December Favorites

Book edition 📖

Hello, bookish friends!

The last few months brought me some fantastic ARC (advance reader copy) reads, and I couldn’t wait to share a few favorites that released this month. Plus, I’ll let you know about a holiday read that completely wrecked me in 24 hours.

📚 December Releases I Loved

Not in My Book by Katie Holt

If you love anything written by Emily Henry, you’ll devour this steamy, laugh-out-loud enemies-to-lovers romance. Rosie, an idealistic romance writer, and Aiden, a brooding literary fiction author, are forced to co-write a novel. Sparks (and steam) fly as their collaboration uncovers more than just creative differences.

This book is filled with witty banter and sizzling chemistry, and it’s awesome to see a character like Rosie who represents Peruvian Americans! Not in My Book is the perfect love letter to readers who love a happily ever after.

A Five-Letter Word for Love by Amy James

For anyone who’s ever been obsessed with word games—or simply loves a romance—this book is a treat. Emily, stuck in a small-town rut, reluctantly teams up with her car-obsessed coworker John to keep her Wordle streak alive.

What starts as a game blossoms into an unexpected connection, pushing Emily out of her comfort zone and into a heartwarming journey of love and self-discovery.

This book reminded me of home with the automotive shop setting. I grew up outside of Detroit, Michigan. Most people in that area have some ties to their family working in the automotive industry.

My grandmother’s family moved from South Carolina to Detroit in the 1920’s so that my grandfather could take a job at Ford. My grandfather came home after WWII and work his whole career with Buick. And, as family lore would tell it, my great-grandmother used to babysit for the Dodge family. So, yeah, there is a lot of connection to cars. :)

I really love it when you feel a bit of personal connection to a setting and A Five-Letter Word For Love did that for me.

(it’s a bit of a cheat as it released in September, but I HAD to tell you about it!)

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

If Knives Out had a holiday twist, it would be this laugh-out-loud cozy mystery. When two rival authors find themselves trapped in a snowbound English mansion—and their famous host mysteriously vanishes—chaos, romance, and clues ensue.

This romance-mystery is the perfect festive read. It has humor, suspense, and holiday feels. I could not put this one down! I had a feeling going into it I was either going to love it or hate it, and it was absolute love at first chapter. Grab The Most Wonderful Crime Of The Year.

📖 What I’m Currently Reading

At Home With You This Christmas by Marie Landry

Grief, second chances, and the magic of the holidays.

Hazel Morris is navigating her first Christmas without her mom and the aftermath of a breakup with Mason Reynolds, the love of her life. When fate (and a surprise mix-up) brings her back to Mason’s small-town home during the holidays, old feelings resurface.

Mason is determined to convince Hazel that their love is worth fighting for, but grief and fear stand in the way. Will the holiday season help them heal and rekindle their romance?

This steamy and emotional novella is perfect if you’re in the mood for heartfelt holiday cheer. Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings if grief is a sensitive topic for you.

last minute edition - this is now a What I Read. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in 24 hours. It is an absolutely gem of a holiday book! Well-written, heartfelt, and unique from so many of the other holiday romances you will find out there. If you are looking for a holiday romance that reads more mature in it’s subject matter, will make you emotional, but comfort you like a hug from family and friends, At Home With You This Christmas is the book for you.

If you’re a fan of the Victorian era, you absolutely need to check out this charming novella by Mimi Mathews! It’s a beautifully crafted story filled with heart and historical detail, and the best part? It’s currently free to download as an e-book (for the US audience). I adore this story so much that it’s become an annual tradition for me to reread it. It’s the perfect story during the busy holiday season. Don’t miss out on A Holiday by Gaslight!

What have you been reading this month? Any holiday romances or must-reads on your list? Leave a comment and let me know—I’m always looking to add to my ever-growing TBR!

Happy reading,
Melissa 💕

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