Middle Grade Review: North for the Winter

Virginia and her father are moving just days before Christmas. Virigina's mother died and she feels like she's also lost her father. After an accident that involves a flat tired, Virigina flees the car because she spies...something in the woods. There she finds a reindeer.

She accidentally takes the reindeer's compass. Without the compass, the reindeer can't find Santa. Virginia needs help. A neighbor asks if she wants a tour of the town. Benny and Virigina might be the only hope to save Christmas. 

My Thoughts: This was such a fun graphic novel. I love that it's based off a story from 1955 when a young boy called the military asking for Santa Claus. The military began tracking Santa Claus after that moment. I loved how Benny and Virginia became fast friends. I felt terrible for Virginia for the death her mom and her absent father. I love how everything turned out. This is a magical graphic novel all about hope, friendship, and the magic of Christmas. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A magical graphic novel all about Christmas. 

Mini Review: Joy to the Girls

 

Sequel 3.5 years later to She Gets the Girl

Hallmark Town

Figuring out the Future

Ice Skating

Gingerbread Houses

Christmas Tree Farm

One Bed

Meddling Family

Gifting Giving

* also secrets and not communicating 

This is a fun Christmas tale that is full of seasonal fun, sweet moments, friendship, and love.

Bookstagram: Kiss Me in New York

It's that time of year again, when I want to be tucked up with hot chocolate reading holiday stories like this one.

 

Christmas Book Review: My New Crush Gave to Me

Charlotte Charlie Donovan knows exactly what she wants for Christmas: Teo Ortiz. He's the school's star athlete, in the National Honor Society, invited to every party, contributes to the school paper (where Charlie is co-editor), and is about to be featured as One to Watch in a teen magazine basically, he's exactly the type of guy Charlie s meant to be with. The only problem he barely knows she exists.

But Charlie is determined to be Teo's date to the Christmas ball. And she has a plan: To rig the paper's Secret Santa so that she can win his heart with five perfect gifts. But to do that she needs help. Enter J.D. Ortiz Teo s cousin, and possibly the most annoying person on the planet. He's easy going, laid back, unorganized, spontaneous, and makes a joke out of everything the exact opposite of Charlie (and Teo). But he's willing to provide insight into what Teo wants, so she s stuck with him.

Yet, the more time Charlie spends with J.D., the more she starts to wonder: Does she really know what, or rather who, she wants for Christmas? - book summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really liked this book - but I did love all the relationships. I wasn't quite sure why Charlie liked Teo so much. I liked the moments between Charlie and J.D. - they were like oil and water. I enjoyed the fact that Teo loved the 80s so much. The Christmas moments were funny - the dressing up, the caroling, the sweaters. I loved the moments between Charlie and her mother. I loved the moments between J.D. and Morgan - that when I liked J.D. There were some really cute moments here. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - love the sweater

Source: My Library

Hand this book to: readers of Hallmark movies

Library Recommendation: A fun Christmas read for teens

Top Ten Tuesday: Christmas Romances

 This week, I'm highlighting ALL the Christmas Romances I want to read this year. I never get to all of them, but these look so cute!

YA:

What other Holiday romances should I add to my list?

Are any of these on your list?

Middle Grade Review: Let It Glow

Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at a holiday pageant tryout session. 

Aviva wants to be a star, but Holly's more interested in working behind the scenes. Aviva wants to create a Hanukkah song, but she's not sure that she feels Jewish enough. While her family is Jewish, they don't celebrate. But her Bubbe insists that she is. Aviva asks her parents to celebrate Hanukkah this year. 

Holly lives with her grandfather (a famous author) and her mother. She's been waiting to go get the tree, but her mom's been busy working. Lately, her grandfather hasn't been feeling himself. Her mom is worried about him being by himself so much with her at work and Holly at school. Maybe it's time for him to move to a senior community.

Once the girls meet, it's like looking in a mirror. They're both adopted. After texting with each other for a week, they decide to switch places. Will their families notice a difference?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I'm a huge fan of the Parent Trap, so this was right up my alley. Plus, I adore holiday stories. I loved how the twins were so alike and yet so different. I loved the texts between the two of them and how they started to get to know each other. It was so cute! I loved how they both explored Christmas and Hanukkah. I loved Aviva's siblings. I enjoyed the close moments between the two families - and how the girls escaped them. One of my favorite middle grade reads this year! 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library

**Check out the awesome activity packet with a word search, recipes, and so much more! 

Holiday Review: Make My Wish Come True

Hollywood Star Arden James has an image problem and it's one she created. She left her hometown for Hollywood and never returned. Now she has a chance for the roll of a lifetime, but the Director isn't sold on her. When Arden and her agent mention the fact that she's going home for the holidays plus the fact that Cosmopolitan will cover her holiday dates with her girlfriend, he agrees to think about it.

Arden flies home; a home she left behind. She left behind her best friend, whom she was starting to develop feelings for, and her grandmother. Arden isn't sure who she's happier to see. Now she just has to convince her former best friend to be her girlfriend for the next two weeks. 

My Thoughts: I Loved this book. I'm a sucker for Hollywood stories and the best friends to lovers trope and fake dating trope. And this one was amazing. I loved the 12 dates of Christmas - especially around town. This is a Christmas story - but it's also a Hanukkah story. I love Caroline's siblings; they were adorable. And her friends were amazing too. I loved all the feelings -angst, reconnecting, and romantic. As I'm a basketball fan, I liked the moments on the court (even though neither character was playing basketball.) I didn't want this book to end! 

Cover Thoughts: I do like the little touches - the coffee cups, the dog, and the lighted tree. 

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your public library!

Holiday Review: The Holiday Cottage

Imogen's family life has always been hard. It's been just her and her mother, Tina. But Tina never wanted a child. 

Imogen never had a sense of family. Now she's a workaholic with no friends and no work life balance. Because of a strong desire to fit in, Imogen made up stories about her family to share with co-workers. But in reality, she spends Christmas alone, working. 

After a huge fight with her mother, Imogen messes up for the first time at work. Her boss, thinking that she's close to burn out, makes her take a month long vacation.

Imogen has no idea what she's going to do with her time. But at her last work event, lunch with a client, she's offered a place to stay outside of London.

Imogen's time at the Holiday Cottage change everything. 

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book - but I do wish the ending was a little longer. Everything tied up so quickly. I confess it took me a little bit to get into the book, especially after that moment with Tina. I wasn't sure where the book was going. I felt so bad for Imogen, especially the moment with Tina and the moments with her co-workers. I would have liked to see them have the tough conversation at the end of the book. I adored Ralph. I loved Sara's girls. There were some sweet moments, some funny moments, and some yikes moments. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great book for your Hallmark movie watchers!

* This is not a romance, but it does have romance in the book

Picture Book Wednesday: Christmas Books

Just a few fun Christmas books

How can you make sure you're on the Nice list? Trick an elf into showing you the list.

This book reminds me of the How to Catch books - it rhymes, there's a craft to go along with the story, and it's lots of fun. 

One family has a magical Christmas with family and traditions (including cookies and cocoa.) It's the most magical time of year. 

I love the illustrations in this book. 

* Book sent for review

This one will have you wishing for snow to play in! Little Mo experiences his first snowfall and his first encounter with dinosaurs.

This is sure to be a hit with readers who love the snow and dinosaurs

* Book sent for review

** Not a Christmas book, but winter story

Pup is teaching Dragon all about Santa and Elves. They attempt to catch Santa or his helper, but they're always just one step behind... Will they end up on the naughty list?

This is a fun adventure graphic novel full of funny moments and friendship. 

* Graphic novel sent for review 

Christmas in July: Christmas Orphans Club

Hannah and Finn spend every Christmas together - and they have since college. Neither of them have great family lives. But times are changing, and they are growing up. New people are entering the mix. Finn and Hannah have had a falling out, but they've mended things a little bit. Finn is moving to New York and Hannah is scared this will be their last Christmas together. She'll do anything to make it happen.

My Thoughts: A friendship and drama story about finding yourself, growing up, and found family. I liked the way the timeline in the book changes and reveals moments in their friendship. This was a fun story to read. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Recommended for your collection. 

 

Picture Book Wednesday: Christmas Board Books

 

Just a couple cute board books for the season.

A Santa Mouse baking treats will make readers want to create their own cookies. A sweet story with charming pictures. 

* book sent for review

Nature, animals, friends and winter and snow. Each snowman is just a little bit different - like people. A fun winter read. 

While this book isn't a Christmas story, it's perfect for those little ones wishing for a White Christmas or snow. 

* book sent for review

Counting Christmas items with the Very Hungry Caterpillar - you can find the caterpillar on each spread. 

A fun Christmas counting book that will delight readers of all ages. 

Books I'm Dying to Read: Christmas Romance Books

It's my favorite time of year: holiday romance time

Here are ones I can't wait to read:

YA

 

 

Adult:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just a few I read and loved already this year:

Are there other books I need to add?