Wednesday, December 31, 2025

December 2025 Monthly Rereads

Opinions are my own

To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston
Three and a half stars
Honey Badger Chronicles #6
This book comes out August 26, 2025
Audible book







Guild Boss by Jayne Castle
Three and a half stars
Ghost Hunters #14
This book came out November 16th, 2021
Follows Illusion Town
Audible book




Sweetwater & the Witch by Jayne Castle
Three and a half stars
Ghost Hunters #15
This book come out September 20, 2022
Follows Guild Boss
Audible book




People In Glass Houses by Jayne Castle
Three and a half stars
Ghost Hunters #16
This book comes out May 7, 2024
Followed by It Takes a Psychic
Audible book






It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle
Three stars
Ghost Hunters #17
This book comes out June 3, 2025
Audible book





Mister McHottie by Pippa Grant
Three stars
Girl Band #1
This book came out October 30, 2017
Followed by Stud in the Stacks
Audible book




Stud in the Stacks by Pippa Grant
Three and a half stars
Girl Band #2
Followed by Rockaway Bride
This book came out January 5th, 2018
Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Opinions are my own








Rockaway Bride by Pippa Grant
This book came out June 29th, 2018
Girl Band #3
Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited




Pilot & the Puck-up by Pippa Grant
Four stars
The Copper Valley Thrusters #1
This book came out February 16th, 2018
Followed by Royally Pucked
Audible book







Royally Pucked by Pippa Grant
Three stars
This book came out April 6, 2018
The Copper Valley Thrusters #2
Royals #1
Followed by Rockaway Bride
Audible book







Beauty and the Beefcake by Pippa Grant
Three and a half stars
The Copper Valley Thrusters #3
Followed by Charming as Puck
This book came out May 17th, 2018
Audible book



Charming as Puck

Charming as Puck by Pippa Grant
Three stars
Copper Valley Thrusters #4
This book came out February 1st, 2019
Followed by I Pucking Love You
Audible book




I Pucking Love You by Pippa Grant
Three stars
This book came out April 8th, 2021
Copper Valley Thrusters #5
Followed by The Secret Hook-Up
Audible book








Jock Blocked by Pippa Grant
Copper Valley Fireballs #1
Three stars
Followed by Real Fake Love
This book came out May 19th, 2020
Audible book


Real Fake Love by Pippa Grant
This book came out September 3rd, 2020
Copper Valley Fireballs #2
Three and a half stars
Audible book




Three stars
Copper Valley Fireballs #3
This book came out July 8th, 2021
Copper Valley Fireballs #3
Audible book




Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree
Four stars
Legends & Lattes #0
This book comes out November 7, 2023
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby




Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Four and a half stars
Legends & Lattes #1
This book came out February 22, 2022
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Alice Scott was sent an intriguing email. Margaret Ives, the heiress whose family was known for tragic deaths and over the top scandals, is supposedly living on a small island and selling artwork. When Alice tracks her down, she asks to write Margaret's biography. But it turns out that she's not the only writer in the running. As she's leaving, Pulitzer prize winning Hayden Anderson is walking in. It turns out the two will be in town for a month long audition. 
The town is small and super-sunshine Alice keeps running into grumpy Hayden and the two start spending time together. While we see the two of them getting to know each other, we also get a history of the Ives family. The story with Alice and Hayden was lovely.  The Ives instersitials were... fine but broke up the main story more than I would have liked. Overall a very nice story, though. 

Four stars
This book came out April 22, 2025
Borrowed as hard copy from the library
Opinions are my own

Monday, December 29, 2025

Have Yourself a Grumpy Little Christmas by Pippa Grant with Emma Wilder (Narrator), Teddy Hamilton (Narrator)

We know a bit about hero Trevor from the previous four books in the series. He's a baseball player, a pitcher at the end of his game. He was facing the end of his career in previous books but was pulled back from the minors just in time to help the Copper Valley Fireballs win the World Series. He is not a fan of the Christmas season and is being driven nuts by his roommate. 
Meg O'Connell is Trevor's best friend's little sister. She's also the nanny of Zeus and Joey's quad-zeuslets. She loves her job and she loves Christmas. She also needed a place to stay in Copper Valley which is why she is temporarily living with Trevor.
In true best-friend's-sibling trope, they have both liked each other for a long time but have not given in to said feelings for... reasons.


Four stars
This book came out January 1, 2022
Copper Valley Fireballs #4.5
Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Opinions are my own

Sunday, December 28, 2025

A Waffle Lot of Love! by Ben Clanton

It's time for Narwhal and Jelly to go on an epic friend adventure. If only Jelly can get Narwhale to pay attention for more than two minutes. We get to see a lot of sea life on the floor and how other friends are celebrating each other. I feel pretty bad for Jelly but I guess they end up okay. 

Three and a half stars
This book comes out December 30, 2025
Narwhal & Jelly #10
Follows Narwhal's Sweet Tooth
ARC kindly provided by Tundra Book Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

You're So Vain by Angela Casella

Ruthie is trying to get a bookmobile (like a book store not a library) off the ground. Shane is trying to get hired by the last firm in town that might take him on. He tries to hire her to be a pretend family so he looks better while trying to get this job. This is a romance, so, of course, they're going to fall in love. 
One of the conflicts in this book was solved a little too quickly but this is a fast, fun, and fluffy so I probably should have expected that. 

Three stars
This book came out February 1, 2024
Follows You're So Basic
Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Opinions are my own

Sunday, December 21, 2025

A Holiday of Love by Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux, Arnette Lamb, Jill Barnett

This book is over 30 (!) years old at this point and the stories definitely feel a little dated. I still have some nostalgia for this book, but I'm not sure I would read all of these today if

Change of Heart by Jude Devereaux
Two very smart children, Eli and Chelsea, decide to set up Eli's mother with his mentor so that he can go to college. This ties into the Taggert/Montgomery series. Very nineties with Randy and Frank falling in love. 

Miracles by Judith McNaught
Nicholas "Nikki" DuVille was in previous books in the Judith McNaught series. In this short story, he is forced into marriage with Julianna Skeffington. The two have an unhappy marriage until the Christmas. Nikki wants to convince his family that he is happy. But he doesn't really believe it until letters Julianna wrote to her grandmother are relieved. 

Daniel and the Angel by Jill Barnett
An angel falls from heaven right into the lap of a very rich man. She softens his heart and returns to heaven, but is that what she wants anymore?

Hark! The Herald by Annette Lamb
A female herald? Who even thought of such a thing? But there is one man who will do everything to claim her as his own. But she'll have to save him first. 

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Audrey Lane Stirs the Pot by Alexis Hall

Though they've been broken up for quite awhile, Audrey Lane still hears the voice her ex-girlfriend berating her for most of her decisions. But she goes on the baking show in Britain anyway. And comes right up against Jennifer Hallett, the producer. It starts when Audrey asks for help for the contestant who is over ninety. She, quite rightly, would prefer that Doris not have to walk up a giant hill to get back to the hotel after a full day of baking. Jennifer just wants her show to work; she's (at least on the outside) more concerned 
I don't remember this from the other books in the series but this book includes some time hopping and a switch to a first person point of view by someone who isn't the main character. And, while that story is kind of lovely and helps Audrey grow, I wish we had seen more of the two characters growing together. 

Three and a half stars
Winner Bakes All #3
This book came out December 9, 2025
ARC kindly provided as ebook by Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Thursday, December 18, 2025

The Christmas Candle Murders by Benedict Brown

It's Christmas and Christopher and his grandfather are off to Christopher's childhood home. So is, unfortunately, Christopher's paternal grandmother's family. They could bring down the mood anywhere. So, to escape the house, Lord Edgington declares that a recent death in the village must have been murder. But it really could have been just an age-related death. Yes, the old woman was miserable and called in any number of complaints against her new neighbor (and others). However, nothing at all points to murder. Until there's another death. And another. What is happening in this small town?

Four stars
This book came out November 24, 2024
Followed by Murder in an Italian Castle (Lord Edgington Investigates Abroad)
Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla
Opinions are my own

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

A Christmas Delight by Lois Stewart, Tracy Grant, Elizabeth Morgan, Sara Blayne, Dawn Aldridge Poore, Anthea Malcolm, Jo Beverley

I've had this book for a long time and I've gone from loving these stories to having a certain nostalgia for them. They are rather twee and, because of the brevity, not really well-developed in plot or character. They are also very much romances of the nineties. Good for a visit back in time and for people who like a closed-door romance.  

Twelfth Night by Jo Beverly
Lady Alice Conyngham jilted a man six years ago. This year, her brother has just informed her that the same man, as well as the reason for the jilting, will be under their roof. 

The Lords of Misrule by Sara Blayne
Maggie's cousin is delighted that an eligible bacheor and his twin brother are going to be at their family Christmas. Maggie really couldn't care less until she sprains her ankle and gets to spend some more time with... one of the twins. But which one? And can she save his brother from her cousin's clutches

The Christmas Knight by Anthea Malcolm
Owen and Amanda are in a conundrum with two men claiming to be the rightful owner of a centuries old book. But which one is the true owner? And what is Owen doing spending so much time with Lady Pamela?

Eugenia's Miracle by Elizabeth Morgan
Eugenia Foxworth is popular despinte the fact that she's told people over and over that she is not going to marry anyone. The man she loved died in the war. Unless he didn't. Can she convince him that she loves him only?

The Yuletide Wish by Dawn Aldridge Poore
Anthea's engagement was broken off four years go and she is still somewhat salty about it. However, it seems like her former fiance might be looking to get back together... and have some reasons of his own for breaking off the engagement. Can they meet in the middle?

A Holiday Betrothal by Lois Stewart
Charlotte wasn't sure about her fiance but her father is dying and wants to make sure that she will be taken care of. Now that her father is dead, she is visiting her fiance's home... along with his dead wife's family. Discomfort cranked to level 11. Will she be able to connect with him or are they doomed to be strangers forever?

Three stars
This book came out in 1991
Hard copy of mine
Opinions are my own

Saturday, December 13, 2025

Death at Silent Pool by Benedict Brown

Christopher has reached the ripe old age of twenty but is still solving mysteries with his grandfather. It has been some time since the last book and, rather than traveling the continent like Lord Edgington had been promising, Christopher has been working to solve small mysteries in London. 
The book starts off with the solution to the disappearance of some jewels but then jumps back in time to the disappearance of Patinece Hindmarsh, wife of Abraham and mother of five children, none of whom seem to actually like each other. Abraham does not want help from either the police or Lord Edgington until three weeks later when his own life is threatened. And he is, indeed the next person to die; not the last. 
The Hindmarsh family has no lack of suspects including some side characters. The end is very twisty and turn-y but I was willing to suspend my disbelief in the enjoyment of the story. 

Four stars
Lord Edgington Investigates #14
This book came out April 21, 2024
Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla
Opinions are my own

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Sister Wife by Christine Brown Woolley

I listened to this book right after I finished Becoming Sister Wives. It was really lovely to hear it in Christine's own voice. And, though some of the stories were re-hashed from the first book, they were also sometimes expanded. The story of meeting Meri and Kody, of "dating" Kody, and of meeting the other wives. This also goes beyond the marriage and gives some of the highs and lows in Christine's life. 
It's especially nice to be able to hear her tone of voice and to hear the sunny cheerfulness she (and Kody) say she had before she married him.

Four stars
This book came out September 2, 2025
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage Kody Brown with Robyn Brown, Meri Brown, Christine Brown

If you go in not expecting much, this is a perfectly fine book. 
It starts with Kody talking about their first live appearance after the show aired. Of course, this book is 13 (!) years old at this point so it hasn't aged well, many of the stories talking about what a tight family they are.  We do get to see how Kody met all of his wives and some explanation in to how they each fit together but it is all rather superficial.  (with five rotating narrators, there's not much you can fit into a book). 
I did read this right before I read Christine's book and I think pairing the two elevated both. A couple of her stories are repeated but not many. It made for a nice book end to the beginning and what may or not be the end of a popular television series.

Four stars
This book came out May 1, 2012
Borrowed as ebook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume

It's summer (yay!) and Peter's parents have a lead on a place to stay. Too bad the tip came from Sheila Tubman's parents. And that he's going to be staying right next door to her all summer long. Add in shenanigans of Fudge wanting to marry Sheila, Buzz Tubman and Peter's grandmother getting along Very Well, and Peter not telling Jimmy where Sheila's actually staying before his best friend visits and you have a rollicking good story. 

Four stars
Fudge #4
This book came out in 1990
Follows Super Fudge
Followed by Double Fudge
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Superfudge by Judy Blume

Peter and Fudge are about to have some major life upheavals. First, their mother is pregnant. Second, they're going to be living in Princeton (NEW JERSEY!) for a year while their dad takes a sabbatical to write a book. 
Peter is NOT happy. And finding out he's going to be in the same school as Fudge makes it even worse, especially when he's called into the principal's office on the first day to help deal with Fudge. But he does make a new friend, Alex, so that's not so bad.
Is this book a little dated? In some ways. As with many of Blume's books, though, the overarching themes stand the test of time. 

Four stars
Fudge #3
This book came out in 1980
Followed by Fudge-a-Mania
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

The Book of Sheen by Charlie Sheen

An interesting listen. Sheen did a good job as narrator and hearing the stories in an author's own voice always makes it a little more real.
We get to hear about his childhood, a little bit about working on various films, and a lot about his drug use. His many varied types of drug use. We also hear about his attempts at getting sober. 
There is also some frank discussion about his... relationships (?) with women. He's up front and fairly honest about who he dated, who he just had sex with, and the scandal in the nineties when he was tied to Heidi Fleiss. 

Four stars
This book came out September 9, 2025
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Home by Martha Wells

The last book left Dr. Mensah in a bit of a pickle. She probably needs therapy, but she can NOT tell anyone what happened. Meanwhile, she's getting cheeky emails from SecUnit requesting more and more outlandish equipment. 
Short, definitely need to have read the previous books to get the most out of this story.

Three stars
The Murderbot Diaries, #4.5
This short story came out May 5, 2020
Follows Exit Strategy
Followed by Network Effect
Borrowed as ebook from Libby
Opinions are my own


Monday, December 1, 2025

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing

Lottie Jones is long past retirement. Not just work, but her early crime spree. So why is someone stirring up the past? It's too bad that the trend of docuseries has come to roost on her doorstep in the form of Plum Dixon. So she has to die. But cleaning up is harder than it was in her youth. And people keep following up on Plum.

Three and a half stars
This book came out August 12, 2025
Borrowed as ebook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Sunday, November 30, 2025

November 2025 Monthly Rereads

Mind of the Leader by Rasmus Hougaard,Jacqueline Carter
Four stars
This book came out March 13th, 2018
Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla
Opinions are my own







Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik


Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
Four stars
Consortium Rebellion #1
This book came out February 5th, 2019
Followed by Aurora Blazing
Borrowed this book from the library







Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik
Four stars
Consortium Rebellion #2
This book came out October 1st, 2019
Follows Polaris Rising
Followed by Chaos Reigning










Chaos Reigning by Jessie Mihalik
Consortium Rebellion #3
Four stars
This book comes out May 19, 2020
Follows Aurora Blazing
ARC kindly provided by Harper Voyager Trade and Edelweiss

Friday, November 28, 2025

Experimental Magic by Iris Beaglehole, Lorna Bennett (Narrator)

In the first book of the series, Rosemary and Athena discovered they are witches and are now trying to navigate their new normal. Athena is about to start school and Rosemary is just trying to figure out her powers. And money. For now, she's working in the bakery. 
Athena is trying to figure out how school is going to work. She missed all of the basics and isn't even exactly sure what her power is or if she has power. 
Both Athena and Rosemary have some learning to do in this book. When Athena follows the boy she met in the first book into another realm, it's up to Rosemary and Athena's new friends to help her figure out a way home. Although, Athena does do a lot to help herself (and her father) as well. 

Three and a half stars
This book came out September 5, 2023
Myrtlewood Mysteries #2
Followed by Combustible Magic
Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla
Opinions are my own

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Murder at Cottonwood Creek by Clara McKenna

Lyndy and Stella are on a trip to Montana. Both her mother and stepfamily as well as his father are there. Except that his father is not. He disappeared a few days earlier and no one knows where he went. And that's not the last untoward thing that happens on their visit, including death. 
We get to see a little bit more about both Lyndy and Stella but there is a lot of focus on the "B" characters. I didn't love the solution to the mystery either; it didn't make a lot of sense based on what we saw on the page. 

Three stars
This book came out November 25, 2025
A Stella and Lyndy Mystery #7
ARC kindly provided by Kensington Publishing and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Entitled by Andrew Lownie

An interesting look at the relationship of Prince Andrew and Fergie. There was a lot of information but it felt somewhat surface level (which it probably will be unless you get to interview the people themselves.) I think part of my fatigue in listening is that thewriting followed a specific, rather repetitive pattern that I don't think I would have minded if I had read the book as  a hard copy. It was interesting how much there was about Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein. 

Three stars
This book came out January 1, 2025
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Just Stab Me Now by Jill Bearup

This was an interesting premise and I think Bearup did a fine job at having a story within a story but having so many characters started to weigh down the actual progress of any of them DOING anything.
Caroline Lindley just wants to finish her book. If only her characters would do what they are supposed to. But her characters don't really understand their motivations and they tell her so. Especially Lady Rosamund Hawkhurst. 
As the widow of a prominent nobleman killed in war, Rosamund us used to holding her family together. A new threat has come to the kingdom and she is required to go back to her home country to try and broker peace. She's to travel with one knight who most definitely is not going to be a love interest. No matter what Caroline tries.

Three stars
This book came out February 5, 2024
Borrowed as ebook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Death and Dinuguan by Mia P. Manansala

There have bee n a series of burglaries in town, all have occurred at women-owned businesses. Then one of the burglaries ends in one death and one woman in a coma, someone who is very close to Jae. 
This is a regular in the series though I do not think you need to have read the rest of the books to enjoy this one. The author's note markd this as the final book in the series which would be sad, but there are some possibilities to continue further if Manansala changes her mind in the future.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out November 25, 2025
Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #6
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Friday, November 21, 2025

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann, Anthea Bell (Translator)

A story told from the third person omniscient point of view of a flock of sheep whose shepherd has died. They adored their shepherd. He read to them every night, gave them good grass, and took them out into the fields. But now he's dead. And it is, apparently, murder. The sheep don't trust the humans to be able to solve the case so they start working on it themselves. 
It is interesting to see both how perceptive the sheep are and how they so very badly read into the human situations. 

Three stars
Sheep Detective Story #1
Followed by Big Bad Wool
Borrowed as hard copy from library
Opinions are my own

Lord Peter Views the Body by Dorothy L. Sayers

Great stories. Perfect for a night-time read. Peter solves wonderful cases including one with a sculptor whose model is perfect except for one toe, a will devised by a crossword fanatic, and one case which requires him to be "dead" for two years.

Four stars
Lord Peter Wimsey #4 (or maybe 4.5?)
This book came out in 1928

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Phineas and Ferb's A-MAZE-ing Creature Double Feature by The Disney Comics Group; Scott Peterson; Joshua Pruett

Whoever writes the comics has a fine understanding and love of the show. This time, there are two stories. One where Doof isn’t the villain (surprise). Instead, it is a group of scientists who dump a space chemical into the river and it starts making giant spiders and frogs and platypi. Does it make any sense? Does it ever? Is it fun? Yes.
The second story has the boys and their friends building a maze that ends up being giant when shot by Doofenschmertz’s latest invention, the elong-inator-anator. He also ends up with a big head and Perry has a large tail which makes for some interesting story lines.


Three and a half stars
This book comes out November 25, 2025
ARC kindly provided by Papercutz and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume

Sheila Tubman was a side character in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Now, she's front and center. She has a little bit of a lying problem along with a fear of swimming and dogs. Her family is getting out of the city for the summer and watching another family's house. And dog...
She's going to make some new friends this summer, including Mouse who isn't going to put up with Sheila's lies, but is surprisingly good at not calling her out on it. 

Four stars
Fudge #2
This book came out in 1972
Followed by Superfudge
Borrowed as audiobook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Monday, November 17, 2025

Accidental Magic by Iris Beaglehole, Lorna Bennett (Narrator)

Rosemary hasn't seen her grandmother in a long time. That's what makes it so surprising that she's been left her grandmother's whole estate. She's careful not to get her hopes up though anything will help. Her daughter's father has left them in a mountain of debt and Rosemary is drowning. 
Going to the small town to see what her inheritance is, Rosemary is also trying not to get her hopes up. She hasn't spoken to her grandmother in years and the house probably isn't much anyway. Once she's in town, however, she becomes a suspect in her grandmother's murder and isn't allowed to leave. 
The shocks don't stop coming when Rosemary discovers the other family legacy and has to figure out how to save them all.

Three and a half stars
This book came out July 25, 2023
Myrtlewood Mysteries #1
Followed by Experimental Magic
Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus
Opinions are my own


Sunday, November 16, 2025

100 Rules for Living to 100 by Dick Van Dyke

A collection of short stories taken from the life of Dick Van Dyke. Some are happy, some are sad, some are matter-of-fact. There are stories of his time on various sets as well as his descent into alcoholism. Overall is an air of sentimentality that is a little saccharine at points but well-deserved by an artist who has lived and worked as long as he has. 

Three and a half stars
This book comes out November 18, 2025
ARC kindly provided by Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist by Dorothy Gilman

Let's be honest, the Pollifax books are a product of their time. It's aging better than some books and definitely captures the tone of its time.

John Farrell is back and needs the help of Mrs. Pollifax. There is a manuscript that needs to be smuggled out of a Middle Eastern country and the author only trusted Farrell. Having Emily P. will help him fly under the radar. Or so they would think. But Emily is seated next to a man who is not only overly garrulous, he is more dangerous than he appears. And that will double the danger they are in as he has done something that will affect their safety even more.

Three stars
This book came out in 1997
Mrs. Pollifax #13
Followed by Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled
Hard copy I did not keep
Opinions are my own

Friday, November 14, 2025

The House with No Keys by Lindsay Currie

The Deltas are back. They've been helping out at the fun house but both Hannah and West could use more money. Big money. So when an invitation that promises them $10,000 each if they can finish a new mystery house. And there's a not-so-veiled threat it they don't. 
They go, but this is nothing like the previous book; these rooms feel mean. And it doesn't help that Sara has some secrets of her own. One of which will change the way the Delta's function forever.
This book was fine. Not as good as the first one but it's hard to follow up a mysterious haunted house with kids running round unsupervised. 

Four stars
This book came out April 2, 2024
The Delta Games #1
Borrowed as ebook from Libby
Opinions are my own