Category Archives: Romance

25 Books in 2025

I love a good book challenge! And one that i just couldn’t pass up is 25 books in 2025! Here is my filled in challenge! And if you want to fill it out yourself, I will attach a blank template so you can do this yourself!

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

Lovely War by Julie Berry

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

From Ash and Stone by Julie Danes

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon ✅

The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah Ladd

Circe by Madeline Miller

Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett

Happily Never After by Lynn Painter

The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

The Winter Princess by Keira Dominguez

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

The Girl Who Drank The Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Happier Hour by Cassie Holmes

My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Building A Non-Anxious Life by John Delony

25 in 2025 Template! Download

Favorite Books of 2023

2023 was a fantastic year for books! I read/listened to nearly 200 books, the most I’ve ever read in a year! Rounding them up to favorites by month was so hard, but it was a lot of fun to look back through the year and all of the amazing books I read!

If you click the the book title under each month, it will take you to Amazon where you can purchase it or read a blurb about it! A lot of the books are available in Kindle Unlimited, which is a great option for reading!

Merrit and her Childhood Crush by Jenny Proctor and Emma St. Clair

Scotland’s Melody by Katie Stewart Stone

Love Rescheduled by Jennifer Peel

Miss Newbury’s List by Megan Walker

A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon

Juniper Bean Resorts To Murder by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

Why Trey Let Me Get Away by Kortney Keisel

Rook To King by Carina Taylor

One Last Play by Annah Conwell

When In Rome by Sarah Adams

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

Royally Rearranged by Emma St. Clair

The Pocket Pair by Emma St. Clair

In The Weeds by BK Borison

Just Don’t Fall by Emma St. Clair

The Duet by Hailey Gardiner

But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor by Annah Conwell

Desire or Defense by Leah Brunner

Faking The Fall by Julie Christianson

How Jenna Became My Dilemma by Kortney Keisel

Flirtation or Faceoff by Leah Brunner

Naming of the Queen by JJ Mackenzie

Absolutely Not In Love by Jenny Proctor

My Ex-Mas Emergency by Jennifer Peel

Heidi Lucy Loses Her Mind by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

Merry Kismet by Anneka R. Walker

Season’s Scheming by Katie Bailey

Of Jasmine and Roses by Jill Warner

Kissing for Keeps by Martha Keyes

Garden of the Midnights

Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder is out in the world. Firstly, can we talk about this cover? It is beautiful! And absolutely captures the themes of the book. I could look at it all day!

Isabella and William are the perfect couple. It is dark and moody, but brings hope and love into it. Hannah Linder did an excellent job bringing different themes of dark regency but lovely love stories into one beautiful book

Shrouded in mystery and intrigue! William was raised in an unloving house, with the belief that both of his parents had died. Things start to take a dark turn when the only person he can trust winds up murdered!

After tracking down his father, being hunted, and finally returning to Rosenleigh, William is thrust into poverty and a world he doesn’t know how to navigate with only pleasant memories spent with Isabella to keep him going.

It starts as friends. It is slow burn but it is just how this book feels. I’m not always a fan of slow burns but this was done amazingly. The book spans many years. It covers a lot of time and relationships.

William is just lovely. He wants to be loved. He yearns for it. And at first he is willing to love Isabella as a friend/sister. When things change, he can’t. He and Isabella form this beautiful bond that makes you cheer for them every step of the way!

This is full of twists and turns that are unpredictable. The mystery propels the book and makes you blast through to the end. With romance and mystery weaved together, it is a hard book to put down!

National Read A Book Day!

If you haven’t noticed, with my other posts of daily holidays, I love celebrating the little things! And if it is about a book? Even better!!

If you click on the picture of each book, it will take you to Amazon where you can get it or check it out!

So to celebrate, here is what I am currently reading, and some recent books I’ve read that would make great options!!

Educating Elizabeth by Jennifer Moore. You can preorder the book by clicking on the picture!
This is my most current book. It was DELIGHTFUL!!
Another excellent story. This one finishes up the Hawthorne brothers series, and it is so great!!
Hockey. Hockey Romance. It will suck me in every time! If it is an option, I would highly recommend the audiobook!!
The next in the D.C. Eagles series. Which just came out, so when you finish Desire or Defense, you can just jump right in!!
This is the next in a series that releases today! It is just such a great story! A bad boy that needs to reform, a bookworm author that agrees to a fake engagement. What’s not to love?

Back To School Reads!

My kiddos started back to school today! There was rejoicing! My kids had minimal complaining and no one missed the bus! This is the beginning of my favorite time of year! Fall time. When it gets a bit cooler, the colors show off and I binge all the Autumn themed books!

So to celebrate, here are some school themed books. That meaning the main characters are teachers, it takes place in school (high school or college) or just has fall vibes!

Journal entry: Heading to school. I know what everyone will say. There goes the girl who tried to kill herself.
Addison is no stranger to feeling stressed, insecure, and sad. Her therapist recommended she keep a journal to help her understand those feelings better, which she really needs today. It’s her first day back to school, several weeks after she survived her suicide attempt. She knows there are rumors about why she did it: A lousy home life? Bullying? Heartbreak? None of them are true, but it doesn’t matter because Addison still feels like she’s drowning. She still holds secrets she’s not ready to share.
During the school day, Addison encounters four other students struggling with their own secrets:
Booker is anxious about seeing Addison. They were sort of a couple until he tried to kiss her. She fled and then tried to end her life. Those two things couldn’t be related, could they?
Celia feels trapped by her mother’s abusive boyfriend. She can guess why Addison did what she did.
Damion is TikTok-famous and thinks befriending Addison could boost his followers. But what no one knows is he needs the world to remember him since his sick mom doesn’t anymore.
Avery is considered a loner and doesn’t know Addison, but they have neighboring lockers. With Avery’s older brother in jail for dealing drugs, Avery is desperate for meaningful human connection.
Juniper Bean has big plans for her writing career. Swoony kisses, sigh-inducing happily ever afters—she’s going to write them all.
There’s just one problem: she can’t seem to stop killing off her main characters.
After accepting that a genre change is in order, Juniper sets out to do some research. What’s the best way to carry a dead body? How exactly does one pick a lock? Juniper is going to find out—with the unwilling help of her new roommate, Aiden.
But Juniper’s plans go haywire when she stumbles across an actual, real-life dead body—and before she knows it, she and Aiden are thrust into the middle of a murder mystery that seems suspiciously tied to Juniper’s past.
Who killed the girl in the woods? Can Juniper ever get the hang of mystery writing? And, perhaps the biggest question of all: Why the heck does Aiden look so good in a tweed jacket?
I’ve spent twelve years caring for my niece Maddie who I adopted after my sister died. Having a daughter has made me picky when it comes to the women I spend time with. Not to mention dealing with the pressure of being a college football coach.
But when I spot MJ at a mutual friend’s wedding, something draws me toward her.
My friend tells me to forget about her, but how can I when she becomes Maddie’s art teacher and our paths cross again?
I ask her out, she turns me down. Rinse and repeat. But I don’t plan on giving up any time soon.
My instincts are always right, and they’re telling me Meadow Jane Carter might just be my future wife.
Meg
Confession: I’m attracted to my student’s dad. Let me give you Tyler Dixon’s resume: thoughtful, manly, father of the year, widower, ridiculously attractive (basically the opposite of a dad bod).
This might sound like good news for someone like me—someone who dreams of getting married and becoming a mom—but it’s not. Getting involved with a parent is grounds for immediate removal at my school, and right now, my fragile heart can’t handle being fired.

My mom just died. My boyfriend broke up with me, and to top it all off, my dad started dating again. Stable employment is the only good thing I have. Risking my job and my heart is the most foolish thing I could do.
Tyler
Being a widower isn’t like the movies. There’s not a block of women knocking on my door, bringing me casseroles every day. No, real life is work, laundry, and groceries—all while being both the mom and the dad. I’m pretty much failing at this single-parent thing.

I don’t have time to date.Which is good since the only woman I’m interested in keeps pushing me away: Miss Johnson. Emphasis on the Miss—as in, my son’s teacher. It’s hard to convince a woman to go out with you when she’ll get fired.

But it’s either pursuing Meg, despite her job, or the never-ending depths of loneliness—no big deal.
He might be the hottest teacher in town but not even Noah Redmond can convince me to date a small-town guy.

The last thing I want is to put my awesome aerospace career on pause while I run my dad’s hardware store, but duty calls, so what am I supposed to do? I can’t wait to get out of Creekville again, and I’m doing great keeping everyone at arm’s length until my best friend tries to set me up with the hot new high school coach. He’s got me literally tripping over my own feet, but I’m not giving in to those dimples.

I’m burnt out on love, but Grace Winters is the funniest—and most attractive—woman I’ve ever met.

Too bad Creekville is just a detour for her. I get it. But when I recruit her to help me build a booth for the town’s biggest event of the year, I learn just how irresistible she is. And if that’s not bad enough, when I talk her into fake dating to convince my boss I’m ready for a promotion, we share an unplanned kiss that blurs every line we’ve drawn.
It started out innocently enough . . .

Hailey Thomas is perfectly content living a quiet life as a second-grade teacher. But when one of her students can’t stop bragging about her single dad, she decides to do some sleuthing and what she finds turns her into a part-time internet stalker, complete with daydreams she can never admit to.

When the object of her research shows up at her school and accuses her of scheming with his eight year-old daughter, she vows to put an end to all of it and avoid him at all costs. Ford Whittaker may be a wealthy businessman and ridiculously handsome single dad, but he’s definitely not the man she’d imaged he was.

Only, avoiding Ford is becoming impossible thanks to her honorary uncle, her four best friends, and the daughter that actually is a schemer. Every week it’s something new, and the more they get thrown together, the more Hailey wonders if maybe she’d been a little bit lonelier than she realized.

And maybe Ford was too.
Football-loving TyAnne Daws has long admired the handsome college quarterback from afar. This semester, she’s determined to step away from the sidelines—and she has the perfect game plan for winning the heart of Anthony “Rocket” Rogers. When some smart moves land her in one of his classes, she finds herself in the perfect position to make her play. But as she gets to know the real Anthony, away from the lights of the stadium, Ty realizes that this is no game—she’s falling in love . . . Anthony takes full advantage of his all-star status, holding girls at arm’s length for one reason: it keeps him from repeating the same mistakes that once led to a devastating heartbreak. When he meets Ty, his assumption that she’s just another pretty face is quickly proven wrong. Though he’s completely drawn in by this kind young woman, her intriguing mix of amusing football know-how, and her quiet selflessness, he will not let himself fall in love. But when faced with the reality of losing the woman he’s come to care for despite himself, Anthony’s resolve is tested—it’s getting harder to keep his head in the game when his heart’s on the line.
If “best friends at first sight” were really a thing, Eli Dash would say that’s how his friendship with the new private school teacher, Court Edwards, began. She’s the only person who understands his determination to prove himself as the new L.A. Rays quarterback. She, and nobody else, completely relates to his drive to make everyone forget about last year’s disastrous season with his old team.
She’s also stolen his heart and run off with it, faster than any running back he’s ever met.
The problem is, she’s secretly dating another teacher who also happens to be her department head. She’s completely clueless about Eli’s feelings and seems content to keep him in the friend zone forever. For those reasons alone, Eli should take a sideline bench. Speaking up may risk their friendship, and then he could lose her altogether.
But Eli Dash isn’t the sidelines type. It’s the most critical season of his life, and he refuses to let others call the shots this time—not with their happily-ever-after barely within reach.
Can the new QB take them from friend zone to the end zone? Or is it game over for them both?
Jason Jennings made a tough call two years ago when he left behind his status as a hard-partying star quarterback in order to serve the Lord. Recently returned from a mission now, he’s ready to get back on the football field at UCAL. But despite turning his life around, his bad-boy reputation is proving hard to shake.
Allie Hollis is everything a cheerleader should be—beautiful, outgoing, and smart—but her brilliant smile hides a devastating secret. So when Jason begins to show interest in her, there’s no question: her answer is no.
Yet, in the face of Allie’s chilly response, Jason’s gentle persistence pays off, and a tentative friendship grows. Their chemistry is obvious, but Allie’s determination to steer clear of a relationship with Jason goes deeper than he realizes. When the truth of her painful history comes to light, the couple must decide whether they will remain on the sidelines or jump back into the game of love.

Book Lovers Day! 📚

Happy Book Lovers Day! As you can attest with my last post, I love holidays. Obscure ones and fun ones like this one! And the fact that my life is heavily motivated by books! So to celebrate, here are a few of my favorite current and recent reads!

My first one, Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder! I read this back in March and it jumped very quickly to the top of my favorites list! And with the audiobook being released, I finished listening to it last week and was reminded how AMAZING this book is!
This is probably my favorite this year I have read, right behind Juniper Bean. The genres are completely different. Contemporary romance with suspense mixed in for Juniper. A Girl Called Samson takes place during the Revolutionary War and a girl who changes the trajectory of her life and those around her!
Online dating, challenges and feelings. So many feelings!
This book has such a special place in my heart! Two con people. One race to a coveted piece. Tuesday kisses. The whole story will suck you in so fast! And you won’t want to leave this world!
A famous woman going to Rome, Kentucky to get away from the bright light of fame. There she runs into and infuriates the local pie maker. Sparks fly and you will LOVE their story!!!
The third installment to the Sheet Cake, Texas series. The book will blow you away and you want to take a trip down south to find some small town people and get into some shenanigans.
Second chance romance at its best! Dating in college, he makes it big time and they break up. After a new assignment, she is placed in his path and given an opportunity to rekindle!
Another famous best friend. Those tropes never disappoint! This book was unique and so swoony! I loved it so much!
And last but not least (it was incredibly hard to narrow this down) is The Queen with No Name. It has fantasy/supernatural woven throughout without it being so overwhelming. The reason I stay away from fantasy is because it is usually having to learn a huge world that can be confusing. But this one is just fantastic without all the extra fuss!

What are your favorite reads this year?

Some Of My Recent Favorites

As summer is well underway, and we FINALLY have summer weather, I am hunkering down and getting lots of reading done. I listen to a lot of my books, and have listened to some excellent books lately. And read. Ha. The year is half way over and I have 104 books under my belt. So I thought I would share with you some of my recent faves. Hope you can find something that you would love!

An Unwitting Alliance by Anneka Walker

This is my most recent read (or listen, if you will). There is loads of wit and swoon packed in this regency romance. You get meddling matchmaking mothers, a teasing Main character who gives silly nicknames to everyone and a shy introvert who just wants to marry for love.

In The Shelter of Hollythorne House by Sarah E. Ladd

This story was so beautifully done. The main characters have a past together and heartbreak. Fast forward and they enter each others lives again, but this time, it won’t be so easy to let each other go! It is packed of sweet romance, adventure and intrigue.

Meeting At The Altar by Kristine W. Joy

This is a unique love story of second chances through marriage of convenience and having it play out on TV across America. We get characters from past books, a sweet rekindling of a romance and one guy who is determined not to let the love of his life go again!

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

You will not regret reading this story. Period. It is so unique. The main character suffers from Face Blindness (had no idea that was a thing until I read this story!) and struggles to go through life now dealing with this new development. I can’t say too much without giving away some integral parts, but THIS STORY IS AMAZING!

The Pocket Pair by Emma St. Clair

Finally on my list, The Pocket Pair. This is the third installment in the Sheet Cake, Texas universe. Chevy and Val are EVERYTHING! All sorts of couple goals. They are fire! Both have crushes on each other, but the other doesn’t know. Then things start to change. And the swoon and sizzle comes out!

I highly suggest you read any and all of these books! They are excellent additions to your TBR and you will be so happy you did!

Lovelight Farms

Are you ready for a Christmas in Summer read? I have the perfect one for you! It takes place on a Christmas tree farm, in a town that has Stars Hallow vibes, and so many fun characters!

The story surrounds Stella and Luka. Long time best friends who do everything together. When an opportunity arises for a social media influencer to come to the farm and a chance at a lot of money, that would save the farm, Stella jumps on it. But in the application, says she owns the farm with her boyfriend…which she doesn’t have.

Risking her long buried feeling for Luka, she asks him to be her fake boyfriend while said influencer is visiting. He jumps at the chance, hoping to prove to her that the can be best friends and romantically involved. Hidden feelings, close proximity, and a gossipy town all combine to make a perfect storm of emotions!

B.K. Borison weaves a masterful tale of several tropes without it being forced or not believable. You FEEL these feelings with them. You get your heart broken, you get the butterflies in your stomach when Luka dances with Stella during hard conversations. Swoon!! This is a perfect read for any time of year, for any reader!

Covert Ops

Traci Hunter Abramson delivers with the final Saint Squad suspenseful romance! It follows Craig and Sienna. Craig, in the elite Navy “Saint Squad” and Sienna a high profile actress and part of a very public family. But that is the problem. No one can knows who Craig is, least of all that he and Sienna are getting married secretly.

When news leaked, things start to fall apart. The wedding is being postponed and things go south on a mission that the Saint Squad is on and two of the members are MIA.

In a suspense filled story, we get several POV’s. From Sienna, to Craig, to Jim Whitmore (presidential candidate and Saint Squad member father in law. Stress levels raise, confidences are broken and events happen that could change the course of all of their lives.

This story will bring you through all of the emotions and on a roller coaster ride of humanity. People doing the very worst, and then turning around and seeing the best in people. The coming together to and solidifying a family made from history, rather than biology.

Traci Hunter Abramson is the master at suspenseful romances! The Saint Squad always hits different. This was a perfect wrapping up of the whole group!

His North Star

Synopsis:

I fell in love with my best friend, but he only ever loved me like a sister. So I moved on—with idiots.

In an attempt to ignore the fact that my best friend, Ty, would never love me the way I wanted him to, I dated a lot. I even got engaged to Ty’s cousin. Except my ex-fiancé wasn’t the man I thought he was. When he broke off our engagement and fled to LA, I was left devastated and emotionally wounded.

Leaning on Ty—the only man who has ever stayed by my side—I drowned myself in work and helping Ty renovate his new house. When Ty confesses he’s in love with me, I’m torn. He’s all I’ve ever wanted, but I’m scared, shattered, and nowhere near good enough for him—something my ex made sure I knew. How can I risk a relationship with the one person I can’t live without?

Thoughts:

What a beautiful story! I love stories like this, best friends to lovers. Depth. Honest and real. Maren had been in an abusive relationship. She is reeling from the affects of it and relying on Ty is her go-to. She believes she is damaged goods (who doesn’t have intrusive thoughts like that) and she would never be good enough for the one man she truly loves.

Enter Ty and his beautiful, beautiful ways. He loves her. And now that she isn’t with his cousin (abusive ex) anymore, it is his time to step in to the role he always wanted. Maren’s significant other. He pulls out all the stops and is book boyfriend perfection.

Coming with some baggage, Maren is a tough nut to crack. She thinks she isn’t good enough for Ty. But he does such a sweet job of changing her mind. Love is just the sweetest. It is stories like this that keep me coming back to the romance genre. Real and honest stories that are relatable and so so lovable!