My reading year is off to a decent start.
I read 6 books so far in January and have 4 new reviews to share in my mid January Reading Recap. Four of my books were from my winter TBR. I had one 5-star read so far and another hit for A Dose of Romance Book Club.
I finished one of my nonfiction books for the month already – Ready, Set, Go by Sarah Ockwell-Smith. I’ll share an in-depth review on her books next month when I finish my dive into her gentle parenting approach. I recently shared a review of December’s nonfiction read, Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, in case you missed it.
This month I’m also participating in a team-based readathon – Once Upon a Readathon Icelands edition. Go team unicorns!
Here’s what I’ve read so far in January.
Mid January Reading Recap:
Whiteout by Adriana Anders
Rating: 3.5 stars
Steam Level: 2
Whiteout was on my winter TBR for its romantic suspense vibes and frozen setting. I chose it as one of my first reads for all the bonus points it gets in the Icelands Readathon.
The ebook is available on Kindle Unlimited but I listened to it on audio through Hoopla.
Book Blurb:
“Angel Smith is finally ready to leave Antarctica for a second chance at life. But on what was meant to be her last day, the remote research station she’s been calling home is attacked. Hunted and scared, she and irritatingly gorgeous glaciologist Ford Cooper barely make it out with their lives…only to realize that in a place this remote, there’s nowhere left to run.
Isolated with no power, no way to contact the outside world, and a madman at their heels, Angel and Ford must fight to survive in the most inhospitable—and beautiful—place on earth. But what starts as a partnership born of necessity quickly turns into an urgent connection that burns bright and hot. They both know there is little chance of making it out alive, and yet they are determined to survive against the odds—and possibly, the world.”
My Thoughts
This book was a little slow in terms of both the romance and the suspense element.
There were too many chapters told from the point of view of various bad guys for me. It was more graphically detailed in the gore and pain areas than I’d prefer. I think you’ll know from the prologue if this is too graphic for you.
On the flip side I loved when Anders brought that detail to the Antarctic setting! I found her writing quite flowery and descriptive.
I never felt completely invested in either main character but it was still a fun reading experience. It was a very unique setting and set up for me.
Also a warning that while there is a brief HEA for the romance, this book ends in a bit of a cliff hanger for the suspense subplot. I immediately listened to the second book, Uncharted, which I liked slightly more. I connected more with the characters, loved the Alaskan setting, and the plot felt a bit faster.
I will say both had me rolling my eyes with the running for our lives with limited supplies premise but we have plenty of hygiene wipes or condoms for any intimate situations that may arise.
Uncharted also ends in a similar cliff hanger situation. I wasn’t pleased to discover this since the next book doesn’t even have a release date.
Other Books I Read in this Series Last Month
- Uncharted by Adriana Anders (3.5 stars)
Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: How many eye rolling moments can you tolerate in your books?
Tattered Stars by Catherine Cowles
Rating: 4.5 stars
Steam Level: low 2
A Dose of Romance Book Club picked this title for our January read. It was also on my winter TBR under romantic suspense.
Catherine Cowles has been an author I’ve wanted to check out for a long time since hearing Jessica at PeaceLoveBooksXO gush over all her series. I chose this one to start with after watching her guide to Catherine Cowles.
I’m also in love with this cover. As of this posting the entire Tattered and Torn series is available on KU.
Book Blurb:
“Be brave. Just for sixty seconds. Twenty breaths.
It took every ounce of my courage to return to the small town I fled all those years ago. But I should’ve known he’d hate me. How could he not when my father’s blood still runs through my veins?
Yet here I am, desperate for a chance to make things right. Even if it means facing the family my father almost destroyed and the boy with the dark eyes—now grown—who still haunts my dreams.
I never expected just how explosive things would turn between us. He’s the last person I should want. Yet, somehow, I keep drawing closer—so close I know I’ll end up burned.
But Hayes is a good man, a noble one. Someone who channeled his pain into a career spent protecting those around him. So, when the threats begin, he steps in to keep me safe. And we discover that maybe neither of us knew the other at all.
As the sparks between us ignite into something deeper, someone watches. And they’ll do anything to tear it all apart…”
My Thoughts
I loved this story overall!
I thought it was a great romantic suspense.
That said the romance felt like it took a backseat to all the healing going on and the mystery subplot.
Both Everly and Hayes are still growing and healing from the traumatic past event they have in common. I thought they communicated with maturity – mostly – and a lot of compassion and understanding.
Their romantic relationship was both a little slow to build and then came together a little too quickly for me though. I still really enjoyed the book but that kept it from being a 5-star read.
I loved getting to know the Easton family and all these side characters. I am so excited to continue the series!
Reading Life Insight
We need a new first letter for series that follow a large family with the same last name.
Catherine Cowles has the Eastons. Devney Perry wrote The Edens. And Elsie Silver has the Eatons. I’m sure there are even more “E” last names.
I’m also about to pick up another book, Ever Mine, with an Everly as the female main character.
I find it funny to notice certain name trends going around whether it’s first names, family names, or even titles.
Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: What is the last series you tried and wanted to continue reading? I recently updated my series list for this year in my 2024 reading notebook. How many unfinished series are on your list that you still hope to read?
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Rating: 3.5 stars
Another read from my winter TBR, this was one of two cozy fantasies I wanted to try this season. I’ve been curious about Legends & Lattes since the Currently Reading podcast fell in love with it. It has been intensely hyped everywhere since.
I listened to the audiobook through Libby thanks to my library.
Book Blurb:
“A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes.
After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.
The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success—not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone.
But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.”
My Thoughts
I wasn’t sure how I would like this one after seeing so many mixed reviews. I didn’t love it but I didn’t dislike it either. It landed as a solid “liked it” for me.
I found it very atmospheric. I loved the coffee shop, the descriptions of actually making the coffee, and anything Thimble baked sounded absolutely divine. I’m still craving those cinnamon rolls!
After seeing so many complaints that this book had no plot or how nothing happened, I was surprised to find it wasn’t as quiet as I expected.
I went in expecting atmospheric scene after atmospheric scene but there’s totally a plot to this book with a conflict, a build up, a climax, and a resolution. It didn’t even read as a slow story to me.
I also wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy this book since it is fully rooted in a fantasy world which is a bit outside my usual reading comfort zone. But it did deliver on the cozy vibes and the atmosphere.
I loved the fresh start story and the “low” stakes. The glimpses of a queer love story were sweet too!
Reading Life Insight
As I said above I saw a lot of reviews saying this book was way too slow or nothing happened in it.
I’ve always thought of myself as having a low tolerance for slow paced stories. I thought I needed fast paced books to hold my attention.
This book is making me reconsider that stance.
I haven’t tried using StoryGraph yet but I know you can track the pace of your books over there.
It would be interesting to find out if my opinion of a story’s pacing matches what other readers think.
If that is the case it would be interesting to pick up more books marked slow paced to see if I do in fact enjoy those.
Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: Let’s consider genres. What genres are go-to ones for you? Are any genres a hard no for your reading life? Which genres fall into the realm of curious about but haven’t read? How can you make room to experiment with those in your reading life?
Last Light by Claire Kent
Rating: 5 stars
Steam Level: 3.5
After reading Haven by Claire Kent last fall and giving it 5 stars, her Kindled series was one I couldn’t wait to continue. I put Last Light on my winter TBR.
This book is actually considered a standalone set in the same world as her Kindled series. You could start the series with either but I wish I’d started with this one since this couple gets a cameo in Haven.
Last Light and the entire Kindled series are currently available to read on Kindle Unlimited.
Book Blurb:
“It only took four years for the world to fall apart.
Now the last member of my family has died, and I’m forced to travel across what’s left of three states to find the only people I know left alive. To survive, I’ll have to salvage food and supplies and try to avoid violent men who’ve learned they can take what they want by force. The only way I’m going to make it is by trusting Travis.
Travis used to fix my car, and now he’s all I have left in the world. He’s gruff and stoic and unfriendly, and I don’t really know or like him. But he’s all I have left. He’ll keep me safe. We’ll take care of each other. Until we reach what’s left of our town and can finally let go of one another. “
My Thoughts
My first 5-star read of the year! Last Light was every bit as addictive as I found Haven to be.
It was slightly less atmospheric but I think that’s just because most of this story takes place while Travis and Layne are traveling. In contrast much of Haven is set in the same location, a farm.
The premise of this series, set in a post-apocalyptic world, automatically makes the stakes so high and the environment so intense. It’s hard to put these books down!
At the same time, Kent writes in a way where I’m not just scared for the characters the entire time. There’s a cozy element to this world. I think it’s due to the sense of community the reader can feel.
Everyone has lost someone they love and is doing the best they can to survive. The emotions are high.
I loved both Travis and Layne. They’re equally badass characters in their own ways. My favorite kind of couple to read about. I fell for both of them.
Who doesn’t love a book where you fall in love with a dog too 🥹
This book is very sexy while not incorporating any kinks or explicit content for shock value. It was very similar to the way Haven was written as well. I’m a fan of Claire Kent’s brand of steam!
I’m very excited to continue her Kindled series and check out her other works.
Questions to Consider for Your Own Reading Life: Everyone has different rating systems. I recently updated mine. Some readers hold back their 5 star rating just for favorites. Some readers go into every book expecting to give it 5 stars. Where do you fall?
What’s on your mid January reading recap?
