December 2024 – Page 2 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Matchmaking, Mistletoe and a Moat

Title: Matchmaking, Mistletoe and a Moat
Author: Kim Janine Ligon
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: December 2, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Greyford Parker is eager to see his twin sister and her family, but is dreading the matchmaking marathon she has planned at the two week Christmas party at Castle Winterhaven. As the unexpected Duke of Wallingford he must find a bride. Preferably one with a large dowry to help bolster the estate’s finances his older brother dissipated before his death.

Lady Emmeline Spenser reluctantly agrees to attend the “husband hunting” party at Castle Winterhaven, but only if her dear cousin, Eleanor Brown, can also attend. Emmeline is worried suitors will
love her large dowry more than they do her. Eleanor has a plan to allay her cousin’s fears. Do they dare try it?

Review:

Greyford Parker’s twin sister, Caroline, is planning a two week long Christmas party at her home, Castle Winterhaven. There are lots of eligible men and women who have been invited, so Caroline is hoping her brother will find a match. Cousins Emmeline and Eleanor have been invited to the party. Emmie is a Lady with a dowry, but Eleanor is an orphan without one. The girls look like twins, so they decide to pretend to be each other so they can find men who love them for who they are, not for money. It’s an eventful Christmas party that ends in more than one marriage!

This was a cute historical holiday romance. I loved the “Parent Trap” kind of switch Emmie and Ellie did. Their mothers were twins so they looked like twins and were able to successfully fool the guests into believing they were each other. It was a clever way to find out if the men who fell for them really loved them or their money. This was a low stakes romance with a happy ending!

Matchmaking, Mistletoe, and a Moat is a fun historical romance for the holidays!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a digital copy of this book for a paid campaign!

Have you read Matchmaking, Mistletoe and a Moat? What did you think of it?

Review: Make My Wish Come True

Title: Make My Wish Come True
Author: Rachael Lippincott, Alyson Derrick
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, LGBTQ
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A sapphic Netflix-esque Christmas movie meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days from the New York Times bestselling author duo of She Gets the Girl Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick.

Hollywood teen actor Arden James’ messy reputation is interfering with her career when a notoriously picky director won’t give her a role based on her party-girl image. So she and her publicist make up a lie – not only is she from a small town (true) but her childhood best friend Caroline, is her long-term girlfriend (false) and she can prove it when she goes home for Christmas.

Caroline Beckett hasn’t thought about her ex-best friend Arden James for years, focusing instead on her dreams about becoming a journalist. When Arden turns up on her doorstep and promises her an article in Cosmopolitan magazine on their twelve snow-covered romantic days together, Caroline agrees to play along.

But when old feelings start to bubble up, what will fall faster – Arden and Caroline or the Christmas Eve snow?

A gorgeous, heartwarming cosy romance – perfect for the holidays!

Review:

Hollywood teen actor Arden James has developed a reputation for partying. She auditions for her dream role, but the director won’t take her seriously because of her reputation. Arden decides to go back to her hometown and start a fake relationship with her childhood best friend and crush to show the public that she can have a wholesome image. Caroline Beckett was Arden’s best friend and first crush until she abandoned her to move to Hollywood. Caroline has focused on her dream to become a journalist since then. When Arden asks her to be in a fake relationship, she promises Caroline that she can write the article that introduces their relationship to the public. However, their staged dates stir up old feelings that both of them have, so they must figure out if they will confess their feelings to each other.

This was a fun holiday rom com! Arden and Caroline had a heartwarming romance without a lot of drama. I liked that Caroline was Jewish and they talked about celebrating Hanukkah as well as Christmas. Since their town had so many Christmas traditions, Caroline decided to start a Hanukkah celebration in the town too.

Make My Wish Come True is a cute sapphic holiday romance!

Thank you Simon Teen for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read Make My Wish Come True? What did you think of it?

Review: The Christmas Tree Farm (Dream Harbor #3)

Title: The Christmas Tree Farm (Dream Harbor #3)
Author: Laurie Gilmore
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: One More Chapter
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: October 10, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the author of the viral TikTok sensation, The Pumpkin Spice Café, comes the only spicy grumpy x sunshine Christmas romcom you need this year!

Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good.

Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor taking a break from his life in California. And most importantly, taking a break from his latest run of disastrous dates.

After a run in with Kira in her fields, Ben has no intention of offering to help the grumpy owner set up her tree farm, despite the fact she’s clearly got no idea what she’s doing.

Kira knows she should stop being so stubborn, but her farm is not all cute and cozy like people always show on social media, it’s borderline dangerous with no heating, and she’d rather no one saw it.

But somehow fate finds Ben at Kira’s farm once more, and as Kira watches him swing an ax at the first tree, she finds herself appreciating his strength and questionning why she refused help in the first place..

The Christmas Tree Farm is a spicy romantic mystery for fans of Gilmore Girls with a HEA guaranteed!

Review:

Kira North moved away from her wealthy family in Georgia to Dream Harbor and bought the Christmas tree farm. It’s more run down than she expected, and she needs help since the heat isn’t working and the temperature outside is rapidly dropping. Bennett Ellis is visiting his sister, Jeanie, from California for the holidays. After an encounter with Kira on her land, he offers to help her fix up the house. Kira refuses his help at first, but then reluctantly agrees when she realizes they could have a Christmas fling. However, when their feelings become real, they have to figure out what will happen when Bennett eventually goes back home.

This was such a fun Christmas rom com. They were a grumpy/sunshine couple. There were still funny antics in Dream Harbor. The people in the town believed there was some dark secret at the Christmas tree farm, like the previous owner had murdered and buried his wife on the property. This is a really fun series, and I can’t wait to read the rest!

The Christmas Tree Farm is a cute Christmas romance!

Other books in the series:

Have you read The Christmas Tree Farm? What did you think of it?

Review: Twas the Night Before Puck Drop

Title: Twas the Night Before Puck Drop
Author: Harry Caminelli, Dhamma Cakka (illustrator)
Genre: Children’s, Picture Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: November 1, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A new classic in the making, ‘Twas the Night Before Puck Drop combines two subjects North American kids love: hockey and Christmas. Magical winter fun ensues as Santa drops in for a big game of pond hockey just before Christmas. Find out that Santa can not only deliver presents in a single day, he can also skate like the wind and has a big slapshot! Enjoy this beautiful hardcover edition with emboss and spot UV treatments!

Review:

On Christmas Eve, the narrator looks out the window and finds an ice rink in the backyard. On the rink is Santa with four iconic Canadian hockey players: Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe, Sidney Crosby, and Wayne Gretzky. Santa plays a game with them before flying off on his sleigh.

This was such a fun adaptation of Twas the Night Before Christmas. The rhymes were cleverly written to fit the hockey theme while also following the rhythm of the original story. This book would be the perfect gift for any hockey fans!

Twas the Night Before Puck Drop is a fun hockey Christmas story!

Thank you Taffy Tales for sending me a copy of this book!

Have you read Twas the Night Before Puck Drop? What did you think of it?

Review: Unicornia: Learning to Fly

Title: Unicornia: Learning to Fly
Author: Ana Punset, Diana Vicedo (illustrator)
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: December 3, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Do you believe in unicorns? School, friendship, and a certain magical beast will enchant beginning readers in this first of a series.

Welcome to Unicornia, the most wonderful place ever! Claudia is about to start her first day at the Unicornia Academy of Magic, where she’ll learn all about spells, potions, and most importantly, unicorns! But she will need to ace her first unicorn flying test at the end of the week if she hopes to advance. With the help of her new friends, will Claudia learn to ride in record time? Get ready for unicorns, glitter, and magic galore in this shimmering story of friendship and fun. Originally published in Spain, the popular series, with sweet illustrations and a simple, humorous text, is poised to charm young unicorn fans everywhere.

Review:

Claudia and her family have just moved to Unicornia, where unicorns fly in the sky. She’s excited to start her first day at Unicornia Academy of Magic where she will learn about potions and magic. However, she’s nervous about learning to ride a unicorn. Claudia must ace the flying test at the end of the week to be able to continue in the class, so her new friends join together to teach Claudia how to get comfortable riding a unicorn.

This is such a cute, illustrated chapter book. I loved that the illustrations were coloured in black, white, and pink. Claudia learned to make friends who in turn taught her how to fly a unicorn. Even though she was scared at first, Claudia faced her fear and learned how to do it.

Unicornia: Learning to Fly is a fun chapter book!

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books for providing a copy of this book! This book was gifted to me from @penguinrandomca as part of the Holiday Book Magic Campaign! The Holiday Book Magic books are a curated list of books that are perfect for gifting and enjoying all year long!

Have you read Unicornia: Learning to Fly? What did you think of it?

Review: All by My Elf (Under the Mistletoe Collection #3)

Title: All by My Elf (Under the Mistletoe Collection #3)
Author: Olivia Dade
Genre: Novella, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Format: Ebook
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Secret crushes, spicy Christmas treats, heinous holiday traffic, and a fateful snowstorm bring good friends together in a funny, heartfelt short story by bestselling author Olivia Dade.

Nina and William are underpaid adjunct professors at the same university, where winter break is no break at all: ’tis the season to make extra money. When their holiday side hustle has them stranded by a blinding blizzard in the middle of nowhere, there’s nothing to do but cuddle up for warmth and play a game of Never Have I Ever to pass the time. But in the game of love, secrets never stay secret for long…

Olivia Dade’s All by My Elf is part of Under the Mistletoe, a stirring collection of December romances that thrill and tingle all the way. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.

Review:

Nina, William, and Claudia are adjunct professors who take a side job during the holidays driving a food-shaped truck and promoting pastries. Nina has had a crush on William since she started working at the university. Nina’s best friend Claudia and William seem to be getting closer so Nina thinks she’s lost her chance with William. However, when a storm traps Nina and William on the truck together, they have to cuddle for warmth and maybe confess their true feelings for each other.

I really enjoyed this novella. It was short at only 55 pages, but it was enough space to develop the characters, their relationships, and a steamy romance plot. My only criticism is that I don’t think the title really fits with the story.

All by My Elf is a cute holiday novella!

Other books in the series:

Cruel Winter With You (Under the Mistletoe Collection #1)
Merry Ever After (Under the Mistletoe Collection #2)
Merriment and Mayhem (Under the Mistletoe Collection #4)
Only Santas in the Building (Under the Mistletoe Collection #5)

Have you read All by My Elf? What did you think of it?

Review: Socks

Title: Socks
Author: J.D. McPherson, Anika Orrock (illustrator)
Genre: Children’s, Picture Book
Publisher: Walker Books US
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Rock and roller JD McPherson’s comical salute to Christmas curmudgeons hops from stage to page, making for the stocking stuffer of the season.

This is the worst gift I ever got!
It doesn’t beep or buzz or bop or rattle in the box!
Why’d they waste the paper on a lousy pair of SOCKS?

It’s the dawn of Christmas morning, and this child can no longer wait, furtively tiptoeing straight to the unlit Christmas tree. There lies a festive box, brightly wrapped, with their name on it. A shake for good measure, and then . . . wait, seriously? What did they ever do to deserve this? Based on the cult classic “Socks” (from his eponymous Christmas album), bluesy rock and roller JD McPherson pays hilarious homage to a stereotypically bad gift—and its disappointed recipients—in a deftly extended picture-book version of his song. Brought to energetic life in droll, retro artwork by Anika Orrock, who illustrated the album cover and liner, Socks will prove a perfect fit for anyone who has ever gotten stressed over holiday gift-giving—and everyone, big or small, who’s come to appreciate the love wrapped up in even the humblest present. Includes a QR code to the “Socks” song.

Review:

This picture book is based on the Christmas song Socks by J.D. McPherson. A little boy wakes up Christmas morning and opens the first present he sees under the tree to find socks. Even his stocking is filled with socks. He’s so disappointed, until he finds out that everyone in his family got matching socks.

This was a fun story based on what’s typically thought of as the worst kind of gift to receive. I like that the song can be listened to along with reading the book to give the words a lyrical rhythm.

Socks is a cute Christmas picture book!

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books for sending me a copy of this book! This book was gifted to me from @penguinrandomca as part of the Holiday Book Magic Campaign! The Holiday Book Magic books are a curated list of books that are perfect for gifting and enjoying all year long!

Have you read Socks? What did you think of it?

Review: A Nightclub for the Holidays

Title: A Nightclub for the Holidays
Author: Arden Coutts
Genre: Novella, Romance, LGBTQ, Contemporary
Publisher: Independent
Source: Author
Format: Ebook
Release Date: December 6, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The holidays are approaching, and the gang is back in action! Join Gray, Hannah, and their loyal friends as they race against time to reopen the beloved Club Midnight before the festive season kicks off.

But it’s not all tinsel and mistletoe as they face unexpected hurdles. The local mafia has other plans, throwing dangerous roadblocks in their path. As tensions rise and the clock ticks down, our favorite crew must navigate treacherous waters to make their dream a reality.

Meanwhile, Gray harbors a secret that could change everything.

Will Club Midnight shine bright for the holidays? Can they outwit the mob and save their dream?

Prepare for a heartwarming, pulse-pounding holiday adventure filled with friendship, love, and a touch of danger. ‘A Nightclub for the Holidays’ promises to be the most thrilling celebration of the year!

Review:

Christmas is approaching, and the mobster Demitri is finally behind bars. Despite the traumatic memories from Club Midnight, Gray wants to buy it at auction and turn it into a better club. Hannah also has plans to start a new career path away from the hospital. However, Demitri’s friends want to stop Gray from restarting the nightclub. Gray must figure out how to defeat these villains while also preparing to ask Hannah a very important question.

This was a fun holiday novella about the characters from The Fall Trilogy. I loved revisiting Hannah and Gray, who were the couple from the first book in the series. Even though this is a short story, there were some spicy scenes. I liked how this story kept the suspense from the original trilogy, while also ending on a heartwarming Christmas note.

A Nightclub for the Holidays is a fun holiday novella!

Thank you Arden Coutts for providing a digital copy of this book!

Have you read A Nightclub for Christmas? What did you think of it?

Review: Fire in the Hole!

Title: Fire in the Hole!
Author: Bob Parsons, Laura Morton
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Forefront Books
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In Fire in the Hole!, Bob Parsons, founder of GoDaddy, shares his story of extaordinary success as a self-made serial entrepreneur.

Born in the tough town of East Baltimore to parents who were inveterate gamblers, billionaire philanthropist Robert Parsons’ early years were marked by hardship and financial struggle. While he vowed his own children would never lack for anything, never did he imagine the wealth he would ultimately amass as the founder of Parsons Technologies, GoDaddy, and ultimately YAM Worldwide. In his literary debut, Fire in the Hole!, this extraordinary entrepreneur recounts the exploits of his youth, his hellish days at the mercy of Catholic school nuns, his harrowing tour of duty in Vietnam as a decorated US Marine, his pioneering contributions to the software and internet industries, and his latest ventures in power sports, golf, real estate, and marketing. Along the way, we witness his remarkable resilience as he copes with his mother’s mental illness and his father’s infidelities, battles PTSD resulting from both his childhood and war traumas, and mounts a quest to find new and effective treatments for himself and others who suffer from this affliction. He strongly supports veterans organizations, and believing in the concept of paying it forward, has awarded grants to more than ninety-six charities and organizations worldwide through the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation. Perhaps the only thing that has come easy to Parsons is his gift for storytelling. His reflections are at turns heartbreaking, heartwarming, humorous, and inspiring. If ever there were a story about a self-made man whose wealth can be measured as much by the contents of his heart as by the contents of his bank account, this is it.

Review:

Before Bob Parsons became a philanthropist, he fought in the Vietnam war, worked as an accountant, and created GoDaddy. This memoir tells his story from his tough childhood in Baltimore to his successful life today.

One thing that stood out and really made Bob successful was his attitude. He had a positive attitude and outlook. Instead of getting upset over any setbacks, he looked for solutions to his problems. I don’t read a lot of nonfiction, but I’m so glad I read this fascinating memoir!

Fire in the Hole! is an inspiring and fascinating memoir!

Thank you Bob Parsons and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: war, PTSD, drug use, mental illness, child abuse

Have you read Fire in the Hole? What did you think of it?

Review: Third Shift Society, Vol. 2

Title: Third Shift Society, Vol. 2
Author: Meredith Moriarty
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: Webtoon Unscrolled
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Eisner-nominated WEBTOON Third Shift Society is a story about stumbling head-first into a world of magic and mystery. Financially challenged Ellie discovers she has strong psychic powers and gets a job working for Ichabod, a paranormal detective with the head of a Jack-o-Lantern.

Life’s funny. One minute you’re jobless, deep in debt, and on the verge of eviction; the next you’re in a fight with a monster and getting a job working for a paranormal detective with the head of a Jack-o-Lantern. It’s an age-old story.

Now the clumsy but determined Ellie (who’s recently discovered she has strong psychic powers) and her pumpkin-headed boss Ichabod have to team up and fight the things that go bump in the night.

Ellie and Ichabod have some supernatural solves under their belts and Ellie has her psychic powers more (or less) under control. All they’re up against now are cryptic witches, sinister demons, and some ancient monsters hellbent on escaping their psychic prison. What could possibly go wrong?

This volume collects Season 2 of the bewitching WEBTOON comic.

Review:

Ellie, who has just discovered her supernatural powers, works with Ichabod, a man with a pumpkin head, to investigate the paranormal. Ellie must confess her dream of Alice, who left her with a real mark on her hand. Ichabod enlists the help of a witch to figure out what Alice’s plan is, while also investigating other paranormal creatures.

This was a fun second book in the series. There were a lot of fight scenes that made the story go by quickly. I love the mystery around Ichabod. There was some of his origin story in this story, but he is still secretive and a mystery. I’m excited to see where the story goes next!

Third Shift Society, Vol. 2 is a great spooky graphic novel!

Thank you Wattpad Books for providing a digital copy of this book.

Other books in the series:

Third Shift Society, Vol. 1

Have you read Third Shift Society, Vol. 2? What did you think of it?