wanted more! I think all my issues with this book centre on the fact that it was a novella and thus destined to feel a bit less as there are less pages to fit all the story in. I think that’s my problem, I was left feeling like something was missing and I think that missing thing was more of a book so I could explore more.
It Doesn't Matter, It’s Still Feel-Good Christmas Fun
Look, I had many an issue, but I knew I was going to have issues going in as soon as I realised it was a novella. I am always left wanting more from them and that is inevitable from a limited number of pages. I will say that what we did get was awesome. I had a good romance with characters I liked. There was no alpha male romance, there was just Croy who was a nice guy wanting more and Leigh who thought her trip home was temporary and found herself getting more than she expected in her short time him. That was awesome to read and I most definitely want to read more by Shannon Stacey.
Have you started getting into the Christmas spirit yet with your reading? Are you planning on reading anything Christmas-y or is that not your thing? And am I alone in feeling like novellas never give you enough story to fully satisfy?
It’s Christmas! Yay! Well… it’s December anyway and that’s basically like being Christmas, isn’t it? I mean, it’s the month where you get to eat a chocolate every morning to get ready for Christmas. Not that I even have an advent calendar at home… I did get a free one at work, though. And we don’t have our decorations out either so at the moment December just seems like a normal month. Give it a couple of weeks, though, and it’ll be Christmas central and it’ll be all I can think about as I binge watch all the Christmas films I can find.
I have to say, it feels like only a couple of days ago I was last writing up a Sunday Summary post so I feel like I’ve doing nothing else since I last wrote one of these. I suppose I did go out for a Christmas meal with work people on the 1st December. It was a nice evening and it was nice talking to folk (and is my excuse for not going to this years Christmas party) but I was not impressed with the pub we went to. We’d put our order in beforehand as there were so many of us but they changed the menu from when we made our order and failed to tell us a few of the meals were altered or unavailable. I’d ordered a salmon fishcake starter and they failed to say it wasn’t available and when asked what I ordered and said they still didn’t say it wasn’t available until I pointed out it was no longer the menu then they let me pick an alternate. The same thing happened with a colleague and her main and it was annoying. The food was nice that they served but the epic failure in communication pissed me right off and spoiled my night a bit.
I have also finally seen Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them! It took me a couple of weeks to get around to seeing but I saw it Saturday and it was utterly fantastic. I loved every second of it. Eddie Redmayne was charming as Newt Scamander and it was fantastic in every way. I would watch that film repeatedly. Also, I loved returning to the magical world in a different period. I was infatuated with the costumes and character from the beginning. I need all the stories to explain that world immediately! Seriously, if you have fanfic recs give me them immediately.
Apart from that, though, I’ve really done nothing. I’m slowly working on getting my blog a bit organised for the new year. I’m thinking I need a 2017 diary to help me with my planning. Any good diary suggestions are appreciated.
What I’ve Been Reading
Well, I began the week with a reread of Where the Stars Still Shine. I got a battered used copy from Better World Books US a few months back and I’m so glad I’ve got my own copy now because I love that book. It was such an enjoyable reread and it has gotten me excited to finally get around to reading Doller’s newer book The Devil You Know.
I then began reading Seed, which I got from the library a while ago. It was a bit of an intense read which I enjoyed but left me so frustrated both for the ending but also the cult mentality. I countered that with a lighter YA in the form of Fixing Delilah. That wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows light and fluffy but it was lighter than a girl who grew up in a cult. I then decided I needed light fluff (and to finish a book I’ve had from the library for 2 months!) so I started reading Searching For Perfect. I fell in love with Ned (or Nate as he likes to be known).
New To Me
Yeah… that spending pan failed a little bit at the beginning of the month. I mean, I saw Irresistibly Yours on sale for 99p then I invested in the last two books in the other Layne series and…well… I won’t apologise. I’ll just be binging on romance.
Oh yeah, I was meant to be returning a few of the books which I had out of the library and I may have accidentally borrowed another four on my way out. I have no excuse but they’re free so it was hard to say no. While we’re talking about library books I also borrowed the two bottom ones from the digital library. I’ve not used it recently because I kind of forget my library has ebooks but then I found out they had an ipad app so how could I not? I’ve got 3 weeks to read those two in. We shall see.
And I also got two review copies this week. I discovered How Not To Let Go was on Netgalley after Kaja messaged me about the first book. We both got approved sharpish and I am so excited to start reading that. And I signed up for a book tour of Relativity. It sounds like a really interesting book so I’m excited to read that soon.
As you can see, I am drowning in books so I’m off to read everything ever. I’ve not even had time to play any Pokémon since Monday.
What have you been doing this week? Anyone watched Fantastic Bests yet and want to fangirl with me? Also, is the screenplay worth investing or should I hope someone buys me it as a gift as it’s nice to have but not worth buying myself? And any advise in how not to drown in books?
Looking Forward is a regular feature on the blog where I let you know which books I’m looking forward to in the month. They are all books I’m looking forward to being released and want to know if you’re excited about them too.
December is always a slower month for book releases. There are fewer books out which I’m interested in reading and it always feels a bit like the book releases are in wind down for the end of the year too. I will never complain of this fact because it always deludes me into thinking I have time to play catch up before the new year and more books get released. So what am I looking forward to for the end of the year?
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: 6th December 2016
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Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk
Release Date: 15th December 2016
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Lincoln Mathis is legendary for his exploits with the ladies. As Oxford's go-to guy for one-liners, one-night stands, and all things no-strings-attached, Lincoln has yet to meet a woman he couldn't charm into his bed - until he meets the magazine's new copy editor. Shy, bookish, and adorably awkward, she should be grateful for the attention of a handsome bachelor. But to Lincoln's surprise, the harder he tries to win her over, the more she dodges him. Lincoln swore he'd never make himself vulnerable again - but for Tori, he's going to have to break all his rules.
Victoria Blake knows Lincoln's type all too well, and she has zero interest in becoming one more notch in his belt. After winding up as the butt of a mean-spirited prank in college, Tori learned not to believe that a gorgeous playboy could truly be interested in someone like her. And Lincoln is definitely a gorgeous playboy. But the more she gets to know him, the more she suspects that Lincoln's sleazy swagger is a facade, carefully crafted to hide his pain. And maybe Tori can be the one to heal his broken heart - even if it means risking her own.
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The third title in Genevieve Cogman's clever and exciting The Invisible Library series, The Burning Page is an action-packed literary adventure!
When it's your job to save the day - where do you start?
Librarian spy Irene has standards to maintain, especially while on probation. And absconding from a mission via a besieged building doesn't look good. But when her escape route home goes up in flames, what's a spy to do? However, it seems Gates back to the Library are malfunctioning across dozens of worlds. Worse still, her nemesis Alberich is responsible -and he plans to annihilate the Library itself.
Irene and assistant Kai are posted to St Petersburg, to help combat this threat. Here Alberich emerges, as Irene tries to save her friend Vale and foil assassination attempts. Then one incredibly dangerous opportunity to save the Library emerges. Saving herself would be a bonus . . .
Irene's adventures feature stolen books, secret agents and forbidden societies - think Doctor Who but with librarian spies!
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Why Am I Excited?
I’ve not even started this series and I’m excited about this book being released. I’m a convert to the greatness which is Lauren Layne and her writing. Combine my love for her writing and the summary for this book and I am so excited to get my hands on a copy (even if it will be my grubby digital hands) and get to start reading.
| Why Am I Excited?I loved the first two books in this series. They were a perfect balance of fun and interesting. I mean, a library of spies where librarian’s are tasked with entering alternate universes and different time periods to collect a copy of various rare and interesting texts? That sounds amazing and the first two books delivered with it. I can only hope the third book is just as fun and interesting and I am just as hooked on the character’s stories this time. |
(also known as Spindle)
Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, Young Adult
Release Date: 15th December 2016
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Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: 27th December 2016
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The world is made safe by a woman...but it is a very big world.
It has been generations since the Storyteller Queen drove the demon out of her husband and saved her country from fire and blood. Her family has prospered beyond the borders of their village, and two new kingdoms have sprouted on either side of the mountains where the demons are kept prisoner by bright iron, and by the creatures the Storyteller Queen made to keep them contained. But the prison is crumbling. Through years of careful manipulation, a demon has regained her power. She has made one kingdom strong and brought the other to its knees, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When a princess is born, the demon is ready with the final blow: a curse that will cost the princess her very soul, or force her to destroy her own people to save her life. The threads of magic are tightly spun, binding princess and exiled spinners into a desperate plot to break the curse before the demon can become a queen of men. But the web of power is dangerously tangled--and they may not see the true pattern until it is unspooled. |
From the author of How Not to Fall comes an electrifying, powerful new story about love, trust, and emotional surrender.
Once upon a time, med student Annie Coffey set out to have a purely physical fling with Charles Douglas, a gorgeous British doctor in her lab. It didn’t quite work out that way. Instead, secrets—and desires—were bared, hearts were broken, and Annie knew she had to leave this complicated, compelling man who remains convinced he can never give her what she needs. Walking away is one thing. Staying away is another. Annie and Charles reunite at a London conference, rekindling a friendship they struggle to protect from their intense physical connection. Little by little, Annie gets a glimpse into Charles’s dark past and his wealthy, dysfunctional family. Soon, she’s discovering what it means to have someone claim her, body and soul. And she’s learning that once in a lifetime you find a love that can make you do anything…except let go. |
Why Am I Excited?
I know a lot of people weren’t impressed with the first book in this series. A Thousand Nights was this magical, beautifully written retelling which was inevitably compared to The Wrath & The Dawn as they were released close to each other. I feel like that doesn’t even begin to do that book justice, though. It was a really beautifully written book that just enticed me somehow and I really enjoyed it so was excited to see this book coming out. It sounds like an interesting retelling and I hope it will be just as enchanting as the first book. I really cannot wait to get a hold of a copy.
| Why Am I Excited?
I’d almost forgotten about this book until Kaja messaged me about what an emotional rollercoaster the first book was and how much she was enjoying it. I instantly remembered how much I loved the book and remembered there was a second book coming out. When I found out it was the end of this month and that the book was on Netgalley available to request it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what happened next. Now I have this waiting TBR on my Kindle and I am a very happy bunny.
This book does angsty romance right and makes science sexy. It’s genius. Go read the first when and then flail with me in excitement about this coming out. Also, I here Foster’s book Come As You Are is a pretty fantastic read.
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And as you can see, my books are limited. I’m sure I’ve missed a book off but these are the ones which are on my radar for December. What books are you looking forward to this month? Any books I’ve missed off and you can’t believe isn’t there? And have you read any of the books mentioned and have words to say about them? All goes below.
I wish I knew where my November went but it was lost in work drama, Christmas shopping, and reading and blogging slumps. It’s been busy and passed with a blink of the eye. I mean, how has it gotten to December already? Before you know it the year will be over and I will be talking about my favourite books of 2016 and what I’m looking forward to read in 2017.
I honestly don’t know where the year goes but it’s exciting to look back on the month and with just one more month left in 2016 I’ve got a lot of reading to catch up on and I need to start thinking about my resolutions for this year and next. Is it a bit early to already be planning for next year when there’s still a month left in the year? Don’t be silly.
Can’t Stop Listening
Love My Life – Robbie Williams
On What You’re On – Busted
November Reads
The Sun Is Also a Star // Searching for Someday // The Chase // After The Kiss // Seed // Fixing Delilah
November Posts
November Links
Confessions of a Book Geek | 2016 Bookish Gift Guide With Exclusive Discounts (I look forward to this post every year as Rachel gets the best discounts, great place to get gift ideas for bookish friends)
The Book Voyagers | Stop Using POC As Plot Devices (a great collection of books which have diversity and show POC should have the starring role in their own stories because we’re approaching 2017 and this shouldn’t be so difficult)
Metaphors And Midnight | Discussion: Why Are We So Attracted To Pretty Book Covers? // Discussion: Reviewing Books In Ongoing Series vs. Finished Series
Kissin Blue Karen | Feelings All Bookworms Can Relate To
It Starts At Midnight | Does Social media Competence Equal Blog Success? // Bookish Self Care (because it’s been a crazy month and we all need a little self care to get us through)
The Perpetual Page Turner | Phase 1 Is Complete (For Now) (Jamie talks about getting rid of books she’s not going to read and clearing her shelves)
Pages of Starlight | Ranting Against Romance In Books (Note: Not Ranting Against Romance Books)
Paper Fury | How To Control Your TBR Pile (And Stay Alive Which Is A Pleasant Bonus) // 10 Reasons Reading Will Absolutely Improve Your Life // The Worst And Most Horrific Things I’ve Ever Accidentally Done To A Book
The Fictional Reader | On Diversity, Privilege And Feeling Uneducated (I saw this post last month and forgot to link but it’s actually a really interesting read)
Nick And Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist | Books I Love With Covers I Hate (And it features a few books I agree wholeheartedly with)
The Innocent Smiley | All About Self-Care
The Daydreaming Bookworm | When Blogging Becomes Overwhelming
All About Books | Spreadsheet: Books 2017 (I look forward to this spreadsheet every year and every year it improves. If you want a way to track your reading and spending this is for you)
Nellie & Co | What’s With The Absence Of Fat Girls In Fiction?
Boats Against The Current | Are You A Serial Hobbyist?
My November has been crazy (I mean, Trump won an election and I’ve suffered some reading ups and downs) but how has yours been? Anyone read any good books lately or seen anything interesting online? Tell me all below, I’m honestly interested.
Welcome to another Sunday. I hope you’ve had a good week. Mine has been interesting.
So, what has happened since last time? Well, work has been… work. There has been some uncertainty flying around with a few folks at one of our other offices losing jobs. They’ve already stated all year that they’re making cut backs on unnecessary things so, yeah, that has meant a great mood in the office. I mean, we all know we’re pretty safe but it’s disconcerting seeing people you’ve worked with and spoken to over the past couple of years just go. We’ll see what happens.
Any of you here from last week will know I planned Black Friday shopping. I actually had a lot of fun. It was nowhere near as busy as I’m sure the shops were in the US simply because people have to work here, we don’t have a Thanksgiving weekend to look forward to. That, and shops were really encouraging folks to shop online to avoid the chaos. I got a lot of good deals and enjoyed myself. I am over halfway there with my gift buying and I am insanely impressed with myself. Especially as I have even successfully gotten my Secret Santa gift when the challenge is we have to buy gifts that begin with the same letter as the person’s initials. It’s a nightmare! I do need to buy gifts for the friend I went shopping with but that’ll be easy and I need to get my stepdad a gift. How hard can that be?
I do feel the need to speak about blogging today, though. I don’t usually mention blog things as this is where I normally talk about my week but I want to say now I’ve been absent. I’ve not commented on blogs as much and I’m over a week behind on replying to comments on here and I feel bad about it. It’s simply because I’m going through a clump. That and we’re getting to the busiest time of year and I don’t have time to blog as much. As such I want to tell you all now I am not going to be around as much in December. I may get two weeks behind on things and I may only get one post up a week but I am going to get back to the regularly scheduled programming in the New Year. I just want to tell you this now in case you’re wondering why I’m being a bit absent.
What I’ve Been Reading
As you can see, I’ve not been reading much this way. I think it’s linked to the fact I’m busy, but also because I’ve not felt as motivated to blog and for some reason that puts me off my reading. I did enjoy both books which I’ve read, though. After The Kiss was such a good fun book that gave me a strong urge to rewatch How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, it definitely reminds you why Lauren Layne is such a great author. And Far From You was the perfect little mystery YA gem that kept me guessing until about halfway through. It was great, I love when a mystery isn’t blatantly obvious from the beginning
New To Me
As you can see, I may not be reading as much but I’m still getting a few new books in. I’ve already got the first two books in The Sullivan series on my Kindle so when the third went on offer for free I had to get it. I saw Fixing Delilah go on offer for 99p and I already really enjoyed other books by Sarah Ockler so bought that too. As for The Diabolic, it came in a book box and I couldn’t resist. I also got another book in that book box because I’ve been subscribed since the beginning, it was the sequel to the book in the first box… only problem is I already own it. I may have to host a giveaway or something.
Anyway, that is my week. Shopping and work drama. How has your week been? What do you do when you’re in a blogging slump? And any advise for what to do with a duplicate book?
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