A mostly satisfying November reading wrap-up was definitely what I needed as we barrel towards the end of the year!
With work and school, it seems that my average books for each month is between three to five. With a minor head injury this month (thank you, Vida, my beloved dog), I took longer than usual to read, too. Still, for November I technically read five books! As usual, the more inappropriate book has been cut from this wrap-up.
This month felt so long in terms of books. I can barely believe this was the month I read Warriors in. Check out the rest of the list for romance reviews.
4. Not Just Gal Pals by Elizabeth Luly
Published August 24, 2023
Rating: 3.75-4 stars
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Comedy, LGBTQ+, Bisexual, Lesbian, Adult
Summary: A light-hearted sapphic RomCom set in a beautiful fall drenched town. Jenny Lynton became an influencer basically on accident, and when she unfortunately gets “almost cancelled,” she stays longer in her hometown than expected. Blake Mitchell is Sapphire Spring’s only doctor after starting her own practice. She’s also had a crush on Jenny since high school. When they work together to save their friend’s bachelorette party and wedding, sparks begin to fly. Except, both of them have sworn off relationships. Are they worth it?
It is a cute RomCom, very Hallmark-quality story line. I was pretty intrigued in the story up until about 50% of the way through, which is when the two actually get together. It felt like their personalities kind of disappeared into this cheesy back-and-forth. The relationship lost the tension and lust that I liked from the beginning. Jenny and Blake are a nice couple, don’t get me wrong. The book has an easy happy ending, too. At the end of the day, it wasn’t the book for me. I’m not sure if I’ll be continuing the intertwined series!
3. Warriors: Changing Skies #2: Hidden Moon by Erin Hunter
Published November 4, 2025
Rating: 4.25 stars
Genres: Fantasy, Cats, Children’s
Summary: The Clans continue to navigate an ominous prophecy that foreshadows the end of the Clans’ connection to StarClan as the Moonpool is threatened by Twolegs. Tawnypelt is still healing from her near-death experience, while navigating her son and leader, Tigerstar, refusing to let her share StarClan’s warning. She decides to take matters into her own paws. Starlingpaw believes he’s the best cat to help Tawnypelt and seizes on the opportunity to make up for his role in his father’s death. And Moonpaw settles into her role as a ThunderClan apprentice, battling the insistent voice in her head.
Indifferent and unremarkable seem to be the theme so far for the Changing Skies arc. While this book had its own interesting moments, like the continuing reveals for Moonpaw and her sister, I still feel like I’m waiting for something more. I did enjoy Starlingpaw’s goofy character and seeing Tawnypelt interact with some of the older characters. Check out my article for a full, in-depth review.
2. Puppy Love by Elle Sprinkle
Published June 14, 2024
Rating: 4.5 stars
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Workplace, Comedy, LGBTQ+, Bisexual, Lesbian, Adult
Summary: Cameron Miller hates change, her anxiety skyrocketing at every chance. As her life turns towards a new job, she is distraught to learn her almost one-night-stand is her new boss. Violet Wolfe is coming fresh off a divorce and not looking for love, far from it. Except when her almost hookup turns out to be her new coworker, Violet realizes she’s violated rule one of her boss: no dating. Though Cam and Vi try to say their connection is merely physical, they grow closer and closer. As they continue to break the work policy and move towards breaking the “contract,” they both wonder what’s pulling them towards each other.
A really sweet and realistic portrayal of two women who’ve both been hurt and slowly figure each other out. I loved the intimacy scenes immensely, and the scenes reflecting mental illness were well-done. My biggest problem with Puppy Love might be silly, but it was the italics. The emphasis on nearly every page was annoying to me, almost making me put the story down. It also felt like it was going on too long at times. I’m glad I stuck to it, though. With frequent pups and amazing banter, it was a great read in general. The cast of side and background characters was lovingly fleshed out alongside Cam and Vi. It makes me excited for the author to continue this intertwined series.
1. A Heart Fierce and Blooming by Moira Darling
Published November 11, 2025
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Vampire, Romance, Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Sapphic, Adult
Summary: The third installment of Moira Darling’s Her Fangs in my Heart works. A bright and shining vampire baroness and a gruff knight must work together with the manor’s help to wrangle six orphaned vampiric children. Marienne Solmere is all silk and optimism, taking on the challenge of six children with open arms. Ser Tamsin Greaves is hard like stone, a knight stationed to report on Bloomhill Manor, its sunshiny baroness, and the six undocumented children for the Eldermire Court. Marienne and Tamsin circle each other with longing and frustration with hope blooming in the center that they might achieve what they seek.
My favorite of Darling’s work thus far, Marienne and Tamsin’s love story and found family was the best to read about. Her writing continues to improve: this book included her best characterization, with better fleshed out side and background characters, and a more full plot. While the climax could’ve been a bit more dramatic (it perhaps wrapped up too quickly), it didn’t matter as much to me as my heart swelled with the love and comfort and heat of Bloomhill Manor. The couple of intimacy scenes were breath-stealing, and the two love leads balanced each other out perfectly. Within it all, I felt my eyes tearing up at the tender moments. Belonging is all anyone ever wants. Marienne and Tamsin, Margot, and their six children filled me with such love that I even feel it as I write this review.
Check out my other monthly wrap-ups: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
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