What I Read in December 2023

Heavy on Holiday Romance

December Book Reviews

It’s a wrap on another great year of reading. I finished out the year with a total of 102 books! In addition to the reviews below, I read two winter-themed Dramione FanFic novellas. This month was heavy on the winter romances and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. There were quite a few books that weren’t on my radar that caught me by surprise at how much I adored them. I feel like this list truly has a romance recommendation for just about every reader. At the end of this list is The Daily Stoic, my self-development guide for the year. I’m breathing out a big sigh of relief that I’m done with it.

I read 14 books this month alone so you’ll have to excuse me for the shorter reviews. I got a bit lazy with them by the end!

My must-reads from this month: Kissing Kosher, Same Time Next Year, The Fake Out, Kilt Trip, A Winter in New York, A Little Magic, The Matzah Ball, and Holiday Romance.

Psst… if you find your next great read in this newsletter, consider supporting my work and keeping me caffeinated while I write.

Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley

Genre: Romance
Pages: 336
Format Read: Kindle eARC

It’s no secret I’m obsessed with Scotland. I have my own wee Clan Mackenzie at home. My husband and I honeymooned there with some distant family for 2+ weeks years ago and I’ve thought about it every day since. When I heard about Kilt Trip I just had to get my hands on it! I’m so lucky to be on

Alexandra Kiley

’s street team for this book out in March! Thank you to the author and Canary Street Press for the eARC.

Synopsis: Addie Macrae feeds her wanderlust by working as a travel consultant. She’s always avoided one place that holds family memories she’s not ready to face— Scotland. While on assignment to help revive a struggling family business, Addie butts heads with the stubborn, but braw, kilt-wearing tour guide, Logan Sutherland.

My Thoughts: In this whirlwind rivals-to-lovers workplace romance set around Hogmanay in Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands, Addie and Logan’s attraction is electric. There are so many tender moments between the duo that kept me reading chapter after chapter. There’s just the right amount of heat and it’s balanced by a bit of family drama and of course the gorgeous Scottish setting. You can tell this book is incredibly well-researched. It’s informative about popular tourist sites without feeling cheesy. Logan’s accent and Scottish slang had me melting. He falls 1st and works hard to earn Addie’s trust by making her feel seen. This book swept me off my feet!

Content warnings: grief, specifically loss of a parent; Just a heads up, there is a bit of miscommunication and a 3rd act breakup.

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The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan

Genre: Women’s Lit
Pages: 368
Format Read: Audiobook

Synopsis: The Book Club Hotel follows the story of 4 women (3 close friends in a book club, and the owner of the hotel they book for a cozy winter escape in Vermont). Each woman is in the middle of their own major life crisis. Anna’s twins are leaving for college soon and her husband suggests they have another baby to cheer her up. Claudia has been laid off from her job as a chef and dumped by her boyfriend of ten years. Erica has a non-committal relationship with a man named Jack but is looking for more stability in her life. Hattie is struggling to maintain the Maple Sugar Inn while also juggling the grief of being widowed too young and raising her daughter, Delphine, alone. The main conflict in the novel is the one thing that ties the group together.

My Thoughts: This plot felt overly Hallmark-y to me. I enjoyed the women's friendship and the dreamy hotel setting but I don’t think the women’s literature genre is for me. It felt a little too long and I didn’t feel invested in the characters and their futures until over the 75% mark. They all get their happily ever after in the end. I think a lot of people will rate this book higher than I did so I say give it a shot if you're remotely intrigued.

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A Winter in New York by Josie Silver

Genre: Women’s Lit/Romance
Pages: 384
Format Read: Physical Copy

Synopsis: When Iris loses her mom to cancer, she runs away from an abusive ex-boyfriend and leaves her life in London behind in search of the same joy and adventure NYC provided for her mom some 30+ years earlier. She’s a trained Chef and finds work at a noodle shop. The owner, Bobby, becomes her best friend and landlord at their apartment above the shop. Along with Bobby’s husband, Robin, and a part-time cat named Smirnoff, Iris has found contentment in the Big Apple. After going to a street fair in Little Italy with Bobby, Iris recognizes a familiar-looking door at Belotti's Gelateria from a photo in her mother’s old scrapbook. She discovers their secret family recipe for vanilla gelato, the same recipe the Belotti’s fear they’ve lost because their patriarch, Santo aka Papa, is in a coma. It doesn’t take long for Iris to form a friendship with Gio Belotti but the secrets between them threaten to end their budding relationship before it even gets started.

My Thoughts: While I usually find the miscommunication trope frustrating, the depth of the Belottis’ story had me completely engrossed in this book, staying up late to read chapter after chapter. The book deals heavily with grief in various forms but it’s so gently executed that you still get all the cozy vibes. Gio and Iris’ love feels tender and authentic. I could read a second book about them! This slow-burn foodie romance set in NYC warmed my cold heart. If you only read one romance this winter, make it A Winter in New York.

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A Little Magic by Lindsey Lanza

Genre: Romance
Pages: 352
Format Read: Audiobook

Synopsis: Ellie Klein fled Vermont after graduating high school, and she hasn’t been back since. When Ellie’s travel site lands her back where it all began, her goal is to get in and out without seeing anyone from before. But life has other plans when she’s caught in a blizzard that leaves her seeking refuge in a cabin owned by none other than the infamous Theo, her first love and her brother’s best friend.

My Thoughts: A Little Magic was so sweet but also a little spicy. Ellie and Theo’s love story builds slowly through dual POVs and alternating timelines. When they’re snowed in after 7 years apart, they’re forced to reconcile the events that drove a wedge between them. I think Theo may be my new favorite book boyfriend. Every interaction between the two had me smiling from ear to ear. I’m not sure another holiday romance will top this one for me this year.

What to expect:
- hockey player MC
- lupus awareness
- Childhood friends turned lovers
- brother’s best friend
- the magic of Hanukkah but set on a Christmas tree farm in Vermont
- snowed in and there’s only one bed
- funny animal group names
- swoon-worthy nicknames
- second chance romance

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The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

Genre: Romance
Pages: 416
Format Read: Audiobook

Synopsis: Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach.

But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg.

Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected.

My Thoughts: Childhood lovers get a second chance at love when they have to plan a “Matzah Ball” together. If they can work together that is. This was so cute! The epitome of a romantic comedy. This would be such a great movie. They need to make it now because we need more Hanukkah movies! Ultimate slow burn. It is very low on the spice… Just a few kissing scenes. I also loved the chronic illness representation. Highly recommend it on audio. I think the narration enhances the humor in a way you may not pick up on reading the text.

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Lovelight Farms by B. K. Borison

Genre: Romance
Pages: 304
Format Read: Audiobook

Synopsis: In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s 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. There’s 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 … 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.

My Thoughts: Unpopular opinion incoming…this was cute but not a new favorite! It's very light on plot. If you want fluffy Christmas vibes, this might do it for you. I didn't really feel the spark until around the 60% mark but when I did-- let's just say I'm glad Stella and Luka finally got their stuff together. Not sure if I'll continue in the series at this point. Great on audio! I could really feel the angst and pining in the romance scenes.

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Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

Genre: Romance
Pages: 352
Format Read: Audiobook

Synopsis: Landon Stackhouse gets called up as Calgary’s backup goalie. He’s a quiet loner who gives off strong “don’t talk to me” vibes. The only player who doesn’t seem to notice is Calgary’s superstar young winger, Casey Hicks. Casey treats Landon like an old friend, even though they’ve only interacted briefly in the past. He’s endlessly charming and completely laid-back in a way that Landon absolutely can’t relate to. They have nothing in common, but Landon needs a place to live that’s not a hotel room and Casey has just bought a massive house—and hates being alone. Spending the holidays together only intensifies their bromance-turned-romance.

My Thoughts: Cute! I went between 3 and 4 stars. The first half isn't very eventful. I loved the contrast between the two MC's personalities and how they worked through their sexual preferences together. Good grumpy/sunshine vibes. Enjoyed listening to this on audio but probably won't remember much of the plot. Content warning: lots of descriptive open-door scenes in the 2nd half.

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Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh

Genre: Romance
Pages: 354
Format Read: Kindle eBook

Synopsis: Molly and Andrew are just trying to get home to Ireland for the holidays, when a freak snowstorm grounds their flight. Nothing romantic has ever happened between them: they’re friends and that’s all. But once a year, Molly has spent hours sitting next to Andrew on the last flight before Christmas from Chicago to Dublin catching up on each other’s lives. In spite of all the ways the two friends are different, it’s the holiday tradition neither of them has ever wanted to give up. Molly doesn’t find the joy in Christmas and Andrew is a full-on fanatic for the holidays. Knowing how much it means to him, she vows to get him home in time for his mam’s famous Christmas dinner.

My Thoughts: I was immediately wrapped up in this friends-to-lovers romance. I'm a sucker for alternating timelines. Four stars from me simply because I wanted a little more from the epilogue. I can't wait to read Christian's story.

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It Happened One Christmas by Chantel Guertin

Genre: Romance
Pages: 336
Format Read: Audiobook

Synopsis: Zoey Andrews lives and breathes Christmas. She loves everything about the season, and after years of directing countless holiday movies, she certainly knows her way around a festive tale. So, when she finally gets the chance to bring her own script to life, she isn't about to let anything, or anyone, stand in her way--not even the stupidly sexy, utterly frustrating plaid-clad tree farmer Benoît Deschamps. Moonlighting as mayor of Chelsea--the cozy Quebec hamlet at the center of Zoey's screenplay--Ben maddeningly refuses to grant her a film permit in his enchanting town. With just four days left before Christmas, Zoey must change Ben's mind, but not before an unscripted ice storm leaves them stranded in the middle of nowhere, with nothing except . . . each other.

My Thoughts: I adored Gigi, Listening and had high hopes for this romance from Chantel Guertin. Unfortunately, it fell short for me. I tired pretty quickly of the whole stuck in a snowstorm narrative and wanted more of the plot to be based on Zoey's job. Her connection with Ben took over half of the story to develop but then felt rushed and a bit unbelievable at the end. There really just wasn't enough romance for this to be convincing. I listened on audio and didn't love the narrator's male narration. Three stars exclusively for the Canadian setting.

Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC.

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Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer

Genre: Romance
Pages: 432
Format Read: Audiobook

Synopsis: Chronic pelvic pain has forced Avital Cohento sideline her photography dreams and her love life. It’s all she can do to manage her family’s kosher bakery, Best Babka in Brooklyn, without collapsing. She needs hired help and distractingly handsome Ethan Lippmann seems the perfect fit.

Except Ethan isn’t there to work—he’s undercover, at the behest of his ironfisted grandfather. Though Lippmann’s is a household name when it comes to mass-produced kosher baked goods, they don’t have the charm of Avital’s bakery. Or her grandfather’s world-famous pumpkin spice babka recipe.

As they bake side by side, Ethan soon finds himself more interested in Avital than in stealing family secrets, especially as he helps her find the chronic pain relief—and pleasure—she’s been missing.

My Thoughts: Another winner from Jean Meltzer! I just love how she deals with chronic illness in her stories. There were a lot of over the top teachable moments but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. This was such a fun workplace rivals/enemies to lovers romance set against the backdrop of a Jewish bakery. I learned a lot about different customs and traditions. Ethan was such a doting boyfriend to Avital and the open communication they had was the ultimate couples goal. He pushed Avi just enough to help her realize her dreams. I love a foodie romance and this did not disappoint. Excellent on audio!

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Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey

Genre: Romance
Pages: 144
Format Read: Kindle eBook

Synopsis: Adored by all, Britta is an ambitious waitress working at Sluggers, a popular bar and regular hangout for the Bridgeport Bandits, the local hockey club. With a half brother on the team, Britta has a strict no-dating policy for hockey boys. But she does have a soft spot for Sumner Mayfield who is on the brink of breaking into the NHL. With his work visa about to expire, Sumner’s only chance to stay in Bridgeport is to marry an American—and get a green card. On New Year’s Eve, the team begs Britta to marry Sumner that very night. Sum is embarrassed yet hopeful—he’s desperately in love. But Britta balks at first. Until something about Sumner’s soulful brown eyes and ripped physique makes her reconsider…

My Thoughts: This short story packed the heat! I saw a lot of negative reviews due to the factual logistics of getting a green card but if you just enjoy the story for the vibes, it’s fantastic. Britta doesn’t trust men after her dad broke her heart. She doesn’t want a committed relationship but Sumner has been in love with her for years and patiently wins her over during their fake marriage. I was surprised at how much depth and heart Tessa Bailey was able to pack into this story despite its short length. There was plenty of banter and dirty talk too. A great story for the New Year!

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The Fake Out by Stephanie Archer

Genre: Romance
Pages: 438
Format Read: Kindle eBook

Synopsis: The best way to get back at my horrible ex? Fake date Rory Miller--my ex's rival, the top scorer in pro hockey, and the arrogant, flirtatious hockey player I tutored in high school.

Faking it is fun and addictive, though, and beneath the bad boy swagger, Rory’s sweet, funny, and protective. He teaches me to skate and spends way too much money on me. He sleeps in my bed and convinces me to break my just-one-time hookup rule. He kisses me like it’s real. And now I wonder if Rory was ever faking it to begin with.

My Thoughts: December was my month for hockey romances. I adored the flirtation between Hazel and Rory, the way he supported her dreams, and the fact that the “couple” worked through their family issues together. This story not only had great tension and passion, but excellent character development (especially through the use of dual POVs), and body positivity. I want to go back and read the 1st book in this series and I’m looking forward to more by Archer.

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The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

Genre: Self-Development
Pages: 416
Format Read: Kindle eBook

Synopsis: Stoic philosophy has long been the secret weapon of history’s greatest and wisest leaders--from emperors to artists, activists to fighter pilots. Today, people of all stripes are seeking out Stoicism’s unique blend of practicality and wisdom as they look for answers to the great questions of daily life. Presented in a page-per-day format, this daily resource combines all new translations done by Stephen Hanselman of the greatest passages from the great Stoics with helpful commentary. The guide features twelve monthly themes for clarifying perception, improving action, and unlocking the power of will. Aimed at the high-octane, action-oriented doers of our wired world, this book brings new daily rituals and new perspectives to produce balanced action, insight, effectiveness, and serenity.

My Thoughts: Something I've been working on in my personal life is being less reactive. I started each work day in 2023 with the day's reading in The Daily Stoic and have felt a difference in my mental clarity as I approach my daily tasks. Some of the passages resonated with me more than others. I enjoyed the original Stoic texts more than some of Holiday's commentary but I think he does a good job curating the passages and making them accessible for everyone. Overall, this is a good pick for a daily devotional.

You can keep up with my reading journey in real time on Goodreads!

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