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Audiobook Review – A Preposterous Adventure with Fantastic Foibles

This was such a charmingly sweet adventure! I would honestly describe this book as a magically warm bubble-bath of a fantastical journey. Set in a fantastically quirky world, the story follows two heroes as they set off on separate journeys featuring giants, dragons, and other magical characters on a series of escapades through a coming-of-age-tale with a light sprinkling of sweet romance. Though this is lower YA, I’d definitely recommend this to anyone with a 10+ reader looking for a light, joyful escapade with likable characters and whimsically cozy capers. Thanks so much to the author for the ARC!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Everyone needs to go on a preposterous journey sometimes.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Slave to Sensation

Sometimes you just want to read a fast-paced paranormal romance. I don’t make the rules. This was on my friend’s TBR and honestly was exactly what I wanted to read right now. Romance, interesting world, a framework of a serial-killer mystery. I have a few nitpicks on elements I wished had been fleshed out a little more, and the romance was very quick, but overall, it was a fast read that I enjoyed. I’d recommend for readers looking for some paranormal romance with a bit of insta-love and some spice (though I feel like not as much spice as indicated by the cover or title). It stands alone, but I could see myself picking up the sequel one day.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I mean, sometimes you’re just looking to have a good time in a book, and I’m so here for it.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – This Woven Kingdom (1-3)

This Woven Kingdom (Book 1):

This was another one I picked up from my friend’s TBR and I loved it! Interesting world, interesting characters, fast-pace, some Cinderella vibes, but with epic potential. Highly recommend for anyone looking for excellent YA Fantasy. (And the audiobook narration was fabulous.) 5 stars.

These Infinite Threads (Book 2):

Definitely enjoyed this sequel, although I was surprised because it felt like we had a lot less plot progress in this one than in the first. But I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the world, and the writing, so I’ve already picked up book 3 and would definitely recommend this one to any fans of book 1. 5 stars.

All This Twisted Glory (Book 3):

While I still enjoyed this book, I feel like the plot pacing has slowed drastically from book one, and I feel my impatience with the story’s progress growing. Every moment is dragged out, and while the writing is great, there’s actually very little that happens in books 2 & 3. I think I’ll still try book 4, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I don’t make it to book 5. 4.25 stars.

Overall Series Rating so Far:

⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 

I mean, it started out strong, and I’ll read number 4, but I’m not sure I’m feeling confident right now.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Good Spirits

I should probably start by saying that Christmas Ghost Romance stories are usually not my thing, but I totally loved this one. Fun magic, lovable characters, great tension, romance that was both sweet & spicy. Possibly my favorite holiday-themed book I’ve ever read (though to be fair, I don’t think I’ve read that many.) Anyways, totally a win of a book club pick (and book club desperately needed a win) and I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a Christmas romance with a little magic and a little spice. (Also the dual-narrated audiobook was fab.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

*I tried reading some of B.K. Borisons other books: First-Time Caller from the Heartstrings series and Lovelight Farms but they didn’t grab me in the same way. I’m still totally looking forward to the second book in this Ghosted series with high hopes though

And since I’m at my kid’s basketball game, we have a doodle reaction instead of a selfie

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – The Anthropocene Reviewed

John Green was one of my favorite authors as a teen, so I think it’s such a full-circle moment for me to fall for his nonfiction as an adult. I love how he can acknowledge the darkness of the world while still finding the hope and poetic beauty of it along with a dash of humor. I legit cannot remember the last time I cried in a book, but this one had me close. I thought Everything is Tuberculosis would be my favorite nonfiction of this year, but this one’s got it beat. And my 9yo also liked to listen to snatches of the audiobook in the car too. Can’t believe I’m so late to the “John Green writes awesome nonfiction” party and will definitely be recommending this one to everybody!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

And since I’m at my kid’s basketball game, we have a doodle reaction instead of a selfie

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – On the Edge

Loved it. Loved the characters. Loved the voice. Loved the world, the magic, the characters— Absolutely just *chef’s kiss.* Works as a stand-alone, but I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series ASAP.

The only two things I wasn’t crazy about were the cover and the narrator’s voice for Declan, but I will absolutely be recommending this one!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

*Update: I also read most of Book 2 of the Edge series (Bayou Moon), but it had a darker, grittier vibe and I didn’t connect with the characters as much so I DNF’d. But I also tried reading the Kate Daniels series again (which is Ilona Andrews’ most popular and is also on the grittier side), and I DNF’d as well. So if you like grittier stuff, you might prefer those!

Ilona Andrews is definitely one my favs.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Everything is Tuberculosis

I love engrossing nonfiction, and this was totally fascinating. John Green tells the story of tuberculosis through a multi-faceted lens but also with such humanity and compassion, and, though I’m a nonfiction person only by exception, I’m definitely adding John Green to my list of authors that writes it incredibly well. Totally recommend to anyone looking for any interesting, devastating subject to look at from many angles.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Cheers to you John Green, you’re still the man.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Hidden Legacy Series

Burn For Me (Book 1):

Well, I’ve found my newest obsession.

For background, The Innkeeper Chronicles is one of my favorite series of all time, but I didn’t get into the Kate Daniels series, so when I saw a new Ilona Andrews Graphic Audiobook pop up on Libby, I feel like I went in with an open mind.

And I’m so mad at myself that I didn’t find this series earlier.

I love it, your honor.

And if you like fun banter, a lovable FMC, great action, twisting plot, and some serious swooning chemistry, this is for you. It will definitely be on my favorite books of the year list, and although I have book 2 on hold, I know I’ll be throwing money at this so I can have it faster.

Also, this makes me want to go back and read the first Kate Daniels book again and also try out Ilona Andrews other series because I def need more of this in my life.

Also the Graphic Audio production is fantastic. I mowed the lawn, worked out, took the dog for a walk, and did laundry so I could keep listening.

Bring on Book Two. 5 stars.

White Hot (Book 2):

Inhaled it. Loved it. If you liked book 1, book 2 does not disappoint. Fantastic expansion of this world and development of the characters and romance. Fast-paced with excellent action and dramatic tension. Bantery with sassy main characters you can’t help but love, and side characters I want to know more about. Can’t wait to read 3 and highly recommend the graphic audio production! 5 stars.

Wildfire (Book 3):

I stayed up 2 hours after bedtime on a work night to finish this book, and I have no regrets. Totally addicting in the best way. I immediately downloaded the novella (3.5), and honestly hope this series goes on forever. Great characters, mystery, action, banter, romance, fun, humor… what more could you want? Also, I was a little nervous because for the first two, I listened to the graphic audio production, but I listened to the single narrator for this one.

Happy to say it didn’t take away my enjoyment at all. I still prefer the graphic audio, but the single narrator was wonderful too. 100% recommend. 5 stars.

Diamond Fire (Book 3.5):

A nice, fast-paced novella to give Rogan and Nevada some closure and introduce us to Catalina’s POV. Her powers are super interesting, and I’m totally ready to jump into the next one! 5 stars.

Sapphire Flames (Book 4):

I love this world sooooo much and book 4 was just as addictive as the first trilogy. While Catalina & Alessandro have great chemistry, I’m not obsessed with them quite as much as I was with Nevada/Rogan… but I’m totally hooked for the next book. 5 stars.

Emerald Blaze (Book 5):

I am legit obsessed with this series and I’m going to have such a bad book hangover when I’m done with these books! Action, romance, banter, humor, mystery, and a world you can fall into. Will definitely be recommending these to literally everyone. 5 stars.

Ruby Fever (Book 6):

A great end to Catalina’s trilogy (though I wish we’d seen more of Alessandro in the first half.) ALL fingers crossed for an Arabella trilogy though. Honestly, I think she may be my favorite of the 3 sisters and I love her POV! 5 stars.

Overall Series Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Yes, that was six stars. This series was a huge win for me and went in my “all-time favorites” list. Fingers crossed for the series to continue in the future!

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Howl’s Moving Castle

Wow, I don’t think I ever realized how different the movie was from the book! I definitely still enjoyed the book and all its magical chaos and bizarre sort of silliness, but I think on the whole, I prefer the movie better. Totally recommend this for any fans of the movie though with the understanding that it is an extremely different story with characters that are also quite different but with similar elements. (Also, very light on the romantic arc, so if you’re coming for that, just know it’s incredibly minor here.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼

Howl’s man-cold situation still has me giggling. I mean, he’s still an icon, but definitely bizarre.

Thanks for reading!

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Top Ten Books of 2025

So this year, I DNF’d early and often, and I don’t know if I’ve ever had a better reading year. If a book wasn’t absolutely HOOKING me by the 20%, I left it behind. I’m sure I probably missed some 4-stars books, but my percentage of 5-star reads was so much higher. There were some books I stayed up late reading, and this was the first year in many I’ve done that. It was so hard to come up with a Top Ten, but I tried my best. Ordering them 1-10 is a step too far, but the first five went onto my “all-time favs” Goodreads shelf, which has a grand total of 29 books, so yeah, like I said… it was a good reading year. Without further ado:

1. Best Fiction that resonated in my bones

Fredrik Backman officially takes a place as one of my favorite authors, handling heavy topics with humor and packed with so much truth, you can feel the words vibrate through you. Literally recommend this one to everyone.

2. Favorite Cozy Mystery

Cozy, heartfelt, and unique. A book that melts you and puts you back together again, bringing a hint of mystery and all the warm fuzzies. Also recommended to everyone, and I will absolutely be on the lookout for Shelby Van Pelt’s next book.

3. Most Addictive Thriller Series

Possibly the best surprise of 2025 for me. I picked them up because it was available on Libby when I needed an audiobook in the middle of a roadtrip, and then I could NOT put it back down. Dexter + Count of Monte Cristo + A splash of spicy romance. If that sounds like your thing, this cathartic breakneck series is for you.

4. Most Addictive Paranormal Series

Ilona Andrews’ The Innkeeper Chronicles is one of my favorite series of all time, so I’m so glad I checked into her other paranormal series, The Hidden Legacy. This one had me staying up late to read, and I absolutely adored it. If you’re looking for fast-paced action, fun banter, loveable characters, an X-men vibe, and a little spicy romance, this one’s for you.

5. Best Cozy Paranormal

The found family in this one, soft magic, emotional growth, and slowburn romance was absolutely pitch perfect. It felt like a nice hot bath of a novel with a few fun twists, and I’d recommend this one to anyone looking for a cozy read they can sink into.

6. Best Nonfiction

So John Green was one of my favorite authors as a teenager, so I guess it should surprise me not at all that I love his nonfiction as an adult. I’m extremely picky about nonfiction, but I first read Everything is Tuberculosis which I enjoyed, and then was doubly surprised to enjoy this one even more. The voice, honesty, emotion, and humor just hit on every poignant level, and even my 9-year-old enjoyed listening in on our way to basketball practice. At one point, my eyes got all glassy and let me tell you, that is *not* an easy thing to do. I literally cannot remember the last time I actually spilled a tear for a book, and this one brought me close. So yeah, this is another one I would recommend to everyone.

7. Best Middle Grade

Excellent middle-grade is criminally underrated, I read some quite a few incredible ones this year, and discovered that Gary D. Schmidt is friggin’ brilliant. The subtlety he brings to the hardest subjects to both destroy and put you back together is just incredible. I would *love* to talk about this one with my middle-grade book-dragon club, and I definitely recommend it to everyone.

8. Best YA Fantasy

This genre is near and dear to my heart, and I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve gotten my hands on one I could really sink my teeth into, but this was such a fabulous surprise. The world building was absolutely on point, I was intrigued throughout, and I’m very much looking forward to diving into the sequel. Recommended for anyone looking for a YA Fantasy with complex characters and a unique world.

9. Best holiday romance

Holiday romances usually aren’t my thing, so this was a great surprise (courtesy of book club.) The premise was fantastic and executed brilliantly, with lovable characters, and great banter. Like honestly, bring me the movie already. (And the sequel!)

10. Best Fantasy Romance

This was another book-club-responsible find, though not the pick of the month, which was a crying shame because this was a delightfully strange reimagination of You’ve Got Mail. Unique magical world, quirky characters, excellent banter, and simmering romance – I’d definitely recommend this to people looking for something a little off the beaten path with equal parts quirky fantasy and romance.

And that’s a wrap on 2025!

And that’s a wrap on my reading year! I’ve got 13 reviews from 2025 reads that’ll be posting in January to catch up, but if you ever have any specific reader-y, or writer-y topics you’d like me to jump into, just let me know!

Wishing you guys so many good reads in 2026!