I’m deep in the trenches of festive ARCs right now and honestly, I’m not having a good time. This is a slight spoiler for December but I’ve already DNF’d two of them and I really feel in a slump at the moment. I’m only planning to read two of them next month, so hopefully taking a slight step back from them will reignite my love for reading again.
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
I’ve read this series in the most ridiculous order but there’s very little continuity to them, so it doesn’t really matter. All that’s given away is that the couple from the previous book get together, which is obviously going to happen anyway.
As we start moving into autumn, I thought The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore would be the perfect read to kick off the season with.
I’ve actually really enjoyed most of this series to the point where I think I was overly harsh to The Pumpkin Spice Cafè when I read an ARC of it a few years ago. I may consider re-reading it to see if I still feel the same way about it.
Synopsis: When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can’t understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just need someone to help her out.
Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he’s been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!
Hazel didn’t go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells…
You Wouldn’t Catch Me Dead by Tess James-Mackey
I read Tess James-Mackey’s debut novel last year and I thought it was a great read. I actually owned this one first but I wanted to check out the debut as my introduction to this author.
I’m hoping the atmosphere of this book is just as chilling as the first. I love the premise of this book but it probably isn’t one to pick up whilst I’m on a camping trip next month.
Synopsis: The only thing worse than being lost . . . is being found.
Keely planned to keep her head down at her new school – she isn’t there to make friends or memories, she just wants to be left alone .
In order to get into college, she is roped into a programme that involves camping in the Welsh wilderness with five over-keen try-hards. Her plan is to keep her head down, keep her mouth shut and get through the next few days.
But Keely is running from something. Something that drove her family out of their home and to this quiet town. And when her fellow explorers start disappearing and the bodies begin to pile up, she has to ask, did she run far enough?
Revolve by Bal Khabra
*I was given an ARC of this book by the publisher*
I’ve not long finished reading a different book about ice skating, which I really enjoyed, so I’m excited to check out this one. I own another book by this author, it’s part of this ‘series’ I think, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. Hopefully I’ll enjoy this one so much that I’ll check out the other one, which I think is Collide – I have a lot of books on my Kindle it’s hard to keep up.
Synopsis: Sierra Romanova was an Olympian figure skater before a life-altering accident on the ice left her with panic attacks every time she enters the rink. Now, back for her final year at Dalton University, she’s ready to reclaim the spotlight, with all eyes on her…including those of hockey player Dylan Donovan, whose audacious words goad her back into her skates to prove him wrong.
After getting kicked off his hockey team for his reckless behavior, Dylan is left with slim chances of making it to the NHL draft. But Dylan’s whole world revolves around the ice, and if hockey is forbidden, well at least there’s figure skating. Even better, it means more time at the rink with Sierra. Sure, he’s helping her rebuild her confidence, but pushing her buttons along the way? That’s just a bonus.
As the figure skating world awaits Sierra’s comeback, she finds herself in need for a new pairs partner. The only person she knows who can match her skill on the ice is none other than the cocky hockey player who refuses to cut her any slack. Dylan’s a wildcard, Sierra’s a seasoned pro, but together, they might just be the perfect match on the ice.
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