Hello & welcome to my first 2025 book review.

I’ve been freelancing with another website for a while and I kind of lost my mojo here… I’m hoping to turn that around and focus primarily on book reviews and maybe some travel. So I freshened things up with a new look, too ☺️

Alright. Let’s get to the books. Links now go to TheStoryGraph.com and BookShop.com.

I set a goal for the year: 25 books in ’25. So far I’ve finished 8 short stories and books.

Under the Mistletoe Collection (Amazon Prime Original Stories)

• A Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood ★★★★/5 (finished in 2024)
• Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey ★★/5
• All by My Elf by Olivia Date ★/5
• Merriment & Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur ★★★★★/5
• Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria ★★★/5

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Typhoid Mary: An Urban Historical by Anthony Bourdain
★★★/5 | Nonfiction, Historical

Why I Read It: Book club picked it. They pick books that are set during the Victorian Era OR written during the Victorian Era (1820-1914).

What I Thought: I probably wouldn’t have picked this up on my own, but it was short and interesting. Mary was both a simple and complex character… Do I think she eventually realized she was infecting people? Yes. Do I think she continued to work in kitchens because she was malicious? No. I think she lived in poverty and needed work.

Buy it HERE

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Locked in Pursuit [Electra McDonnell #4] by Ashley Weaver
★★★★/5 | Historical Mystery

Why I Read It: I originally received the 3rd book in the series as an ARC from Netgalley. I read it and was immediately hooked… so I start back at 1 and am making my way through.

What I Thought: I loved Weaver’s last series, but I had no intention of reading this one. (I don’t know why…) I’m SO GLAD I DID. I am obsessed with the way Weaver rights flawed but lovable characters. Her talent for writing women in history- strong but still appropriately behaved for the era- is fantastic. I can’t say enough about the chemistry between E & R… and I’m so glad I had the 5th book in the queue after I finished this one.

Buy it HERE

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The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo
★★★/5

Why I Read It: I was searching for a book to fill a category in Erin’s book challenge.

What I Thought: Hmm… While I did enjoy reading this story, and I was amused that I finished it while in the state of Texas, I didn’t feel like it went anywhere or had a purpose… That sounds harsh, but I didn’t walk away feeling bonded to any characters or impacted by their storylines. I didn’t learn anything new or have an epiphany. I also felt kind of odd reading a book by a male, written from the perspective of women. I just didn’t connect with this one.

Buy it HERE

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One Final Turn [Electra McDonnell #5] by Ashley Weaver
★★★★★/5 | Historical Mystery

Why I Read It: See above… Essentially because I love Electra & Major Ramsey.

What I Thought: I am 100% devastated that this series is over. (Well, almost. It actually comes out in June 2025.) I love how Weaver wraps up this series. I love that we get to see resolution throughout the entire story and not just at the end. I love the chemistry between all the characters. I know I literally just said it, but Weaver writes wonderful characters. I cannot wait until her next series. I have learned my lesson & won’t hesitate to dive head first into the next one!

*A big big big thank you to NetGalley & Ashley Weaver for the ARC*

Pre-Order it HERE

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I’m currently reading The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling, which is the 3rd installment in her witchy romance series, Graves Glen. I’m sure I’m currently reading other things, too, but that one is the primary book in my hands at the moment.

Alright then, what are your thoughts? Have I talked you into the Electra McDonnell series yet? Did you read the Amazon Prime freebies? (I will miss those when my Prime subscription ends and I don’t renew it…) They kind of fell flat this time. Sigh.

What are you read?

-Aud