What I Read in January 2025
SPOILER FREE thoughts on Iron Flame + Onyx Storm
January was the longest month ever but that also meant there was a ton of time for reading. I finished 11 books + read Manacled, a Dramione fanfic, by SenLinYu. I’ve talked about this particular fanfic in a few Weekly Reports but it will be traditionally published this year and I’m looking forward to comparing and contrasting the original story with Alchemised.
I primarily read for enjoyment this month so my reviews aren’t as thorough as usual. Standouts from this month (in order read) were my reread of Iron Flame, Under Loch and Key, Big Fan, Is She Really Going Out With Him?, Onyx Storm, and of course, Manacled.
January Book Reviews
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romantasy
Listening Time: Part 2: 9 h 28 m
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
I’m so glad I decided to reread Iron Flame before jumping into Onyx Storm. I needed the refresher when it came to a few key events and characters. It was challenging to get into the graphic audiobook production (my first time listening to one) but once I found a grove, I really enjoyed the production and the full cast added a lot of tension to the story.
Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Listening Time: 12 h 19 m
Format Read: Audiobook (courtesy of Libro.fm)
Lana Ferguson knows how to craft the perfect romantasy. I think I enjoyed this book even more than The Fake Mate! It’s an enemies-to-lovers/grumpy x sunshine romance where the Loch Ness Monster is our brooding hero. The story is definitely hot, smutty, and entertaining, but it’s also heartwarming. Keyanna is forced to reckon with her family history, uncover ancestral secrets, and embrace the future by correcting past mistakes to end up in Lachlan’s arms. I had a lot of fun with it and suggest it if you’re looking to dip your toes into monster romances.
Southern by Design by Grace Helena Walz
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Southern Women’s Lit
Pages: 368
Format Read: Kindle (courtesy of NetGalley)
Expected Publication Date: February 11, 2025
Grace Helena Walz did a fantastic job of bringing Charleston to life, painting vivid pictures of its historic charm. After reading this novel, there’s no questioning why everyone who goes to CofC wants to stay in Charleston afterward. The messy dynamics of Mack's family added complexity to the story and the scenario felt realistic. While the home improvement show plot felt a bit out of place, it did provide moments of humor and light-heartedness and introduce us to some great side characters. The strongest writing was the romance between Mack and Lincoln and I almost wish this had just been a romance. Overall, this debut novel was an engaging and heartfelt read. As someone who went through CofC’s historic preservation program, I'm especially excited to see what this author has in store for us next.
Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Pages: 171
Format Read: Kindle (owned)
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella about a political strategist who gets a second chance at love when her childhood boy band crush approaches her to help him launch a solo career. It was smart, funny, and sexy. Perfect for fans of The Idea of You. I’m looking forward to reading more from 831 Stories.
Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance/Women’s Lit
Listening Time: 11 h 42 m
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
This enemies-to-lovers romance follows Anna Appleby, a divorcée and journalist, who lets her children play matchmaker. Her outrageous dates with various men prompt her to pitch a dating column, but she faces competition from her office rival, Will Havers, who threatens her job security. As Anna and Will connect through their shared experiences, her funny misadventures as a single mom navigating dating become relatable. This was one of my favorite Sophie Cousens books. It had her signature cozy British romance vibes but with flirting and banter that really shines. If you liked The Good Part, pick this one up next. I especially loved the Google searches at the end of each chapter and the reassurance that mature people can flirt too!
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Listening Time: 10 h 57 m
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
During a road trip that is supposed to be a meet-up for her IRL book club, Elsy gets stranded in a familiar small town and discovers she has entered her favorite romance series. She befriends the characters, including a grumpy bookshop owner she doesn’t remember from the books. Ashley Poston's use of magical realism in her romances is unmatched. I loved the concept of this story but it dragged on a little too long for my liking. There’s a lot of discussion of grief that I think overshadowed Elsy and Ander’s blooming love story.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance/Historical Fiction
Listening Time: 10 h 50 m
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
In Divine Rivals, Iris and Roman's rivalry is charged. As they face personal challenges they’re forced to navigate in the newsroom, they uncover mysteries of the gods and become entangled in a war story that crosses time and space. The letters (written back and forth on magical typewriters) unite the main characters in surprising ways. Ross's storytelling skill is evident in Iris and Roman’s love story but the vague wartime setting and world-building lack the same conviction.
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance/Historical Fiction
Listening Time: 14 h 6 m
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
I may be in the minority that thinks Ruthless Vows was an improvement upon Divine Rivals. Ross explains the gods involvement in the war and expands upon the magic system. The love letters between Iris and Roman play less of a role in this conclusion to the Letters of Enchantment duology. At the end of the day, this series had me questioning if Young Adult Fantasy is for me.
🪄No review of Manacled because some authors prefer fanfic is not rated/reviewed in online spaces. Happy to chat in my DMs about it!🐍
Clear by Carys Davies
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 208
Format Read: Kindle (owned)
John Ferguson is a Scottish minister tasked with removing Ivar, the sole inhabitant of a remote island during Scotland’s Highland Clearances. Struggling financially after leaving the established church, John's assignment takes an unexpected turn when he survives a boat accident and is rescued by Ivar. Despite their language barrier, they gradually learn to communicate, leading John to question evicting the man who saved him. The narrative shifts between John, his wife Mary, and Ivar, exploring themes of loneliness and human connection. The story captures the mundane yet interconnected lives of the characters, building emotional depth through their shared experiences. Davies' prose vividly portrays the harsh landscape and the characters' internal lives. For such a short story, Clear has a slow and dream-like pace that surprised me. You can’t deny Davies’ talent as a writer but the ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying. Despite rating this book somewhere in the middle, it was a touching story that will stick with me for some time.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romantasy
Pages: 779
Format Read: Kindle (owned)
This was my favorite book in The Empyrean series so far. There are plenty of Rebecca Yarros critics but I’m not one of them. It had everything I wanted from a romantasy: dragons, world building, sexual tension, and non-stop action. I can’t get enough! I’m already re-reading the last ten or so chapters to pick up any small details I may have missed.
Zoe Brennan, First Crush by Laura Piper Lee
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Romance
Listening Time: 12 h 4 m
Format Read: Audiobook (borrowed from the library)
I loved Laura Piper Lee’s debut novel Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair and was delighted to see Hannah and friends pop up in Zoe Brennan’s story. I had fun reading this sapphic romance about rival Blue Ridge wineries run by ex-best friends. It’s a smart, funny, and smutty story that also explores grief, following your dreams, and finding yourself. I listened on audiobook and thought Lindsey Dorcas did a fantastic job of narrating all the voices!
What’s up next in February
While I usually gravitate toward dark and atmospheric books in the wintertime, I already feel the pull toward lighthearted romances. I preordered Change of Heart by Falon Ballard and I’m hoping to read my physical copy when it arrives in the mail! I started a note on my phone of new book releases to look out for this year and Deep End by Ali Hazelwood and First Time Caller by B.K. Borrison are my top priorities. If you’ve been reading Overbooked Mama for a while, you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of Ali Hazelwood’s books.
From my NetGalley shelf, I’ll be reaching for Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley and Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano. I read Alexandra Kiley’s debut novel Kilt Trip twice and can’t wait to be transported back to Scotland.
You can keep up with my reading journey in real time on Goodreads or The Storygraph!
Happy reading,
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Glad to read Onyx Storm was your fave, to be honest I was a bit disappointed by the 2nd one :/
The graphic audio really helped me get through Iron Flame!! But to be honest I love Fourth Wing more than Iron Flame and Onyx Storm. I like them and the storyline but it somehow feels a bit dragged.