Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Snowed In With My Best Friend (Holiday Friend Zones) Carrie Ann Ryan

 

Snowed In With My Best Friend (Holiday Friend Zones)

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Friends to Lovers, Holiday Read

Length: 402 Pages

Pace: Fast

Moods: Romantic

Release Date: December 1, 2025

    Snowed In With My Best Friend is one of seven short stories in the 'Holiday Friend Zones' Anthology.

 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Snowed In With My Best Friend. All thoughts and opinions are my own.    

    'And then his mouth was on mine, and I knew that being snowed in with my best friend might have been the best accident ever.'

I love a good holiday story and usually have indulged before now but it just hasn't felt like Christmas. I am extremely happy that Carrie Ann Ryan's 'Snowed In With My Best Friend' was able to get me in the holiday mood. Cullen has been on the periphery of the 'Montgomery Ink Legacy' series for a while now, I was patiently waiting for his story, and it did not disappoint. Already having familiarity with Posy and Cullen, there was not much need for backstory, and we were able to jump pretty quickly to the steamy, sexy, snowed in part. This is a quick jump start to get me pumped up for more snowy stories.

I highly recommend adding to your Christmas TBR list.

Sunday, November 16, 2025

Stolen Midnights Katherine Quinn

 

Stolen Midnights

By: Katherine Quinn

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance

Length: 464 Pages

Pace: Fast

Moods: Romantic, Page Turner, Emotional, Inspiring, Reflective, Great World Building, Action Packed, Romantic

Release Date: February 3, 2026

    

    Stolen Midnights is a story about what happens when someone who is fortunate enough to 'have' realizes there are those in the world who 'have not'. This story was inspirational. Katherine Quinn has written a book that will hopefully make many readers reflect on real world situations in a time when the world is filled with absolute chaos.

    The two main characters in this story, Wren and Damien, have their flaws but it is these flaws that make them more human, more relatable. Wren was born into a prestigious and wealthy family. Her advantages do not keep her from realizing she wants different for herself in life and for her future. She wants to be seen as equal to her male counterparts but more than that she wishes to not be treated like chattel, to not be married off to the man who makes the highest offer to her father. Damien grew up with nothing. Abandoned when he was a baby, he was raised in an orphanage and turned out on his own when he came of age. He has learned to use his charms and unique talents to get by.

Synopsis:

    Wren has waited for her eighteenth birthday for so long. At midnight she eagerly anticipates receiving her magical token from the Fates. Unfortunately, the gift never comes, and because of this, Wren becomes an outcast in elite society. She had never considered that she would not be chosen by the Fates. Her situation has forced her to open her eyes to things she would have never noticed before. Not only is there an equality between genders, there is a huge gap between the wealthy and the poor as well as a bias against those without magical gifts.

    Damien does not understand why he was fortunate to receive a magical gift when he turned eighteen. He was not born into a well to do family, he is considered nothing. But, he has never questioned his luck and has used his token to advance himself. When he was hired by an anonymous client to steal Wren's fated gift he is confused to find a picture of himself in her locket. Once he gets to know and better understand Wren, he realizes can never admit to Wren that he stole her locket. His actions the night of her birthday have brought two together as they attempt to reveal the hidden secrets in their city.

    Katherine Quinn has captured my full attention with this first installment of her new series. The story is original, the characters are likable and realistic. I am excited to learn more about the three fates, their origin story, and what they have in store for Wren. I am rarely surprised by a storyline but Quinn has me questioning what Wren and Damien will discover.

 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.                                            

Available for purchase: February 3, 2026

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Careless (Ashford Creek #0.5) Carrie Ann Ryan

🌕 

Careless (Ashford Creek #0.5)

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Best Friend's Sister

Length: 232 Pages**

Pace: Fast

Moods: Romantic, Page Turner, HEA, Wonderful Characters, Easy to Read, Quick Read

Release Date: November 10, 2025


        This an introduction novella by Carrie Ann Ryan for the Ashford Creek series. We first learned about the Ashfords in Pieces of Me, which was Briar and Gabriel's tragedy turned happily ever after. I am so excited to finally be revisiting the Ashford family. In Pieces of Me, Ryan made the family with a small town named after them seem so exciting, dramatic, and mysterious. This short story about Callum and Felicity is a teaser to what is yet to come.

Synopsis:

    Felicity Carter has been in love with her older brother's best friend since she was very young. She has elected to celebrate her 21st birthday with her college roommates in her home town of Ashford Creek. While there, she runs into Callum and realizes her feelings for him have never subsided.

    Callum Ashford certainly notices Felicity when he runs into her celebrating her birthday. She has grown into an intelligent, independent, beautiful woman but she is completely off limits to him. Not only is she his best friend's sister, she is ten years younger than him. She has not even graduated college yet. When Felicity finds herself in a difficult situation she reaches out to Callum, his protective instincts kick in and he immediately comes to her rescus.

    Careless is an introduction to Felicity and Callum's full story titled 'Legacy'. I can't wait to read this couples long anticipated story.

 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.                                            

Available for purchase:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Fallen City (Fallen City Duology #1) Adrienne Young

 

Fallen City (Fallen City Duology #1)

By: Adrienne Young

Recommendation: 🌕🌕🌕🌗 - (Out of 5 🌕)

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantasy, Fiction

Length: 416 Pages

Pace: Slow

Moods: Challenging, Tense, Wonderful Characters, Great World Building, Original

Release Date: November 4, 2025

        I absolutely adore Adrienne Young. I have absorbed everything she has ever written and will continue to recommend her writing to anyone who will listen. I think she is brilliant. I am always open to readying any genre or topic. I have never before had the opportunity to delve into a story with an ancient Roman theme before. I enjoyed the mystical and magical aspect of Fallen City but the politics were just not for me. This is clearly an 'it's not you, it's me' situation. The story is well developed and the characters are interesting and well written. If you enjoy stores based around ancient Rome, a story that contains politics, a little romance, some original magic, a whole lot of political espionage as well as a revolution, this story is for you. 

Synopsis:

    Luca Matius only became the heir to his uncle's position as magistrate because he uncle was unable to have children of his own. Luca grew up poor, he understands what it is like to barely get by, he doesn't understand or agree with all the political strategy that plays out in the Forum

    Maris Casoeria was groomed by her mother to lead one of the most powerful factions in the forum. She was raised with plenty of opportunities and elected to become a novice to a powerful priestess. Maris thinks differently than those in her mother's circle. She has no desire to pay the game of politics. 

    The Counsel is keeping a large and dangerous secret. Should it get out there will be chaos amongst the citizens. When Luca's mentor is assassinated on the Forum floor he decides to take matters into his own hands. On the brink of a civil war, Luca and Maris must work to bring down the current government.

 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.                                            

Available for purchase:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble