Mini Book Reviews – October 2023
Mini Book Reviews – October 2023: What To Read & What To Skip
Welcome to my regular round up of mini book reviews for October 2023! This month includes a few holiday novels that you’re going to want to add to your TBR! Plus, see which popular new release I didn’t exactly love…
In my list of mini book reviews, I include everything I’ve read recently that I finished. I like to share both my five star reads and any misses to help you get a better idea of what you should read or might want to skip.
As always, I love to hear if you agree or disagree with my ratings! Let me know in the comments what you thought of my October 2023 mini book reviews.
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Mini Book Reviews – October 2023
Physical Books:
The Book Club Hotel
by Sarah Morgan
My first experience with Sarah Morgan was an absolute hit! This is the epitome of charming women’s fiction and it’s a delight to read, especially this time of year. Hattie is juggling being a widowed single mother and keeping the inn that was her husband’s dream running. She loves the place, but is stuck trying to do everything the way Ben would have…
When three friends check in for their annual book club trip, they turn Hattie’s life upside down in the best possible way. Each of these women are struggling in ways that are incredibly relatable and I found little pieces of myself all throughout this book. | 5 Stars | Buy From Amazon | Buy From Target for $13!
The Christmas Wager
by Holly Cassidy
An easy 5 star recommendation from me! I got the chance to read this early and finished it in two days in September because I loved it so much! A real estate developer is given a supposedly simple assignment to secure a deal for the sale of a failing shop in small town, Maple Falls. Negotiations quickly take a turn for the crazy when she goes up against the owner’s grandson and finds herself agreeing to a bet over the deal terms.
Maple Falls Holiday Games are an annual tradition and Bella is the newest participant. If her team wins, she’ll be able to buy the shop for a steal. As the days progress though, Bella starts to lose her cutthroat drive and finds herself falling for not only the town, but the grandson…| 5 Stars | Buy On Amazon | Buy From Target
AudioBooks:
As always, I recommend using Libro.fm if you’re an audiobook listener!! Libro.fm directly supports indie bookstores, but costs the same as Amazon’s Audible! You can get 2 audiobooks for only $15 with my link and code CHOOSEINDIE.
The Long Game
by Elena Armas
As punishment for an unfortunate incident, a soccer team exec is sent (by her father, the team’s owner. Sigh.) to coach a team of 9 year-olds. In addition to the horror that is the distracted, wild children, Addy has to deal with the unexpected appearance of a former soccer star in the small town.
Things between them immediately get off on the wrong foot, so he’s hell-bent on getting rid of her as soon as possible. But she will do anything it takes to get her place in the big leagues back and even win over this grump!
Unfortunately something about this novel didn’t connect with me. It could have been the narrators (and the voices they used) or just characters that rubbed me the wrong way but I was hoping for more from this. 3 Stars | Buy On Amazon | Listen on Libro.fm
eBooks:
Happiness For Beginners
by Katherine Center
I’m not ashamed to admit I finally read this because of the movie that’s now out on Netflix haha! Thankfully, the book is incredible. The movie…not so much. But since we’re here today for books – I can highly recommend this one!
A recent divorcee looking to shake things up decides to join a notoriously brutal hiking trip. She’s hoping the grueling trek through nature will be the spark she needs to rediscover who she is and become a new person. Little does she know, her younger brother’s best friend is also going.
Jake has had a crush on Helen for ages, but she’s never noticed him as anything except the mischievous friend. Sparks fly during the drive to the site, but with Helen’s goals in mind she refuses to acknowledge him during the trip. As the days pass and Jake proves his capability, strength, and kindness though Helen starts to take notice…
4.5 Stars | Buy From Amazon | Buy From Target
Faking Christmas
by Kerry Winfrey
Isn’t it the best feeling when a much anticipated book turns out to be just as wonderful as you hoped?? This is exactly what happened with Faking Christmas!
A little white lie to her boss turns into a big problem when social media manager Laurel pretends to have experience running a farm. Her sister is the true farming guru but Laurel will have to fake her way through it to keep her job. When one dinner turns into a snowed in long weekend, things get crazy fast! On top of it all, her childhood nemesis was the only one available to pose as her fake husband. Shenanigans and sparks ensue! 4.5 Stars | Buy On Amazon | Buy From Target
For more mini book reviews, check out What I Read in September 2023!
They are not my normal go-to genres, but I’m adding The Book Club Hotel and Happiness for Beginners to be TBR lists to mix things up a bit. I appreciate your reviews!