More Than Pen Pals by Dana Wilkerson I gave More Than Pen Pals by Dana Wilkerson 4 stars , and this book was such a delight from beginning to end. I love a story told through letters—BE STILL MY HEART—and this one absolutely delivered. There’s just something so personal and intimate about that format, and it made Ash and Leslie’s connection feel even more special. Their history as childhood pen pals who reconnect as adults is incredibly endearing, and I was invested in them

Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn I gave Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn another shot, and while she’s still a bit spicier than I typically prefer in a rom-com, I ended up giving this one 3.5 stars . I’ll be honest—I struggled with the concept right from the start. It felt like a bit of a reach and not very realistic in my opinion. I mean… who agrees to go on a random marriage retreat with someone they don’t even know just for the sake of it? I just wasn’t fully b

The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn I gave The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn 3.5 stars . This one took me a little while to get into, but once it found its rhythm, the humor definitely started to hit. Meghan Quinn’s writing always brings the laughs, and this book was no exception. There were several moments that genuinely made me smile, and her signature banter kept things entertaining even when the story felt a bit slow at the beginning. “I’m starting to think my life is ju

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore I gave The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore 2.75 stars , and honestly that rating might be a little generous. I absolutely loved The Pumpkin Spice Café, which is what hooked me into this series in the first place. It had the cozy, small-town charm I was hoping for, and it left me excited to keep going. My mom even bought me the rest of the series for Christmas because of how much I enjoyed the first book. Unfortunately, with eac

How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days by Lila Monroe I gave How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days by Lila Monroe 3 stars . I enjoyed parts of the story, but overall it didn’t quite land for me the way I hoped it would. The premise initially caught my attention, and I thought the storyline itself had a lot of potential. However, the book ended up being spicier than I typically prefer, and the repeated use of the word “unicorn” in place of orgasm made the tone feel a little immature at time

My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh I gave My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh 5 stars. As someone who loves hockey, this book was a no-brainer for me—and it absolutely delivered. It was witty, charming, and just so much fun to read from beginning to end. Dallas Burke is the definition of bad boy gone good, and I loved every layer of his character. Beneath the reputation and rough edges was someone loyal, protective, and capable of loving deeply. Watching his walls slowly c

Book Lovers by Emily Henry Book Lovers (5/5 stars) was one of those books that I both wanted to end so I could "get to the good part" and not end - because it was that good. I actually screamed when I turned the final page. "She wonders whether what comes next could ever live up to the expectations. She doesn't know. You never can. She turns the page anyway." I have a love-hate relationship with rom-coms (books and movies alike) because they are so terrifyingly close to real

I don't normally gush about a movie adaptation of a book that I love, but...holy smokes...this movie was so good! I adored reading People We Meet on Vacation a couple of years ago. Just as I do with any of Emily Henry's books. The on screen chemistry Emily Bader and Tom Blythe had was perfection. However, some of my favorite parts of the books were left out. Y'all book version Alex is a book-reading nerd. Like sitting in a bar, alone, reading a book on his phone nerd. (Hi, it

The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore (3.75/5 stars) didn’t quite deliver the cozy, fall-soaked vibes I was expecting, especially after Pumpkin Spice Café . Instead of crisp autumn charm, this one leaned heavily into a dead-of-summer feel that threw me off right from the start. It’s also noticeably spicier than the first book—and while that may work for some readers, it wasn’t really my thing. That said, I can’t deny how much

Merry and Bright by Ali Rosen Merry and Bright by Ali Rosen (4.5/5 stars) was an absolute delight. This short story was my first introduction to Ali Rosen, and if this is any indication of her style, I’ll definitely be seeking out more of her work. Witty, warm, and perfectly paced, it’s the kind of holiday read that feels effortless but leaves a lasting impression. I laughed out loud so many times while listening to this—truly one of those rare stories where the humor lands

Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop (4/5 stars) was a sweet, cozy holiday read that felt like wrapping up in a blanket with a warm drink and a stack of well-loved books. What truly stood out to me were the descriptions of Icelandic holiday traditions. I’ve had a bit of an obsession with Jólabókaflóð ever since I first learned about it years ago, and seeing it woven so lovingly into the story was genuinely delightful. The at

A Heart for Christmas by Sophie Jomain I really wanted to love A Heart for Christmas: My Christmas Advent , and the concept is ultimately what earned it a solid 3 stars for me. The idea of a Christmas advent-style story—unfolding day by day with emotion, reflection, and seasonal meaning—is genuinely charming and full of potential. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t fully live up to that promise. The biggest struggle for me was how dense the story felt. For a book built aroun

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore The Pumpkin Spice Café (4/5 stars) is the definition of a cozy comfort read—with plenty of spice layered in. It’s warm, charming, and exactly the kind of book you pick up when you want to escape into something fun and feel-good. I gave this one 4 stars, and it absolutely lived up to its autumnal promise. Logan completely stole my heart. I loved everything about his character, from his quiet strength to his natural caretaking instincts

Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar (4/5 stars) is a sweet, charming romance that truly shines because of how richly Indian culture is woven into the story. From family dynamics and traditions to food and expectations, the cultural elements feel lived-in and essential, not decorative—and that was easily my favorite part of the book. The romance itself unfolds gently and sincerely. It’s soft, warm, and emotionally grounded, focusing just as muc

Love Blooms by Jennifer Faye Love Blooms by Jennifer Faye (4.25/5 stars) was one of those books that quietly worked its way into my heart and stayed there. I already enjoy Jennifer Faye’s warm, emotionally grounded romances, but this one hit especially close to home for me. Coming from a long line of firefighters, the themes of service, sacrifice, resilience, and love woven throughout the story felt deeply personal and incredibly moving. At its core, Love Blooms is a story

Coming Home to Sunset Cove by Tori Mitchell Coming Home to Sunset Cove ( 3. 5/5 stars) is a gentle, comforting read that leans into themes of second chances, healing, and finding your way back—to a place, to people, and to yourself. Tori Mitchell creates a cozy emotional atmosphere that makes this an easy story to settle into. The pacing is steady and calm, giving the romance time to unfold naturally. While it didn’t completely sweep me away, I enjoyed the quiet emotional mo

Calamity Rayne Back Again by Lydia Michaels I came back for Calamity Rayne Back Again (3.5/5 stars) almost entirely because of the cliffhanger in book one—and I’ll admit, curiosity absolutely won. This sequel keeps the same chaotic, spicy energy and doubles down on Calamity’s unpredictable life choices. Calamity is still very much Calamity . Messy, impulsive, and running headfirst into emotional disasters with confidence. If you liked her brand of chaos in the first book, you

Calamity Rayne Gets a Life by Lydia Michaels Calamity Rayne Gets a Life (3.5/5 stars) is chaotic, spicy, and unapologetically messy—in both good and frustrating ways. This book definitely leans into its wild energy, and while I didn’t love everything about it, it was entertaining enough to keep me turning pages. Calamity Rayne herself is… a lot. She’s impulsive, unpredictable, and fully embraces chaos as a lifestyle choice. At times, that made her fun and refreshing; at othe

Good Guy by Kate Meader Good Guy (4/5 stars) by Kate Meader is a heartfelt, emotionally grounded romance that shines brightest through its male lead—and honestly, he was the reason this book worked so well for me. I loved the hero in this story. He was kind without being boring, strong without being overbearing, and emotionally present in a way that felt refreshing and genuine. There’s something incredibly appealing about a male lead who doesn’t need grand gestures to prove

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry Great Big Beautiful Life (4/5 stars) felt like a quieter, more introspective turn for Emily Henry—and while it didn’t give me all the familiar romance beats I usually expect from her books, it still left a lasting impression. This story is very much a slow burn. The romance unfolds gently and thoughtfully, taking its time instead of sweeping you up right away. If you’re looking for instant chemistry or big, swoony moments from the star