Mini Reviews: Holiday Edition (II)

The holidays will be here before you know it, but there's still time to curl up with a festive read. Today I'm sharing two new reviews that would be perfect additions to your holiday.  

 

 

The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan 

Pages: 320

Genre: Adult Fiction/Holiday

Pub. Date: October 14, 2025

Publisher: HarperCollins

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Cafe by the Sea,

The Christmas Bookshop, and  

Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Mirren Sutherland stumbled into a career as an antiquarian book hunter after finding a priceless antique book in her great aunt’s attic. Now, as Christmas approaches, she’s been hired by Jamie McPherson, the surprisingly young and handsome laird of a Highland clan whose ancestral holdings include a vast crumbling castle. Family lore suggests that the McPherson family’s collection includes a rare book so valuable that it could save the entire estate—if they only knew where it was. Jamie needs Mirren to help him track down this treasure, which he believes is hidden in his own home.

But on the train to the Highlands, Mirren runs into rival book hunter Theo Palliser, and instantly knows that it’s not a chance meeting. She’s all too familiar with Theo’s good looks and smooth talk, and his uncanny ability to appear whenever there’s a treasure that needs locating.

Almost as soon as Mirren and Theo arrive at the castle, a deep snow blankets the Highlands, cutting off the outside world. Stuck inside, the three of them plot their search as the wind whistles outside. Mirren knows that Jamie’s grandfather, the castle’s most recent laird, had been a book collector, a hoarder, and a great lover of treasure hunts. Now they must unpuzzle his clues, discovering the secrets of the house—forming and breaking alliances in a race against time."

 

Mirren Sutherland is an antique book hunter thrown into a new job set in Scotland. She is tasked with helping Jamie McKinnon, a laird of a Highland clan, find his grandfather's rare book. His grandfather, a known hoarder and book collector, has been known to hide things and leave puzzles behind, and that's the case with this rare book. Jamie needs it as it should be worth a lot of money, which will help repair his family's estate as it is in a state of disrepair. Mirren is all about this task, until Theo Palliser, another known book hunter and rival, shows up on the train enroute to Scotland. This isn't a coincidence; Theo always shows up when there's treasure to be found. All three of them find themselves hunkered down in the Scottish estate during a snowstorm, looking for the rare book. Fans of Jenny Colgan and literary mysteries will especially appreciate The Secret Christmas Library.
 
It's not the holidays without reading Jenny Colgan's latest festive novel, and what is better than reading a book set during a snowstorm over the holidays in Scotland, all while searching a crumbling estate for treasure? Sounds like the perfect setting for a compelling literary mystery. My only gripe is that I wish there were some more holiday vibes, as it seemed very light in this department; however, the setting made up for it in the end. The Secret Christmas Library is a delightful holiday read for booklovers; the kind that is perfect for curling up by the fire.

 

 

 

The Mistletoe Kisser by Lucy Score

Pages: 336

Genre: Romance/Holiday

Pub. Date: October 21, 2026

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Things We Never Got Over

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Ryan Sosa, grumpy former corporate accountant, has had it up to here with surprises. He didn’t see getting fired coming. And he certainly didn’t anticipate flying across the country to the world’s hippie-est, happiest, most annoying town to save his great-uncle from some mysterious emergency.

Not only is there actual snow on the ground, but the town of Blue Moon appears to have decked its halls with elves on psychedelics. But he doesn’t have time to be snarky about the impending Winter Solstice and Multicultural Holiday Celebration—whatever the hell that is. Not when he’s got a farm to save, a free-range sheep that he may or may not have nudged with his stupid microscopic rental car, and some small-town veterinarian telling him she can’t take the animal off his hands.

Dr. Sammy Ames has a practice to manage and a fundraising crisis to attend to. She doesn’t have time to deal with a big-city grouch who doesn’t remember being her first kiss ever. Especially not since he wants to dump a sheep named Stan on her. So not happening. No matter how cute—and naked—Ryan is when he’s drunk.

Besides, as soon as he solves his uncle’s problem, he’ll be on the first flight out of Blue Moon, never to return again.

It will take a Winter Solstice Miracle or perhaps some matchmaking interference from the Beautification Committee to get these two to see eye-to-eye under the mistletoe…unless they got the Wrong Ryan after all.

 

 

Dr. Sammy Ames lives in the idyllic town of Blue Moon, and she is the beloved town vet. When Ryan Sosa enters her practice with an injured sheep, things start to get interesting this holiday season. Ryan is in town as his great-uncle called to ask him for help with an "emergency." Ryan, a corporate accountant who just got fired, decides to pick up and head to Blue Moon, despite not really wanting to set foot back into the "hippie" town. Ryan's uncle owns a farm, and he is in a financial bind. Who better to help him than Ryan, then? Ryan thinks he may have injured a sheep, which is why he finds himself at the vet, but Sammy can't believe that Ryan doesn't remember that they shared a first kiss many years ago! Even if they become friendly again, Ryan plans to hightail it out of Blue Moon the first chance he can, so why even entertain a possible relationship? But despite their best efforts, these two opposites share an undeniable chemistry in Lucy Score's holiday rom-com, The Mistletoe Kisser.
 
Who doesn't enjoy a grump/sunshine trope, especially during the holidays? I really enjoyed Score's portrayal of Sammy and Ryan's relationship and the witty banter. Plus, the adorable small town of Blue Moon was just wonderful and a perfect setting for a holiday story. It reminded me of Virgin River in that everyone knows everyone, and it's a bit rural in the best way possible. The Mistletoe Kisser took me by surprise this holiday. I really, really enjoyed it; it was the perfect rom-com to curl up with this holiday season if you like your romances to be a bit spicy and not closed-door. I enjoyed it so much that I am considering checking out book one in the Blue Moon series. 

 

Have you read The Secret Christmas Library or The Mistletoe Kisser? Let me know in the comments below.  

 

Audiobook Review: Heart the Lover by Lily King

Genre: Adult Fiction/Audiobook

Publisher: Audible Audio

Source: Personal Copy 

Pub. Date: September 30, 2025

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "You knew I’d write a book about you someday. Our narrator understands good love stories—their secrets and subtext, their highs and their free falls. But her greatest love story, the one she lived, never followed the simple rules.

In the fall of her senior year of college, she meets two star students from her 17th-Century Lit class: Sam and Yash. Best friends living off-campus in the elegant house of a professor on sabbatical, the boys invite her into their intoxicating world of academic fervor, rapid-fire banter and raucous card games. They nickname her Jordan, and she quickly discovers the pleasures of friendship, love and her own intellectual ambition. Youthful passion is unpredictable though, and she soon finds herself at the center of a charged and intricate triangle. As graduation comes and goes, choices made will alter these three lives forever.

Decades later, Jordan is living the life she dreamed of, and the vulnerable days of her youth seem comfortably behind her. But when a surprise visit and unexpected news brings the past crashing into the present, Jordan returns to a world she left behind and is forced to confront the decisions and deceptions of her younger self.

Written with the superb wit and emotional sensitivity fans and critics of Lily King have come to adore, Heart the Lover is a deeply moving story that celebrates love, friendship, and the transformative nature of forgiveness. Wise, unforgettable, and with a delightful connective thread to Writers & Lovers, this is King at her very best, affirming her as a masterful chronicler of the human experience and one of the finest novelists at work today."

 

The narrator, whose name isn't mentioned until the end of the novel, is at college in a 17th-century literature class swept away by two intellectuals, Sam and Yash. As she falls into their world, there's no turning back. After a date with Sam, she visits the Victorian house they are staying at for a professor who is on sabbatical at Oxford. The bookish house, the intellectual conversations, and obscure card games (hence the title of the book!) all lend themselves to an academia vibe that any former college student can appreciate. But as she spends more time with Sam, she realizes it's Yash she has strong feelings for, and after she and Sam break up, their story unfolds. At its core, Heart the Lover is a romance, but it explores the regret of things unspoken, the choices we make, sharing our truths, and finally letting go. Lily King's Heart the Lover captures a college romance that will stay with readers; it's one of the best audiobooks of the year.  
 
King effectively portrays an all-consuming college romance in Heart the Lover. I enjoyed following the journey of Sam, Yash, and Jordan. The characters refer to her as Jordan, a nickname inspired by Gatsby's friend, Jordan Baker, because like Jordan, she was an avid golfer and previously had a golf scholarship. The ups and downs of their relationship are well depicted, and the story continues beyond college, exploring unspoken truths and the mistakes they made that haunt them till this day. Ultimately, it illustrates how their time together in college profoundly changed their lives.

One thing is for certain: Lily King is an excellent writer. My issues with Heart the Lover have nothing to do with King's writing, as I thought it was very well done. My only issue with Heart the Lover is the fact that I wish I had read Writers & Lovers before picking this up. I didn't realize it was a companion novel (as it wasn't marketed that way at all!), and I think it would have resonated better with me had I read that one first. Readers certainly don't need to read Writers & Lovers first; however, I recommend it to fully capture some of the reveals and allusions.
 
While I could have done without a love triangle and illness used as a plot device, I overall enjoyed Heart the Lover and recommend it to fans of Ann Patchett.  A memorable audiobook!  

 

 

Book Review: The Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory

Pages: 496

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: October 14, 2025

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: The White Queen, The Red Queen,

The Lady of the Rivers,  The Kingmaker's Daughter, 

The White Princess, The King's Curse,

 Tidelands, and  The Constant Princess 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

 

Goodreads says, "Jane Boleyn watches from the shadows of the Tudor court, where secrets are currency, every choice is dangerous, and even the faintest whisper can seal the fate of queens.

For Jane, survival demands playing every role required of her: a loving wife who conceals her doubts, a devoted sister to Anne Boleyn at the height of her power, and an obedient spy who carefully wields her words. But in a court ruled by ambition and a tyrant’s sword, Jane must rely on her sharp wit and skillful maneuvering to outthink those around her, knowing that one wrong move could cost her everything.

Philippa Gregory masterfully shines a spotlight on the untold story of Jane Boleyn, peeling back the myths to reveal a complex portrait of a woman who dared to survive at any cost. Perfect for fans of thrilling historical drama and readers captivated by the intrigue of the Tudor period, Boleyn Traitor is a must-read."

 

Jane Boleyn, often cast into the shadows, as the famous Anne Boleyn takes up all the oxygen in the room. Jane is Anne's sister-in-law and lady-in-waiting; she is married to Anne's brother, George. But Jane isn't some meek mouse. She has an extensive educational background, thanks to her father, and sees it all at court. After the events surrounding Anne's execution, readers then see the slow downfall of Henry VIII's court through her eyes. There's so much: the danger, the court intrigue, the game playing, the Spanish spies, and more. Jane must make sure she is safe, especially after the execution of her husband and Anne. Cromwell seeks her out as one of his spies, so this adds to the court intrigue as well. Not much is known about Jane historically, and what is known often paints her as a traitor to Anne and George, but what if there is more than that? Philippa Gregory's The Boleyn Traitor is a captivating historical tale focusing on Jane Boleyn and her story of ambition and survival in the dangerous Tudor era.
 
If you are a long-time reader of the blog, you know how much I love Gregory's ability to transport readers to Tudor England. All of her novels that focus on this time period are excellent, well-researched, and immersive. That is the case with The Boleyn Traitor; however, I did feel that Jane wasn't as compelling as some of Gregory's other protagonists. Nonetheless, her story is important, and I liked Gregory's take on it. 
 
If you love the Tudor Era and learning more about Henry VIII and his many wives and perhaps what went down from a slightly outside perspective, The Boleyn Traitor is the book for you. It was interesting revisiting this court through Jane's eyes and watching as Henry slowly goes through all of his many wives and finds fault with all, if not most of them. The addition of Cromwell using Jane as a spy is also well done and added to the suspense, despite knowing how things play out in history. 
 
While this wasn’t my favorite of the Tudor novels, I still appreciated being immersed once again in Gregory's world. As always, I eagerly anticipate her future works of historical fiction, which I deem to be among the most compelling and immersive in the genre today.

Are you a fan of Philippa Gregory? Have you read The Boleyn Traitor? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Mini Reviews: Second Chance Holiday Romances

There are so many great romances centered around second chances—who doesn’t love a good second chance romance, especially during the holiday season? Bonus points if the setting is fantastic—whether it’s a snowy small town, a cozy cabin, or a bustling city all lit up for the festivities, the right backdrop adds an extra layer of charm and magic to the story.

 

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer

Pages: 368

Publisher: Mira

Pub. Date: October 21, 2025

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Matzah Ball 

and Kissing Kosher 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Evelyn Schwartz has the perfect Hanukkah planned: eight jam-packed days producing the live-action televised musical of A Christmas Carol. Who needs family when you’ve got long hours, impossible deadlines, and your dream job? That is, until an accident on set lands her in the medical bay with one of her chronic migraines, and she’s shocked to find her ex-husband, David Adler, filling in for the usual studio doctor.

It’s been two years since David walked away from Evelyn and their life in Manhattan, and his ex-wife is still the same workaholic who puts her career before everything else—especially her health. But when Evelyn begins hallucinating “ghosts” tied to her past heartbreaks, and every single one leads to David, he finds himself spending much more time with her than he anticipated. And denying the still-smoldering chemistry between them becomes impossible.

As Evelyn revisits her ghosts of Hanukkah past, she and David both begin to wonder if they can have a Hanukkah future. But with a high-stakes production ramping up the pressure on Evelyn, and troublesome spirits forcing them both to confront their most difficult shared memories, it might just take a Hanukkah miracle for these two exes to light the flame on their second-chance at love.

 

Evelyn Schwartz is in charge of producing a live-action musical of the classic A Christmas Carol. This job has been taking up every minute of her life. All was going well until she hit her head in an accident on set. She finds that the doctor on call is none other than her ex-husband, David. This isn't good - well, it is her ex! - but it is awful as he left her two years ago and they are not on good terms. David is filling in for the regular doctor, and as soon as he sees Evelyn, he remembers why he left her; she is a workaholic putting work before everything. Evelyn not only suffers from chronic migraines, but this probable concussion has got her seeing "ghosts." These ghosts are tied to lessons of her past, and all of them are pointing to David. The more they hang out together, the more she realizes that there's still chemistry between them, and they both can't stop thinking of the life they could have had together. The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer is a fun contemporary of A Christmas Carol filled with second-chance romance and Hanukkah touches.
 
I always appreciate Meltzer's novels as they highlight a protagonist dealing with a chronic illness; she truly shows how all-consuming it can be, and I don't find that topic very often in literature. While I didn't feel connected to Evelyn and David like I normally do with Meltzer's novels, The Matzah Ball was my favorite, I still appreciate their journey back to one another. Also, The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah had a lot more trauma in it than I anticipated; there's grief, death of a child, abortion, and more. This initially turned me off, but once I read to the author's note at the end of the novel, I was touched by it, and it all made sense.  

 

 

 

Yours for the Season by Emily Stone

Pages: 336

Pub. Date: October 7, 2025

Publisher: Dell

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: A Winter Wish

and Love, Holly 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Melanie has not had a good year. Things are definitely not going as planned in her work life, her best friend has moved to the other side of the world, and her favorite bagel shop is closing down. But the real reason this year has been awful is because Finn, the man who she was sure was the love of her life, dumped her. In front of everyone. At his sister’s engagement party.

So when Finn shows up at her doorstep two weeks before Christmas asking if she’ll help him, her first instinct is to slam the door in his face—or punch him. But he has a proposal for her.

Finn wants Melanie to spend the week of Christmas with him. He has to face the holiday at a vacation cottage in the Scottish Highlands with his two perfect siblings who are happily paired off with their perfect partners. His mother is obsessed with the idea of a perfect Christmas—and to try and help, Finn may have told his mother he and Mel are dating again. All she has to do is come with him and pretend they’re back together.

Melanie may hate Finn, but she loves his mom. And with her own parents on a trip, it looks like the only way to spend the holiday with someone she cares about is to suffer through being around the person she despises most.

So Melanie agrees—on one condition. At the end of the week, Finn will allow Mel to publicly dump him—in front of his family—so she can get her dignity back and he can experience the same humiliation she felt.

As they embark on seven days with Finn's family, Mel tells herself it's only a week. She just has to pretend to still be in love with him. Until she starts to lose track of which feelings are fake, and which are for real...

 

 

Mel is trying to rebuild her life after Finn dumped her at his sister's engagement party in front of his entire family. This was heartbreaking, but she is finally moving on until he shows up at her door two weeks before Christmas. Finn has a proposition. He asks if she could help him out by coming with him to his family's holiday up in the Scottish Highlands. He may have told his mom they were back together as she adores Mel and he didn't want to break her heart. Would Mel help him out since she has no holiday plans? Mel reluctantly agrees to go as she really likes Finn's mom and sisters, but only under one condition! At the end of the trip, she gets to break up with Finn in front of his entire family. So, off they go! Mel is excited to see Finn's family, and she hopes that this trip will give her the closure she never received. Emily Stone's Yours for the Season is a cute holiday romance involving the fake dating trope, second chances, and includes a great setting in the Scottish Highlands.
 
While I didn't feel that Yours for the Season packed the same kind of emotional punch as Stone's previous novels, I still enjoyed this holiday romance. I appreciated the flashbacks to their relationship in the past, so readers can understand the characters on a deeper level, why they broke up, and how their love evolved. I did feel like the premise was a little weak (like who in their right mind would agree to this?), and the chemistry was lacking at times, but once readers can let that go, they will enjoy a second-chance romance with a memorable setting. Not my favorite of Stone's, but a decent holiday read. 

 

Do you plan to read either book this holiday season? Let me know in the comments below.  

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Into the Thicket

Longtime readers of the blog are well aware of my deep appreciation for picture books that convey heartfelt themes and demonstrate compassion. One recent addition that truly captures this essence is Into the Thicket by Gail Kuhnlein. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young boy who discovers an injured rabbit, and it is inspired by a real-life event. 

What makes this book even more special is that a portion of its proceeds goes directly to wildlife rehabilitation and conservation efforts. This story is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and inspire a greater understanding of compassion for wildlife.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Into the Thicket

Written by Gail Kuhnlein

Illustrated by John Megahan

Ages: 4-7 | 60 Pages

Publisher: BookBaby (2025) | ISBN: 979-8990747807

 

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Inspired by a true story, Into the Thicket begins with the moment the author’s young son discovered an injured baby rabbit — an encounter that sparked a heartfelt journey of care and connection.

This tender picture book follows a boy and the rabbit he hopes to help, gently exploring themes of compassion, courage, love, and the bittersweet beauty of letting go. It invites young readers to develop empathy and a deeper appreciation for the natural world, showing how even the smallest acts of kindness can ripple through a great, big world.

Featuring stunning watercolor illustrations by acclaimed Ann Arbor artist John Megahan, Into the Thicket is a story families will return to again and again. A portion of all proceeds benefits wildlife rehabilitation and conservation."

 

To purchase your own copy of Into the Thicket, visit Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, BookBaby, and Amazon. To learn more about the author, Gail Kuhnlein, visit her website and connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and YouTube.

 

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Gail Kuhnlein to host a giveaway for Into the Thicket. Enter for the chance to win one of three signed hardcover copies, each accompanied by a set of custom stickers featuring illustrations from the book. One grand prize winner will receive a signed hardcover of Into the Thicket with an adorable rabbit companion stuffie and a set of custom stickers, plus a signed paperback of How Happy Is a Lark? along with a singing lark stuffie. Good luck!

  Into the Thicket: Book Giveaway