November 2025 Books
In which I finally share what I read last month...
I reached an even dozen books read in November which feels like far too many given how much was going on with the daily blogging and crafting and Thanksgiving.
Listened to Romance Bookstagram
I gave in and decided to try out a few series that were recommended across Bookstagram which hasn’t often lead me to books I actually enjoyed (looking at you, ACOTAR!). This time, though, they weren’t wrong.
First, I read book 1 and listened to book 2 of the Ruinous Love trilogy from Brynne Weaver. Yes, these books earn all of their trigger/content warnings as they both involve people who are killers and feature steamy scenes. While they certainly have lots of dark scenes, there is humor and banter mixed in, too. I’m waiting not so patiently for the third book in audio from the library though I may give in and use my December Libro.FM credit to get it or, you know, read the actual book that’s available right now at my local branch. Butcher & Blackbird was a 4.5 for me and Leather & Lark a 4.25.
My second recommendation I took was the Blood and Ash series from Jennifer L. Armentrout. I really enjoyed the first book but am taking a break before I delve into the second one as I need to be in the head space to try to keep track of all of the characters that come with a high fantasy novel. The book is well-paced with action and some heart in there, too. 4.5 stars
Finally, I decided to try out the first book of small town, cozy romances from Laurie Gilmore. The first book was, indeed, cozy but the small town feels full of tropes of small town life which I found to be annoying. No one with much depth at all. Great for fans of Hallmark movies and certainly amusing enough to finish. 3.75 stars
Visiting with the Wrights Again
I’ve listened to a handful of books about this family and they’re not amazing but amusing enough. I love a series where the characters know one another, at least loosely. 4 stars for each
Some Sin
I think I found these by looking at the books that were recently added on Kobo Plus. Billionaire types who used to be tied to the Mafia but have gone legit. These are certainly in the not much depth but lots of spice category. I enjoyed the first one enough to listen to the second but I doubt I’ll seek out any future ones. 4 stars
The Others
Fall Guy was another of those random Kobo Plus finds. M/M romance where a guy just out of prison - for something, it turns out, he didn’t do - falls for the bodyguard he hires. 3.75 stars
Prince Material I rated as 4 stars immediately after reading but I’m going to up that to 4.5 stars as I keep thinking about it. A Prince from The Netherlands is sent to a small school in New England to finish up his Civil Engineering degree as a random guy from Europe and not his scandal-prone self. He’s assigned a sweet guy as his roomate who, you guessed it, he eventually falls for. There’s dorkiness and sweetness between the guys. I probably am giving it a partial star more because I liked the ties to The Netherlands, having just visited there. 4. 5 stars
Next To You is in the same universe as Next of Kin which I read in October. It’s got the usual emotional depth and warmth of books from the author. She randomly decides to buy a school bus to turn into her home and he, an auto mechanic and best friend with her best friend’s husband, decides to help her out. She’s a free spirit and he’s a quiet giant. 4.25 stars
Lastly, a book recommended to me by someone from work. This book features a magical community tasked with keeping control of the wider magical world, all why 1980s London is completely unaware. Our main female character is trying to find out more about the dad who disappeared when she was tiny and she comes across this quirky Booksellers. I can’t wait to delve into the second book for real once I’ve finished my holiday book spree. (I’m actually about 30% of the way through the second audiobook but have formally put it on pause now.) 4.25 stars