The Santa Claus Con By Lauren Kung Jessen | Christmas chaos and a whole lot of chemistry

 

Title: The Santa Claus Con 

Author: Lauren Kung Jessen
Genre: Rom-com
Rating: 5⭐️
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:

I went into this expecting a cute, cozy Christmas romance with a little holiday magic and Hallmark vibes. But I got a lot more action than I could have ever imagined. I was here for every second of it.

The Vibe:

Romantic comedy, witty banter, second chance romance  


My Review:


When I signed up to read this, I was expecting a cute Christmas Hallmark/Lifetime movie... What I read was like straight out of an action packed movie with just a splash of romance!!

Scarlett Payne is on desk duty, gets a sketchy tip, and because apparently making reasonable decisions is not her thing, she finds herself caught up in something WAY bigger than she expected.

Nathan hates Christmas. He hates Scarlett, that’s what he tells himself, and he’s still bitter about the last time she went rogue on an operation.

So obviously, these two working together is going to go perfectly. 🤭

I feel it goes without saying their chemistry lights up this story. From their banter, their history, their stubbornness, and the whole I can’t stand you demeanor they both try to hide.

This might be a slight spoiler... but I had to look up what the lampshade costume from A Christmas Story would even look like... because I absolutely LOVE A Christmas Story!!! 😂 And I might have found my costume for Halloween.

By the time I got to the end...

👌🏽 Chef’s kiss.

If you don’t laugh at least once while reading this, you seriously need to check your pulse.

This was such a fun surprise.

5⭐️

I received this arc from NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) aka Forever, in exchange for my honest review




Synopsis:

A swoonworthy and suspenseful holiday rom-com that will make fans of Ally Carter and Carlie Walker laugh out loud and fall completely in love this Christmas season.

It’s the hap-happiest con of the year …

Scarlett Payne and Nathan Lambros agree on exactly one thing: they both despise Christmas. But when Scarlett receives a cryptic letter—from someone claiming to be Santa and threatening to sabotage New York’s Santa Claus Con—they’re the only two FBI agents who can stop the holiday spectacle from turning into a national disaster. Unfortunately, the last time Scarlett saw her former rival, he was breaking her heart. So she’s not exactly eager to ask the grumpiest agent she knows for help, but he’s sadly great at going undercover.

After years of deep cover, Nathan was ready to hand over his badge ... until Scarlett pulls him into one last operation. He’s not sure which is worse—pretending to be Santa or working with the woman he loves but had to push away.

Beneath fake beards and forced cheer, old feelings refuse to stay buried. With one day, one Con, and one mysterious enemy closing in, these two self-proclaimed Grinches are about to find out what’s more difficult: saving Christmas … or risking their hearts all over again

Beautiful Disaster By Courtney W. Dixon | The story I've been waiting for

 

Title: Beautiful Disaster
Author: Courtney W. Dixon
Genre: MM Romance
Rating: 5⭐️
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:

I’ve been waiting for Jinx’s story. But I was absolutely not prepared for how emotional this story would be.

The Vibe:
MM, Age gap, Dom/sub, brat

My Review:
Ms. Dixon, in all my years of reading, how is it I’ve only now just found your books?!
This is the third book I’ve read by this author, and I promise it won’t be the last!! Okay, enough about me…

Like many of us who’ve read Spitting Off the Edge of the World, I fell in love with Jinx and was so very excited to hear he was getting his own story.

Jinx has survived things no one should ever have to, and now he’s trying to figure out who he is outside of that trauma. Watching him struggle through his panic attacks, put on that flirtatious persona as a shield, and slowly learn what it actually feels like to be cared for absolutely wrecked me.

Mason is the complete opposite. He’s all about control, rules, structure, and discipline.

These two needed each other in ways I wasn’t prepared for.

Mason never tried to fix Jinx. He gave him choices. He gave him boundaries. He gave him patience. Most importantly, he showed Jinx that love could look completely different from what he had known before.

Meanwhile, Mason was struggling with his own wounds. Watching these two slowly become a safe place for each other was breathtakingly beautiful. There were so many moments where Jinx would break down, and Mason would simply be there to help him pick up the pieces… when it was called for without question Jinx did the same.

Some of Jinx’s experiences also touched on things that resonated with my own past, which made certain moments particularly emotional for me. I had to put everything down because the feelings were just too much at times.

But that ending… 🥹 …that’s all I’m saying.

Ms. Dixon, I really hope I get to tell you this one day in person. On behalf of all the Jinx’s in this world… thank you. Thank you for seeing us.

These stories you write are works of fiction, but sometimes we’re judged so harshly that we start to believe we’re unworthy of love. Your stories always prove otherwise.

And if you can’t tell by this review… yes… I cried. A LOT. 😭

5⭐️




Synopsis:


I swore off men, only to find someone who has set me free.

Mason Vitali

I’ve finally found my perfect sub, but he’s so much more than that.

What started as an accident turned into fate. Or was it fate that caused the accident? Those eyes of his, so full of fear and want. It’s been eight years since I had a sub, and the last one ended in disaster. I swore to myself: never again. Then here comes this young man, desperate to be seen, to be put in his place. He doesn’t realize it yet… but I do. Jinx is full of vinegar and defiance, but get him in the right mood, and he opens up like a beautiful flower in spring. He bends so easily for me, and in the end, I bend for him. He’s so much deeper and special than I ever imagined. I would give everything up for him.

Jinx

I promised myself no more men. Ever.

Mason Vitali scares me. I’m also intrigued. After being trafficked as an infant and sold into prostitution, I finally had my freedom, but I refused to be with another man. Now, following two years of trying to date women and failing miserably, I want to try something new. Mason is willing to give that to me. Little did I know that having him as my Dom had also given me my life back. My control. My autonomy. I was a prisoner in my body and mind. Mason set me free. But like all things in life, we’ve come to a crossroads. Now, I have to decide whether to let him go so he can thrive or stay and let him fail.

Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles | A Grumpy Neighbor, a Missing Best Friend & Chemistry You Can’t Ignore

 

Title: Across the Vanishing Sky
Author: Catherine Cowles
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Book Links: Goodreads| Amazon


My initial thoughts:

Everyone kept raving about this series, and of course I had to see what the big deal was. 😂 Let me just say… I get it now. I was NOT prepared for how invested I would become with this one. While it did take a minute, but once it hooked me, I was locked in for the long haul.

The Vibe:
Unhinged MMC, grumpy neighbor, emotional, Found family, slow burn


My Review:

I have a serious case of fomo.. and everyone I know who has read it has been raving about this series, so I just had to know for myself what the hype was about.

I almost DNF’d this one in the beginning. The slow burn was excruciatingly slow for me, and y’all already know patience is not exactly one of my strengths when reading..

But once this story starts to heat up chileeeee...It picked UP.

Brae refuses to give up on finding her best friend Nova, and I think that’s what really got me. No matter how many dead ends she hit or how many people tried to convince her to stop looking, she kept pushing forward. After a while, I was just as invested in finding answers as she was.

Dex was the Grumpy, neighbor she just kept running into, who everyone told her could help her. He didn't want to help, of course, but eventually couldn't resist her, or this case.
Underneath all that grumpy man was a loving, protective man, who's just a little unhinged when it comes to Brae, and was willing to ☠️ anyone who harmed her.
The suspense is what really locked me in. You think you know... but you have no idea.

Lord, those final chapters put my emotions through the wringer!! The way I was crying, you would have thought it was my sister/best friend with how emotionally invested I was in what was happening. 😭

And now I’m very curious to see where this series goes next.

4.5 ⭐️

Synopsis:

Braedyn Winslow never expected to return to Starlight Grove—the town that took everything from her. Not after her best friend, the one who’d sacrificed so much for her, vanished without a trace. But with a young son to raise and a past that won’t stay buried, Brae is back…and determined to uncover the truth.

She just didn’t count on the brooding, reclusive mountain man living next door.

Dex Archer is the stuff of local legend—silent, rugged, and surrounded by whispers of his and his brothers’ violent father. But Brae sees through the scowl and his parentage to the man beneath: fiercely loyal, unexpectedly kind…and just dangerous enough to protect her when someone starts warning her off her search.

The closer she gets to the truth, the harder it is to stay away from Dex. And as things get more perilous, Brae realizes the only person she can rely on is the one man who swore never to trust again.

Only someone isn’t happy that Brae has been digging, and they’ll do anything to stop her. But Dex? He’ll do anything to save her, even slip back into the dark…

Capicu Summer by Luna K Wicked | A Love Story Rooted in Home

 

Title: Capicu Summer
Author: Luna K Wicked
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5⭐️
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:

I went into this expecting a fun summertime romance, but instead I was wrapped in the warmth of the culture and the strength of the community. Before I knew it, I was completely caught up in the messy relationships, family drama, and so much more.

The Vibe:

second chance romance, badass fmc, possessive mmc, family legacy


My Review:

Adriana left Altura Heights years ago, believing she had to leave the barrio behind if she wanted something more for herself. But when the man she trusted shows his true colors…and reveals what he has planned for the community that raised her…going home becomes about so much more than returning to where she came from.

And waiting for her there is Yael Cruz.

Adriana and Yael have history. A messy, painful history. But the connection between them is still very much there. Yael is definitely possessive, but he’s also completely sure that Adriana is the woman he wants.

This was a short novella, but it was packed with so much more than just romance. It was about grief, family, community, and fighting for the place that will always be a part of you.

The culture was blended beautifully throughout the story. I could almost taste the food and hear the music. Altura Heights didn’t just feel like the setting…it felt alive, and I truly felt like I was part of the neighborhood while reading.

Prepare yourself to feel every emotion throughout this story. Ms. Wicked gave us an FMC who didn’t need someone else to save her. She just needed to remember who she was, what she was capable of, and where she truly belonged.

I started this book way past my bedtime and was determined to finished this knowing I had to be up very early to start my day, but this was so good there was no way I could put it down.

My only complaint is that I wanted more. 🤭 More of Adriana and Yael, more of the neighborhood, and more time inside this world. 🤗🥰


5⭐️

I received this arc from the author in exchange for my honest review



Synopsis:

“And just like that… the first domino falls.”
At Altura, summer brings the heat... and the past you thought you left behind.

Five years after she swore she’d never come back, Adriana Santos returns to the block that raised her and to the man who never left it. Yael Cruz still carries the weight of one choice that shattered them both. But when her dying grandfather forces them to work together, old wounds resurface demanding to felt. What starts off as simmer turns into a fire leaving them exposed to their truth.

Porque donde hubo fuego, las cenizas siempre quedan.

And as the summer heat rises, so do the stakes, because the last game has just begun.



Porque nadie termina hasta el último capicú.

The Christmas Getaway By Debbie Mason | A Magical and Heartfelt Holiday Romance

 

Title: The Christmas Getaway
Author: Debbie Mason
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4⭐️
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:

There’s just something magical about a heartfelt Christmas romance, and this one gave me all the feels. 🥹

The Vibe:

Romance, slow burn, grumpy sunshine

My Review:

Charlotte is already going through it when this story begins. She’s lost her beloved library, her relationships have been a mess, and she feels like everyone around her is happily coupled up while she’s completely alone. Girl, we’ve all been there. 😩 Her situation felt so relatable that I was hooked almost immediately.

Charlotte and Ewan are complete opposites, but their chemistry and playful banter worked so well together. I really enjoyed watching them slowly let down their walls. Ewan had to learn how to be vulnerable, while Charlotte had to learn how to stand her ground.

I also enjoyed the family drama, especially the Dowager Duchess, who made the perfect rival. The situation involving Matilda gave the story more emotional weight and made it about more than just the romance.

My only issue was that a lot of emotional growth happens within six weeks, and I wish we had gotten more about Charlotte’s library and what came next for her professionally. That part felt slightly glossed over.

Overall, this was a heartfelt slow-burn romance about two people finding love and healing when they least expected it. Their beginning may have been a complete disaster, but watching their relationship blossom into something beautiful made it worth it. 🥹

4⭐️

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever aka Grand Central Publishing, for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review

Synopsis:

Librarian Charlotte Webb has always enjoyed escaping into a good story instead of dealing with reality, especially after her last year. But when her ex struts back into town and invites her to his Christmas wedding, Charlotte has to convince everyone, including herself, that she's moved on.

Deciding an adventure far from home with her perfect—albeit fake—Scottish boyfriend is just what she needs to complete her act, Charlotte boards the plane from New York to Edinburgh, where she bonds with her seat mate, a twelve-year-old girl who is leaving everything she loves in America behind to live abroad with her single father—Ewan, an extremely handsome duke with zero sense of humor.

But when Ewan agrees to keep up Charlotte's boyfriend ruse, sparks begin to fly, and it’s not long before Charlotte’s wondering if her make-believe boyfriend is the real deal.

Make Me Hate You By Kandi Steiner |

 

Title: Make Me Hate You
Author: Kandi Steiner
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:

Best friend's brother wins every single time

The Vibe:

Best friend's brother, second-chance romance, small town romance

My Review:

I must have been living under a rock because this book was pure gold!!

I laughed a little. I cried a little. This is what romance is made for.

Jasmine returns home for her best friend's wedding after fleeing Bridge Chester, New Hampshire, seven years ago. While she's stayed close with her best friend, returning home means facing the one person she's spent years trying to leave behind... her best friend's brother, Tyler.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that what tore them apart years ago wasn't a lack of love, but a heartbreaking misunderstanding. Seeing them reconnect after so much time apart was emotional and, at times, frustrating. Despite how hard they tried to fight it, the chemistry between them never faltered, even after seven years.

Several moments genuinely made me laugh, while others completely broke my heart. Ms. Steiner did a wonderful job balancing the lighter moments with the emotional weight of lost time, regret, and finding the courage to fight for the life you truly want.

My only small criticism has nothing to do with the story itself. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated entirely by Holly Warren. Since the epilogue switches to Tyler's POV, I would have enjoyed it even more if that final chapter had been narrated by a male voice. That's not me taking anything away from this narrator she did a solid job, but hearing Tyler's perspective from a male narrator would have made those final moments even more impactful.

That said, it didn't take away from my enjoyment at all.
This was my first Kandi Steiner book, and if all of her stories are like this I'm officially a fan!

5 ⭐

I received this ALC from NetGalley & Keeperton Audiobooks in exchange for my honest review



Synopsis:

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

Every sip of air is shallow and burning, because in the arms of my best friend’s brother, I’m the closest I’ve ever been to sin.

His eyes flick to my lips, and I remember the first time I tasted him, seven years ago before I left this town and vowed never to return. His hands grip my waist, and I remember the pain when he rejected me, when my entire world crashed down at his command. His jaw clenches, and my senses come alive with one stinging reminder.

I’m not his to kiss, and he’s not mine.

I tried to stay away from Tyler Wagner, putting an entire country between us. But when his sister’s wedding brings us back to the same town, to the same house, I can’t avoid him, no matter how hard I try.

He’s always there, his dark eyes bewitching, luring me into their depths. The memory of us pulls me under like a rip current, and when he flashes that smile, I lose my breath, along with my will, unable to escape his grip and find the surface.

Now, hours before our plus ones arrive for the wedding, I’m in his arms, begging him to make me hate him, knowing he never could.

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

And I’ll take him down with me.

All the Truth In My Lies By Elisabet Benavent | The Truth Always Finds Its Way Out

Title: All the Truth In My Lies
Author: Elisabet Benavent
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4⭐️
Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon


My initial thoughts:

This started as a fun bachelorette trip and quickly turned into a messy emotional roller coaster. Between the secrets, lingering feelings, romantic poetry, and questionable matchmaking, I knew things were going to fall apart. I just wasn’t prepared for how much Coco’s journey would make me reflect on some of my own relationships.

Read This If You Like:

Friends to lovers, Romantic Chaos, poetry

My Review:

The emotional toll secrets and lies can have on our lives… this one made me look back at some of my own relationships.

What was supposed to be a fun bachelorette trip quickly turned into a wild, messy ride filled with lingering feelings, hidden truths, and questionable matchmaking.

Coco is secretly in love with one of her friends, and she knows she shouldn’t be because he is the ex of another friend… talk about messy!

As secrets begin spilling…let’s face it, they always do…relationships are tested, and everyone is forced to confront the things they would normally avoid. Coco’s romantic life becomes increasingly tangled, and my heart genuinely broke for her at certain points. She finally finds the courage to be honest about what she wants, only to be hurt almost immediately afterward.

When she finally finds love, she quickly learns that maybe love isn’t enough after all. Two people can care about one another and still be unable…or unwilling…to give the relationship what it needs. That one hurt, but it also forced her to choose herself. In the end, that is something we all need to remember.

This story is full of complicated friendships, misguided matchmaking, romantic poetry, emotional avoidance, and people attempting to repair their relationships instead of continuing to run away. You know, normal people shit 🤭. It was chaotic, dramatic, funny, frustrating, romantic, and sad.

I originally picked up All the Truth in My Lies because of its upcoming screen adaptation, and now I’m even more excited to see these characters and all their mess come to life.

4⭐️

I received the arc from NetGalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for for my honest review


Synopsis:

Six best friends on a bachelorette road trip. One RV packed with secrets.

Blanca's September wedding is the perfect excuse for one last adventure, so Coco, Loren, and Aroa rent a camper and plot a week of sun splashed beaches, campsite dinners, and dancing till closing time. Marín and Gus jump onboard at the last minute. It should be idyllic—if only the truth weren't riding shotgun.

Coco and Marín are the kind of roommates who make life look easy. Too bad Coco is in love with him. To keep it hidden, she pretends she's still hung up on her ex, Gus… who seems to be writing love poems to someone he won't name. Marín and Aroa's breakup? Messier than anyone admits. Blanca should be glowing for her fiancé, yet she's miles away. And Loren—poor Loren—knows more than he should and can't tell a soul.

What starts as a carefree farewell becomes a pressure cooker of almost confessions and half truths. As the miles roll by, the stories they've told about themselves start to crack, and each of them has to choose what to the friend group they've always been—or the person they might finally be brave enough to become.