Reading Challenge Update & Book Stats

 

It's that time of the year again! Let's take a look at how I did throughout the year with reading!

Reading Challenges

Goodreads - 130/130 Completed

Romance Reading Challenge - 25/25 Completed

Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge - 25/16-25 Completed

LIBRARY LOVE CHALLENGE - 37/24 Completed

AUDIOBOOK CHALLENGE - 61/50+ Completed

DNF 2nd Chance - 2/2 Completed

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Billionaire Scrooge Next Door by Olivia Hayle

Release date: 12-12-22

Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher: Theresia Publishing AB

Categories: Romance

Narrated by: Meg Price, Neill Thorne

From: storytel.fi

I do not have a lot to say about this one. It was rather boring at times. Too much talking. Like talk talk talk. That was all they did.

No drama. They meet again. They knew each other as teens. He was besties with her brother. He is a bit grumpy at first cos boo xmas, and then it changes. And they talk.

And then they lived happily efter after. I honestly could have stopped listening, but I wanted one last audio in.

Narrators were good at least

Adam Dunbar was once the boy who never gave me a second glance. Now he’s the hot billionaire next door who can’t look away.

I go home to Fairhill for the holidays to escape my cramped city apartment and failed career. My to-do’s are spending time with family, eat turkey, and watch bad Christmas movies. Reigniting my crush on my brother’s former best friend was not on the list.

Adam is back in our small town after a decade away. He’s older, richer, and more of a Scrooge than ever. Christmas is commercialism, and he won’t have any of it. Me? I start listening to holiday music in October.

But our clashing opinions on the season don’t stop the attraction growing between us. Could this grumpy billionaire actually be my perfect Christmas gift in disguise?

And if so... Do they accept returns?

Last Review of the Year!!! Audio: Not Another Christmas Rom Com by AJ Pine

Author: AJ Pine
Narrator: Andi Arndt & Teddy Hamilton

Title: Not Another Christmas Rom Com

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, comedy
Pages: Audiobook
Published: November 14, 2024
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

A meet-not-so-cute leads to spicy romance in this brilliantly hilarious new rom-com from best-selling author A. J. Pine!

It’s the flight before Christmas and Molly just got an unexpected gift: a free first-class upgrade on her plane trip home for the holidays. Bring on the complimentary cocktails! But after one too many, she spills all her secrets to the hot guy seated next to her—only to wake up mortified when her buzz has worn off. At least she never has to see Liam again ... or so she thinks.

When Molly arrives at Christmas House, the festive rental home that she and her family are sharing with her sister’s fiancé and his wealthy family, she discovers that Liam is one of the new in-laws. Oops. Now thanks to her boozy oversharing, he knows all her secrets—and they’ll be stuck in the same house all Christmas long. Double oops.

As their chemistry turns red-hot, will they be able keep their hands off each other long enough to navigate growing family drama? And what will Molly do when she discovers that Liam is hiding a scandalous secret of his own? Whatever happens, one thing is clear: These two are in for an unforgettable holiday ride.

Review: 

ONE WORD SUMMARY:

Last one of the year! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Here we have a meet-no-so-cute that will lead to some Xmas spice. Molly and Liam meet on a plane trip home for the holidays. Molly, enjoying her first first class, drinks a little too much and spills all her secrets to the hunk next to her. When she wakes up she prays she'll never meet him again...unlucky for her he is the brother to her future brother-in-law. 

This was entertaining. I loved watching these two try and deny the chemistry. I loved his secret and her secrets. They were silly and not THAT scandalous. Just scandalous enough to be amusing.

I did NOT like how cavalier everyone,but Molly, was with how controlling Liam's brother was acting towards Molly's sister. I guessed what that was all about but it was concerning that no one but Molly was calling him out on it. Ugh. I'm sure you can guess why he was so protective without me having to give ANY hints. So it makes sense but damn...just tell everyone and chill. 

The narrators were fantastic. I especially adore Teddy Hamilton. He is a gem in the narrating world.

The ending was very sweet. The reveals were kind of funny....especially Liam's parent's "big" secret. LOL

All-in-all, I did enjoy this and it was a nice way to end the year. I only had one big-ish issue but it didn't ruin the story. Silly......

But yes. A nice holiday romance with fun narrators. I'll give this 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Entertaining

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #61

Book Review: Cookies, Lies, and Homicide by Angela Henry

Author: Angela Henry

Title: Cookies, Lies, and Homicide

Genre: Cozy mystery, Mystery, Contemporary

Format: ebook

Pages: 37

Published: November 17, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

When lonely widow Mercy Davenport finds a lost dog, she has no idea searching for its owner will land her in the middle of a murder mystery, putting her in the crosshairs of a killer and on the radar of a grumpy local police detective.

Review:

Weeee a short murder mystery! And a recipe at the end? Sure!!!

Mercy is a lonely widow who is trying to find some sort of routine after her husband passed a couple of years ago. When a lost dog comes up to her, she vows to find its owner. However, she finds out that the owner was murdered and now Mercy is in the crosshairs of a killer. She tries to work with the local detective who is in charge of the case, but he is grumpy and won't listen to her. 

Dawwwwwwwe this was cute. Yes, I'm aware "cute" is not a great word for a murder mystery, but it really fits in this case. Peaches the dog was adorable and I loved Mercy. I would love more stories of Mercy and Peaches. Doesn't have to be ALL murder mysteries, but they are an epic duo. 

The whodunit was fun. I had my guess (which I was partially right) but I didn't see the twist! Nice!

The ending was good. I loved the connection and now I want more. Wah!

All-in-all, this was a perfect little number for the holiday season. Cute duo....nice twists....and a grumpy detective. Love it.

5 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lovely

- Cloak & dagger #24

Audiobook Review: Read and Gone by Allison Brook

Author: Allison Brook
Narrator: Mia Gaskin

Title: Read and Gone

Series: The Haunted Library Mysteries #2

Genre: Cozy mystery, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: September 11, 2018
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

A devoted dad is as precious as diamonds, but Carrie Singleton wouldn’t know since her dad Jim’s been on the lam most of her life. In an unusual family reunion, she finds Jim breaking into her cottage in the middle of the night. The fun really starts when he begs her to help him recover his half of a twenty-million-dollar gem heist he pulled off with the local jeweler, Benton Parr. When she refuses, Jim takes off again. Carrie finds her father again behind bars for the recent murder of Benton Parr. Who made the connection? Unbeknownst to her, Carrie’s boyfriend Dylan, an insurance investigator, has been searching for the gems. Determined to find the jewels herself, she starts examining every facet of Parr’s life. She turns up a treasure trove of suspects, one of whom bashes her on the head as she’s searching the victim’s country cabin. Retreating to the quiet confines of the library where she works, Carrie watches as Smokey Joe, the resident cat, paws at a hole in the wall. Is he after the library’s ghost Evelyn, or something shinier?

Review: 

Finally diving into book 2. Been waiting on this one. 

Back with Carrie who thinks life is finally perfect. She has her dream job at the library. She has amazing friends and family and a cute cat. Oh and she has a cute boyfriend. Things seem to be going great just in time for Christmas until her dad shows up. Her dad is a professional criminal. He comes to town to beg her to help him recover his half of a 20 million gem heist he pulled off with Benton Parr. When Benton is found dead, Jim is suspect #1. Dyan, Carrie's boyfriend, comes back from a job and it turns out that he is an insurance investigator and he's been searching for the stolen gems too. Many people are after the gems so there are many suspects on the table. It will be up to Carrie, the library ghost, and her cat to find the gems and the murderer. 

Every time we turn around there was another twist. I loved that. I really had no idea who it could've been. Everyone had a motive. Benton was one bad dude and he really took advantage of EVERYONE. Gah. What a scumbag. 

I think I enjoyed this one a touch more than book 1. However, I did still have some of the same issues, but they didn't bug me as much I guess. Yes, the author overexplains EVERYTHING. We really don't need that much detail on what they are eating and etc. I love a good detail, but even I have my limits. It really slowed the story in some spots. 

Also, we rarely got to see our library ghost in this one! Sure she had some sage advise for Carrie (which I feel like Carrie ignored 50% of it), but not much else. She helped with a teeny tiny lead....-ish. I wanted more of our ghost friend!

The ending was nice. No cliffies which is lovely. I do think I want to read the next one. I read the summary and I'm shooked! Yessss! Utterly shooked! I can't wait to see what happened. 

In the end, I liked this a hair more than the other one. I love our main cast and I loved the mysteries. Lots of suspects and a cute kitty. Plus Xmas themed? Love. I did have a couple issues still, but it's easy to ignore and keep going. I'll give this 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Twisty

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #60

- Cloak & dagger #25

2-in-1 Short Story Reviews: Billionaire for Christmas & Home for Christmas

Author: Laurie Baxter

Title: Billionaire for Christmas

Series: Sweet & Swoonworthy Billionaire Rom-Coms #0.5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Short Stories

Format: ebook

Pages: 52

Published: November 1, 2023

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

A brilliant billionaire boss. A crush she can’t shake. A Christmas she’ll never forget.

Ivy Steadman is not in love with her boss. Because first of all, technically speaking, she’s an independent contractor, so he’s not her boss. And second of all, she’s way too professional to fall for someone she works with. Someone it’s her job to sell to the public. Someone who only thinks of her as a colleague, or, at best, a friend. Only a fool would fall for their own marketing like that.

Alec Ames is completely in love with his PR Specialist. He’s tried to keep it professional, but there’s no denying the chemistry between him and Ivy. He thinks she just might feel the same way. There’s really only one way to find out.

His plan? Sweep her off her feet at the big holiday party he’s throwing for all the employees. He’s got the perfect night planned, from the lush and elegant Christmas decor to the string quartet ready with her favorite holiday song. What could possibly go wrong?

Review:

Love Xmas shorts. I just don't have time for super long ones during the holiday season. Eeee.

Ivy is trying to not crush on her boss. Alec also is fighting his feelings for his PR specialist. He's tried to keep it professional, but alas...the chemistry is too much. His plan is to sweep her off her feet at the big holiday party he's throwing for all the employees. What could go wrong?

Cringe, but a cute cringe. Does that make sense? LOL the chemistry was there but man....................all around awkward. I get that Alec wanted to impress her, but at the Christmas Party? Weird. 

But they are cute and perfect together. I'm curious to see what is in store for them. I don't think book 1 is about them, but I'm sure we'll see them around and the backlash. 

Cute and slightly awkward. Nice quickie read for the holiday. 

3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Adorkable

Author: Carol Burnside

Title: Home for Christmas

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Short Stories

Format: ebook

Pages: 36

Published: November 26, 2013

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Joseph and Danni were college friends who abandoned their relationship after a flash-hot affair one Christmas weekend. When their paths cross again on another snowy Christmas Eve, fate gives them a rare second chance. Can they push beyond past hurt and finally find a home with each other for Christmas?

Review:

Another short one! 

Joseph and Dannie were college friends who abandoned their relationship after a couple of nights together. One Christmas Eve, fate gives them a second chance to fight through the hurt and finally be together. 

I needed this to be longer. I wanted to maybe see them when they were friends and then fall for each other and then fall apart. I think I would've appreciated them a touch more. I just didn't see it. 

In all honesty....they need therapy before getting back together. They have a LOT of issues.

Lots of talking in this one. I would've loved to see more kissing or something. Eh. It was a nice baseline, but I think this really needed more meat and flesh. 

2 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lackluster

Book Review: Love Blooms by Jennifer Faye

Author: Jennifer Faye

Title: Love Blooms

Series: Bluestar Island #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 287

Published: April 3, 2021

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

He’s an injured firefighter. She bakes the most delightful treats. When their worlds collide will the baker help heal the firefighter with a mix of blueberry muffins and her caring way?

The elegant baker, Hannah Bell, has always lived on Bluestar Island with her family. While still grieving for her father, who died in a fire, she focuses all of her energy on making her dream come true—opening her very own bakery. But when a broken water pipe washes away her carefully laid plans, she’s on the verge of losing everything.

New York firefighter Ethan Walker’s life is in a tailspin after he’s injured on-the-job. When an urgent call detours him to Bluestar Island, he agrees to help his lovable but meddlesome great-aunt. But organizing the island’s Spring Fling proves a lot harder than he originally imagined. He needs help…and fast.

Under the magic of Bluestar Island’s sea breeze and warm sunshine, Hannah and Ethan must not only face their immediate obstacles but also their own turning points in life. Will they have to do that alone? With a leap of faith and a dash of romance, they might just find the perfect mix to make their dreams come true.

Review:

Wanted to save this for summer or spring time, BUT I couldn't wait. I want to get to the other two in series and you need to read this one first. 

Here we have Ethan and Hannah. Ethan is a New York firefighter who's life is in a tailspin after he's injured while on the job. When an urgent call brings him to Bluestar Island, he agrees to stay on the island and watch his great aunt's dog and take over her duties of the Spring Fling. Hannah has always wanted to own a bakery of her very own. When a broken water pipe washes away her plans, she is on the verge of losing everything. She can't miss the spring time business! Hannah and Ethan team up. He promises he can repair her shop before May and Hannah agrees to help him organize the Spring Fling. 

This was very sweet...and long winded. I enjoyed it overall, don't get me wrong. But it took forever for any sort of character development for these two. Hannah has some serious issues. Her father was a firefighter and died on the job so she can't get close to Ethan. Ethan is unsure of what he wants to do in life since his accident. However, it was all very clear........Ethan open your contractor business.....Hannah....go to therapy. Gah. 

I liked both Ethan and Hannah, but their will-they-won't-they made my eye twitch sometimes. I just wanted them to be together dangit. They were so sweet and perfect for each other!!!! 

The side characters were gems. I can't wait to read more on this island. I think the next one is about Hannah's brother. Weeeee! He needs love and a partner for sure. 

The ending was nicely done. They have come to turns with stuff and the outcome was perfect for everyone. Everyone got what they want and needed. Yayy. 

This was a very sweet romance. No steamy scenes, but it was nice. Very Hallmark-y in the best of ways. 

All-in-all, this is a perfect spring read. Yes, yes I read it during Xmas time but oh well. A very cute couple who have a LOT to work through. The love took a LONG while, but it was worth it in the end. I'll give this 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Sweet

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Lovelight Farms by BK Borison

Series: Book 1, The Lovelight Series

Release date: 09-20-22

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Categories: Romance/ From storytel.fi

Narrated by: Pippa Jayne

I have been trying to find random holiday audiobooks before my subscription runs out. And this one had the same story as all the others, lol. Srsly, I need to branch out.

Stella has a tree farm. An influencer is coming to visit her. Stella fibbed that she has a boyfriend (why that matters, who knows, it is more romantic. Like what.) Anyway she asks her bestie Luke. Yes the same plot as in the others I have read. Dunno how that happened.

These two are playing their part. The influencer is not around much. Someone is vandalizing the farm. And then they decide to try to make things more real...just for show. But damn, things get hot then.

And then they lived happily ever after. Sweet xmas story. Friends to lovers

Good narration.

A pasture of dead trees, a hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons, and shipments that have mysteriously gone missing—Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams.

In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, she enters a contest with instafamous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, she might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on the application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only there is no boyfriend.

Enter her best friend Luka Peters. He just came home for some hot chocolate, and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process.

Lovelight Farms is a romantic comedy featuring a handsome freckled data analyst, a messy, optimistic Christmas-tree-farm owner, and a small town with the best hazelnut lattes on the east coast.

Graphic Novel Review: Heartstopper V5 by Alice Oseman

Author: Alice Oseman

Title: Heartstopper

Series: Heartstopper #5

Genre: LGBT, YA, Romance, Graphic Novel

Format: ebook

Pages: 336

Published: December 7, 2023

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fifth volume of the much-loved HEARTSTOPPER series.

Nick and Charlie are very much in love. They've finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick's house ... But with Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change?

Review:

Book 5!!!! Weeeee!

We continue on Nick's and Charlie's journey of love and awkward teen years. Nick is a year older and is going off to university next year. What university? How far? Will their love be able to make it? At the same time of Nick deciding where he wants to go, Charlie is still battling his demons. 

Now that I have this finished....I'll have to wait for the next one. UGH wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen????? The ending left me needing to know what is going to happen. I guess I have the show I can finish (gah. I only did season 1...so behind).

I hope they can stay together, but it is hard being school sweethearts and then college...especially if the go far away for college. I do worry about them and what the future holds. 

Seeing Charlie blossom is amazing. He's had a journey and I'm so happy to see him finally loving himself. 

We got to see some other subplots and character development with our sides. It didn't take away from our mains. Beautifully done!

The art is cute and perfect. 

My only issue is that it felt....slow. Lots of repetition. Enjoyable overall, but my eye did twitch a little bit. Yes, I get we are seeing their inner monologue, but it did get....old. 

I can't wait for the next one. I believe the next one might be the finale....or close to the finale. 

4 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Amusing

Reading Challenges: 

- Library Love #35

Movie Review: Red One (2024)

Title: Red One

Length: 2h 3m

Released: 2024

Genre:  Comedy, Action/Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Amazon Prime

SUMMARY:

After Santa Claus is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security must team up with a notorious hacker in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.

Trailer

REVIEW:

I've been wanting to watch this since I first seen the trailer. How freakin' fun!

Santa is kidnapped right before Christmas and now the North Pole's Head of Security must team up with a notorious hacker and tracker. The two will travel the world to find Santa. 

This was refreshing and different and kick-ass. 

There was humor but I really appreciated the fresh take on saving Santa and Christmas. It's so nice seeing something original. 

Loved the cast. They were great!!

The action was a hoot. 

I loved the humor. It was there but it wasn't overdone or campy. 

The big baddie was a nice touch. Won't spoil anything. 

I'm disappointed that Krampus didn't more time at the end there. Again...no spoilers....but I was hoping for....more? Maybe there will be a movie 2. 

I also wanted more of the North Pole agents. They needed more kickass time. 

But yes, I really enjoyed this movie. It was fresh and fun and made me want Santa to be real. 

4 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Kickass-y