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Hello sassy people! Today I’m going to tell you guys about all the books I read in December! It was a month full of Christmas-themed books, and some of the best books I’ve ever read!
Window Shopping
by Tessa Bailey
A sizzling, standalone, feel-good holiday romance from Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer.
Two weeks before Christmas and all through Manhattan, shop windows are decorated in red and green satin.
I’m standing alone in front of the famous Vivant department store, when a charming man named Aiden asks my opinion of the dรฉcor.
It’s a tragedy in tinsel, I say, unable to lie.
He asks for a better idea with a twinkle in his eye.
Did I know he owned the place? No. He put me on the spot.
Now I’m working for that man, trying to ignore that he’s hot.
But as a down on her luck girl with a difficult past, I know an opportunity when I see oneโand I have to make it last.
I’ll put my heart and soul into dressing his holiday windows.
I’ll work without stopping. And when we lose the battle with temptation, I’ll try and remember I’m just window shopping.
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Ex-convict, Grumpy and Sunshine, Office Romance, Redemption story, Reverse Grumpy and Sunshine
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 4/5 (steamy)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: Confinement, Emotional Abuse, Forced Institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual Content, Sexual harassment, Toxic Friendship, Violence
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญโญ 5/5 Amazing writing, amazing story, the author managed to do so much in so little time and it didnโt feel rushed, it felt perfect, it was deep and heavy but also so fun and steamy and sweet. And to me, it was also innovative, which is a huge factor I take in when I rate a book.ย ย
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญโญ 5/5 This was a deep book, that talks about very difficult and real problems like childhood trauma, incarceration, self-worth, and toxic positivity. I was amazed and innovative because we have a grumpy heroine and sunshine hero! And that alone, made the whole book for me. These two felt so real, and they broke every pattern I see in most romances, which made me fall in love with this book from paragraph one.ย
A Very Bossy Christmas
by Alexis Winter
โSweetheart, I know exactly how to handle you.โ
Those eight little words whispered in my ear by my boss were my undoing.
And what we did after he said them, most definitely landed me on Santaโs naughty list.
If thereโs one man who can suck all the joy out of Christmasโitโs my boss, Damon Wells.
I should have known when fifteen minutes into our first interview, he told me that nothing about me stood out from the fifty other applicants.
Yet somehow, Iโm sitting shotgun in his fancy sports car on the way to my familyโs house for the week.
Youโd think heโd show a little mercy this holiday season after my day from hell.
Car towed? Check.
Spilled coffee on my white blouse? Check.
Soaked in Chicago slush by a cab? Triple Check.
Instead, he threatens to fire me.
So now Iโm stuck spending the holidays with my boss by my sideโฆUntil two minutes into meeting my family, Damon introduces himself as my boyfriend and my minor panic turns into a full fledged five-alarm holiday meltdown.
He wasnโt supposed to pretend to be anything.
He absolutely wasnโt supposed to stick his tongue down my throat when he promoted himself to fiancรฉ in front of my entire family.
And I sure as hell wasnโt supposed to enjoy it.
Suddenly, our fake little fairytale is starting to feel too real when Damon slides my grandmotherโs diamond ring on my finger.
The same ring I thought my ex was going to give me last year when he dumped me.
The same ex who shows up to my familyโs holiday party.
All I want for Christmas this year?
To forget just how good my boss is in the bedroom before my heart starts to get other ideas.
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Boss/secretary, Cheating Ex, Christmas Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Fake dating, Fake engagement, Fake relationship, Office Romance
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 4/5 (steamy)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: No content Warnings According to StoryGraph
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญ 3/5
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญ 3/5 The consent here is just plainly ignored, thereโs no question about anything, this boss just takes everything he wants, no questions asked, which would already be horrible in a normal relationship but a relationship between his employ and him, itโs sexual harassment. Also, he is possessive and jealous and a lot of times an asshole. Also, I hate sex scenes without protection or even a conversation about it before, which only rang my alarms higher about the lack of consent. And the whole family, the ex, it was just weak for me, also the whole โI can see in his eyes that he loves youโ at the end was just b***shit, he was there for two days.
Elves with Benefits
(Reindeer Falls #4)
by Jana Aston
My name is Ryan Sheppard and I donโt care about Christmas. Iโm only returning to my over-the-top Christmas-themed hometown to sell the house I inherited from my late uncle so I can get back to the city and the promotion Iโm chasing at work.
Unfortunately, thereโs a flaw in my plan.
Because according to the town Christmas cop, thereโs a moratorium on selling houses during December. She says itโs bad for the aesthetic. Sheโs also slapping an alarming number of tickets on my front door. For being in violation of holiday dรฉcor. And I swear on Rudolph himself, one is for โunsportsmanlike Christmassing.โ
To top it all off, this Christmas cop looks like a red-headed elf.
A sexy red-headed elfโฆ
Warning: Christmas in Reindeer Falls is more naughty than nice. These stories are over-the-top festive with merrily-ever-afters guaranteed. Novella length for quick holiday binge reading. Enjoy!
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Architect, Christmas Romance, Grumpy and Sunshine, Small Town Romance
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 3/5 (sex on the page)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: Grief
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญ 3/5 The whole story felt a bit forced, a bit too much
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญ 3/5 No character development, no character growth, and the whole conflict was a miss understanding + drama + miss-communication, so I didnโt enjoy it much.
One Night with a Nutcracker
(Reindeer Falls #5)
by Jana Aston
My name is Jake Sheppard and Iโm ambivalent about Christmas and the Christmas-themed town I grew up in. But when I find out my late uncle left me an old barn and acres of land, the decision to return home to build my dream golf course is an easy one.
Imagine my surprise when I arrive and find out I have a squatter.
An incredibly sexy squatter, with wavy blonde hair, green eyes, a free spiritโฆ and a herd of goats.
Sutton hates my guts. Apparently evicting a non-paying non-tenant and her goats weeks before Christmas is grounds for war.
Except Sutton’s version of war includes flinging her clothing at me and, as it turns out, I might be in way over my head with this girlโฆ
Warning: Christmas in Reindeer Falls is more naughty than nice. These stories are over-the-top festive with merrily-ever-afters guaranteed. Novella length for quick holiday binge reading. Enjoy!ย
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Christmas Romance, Goat Farmer, Lawyer, Rom-Com
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 3/5 (sex on the page)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: No content Warnings According to StoryGraph
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญ 4/5 I enjoyed the book, kinda believed the story, it was enjoyable and simple, fun.
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญ 4/5 The hero was a bit rude at first, but I love Suttonโs whole attitude.ย ย
The Bachelor on the Shelf
(Reindeer Falls #6)
by Jana Aston
My name is Carter Sheppard and I actually like Christmas and my Christmas-themed hometown of Reindeer Falls. In fact, when I learn I have to return home in order to collect an inheritanceโmy uncleโs dogโit puts life into perspective for me.
Sure, playing professional baseball is great. But it wonโt last forever and every player needs a long-term game plan.
And I just found mine. Wrapped up in the feisty, bespectacled package of the town librarian.
Unfortunately, she thinks Iโm a player in all aspects of the word, but Iโve got a plan to win her over. Starting with a fake engagementโฆ
Warning: Christmas in Reindeer Falls is more naughty than nice. These stories are over-the-top festive with merrily-ever-afters guaranteed. Novella length for quick holiday binge reading. Enjoy!
ย ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Baseball romance, Christmas Romance, Cute dogs in romance, Fake engagement, Fake relationship, Librarian, Sports Romance
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 3/5 (sex on the page)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: No content Warnings According to StoryGraph
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญ 4/5 Cute and short
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญ 4/5 The hero was a bit too cocky for me and his change was a bit sudden.
The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny
(Holiday Brothers #1)
by Willa Nash
One week with one little girlโan angel, according to my staffing agency. Acting as the short-term nanny for a single dad should have been an easy way to make some extra cash. Until I show up for my first day and face off with a demon disguised as a seven-year-old girl wearing a red tutu and matching glitter slippers.
Oh, and her father? My temporary boss? Maddox Holiday. The same Maddox Holiday I crushed on in high school. The same Maddox Holiday who didnโt even know I existed. And the same Maddox Holiday who hasnโt set foot in Montana for years because heโs been too busy running his billionaire empire.
Enduring seven days is going to feel like scaling the Himalayas in six-inch heels. Toss in the Holiday familyโs annual soiree, and Christmas Eve nightmares really do come true. But I can do anything for a week, especially for this paycheck, even if it means wrangling the naughty, impressing the nice, and playing the nanny.
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Billionaire, Christmas Romance, Cute kids in romance, Divorced, Nanny, Nanny/Dad, Single Parent
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 3/5 (sex on the page)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: Abandonment, Sexual Content
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญ 3/5 It was cool, but a bit too much for such a short book, it felt a bit rushed.
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญ 4/5 I liked their up frontness and honesty about their attraction, I liked that they did not enter a relationship during her employment, however, I HATED IT that she left everything behind to take care of his daughter and how they got married months later. It just ruined the whole book for me.
The Billionaire Scrooge Next Door
by Olivia Hayle
Adam Dunbar was once the boy who never gave me a second glance. Now heโs the hot billionaire next door who canโt look away.
I go home to Fairhill for the holidays to escape my cramped city apartment and failed career. My to-doโs are spending time with family, eat turkey, and watch bad Christmas movies. Reigniting my crush on my brotherโs former best friend was not on the list.
Adam is back in our small town after a decade away. Heโs older, richer, and more of a Scrooge than ever. Christmas is commercialism, and he wonโt have any of it. Me? I start listening to holiday music in October.
But our clashing opinions on the season donโt stop the attraction growing between us. Could this grumpy billionaire actually be my perfect Christmas gift in disguise?
And if so… Do they accept returns?
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Billionaire, Brother’s best friend, Christmas Romance
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 4/5 (steamy)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: No content Warnings According to StoryGraph
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญโญ 5/5 Love the very refreshing writing and view on romance and billionaireโs and honestly he wasnโt a scrooge to me. It just blow all of my expectations and it was delightful to read.
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญโญ 5/5 Loved the mental aspect of it, in both characters, the trauma and the work they both put through. Also, I love the honesty and up frontness of them, who just say out loud that they want each other.
The Truth (love and lies #1)
by Addison Carter
Everyone tells lies.
Some are bigger than others.
Megan Fields is a dangerous woman, the first female member of The Brotherhood, and one of her bossโs trusted five. She has a reputation, Megan never misses.
Until he comes along. The arsehole. The man dead set on ruining her reputation and leaving a bloody mess in his wake. Who the hell is he? She doesnโt know, but she will. He will make sure of that.
But itโs not just the arsehole who is threatening her reputation. Her lover. The man she shouldnโt be with, a hot headed liar. She canโt resist him though, no matter how hard she tries. What would people say if they knew?
What would he say if he knew? The Fantasy. He knows nothing about her life, but he seeโs the woman that she secretly dreams of becoming. The woman who isnโt surrounded by violence and lies. Would he want her if he knew the truth?
Everyone tells lies.
But the truth will always come out in the end.
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Age Gap Romance, Assassin Romance, Cliff hanger, Enemies to Lovers, the Italian mafia, Knife play, Love Triangle, Mafia Romance, Secret Relationship, Widower, Woman Assassin
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 4/5 (steamy)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: Blood, Cursing, Emotional Abuse, Murder, Sexual Content, This book is not added to Story Graphs (so the next trigger warnings are added by my understanding of the book), Toxic relationship, Violence
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญ 4/5
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญ 4/5 4/5 I loved that she is a woman in the mob, she is a killer and this book is amazing for that alone. But she also goes along with a lot of abusive behaviors from Lorenzo and does not call them out. She also mentions being afraid of Lorenzo, even when they were in a “normal” relationship. That to me is a big red flag, even in a mafia romance. However, it all works well in the book.
The Sweetest Oblivion
(Made #1)
by Danielle Lori
Sheโs a romantic at heart, living in the most unromantic of worlds . . .
Nicknamed Sweet Abelli for her docile nature, Elena smiles on cue and has a charming response for everything. Sheโs the favored daughter, the perfect mafia principessa . . . or was.
Now, all she can see in the mirrorโs reflection is blood staining her hands like crimson paint.
They say first impressions are everything . . .
In the murky waters of New Yorkโs underworld, Elenaโs sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo. A Made Man, a boss, a cheatโeven measured against mafia standards. His reputation stretches far and wide and is darker than his black suits and ties. After his and Elenaโs first encounter ends with an accidental glare on her part, she realizes heโs just as rude as he is handsome.
She doesnโt like the man or anything he stands for, though that doesnโt stop her heart from pattering like rain against glass when heโs near, nor the shiver that ghosts down her spine at the sound of his voice.
And heโs always near. Telling her what to do. Making her feel hotter than any future brother-in-law should. Elena may be the Sweet Abelli on the outside, but sheโs beginning to learn she has a taste for the darkness, for rough hands, cigarettes, and whiskey-colored eyes. Having already escaped one scandal, however, she can hardly afford to be swept up in another.
Besides, even if he were hers, everyone knows you donโt fall in love with a Made Man . . . right?
This is aย standaloneย forbidden romance.
ย ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Arranged marriage, Enemies to Lovers, the Italian mafia, Mafia Romance, Murder meal, Tattooed hero
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 4/5 (steamy)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: Blood, Child Abuse, Death, Drug Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical Abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual Content, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Violence
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญโญ 5/5 Good book, I loved the view into the life of a mobster family, how these girls had a โnormal lifeโ but also had a crazy life. Loved the banter and the whole story
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญ 4/5 This is a mafia book, so the whole sexism and misogyny thing is very present. We have arranged marriage, women who canโt leave the house without a male company, slut shaming over sex and relationships, the power dynamic and obedience pattern between men and women, and extremely possessive men.
The Maddest Obsession
(Made #2)
by Danielle Lori
She fears the dark.
He rules it.
Her dresses are too tight, her heels too tall. She laughs too loudly, eats without decorum, and mixes up most sayings in the book. Little do most know itโs just a sparkly disguise, there to hide one panic attack at a time.
Nobody can crack Giannaโs facade . . . no one anyway, untilย heย comes along.
Most see a paragon of morality; a special agent upholding the law. In the New York underworld, others know him as a hustler, a killer, his nature as cold as the heart of ice in his chest. Christian Allister has always followed the life plan heโd envisioned in his youth, beneath the harsh lights of a frigid, damp cell. With a proclivity for order and the number three, heโs never been tempted to veer off course. But perhaps one should never say never . . .
One winter night and their lives intertwine. She hates himโhis stone-cold demeanor, his arrogance and too-perceptive eyeโbut over the years, even as their games consist of insulting each otherโs looks and intelligence, she begins toย liveย to play with him.
Nowhere in Christianโs plans had he ever prepared for Gianna. Sheโs chaos embodied, not his type, andย married, but none of that can stop his eyes from following her wherever she goes.
All along, she doesnโt even know that sheโs hisโhis frustration, his fascination.
Hisย maddest obsession.
ย ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Alcoholic, Arranged marriage, Assassin Romance, Cheating Ex, Cop Romance, Drug abuse, Ex-convict, FBI, the Italian mafia, Mafia Romance, Mental Health, Plan B, Rape victim, Tattooed hero, Victim of a past abusive relationship, Widower
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 4/5 (steamy)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: Blood, Child Abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of a parent, Domestic Abuse, Drug Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical Abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual Assault, Sexual Content, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic Friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญโญ 5/5 One of the best-written books Iโve ever read. The way this book was written made it one of my all-time favorite books. I donโt know how to explain without quotes and rating for 30 minutes, but it is amazing. (Broad shoulders. Straight lines. Blue.) A lot of times the writing is almost poetic and I was in love with it the whole book.
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญ 3/5 Even this being now one of my favorite books, it does not negate the problematic parts of it. The hero is a stalker, there is no other name for his behavior, he is also very possessive and their relationship is very toxic and unhealthy for a long time. There were good things, their self-development, the mention of Plan B and the possibility of preventing unplanned pregnancy (I will love any book that mentions this without making a fuss of it, but making it a normal thing, a natural action) and the whole psychological aspect of the book are fascinating, but I canโt give a high feminist rate for a relationship this problematic.
The Darkest Temptation
(Made #3)
by Danielle Lori
A fortune teller once told Mila sheโd find a man who would take her breath away. She refrained from telling her it would be literally while Mila ran for her life.
Having always done what is expected of her, Mila dresses the part, only dates college boys with exemplary backgrounds, and doesnโt ask questions. Not about her papaโs absences or his refusal to let her set foot in her birthplaceโRussia.
Suffocated by the rules and unanswered questions, Mila does what sheโs always wanted to. She boards a plane to Moscow.
She never expected to fall for a man on the way. One with unexplained wealth, tattoos on his hands, and secrets in his eyes. But it doesnโt take long for his caress to become a rough grasp muffling her screams.
Revenge is a dish best served cold. Unfortunately, a Russian winter is the coldest of them all, and Mila soon learns the only way to escape intact is to do the impossible and thaw her captorโs heart.
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Age Gap Romance, Assassin Romance, Grumpy and Sunshine, Kidnapping Romance, Mafia Romance, Rape victim, Russian Mafia, Stockholm Syndrome Romance, Sustainability mc, Tattooed hero, Vegan mc
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 4/5 (steamy)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: Abandonment, Body shaming, Bullying, Child Abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic Abuse, Drug Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Physical Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sexual Content, Sexual Violence, Stalking, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญโญ 5/5 Amazing writing
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญ 2/5 He is 32, she is 20. He is a boss, powerful, rich, and experienced and she is nieve.
This book is very problematic in terms of consent. She was held captive and he almost did things many times, he also recorded her without her knowledge and was emotionally abusive for a long long time. This is not a couple I enjoyed much, even if by the end I liked them and I did believe in their love, but their beginning is too messed up for me to believe that this is a healthy relationship. However I did enjoy (SPOILER) that he made her go away, so when she came back it was by her own choice.
Neanderthal Seeks (Extra) Yarns
(Knitting in the City #4.5, 6.5)
by Penny Reid
From the New York Times Bestselling Author Penny Reid
A comprehensive collection of all short stories, deleted scenes, and special features from the Knitting in the City series.
Includes:
**Janie and Quinn**
**Elizabeth and Nico**
**Sandra and Alex**
**Ashley and Drew**
**Fiona and Greg**
**Marie and Matt**
**Kat and Dan**
I actually read this one back in August, but I didn’t read the last two chapters, and it stayed on my Goodreads Currently Reading shelf for months, so I decided to finish it before the new year.
Little Lies
(Little Lies #1)
by H. Hunting
I donโt want you.
You mean nothing to me.
I never loved you.
I turned my words into swords.
And I cut her down. Shoved the blade in and watched her fall.
I said Iโd never hurt her, and I did.
Years later, Iโm faced with all the little lies, the untruths, the false realities, the damage I inflicted, when all I wanted was to indulge my obsession.
Lavender Waters is the princess in the tower. Even her name is the thing fairy tales are made of.
I used to be the one who saved her.
Over and over again.
But I donโt want to save her anymore.
I just want to pretend the lies are still the truth.
A standalone angsty new adult romance.
Heroine:ย Lavender Waters (Alex and Violet Watersโ youngest daughter, PUCKED and FOREVER PUCKED couple origin, Pucked Series )
Hero:ย Kodiak (Kody) Bowman (Rook and Lainey Bowmanโs son, A LIE FOR A LIE couple origin, All In Series )
This one is the same, I read the whole book back in 2020 but I didn’t want it to end, so I didn’t read the last chapter, so I decided to finish it already.
Dipped In Holly
by Dana Isaly
Holly was just dumped.
Less than a week before Christmas. In public. Dressed as a slutty Mrs. Claus.
All she wants is to hide in the bathroom and have a breakdown in peace.
But the Silver Fox who owns the bar has other plans.
The moment Nick takes in Hollyโs grey eyes and sassy attitude, heโs hooked.
Thereโs no denying the attraction that has sparked between them.
And when that tension finally snaps, he finds himself taking Holly to bed.
A kinky one night stand later, and theyโre left questioning if it was enough.
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Age Gap Romance, Cheating Ex, Christmas Romance, Curvy heroine, Daddy kink
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ 5/5 (Sierra Simone level)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: Emotional Abuse, Infidelity, Sexual Assault, Sexual Content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญ 3/5 It was really good and really hot but the Daddy kink just wasn’t for me, but I enjoyed several parts, especially the end.
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญ 4/5 The consent here is a bit blurry to me, however, it is also about a kinky that I donโt share, so I wonโt judge much.
The Wrong Blue Eyes
by B.B. Reid
Noelle is far from a good girl. In fact, she can be downright bad.
Everyone she meets adores her wild antics. Well, everyone except for her boyfriend.
When Paxton suggests a trip to Aspen for the weekend, Noelle decides to find that missing spark.
But what Noelle thinks is a romantic getaway turns out to be a party for four.
If twoโs company and threeโs a crowd, what do you call a sexy fourth wheel with blue eyes and a killer smile?
Answer: Your boyfriendโs twin brother.
My rate and my feminist rate: 2/5 The whole thing was planned by the men, and the women were completely unaware. To me, if they have a conversation, even with the lights off, it would be okay. But Nick remained silent during the beginning of sex, which completely takes the consent out of the scene. Then he proceeded to be rude, threatening her to make her stay in the room, lock her clothes away from her and humiliate her about cheating on her boyfriend, which means that, if I already didnโt like both of these men, now I hate them. I have to say that these types of tropes, where the couples are switched or any trope that scapes monogamic relationships are not my kink, I donโt enjoy them, but this is not only about my personal opinion. I believe that the most important thing in a non-monogamic relationship is the consent and agreement of everyone involved, which does not happen here. These men tricked these women into this situation and I have to say that I donโt appreciate that, and that is enough to ruin the whole book to me. And I wrote all of this being only halfway through the audiobook. Also, my first audiobook experience, and Iโm enjoying the easiness of it, but the sex scenes get a bit more embarrassing and I have to say it was not the best choice of book to be my first. Then he treats to beat her. Yep, great book (sarcasm alert)
Rules of the Friend-Zone: A Friends-to-Lovers/Snowed-in together/Curvy Girl Romance
(Hot Texas Nights Book 4)
by Kat Baxter
Didnโt enjoy this book much and the narration was good on the male POV but horrible on the female POV it just made me cringe every time the heroine said anything. And the dialogue was very weak, the dirty talk very cringy and cliche, so I didnโt enjoy it.
Lovelight Farms
(Lovelight Farms #1)
by B.K. Borison
Where the lovelight gleams โฆ
A pasture of dead trees. A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloomโs dreams.
In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm sheโs loved since she was a kid, she enters a contest with instafamous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, she might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. Thereโs just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on the application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only โฆ there is no boyfriend.
Enter best friend Luka Peters. He just came home for some hot chocolate, and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process.
Lovelight Farms is a romantic comedy featuring a handsome, freckled data analyst, a messy, optimistic Christmas tree farm owner, and a small town with the best hazelnut lattes on the east coast. This sweet and steamy romance is a holiday happily ever after.
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ: Friends to Lovers, Small Town Romance
๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ: ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ 4/5 (steamy)
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฌ: Cancer, Death of a parent, Sexual Content
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญโญ 5/5 The attention for detail in this story is amazing, it made the cutest story ever, not only their present but also their meet-cute and all the years they were friends. Extremely well written. And the action plot in the background made everything even better.
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐: โญโญโญโญโญ 5/5 I love Stellaโs search for independence and all the self-development she does during the story. And I love Luka and all he does, the way he takes care of her, and all the little details about his love for her.
Twisted Christmas
by Sara Cate, Q.B. Tyler, B. Celeste, Catharina Maura, Ivy Fox, Thandie, Amanda Richardson, Nyla K., Leigh Lennon, J.D., Hollyfield, A.R. Breck, Bellamy Roswell, Sade Rena, B.L. Mute
What better time of year to unwrap forbidden love than Christmas?
Step-brothers, teachers, priests, and guardians…the heart wants what it wants.
These 12 love stories arenโt just taboo, theyโre deliciously twisted.
Your wildest fantasies delivered in this LIMITED EDITION collection.
I read the first 3 stories, the first was cool, enjoyable and the Priest thing does not bother me, so I liked it, the second one, I hated it and the third one was just not good, and it wasn’t something I was looking forward to reading more, so I DFNed.
These are all the books I read in December 2021! Have you read any of them? Let me know the books you’ve read and what you thought about them!ย
Well, that is all for today, I hope you like this post, hope you enjoy these books if you decide to read them. Feel free to leave your opinion about it in the comments and I will see you next time!ย
Bye sassy people!ย
ย
- I know that some comments I make about decent guys on my posts are the bare minimum a guy should do, so no, they donโt deserve to be treated like gods for doing the minimum, but at the same time, Iโve read a lot of sexist books and I appreciate authors who make characters that can serve as role models and examples of how a decent guy acts and what a loving and respectful relationship looks like. I believe we should always encourage these authors and bring attention to the ones that still write sexist characters and stories.ย
- I make a lot of comments about sexism and healthy role models in books, but a lot of times these characteristics donโt make the book a bad book and definitely donโt make the author a bad author. Please never shame these authors and these books for these comments, I simply feel that we need to have awareness of the less than ideal situations some books bring us, and not use the romanticized problem as examples of what a relationship should be. Most of these authors are still amazing, and the content they write doesnโt reflect directly with their personal views and opinions. Always make sure to respect and be kind to everyone, even while criticizing their content.ย
Find Me Inย
Meet Me
Brazilian architecture student and book lover
One of my goals in analysing my readings was to talk about important topics, like feminist and consent, because literature, art and culture influence us, and I believe we should always encorage authors who talk about this topics.
Come check out my Goodreads Reading Challenge!
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2020
I read 148 books in 2020, come see them!
