Today’s post covers the second half of the books I read in December 2022. This was another slower reading month (for me) because of my travel at the end of the month and lack of time for audio books. I shared the first half of the books I read here. I shared my favorites of the month here. I will be linking up with Lauren’s book link up, My Month Is Booked, on Tuesday! The Amazon links to the books I’ve read are affiliate links and if you use them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. If you’ve read any of these books or are interested in them, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Title: The Family Upstairs
Author: Lisa Jewell
Genre: Thirller
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio, 11/5/19
Source: Library Audio
Why I Read It: Book Club
My Rating: 4 Stars
While I have read other books by Lisa Jewell, I hadn’t read this one (and had received the sequel but got rid of it because I hadn’t read this one!) so I was excited to pick it up for book club. It was a thriller told by 3 narrators and at times I was confused by the many characters that all lived in a house together in the past.
“Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am. She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them. Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.”
This book was slightly creepy and was a quick listen overall. I could see that there were a lot of open ends, which is why a sequel was written! There were a few twists and a few upsetting pieces included, with one of them being a trope I don’t appreciate, which is what dropped my star rating down just a bit.
Title: Once Upon A December
Author: Amy E. Reichert
Genre: Rom Com
Publisher: Berkley, 10/4/22
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed Amy E. Reichert’s book The Kindred Spirits Supper Club and looked forward to reading this one too. This book is about Jack, who lives in a traveling Christmas market where it is always December and Christmas season.
“With a name like Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit isn’t just a seasonal specialty—it’s a way of life. But after a stinging divorce, Astra’s yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery. For Jack Clausen, the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops stays the same, while the world outside the joyful street changes, magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks. He’s never minded living this charmed existence until Astra shows him the life he’s been missing outside of the festive red brick alley. After a swoon-worthy series of dates, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons, or if what they’re feeling is as ephemeral as marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa.”
No one remembers the market after it leaves but Astra begins to remember Jack. Even though her ex was very controlling, Astra sees no problem that Jack asks her to leave her friends and family and join the market. I thought most of the story was cute, but this part didn’t do it for me. I also didn’t love the lack of diversity and acknowledgment that not everyone celebrates Christmas. If you love Christmas and wish it was always December, you will appreciate this book. Another thing I did love was that Jack carved gnomes because I love gnomes!
Title: Burnout
Author: Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Genre: Self-Help
Publisher: Random House Audio, 3/26/19
Source: Publisher Audio
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review / Requested audio
My Rating: 4 Stars
I had the print version of this book waiting to be read and I decided to listen to it instead. It is about the stress cycle and the importance of rest.
“Burnout. Many women in America have experienced it. What’s expected of women and what it’s really like to be a woman in today’s world are two very different things—and women exhaust themselves trying to close the gap between them. How can you ‘love your body’ when every magazine cover has ten diet tips for becoming ‘your best self’? How do you ‘lean in’ at work when you’re already operating at 110 percent and aren’t recognized for it? How can you live happily and healthily in a sexist world that is constantly telling you you’re too fat, too needy, too noisy, and too selfish? Sisters Emily Nagoski, PhD, and Amelia Nagoski, DMA, are here to help end the cycle of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Instead of asking us to ignore the very real obstacles and societal pressures that stand between women and well-being, they explain with compassion and optimism what we’re up against—and show us how to fight back. In these pages you’ll learn
• what you can do to complete the biological stress cycle—and return your body to a state of relaxation
• how to manage the ‘monitor’ in your brain that regulates the emotion of frustration
• how the Bikini Industrial Complex makes it difficult for women to love their bodies—and how to defend yourself against it
• why rest, human connection, and befriending your inner critic are keys to recovering and preventing burnout
With the help of eye-opening science, prescriptive advice, and helpful worksheets and exercises, all women will find something transformative in these pages—and will be empowered to create positive change. Emily and Amelia aren’t here to preach the broad platitudes of expensive self-care or insist that we strive for the impossible goal of ‘having it all.’ Instead, they tell us that we are enough, just as we are—and that wellness, true wellness, is within our reach.”
I thought this book was interesting and wished that it had even more strategies in it. I think it does contain good advice for women and I liked that it wasn’t directed only at one specific type of woman. I think this book is what has me thinking about reducing stress this coming year.
Title: The Winter Orphans
Author: Kristin Beck
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Berkley, 9/13/22
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 4 Stars
Amusingly enough, I saved this book for winter but ended up finishing it in warm weather Florida. The Winter Orphans is a World War II historical story about a real life woman – Rosli Naf. Rosli was dedicated to saving Jewish children and worked tirelessly to keep them safe in France, working with the Swiss Red Cross. However, their location became unsafe when Germany invaded France and with the help of Anne-Marie Piguet – also a real life woman – they began to smuggle the older children out of France. The third viewpoint in the book is that of Ella, a Jewish refugee, who was fictional but represented the actual children who lived through this time period.
“In a remote corner of France, Jewish refugee Ella Rosenthal has finally found a safe haven. It has been three years since she and her little sister, Hanni, left their parents to flee Nazi Germany, and they have been pursued and adrift in the chaos of war ever since. Now, they shelter among one hundred other young refugees in a derelict castle overseen by the Swiss Red Cross. Swiss volunteers Rösli Näf and Anne-Marie Piguet uphold a common mission: to protect children in peril. Rösli, a stubborn and resourceful nurse, directs the colony of Château de la Hille, and has created a thriving community against all odds. Anne-Marie, raised by Swiss foresters, becomes both caretaker and friend to the children, and she vows to do whatever is necessary to keep them safe. However, when Germany invades southern France, safeguarding Jewish refugees becomes impossible. Château de la Hille faces unrelenting danger, and Rösli and Anne-Marie realize that the only way to protect the eldest of their charges is to smuggle them out of France. Relying on Rösli’s fierce will and Anne-Marie’s knowledge of secret mountain paths, they plot escape routes through vast Nazi-occupied territory to the distant border. Amid staggering risk, Ella and Hanni embark on a journey that, if successful, could change the course of their lives and grant them a future.”
I found the story to be slow at times but an important look at those who did help Jewish people during this time period. Both Rosli and Anne-Marie were recognized for their efforts, though Rosli always said she wished she could have done more.
Title: The Key To My Heart
Author: Lia Louis
Genre: Rom Com
Publisher: Atria / Emily Bestler Books, 12/6/22
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 4 Stars
This book is about Natalie, who is dealing with the loss of her husband. Her friends pressure her to move on and she meets Tom, who agrees to pretend to be interested in her so her friends leave her alone. She also meets another man in her grief group who she feels a connection with. She plays music at a train station and finds sheet music of songs that were important to her and her husband and she wonders if one of these men is leaving it for her.
“Sparkly and charming Natalie Fincher has it all—a handsome new husband, a fixer-upper cottage of her dreams, and the opportunity to tour with the musical she’s spent years writing. But when her husband suddenly dies, all her hopes and dreams instantly disappear. Two and a half years later, Natalie is still lost. She works, sleeps (well, as much as the sexually frustrated village foxes will allow), and sees friends just often enough to allay their worries, but her life is empty. And she can only bring herself to play music at a London train station’s public piano where she can be anonymous. She’s lost motivation, faith in love, in happiness…in everything. But when someone begins to mysteriously leave the sheet music for her husband’s favorite songs at the station’s piano, Natalie begins to feel a sense of hope and excitement for the first time. As she investigates just who could be doing this, Natalie finds herself on an unexpected journey toward newfound love for herself, for life, and maybe, for a special someone.”
I thought this book was sweet but it was a slow burn and included a love triangle, which I don’t love! The mystery of the music was interesting to read about as well.
Title: Best Served Hot
Author: Amanda Elliot
Genre: Rom Com
Publisher: Berkley, 2/21/23
Source: Publisher via Net Galley
Why I Read It: Loved her previous book
My Rating: 4 Stars
Sadie on a Plate was a favorite of mine in 2022 and I was excited to read Amanda Elliot’s newest book. This one is about Julie, a food influencer who wants to be legitimized and is upset when Bennett gets a food writing job that she wanted.
“By day, Julie Zimmerman works as an executive assistant. After hours, she’s @JulieZeeEatsNYC, a social media restaurant reviewer with over fifty thousand followers. As much as she loves her self-employed side gig, what Julie really wants is to be a critic at a major newspaper, like the New York Scroll. The only thing worse than the Scroll’s rejection of her application is the fact that smarmy, social-media-averse society boy Bennett Richard Macalester Wright snagged her dream job. While at the Central Park Food Festival, Julie confronts the annoyingly handsome Bennett about his outdated opinions on social media and posts the resulting video footage. Julie’s follower count soars—and so does the Scroll’s. Julie and Bennett grudgingly agree to partner up for a few reviews to further their buzz. Online buzz, obviously. Over tapas, burgers, and more, Julie and Bennett connect over their shared love of food. But when the competitive fire between them turns extra spicy, they’ll have to decide how much heat their relationship can take.”
This was an enemies to lovers story when Julie and Bennett begin a collaboration to review restaurants together. There were a lot of food descriptions and a scene where Julie and Bennett visit Sadie’s restaurant from Sadie on a Plate. I was once again struck by how not kosher the food is at a Jewish restaurant, but that’s just me. I enjoyed the addition of characters such as Emerson Leigh and the discussion of class issues that ensued between her and Julie.
Title: Friends Like These
Author: Kimberly McCreight
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks, 9/7/21 (original)
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 4 Stars
This is the second book with this title that I read this year, plus it is certainly not the first that I’ve read about a group of college friends who reunite many years later, minus one of their group who died in the past. These friends reunite for an intervention and soon another death occurs. The book also contains the viewpoint of the detective on the case whose sister died many years earlier.
“Six college friends have reunited for a glamorous weekend in the Catskills, a decade after a fatal accident that nearly destroyed them. Keith, once the ringleader of the group, was a handsome charmer on the fast track to success. Now he’s spiraling into addiction and stands at the edge of losing it all. This weekend is the last chance to save him. But Keith, it turns out, is not the only one who needs saving. By dawn on Sunday morning, a car has been found deep in the woods—one of the friends is dead, another is missing. When a local detective turns up to investigate, it’s clear the group is hiding something ominous. Haunted by her sister’s murder years ago, Detective Julia Scutt has her own share of problems. But she’s a skilled detective, and knows a rehearsed story when she hears one. It is up to Julia to untangle a decade-long web of friendship, lies and betrayals to discover the truth. But first she needs to face her own past—including the secrets that could, in the end, offer the key to everything.”
I thought the plot connections were done well at first, but then things became just a bit unbelievable. As far as thrillers go, this was a quick and engrossing read that kept me entertained.
Title: Yours Truly
Author: Abby Jimenez
Genre: Rom Com
Publisher: Forever, 4/11/23
Source: Publisher via Net Galley
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 5 Stars
It has become tradition to wrap up my reading year with an Abby Jimenez new release and the problem with that is that the books don’t get added to either this year or next year’s best of lists! And I love her books so much. This one is about Briana, who expects the worst and is afraid to trust men, and Jacob, who deals with anxiety.
“Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s ‘pain in my ass’ scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter. And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her ‘sob closet,’ and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.”
This is a fake dating story, which I love, but it also relied on a miscommunication trope, which I don’t love. A subplot of the book is Briana’s brother’s kidney disease and the fact that Jacob is his perfect match. This was based on Abby’s own kidney issues, which is revealed in the author’s note. Even though I don’t love miscommunication, this book made me both laugh and cry and was the perfect way to end a year of reading.
There you have it, the rest of my December reading! This post included 8 of the books I read in December. Of these books, 6 were print and 2 were audio books. Genres included thriller, rom com, self-help, and historical fiction.
Have you read any of these books or do you want to? What have you been reading lately?
