monika_is_booked's reviews
309 reviews

Winter Nights & Christmas Lights by Sofia Roses

emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Charlotte just came to Dublin for Grad school, looking for a new start in a new city. But getting to know new people is difficult. That is until Charlotte meets Aoife on a dating app and the two of them just click. Maybe Charlotte's Christmas will be even better than she thought it would with her new found friend who is quickly becoming so much more.
This is a really REALLY cute novella.with all the feels, fun and Christmas vibes. Sprinkled with a bit of sp!ce, a lot of family, a surprise which thankfully doesn't lead to a third act break up due to open communication and an adorable furry present, this is the perfect bite-sized Christmas story to devour on a cozy afternoon.

Christmas at Fox Ridge by Bailey Hannah

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

After an unforgettable one night stand with her best friend's brother, Eira is in need of a break from her terrible dating life.
Lucas is struggling to keep his ranch. His sister's plan to rent out the spare cabin isn't something he's looking forward to but it sure could help with his financial struggles. 
He doesn't know, that Eira is to stay in his cabin over the holidays. But when she turns up at Lucas's house halfway frozen to a popsicle because she couldn't get the wood stove to work, how long will they be able to keep their hands off each other?
This is such a fun, 🔥, christmassy read. The sparks are flying and the grumpy cowboy turns out to be funny and sweet, but only for her 🫠. The banter and 🌶️  are fantastic. If you're looking for a cozy Christmas novella which has you laughing out loud, sweating.and slightly worried for a HEA about a smvt illustrator and a grumpy cowboy pick up "Christmas at Fox Ridge"

Mistletoe and Mayhem by C. Smith

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

We're back at Meadowside and Ace has been planning the perfect Christmas for his found family. Needless to say everyone is in board, especially with a few child free days ahead of the busy families. Kids safely tucked away with their grandparents, the gang is on their way to a beautiful cabin in the middle of nowhere. But Ace wouldn't be Ace if he didn't have a lot more surprises in store for his friends and everyone is going to get an amazing, magical Christmas.
Boy, it's good to be back with these characters for a cozy, heartwarming, magical Christmas adventure. All the couples we got to know before and the ones yet to come in the series together in one big cabin. Sparks are flying as the busy couples reconnect with each other and with their friends. This is the perfect read to cozy up under a warm blanket and to say goodbye to this fictional family for the year, knowing they had a happy Christmas and to make you excited for more stories from Meadowside and C. Smith!!

Burger bliss by Minty Marie

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Desi and Bastian have been working at Burger Bliss for quite some time. While Desi is sure, he doesn't like her, Bastian has been watching her and when Desi is in need of a place to stay during her heat, he finally can come to her rescue. Wil he be able to keep her permanently or is it just a temporary truce?
This is such a cute, cozy story. Found family working alongside at a Burger restaurant, going through ups and downs but always having each other's back. Even the grumpy co-worker who you wouldn't expect to do so. The sp!ce is amazing. Desi is in heat after all and needs help to get through it 🥵 
The world building with it's different characters is really interesting and I can't wait for more stories centering around a certain cute Burger restaurant 🥰

Cosmic Heat by Clio Evans

emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Lots of 🌶️🌶️ with a bit of plot. Short, sweet and 🔥

The Stage is Set by Liliana Pisarka

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Zosia just came to Partyn to investigate the theft of the crown jewels from the local museum. Despite trying her best, the thief gets the better of her and steals one of the jewels right from under her nose. When Zosia investigates further, the thief seems somewhat familiar and suddenly nothing is like it seems.
Wow. This is a novella but it's PACKED with twists and turns, magic and mystery. Sprinkled with a bit of steam, "The Stage is Set" is a really good, quick romantasy read for lovers of FF romance and fast paced magical stories.

Hell of a Bargain by B.P. Gilmore

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

So fun!! Quick, hoooot Halloween themed read with an amazing group of female friends and a demon who didn't see it coming 🤭🤭

Hunted On Halloween by T.B. Wiese

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Woohoo. Hot like hell!!

Broken Songbird by Cassandra B. Andreucci

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Book 2 in the "Vicious Games"-series "Broken Songbird" starts a bit before the ending of "Dark Siren" but then it continues the story changing the perspective to Del's sister Scarlett and the President of the Bikergang Savage Wings, Creed. 
I just love the way Cassandra writes and the worlds she's built. In all of the books as well as in "Broken Songbird" you'll find incredible characters, who've been through so much but came out stronger on the other side. Scarlett finds a second family in the notorious biker gang and Creed just let's her be herself and make every move on her own pace. I was swooning SO hard 🫠🫠 
That being said, if you like dark mafia romance with morally grey characters, yes, Creed is a cinnamon roll but don't you lay a finger on his woman!!, found family, relatable characters who struggle every once in a while, plot twists and turns, that'll make you gasp and amazing 🌶️🌶️, put this series on your TBR asap!!

Ghost of Ex-mas Past: A Spicy Second Chance Novella by Liz Alden

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Charlie and Bea have been friends before lovers. But their life led them in different directions and they broke up eight years ago. 
Every year their families celebrate Christmas together and they tried to stay away from each other as much as possible. But this year, the sparks start to fly again. Will they be able to reconnect and finally make their relationship work?
A Christmassy childhood friends to lovers second chance romance with amazing 🌶️? Sign. Me. Up!!! I loved this story from start to finish. Family, food, winter fun and cozy feels make the perfect novella for the upcoming season. Don't miss out and put "Ghost of Ex-mas past" on your TBR!!