December reading wrap-up snuck up on me with a long, prosperous year of books and novellas. I’m ending the year with around 80 or so books read.
This cozy, cold month made me want to cuddle up with a bunch of horror and romance, which is easily reflected in my choices below!
Special mention to A Seasonal Love Affair by Madison Nicole, which is a sapphic hockey novella I read in between a couple of these books. I didn’t feel like it had enough impact for me to include in the wrap-up but it was a quick, simple four star read with some good chemistry between the couple.
5. The Love Lie by Monica McCallen
Published December 10, 2024
Rating: 3.75-4 stars
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Fake Dating, LGBTQ+, Bisexual, Lesbian, Adult
Summary: Sydney King thought her future was set in stone, with a successful pro tennis career and a supportive boyfriend. Now, she has a cheating ex-boyfriend, an injury that ended her career, and no idea what comes next. When she goes back home to figure herself out, she finds herself involved in a fake dating scenario with her ex-boyfriend’s sister Reese. What starts as a scheme to piss him off turns into genuine chemistry and want. Meanwhile, Reese Devereux is trying to break into her own future by coming home, too. How will the two of them decide the future?
I wanted this to be an amazing show-stopper story for me, but it didn’t land the way I wanted. I don’t think enough chemistry was built up between Sydney and Reese. This is definitely a low angst and stress book so don’t be ready to clutch your pearls. The slow middle was a little hard to push through. It’s also a supreme slow burn, so prepare for that. Once the relationship finally kicked off, I was having more fun reading. Though the ending was satisfying, it was too fast. I wanted more from Brynn, as well as more about Reese with Stan and Sydney with Brian. All in all this was a cute story for personal journey with good intimacy scenes.
4. How to Survive Camping: The Man With No Shadow by Bonnie Quinn
Published January 1, 2019
Rating: 3.75-4 stars
Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Supernatural, Cozy, Adult
Summary: A campy, cozy horror novel that follows Kate, a campground manager at Goat Valley Campground. In her family for generations, the monsters and creepers of folk and fairytales have killed her loved ones for a long time. Kate has rules to protect her campers, returners and newbies alike. Not every camper listens… which means not all of them survive their trip. Soon though, decapitated and murdered campers are the least of her worries as the most dangerous inhabitant of Goat Valley decides they want the land for themselves.
The first hundred or so pages had me feeling lost and unwilling to continue, but I wanted to push through for the creepy vibes. Once the story came together more, I got running. I liked the mystery and how it slowly pieced together. All the different creatures and monsters were very interesting to read about, even though I wished we spent more time on some of them. I felt bad for Kate (though sometimes her weakness annoyed me) and was relieved for the ending. The town people definitely irked me!! I do love a good psychopath main character and their counterpart villain. The mysterious guy with the skull cup was my favorite side character too. I’m not sure if I’d continue reading the series, but I’m glad to have tried it out.
3. The Christmas Pic by Rena Sapon-White
Published November 15, 2024
Rating: 4.5 stars
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Christmas, Enemies-to-Lovers, LGBTQ+, Queer, Lesbian, Adult
Summary: Ava Garcia-Greene is a badass CEO with a cold heart, prestige, and a swanky office. Yet, she still yearns for something her money can’t buy. Jo Fisher, an out-and-proud lesbian of Harmony Springs, Michigan is struggling to keep her dad’s photo truck business, and his memory, alive. When Ava’s AI Christmas card program sparks controversy, Jo’s call into a radio station accidentally brings Ava on board to save her flailing business. Teamed up begrudgingly, Ava and Jo unexpectedly feel a pull towards each other. As Christmas looms, will their spark ignite?
The ice queen CEO meets sentimental small-town photographer. This book is super sweet, with that perfect balance of depth and Hallmark-quality cheekiness. My only wish was for there to have been a little more ice queen and tension vibes with more banter and bickering. Maybe I’m spoiled from other stories, but I was also hoping for more variety in the intimacy scenes. Still, I loved it. I could totally see it as a holiday movie, and I’m happy I decided to read it right before Christmas! I wish I could live a happy, lesbian life in Harmony Springs too. I was also happy with the side characters; Emma and Max were so endearing! All around good plot, characters, and relationship.
2. Like First Love, Again by J. J. Arias
Published May 31, 2025
Rating: 4.75 stars
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Second Chance, Friends to Lovers, LGBTQ+, Queer, Lesbian, Adult
Summary: Tori Cruz has painstakingly curated a life of control as a real estate broker, keeping her emotions and her past locked behind a wall. When her childhood best friend and secret first love, Mia Falcon, comes roaring back into her life after fourteen years, she’s shaken back into her feelings. Mia is getting a divorce and grieving many losses, never intending to feel want for Tori. All she wanted was the comfort of an old friend and home. Being back means old comforts return and new (old?) feelings rear up.
A heartfelt, emotionally driven story of second chance, slow burn love with gay discovery. Tori is the perfect down-bad lesbian who gets her happy ending with her lifelong crush. Mia is the woman who stitched her frayed edges back together and learns what love and life should be like, and with who. The intimacy scenes were very real and good. I was definitely dying a little waiting for them to just get together, but I understand it was for character growth. Some slowness on the middle part and start of their relationship is the main reason this didn’t get a full five stars. In general, the writing kept me on the hook and it was a good start to me delving in to J.J. Arias’s work.
1. A Vow Cold and Kindled by Moira Darling
Published December 1, 2025
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Vampire, Romance, Fantasy, Fated Mates, LGBTQ+, Sapphic, Adult
Summary: As the youngest daughter of a court, Princess Ilyra is meant to stay to the shadows and marry who she’s given to, especially during Yule. Except, when a vampire envoy comes to court to honor an old tradition, Ilyra is thrust into a bond of protection and devotion. Ser Virelle is a turned-vampire knight cloaked in blood and danger, coming to the Halden Court to serve an age-old ritual. Though, when her duty changes into desire, she considers her purpose. Together, over the Twelve Nights of Yule, Ilyra and Virelle linger in each other’s spaces, spinning ever closer to their future.
This novella is beautifully written with poetry in the words, both cold and hot. The descriptions are deliciously gothic and opulent. It spans over a quiet and faithful twelve nights with an intelligent princess and a “made” vampire who should never want anything. I love how fluid the story is and how the tension grows and grows between Princess Ilyra and Ser Virelle before cresting. The devotion and reverence between the two of them was breathtaking. All around a lovely story. I’m happy for once that everything is so easy. For a novella, the story packed enough punches and lyric to satisfy. I was a happy eARC reader for Darling and continue to devour any of their stories they grace their readers with. I’ve even interviewed Darling recently.
Check out my other monthly wrap-ups: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
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