Tuesday, December 27, 2022

My Favorite Books of 2022!

Hi, everyone! *sings to the tune of The Christmas Waltz* "It's that tiimmmeee of yeeaarr, when the lists begin to appearrr"  It is in fact that time of year, where we all share our favorite reads of the year! 2022 was a stressful, hard year. But despite all that, I read some truly amazing books, that brought me joy. And today, I share them with all of you! If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already seen these books, where over the course of last week, I posted about them. (And if you don't follow me, *wink* here's the link, I've been spending a lot more time there recently.) BUT today I share them all together here!

Now, I read so many amazing books this year, and it was really hard to narrow down these categories. But I wanted to really highlight the books I loved the absolute most this year, (and I had to make some tough cuts to get to these.), and I love how the list turned out.

Also! I only listed each author once, even though some of these people could have had multiple books here, to keep it shorter. AND not all of these books released in 2022, but I read them this year, which is how I do my favorite of the year lists.

All of these books (except for the Picture Books and Killer Research) were ARCs from publishers and/or authors, thank you so much to the respective people for the opportunity to read these books!

Now onto the books!

My Favorite Picture Books:






















My Favorite Middle Grade Books:












*A 2023 release that is amazing!




*Being on the street team for this book was an honor!

My Favorite YA Books:










*2023 release that I adored!


*Another 2023 release that was absolutely amazing!




My Favorite Adult Books:
















*And another 2023 release that was fantastic!





What were your favorite reads in 2022? Do we share any of the same books? :)

December Mini Reviews!



I thought this was a good beginning to a new cozy mystery series! Overall, I would recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.



I really liked this historical romance! The characters were great, and the writing was good. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.



This was a good contemporary romance! I would definitely recommend trying it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.



I enjoyed reading this historical romance novel! Overall, I would recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.



This was another great historical romance novel from Samara Parish! I loved the characters in the book. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.



This was an interesting YA novel, that I would definitely recommend to those who think it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.



This was another fantastic contemporary romance from Jen DeLuca! Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Monday, December 26, 2022

Mini Review: Nice Earls Do!



The prequel novella to a new series that offers a modern twist on the genre, from Susanna Craig, one of the most acclaimed voices in Regency romance. Will appeal to fans of Ella Quinn, Sabrina Jeffries, and those who love faster-paced, innovative historical romance featuring strong women.

Award-winning author Susanna Craig launches a new Regency series, based around a daring new ladies’ magazine, with this sparkling novella about old friends—and new secrets...

To readers of her popular magazine, Goode’s Guide to Misconduct, “Mrs. Goode” is an expert in all domestic matters. Household management, home décor, entertainment... there is nothing about which she lacks an opinion. Who better to assist the Earl of Bennett, newly appointed guardian to his niece and nephew, in turning his house into a home?

The widowed Lady Manwaring is the farthest thing from a domestic doyenne, so when asked to pose as Mrs. Goode on behalf of the book’s true author, she warily agrees. On arrival, she’s surprised to discover that Lord Bennett is actually her childhood friend, Kit Killigrew. Tabetha might be an imposter, but her attraction to Kit is all too real...

After years separated from the woman of his dreams, Kit’s eager to do more than play house. Will Tabetha’s big reveal ruin everything, or lay the foundation for true love?

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Mini Review: This was a nice novella that I think does well setting up the main series, which I look forward to reading! A quick read that I enjoyed!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Mini Review: Christmas Eve Cowboy!



Headlined by the legendary storyteller Diana Palmer, this Christmas, the best kind of trouble comes in threes: Three bestselling authors. Three stories of holiday romance. And three rugged cowboys who are ready for love—whether they know it yet or not.

Snow is falling, and when it comes to love, so are these rugged, gorgeous cowboys, in a romantic holiday collection from three bestselling authors . . .

ONCE THERE WAS A LAWMAN * Diana Palmer
FBI agent Thomas Kincaid Jones has soured on love and Christmas, but Annalisa Davis could change all that. Except the lovely nurse isn’t looking to get involved with someone whose job requires a gun on his hip. And Tom has a case to solve that has nothing to do with love. Yet the spirit of the holidays just might spark a lifetime connection . . .

CHRISTMAS CREEK COWBOY * Delores Fossen
In Christmas Creek, Texas, folks go all out for the holidays, but Sheriff Calen Jameson is too busy commiserating about cheating exes with his best friend, Emmy Kendrick. Calen always thought their bond was too precious to risk, yet maybe it’s time to start making some changes . . . by firing up the heat with Emmy.

COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS * Kate Pearce
Lucy Smith thinks Santa has outdone himself when Caleb Erickson shows up at her B&B. In high school, Caleb was oblivious to her crush. But while they wait out a snowstorm, he’s discovering she may be the gift he never knew he wanted

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Mini Review: I really enjoyed this festive short story collection! It's a perfect read for the Christmas season. I liked all three stories, but I think my favorite was the third one by Kate Pearce. Overall, I would definitely recommend this romance collection!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Monday, November 21, 2022

Review: Just Like Magic!



Bettie Hughes once knew the comfort of luxury, flaunting a ridiculous collection of designer shoes and a stealthy addiction to CBD oils. That is, until her parents snipped her purse strings. Long obsessed with her public image, Bettie boasts an extravagant lifestyle on social media. But the reality is: Bettie is broke and squatting in Colorado, and her family has no idea.

Christmas, with its pressure to meet familial expectations, is looming when a drunk Bettie plays a vinyl record of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” backwards and accidentally conjures Hall, an unexpectedly charming Holiday Spirit in the form of a man. Once the shock wears off, Bettie knows she’s stumbled upon the greatest gift: a chance to make all her holiday wishes come true, plus a ready-made fiancé.

But as the wiles of magic lose their charm, Bettie finds herself set off-kilter by Hall’s sweet gestures. Suddenly, Bettie is finding her heart merry and light. But the happier she gets, the shorter Hall’s time on earth grows. Can Bettie channel the Christmas spirit and learn to live with goodwill toward all men? Or will her selfish ways come back as soon as the holidays are over?

From the author of Twice Shy comes a sprightly Christmas novel, a rollicking romp through the absurdity of family holidays and the hope of new love.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: Sarah Hogle writes books that perfectly fit my sense of humor. I laugh (literally out loud) so much while reading her books! I don't even have the words to fully express how much I loved Just Like Magic, I just know that while I was reading it, I kept thinking "This is exactly what I love in books.". From the humor, to the characters, to the absolutely bonkers plot, I loved everything about this book! All of the books I read by Sarah are 5 stars, and I can't recommend this book enough!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Friday, November 18, 2022

Review: A Cat Cafe Christmas!



A laugh-out-loud, opposites attract romance about three of the world’s most beloved C’s: Christmas, Coffee, and Cats.

Veterinarian and animal lover Kara Ingalls needs a Christmas miracle. Opening the Meow and Furrever Cat Café to find loving homes for adorable, adoptable cats was a dream come true—but with more cats than customers, it’s quickly turning into a nightmare. If Kara can’t figure out some way to get the café out of the red, it won’t last past the holidays.

Marketing guru Ben Reese may be annoyingly smart and frustratingly bossy, but when he hatches a plan to put the café in the “green” by Christmas, Kara realizes that she’d be a fool to turn down his help. And so what if he turns out to be an excellent problem solver and nerdy-hot—he can’t even handle fostering one little kitten. She needs to keep their relationship professional and focus on saving the cafe.

But if Ben and Kara can set aside their differences—and find homes for all the cats by Christmas—they might discover that, by risking their hearts, they’ll have their own purr-fect holiday . . . together.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: This was such a fun, festive read! I really enjoyed reading about Kara and Ben, and their relationship was really nice. A perfectly festive book for the holiday season!

I received an ARC and e-ARC from publisher.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Blog Tour: Better Than Fiction - Spotlight/Review!



Love isn't always by the books in this charming romantic comedy about a bookseller discovering how to be the main character in her story.

As a self-proclaimed book hater and a firm believer that the movie is always better, Drew Young didn't anticipate inheriting her grandma's bookstore, the Book Nook. She's in way over her head even before the shop's resident book club, comprising seven of the naughtiest old ladies ever, begin to do what they do best--meddle.

Bestselling author Jasper Williams is a hopeless romantic. When he meets Drew at his Book Nook signing event, he becomes determined to show her the beauty of reading. He curates a book bucket list in exchange for her help exploring the local Denver scene for his current manuscript. From river rafting to local restaurants, Drew begins to connect with Jasper in a way she only thought happened in fiction.

When messy family ties jeopardize the future of the Book Nook, Drew is caught between a bookshelf and a hard place. She's reminded that real life isn't always big dreams and sweeping romance. But Jasper is the plot twist she never saw coming and he's writing a happily ever after just for them.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: This was a great adult romance novel! I really liked the writing, and the voice of the main character. Overall, this is definitely a book I would recommend reading!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Highly Anticipated 2023 Releases!

Hi, everyone! I was going through my Goodreads TBR list, and I was thinking how many awesome sounding books are releasing next year. Which made me think, why not share some of the ones I'm looking forward to reading?! Now, I'm looking forward to so many books, but I wanted to keep this post from getting too long, so these are just a few I want to read. January 1st will have a much (like seriously a lot) longer post. Here are five MG, five YA, and five Adult books I'm highly anticipating next year!

(Also, I was going to write underneath each title why I'm looking forward to it, BUT that did not happen, so just know that if a book is here it's because I'm truly looking forward to it, and it is one of my most anticipated titles!)

Middle Grade:









Young Adult:







Adult:












What books are you looking forward to reading in 2023? :)