November felt long mostly. Not sure why…

It was a pretty busy month and I probably could have finished a few more books if I didn’t have a million things on my mind and going on. As usual, that being said, I still finished quite a few reads ~ an average of a book every 2-3 days. Lol

Most of these are Christmas themed because I got really invested in that direction… in my head and by my wallet.

A few of these were included in my Christmas Reads post 😍 so you’ll find their full review here, today.

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Matchmaking the Cowboy by Emily Conrad

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I love everything Emily writes. Such a good story! I loved how Hollis was open to possibilities and how Lucy learns to trust. Lucy and Hollis were such a good match and they worked well together.

Mom must have read his doubts in his expression because she continued. “I know in the face of some things, it doesn’t seem that way. But during those seasons, we can look back on ways we’ve seen God’s faithfulness in the past—in our own lives, in Scripture-and choose faith, no matter what our circumstances are telling us.” She looked wistfully around, and her voice lowered. “God is good, son.”

Despite the way Hollis had reacted to his dad’s death, his heavenly Father still showed His love and waited for him to respond.

Part of the Christmas in Redemption Ridge multi-author series.

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One Foggy Christmas by Kortney Keisel

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Oh. My. Goodness.

I wasn’t sure. Kortney posted about how this was so different from what she’s written in the past. Thats very true. But also, not?

This wasn’t a romcom. This was very much a sad story most of the time. Loving someone who doesn’t remember you. GUTTED. So many tears have been brought forth reading this.

“And did you just admit that I’m charming?”

“You don’t need me to admit that. You already know you’re charming and happily lean into it.”

“But it’s more fun hearing you say it.”

Nash Carter is like the perfect guy. Flawed, dealing with losses in life, but such a gentleman and loyal. He’s everything Sadie didn’t know she needed.

“It doesn’t get easier. You just get used to the pain constantly being there.”

“But you hide it so well. You’re always so happy.”

“Life moves on even when you don’t want it to. I’ve learned that grief and happiness happen at the same time. It doesn’t make sense. It just works-both feelings equally take up space in your mind and heart.”

I love this. It was such a heart wrenching read but… it was written so well and you can still expect a happily ever after. Just get through the pain ❤️

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Christmas With a Crank by Courtney Walsh

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This was such a great read! It felt like a lot of heavy background was involved, but it was dealt with so well in the story. And the ending 😍

When you grow up with someone, even if you lose touch, there’s still a part of you that will always know them at their core.

“The world needs the joy you put in it.”

A must read stand alone for Courtney Walsh fans.

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Five Stolen Rings by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I don’t know know why, but Gracie Ruth Mitchell books I’ve read have all been enemies to lovers 😂

I wasn’t sure about this one, but all the reviews before I read it were great so…

And I see why.

This one was very enemies to lovers. I was like 😳😳 why 😂 but the backstory slowly came through as it went on and man, was it good. It’s worth sticking through the tension. It’s one of my favorites. 🙂

If I have to choose between room for a space heater and room for my books, I’ll choose the books.

Stand alone novel.

Clean, mention or two of swearing, but no words make it to page.

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Mistletoe Face Off by Kate O’Keeffe

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This was such a cute and short read! Just what I needed for a weekend of being sick 🤒

Light hearted, nothing too heavy, minus talk of ex and divorced parents.

The hilarious antics of the teammates and the banter between Holly and Harry 😂 kept my interest, not to mention all the chemistry between the two.

And the way Harry was with Holly’s daughter Macy? ❤️

Book one in the Chicago Blizzard Hockey romance series. Can’t wait for the rest!

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That Time I Kissed the Groomsman Grump by Julie Christianson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This wasn’t my favorite, and I think maybe it was partially because I was reading so many other things, but also, because the communication between the characters was lacking. Felt like everyone was tip toeing. But that was probably just the storyline.

It was a hilarious read though and I enjoyed the ending and how Brady cared for Natalie in so many little ways.

Brady Graham used to be fun. And funny, which is even better. Being funny is my favorite of all the things a person can be. You have to be smart to be genuinely funny, otherwise you’re laughing at a person, not with them.

Book two in the Abieville Love Stories series.

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Breaking the Ice by Whitney Dineen

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Another enemies to lovers. Thats popular, isn’t it?

Ellie had this picture in her head of who Zach was before really meeting him and that was okay, I could see that. But she was pretty hard on him. Sometimes that makes me not like this trope.

Once they moved past that, maybe halfway through, it was a better read.

Zach is super rich and in the public eye, which the focus of the storyline.

This is book one of the Love on Thin Ice, multi-author series.

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Since We’ve No Place To Go by Kate Watson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I don’t think I can adequately put into words THIS BOOK. Goodness.

Hilarious from the get go, first of all. I laughed out loud a very large majority of this book. The banter between Liesel and Cooper? Between her brothers? Literally everyone 😂

The heart 🥹 so much depth to this, even with all the humor. Grief and illnesses. Dealing with emotions and feelings. So well written.

“You think because bad things happen to other people in the world, you’re not allowed to feel the bad things that have happened to you?”

“Don’t dismiss your feelings. My pain has nothing to do with yours. You can’t stop yourself from hurting because you think someone else is hurting worse.”

If you haven’t read Jingle All the Way, YOU SHOULD. And then immediately read this one. You won’t regret it and you won’t be disappointed.

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Caring for the Cowboy’s Baby by Hannah Jo Abbott

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Who doesn’t love a story about a single dad falling for the nanny? 🤪

This one was a plot twist you don’t necessarily expect. It was such a good read. Full of faith and heart.

Set at Christmas time but not the main focus.

Finished this book up while waiting for the hockey game to start.

Book ten of the Christmas in Redemption Ridge series.

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Doting on His Best Friend by Liwen Y. Ho

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This was an okay read. I personally am not a fan of reverse age gap (where she’s older than him). That was mostly what this was about and it wasn’t my vibe. The heart of the story and the characters were great though which resulted in a 4 star review. 🙂 I always enjoy this author’s novellas.

Book 11 in the Christmas at Redemption Ridge series.

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12 Days of Mistletoe by Jen Atkinson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This was hilarious at times 😂

Elliot was so… such a rule follower. 😂 Bonnie was so sweet and her reactions were a hoot. I loved how they were both played by Elliot’s grandma. She got them so good.

This is a sweet Christmas read, perfectly cozy and with all the found family vibes you could ask for.

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Wellp, that’s it for November. We have one more month to reach goals, surpass goals, and read some really great works. I’m excited to finish up some things I’ve started so I can start the new year with less in progress things. 😅 We’ll see. A few books will be releasing in December and you probably know how I am with new releases… I’ll get and read the moment I get them in the door.

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Books read this month: 11

Books read this year: 128

Book goal for the year: 75

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Feel free to share your November reads in the comments!