The power of a good book is real. I read so many good books this month! I’ve joined the Emma M. Lion fandom apparently and I will not apologize. I have much to say. The month has seemed both long and short. Long because it seems like ages since I read the books at the beginning of the month as I look back. 😂
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 2 by Beth Brower
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
What did I not love? Can confirm that this is better than book one. Stick it out if you struggle with getting into book one. The series is worth it.
Also, I have a lot of notes:
- Niall Pierce – The Tenant – between 30-35ish yo?
- Roland Sutherland, her childhood nemesis
- The word “betwixt”
- Charles Goddard
- Duke of Islington – about 30 yo?
- The sacred Jane Eyre
- OH MY GOODNESS, THE JOURNAL SHE FINDS
- The lucky-unlucky marble and its demise
Quotes:
Tea was uninspiring. I refuse to immortalize it in my journal.
“Your family has a peculiar way of showing affection, Miss Lion.”
A truer statement was never spoken.
THE VERY LITTLE I KNOW ABOUT YOUR LIFE EXHAUSTS ME.
Alas, tonight I did not let sleeping dogs lie.
Instead I resorted to violence; the book, once again, my weapon of choice.
Never trust a man who can say as many things with a single syllable.
Second book of journal entries.
Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
This is the story of Kip Green and Nora Burnham. If you read Neverending Mercy, you’ll recognize these two as the kids from that story.
The present day telling of this story, they’re both 21 years old. Nora has been away at college, but up and drops out to come home and go on an adventure to meet her biological dad. Kip is a firefighter and pretty much a handyman and goes along with her (because he’d do anything for her).
I loved this story just as much as the first! Even more than I thought I would. I enjoyed all the flashbacks of their friendship and how Kip’s feelings shifted and how Nora felt all those years as well that led them to their current place. So rich with faith and the struggle of finding who you are and embracing the love given so freely.
Remember to have tissues nearby when reading.
This is book two in the Lavender Falls series (unsure if there’s more after this at this time).
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 3 by Beth Brower
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
Ah, book three.
I mean, what can I really say? I’m completely gone for this series. I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
Notes:
- The Rules of Order for Garrett Communication in the Year of 1883
- Emma discovers Ralph Waldo Emerson
- one curse word
Quotes:
Now Mr. Pierce smiled. “The state in which he exists? So, as we supposedly abide in grace, Mr. Flat abides in stupidity?”
It was sound gospel to my ears.
“I believe he abides in grace and stupidity. I imagine it’s not an uncommon human condition.”
Islington was settled in the far corner of the green sofa. Legs crossed, elbow on the arm of the sofa, hand lifted to the side of his face. His ducal gaze was absently focused on the pink chair before him.
It is without dispute. The men of my acquaintance have commandeered my green sofa with admirable ease.
This is the third book in this series and I am HOOKED even more than after book two. WHAT IS GOING ON!?!? So onto the next I go.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 4 by Beth Brower
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
They just got more deep. I love all the layers to all the characters coming out.
Notes:
- September 15th and 16th
- Arabella on September 27th
- October 3rd with Roland
- the word “behooveth”
- two curse words
- Roland Sutherland is the same age as Emma
- Saffronia March is 36
Quote:
Felicity is the gift of a book.
Well, this is book four and I’m onto book five!!
The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
SUCH AN ADORABLE READ!
Chloe Hollis (25) is on a mission, but so is James Stone (30). She’s trying to not be so agreeable or be able to hear the word “no,” but James is trying to say yes to more things. Their stories ended up being deeper than I thought, but not like so deep it took away from the lightheartedness of the story.
I liked their meet-cute at the airport and how he was trying to help her but then she was like noooooo. I loved how later on, we find out his side of things! The story is just told from her point of view.
It wasn’t a favorite, but I am really excited to see this as a movie soon! The book will always be better, I’m sure.
This is a standalone novel.
Playing for Keeps by Mandi Blake
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
This was such a great take on the feuding families trope. His dad is a troublemaker (put shortly) and I think that was really the feud – I wasn’t quite sure.
No matter, Justin McKinnon (32) and Caroline Taylor end up back in the same town again when he moves back after a successful baseball career.
I enjoyed how they met. He was a few years older than her. She was in high school (18) and he was graduated (20).
I like how they worked through their problems and were given a second chance.
This is book 15 in the Christmas in Redemption Ridge multi-author series. I skipped #14 for now which isn’t like me but I’ll get back to it!
Marrying the Accidental Groom by Tara Grace Ericson
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I just love Tara’s books! She and Mandi just know how to write them so easily. They’re not over the top but deep enough to satsify.
Juliana Emerson is your type-A gal and Gideon Reynolds is a fly by the seat of his pants guy. She’s left right before her wedding but goes on the honeymoon anyway. Along the way, she meets Gideon and he goes along with some of the things on her list of things to do, while he helps her do more adventurous things. They go to this ceremony and accidentally end up MARRIED. But they don’t know that until after they’ve gotten to their respective homes. She goes to Colorado where he lives and they decide how to handle things while she stays on his family’s ranch. Ugh, so good! I loved this book.
- accidental marriage
- faith
- ranch life
- family dynamic issues
- family obligation / business owner
- dual POV
Quote:
And Gideon – infuriatingly casual, maddeningly unbothered – was growing on her.
Like mildew.
This is book #16 in the Christmas in Redemption Ridge multi-author series.
Rebel Season by Leah Brunner & Katie Bailey
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
This is 2.5 stars, but I don’t have a half star emoji.
Was not a fan of a lot of things. It seems the longer the series went on, the less clean it became. Which is all quite unfortunate because I’ve liked the authors previous works so much prior to this series.
This one felt so flat to me. Yeah, there was conflict and some resolution, but it all just felt so juvenile. The language and actions in this is so off track with what I’m used to reading and really took away from the story itself that I think could have been developed better.
This is book three in this series, also final book in the series.
The Bah Humbug Bad Boy by Pixie Perkins
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
For a YA book, I actually really enjoyed this!! So honestly, props for that. I haven’t read YA in maybe a decade, LOL. I wish I had books like this as a teen!
Notes:
- Marco Amorelli
- Fallon Bauer
- teenage/high school rumors, relationship drama
- “bad boy” who’s not actually a bad boy
- sweet moments between them and the families
- Christmas decorating and festivities
- cursing under breath
- middle finger emoji
- clean and spice-free otherwise
- dual POV
Quotes:
Instead of swatting her hand away though, I take hold of it and tug her closer to me. “You know, it’s kind of cute when you try to act overconfident like that.”
She smirks, her eyes dancing playfully. “it’s kind of cute that you don’t think I’m serious.”
This is a standlone novel.
Never Not Friends by Kortney Keisel
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
Kortney Keisel never misses. Like seriously. Who would think a love-triangle would work out? Only she could pull it off.
I loved this so much that I didn’t even make any notes or get any quotes. *facepalm*
Okay, so Emma Lawson has loved Vinny (Vincent) Brooks since they were 15. They met during science class and they were both gone for each other pretty quickly. WHEN YOU KNOW YOU KNOW, but due to things that are revealed within the book along the way thanks to flashbacks, they broke up and due to further miscommunication (or no communication), Vinny starts dating Juliet, EMMA’S BEST FRIEND, and Emma has her own people pleasing issues which prevents her from throwing a fit about it, which leads Vinny to think she never cared about him. This goes on for yearsssssss and I literally teared up over a few moments because I felt so bad for Emma (and Vinny).
This is told in dual POV which I think worked well here because i would have been DYING to know what Vinny was thinking in some of these scenes otherwise. LIKE THE WEDDING PLANNING STUFF.
This is book three in the Always Say Never series. And it sets the stage for book FOUR which she’s already released the cover for and a little bit or maybe the full blurb? But let’s go BLAIR! lol
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion vol. 5 by Beth Brower
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
Alright, last Emma book for October. The 9th book comes out in February, so I’ve decided to read one book a month until then (6 in Nov, 7 in Dec, 8 in Jan). I know, I don’t know how I’m going to make it.
Notes:
- November -> December
- All Saints Day
- The Great Problem (aka what sort of employment is Emma fit for)
- Caring friends
- Chaperones or lack therof
- Hawkes is 27
- November 13th
- December 5th
- two curse words
Quotes:
THIS QUOTE IS FROM ISLINGTON. If you must know.
“I won’t let you fall, Lion.”
This is book five in the series.
Holly & Folly by Martha Keyes
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
He was an Earl but he acted like a Duke in my opinion, LOL. He was just so carefree, did not care what anyone thought and had such power and control of a room when he entered it.
Anyway… after my fangirling, I really loved this story. Poor Nell (Elinor) Prescott had such a reputation after some jerk left her at an Inn when he was supposed to marry her. She’s just trying to get through the holiday and repair her reputation, but the earl, Archibald Thorne, needs to stop his mom from matchmaking and also from all the other women to back off. They make a plan to stay close and let others believe they have some sort of understanding maybe, but it’s difficult. Real feelings come into play and GOODNESS, WHEN SHE REFUSES HIS PROPOSAL. I wanted to come unglued.
This is the first (in publishing order) of the Belles of Christmas series. I don’t know that it’s necessary to read in order because the stories should all be happening at the same time during the house party, but you know how I am.
Mistletoe Kisses & Something Merry by Raneé S Clark
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
Read as a quick ebook read!
Mila is trying to make it to Houston for her what will probably be her brother’s engagement (he wouldn’t tell her whether he was proposing but he wanted all the family there), but she’s SUPER sick. When she talks to Eli on the phone, and their mom, he ends up having her helped out of the airport by airport personnel and then has his friend Landon (who he’s been trying to set up with Mila anyway) go check on her. He goes above and beyond for her while she gets better but he says she just has a low bar.
What I didn’t like was that apparently, she’s living with a bunch of roommates that aren’t just women, but guys, too? Not a fan, but it was fine for this book since everyone was gone. But her ex had gotten her roommate Layla pregnant prior to them even being together? Ugh. Didn’t love that, but I hope the situation is redeemed in a later book. This novella was really clean so all the backstory surprised me.
This is related to the LA Rays series by this author. As I type this, I realize it’s book 1.5 in that series… I thought it was just thrown in. Oh well. Now things make sense. Sort of new to me. I thought this was a different author I knew of actually, but it turned out okay! LOL
The Dating Ratio by Marie Soleil
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I LOVED this, just as much as I loved The Friendship Variable. This novella just came out and I snatched that up with Kindle rewards!! This book is about Joshua and Shawna when they meet in college. I loved that in the epilogue, we end up where Ryan and Claire were in The Friendship Variable which was like 13-15 years after Joshua and Shawna met in the novella, when they’re then married with kids.
These two meet in math class and he needs HELP. LOL. She does help him, after he skates through her, basically, and knocks her over. Shawna is hesitant for a few reasons, but Joshua is sure they’re perfect for one another.
He’s a senior mechanical engineering major. She’s majoring in math to be a teacher and in her sophomore year.
Super cute novella. If you haven’t read The Friendship Variable, dip your toe into their world by reading this! You’ll love it.
Best Friends Backups & Something More by Ranée S. Clark
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
This was a quick and cute read. I loved the chemistry and quick friendship that Eli and Courtney (Court) had in this story. I didn’t love side character things, but it came with the story and that’s really what drove a lot of the story in my opinion. If you’re looking for a quick, clean read, this fits the bill!
This is book one in the LA Rays series.
While you may have noticed I read quite a few more Christmas books this month, I had a reason! It’s November now and I always post my Christmas recommendations mid-November for you. I’ll be curating that (long) list and will have it for you on schedule! There are so many of different interests for you this year. I can’t wait to share them with you!
Books read this month: 15
Books read this year: 115
Book goal for year: 96 (officially, but unofficially, probably 125)
Check out the books I have for sale!
https://pangobooks.com/bookstore/notyourseason
Let’s be friends on GoodReads!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/131896341-summer
Did we read any of the same books? Is there a new release you’re really excited to read? Let’s chat in the comments!
