Quick Lit: December 2017 (Part 1)

Quick Lit: December 2017 (Part 1)

• Jan 25, 2018

I read 16 books in December, and I'm reviewing 14 of them in December's Quick Lit post. Since it was quite long, I split it into two parts. Tomorrow's Part 2 features reviews for the two series that I read in December. With one exception, everything I read during the month was something I bought or was gifted in 2017. So, I finished a lot... but it didn't really help my TBR. Oops? If you're looking for more book recommendations, check out the linkup at Modern Mrs. Darcy. 

On the blog in December, I posted four reviews. The first was for The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson, a book I read over the summer and loved so much that I could barely put my thoughts into words. Then, I shared a review Far from the Tree by Robin Benway (for October's Picky Pledge prompt), for Illuminae and Gemina by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman (for November), and The City Baker's Guide to County Living by Louise Miller (for December). 

THE PERFECT STRANGER BY ANNE GRACIE | After I finished my binge of the Chance sisters series, I found myself craving more from this author. So, since I'd already read the first two book in the Merridew series, I dove into the third. I was immediately hooked by the opening and couldn't put it down! Faith was a really enjoyable heroine, and I liked Nicholas (though he spent far too much time keeping secrets from Faith "for her own good"). The change in setting was fun, too, since they're traveling together. It's not the most memorable Gracie that I've read, but I still So Enjoyed It.

THE PERFECT KISS BY ANNE GRACIE | I was nervous before starting the last Merridew book because I knew Kelly wasn't a huge fan. Now that I've read it, I can see why. It's definitely my least favorite in the series - though it isn't completely awful. I just really didn't like the dynamic between the hero and heroine, primarily because the initial power imbalance made consent questionable. The romance got a little better by the end, but not enough to fully win me over. There were things I liked, so I'd say I So Liked It (as long as I don't think too hard about the beginning). 

SUGAR PINE TRAIL BY RAEANNE THAYNE | If you're a regular reader of my blog, you may remember me gushing about the Haven Point series last summer. Thankfully, the seventh in the series came out just in time for Christmas! I absolutely adored this one, which was exciting because the fifth and sixth were just okay for me. I was swept up in the holiday vibes, totally swooned over Jamie, cheered for Julia as she came out of her shell, and fell in love with the two little boys in her care. This was the perfect book for the season, and I So Enjoyed It! Now, I can't wait for the next...

THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE BY JILL SHALVIS | I've never read anything by Shalvis before, but I started this book with high hopes. I'd heard such good things! Unfortunately, this was a major letdown for me. I really didn't like the writing style. It's hard for me to pinpoint what didn't work for me, but it just felt clunky. I wasn't invested in the couple, the chemistry fizzled, and I found myself skimming at times. Sadly, I was So Over It. I picked up a different Shalvis after this one, read two chapters and realized that she's probably just not for me. But I think I'm the black sheep here!

THE VISCOUNT NEEDS A WIFE BY JO BEVERLEY | Jo Beverley was a new author for me, but I couldn't resist giving her a try when I spotted this for $1. It's apparently #17 in a series, but I had no problem diving right in. I loved the heroine, a widow longing for freedom, and the hero, a spy and reluctant Viscount. It felt a little long at times, and I was hoping for just a bit more development between the couple. But I loved how Beverley brought the time period to life by packing it with historical details + a storyline involving the royal family! It was a fun introduction to this author, and I So Liked It. 

MARRY IN HASTE BY ANNE GRACIE | I couldn't wait to start this book - the first in a new series by Gracie! I didn't pay close attention to the summary since I was primarily reading it because of the author, and I ended up cracking up at how similar it was to my previous read (by Jo Beverley) in almost all respects. But the one thing that set it apart is that I was more invested in the characters. It took a long time for the romance to develop, but I didn't mind at all because I was majorly swooning by the end! I So Enjoyed It, and I'm so excited to see where this series goes next. 

What have you been reading lately?