What I Read In November 2024 + My December TBR
I blinked and it’s now December. How is it already December? With the dumpster fire that was the second week of this month, I found myself wanting happy and enjoyable books. Did I read all happy and enjoyable books? No. Some were devastating and heartbreaking. But most of these are more light-hearted, so if you’re looking for some light-hearted romance books to pick up this month, especially for the holidays and traveling, then look no further.
What I Read In November:
Rein Me In by Kayla Grosse
I started this many months ago but put it down. Many months later, I picked it back up and forced myself to read it. It was good, I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t stand out to me. I wanted to love the brother’s best friend trope, and I did, for the most part, but again, it didn’t stand out. The chemistry was there, between Gavin and Blake, but the story fell flat for me—especially the conflict over Gavin’s family farm and whether he could save it or not. There was a divide between that conflict and the romance. But still, I liked the romance and the banter between Gavin and Blake.
Rating: 4/5 (may be a 3/5, but idk)
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home (The Magnolia Parks Universe, 3) by Jessa Hastings
“OH!” That was my first reaction after closing this book for the first time. Okay. So I’m glad I picked this series back up. Once I realized that I think Magnolia Parks (and BJ, tbh) may be one of the most annoying characters ever written (in my opinion, of course), and I put that aside, I actually found myself enjoying the story. I’ve always loved Jessa Hastings’s conversational writing style since book 1. Her writing and her prose are so unique and interesting! I loved this story, too. It’s very twisty and the book’s basic question of “how many loves do you get in a lifetime” is sooo interesting. I actually like Magnolia and BJ in this book!! I think I learned more about them and as the book progressed, I found myself rooting for them even more. The characters were fleshed out more and gave more context to who they are. And the side characters!! Daisy and Christian, Jonah, Henry, Taura, Bridget and even Julian!! I love Julian, even though he’s a “bad guy” or whatever. I’m excited to read more of him in the next Daisy Haites book.. Overall, I’d recommend!! Even if you didn’t really like book 1, you need to grab this one! Keep reading! (And to the people that influenced me to keep reading, I wholeheartedly give you thanks.)
Rating: 4/5
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
Lost and Lassoed (Rebel Blue Ranch, 3) by Lyla Sage
Loved this one!! Loved Gus and Teddy. These are two very stubborn people who love with their whole heart — I loved how the author told their stories. I love Gus and Cam’s co-parenting relationship, too, and how they welcomed Teddy in with open arms. Lyla Sage has done it again and created a cozy community that is Rebel Blue Ranch. I always love visiting these characters and now, Gus and Teddy have become my favorites!! However, Emmy and Brooks remain my favorite couple in the Rebel Blue Ranch series—I loved reading about them in this book. Excited for Book 4 of this series!
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
A five star rating may be too generous but honestly, this was too good. I don’t really have any notes. Suzanne Collins writes when she has something to say and this was definitely something—especially in the wake of this recent election. Snow was honestly low key (and high key, tbh) annoying and full of himself—that’s nothing new. It was interesting to see the love he had for his cousin, Tigris, and his gran, and the preservation of his family’s legacy. That was his main motivation. Still, he’s not a good person—something that he would really disagree with. It was interesting to read his story, since technically this was very much his story as much as it was Lucy’s (although we didn’t get her POV), after meeting him 70 years later, well into his presidency. I listened on audio and it was weirdly funny when the narrator would sing Lucy Gray’s songs. I’m glad I watched the movie first, because I swapped out the narrator’s voice for Rachel Zegler’s singing voice, but it was still funny. Overall! Again, five stars may be too generous and I might change my mind later but for now, well done.
Rating: 5/5
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
Loving Romeo (Magnolia Falls, 1) by Laura Pavlov
She’s in her cowboy romance era! I devoured this in two days and I loved it! Romeo and Demi have unbelievable chemistry. Enemies to lovers, forced proximity…. this was too good.
Rating: 4/5
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
I really, really enjoyed this one! I enjoyed reading about Marjorie Post and her four marriages. The way the author told her unique story reminded me of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Marjorie was a socialite and heiress to a breakfast foods corporation, but she used her wealth for good and carried out a legacy for her family. Read if you love the last great american dynasty!!
Rating: 4/5
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
This book is a part of a collection of novellas published under Amazon, written by popular romance authors. Tessa Bailey is one of my favorite romance authors. Her books are either a hit or a miss for me, and I trust her completely to write a good book, but this … was not it. Although it was short (novellas are designed to be short), this was just … raunchy. Some of the steamier scenes were too cheesy. I don’t normally give one-star ratings, but this one had a one-star rating from me.
Rating: 1/5
Buy on Amazon.
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
Another novella! This was good. It ended abruptly but ultimately, I liked the then/now of it all. It jumped back and forth too quickly but again, for the length, it made sense to the story.
Rating: 3/5
Buy on Amazon.
All By My Elf by Olivia Dade
Fun! There was a few plot holes but like the other novellas in this holiday collection, it was good for the length. The banter was good. The romance was believable. I love the MMC. I would definitely recommend.
Rating: 3/5
Buy on Amazon.
The Official Taylor Swift | Eras Tour Book by Taylor Swift
No surprise, but LOVED this book. Tbh, I had low expectations for a concert book, thought it was going to be all pictures (which I still would’ve loved), but I really loved the personal touches and comments from Taylor herself on how the Eras Tour gets made and the selection of the setlist. Love that she shows the love and care she has for not only her fans (😭), but also her band (The Agency!), the crew, and her backup dancers and vocalists. The Eras Tour is a tour to remember for ages to come, and so glad I could pick this up to keep the Eras Tour on page forever. Have always loved and will always love Taylor Swift.
Rating: 5/5 (infinity stars)
