Free For All Friday: 10 Before the End

Intro

As this year comes to a close, I wanted to recap the books I still hope to read before the end of the year. That is where "10 before the end" comes along. It is a trend that encourages us to make a TBR with a new year's due date. Can you believe there are only 2 months left in 2025?

A lot of these I am currently in the middle of. A couple are ARCS. I am hoping I end up loving every one. Let's get into them!

My Picks

1. Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely
2. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
3. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
4. The Autist's Guide to the Galaxy by Clara Törnvall
5. Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
6. The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
7. My Roommate from Hell by Cale Dietrich
8. Most Eligible by Isabelle Engel
9. Dolls of Our Lives by Mary Mahoney and Allison Horrocks
10. Yule be Mine by Piper Rayne

Outro

I have a nice variety of reads in my future (assuming I actually get to these.) I am hyped for each and every one. Have you read any of these? If not, what is on your ten before the end? I will see you again next week!

Can't Wait Wednesday: My Roommate From Hell

 

Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... My Roommate From Hell

Author: Cale Dietrich

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release Date: November 11th, 2025

Series: n/a

Blurb:

Owen is not going to college to have fun. Nothing is going to stop him from achieving his goals: study hard, get a good job, and set himself up for the rest of his life. The last thing he needs is to have a loud, obnoxious, and infuriatingly hot roommate. Especially since said roommate just so happens to be the prince of hell.

Prince Zarmenus has come to Point University for the first-ever Earth/hell exchange program, and he's determined to make the most of it. Which may or may not include wild parties, bringing in random boys to his and Owen's room, and accidentally setting Owen's furniture on fire. Sparks fly (literally) as Owen and Zar clash, but Zar's actions threaten to not only ruin Owen's peaceful college life but demon-human relations as well. To clean up his image, he asks Owen to be his fake boyfriend and teach him how to be a better human in exchange for an internship that will secure Owen’s future. That, and Zar will consider being a better roommate.

A deal is struck, and the two start pretending to be in a relationship where they each have agendas of their own. Only Owen has a secret―dating his mortal enemy, even if it’s fake, is the most fun he's ever had.

Charming and fun, My Roommate from Hell is a rom-com with a magical twist. Think just one bed, but that bed is in hell, surrounded by fire and brimstone.

Explanation:

I have the ARC for this one, and it seems like a fun and funny time. It is a smidge outside of my comfort zone, which is honestly exactly what I am looking for at the moment. The fun and twsited blurb alone has sold me.

Top 5 Tuesday: Halloween Reads

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! As always, I do a top 5 instead of a top 10 because I tend to struggle to find 10 books for prompts.

This week's prompt is..... Halloween reads

These are actually in order by my favorites this time

1. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
2. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
3. Meant to Burn by Shae Ruby
4. Summoned by Shae Ruby
5. Three Tainted Teas by Lynn Cahoon

I will be truly frank here... these are the only books I have read as an adult that could at all count for Halloween. Spooky and/or paranormal generally are not my vibe. Neither is fantasy as a whole. Some of these are my current reads, but some of these are completed. I am really scraping the bottom of the barrel, but I wanted to participate a bit in being seasonal. 

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

My day-to-day has been a major struggle. I have also struggled to get much reading done amongst everything else on my mind. That said, being here and talking about books... this is the most coherent I have felt all week. So even with my personal life trying to blow up, I will be here getting my slice of happiness with my bookish friends. I hope all of you are having more peace. See you tomorrow!

 Free For All Friday: Did I Read It? Popular Romance Releases of 2024

Intro

This is my first-ever edition of Did I Read It. Where I will break down a list of Popular book releases in 2024 by month. I'll let you know if I read it and my rating, if I DNFed it, or if it is on my TBR. 

This emoji means read ✅

This emoji means DNFed 💀

This emoji means TBR 😁

January

• Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat
• Hedging Your Bets by Jayne Denker
• Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen 😁
• Thoroughly Pucked by Lauren Blakely 😁
• Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan
• The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky 😁 (physically owned)
• Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday 😁 (physically owned)

February

• Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey 😁
• Bride by Ali Hazelwood
• When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein 😁
• The Reason I Married Him by Meghan Quinn 😁
• The Catch by Amy Lea
• Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy 😁

March

• Expiration Dates By Rebecca Serle 💀
• This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan 😁
• If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting
• Happily Never After by Lynn Painter 😁
• The Almost Romantic by Lauren Blakely 😁
• Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

April

• Bridesmaid for Hire by Megan Quinn 😁
• The Rule Book by Sarah Adams
• Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang  ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• Wild Love by Elsie Silver ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings 😁
• Taming 7 by Chloe Walsh
• Funny Story by Emily Henry ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
• King of Sloth by Ana Huang

May

• This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• My Not So Perfect Summer by Phoebe MacLeod
• You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian 😁
• Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews
• The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• The One I Left Behind by Piper Rayne 😁
• The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy 😁

June

• Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
• Daydream by Hannah Grace ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• My Royal Showmance by Lexi Blake
• Triple Sec by TJ Alexander 😁
• All My Kisses For You by Monica Murphy
• Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center ✅ (⭐⭐⭐✨)
• The P*ssy Next Door by Amy Award ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• Hearts on Thin Ice by Katie Kennedy
• One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin 💀
• The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson
• Love Unwritten by Lauren Asher 😁
• A Thousand Broken Pieces by Tillie Cole
• Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath 😁
• A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)

July

• Dishonestly Yours by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) BEST BOOK OF 2024
• Body Check by Elle Kennedy 😁
• The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
• The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin ✅ (⭐⭐⭐)
• The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez
• Until Next Summer by Ali Brady 😁
• Play Along by Liz Tomforde 😁
• Business Casual by B.K. Borison
• The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey 😁
• The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce 😁
• Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto 😁 (physically owned)
• A Thousand Broken Pieces by Tillie Cole
• Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti
• The Fiance Dilemma by Elena Armas ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell

August

• The Pairing by Casey McQuiston 😁
• The Great Dating Fake Off by Livy Hart
• The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava 😁
• Worst in Show by Anna E. Collins
• The Bonus by T.L. Swan
• Wicked Serve by Grace Reilly ✅  (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord ✅  (⭐⭐⭐⭐✨)
• Bridesmaid Undercover by Meghan Quinn 😁
• Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
• Cash by Jessica Peterson
• Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer 😁
• The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore

September

• Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb
• Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver 😁
• You Belong with Me by Mhairi McFarlane 
• Caribbean Crush by R.S. Grey 😁
• The Royals Upstairs by Karina Halle
• The One I Didn’t See Coming by Piper Rayne
• Hex and Hexability by Kate Johnson
• All Signs Point to Malibu by Jennifer Snow ✅ (⭐⭐✨)
• My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine
• Can’t Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan
• A Jingle Bell Mingle by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
• Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen 😁

October

• Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter 😁
• Make The Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
• One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery
• The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay
• The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch 😁
• Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot 😁
• Mistletoe Season by Sheila Robert, Kathleen Fuller, and Pepper Basham
• Wish I Were Here by Melissa Wiesner
• Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon
• The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy
• How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn 😁
• Love & Lattes by Beth Reekles

November

• Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage 😁
• Mistletoe Mischief by Codi Hall
• Hexed by Emily McIntire ✅ (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
• Puck and Prejudice by Lia Riley
• Pickleballers by Ilana Long 😁
• Merry Kissmas by Piper Rayne 😁
• Variation by Rebecca Yarros (FUCK HER)
• The Mirror by Nora Roberts
• The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent

December

• Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson 😁
• PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
• The Mistletoe Mix-Up by Codi Hall 😁

Can't Wait Wednesday: Get Over It, April Evans

Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... Get Over It, April Evans

Author: Ashley Herring Blake

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: February 3rd, 2026

Series: Clover Lake #2

Blurb:

April Evans’ life is in shambles. She’s had to close her tattoo shop in Clover Lake and she’s subletting her house just to make rent. And her love life? Nonexistent ever since Elena, her ex-fiancée, left her for a younger woman three years ago. When she is asked to teach a summer art class at the town’s new resort called Cloverwild, April jumps at the opportunity, especially since the job comes with boarding. She’s sure that this is the silver lining she needs . . . until she meets her Daphne Love, the woman who stole her ex-fiancée. And even worse, it’s clear Daphne has no idea who April is.

Daphne Love is cursed in, well, love. She thought she’d found the unconditional love she craved in her girlfriend, Elena, but now she’s single again and utterly brokenhearted. When her friend hooks her up with a summer gig as an art instructor at a swanky resort in New Hampshire, Daphne feels optimistic for once. If only she had a roommate and coworker who didn’t seem to hate her on sight.

Their already-tense relationship gets even shakier when April and Daphne find themselves competing for a rare opportunity to showcase their art in a London museum. But slowly, barriers begin to fall, and an inexplicable allure keeps drawing them closer, leaving them to wonder if the perfect picture they’re looking for can only be painted with each other.

Explanation:

I am always down for a queer romance, and honestly need to read more of them! Seeing this kind of representation is so essential, especially with all of the attempts at censoring. The summery vibe is also totally up my alley. The most fun part of me is that I am actually doing a blog tour for this book! When it releases, it will get a lovely feature here on my blog! I am hoping to crack open this one soon to have a lovely time with it. 

Have you read a book with queer rep recently? I would love to hear all about it. What book are you hyped up for today?

 Top 5 Tuesday: Cozy Reads

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! As always, I do a top 5 instead of a top 10 because I tend to struggle to find 10 books for prompts.

This week's prompt is..... cozy reads

These are in no particular order

1. In Love's Key, Reprised by Guri Nojiro
2. Ringtail Bedtime by Sandra LJ
3. Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell
4. The Lion in the Library by Amy Award
5. Sweet on You by Dani Galliaro

There is quite the variety of reading reccomendations here so there should be something here for every reader. From poetry, to manga, to romance, to children's, everything that I read that could be called cozy is here. I do not read fantasy so for cozy fantasty recs you should check the recs of others.

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

Oh gosh things in my personal life are an utter mess not gonna lie. A lot of big changes and depressing things, but books are my happy place through this all. Thank you for sticking with me and see you tomorrow for some gushing!

Can't Wait Wednesday: Half-Light Harbor

 Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... Half-Light Harbor

Author: Samantha Young

Publisher: Samantha Young

Release Date: October 23rd, 2025

Series: Scottish Isles

Blurb:

I went to Scotland looking for answers about my past. The last thing I expected was getting trapped on a private island with my stoic, brooding, gorgeous contractor.

Ramsay McRae is a man with secrets. He prefers the company of his dog to people and silence to any semblance of politeness. He says I’m too young, too sweet, too innocent.

Only he doesn’t know the truth. That I’m haunted by a crime that tore my life apart two years ago. I’ve come to Half-Light Harbor not just to start over, but to bring the monster who killed my parents to justice.

The last thing I need is a tortured Scot distracting me from my mission. But when his restraint snaps and my walls crumble, the results are explosive.

We say it’s only a no-strings-attached affair. A temporary moment to burn out this fire between us.

However, when my search for the truth brings danger to my door, it’s Ramsay stepping in to protect me. But it might be the secrets from his past that tear us apart forever…

Explanation:

I am a huge fan of Young's books. Her blend of romance and comedy is practically perfect and oh-so-entertaining. No joke, her banter is my absolute favorite. Now that she is starting a new series, I am so hyped for it! It should be a fantastic read. I have the ARC, so stay tuned to see my review for it!

 Top 5 Tuesday: Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time 

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! As always, I do a top 5 instead of a top 10 because I tend to struggle to find 10 books for prompts.

This week's prompt is..... books I wish I could read again for the first time

These are in no particular order

1. The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
2. How to Keep House While Drowning by K.C. Davis
3. Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
4. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
5. You Will Get Through This Night by Daniel Howell

All of these books are my 5-star reads that have left an impact on me to this day. I would love to get the magical feeling from them again. What is somethin you would love to read again for the first time?

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

Look at me here again for another week! Go me! I liked how easy this prompt was honestly. It was nice to recall all of these wonderful stories again and consider a reread. See you tomorrow!

Can't Wait Wednesday: Big Nick Energy

Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... Big Nick Energy

Author: Kristen Bailey

Publisher: Storm Publishing

Release Date: October 21st, 2025

Series: n/a

Blurb:

When librarian Kay bumps into her ex-boyfriend Nick at a Christmas market, she thinks fate is finally giving her a second chance with her first big love. But then she gets spectacularly tangled in a Christmas tree-netting machine and meets another Nick entirely. One who cuts her free, dresses her wounds, and makes her pulse race in ways that thoroughly confuse her.

Finance Nick is successful, settled, and ready to talk five-year plans. Farmer Nick makes handcrafted furniture, supports local charities, and sees the creative spirit Kay has kept hidden behind her library desk. But how is a girl to choose?

Soon she’s spending her days delivering books to children’s hospitals and care homes with farmer Nick, before dashing home to whip off her reindeer onesie and glam up for romantic dates at the ballet with finance Nick.

But the countdown to Christmas is on, and Kay can’t keep this up forever. Somehow she must navigate London’s most complicated love triangle, avoid getting any more pine needles stuck in her hair – and work out once and for all which Nick has her heart.

Explanation:

I have the ARC for this one and am oh-so-ready for the holiday book vibes. Perhaps it is that the weather is still so warm, but seriously, I want to feel genuinely cozy. 

Both of the MCs in this one seem like the sweetest people, which only makes me more excited for it!

Top 5 Tuesday: Satisfying Book Series

Welcome back to Top 5 Tuesday, now following the list from That Artsy Reader Girl! As always, I do a top 5 instead of a top 10 because I tend to struggle to find 10 books for prompts.

This week's prompt is..... satisfying book series

These are in no particular order

1. The Naturals series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
2. Wolf Mountain Ranchers series by Erin FitzGerald
3. Orleans University series by Maren Moore
4. So Not My... series by Evie Sterling
5. Streams and Schemes series by Rebecca Kinkade

I am admittedly not the best at finishing series, but here are a few that I did finish that I feel like were bangers all the way through. All are romance series apart from The Naturals. I know there are a lot of series currently in progress that I am reading and loving. I would be happy to include those if a similar prompts comes up again when those series are concluded.

Here it all is in a pretty lil' graphic 😁

It took me a minute to find all completed series, but I did it! All of these have different vibes, but all are ones I loved. Have any of y'all finished any of these series? See you tomorrow!

Can't Wait Wednesday: In Your Dreams

 Can't Wait Wednesday

This week's book is.... In Your Dreams

Author: Sarah Adams

Publisher: Dell

Release Date: January 6th

Series: When in Rome #4

Blurb:

A homecoming to Rome, Kentucky, sparks a new romance—and lots of drama—between two old family friends, from the New York Times bestselling author of When in Rome, Practice Makes Perfect, and Beg, Borrow, or Steal

Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to prove she could make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is a shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn’t part of the plan—until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap, giving her a chance to rebuild everything she’s lost: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend... and the last person she wants to work for.

James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and doing what’s expected of him in the family business and never contemplating anything different—until now, when Madison’s happiness is on the line. He’s loved her quietly for years, knowing she’s never seen him as more than an annoyance. Now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that–even if it means he can only ever be her friend. The one problem? His charming, wildly successful younger brother, Tommy, seems determined to win her over first.

Then Tommy is called away on business, and Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy farm-to-table restaurant on their own. But as the town starts meddling in their relationship, Tommy’s pursuit of Madison grows more relentless, and Madison’s fears threaten to hold her back, keeping things strictly professional becomes impossible. And when an unexpected disaster on opening night collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities—and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.

Explanation:

I have absolutely adored the When in Rome series. It has a wonderfully meddling town that honestly reminds me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. (Let alone that James looks like Luke on this cover.) As such, it has such a special place in my heart. Any excuse to go back again is a win in my book. So sad that this release is so far away 😢

See you all again next week to give even more love to upcoming releases!