We’re already in the middle of the last quarter of the year! Whoa! It flew by, for sure. This month was another reading-filled month for me. I squeezed in some Christmas reads to add to this year’s Christmas reads blog post (maybe!), plus some new-to-me authors.

This past month was a great month because there were so many great books. With these reads and my involvement with authors and other readers on Instagram, I’ve become inspired for this month – NaNoWriMo. I’m so nervous… but it’ll be good.

We have a lot to talk about here with all the books, so we’ll just jump on in!!

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His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend by Kasey Stockton

Getting into Christmas again!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This one was a quick and fun read. It was pretty funny at times. I could not stand Monica. I was frustrated that Brady was so weak toward her. No buts about that.

I was impressed with how the dynamics of the families was explained enough to keep the storyline moving and making sense. This was only 150 some pages so really a lot happened and was told in there.

This was a good read and even though it wasn’t like a top tier book, it will still be added to my Christmas list because it was so cute.

Book one in the Christmas in the City series.

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Snowed in on Main Street by Kasey Stockton

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This one was just an okay read for me. nothing bad, but nothing spectacular to warrant a 5 star review from me. A sweet Christmas-time story of second chances.

This is book 2 in the Christmas in the City series.

These can be read out of order! Not related. 🙂

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An Awestruck Christmas Medley by Emily Conrad

So. Good.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I don’t know how she does it, but I love it.

Emily Conrad packed a lot of detail into this tiny book. Only 121 pages of reading here, but wow.

All returning characters here from book one plus a few more! It wasn’t necessarily “fun” to read their struggle, but enjoyable to read how they grow and learn things even in such a short amount of time – about God and about each other/themselves.

This is a Christmas novella between books one and two of the Rhythms of Redemption series. Helps to read book one first, I must say.

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Plotting Your Novel with the Plot Clock by Joyce Sweeney, Jamie Morris & Tia Levings

Why am I reading this? 👀 Because I’m attempting novel writing and gearing up for NaNoWriMo. That’s why. 🫠 And I’m self conscious about it. So let’s not dwell on it until I’m a little more confident. Baby steps here.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Over here reading about this plot clock that I first seen when I looked up Sarah Adams on Instagram… and thought that would be a useful tool. Here I am to tell you it is! Reading this book that outlines the generic concept with examples and narrative, it makes more sense and will come in handy for a noob like myself.

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Melodies and Mistletoe by Kasey Stockton

Obviously another one day read here. Loved this one!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This one was so cute! Ryan’s friend shared Hailey’s video and so Ryan critiques her but in such a GOOD way. Hailey takes it wrong and then they run into each other in other areas of life, like you know happens in these tales…

I loved the progression and how this ended.

If you’re looking for a Christmas HEA, I think this would be a great evening read!!

Book three in this Christmas series by Kasey Stockton. All stand-alones. 🙂

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Second Chance for Sugarplums by Emily Dana Botrous

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Since I seem to be reading things out of order at times… this actually is the novella before The Trouble with Tulips that I read in September. It didn’t need to be read before the other, but it might have helped my brain see things in order. 🙂

This was so cute though!! These two were everything to each other and it seems that maybe miscommunication and grief got in the way of what they had years ago.

Another HEA read at Christmas time.

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Just Friends Forever by Martha Keyes

I LOVED THIS ONE.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, if not my absolute favorite.

Troy is like so supportive and adorable in the face of rejection. I loved his determination and control over the years to be everything Stevie needed, even if he himself wasn’t what she wanted.

Troy’s humor and evasion to his feelings was the best thing. I loved everything about this book (except the trauma Stevie had to go through in her marriage) but y’all. A favorite for sure.

This is book two in the Sheppards in Love series.

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Absolutely Not In Love by Jenny Proctor

I’m sad about this one…

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I was looking forward to this particular book in the Sweater Weather series since I knew of its existence, only exacerbated by reading book one and seeing Felix introduced there. My anticipation was worth it and I was enjoying this book so so much up until maybe halfway through?

This is a me thing. It’s a conviction thing. I didn’t get this vibe with the other books, but this one gave the vibe that sex before marriage is basically what’s happening outside the on the page scenes laid out in this book. I hadn’t gotten that vibe with the others so I wouldn’t have expected it here, in the most beautiful male character who loves books and classical music but also plays hockey professionally?? I know these aren’t Christian fiction authors, nor have they been advertised to explicitly align with my moral convictions, but I wasn’t warned and it threw me off on this read that I was for sure giving this 5 stars.

Up until halfway through, I was really wanting to read some other books by Jenny, but now I’m going to know what I might be getting into. I gave it 4 stars as a generous rating even though I was disappointed. The first half of the book is 5 for me though.

Now I’m going to have to read some Emily Conrad or someone to make up for it.

Again, this has to do with expectations and my own hyped up anticipation. Otherwise, yeah, it was a good book. 🙂 Maybe I’m the only one that feels this way.

This was the seventh and final book in the Sweater Weather series.

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An Improper Agreement by Audra Wells

Oh. My. Goodness.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This. Book.

Okay, I’ll stop typing in one word bursts. 😂

I loved this book. Such regency vibes I couldn’t handle. I mean, I did, but it was so good!! I loved the witty banter between Clara and Wesley and then Archie made all these comments in there too. 🤣

To be honest, I could have read this longer because it was so good.

This is the first book in the Improper Agreements series by Audra Wells. This is also the first book by Audra I’ve ever read and I’m now a fan.

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An Improper Gentleman by Audra Wells

Okay so basically same type of review you just read. 😂

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I didn’t think this would top book one, but wowwwww, I loved Archie. After reading book one I was like… not sure. But then in this I totally get him and love him.

I loved the self reflection both characters experienced and the swoony moments I was all in for.

Book two in the Improper Agreements series.

We’re continuing here with big fan of Audra Wells vibes.

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But He’s My One Regret by Annah Conwell

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Convinced I’m going to love anything Annah Conwell writes. Literally anything.

Levi is … let’s just leave that unfinished because he’s great here. He never gives up on wooing Dahlia. He’s such a great guy to the people in his life and especially in being the type of guy Dahlia deserves after all she’s been through in life.

As a follower of Annah on IG, I know her husband calls her “Doll” so seeing that reflected in this book had me in the feels. “Doll” fits so well as a nickname for Dahlia for obvious reasons, but the way it rolls of Levi’s tongue in this book… definitely think he would have said it even if her name wasn’t Dahlia.

Book two in the But He’s a Carter Brother series.

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An Improper Scheme by Audra Wells

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

After each book so far, which this is only the third I’ve read by Audra Wells… I’m like how can it get any better? But I LOVED this.

The sibling banter. The SCHEME. The quick but fulfilling moments between Violet and Henry??? 😍 I loved their romance that blossomed. It was through friendship even though they really had a thing from the moment they met, let’s be real.

I can’t wait to read more!

All the hype on Instragam and there was this post where Henry (Lord Wood) was presented like he was on the cover of TIME magazine… ummm yessss. swoon. Anyway…

This was book three in the Improper Agreements series.

Hi there, yes, still a huge Audra Wells fan! I read that she’s working on a book 4????? Cannot wait.

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Wooing Cadie McCaffrey by Bethany Turner

I can’t wait to tell you about this one!!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I’ve had this book on my shelf since February 24th. Why so specific, you might ask. Well, turns out, I remember picking this book up and being so excited that I read the first 5 or so pages of it AT THE BOOKSTORE. Did I remember that up until the moment I pulled this off my shelf and seen the receipt still inside the page where I left off? No, but it rang a bell.

Why am I telling you this?

Because I wasted months having not read this.

On the other hand, maybe I picked this up just when I needed it.

I loved the beginning. I loved the middle – even though it was messy and rough. I loved the ending because hello, happily ever after.

Cadie and Will were perfect for each other. I don’t know how Bethany Turner did it, but she had that in every page – they had the chemistry, they had the complimentary characteristics that made their relationship work. Except when it didn’t.

There was a lack of communication on multiple levels. There were expectations and lack of delivery. Compromises and mistakes.

I loved the faith element that played into this story and that each character had their own revelations and owning up to do.

This book dealt with sin and taking those sins to God. It was about finding someone who has that relationship with God. It was about not trying to assume things and to give people the benefit of the doubt – which really comes down to communication.

I loved all that Will did to win Cadie back. I hated that he lost her to begin with, but boy, did that make the story.

As with all of Bethany Turner books, this one was hilarious, no matter how serious and how many times I teared up!! I was rooting for Cadie and Will from the first moment they met. I want to read this one again and honestly, I don’t say that very often. At all.

So. So. Good.

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Marrying the Rancher’s Daughter by Tara Grace Ericson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This was another great book by a new-to-me author! This was a marriage of convenience story I enjoyed more than I thought I would.

Back tracking to why I’m reading this series, or really how I came to read this series, was because Emily Conrad whom I now love as an author, shared that she was going to be included as an author in this series. Of course her book is the last book in the 7 book series and so in waiting til December, I’m reading all the books as they become available!!

I don’t know that I immediately get drawn into stories about ranching and rodeoing, but I did on this one. I had better get used to it anyway since this whole series is probably about ranching in Colorado. I don’t know yet, LOL.

Jason was very swoony and Cassie was independent and tough. I loved their chemistry and even the age gap!

Even though I won’t have this series read by my Christmas Book blog post, just know that what I get read will probably be there with a reminder to read it next year because the other books I do finish will be on that one. 😀

This is book one of the Christmas in Redemption Ridge series by seven different authors.

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Remembering the Rancher by Liwen Y. Ho

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I loved this one because of its story of redemption, forgiveness and God working horrible accidents and mistakes for good.

I don’t want to give too much away, but with the mistakes and complications that almost completely tore this family apart, they were restored by our great God.

Side note: I didn’t picture the leading male character like the cover 😂

This is book two in the Christmas in Redemption Ridge series!

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Growing in Holiness: Understanding God’s Role and Yours by R.C. Sproul

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I loved this book. R.C. Sproul writes in a way that’s easy to understand and grasp. He’s to the point. This was a great book with so many good points that pointed everything back to Scripture and Jesus, the Word made flesh. I would highly recommend everyone read this one. I will go back and read this one again and agan!

Here’s some quotes I got from his book:

He created and consecrated people to be holy. Mankind did not create God; God created mankind. God does not exist for humanity; humanity exists for God.

Pressing Toward the Goal, Ch 1

When the Spirit convicts us of sin, He always comes with the grace of the Father to heal us and to forgive us – not to lead us into despair.

Overcoming the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, Ch 2

The search for God begins at conversion, but it doesn’t end there. Until people are converted, they are not seeking after God. In fact, the normal image that we find in the Scriptures about our natural fallen state is not that we are searching every nook and cranny of the universe to find some clue to the existence of God. Rather, we are fugitives. We are fleeing from God, just as Adam and Eve fled from the presence of God in paradise (Gen. 3:8). Because of their sin, they went into hiding. They tried to evade the presence of God. And now, while mankind certainly desires God’s benefits – peace, security, forgiveness – we don’t desire God Himself.

Confidence in Christ, Ch 5

While I agree that before conversion, we’re not searching for God, I think all humans are searching for something, some purpose or looking for God unknowingly, because we were created explicitly to glorify God. We are His image bearers. Until we go to God who’s waiting with open arms for His children, we’ll never be satisfied with what the world offers as a poor substitute.

When you possess in your heart the peace of Christ, it gives you power for a peaceful disposition. it puts to death the spirit of strife and the quarrelsome personality that does not bring honor to Christ.

The Fruit of the Spirit, Ch 7

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Eloise and the Grump Next Door by Emma St. Clair & Jenny Proctor

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Similar to the other Jenny Proctor book, similar vibes here, but… I was more prepared. I was not a fan of the beginning, where Eloise turned 21 and got drunk, obviously. The rest was okay though I thought.

There was this tension regarding the age gap between Eloise and Jake, which I thought was kind of endearing and not so bad. Being 21 years ago, I don’t think that would have been me at all, though, LOL.

There were some funny moments with all the eccentric people and the late grandma meddling even into the present day.

This was a cute story and having read it and got the feel for the foundational characters, I’m going to be reading the remaining two books in the series. It may just be a couple of months because I’ll be busy. 🙂

This is book one in the Oakley Island Romcoms – a collaborative series by two authors.

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Better Watch Out by Natalie Walters

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

A new-to-me author!! I found Natalie Walters through Instagram via other readers sharing posts. I was obviously pulled in because Andrew is a former hockey player and I’m a sucker for a clean romance including hockey.

This one only mentioned hockey, but I was totally okay with it because this was so stinkin’ cute and suspenseful.

I enjoyed how the story progressed from just a few hours expected to be in each other’s company to a stretch of full days together that are filled with a bucket-list of things to do while also dodging threats.

I assume this is the first of a new series by Natalie Walters following the Defenseman Agency guys so I look forward to reading more!!

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Books read this month: 18

Books read this year: 114

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Thanks for sticking around for a long blog post today!! Share what you read in October in the comments! 🙂