Am I behind on all my book club readings? YES
Is that stopping me from reading what I want? NO

I have thoroughly embraced seasonal reading this year and am loving it. I’m still a mood reader though so I’m all over the place. I will say seasonal reading has helped clear out books on my shelves (physical and digital).

Hooked on You technically takes place during summer but the cover makes me think of Autumn when my crafty (lol) side comes out. No, I still cannot crochet and I’m ok with that about myself.

Riley’s grandma calls her in NYC and asks her to return home to Arkansas to run her yarn store while she heals from a broken leg. Riley will do anything for her grandma. What Riley doesn’t know is that grandma has ulterior motives. Grandma wants her home…permanently. As grandma and granddaughter work and live together the past, present, and future collide in ways no one expected.

A delightful lighthearted read. There is an underlying theme of childhood trauma and addiction but it is handled in a manner that does not drag down the story. I appreciated that as I was ready for a light read.

A clean read in that there is no foul language and no sex scenes open or closed. Kissing and implied thoughts of wanting more. I would have no issues sharing with a teenage girl.

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Could you become an instant mom if someone called you to come take their baby? That is what Dinah did when ex-Amish Anna called from a nearby town. Anna lived next to Dinah’s family growing up and knew they would take care of her baby as their own. Anna’s older brother, Jacob, still lives next door and shares a building with her bakery and coffee shop. He wants Anna home and hopes taking the baby will bring her one step closer. Together Dinah and Jacob work out a system that benefits all.

There is just something relaxing when reading Amish romance. Is it 100% correct? I don’t know and don’t care. Do things move fast and unrealistic? Yes, but again I don’t care. These are my relaxing books that let me escape the crazy world.

A clean, no spice, only chaste kissing, and no foul language read. Part of a three book series that can easily be read as a standalone.

Recipes included in the book. I will make a couple over the next few weeks.

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I have spent the last 3 Christmas seasons anticipating RaeAnne Thayne’s newest Shelter Springs, Idaho book. This year I was lucky to be chosen for her launch team. It was the best weekend spending time in one of my favorite small towns. 

Hannah is Shelter Springs musical therapist for all ages. It has been her dream for as long as she can remember. She finds joy working with others using music as a healing force. When a close friend finds herself needing extra help Hannah steps in becomes a temporary custodian of her friend’s two children. Hannah’s heart grows in ways she never imagined. 

Wes is back in Shelter Springs to heal after being injured on the job as a policeman and to work on his grandfather’s home to sell. He hopes he can stay in the shadows and get done and out. He didn’t expect to see Hannah around every corner. 

(Un)fortunately life has a way of throwing curveballs. Wes and Hannah were once together until a night changed Wes forever. With the help of family, friends, and fate they find themselves together more often than not. 

Can they give their love for one another a second chance?

This book hit every soft spot in my soul. You know the main characters are meant to be and you can’t wait until they realize it and when they do it is a beautiful miracle. 

Cozy Little Christmas is a warm blanket of love wrapped in soft twinkling Christmas lights. 

The book is on sale this Tuesday, October 6. I highly suggest you run to grab this quick selling new release. It is book 4 of her Shelter Springs series but can easily be read as a standalone. 

RT says this is the last of the series but I really hope us readers can convince her to continue the series. 

I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher with no requirement to write a positive review. All thoughts above are my own. 

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September Wrap Up ☀️🏎️🏁🌊🐢⚾️🧢

6 books total, 0 DNF

2 books donated/given to others

3 books (kindle/physical) of my own read

Reviews of most books on my blog. www.kentuckybooklover.com

B Borrowed from friend/family

L  Library

KO  Kindle Owned

O  Physical Owned

EL  E-library (Libby/Overdrive/Hoopla)

AB  Audiobook 

KU  Kindle Unlimited 

NG NetGalley

ARC Advanced Reader Copy 

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Fall has me reaching for my comfort reads: cozy mysteries.

A Roux of Revenge by Connie Archie is book 3 out of a 5 book series. It is centered around the Halloween season. A carnival rolls into town and with it secrets, deception, and murder. Lucky also finds herself unsure of her relationship with the local doctor who appears to be keeping secrets of his own.

If you look at my reading dates you would think I didn’t like the book. Far from the truth, I have just had a slow reading month with long weekend trips and work being done at our home (something exciting coming soon).

It is always a good visit with Lucky and her restaurant friends. It is like a warm hug on chilly night. The Vermont setting adds to the Halloween atmosphere.

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I am not a huge fan of poetry as usually I don’t understand what the author is trying to convey but I felt this poetry. As I read the poems I was able to visualize the area or action being mentioned. Was it because it is a native Kentuckian like myself? Possibly.

I wish I had known of the notes in the back as it would have even further helped my understanding of the poem. Being read in kindle format I didn’t realize that section was provided.

This was the book chosen for my Bookends Book Club through the Bullitt County Cooperative Extension Office.

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A cozy sweet romance that is full of swoony romantic moments.

It is 2025 and Beverly is a professional puppeteer who has hit a snag. She has thrown a Hail Mary out and agreed to do a talk show. While on stage she meets Griffin Harvey the handsome music star. At this meet cute moment a bond has formed that has Griffin following Beverly from California to a remote North Carolina mountain town. Can they help each other’s careers and maybe find time to fall in love as well?

The entire time I read this book I had more of a 1990s feel than current and I absolutely loved that feeling. The book wrapped me in a warm hug. I felt myself reading slower and taking time to embrace the story.

If you are a seasonal reader this book is a winter season read. Although any season you read will still bring all the cozy vibes.

This book released this past Tuesday and I recommend to all romance readers.

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Brenda Novak Book Club August selection

After a domestic violence marriage that ended in tragedy Elle has relocated to California as a bounty hunter. She finds herself on a case in Mendocino, California. There she finds herself working with a detective who is looking for the same guy she is and sparks fly in all forms. As the case takes a dramatic turn Elle finds herself at a crossroads in her personal and romantic life.

The story is great. I enjoyed the hunt for the bad guy and I enjoyed the slow burn romance. The author did a great job in keeping you guessing and interested in the story. There is a bit of spice towards the end but not much.

My complaint is with the audiobook. There was a female and male narrator which I thought great one for each main character. That is true BUT when say the female character is the lead of the chapter/section the female narrator reads both hers and the lead male lines and vice versa. What??? Why not have them stay in character the entire book. It threw my listening pleasure off drastically and was disappointing. I think if the narrators had stayed in character the entire book it would have been even better.

My rating is a 4.50 because I imagine that the audiobook narration is out of the authors control. It is not a reflection of the authors writing.

I highly recommend this book for fans of romantic suspense, police drama, and slow burn romance.

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I have owned Fourth Wing since its release date but life never gave me the perfect time to read it until now. I have gathered some of my closet friends and family and we have centered our book club around Fourth Wing. To say I’m hooked doesn’t even begin to tell you my feelings. I am 100% all in. Many times I woke up around 2am and read until I couldn’t hold my eyes open. The ending has me 🥺. It has been way too long for an ending to shock me to my core.

If you haven’t tried Fourth Wing yet but want to I say do it. Who knew dragons and superpowers could be so beautifully exciting.

I am in complete awe of the talent exhibited by Rebecca Yarros.

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As promised Jenn McKinlay’s Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Since we are taking them to a family gathering tomorrow I did mini and regular size cupcakes. They taste so good. I would even fix the minis with no frosting as a breakfast “muffin” and skip buying the Little Bites in the store.

My frosting/icing technique needs work. I don’t have the fancy piping bags and tips. I used the sandwich bag idea and it worked for the most part.

Easy make and will be made again.