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

Follows Born to Be Badger

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

Followed by Sweetwater and the Witch

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

Followed by People in Glass Houses

Audible book

People In Glass Houses by Jayne Castle

Three and a half stars

Ghost Hunters #16

This book comes out May 7, 2024

Follows Sweetwater & the Witch

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

Follows People in Glass Houses

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

Follows Mister McHottie

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

Follows Stud in the Stacks

Followed by The Hero and the Hacktivist

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

Follows Pilot & the Puck-up

Followed by Beauty & the Beefcake

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

Follows Royally Pucked

Followed by Charming as Puck

This book came out May 17th, 2018

Audible book

Charming as Puck by Pippa Grant

Three stars

Copper Valley Thrusters #4

This book came out February 1st, 2019

Follows Beauty and the Beefcake

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

Follows Charming as Puck

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

Follows Jock Blocked

Followed by The Grumpy Player Next Door

Audible book

The Grumpy Player Next Door by Pippa Grant

Three stars

Copper Valley Fireballs #3

This book came out July 8th, 2021

Copper Valley Fireballs #3

Follows Real Fake Love

Followed by Irresistible Trouble

Audible book

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Four stars

Legends & Lattes #0

This book comes out November 7, 2023

Follows Legends & Lattes

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

Followed by Bookshops & Bonedust

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

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

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

Follows Irresistible Trouble

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

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

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

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. 

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

Follows Paris Daillencourt is about to Crumble

ARC kindly provided as ebook by Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

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

Follows Death at Silent Pool

Followed by Murder in an Italian Castle (Lord Edgington Investigates Abroad)

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

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

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

Follows The Puzzle of Parham House

Followed by The Christmas Candle Murders

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

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

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

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

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

Follows Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

Followed by Fudge-a-Mania

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

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

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

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