Every single book I read this month has a full review posted already. So I’m going to keep this December wrap-up short.

December was actually a pretty good reading month for me. I managed to finish five books. Which may not seem like a lot, however, I was working in retail during the Christmas period (horrible I know) so five is actually an incredible amount. 

I will link to the full reviews in each section if you want to check them out. 

Christmas Island by Natalie Normann 

Read: 30/11/20 – 3/12/20          Rating: 3/5

I really enjoyed this book. It definitely wasn’t the most exciting or even romance heavy (everything was very PG). However, it did have the cosy Christmas vibes promised.

Check out my full review here

Goodreads synopsis: “In the bleak midwinter…

A really frosty wind is making Holly’s life absolutely miserable

After all the years of hard work it took Londoner Holly Greene to become a doctor, now it could all be taken away and she only has herself to blame. She’s retreating to her brother’s rustic home on an island off the coast of Norway to lick her wounds. Only, it’s the middle of winter and icy slush plus endless darkness isn’t exactly the cheery, festive getaway she had imagined.

Nearly stumbling off the edge of a cliff in the dark, Holly is saved by Frøy, a yellow-eyed cat of fearsome but fluffy proportions, and his owner – grouchy, bearded recluse, Tor. Tor has his own problems to face but the inexplicable desire to leave a bag of freshly baked gingerbread men on Holly’s doorstep is seriously getting in the way of his hermit routine.

Call it kindness, call it Christmas, but Holly’s arrival means midwinter has never looked less bleak.” 

Holly Island by S.J. Crabb 

Read: 4/12/20 – 7/12/20          Rating: 2.5/5

This was definitely the worst read of the month for me. Everything fell a little flat and the romance was borderline creepy. I believe this is marketed as YA but, I genuinely have no clue what to put it under.

The story took an unexpected twist at the end which was unnecessary and did not change anything important about the plot, honestly don’t get me started on it.

Check out my full review here

Goodreads synopsis: “ A magical festive romance, bringing a group of people together with friendship, new beginnings, and finding love. This enchanting and uplifting read will have you both laughing and crying as you rediscover the magic of Christmas.

Scarlett Robins lives her life through the pages of the books she sells because her reality is no fairy tale.

Then she saw an advert that changed everything.” 

The Winter We Met by Samatha Tonge 

Read: 8/12/20 – 15/12/20          Rating: 3/5

The Winter We Met was a nice read with very little drama. The writing style was nice and the story line simple. It does become quite obvious how its going to end near the middle. So if you’re not a fan of obvious storylines then I suggest you stay clear of this.

Check out my full review here

Goodreads synopsis: “When charming, mysterious Nik sits next to Jess on a plane home from a Christmas toy trade fair, she never could have imagined the impact he’d have on her life. As they touch down in London, Jess is hesitant to let Nik walk away, and before she knows it, she’s invited him to visit.

As the two take in the delights of the toy store where she works, Jess gets an upsetting phone call. Willow Court, her Grandmother’s care home, is to close before Christmas. Jess is determined to find the perfect new home for her Gran – and throw the best Christmas party Willow Court has ever seen!

But time is running out with the closure looming and Jess becomes increasingly drawn to enigmatic Nik who joins forces with her and best friend Oliver to realise those plans.

Will a chance encounter on an airplane bring love to Jess’s life or is this Christmas miracle too good to be true?”

Influence by Sara Shepard and Lilia Buckingham 

Read: 15/12/20 – 21/12/20          Rating: 4/5

Influence is defintely my favourite read of the month. I found the whole world and stroy line so captivating that I did not want to put it down. I know the dates read does not make it seem that way but trust me it is.

This has a great plot twist that is not at all guessable. So if you are looking for a fun YA thriller then definitely pick this up when it is out on January 5th.

Check out my full review here

Goodreads synopsis: “After a video she makes goes viral, everyone knows Delilah Rollins. And now that she’s in LA, Delilah’s standing on the edge of something incredible. Everything is going to change. She has no idea how much.

Jasmine Walters-Diaz grew up in the spotlight. A child star turned media darling, the posts of her in her classic Lulu C. rainbow skirt practically break the Internet. But if the world knew who Jasmine really was, her perfect life? Cancelled.

Fiona Jacobs is so funny–the kind of girl for whom a crowd parts–no wonder she’s always smiling! But on the inside? The girl’s a hot mess. And when someone comes out of the shadows with a secret from her past, it’s one that won’t just embarrass Fiona: it will ruin her.

Who wouldn’t want to be Scarlet Leigh? Just look at her Instagram. Scarlet isn’t just styled to perfection: she is perfection. Scarlet has a gorgeous, famous boyfriend named Jack and there’s a whole fanbase about their ship. To everyone watching online, their lives seem perfect . . . but are they really? The sun is hot in California . . . and someone’s going to get burned.” 

Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power

Read: 22/12/20 – 30/12/20          Rating: 3.5/5

Burn Our Bodies Down is spine chilling thriller which left me with an uneasy feeling throughout. This is obvioauly meant in a good way. It was entirely gripping once the story got going.

The only downfall of this book for me was the difficulty to understand the characters at first. It felt from the get-go that I should know everything about the main characters and understand why they act the way they do. However, I didn’t and I found it quite confusing.

Check out my full review here

Goodreads synopsis: “Ever since Margot was born, it’s been just her and her mother. No answers to Margot’s questions about what came before. No history to hold on to. No relative to speak of. Just the two of them, stuck in their run-down apartment, struggling to get along.

But that’s not enough for Margot. She wants family. She wants a past. And she just found the key she needs to get it: A photograph, pointing her to a town called Phalene. Pointing her home. Only, when Margot gets there, it’s not what she bargained for.

Margot’s mother left for a reason. But was it to hide her past? Or was it to protect Margot from what’s still there?

The only thing Margot knows for sure is there’s poison in their family tree, and their roots are dug so deeply into Phalene that now that she’s there, she might never escape.”

Let me know what books are on your December wrap-up!

WANT TO SEE WHAT I’VE BEEN READING LATELY? CHECK OUT MY GOODREADS HERE

DON’T FORGET TO LIKE AND FOLLOW YOUNG CREATIVE PRESS ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER

Like this post? Why not read this one too? Book Review: Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power