It’s one of my favorite reading months of the year! Ohhhh there are so many great books out right now. I am really looking forward to the summer months.

I read some wonderful ones this month. I also shared my giant summer reading list, which is my favorite thing ever.

Can’t wait to hear what’s on your list.

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. I read SO many books from this box. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Okay, keep me posted on what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN MAY 2025

The Names – 4.5 stars

I ordered this in my book of the month box and it was excellent. This story is stunning and heartbreaking and one that I could not put down. I had to know what happened. We meet Cora who is trying to escape an abusive husband and has to name her newborn son. She and her daughter want different names and the book goes off based on which name the son would have. The storyline can be a little confusing and I really had to pay attention (I think it would be difficult on audio), and some scenes were absolutely hard to read and devastating.

One Golden Summer – 5 stars

O.M.G. – Every Summer After is one of my favorite books ever and I didn’t think this could compete. It absolutely did and I loved it JUST as much. This is Charlie’s story – the brother from the first book – and it is incredible. Funny, heart warming, a storyline with a grandma – it’s lovely and such a feel good and thoughtful book. I adored it and am so sad it’s over.

The Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits – 3.5 stars

Jennifer Weiner is a must read for me every summer and and has been for almost 20 years. This was super cute and I loved the 2000s nostalgia (obviously). We follow a pop star sisters who shoot to fandom and then break up and disappear. It does give Daisy Jones vibes but I loved the timing of it all and the 90s/2000s references. Cute and was definitely hard to put down.

My Favorite Bad Decision – 5 stars

Oh how I LOVED this. It was so, SO good. Our female lead is forced to climb mount kilamanjara by her father (right? weird?) and ends up on the trip with a previous crush. It’s an enemies to lovers, sort of a second chance romance (kind of) trope and I adored it. I was afraid I wouldn’t – the climbing storyline did not interest me – but oh my gosh it was FABULOUS. Spicy but not until at least 60%+.

The Last Trip – 4 stars

Oooh this is a twisty one. I was almost afraid to read it because the story follows a couple on their babymoon. It is definitely crazy and not something I would normally pick up but I was craving a thriller. There is a twist that happens with the husband, the owners of the cabin – it’s a bit crazy but definitely something you can’t stop reading. I had to know what happened!

Problematic Summer Romance – 4 stars

Just finished this over the weekend and I really liked it so much. At first I thought it was a little cringe – it is a (big) age gap romance and the constant talk of him knowing her as a child, her childish behavior, etc – I didn’t think I would get past it. It made me feel a little weird, ha. But I love Ali Hazelwood books soooo much and this one did not disappoint. The setting was stunning and incredible.

Definitely Better Now – 3 stars

Another book of the month find. In this one we follow Emma who is a year sober after she stopped drinking and following the program. She is very young so it is from a different perspective and at time it seemed all over the place but I ended up really liking the ending! The character development really is wild and the ending is promising after some trainwreck scenes (ha IYKYK). It was very raw and real!!

The post What I Read In May 2025. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

It’s time! I love to kick off Memorial Day Weekend with my summer reading list.

This is one of my favorite days of the year. Oh my gosh – there are SO many great books this year. My list doesn’t even cover them all. I am so excited about all of these reads for the season! I reference this list all summer long and it saves me if I’m unsure of what to start reading.

The first half of the list is full of books that are already released, with the second half in order by release date. There are some weeks where I just can’t even wait for a new release. I have 99% of the books linked below to bookshop.org. If you are able to purchase the books through bookshop, it would mean so much to me! Bookshop supports YOUR local independent bookstore. To me, bookstores are MAGICAL. I walk in and instantly feel like I’m in a Nancy Meyers movie and could stay there all day.

If you prefer to purchase on amazon, I’ve also made a 2025 summer reading list shop here for easy access.

Also! If you’re new around here, my go-to reads and favorites picks are most types of women’s fiction. Light, fun, beachy reads are my #1 choice. I love to listen to nonfiction, memoirs and autobiographies on audible. I like thrillers, but have a few triggers that I stay away from. I read to escape, to get lost in the story, to feel like the characters are my friends. And I actually love the day after I finish a great book and can’t even stand to start a new one because I’m mourning my new (character) friends. It’s the best worst feeling.

I can’t WAIT to hear your recommendations in the comments, what you’re reading now and what’s on your list!

MY 2025 SUMMER READING LIST

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay

Crash Landing by Annie McQuaid

Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer

Back After This by Linda Holmes 

The Page Turner by Viola Shipman

My Friends by Fredrick Bachman

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay

The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner

Love Camera Action by Noel Stark 

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff

Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

You Make My Heart Stop by Becky Hunter

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Swept Away by Beth O’Leary

Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory

Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen

The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

What Will People Think? by Sara Hamdan

Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage

What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon

Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner

Home of the American Circus by Allison Larkin

Saltwater by Katy Hays

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall 

The Tenant by Frida McFadden 

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein

The Influencers by Anna-Marie McLemore

Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins

The Names by Florence Knapp

What If It’s You by Jilly Gagnon

The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave

One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman

The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt

The Death of Us by Abigail Dean

We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough

Disco Witches of Fire Island by Blair Fell

Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle

 I Want You More by Swan Huntley

The Last Session by Julia Bartz

Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler (5/27)

The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson (5/27)

The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster (5/27)

The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly (5/27)

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood (5/27)

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey (5/27)

Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan (5/27)

Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto (6/3)

So Happy Together by Olivia Worely (6/3)

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater (6/3)

We Don’t Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry (6/3)

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown (6/3)

Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid (6/3)

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch (6/3)

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark (6/3)

Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady (6/3)

Eat Post Like by Emily Arden Wells (6/3)

The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison (6/3)

Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh (6/3)

The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward (6/3)

Flashlight by Susan Choi (6/3)

With a Vengeance by Riley Sager (6/10) 

The Last Illusion of Paige White by Vanessa McCausland (6/10)

Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess (6/10)

The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb (6/10)

Confession of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight (6/10)

Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin (6/10)

Last Night Was Fun by Holly Michelle (6/10)

Far and Away by Amy Poeppel (6/10)

This Is Not a Ghost Story by Amerie (6/10)

The Nimbus by Robert P. Baird (6/10)

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten (6/10)

Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson (6/10)

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston (6/17)

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman (6/17)

The Ripple Effect by Maggie North (6/17)

The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick (6/17)

Don’t Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine (6/17)

I Did Warn Her by Sian Gilbert (6/17)

Someone Knows by Vi Keeland (6/17)

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell (6/24)

Cruel Summer by Maisey Yates (6/24)

Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler (6/24)

The Accidental Favorite by Fran Littlewood (6/24)

Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores (6/24)

Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino (6/24)

The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans (6/24)

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (7/1)

The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager (7/1)

Summer on Lilac Island by Lindsay MacMillian (7/1)

The Spirit of Love by Lauren Kate (7/1)

Our Last Vineyard Summer  by Brooke Lea Foster (7/1)

The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware (7/8)

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean 7/ 8 

Darling Beasts by Michelle Gable (7/8)

Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman (7/8)

The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani (7/8)

This Stays Between Us by Sara Ochs (7/15)

Love is a Warsong by Danica Nava (7/22)

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson (7/22)

Gracie Harris Is Under Construction by Kate Hash (7/29)

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda (7/29)

Mean Moms by Emma Rosenblum (7/29)

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen (8/5)

Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer (8/5)

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings (8/5)

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing (8/12)

The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye (8/12)

For the Record by  Emma Lord (8/12)

All the Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi (8/19)

One Dark Night by Hannah Richell (8/19)

The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander (8/19)

Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham (8/26)

The Academy Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (9/16)

P.S. FOR OTHER READING RECOMMENDATIONS:

you can check out all of my reading lists here!

Especially my 2024 summer reading list, my 2023 summer reading list, 2022 summer reading list, 2021 summer reading list, 2020 summer reading list, 2020 fall reading list, 2020 winter reading list, 2019 fall reading list, 2019 winter reading list, my 2018 summer reading list and my 2017 summer reading list!

The post My Summer 2025 Reading List! appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

A little late on my March reads for you! Oh my gosh – I hate that I missed sharing last month so we’re combining. I had a lot going on with the release of Easy Everyday an just couldn’t get to it. But! The good news is that I have read a TON of great books the last two months. Like so many good ones. And now, we’re into my favorite book release months – summer reads have always been my favorite – and I couldn’t be more excited.

And hear about what you’re reading!

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. I read SO many books from this box. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Okay, keep me posted on what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN MARCH & APRIL 2025

Promise Me Sunshine – 3.5 stars

A book of the month pick for me. I almost didn’t read this because it deals with best friends + cancer (still scarred from Firefly Lane 17 years later, you know?), but I am so glad I did. the main character loses her best friend and is in a sea of grief. She finds comfort in an unexpected person who says he will help her complete her “to live” bucket list. This was so sweet – Miles, the main male character – is just wonderful an SUCH a good guy. I really enjoyed it.

You Between The Lines – 4 stars

Another book of the month find! We have two aspiring writers who have known each other since high school attending the same program. I love a second chance romance and this has some enemies to lovers in it too. These characters are super real and I loved how they turned out in the end. I highlighted SO many lines in this book.

Say You’ll Remember Me – 5 stars

Oh my gosh – this is heart wrenching and wonderful and I can’t even tell you how much I loved it. We have a date between the perfect guy Xavier and Samantha who is in the midst of a family crisis. She can’t really get involved with anyone at the moment. But these two have *so much* there between them. But! These two have so much going against them it’s crazy. There is a family illness trigger here and that was hard for me, but not enough to skip one of my favorite author’s books!

Fun For The Whole Family – 5 stars

I live for a family drama!! They are some of my favorite books. In this one, we follow four siblings, some are a mess, and there are secrets too. This had me all over the place – the siblings are estranged, but come back together and then get stuck together. If you haven siblings, you will get so much of this and there is a ridiculous amount of feeling in all of it. Lots of nostalgia here!

Passion Project – 4 stars

Another book of the month box find! This is SO cute. We follow Bennet who is deep in grief, has no desire date, and stands Henry up. He suggests that they take on a project of doing fun and exciting things as friends and it is exciting! I loved the slow burn of this book and SO much of it is real and relatable. I loved the ending and the characters are fabulous.

Famous Last Words – 4 stars

This is a domestic thriller and oh boy did it keep me guessing. A literary agent wakes up to a weird note from her husband and then later finds out that he is the one holding people hostage. This sucked me in instantly and couldn’t wait to find out what happened! It’s full of twists and turns and is shocking, even if a few moments are a little predictable!

Count My Lies – 3.75 stars

I definitely needed another thriller the last few weeks! I got this in my book of the month box. In this book, we follow Sloane who tells a lie and ends up as a nanny for a super rich family. Lots of twists in this one and the family isn’t what you think! I couldn’t put it down.

Great Big Beautiful Life –  5 stars

Emily Henry can do no wrong in my book and this was another winner for me. Her writing is just SO incredibly relatable for me. This story follows two writers who have the chance to tell a tabloid star’s life story. Oh my gosh, this gave me Evelyn Hugo vibes which is probably my favorite book of all time. I LOVED the every character, the story is a bit drawn out but in the best way possible. The ending is good. The whole book is not as romancy as her others, but I didn’t even need that. I loved it.

Cash – 4 stars

This is the first in a series but they don’t necessarily have to be read in order… though it does help because the ending is a little cliffhanger! These are like cowboy country spicy romance books, haha. I liked them and thought they were cute. Cash is about the oldest son and the daughter of the man who became a father figure to him. She inherits the ranch and it is a serious enemies to lovers trope, which I love.

Wyatt – 4 stars

This is the second in the series and it’s just as cute. Wyatt is another one of the brothers and this is a friends to lovers trope. Equally as cute. He and his best friend who have always been in love with each other (but neither has known) agree to fake date. Lots of tropes in these books, ha! Still very spicy but you just need to be prepared going in. If you’re a Yellowstone fan you will like these.

Sawyer – 4 stars

The third book just came out last week! They are such quick fun reads. This one follows Sawyer who is a single dad and our trope in this book is single dad meets single mom. Very cute! Each one of the boys has an attitude of super grumpy, or super funny or the realistic one. The books are so predictable but I love how easy they are to read and the characters are all mostly great! Just finished it yesterday.

Story of My Life – 3 stars

Lucy Score started a new series set in Story Lake an this is book one. I have to say that at this start of this book, I was soooo turned off by the main character, who was in a downward spiral of life and just living very… gross. I had a hard time getting past it! But then it gets cute and she (a romance writer) buys an old house (without seeing it) and a family of brothers do the renovations. Sparks fly, of course. It’s a funny little town, sort of having a Stars Hollow Vibe! Another enemies to lovers trope.

Care and Feeding

Loved this memoir even though it was hard to read at time. It was my favorite from March. The author worked with both Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali and lived a very interesting life, albeit quite chaotic at times. She is a great writer and I laughed out loud many times!

The post What I Read in March and April 2025. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

I didn’t get to read as much as I like this month, but most of what I read was fabulous!

What was your favorite read of the month?!

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. That’s where I got a few books from this month. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Okay, keep me posted on what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN FEBRUARY 2025

First Time Caller – 5 stars

LOVED this one so much! Oh my gosh. This is inspired by sleepless in seattle – need I say more?! We follow Aiden who hosts a love hotline and receives a call from a young girl about her mom. She wants her mom to find love. It is SO cute. Loved the banter, how likeable the characters all were and how the story flowed. It is such a great one if you love a romance!

We Could Be Rats – 4 stars

This was a book of the month find for me. Oh my gosh – it is so multifaceted. Its quick and you can’t put it down, it’s heartbreaking but also funny at times. In this book we follow the relationship of two sisters – one who is basically the golden child and the other one who is fairly troubled and stuck in the past. Gah. The characters are so likable, I loved them both. This is a pretty short quick read too!

The Rules of Fortune – 4 stars

I have followed Danielle Prescod forever so I was super excited to read this! I got it as my amazon first reads. If you love books packed with family drama, you will eat this up. We follow a super rich family dealing with the death of their patriarch and tonnnnsss of family secrets are revealed. We jump back in time and learn all about what made the family as they are today. The characters are sooo good in this. Really liked it and it’s a must read.

I Might Be In Trouble – 3.5 stars

I got this in my book of the month box too! This was a good one – def quirky and funny at times but also quite dark. The story follows a writer who has a one night stand and wakes up to find the date dead. He calls his literary agent and that whole aspect just had me howling because I love my agent dearly and have been with her for a long time. So in that sense in was funny and relatable but it also digs deep into his past.

Deep End – 4 stars

ahh I have so many thoughts on this book! I love Ali’s books so much – she writes incredible characters who are so smart and realistic. This story follows two collegiate swimmers (one olympian!!) who enter into a BDSM relationship consensually. I don’t love the whole 50 shades of gray aspect and really had no desire to read that, but it ended up being different than I thought. I LOVED the story and the swimming storyline. I sort of thought the main male character was a bit detached. It’s very high spice level. But so good! I couldn’t put it down.

Dream Girl Drama – 2.5 stars

I was not the hugest fan of this one. I loved the hockey storyline of course, but the main female character drove me crazy at times. The story follows Chloe and Sig who have an intense meeting which is full of major first lust. Only to learn that their parents are engaged to be married. The whole Chloe moves storyline and he pays for everything was a little unrealistic to me. I did like the characters and there was definitely growth at the end, but it still was not my fave. I also saw the twist at the end coming, but it was a nice one.

The post What I Read In February 2025. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Here’s everything I read in January! There were lots of great ones – we had such cold, snowy weather and I got a ton of reading time in!

What was your favorite read of the month?!

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. That’s where I got a few books from this month. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available! some are only on amazon.) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Okay, keep me posted on what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN JANUARY 2025

The Favorites – 5 stars

Oh my gosh. I wish I could give this 1o stars. I LOVED THIS. I can’t stop talking (or thinking) about it, and I’m sure it has to do with my figure skating obsession in the 90s. This story follows two very young ice dancers who start skating together at the age of 10 or so. They have a very intense volatile relationship. The writing of these characters is incredible – you love and hate them all. They are endearing but so incredibly flawed. The entire story that I expected to happen, had happened by 25% in. It’s a wild ride and I loved it.

Beg Borrow or Steal – 4 stars

I loooove this author’s books!! I’ve read the two before this – and while you don’t need to read them in order, it helps with the characters a bit. This story is an enemies-to-lovers trope and so good! We follow Jack and Emilia who are neighbors and enemies but then find themselves having to work together (for a semi-funny reason!). It’s super cute, funny and enjoyable to read!

Beautiful Ugly – 4 stars

I definitely needed a thriller last month with everything else I read. This was in my book of the month box and it was a good one! This story follows an author who hits the bestsellers list and at the same time, his wife goes missing. There are so many twists in here and lots of fun characters (the dog!). It’s a crazy psychological thriller and I couldn’t put it down!

The Path To Loving Him – 3.5 stars

This was a cute classic Meghan Quinn book that gets very heated right off the bat! I read this because I’ve read all the other books in the series that follow the family members. They don’t need to be read in order, but it does help if you read them in order just to understand some of the characters. This one follows the oldest brother of the family who is the guardian of his niece. He has a one night stand and then it ends up that this girl is supposed to be working with him. Of course it does! Hahaha. It’s cute and fun and quick.

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus – 3.75 stars

I was so inspired to read this after Remarkably Bright Creatures! This one was a little slower and took me a big longer to get into, but ultimately was still good. We follow Penelope who has just gone to college and her parents have divorced. She digs deeper into her past and I loved the family drama & secrets aspect of it.

The Heart of Winter – 4 stars

Oh my gosh, this is heartbreaking and lovely and I could not stop reading. I don’t know what drew me in because this is normally something I wouldn’t read – fearing it would be too sad. This story follows a couple who have been together FOREVER and it starts with a diagnosis for one of them. Then it flips back and forth from past and present. It’s about so many little moments and everyday life but how it adds up to a big life/marriage. Definitely left me in tears.

Still Standing – 2.75 stars

This is where we get into the mind numbing spicy books I read this month. Ha! I blew through a few. This one was interesting… I read it because it followed the story of a motorcycle club (again! Like a few months ago!) and I can’t get over sons of anarchy, ever. While the story was okay, I had SUCH a hard time following the writing of the accents/speaking style of the club members. I would have to read sentences multiple times to understand what they were saying. I understand that is a part of it but this felt so much more intense.

Champagne Venom – 3 stars

Another one!! This and the below are a series and have to be read in order. Um, I loved these because they follow a russian mafia family… ha! I mean, I loved Sopranos so it reminds me of that. The main (male) character is pretty awful and while you can see some redeeming qualities that will eventually come out, there is SO MUCH back and forth in this book of “will they or won’t they.” I mean, it takes it to a new level. And it’s the same argument and reaction every single time! This ends on a cliffhanger.

Champagne Wrath – 3 stars

And goes into this book! Which is a continuation of the same family and story. I did like how the family came together in some of this story. There was still a lot of back and forth. I kind of saw what was coming at the end (these are pretty predictable) but it was still such a crazy story to read. Definitely a quick read that I couldn’t put down.

The Let Them Theory

I am a huuuuuge Mel Robbins fan!! I listened to this last week and love to do these books of audio since the author narrates. I’ve been following Mel for over five years and just adore her. I think she is so down to earth and real. And I also LOVE the premise of this book. Stop wasting your time on things you can’t control. I LOVE IT.

The post What I Read In January 2025. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

I finished off the year with SO MANY holiday books! I love that there are so many holiday options these days. Just a few years ago, we were lucky to get a few books during the holiday season. But now, there are so many that I never know where to start! I really loved the christmas-y books I read this month and they were perfect for staying in the holiday mood. I even had enough to make an entire holiday reading list!

If you read any excellent holiday books, let me know.

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. That’s where I got a few books from this month. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Okay, keep me posted on what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN DECEMBER 2024

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year – 5 stars

Loved this SO much. I felt like I was in a game of Clue. It was funny, mysterious with a bit of a thriller vibe, a little romance and holiday-ish. It had some of everything. We follow two writers who are invited to a famous author’s house for christmas. When they get there, it basically turns into a murder mystery. I loved the characters so much and it was super fun and fast to read. Can easily enjoy during the winter months too!

A Home for the Holidays – 5 stars

This was in my book of the month box along with the above. I almost didn’t read it because it’s a bit sad and heartbreaking, but I’m so glad I did. It is SO good. This is basically about how a woman who loses her mother right before christmas deals with grief. It is so sad but also heartwarming because she meets her mom’s former best friend and learns so much about her previous life. Definitely a must read!

Lovelight Farms – 4.5 stars

Suuuuch a cute one! If you love a fake dating trope, this is for you. In this story we follow Stella who wants to save her christmas tree farm so she enters a contest – but lies and says she has boyfriend. She doesn’t have one, so she convinces her best friend to act as her boyfriend and we go from there. This is SO christmasy and fun – I read it in early December and it was the perfect time!

The Sleight Before Christmas – 4 stars

I was SO excited to see this released before christmas! I read the book prior to this a few years ago and loved it. I think you can read it as a stand alone but I would definitely read the book before it to get the full story. This is about a couple who have kids that are driving them crazy and it’s so funny and cute. I laughed out loud many times and if you have kids it is relatable.

Tis the Season For Revenge – 4 stars

I reeeeeally enjoyed this one! The premise is so light hearted and funny but the story is good. Abbie’s boyfriend breaks up with her on Halloween and he has pretty much treated her like garbage for their entire relationship. In order to get back at him, she decides to date his boss. But it turns into so much more. This was longer than I thought but cute and funny. Loved Damien too!

Done and Dusted – 3 stars

I was sucked into this after discovering it on IG. It was steamy, sort of cute, very quick and light. Our main character returns home after years away and starts having feelings for the one person she shouldn’t. The feeling is mutual. It’s definitely spicy and if you like the whole ranch/Yellowstone vibe with some romance thrown in, you will probably enjoy.

Lost and Lassoed – 3 stars

As soon as I finished the above, I downloaded this one on my kindle. I like when authors take the other characters in the story and write about them. You don’t need to read the above book to get this one though. In this story, we follow the best friend of the main character in Done and Dusted, as well as that character’s brother. It’s another grumpy/sunshine trope and a little bit of that forbidden romance. Cute.

A Risk Worth Taking – 5 stars

The cutest novella ever! I love this author’s book and I read this in about an hour the other night before bed. It’s an adorable little short story about a meet cute/one night stand that turns into so much more. I loved both main characters so so much. If you have to sit and wait at an appointment or something, this is the perfect fix for boredom!

The post What I Read In December 2024. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

I’m back, I’m back!! The last month was super busy and I neglected my reading reviews, so I’m here with a round up of books I’ve read in October and November. The last few weeks I got hit with bronchitis and an all-night cough, so I made it through a lot of books as I sat up at night and read. Lots of good ones here!

I also shared my holiday reading list here!

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. That’s where I got a few books from this month. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Let me know what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2024

Be Ready When The Luck Happens

I could not love Ina more!!! I absolutely LOVED this – I listened to it because she narrates but then I also ended up buying it because I wanted the physical book. I thought I knew a ton about Ina but I loved the little bits and stories in here. She is the best best best.

How My Neighbor Stole Christmas – 3.5 stars

This book was a little ridiculous, but funny. It is absolutely hilarious how the author takes the exact grinch storyline and uses it throughout the whole book – she plugs the characters right into the story and even uses similar (or the same!) names. I could not figure out if this was a parody at first!

The Off Limits Rule – 3.5 stars

This was a cute one. In this book, we follow Lucy who ends up moving in with her brother and falling for his best friend. She’s a little whiney at times (a bit cringe because she is a mom), and it felt somewhat YA to me, but I really loved her and Cooper’s relationship. I liked his character a lot.

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe – 3 stars

This huge tiktok read was cute but didn’t completely do it for me. It felt a little YA to me and almost like a direct copy of gilmore girls and stars hollow. It was fun for the fall season and a very easy quick read. We follow Jeanie who inherits her aunt’s coffee shop in an adorable town and meets a grumpy farmer that everyone in town loves. So many tropes in this one and it was adorable.

Intermezzo – 4 stars

Another Sally Rooney win! Her books are so deep and more of the literary reads for me (ah!) – and this one is no different. Here, we follow two brothers who are grieving the death of their father. Their lives are so different. The writing in this book is incredible. Sometimes a little slow for me (felt like nothing was happening) but I ended up LOVING the ending (just perfect) and thinking about the characters so long after. Definitely a good read.

The Third Gilmore Girl

Speaking of Stars Hollow!!! I couldn’t wait for this to come out. I love Kelly Bishop. This is another one that I listened to and it was fabulous. It was heart warming, honest, funny and just so interesting. What a life and career. Highly recommend.

This Spells Love – 3.5 stars

This was a fun little October read! We follow Gemma who with her friends, tries to cast a spell to remove her toxic ex from her life. The spell actually works except it does other things too – like makes her best platonic guy friend forget about her. The friends to lovers trope in this is fabulous and it’s very cute. Really enjoyed it!

Blue Sisters – 5 stars

Oh my gosh, this one is excellent. Here, we follow three sisters who are mourning the death of their fourth sister. They come home to deal with their childhood apartment and there is SO much family drama. There is a ton going on in this and the sisters could not be more different, meaning there is a ton of incredible character development, side characters and more. I loved this so much, it was heart breaking, heart warming and more. Still thinking about it

Is She Really Going Out With Him – 4 stars

This one is SO cute. This story is about Anna who is recently divorced and in order to try and keep her job, she decides to have her kids pick dates for her (matchmaker!) and she writes about it. This is so funny, so adorable, I laughed the entire time.

Pictures of You – 4.5 stars

I knew this would be a heartbreaker because of the author’s last novel. In this book we follow Evie who wakes up from a car crash and thinks she’s still a teenager… but she is actually much older and married to the man who died in the car with her. This whole book is her trying to figure out her life and remember and the details she comes across are heartbreaking and unbelievable. This book is heavy (triggers!) and intense at times but I really loved it. I could not put it down.

Variation – 5 stars

I LOVED this one. I always love Rebecca Yarros’ contemporary novels. I found this so interesting and while a little crazy dramatic, it was so good. We follow a career ballerina who reconnects with her teen best friend who is a rescue swimmer. They never dated as kids but were in love… and we go from there. There is SO much family drama in this and it’s great – on both sides. I absolutely loved the ending.

Wolf.e – 3 stars

Can’t believe I read this, ha. If I’m being honest, I only read this because I was such a huge fan of sons of anarchy. This is so super dark and steamy – unlike anything I’ve ever read. The story follows Brinley who meets the president of a motorcycle club. He is kind of bad… but kind of good! I swear this was taken straight from a sons of anarchy storyline, but I couldn’t really put it down either.

Holding the Reins – 3.5 stars

This came up after I finished the above book and I started it right away. No darkness here in this one, and I liked it a lot. The characters were all cute (the whole family was amazing). We follow Cece who comes back to her hometown and ends up working with their very close family friend, Nash. Sparks fly, but they shouldn’t – he is best friends with her brothers and her parents took him in when his died. Also a hockey storyline in this! Loved the ending of it.

The post What I Read In October & November 2024. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

I adore this time of year for books – there is nothing cozier than curling up by the christmas tree or fire and reading a holiday story. Instead of my usual fall book list, I thought I’d do a holiday one this year because they are some of my favorites.

I’ve read so many of these! Some of them (like Elin’s Winter Street series) I often reread every year because they put me in major holiday mode. And I love it!

Also! If you’re new around here, my go-to reads and favorites picks are most types of women’s fiction. Light, fun, beachy reads are my #1 choice. I love to listen to nonfiction, memoirs and autobiographies on audible. I like thrillers, but have a few triggers that I stay away from. I read to escape, to get lost in the story, to feel like the characters are my friends. And I actually love the day after I finish a great book and can’t even stand to start a new one because I’m mourning my new (character) friends. It’s the best worst feeling.

I can’t WAIT to hear your current recommendations in the comments, what you’re reading now and what’s on your list. You can find my summer 2024 reading list here.

MY 2024 HOLIDAY READING LIST

(more…)

The post My 2024 Holiday Reading List. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Got a great reading month in! One book stole the show and the others floated by but I still enjoyed them.

Be on the lookout for my whole fall reading list soon too.

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. That’s where I got a few books from this month. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Let me know what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN SEPTEMBER 2024

The Housemaid’s Secret – 3.5 stars

I started the Housemaid series last month so I had to continue. These books are such fast reads and very twisty – and I love that they don’t really involve kids when it comes to the thriller part. We follow the same character as the first book but it’s years later. She’s trying to stay away from her old life but gets roped back into her ways and wow – the way this one ends is crazy! It’s definitely my second favorite (after book #1).

The Housemaid is Watching 3.5 stars

This one was my least favorite, but still good. In this book, we jump ahead many years (it was a little jarring!) to when Millie moves into a suburban area from the city. Drama ensues with the neighbors. I didn’t care for these characters or this storyline so much, and the kid parts made me cringe a bit, but it was still really twisty and good. Another very quick read where you don’t know what is going to happen!

The Wedding People – 5 stars

Easily my best read of the month and possibly, year! This book was SO good and lived up to all the hype. It has a heavier start, when Phoebe checks into a hotel to end her own life. What transpire is crazy – she is the only one at the hotel who ISN’T there for the wedding. The characters in this are incredible. They are all so likeable and loveable even when they aren’t perfect. It is such a wonderful story. I cannot recommend it enough!

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe – 3 stars

This was very cute and gilmore girls-ish. In this book, we follow Jeanie who moves to a small town (very much like stars hollow) when she inherits her aunt’s coffee shop. The characters in the town were great. I loved the town feel and it’s definitely a good fall book. I didn’t get a ton of chemistry with her and the love interest and it felt a bit young adult/juvenile to me. Still cute though. Another fast easy read.

Rock Bottom Girl – 3 stars

This also came after The Wedding People. It was a quick and easy light read, but the story fell flat for me. I didn’t love the whole teacher storyline even though the ending does end up being fun/cute/slightly heartwarming. We follow Marley who ends up as a gym teacher and soccer coach after her life all but falls apart. She is reacquainted with a high school love interest (and some frenemies) and we go from there. I thought the best part of the whole book was Libby!!

Fall Into Temptation – 3.5 stars

Another one that came after The Wedding People and just couldn’t live up to the hype! I liked the one more than the above though. We follow Gianna and Beckett who shouldn’t end up together but have crazy chemistry. Another one with really cute characters and I did like the storyline more than I thought. End is cute too!

One Star Romance – 4 stars

Got this in my book of the month box! I really really liked it. We meet Natalie and Rob, the friends of a couple getting married. They have a very rocky start and hope to never see each other again, but continue to bump into each other because of these friends. It’s VERY cute and sort of harry met sally-ish. Love the ending, it’s super heartwarming and really wonderful.

(This is not sponsored but there are a few bookshop and/or affiliate links above! Thank you for reading!)

The post What I Read In September 2024. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

I can’t believe we’re winding down on summer reads! I feel like I still have so many to get through. But I loved what I read this month. So many great books.

I shared my giant summer reading list a few months ago – you can find it here.

Let me know what you’re reading below.

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. That’s where I got a few books from this month. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

WHAT I READ IN AUGUST 2024

Not Another Love Song – 4.5 stars

Loved this one! So I was hesitant at first because this author can write some DARK characters. In her previous book, the guy was just so dark. This guy starts out like that but it gets a lot better. The story follows two people who are musicians and play in the manhattan pops. I loved this storyline so much – the author is extremely detailed in the musical world and it was fascinating!

The God Of The Woods – 5 stars

Loved the one so so so much! Ooooh it is perfect for a misty summer day. This story is about a camp set in the 70s, run by a wealthy family. A camper goes missing who happens to be from the family, and a decade earlier another child from the same family had gone missing. This is very good and does have some twists – I saw a few coming but in the best way possible. I loved how this ended even if it was a little heartbreaking!

So This Is War – 3.5 stars

I love a good Meghan Quinn book when I was to numb my mind, and I mean that in a good way! They are all fairly similar and the characters all play off each other. In this one we follow one of the hockey players who ends up living with the coach’s daughter as a favor to him. The premise is kind of ridiculous but it was a quick read and one that moves quickly. I did like the characters!

The Pairing – 4.5 stars

Ahhhh this was so so good. We follow Theo and Kit who are exs and had an awful breakup. They were supposed to take an amazing trip that never happened, so years later (once they are out of each other’s lives), they both decide to take the trip… at the same time! I live for a good second chance romance and this one does not disappoint. The descriptions of the vacation are INCREDIBLE and made me feel like I was there.

The Housemaid – 4 stars

I finally read this!! Both of my SIL’s have been raving about her books. Oh my gosh, this was like a drug. It was such a quick and enticing read. Very fast to read and suspenseful! We meet an ex con who is hired to be a maid for a woman who ends up bonkers crazy. Tons of big twists. I saw a few coming but only because I’ve read similar books – if you have too, you will get what I mean. This books moves quick and I read it in less than 24 hours. Already onto the next ones! I love that they are a mystery/thriller but not scary.

The Rom Commers – 4.5 stars

I love Katherine Center’s books SO much. They are the perfect rom com to me – which is funny considering the title of this one! Here, we follow two screenwriters (a famous one and one who is hustling to make it happen) and they end up working on a project together. Super cute, funny, love the writing and the characters. I love that she can write cynical characters without them coming off as dark or mean.

The post What I Read In August 2024. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.