Blog coming at ya a little earlier than expected because I know I will not be finishing another book today. I am FINISHED. Jk – I will be reading some more tonight while I watch/listen to hockey games, but I very highly doubt another book shall be finished before the clock strikes midnight. (As I type up the last of this post, the hockey broadcast starts up for my home team playing away!!)

Today is the last day of A Bibliophile’s Path Forward. It’s the end of the year and like every year, we end with talking about books!!! Myyyyy favorite.

If you’ve stayed with me throughout the year, you’ve seen the insane amount of books I’ve read this year. I set a record for myself on accident. On ACCIDENT. I really don’t know how I got here.

While that’s all cool and stuff, I really hope that I can chill out in 2024 – both in buying and reading. We’ll see though. I have a lot of books I want to read next year already. Plus, my favorite authors are putting books out and you know I have to have those!! (See my blog post about what I’m looking forward to and what’s gonna be happening in 2024: Summer’s Book-life Ahead for 2024).

So let’s talk about what I read in December, shall we?

One quick note: Congratulations on opening up my longest book blog post ever. We’re way over 3k words this month, LOL.

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The Holiday Stand-In by Kortney Keisel

Gonna be real. I loved this one. Not because of the names of the characters, but totally because of the names of the characters. At least partially. 👀🫠🫶🏻 Coincidence? I. Think. Not.

I didn’t know before I bought this book even what the characters names were AT ALL. It was a coincidence in my world. Almost a month after reading this… I still think about that.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I pretty much had this rated from chapter three. Chapter three!!

This was like your classic Hallmark vibe with the jerky guy in the picture, forced proximity with someone else, falling in love with the one you’re not with… even if that said person is the twin of your boyfriend. (not something I would set out to do, btw, but in fictional world, the love triangle worked here)

For the story, everything worked great. It all fed into this story that was hilarious. I LOVED the FMC’s family.

What didn’t vibe for me was they obviously should have had a chaperone. Especially toward the end, like the last third of the book. 🫠 Nothing happened, it was just… I wouldn’t be in that situation or let it happen. It was obviously a set up. Plus, I think realistically, the love triangle angle and this literally being a twin brother, they never really should have been spending so much time together to catch feels when they were invested elsewhere.

Even still!!

I would recommend this book though and I would probably read this again. Would I read it because of the names? PERHAPS. Would I read it because the MMC was swoony and sweet? Yerrrrpppp. He was everything his twin wasn’t and that’s what got me the most. ❤️

And if somehow the MMC and FMC had met in a different way and she hadn’t been with his twin, I think I would have loved it just as much. They fit together so perfectly.

Now that I’m about done rambling, will I tell you the names? No. I’m sure someone else reviewed this book and said the names, but I am just not going to for my own reasons.

Also, I would have read this in like two days, but as much as I wanted to read this in a snap, I also wanted to sit and just be in the story. It was one of those.

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The Holiduel by Hailey Gardiner

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Bookstagram friend, Rachel, recommended this one and I see whyyyyy. This one was so cute!! It was a short read, but packed with good development and characters with history.

Canadian in Nashville? 😏 yessssss.

I never realized Canadians said sorry a certain way 😂

Anyway, a really good read!

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Season’s Schemings by Katie Bailey

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I was so so so looking forward to this read. Hockey romcom? Yes, please.

I enjoyed the story for the most part. Modern marriage of convenience, hockey star, light and fun banter…

This was a bit different for me and different than what other reviewers have said even.

I don’t remember all the cussing or innuendo in Katie Bailey’s other books. 👀 Perhaps I am what I would call “tripping” and remembering wrong.

Being a hockey fan, I’m sure this is how the general hockey population talks and would expect in reading. It’s fine, I’m just kind of meh, when I was expecting more clean language.

I also didn’t enjoy the drunkenness to start the story off with. Although it was ironic that this scene took place in Vegas, where I had just been this past month so I knew the places she described, LOL.

The story itself was clean, fade to black (they were married) so that was okay.

I wouldn’t recommend this one to my like minded reading buddies like I was hoping I’d be able to, though.

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Bidding on a Second Chance by Emily Conrad

The book I read this whole series for, basically.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

A man in uniform. Trusting in God, faith elements. Difficult family dynamics.

I love Emily Conrad’s writing. I get sucked into the swoony MMCs, but also the story of redemption and growth that accompanies the characters.

Overcoming fears in an uncertain world is something we all have to face and only trust in our Almighty God can get us through, truly.

I would so recommend this story. Nothing too deep, but a quick and feel good romance built on foundation of Jesus.

This is the last book in the Christmas at Redemption Ridge series. 🙂

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A Snowbound Courtship by Holli Jo Monroe

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Honestly, just a cute regency!! The snow and the being snowed in was funny how she got in her situation with the wrong man, but ended up being Mr. Right. What a classic.

The first book released in the Once Upon a Christmas Storm series.

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Snowflakes and Shenanigans by Audra Wells

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I loved this one. The brothers best friend trope and the sort of enemies to lovers here was cute to see how beneath all that tension was this new found desire to just be around each other and have their little jokes and pranks.

The is the second book in the Once Upon a Christmas Storm series. Can be read in any order. 🙂

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Rent Yourself an Elf by Savannah Scott

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Let’s talk about this unexpected gem from another new to me author from this year!!

Savannah Scott surprised her fans with dropping a Christmas novella this month. As soon as she started posting about it… I was like omg, what an idea.

I preodered the ebook (since that was all that was available… and I figured it was so small, I don’t NEED a physical copy, do I??? No. My shelves are sighing with relief at my self-control) and December 15th, I woke up at 5am (I know, I’m crazy, I don’t know why my body did that to me). I noticed the email saying it was added to my library. Apparently my body just knew and so I was able to spend an hour reading this before work!!

It’s such a short book, do I really want to give it away??? But it held so much in such a short read…

Basically, Noelle’s friends rent her a handyman for the weekend to fix up her house since she’s so busy, but he markets himself as an elf during the holidays. In typical Hallmark fashion, this and that happens and they all live happily ever after.

I wouldn’t mind more books in a series after this one based off of Liam’s friends lol

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Mischief for Christmas by Michelle Angus

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This one was rightfully named because there was so much mischief, LOL.

All of these are obviously fast paced romances, but this one was full of activity and it was like wow, this really all happened in just a few days time.

Third book in the Once Upon a Christmas Storm series.

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Secrets in the Snowstorm by Miranda D. Nelson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This was probably… one of my favorite books this season. My favorite book out of this series, for sure.

Two characters who love each other but push each other away for differing reasons. I loved their development and how their reasons were told in pieces and then all the ways Gilbert showed Evelyn how he felt. It was beautiful. From start to finish.

Book/novella four in the Once Upon a Christmas Storm series.

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Christmas at Northbury Inn by Courtney Willis

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I really liked this one. I loved the old friends who thought they’d be together, were separated and then finding each other after so many years apart.

So I really liked it, but at the same time, the writing seemed off to me. I don’t know how to make sense of that.

I read a review that noted two uses of a B word, and it took me a while to figure out which one. So that’s my life.

In general though, I would recommend this book, because the mystery behind it and the romance of old friends was too good to pass up.

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The Christmas Letters by Jenny Proctor

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Okay! I said I didn’t think I’d read another Jenny Proctor book, back when I read that one book in the fall, but y’all. I got this one free because of my Amazon digital credits, LOL.

Since it was free, can I still say it was worth it? I guess I could say I would have PAID for this.

It was SO good. Like… one of my favorites of the season.

I might have watched You’ve Got Mail before, but I can’t really remember it except what I’ve heard at this point. I mean, how old is that anyway? They wrote letters and unfortunately people just don’t do that anymore. I read another book like this not long ago because remember, I said literally the same thing. LOL.

Drew and Tess were so cute. I loved their chemistry and their growth in this short story set during the holiday season. Grandma Pearl was adorbs, too!!

I don’t want to spoil it, but I’m recommending this one. GO READ IT. It only takes a few hours of your time that you won’t even regret.

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Christmas Like This by Carina Taylor

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I know I gave it 4 stars, but it’s a high 4 stars. I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope because their banter and tension was so good, but at times I felt it was over the top. That tends to happen for me with this trope, but overall, it’s enjoyable.

The party planning isn’t my vibe, but someone has to do it in life.

This was another novella I scored with some credits on Amazon / Kindle.

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Snowflake Wishes by Kasey Stockton

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This was so cute! I glad I scored this novella with more of my credits!

The passing of Madison’s dad resonated with me and it was sad, but I really liked that she decided to dive into Christmas because that’s what her dad would have wanted rather than avoid it.

I wouldn’t say Jake was particularly smooth here, but he was still swoony and I loved how he cared for Madison. He had such good character in this despite everything else that happened.

#1 in the Holly Springs Romance series.

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The Accidental Christmas Match Up by Rachel John

Did I wake up and read this one Christmas morning? Yep.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I had book 3 started, but as you’ll find out I was just ready for book 4 so I skipped ahead. I was so so ready for book 4. I knew I’d love it.

Spoiler: I did love it.

Cute characters. Adorable, meddling aunt. Hilarious meet cutes.

So so recommend this one!! Quick and fun read.

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The Christmas Wedding Planners by Rachel John

I was determined to finish this one.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

As I stated earlier, this was the book that took me a while and I was really anticipating book 4. After finishing that book though, I said, I really need to finish this one now.

So I did.

I think the book was okay. There was just a lot of drama and honestly, I’m just not into wedding/party planning business plots. I think that has to do with me not liking parties. So that was my only complaint.

Probably not going to recommend this one in my Christmas reads post next year (there’s plenty of others already…), but this is an okay read still.

I enjoyed the back story of Jay and Rebecca knowing each other in college and being friends. He falls first. She doesn’t pick even a friendship with him, instead of choosing her boyfriend. They don’t end up getting married and then here her and Jay are years later in the same business working together.

Book 3 in the Matched By Mistake series.

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Rescued by the Hero by Mandi Blake

Okay, so I finished up three books on Christmas Day.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Honestly, a quick read and I don’t know why it took me so long to get back to this one. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t my total vibe.

Older brother’s best friend. Protective older brother, but also a really protective MMC. Public service heroes. Quick connection. A little drama with a stalker thrown in.

Everything was fine.

I found this series because I found that other series, Christmas in Redemption Ridge. Soooooo, yeah, this is an even longer series and yes, the whole series has been ordered and delivered. They are stacked and ready for me to read in the new year. Look for some of those in the Christmas Reads of 2024!

Book one in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series.

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Cotswolds Holiday by Kasey Stockton

Shook that it took me this long to read… and then to give it 5⭐️s. See? The length of time it takes me isn’t always reflective of my feels of the book.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Rhys was a new name for me here. I was on the struggle bus for a bit trying to figure the pronunciation out, but I Googled and that helped but then I still struggled because it looks funny to my American brain.

Other than the “follow your heart” advice (we know hearts are deceitful), this was a beautiful, swoony, British leading male (Rhys) book that left me feeling happy.

That is all.

This is also, the last book in the Christmas Escape series!

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Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

Mixed feels on this one. This is one that it’s obvious why it took me so long. I know I don’t have to finish a book if I don’t want to, but I was so close to finishing this one by the time I got to parts I was meh on that I just went ahead and go it over with. 🙂

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

4 stars because I round up to be nice, but this is more like a 3.5.

I guess it’s the spice. It has to be, right? Not my thing.

I liked the idea of this one. I related to Annie in some ways and I think that’s why I read this one after reading book one. Will had the tough exterior, but totally sweet guy toward Annie – cinnamon roll vibes. I liked them, I just wasn’t into the level of intimacy and talk throughout the book.

Cussing and closed door, but obviously more than I would be comfortable with. Would not recommend this to my friends based on this unless they were into the spicy variety of books.

This is book two in the When In Rome series.

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Twelve Dates of Christmas by M.T. Knights

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I simply didn’t like this one. Ivy was not a likable character for like 75% of the book, if not more. I felt bad for Derick. Sometimes, with people or characters like Ivy, I seriously just feel sorry for the guy in that situation. Yeah, he didn’t try very hard, but she could have also communicated better and not been nagging so much.

Was not a fan of the lack of communication and the negativity this one had associated with it.

Book two in the Holly Springs romance series.

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The One Year Chronological Bible

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I loved this Chronological Bible and so glad I got it last at the beginning of this year!!

It was great for solid reading and there was no commentary, but at times I would refer to my regular Bible or my Bible commentary books that I have to supplement.

I highly recommend reading chronologically. I’d been wanting to do this for some time and glad I did. 🙂

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The One Who Got Away by Tara Grace Ericson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I LOVED THIS. Tara Grace Ericson is becoming a new favorite author, no joke.

Her books are filled with all the swoony, fun, loving characters while also a healthy dose of faith to make them perfect. I also loved how she weaved in pieces of the other characters stories that hint at what’s to come in book two. Those are my favs!

The is book one in the Second Chance Fire Station series. I can’t wait to read the next two!!

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Re-Gifting Christmas by MT Knights

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I enjoyed this one much better than book two of this series!

Still a 4 star though.

Jane and Oliver were cute. I don’t know why Jane wouldn’t just help Oliver or meet him halfway. I get it though, it’s part of growing and development – he had to make a big move, but did he really? I don’t know. The story fell flat for me.

This is book three in the Holly Springs Romance series.

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God’s Purpose for Your Life: 365 Devotions by Charles Stanley

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Highly recommend this book! I’ll definitely refer back to this book in the future. Such great words from the Bible that were expounded upon by Stanley.

Here’s what was from today’s devotion that I thought was so good!

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Wisdom for Each Day by Billy Graham

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

In a similar fashion to Charles Stanley, this one was also great! Graham’s notes are a tad shorter and also get you thinking. I might as well add today’s here as well – it was very reflective and got me thinking as well.

Maybe tonight or tomorrow, whenever you read this post, you can reflect on what good or bad has come from 2023, how you handled those trials and events and what lessons you can take with you into the new year as you continue to grow in Christ.

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2023 Goal: 115 books

Books completed this month: 24

Books completed this year: 153

Due to the nature of some of the books that were read all year long, the numbers appear a bit skewed. 🙂

TBHHHHHH… I think I was a bit overwhelmed this year with all the reading I did and because of that… I may have neglected things like writing (blog and works in progress) that I really want to do as well. It’s so hard when you have so many interests. Reading just always seems to win out. There’s hope for the future though.

I hope you had a great year following along and I so hope you were able to read many great books along the way as well! Feel free to share in the comments your top reads of the year or what you read this past month of December.

I’m looking forward to reading into 2024! Have a Happy New Year and stay safe. ♥