Archives for November 9, 2026

* Review * MERI BEATS by Arell Rivers

November 9, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Meri Beats by Arell Rivers
Series: Untamed Coaster Holiday Novella
Published by Tarnished Halo Publishing LLC on November 12, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

He walked away from love to pursue his career. He never imagined what else he was leaving behind.

In the world of Untamed Coaster, the music is loud—but the chemistry is deafening.

Fourteen years ago, Luke Allen chose his dream job over the woman who held his heart. Since then, he’s built a successful career as Untamed Coaster’s rock-solid tour manager and found a family among the musicians who depend on him. But no one ever replaced Kayla Phillips.

Three months after Luke broke up with her, Kay received life-changing news—but despite her efforts, she couldn’t track him down. Eventually, she resigned herself to a future without Luke. Or love. Raising a daughter on her own, she’s protected her heart while finding happiness in her music and the people who stood by her.

When their paths unexpectedly cross, the pull between them is as strong as ever. Luke also discovers the one thing he never knew he was missing: his child, Meridith.

Now he’s determined to make up for lost time. However, building a relationship with Meri is only half the battle. To convince Kay to risk her heart again, Luke must prove that this time, he’s staying for good.

This Christmas, Luke will discover that the greatest gift of all might be a second chance at forever.

A satisfying holiday jaunt back into Rivers’ Untamed Coaster world! If you’re been following along with the series, you will easily recognize band manager Luke Allen. We get a glimpse into his past as he reconnects with his college sweetheart and learns she’s not the only one he left behind to pursue his dreams after college. The storyline is satisfying and his connection with his long-lost daughter is both snarky and sweet. I wanted more development of their relationship to make them believable as going to go the distance, but overall the book was sweet and a fun dip back into the Coaster world.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * FALLING FOR CHRISTMAS by Carly Phillips

November 9, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * FALLING FOR CHRISTMAS by Carly Phillips

Falling for Christmas by Carly Phillips
Series: Dare to Fall Holiday Novella #4
Published by CP Publishing on November 12, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

I came to Charleston for a fresh start. Falling for my Christmas-obsessed neighbor wasn't part of the plan.

Holly Monroe is sunshine wrapped in a big red bow. She lights up her house like Santa lives next door and believes Christmas magic can fix just about anything.

I'm grumpy, guarded, and about as festive as a lump of coal.

But when a community toy drive puts us on the same team, Holly drags me into Christmas chaos—and straight through every wall I've spent years building.

Between holiday markets, decorating disasters, and her impossible smile, I start falling for the one woman who sees past my grumpy exterior. She reminds me of the grandmother who made Christmas magical before life took that magic away.

For the first time in years, I'm starting to believe in Christmas. And maybe love.

Then my career forces me to make a choice, and I make the biggest mistake of my life.

Holly deserves someone who chooses her. Now I have one chance to prove I'm that man before I lose the woman who made me believe in happy endings again.

Because sometimes the greatest Christmas miracle isn't under the tree. It's finding the person who feels like home.

Holiday cheer bursting at the seams! He’s a relocating pro athlete, she’s delightfully (or obnoxiously depending on how you look at it) Christmas obsessed. Both characters are easy to like and the premise of the story is really cute, but not a huge amount of development happened here of the relationship in general or family background etc. It was cute and sweet and if you want a quick holiday read, it will interest you … just don’t go into it expecting a whole lot of emotional depth because it’s too short to get very deep. Not my fav in the series or as a Phillips novella for sure, but it was cute.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE HOLIDAY HERO by Gina Azzi

November 9, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE HOLIDAY HERO by Gina Azzi

The Holiday Hero by Gina Azzi
Series: Boston Hawks Hockey #11
Published by Three Cities Publishing LLC on November 10, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

My Christmas plans are simple: hide out in a cabin in Stowe, Vermont, and throw myself a pity party for one. That plan changes when a gorgeous, snow-dusted hockey player barrels into the cabin with a blizzard on his heels and nowhere else to go.

Now, we’re snowed in together. Just the two of us, a whole lot of silence, and an endless stretch of time.

My irritation doesn’t stand a chance against my curiosity. Not when this capable stranger builds us a fire the moment the power cuts, then drags in a pine branch and calls it a Christmas tree. Turns out, my unexpected houseguest is Jesse Carpenter, star winger for the Boston Hawks, and a walking green flag.

Being snowed in with him means diving headfirst into holiday nostalgia: handmade decorations, burnt cookies, and conversations that make me believe in things I gave up hoping for months ago. Somehow, Jesse is brightening a season I’ve been dreading.

In a handful of days, he becomes something I never expected: my very own holiday hero.

But with his hockey season in full-swing and my vacation break ending, is our connection meant only for the holiday? Or do we stand a real chance after the ball drops on New Year’s Eve?

Super cute and satisfying! Gina Azzi is delighting her readers with a quick dip back into her Boston Hawks Hockey world with a holiday novella. Jesse Carpenter (Sofia’s step-bro) is snowed in with a stranger over Christmas in Vermont and things are quick to heat up! With a novella length read, there’s not a huge amount of time to get knee deep into development of family or relationships, but the connection between these two felt real and even though we didn’t get into the nitty gritty of life in general that one might expect from a full length novel, I walked away feeling like their story was complete for the beginning of a relationship that it was. I was very satisfied with how they played out and loved both characters wholeheartedly. If you’re looking for a quick holiday read while in the middle of prepping for your own holiday, this one is a great choice!

Filed Under: Book Reviews