It was a somewhat lackluster month of reading. I liked a lot of the books but besides Emma, nothing stood out as incredible. Now that November is over, I am ready to dive into more holiday romances and add some fantasy back into the mix.

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Excellent (4.5 – 5 Stars)

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 7

Published Date: August 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction

How I Read: Audio

I just love these journals. See my previous reviews for the concept of these stories but they are an absolute delight, funny, witty. But be warned, the first book is boring – keep going!

Great (4 Stars)

Spectacular Things

Published Date: July 2025

Genre: Fiction

How I Read: Kindle

I think the cover is misleading. The book is mostly about soccer and one female-centered family’s obsession with the sport. A young mom loses her chance at a star soccer career when she becomes pregnant at a young age. She then moves to Maine and focuses on bringing up her girls to be soccer stars. One has what it takes. The other becomes essentially a second parent taking on responsibilities she shouldn’t have to.

When tragedy strikes the family again and again choices need to be made. Do you choose your career, your family, your love, etc? What are you without what you have worked for your entire life?

The beginning was a little slow for me but it picked up a lot as the book went on. It definitely stirred emotions in me and I loved the soccer element. The romantic relationships were not the focal point. The relationship between the sisters and soccer were the main features. How far are you willing to go for your goals?

Maid for Each Other

Published Date: July 2025

Genre: Romance

How I Read: Kindle

If anything, I’ve rated this a little high; it’s maybe more of a 3.75 because of the extreme unbelievably.

A millionaire and his maid agree to fake date after he catches her sleeping in his apartment. Obviously, they catch feelings. There are misunderstandings and poor communication. Add in overnight trips to New York and meaningful jewelry gifts, and you understand the entire book.

Normally, I would hate this type of book but I did enjoy the banter. The fake dating in front of his boss, colleagues, and parents is fun. It’s a quick, enjoyable read though I much prefer the author’s YA books.

Faking Christmas

Published Date: September 2023

Genre: Holiday Romance

How I Read: Kindle

A solid Christmas read. A romance between two high school English teachers (enemies-to-lovers trope). He is the popular, fun teacher while she is the grammar queen whom people use for her kindness.

For Christmas, she heads to a Vermont lodge with her family on the recommendation of her best friend. Her mom has invited her ex-boyfriend’s family along so she makes up a fake boyfriend using the name Miles (her annoying hot coworker).

Guess whose family owns the lodge and shows up? Predictable (as it should be), fun banter, fake dating, plus there’s a winter bingo challenge full of activities they need to complete together. There are excellent quotes from some of my favorite classic books throughout the story as well.

The Librarians of Lisbon

Published Date: February 2025

Genre: Historical Fiction

How I Read: Paper

Two female friends from the States are sent to Portugal, a neutral country during WWII, after being trained to become Allied operatives.

Lisbon is full of refugees and notable people from both sides but everyone seems to have secrets. Quickly, both women get caught up in separate secret missions full of coded messages, informants, love, and murder.

A few twists in the story kept it interesting. I liked the unique setting and the point of view of two women at the same time. Before reading this story I didn’t understand the significant role Portugal played in WWII, especially when it came to wolfram exports.

Nine Month Contract

Published Date: April 2024

Genre: Romance

How I Read: Audio

Three of four brothers live on a mountain and work together building sustainable houses. There is a nod to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in the book which I appreciated, but besides living on a mountain together that is where the reference stops. There is no breaking out into song or dance but there is wood chopping.

The eldest brother is rich and married and doesn’t live on the mountain. He had a baby at a young age and now she is headed to college in Ireland. Before she leaves, she’s determined to find a surrogate who will turn into a love match for her uncle.

Her uncle just wants to become a single dad but finding a surrorgate is turning out to be harder than he thought. Then Trista arrives plus A LOT of animals and she is more than he bargained for.

You can see where the story is going but it’s not as cheesy as it sounds or maybe it is but the spice, animal rescue, and banter make the story fun. I will be reading the next books in this series. If you go into this book completely unseriously, you too might find it enjoyable.

Good (3.5 Stars)

Where the Lost Wander

Published Date: April 2020

Genre: Historical Fiction

How I Read: Paper

A family, originally from Illinois, leaves Missouri with a wagon train on the Oregon Trail. John, who is half Pawnee and whose dad supplies the mules, joins them for part of the trek.

He decides to continue on with the train because he is falling for the recently widowed Naomi, the only daughter of the May family (yes, her in-laws are also part of the wagon train).

This book is full of death and tragedy. An incident with a Native American tribe has dire consequences. I liked the ending but overall it was such a depressing book that I didn’t find myself reaching for it.

The Peculiar Gift of July

Published Date: July 2025

Genre: Magical Realism

How I Read: Paper

I found this boring and depressing. Although it is considered magical realism I would consider it more fiction, there isn’t a ton of magic at all.

July is a teen girl who can foresee a few things in advance such as her mother dying in a car accident. She can’t prevent things from happening but she has a small gift of knowing what people need (whether it’s bandaids for a future incident or to have someone bring a pie to a future lover).

After being orphaned she comes to the small island of Ebey’s End off the coast of Washington. Her mom’s cousin who runs the grocery store will be her new guardian. The reader learns about the unique characters of the small island including the old men’s group, the town baker, the author who only wrote one book, the minister and his son, etc.

As the year goes on secrets come to light with a DNA test as she searches for her biological mom.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise

Published Date: March 2023

Genre: Fiction

How I Read: Kindle

Tanner is taking time off of college after losing her athletic soccer scholarship from shattering her leg. She is depressed and moves in with an elderly woman (a friend of a friend of the family) to be her driver.

Louise is recovering from hip surgery and has Parkinson’s. Her new tenant only eats pizza and plays video games until she needs her to be her driver to escape the police in a cross-country road-trip.

Surprising twists about jewel theft, a mob boss, a hot third wheel, etc help but I still found the story a tad boring. There is good banter between the women. I will say this – not predictable!

Want to check out more of my favorite books? Take a look at my October Book Reviews and Ratings!