Audiobook Sunday: WHEN WE BREAK by Kristen Proby

January 11, 2026

Narration by Stephanie Németh-Parker & Connor Crais

The Blackwells of Montana, Book 2

From the publisher:

From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby comes When We Break, a small-town, cowboy, heroine-in-danger romance, set in Bitterroot Valley!

Beckett

I’ve seen the gorgeous redhead with the big black dog that never leaves her side around town. She’s impossible to miss with that lush red hair and perfect green eyes. But it’s when she opens her plump lips and the sound of Ireland comes out of her kissable mouth that I know I’m a goner. I know she’s the one for me and I’ll do whatever it takes to make Skyla Gallagher mine. I can be a patient man and all I want in the world is to worship every bit of her, inside and out.

Skyla

I moved to the lovely town of Bitterroot Valley, Montana, because I needed a safe place. I left my life in New York as a prima ballerina after an injury that I never fully healed from, and to escape the obsession of a madman. I adore this new community, but I must admit that Beckett Blackwell is the very best part. I love his kindness, his patience, and his thoughtfulness. But most of all, I can’t get enough of the way he worships my body, and then does everything he can to pamper me afterwards. Beckett is a drug that I’ve become addicted to. But will my stalker find me in Montana, ruining everything we’ve started together, before we have had our chance at forever?

https://amzn.to/3N0D6df

Skyla was once a prima ballerina in New York, until crossing paths with the wrong man changed everything. His obsession with her escalated into violence, leaving Skyla with a career-ending injury and forcing her to flee the city she loved. She finds refuge in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, where she opens her own dance studio and slowly builds a new life. In this small town, she makes genuine friends and finally begins to feel safe again—especially with her loyal guard dog, Riley, by her side.

Originally from Ireland, Skyla and her protective brother, Connor, come from a family of billionaires, but Skyla has always been fiercely independent and determined to earn her own success. Connor shares that strong work ethic and makes it a priority to check in on his sister often, quietly watching over her.

One night at a local bar, Skyla meets the Blackwell brothers, and Beckett immediately catches her attention. He asks her out, but Skyla—haunted by her past—hesitates and turns him down. Beckett is instantly taken with her, yet he recognizes her emotional scars and approaches her with patience and care.

Despite her fears, Skyla can’t help but fall for a man who so clearly cherishes her. Beck is a natural caretaker, and his love language is unmistakably acts of service. He shows up for Skyla in countless thoughtful ways—from reading to her to making sure Riley feels completely at home. The man even buys five dog beds, so her dog will always have a place to sleep—thoughtful doesn’t even begin to cover it. Beckett is the ultimate caretaker.

Proby delivers a perfect blend of small-town heat and gripping suspense, even giving us chilling glimpses into the stalker’s mind. The audiobook experience is elevated by fantastic narration; Stephanie Németh-Parker delivers an Irish lilt for Skyla that is both authentic and perfectly clear. This is a standout in the series, and I’m already eager for the next installment.

1/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHEN WE BREAK by Kristen Proby. Narrators: Stephanie Németh-Parker & Connor Crais. Dreamscape Media. May 08, 2025. Listening Length: 8 hours and 45 minutes.

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SECRET NIGHTS AND NORTHERN LIGHTS by Megan Oliver

January 9, 2026

From the publisher:

Childhood best friends and first loves are reunited on a make-or-break work trip to Iceland, with old feelings coming to the surface in this charming romance from debut author Megan Oliver.

Mona Miller lives her life by platitudes: she’s just fine, thanks; all good; not a problem! Everything is right as rain—even if it’s all a lie. Everyone at the travel magazine where she works knows her as a team player (in other words, the one who won’t complain about the endless fluff pieces pushed her way). But, feeling snubbed after being passed over for a promotion, Mona jumps at an international assignment to Iceland, even though she’s woefully unprepared.

She’s determined to prove her worth, though, and her can-do attitude will scale any glacier. But the freelance photographer paired with her is none other than Benjamin Carter. Ben, her childhood best friend who understood her even when her family didn’t. Ben, her first love—first everything. And Ben, the boy who ghosted her fourteen years ago and left her brokenhearted.

There is a decade’s worth of resentment Mona needs to ignore if she wants to make it through this trip. She’ll put on her “No worries!” façade and hold Ben at a distance. But the more time they spend together, the more the ice around her heart melts. And as those old feelings spark back to life, Mona must decide if she’s willing to go on the biggest adventure of all.

“This contemporary romance is engaging, well-written, and realistic. With well-developed characters who have immediate, almost tangible chemistry and a well-described atmospheric setting whose details pulls readers into the landscape of Iceland, Oliver’s debut is unputdownable.”—Library Journal (STARRED)

“Oliver’s debut is a stunning achievement, full of unresolved emotion and angst that results in feelings simmering to the surface, as well as proof that the embers of true love can never fully die down…An exceptional romance debut that doubles as a love letter to Iceland.”—Kirkus Reviews (STARRED)

“Oliver pens a moving second chance romance against the vivid backdrop of Iceland.” —Booklist

https://amzn.to/49HrGDO

Mona Miller wants more out of life, but her people-pleasing ways have left her overlooked and taken for granted. A travel writer for a magazine, she’s been stuck covering local events while dreaming of far-off destinations. When one of the magazine’s top writers is injured and forced to drop out of a coveted trip to Iceland, Mona unexpectedly gets her chance. She’s thrilled—until she learns she’ll be traveling with world-renowned photographer Ben Carter, her childhood sweetheart and the man who ghosted her and shattered her heart.

There’s one more complication: Ben is a freelancer, and Mona’s boss expects her to convince him to join the magazine’s staff. Professional ambition collides with unresolved feelings, and the past Mona refuses to discuss looms over every interaction.

To make the trip a success, Mona and Ben must confront what went wrong between them—and whether there’s any chance for a future. In a refreshing twist on the usual communication trope, Mona is the one determined to keep the past buried. As she navigates heartbreak, career pressure, and the intimidating scale of her dream assignment, Mona finds herself in over her head. Watching her face her fears and discover her own strength is both satisfying and empowering, proving she’s far more capable than she ever believed.

There’s a welcome spark of heat between Mona and Ben, a perfect contrast to Iceland’s stark, icy landscape. The vivid descriptions of the country’s natural beauty—from its dramatic terrain to its otherworldly wonders—make the setting almost feel like another character. As someone who doesn’t handle cold weather well, this armchair journey to Iceland was perfect—I got all the beauty without the frostbite. Watching Mona and Ben navigate their baggage, overcome numerous obstacles, and ultimately find their way to a well-earned happy ending was deeply satisfying. This is a terrific debut set in an unusual and captivating location, and I’m eager to see what Oliver does next.

1/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SECRET NIGHTS AND NORTHERN LIGHTS by Megan Oliver. Berkley. (November 18, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593952405. 384p.

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PRETEND YOU’RE MINE by Lucy Score

January 9, 2026

Benevolence, Book 1

From the publisher:

What if the love you’re faking becomes the home you’ve always needed?

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lucy Score comes an emotional small-town romance overflowing with healing, hope, and irresistible slow-burn chemistry.

Harper’s on the run from heartbreak, desperate to find a place where she finally feels safe. Luke Garrison is a soldier, a local legend―guarding his secrets, his family, and his battered heart. When Harper agrees to play the part of his girlfriend to protect him from town gossip, it seems like the perfect arrangement: No feelings. No risk. Just pretend.

But sometimes pretending leads to the most real love of all.

As their fake relationship becomes dangerously real, both must decide if they’re brave enough to claim a second chance at happiness―or risk losing it all.

Start the Benevolence series now and fall for the book readers can’t stop recommending.

https://amzn.to/4sntHwg

Harper’s life implodes when she catches her cheating boyfriend—who also happens to be her boss—in the act. She bolts with nothing but her car keys, leaving her phone, money, and dignity behind. Stranded and running on empty, she pulls into a small-town bar only to witness a man assaulting a woman. Without a second thought, Harper launches herself into the fray, ending up bruised but hailed as a hero.

The man who comes to her rescue is Luke Garrison, a brooding hometown hero shattered by the loss of his pregnant wife years ago. When Luke’s sister realizes Harper is broke and homeless, she brokers a deal: Harper will play Luke’s fake girlfriend for one month to get his meddling parents off his back before his next deployment. In exchange, Harper gets a paycheck and a place to stay.

What starts as a convenient arrangement quickly turns electric. Despite Luke’s vow to never love again, Harper’s fierce resilience cracks his armor. Their connection spans continents through a deployment, but the peace is shattered when the man Harper fought in the parking lot returns for revenge. A terrifying home invasion leaves Harper scarred and Luke consumed by a guilt he can’t escape.

As Luke’s tragic past collides with his present, he lashes out, pushing Harper away to protect himself from more grief. Harper, a former foster child who has spent her life rescuing others, finally stops fighting for a man who won’t fight for himself and disappears. It’s only when Luke realizes Harper is being hunted by the criminal she helped put away that he finally wakes up. He lost his first love to tragedy; he won’t lose Harper to his own fear.

Lucy Score delivers a masterclass in small-town romance, balancing gut-wrenching emotional depth with sharp, witty banter. Harper is a powerhouse of a protagonist—intelligent, sharp-tongued, and deeply compassionate. Luke’s journey from a man “dead inside” to a protective partner is raw and earned. With a vibrant cast of secondary characters and high-stakes tension, this story is a beautiful, sizzling reminder that even the most broken hearts are worthy of a happy ending.

1/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

PRETEND YOU’RE MINE by Lucy Score. Bloom Books. (September 30, 2022). ISBN: 978-1728282565. 480p.

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Spotlight Review: DRIVE ME CRAZY by Lizzy Dent

January 6, 2026

From the publisher:

Sparks fly when an up-and-coming team principle and her new hot-shot driver—and former childhood crush—are forced to work together to save their careers and team in this deliciously winning Formula 1 romance.

Can they navigate the twists and turns of love without crashing and burning?

As one of the first female team principles in Formula 1, Chloe Coleman is determined to prove herself and transform her failing team from underdogs to champions. Nothing can ruin her strategy—except maybe the surprising new addition of a cocky, top-tier driver who’s lost his edge. And he just so happens to be her estranged childhood crush who still sends her heart racing.

Matt Warner needs a comeback. A former champion, he hasn’t won a race since the disastrous crash that landed his best friend and teammate in the hospital. If there’s a silver lining to this scandalous demotion, it’s his fierce and familiar new boss, Chloe. But as the competition heats up, so does an unexpected spark that turns dangerously and passionately hot. With the world watching and pressures of the season mounting, will their chemistry lead them to victory, or spin them out of control?

One of Bustle’s Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2025-2026

“Dent (Just One Taste) offers an engaging, fast-paced sports romance with well-developed protagonists.” —Library Journal

“A Formula 1 team principal has to work with a struggling driver who also happens to be her childhood crush…There are enough steamy scenes and hijinks along the way to keep readers entertained. A fun and fast-paced racing romance.”—Kirkus Reviews

“The fast-paced world of Formula 1 provides the backdrop for this competent contemporary from Dent (Just One Taste)…Matt’s and Chloe’s ambition and resilience make them admirable heroes…Devoted sports romance fans are sure to have a good time with this.” —Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/3NfQUQU

I’ll be honest: I was hesitant to pick this up. I am no fan of racing and couldn’t tell you the difference between Formula 1 and NASCAR. But the reviews and the buzz were too tempting to ignore, and I’m so glad I took the chance. Despite the racing backdrop, I was completely swept up in this fast-paced, fun, and sexy read. Lizzy Dent is such a talented writer that she even made the technical details of the sport interesting; I’ll officially read anything she writes from now on.

The story follows Chloe Coleman, one of the first female F1 Team Principles. She’s determined to turn her struggling team around, but her authority is undermined from day one. At her debut press conference, the team owner blindsides her by announcing his latest hire: Matt Warner. Matt is a legendary driver, but he’s been stuck in a downward spiral since a tragic accident injured his best friend. Chloe is furious—not just because her hiring power was usurped, but because she and Matt have a complicated history. They were childhood best friends, Chloe harbored a long-standing crush, and when Matt reached the top tier of racing, he ghosted her completely.

While Matt works with a therapist to overcome his trauma, he isn’t quite back to his former glory. Chloe realizes that if she can help him find his edge again, it won’t just save the team—it will cement her career. Balancing Matt’s needs with the demands of managing the entire team proves challenging, especially as old feelings resurface. As they spend more time together, Chloe’s emotions deepen, and to Matt’s surprise, he finds himself falling for her, too. A relationship, however, would be professionally disastrous, threatening scandal and potentially destroying Chloe’s hard-won credibility. Still, their connection is impossible to ignore. After navigating past mistakes and lingering pain, they must decide whether risking everything is worth their chance at happiness.

I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved this book—even the technical aspects of racing kept me engaged, despite knowing next to nothing about the sport. My only real-life experience with the racing world was a slow-motion parade lap in my husband’s Jeep at the Daytona 500 Speedway during Jeep Beach, yet I found the racing elements fascinating.

If you love second-chance romances, workplace tension, and the forced proximity trope, don’t miss this one. It was a fantastic way to kick off my reading year!

1/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

DRIVE ME CRAZY by Lizzy Dent. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. (January 6, 2026). ISBN: 979-8217045204. 368p.

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IN YOUR DREAMS by Sarah Adams

January 2, 2026

Rome, Kentucky, Book 4

From the publisher:

A homecoming to Rome, Kentucky, sparks a new romance—and lots of drama—between two old family friends, from the New York Times bestselling author of When in Rome, Practice Makes Perfect, and Beg, Borrow, or Steal.

Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is her shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn’t part of the plan—until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend.

James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and running the family business. But when Madison’s happiness is on the line, he’s willing to take up his estranged brother’s offer to launch a restaurant. James has loved her quietly for years, knowing she’s never seen him as more than an annoyance, but now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that.

Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy restaurant in record time, but keeping things strictly professional soon becomes impossible, and the town can’t help but meddle in their relationship. As opening night looms closer, Madison’s fears threaten to hold her back.

When an unexpected disaster collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities—and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.

“Adams concludes her “Rome, Kentucky” series with…this heartfelt, slow-burn romance [that] will leave readers reminiscing and wanting to start the whole series over again.”—Library Journal

https://amzn.to/4sntHwg

I’d forgotten how much I adore visiting Rome, Kentucky—the kind of small town that makes you want to stay forever. This final installment in the series centers on the last Walker sister, Madison, and it’s a deeply satisfying conclusion.

Madison is warm, spirited, and sensitive, but she’s also plagued by self-doubt. While her sisters are thriving, Madison feels like the odd one out. She dreams of becoming a chef, so she leaves her teaching job and moves to New York to attend culinary school. She scrapes by, convinced she would not have graduated without the extra credit earned by cleaning labs. Too embarrassed to celebrate what feels like a near-failure, she skips her graduation entirely and doesn’t tell her family.

She’s also been quietly crushing on her brother’s best friend, James, for as long as she can remember. After one too many drinks, she calls him—expecting awkwardness, not comfort. Instead, James listens. Then he throws her a lifeline: come home to Rome and be the chef for the restaurant he’s opening as part of revitalizing his family farm. For Madison, it’s the fresh start she needs—and a way to return home without admitting defeat.

What Madison doesn’t know is that James never planned to open a restaurant until that phone call. She also doesn’t know he’s been harboring feelings for her just as long. Determined to give her a reason to stay, James enlists his brother Tommy, a successful restaurateur in Los Angeles, to help get the restaurant off the ground. Things quickly become complicated when Tommy starts flirting with Madison, making James’s unspoken jealousy impossible to ignore.

Madison loves her new job, but her insecurities linger, and working so closely with James brings her long-buried feelings to the surface. He’s her brother’s best friend—and now her boss—which makes everything even more complicated.

James, meanwhile, is juggling big dreams for the farm, his father’s declining health, and the financial risk of the restaurant. If Madison fails, they could both lose everything. Still, James’s stubborn faith in her—and his own blind spot when it comes to Madison—keeps him believing she’ll succeed, even when doubts creep in.

As they work side by side, it becomes impossible to hide what they feel, and their love story unfolds into a well-earned happily ever after. This was the perfect conclusion to a terrific series, and I can’t wait to see what Adams does next. While longtime readers will appreciate the journey, the book also stands beautifully on its own—so new readers can easily start here. It was a wonderful way to kick off a new year of reading.

1/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

IN YOUR DREAMS by Sarah Adams. Dell. (December 30, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593723715. 368p.

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BookBitch Diary: January 1, 2026

January 1, 2026

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year filled with lots of good books!

Book News

The Supreme Court Just Opened the Door to a New Era of Book Bans

So many best books of the year lists! Here are some I found useful, and hope you do, too!

The 10 best books of 2025 (The Washington Post)

50 notable works of fiction from 2025 (The Washington Post)

The 10 Best Books of 2025 (New York Times)

100 Notable Books of 2025 (New York Times)

Best Books 2025 (Publishers Weekly)

Editors’ Picks of the Year | Best Books 2025

Books We Love (NPR)

New York Public Library Best Books of 2025

Food News

The New York Times Cooking Most Popular Recipes of 2025

This is the first year that I haven’t tried most of these recipes. The only one on the list that I love is the Porcini Ragu – that one is on repeat in my family, I make it about twice a month. (My husband hates chicken, so that eliminated probably half of these recipes.)

Please ask me for any recipe you can’t access!

Our top 25 recipes of 2025 (The Washington Post)

Pizza Pasta Salad! No Churn Ice Cream! Rao’s Marinara Sauce! And many more!

14 of our favorite cookbooks of the year (The Washington Post)

The 14 Best Cookbooks of 2025 (New York Times)

The 26 Best Cookbooks of 2025, According to Serious Eats Editors

Our Favorite New Cookbooks of 2025 (Bon Appetit & Epicurious)

Good News

This musician taught an octopus to play the piano

Takoyaki, an octopus, plays piano keys with its eight arms. (Mattias Krantz)

As always, thanks for reading, and stay safe.

Thanks to The New York Times and The Washington Post for allowing me to “gift” my readers with free access to these articles, a lovely perk for subscribers.

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Spotlight Review: PROMISE ME SUNSHINE by Cara Bastone

December 30, 2025

From the publisher:

How do you find yourself after you lose the one you loved the most?

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Grieving the loss of her best friend, a young woman’s life is turned upside down when she meets a grumpy stranger who swears he can help her live again, in this heartwarming, slow-burn romance by the author of Ready or Not.

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: NPR, Library Journal, New York Public Library, Seattle Times

Lenny’s a bit of a mess at the moment. Ever since cancer stole away her best friend, she has been completely lost. She’s avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with her best friend, and the ever-laminated “live again” list of things she’s promised to do to survive her grief. But maybe if she acts like she has it all together, no one will notice she’s falling apart.

The only gigs she can handle right now are temporary babysitting jobs, and she just landed a great one, helping overworked, single mom Reese and her precocious daughter, Ainsley. The only catch: Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, always seems to be around, and is kind of. . . a walking version of the grumpy cat meme. Worse – he seems to be able to see right through her.

Surprisingly, Miles knows a lot about grief and he offers Lenny a proposition. He’ll help her complete everything on her “live again” list if she’ll help him connect with Ainsley and overcome his complicated relationship with Reese. Lenny doubts anything can fill the void her best friend has left behind, but between late night ferry rides, midnight ramen, and a well-placed shoulder whenever she needs it, Miles just won’t stop showing up for her. Turns out, sometimes your life has to end to find your new beginning.

“A stunning book by Bastone, who delivers another slow-burn and emotional romance that doesn’t shy away from also exploring life’s hardest moments . . . Recommended for readers who also enjoy Abby Jimenez.”—Library Journal, starred review

https://amzn.to/3NfQUQU

This book isn’t just a love story—it’s a powerful exploration of grief, healing, and the unexpected ways love can find us even in the darkest moments. It’s a journey through loss, the struggle to rebuild when grief has turned your world upside down, and the realization that sometimes losing everything is the beginning of finding yourself again. It’s so much more than a romance; it’s about resilience and discovering hope when it feels completely out of reach.

Lenny is devastated after losing her best friend, Lou, to cancer. Even if you haven’t experienced her kind of loss, anyone who has loved someone deeply can imagine the heartbreak of losing them. Every part of her life feels broken, and she has no idea how to start putting the pieces back together. When she takes a babysitting job for a single mom, Reese, and her daughter, Ainsley, she meets Reese’s brother, Miles.

Miles carries his own heavy grief, though it looks different from Lenny’s. He’s lost his mother, his father, and his cousin—an overwhelming amount of pain for one person to bear. Hoping to hold on to what little family he has left, he moves closer to them, searching for connection. But watching how misunderstood he is by his sister and niece is heartbreaking. He tries so hard, yet they never seem to see the depth of who he is, leaving him feeling isolated.

Miles is the kind of person who would do anything for the people he loves. His heart is huge, and his loyalty runs deep. He’s emotionally perceptive in a rare way—he notices the unspoken, understands feelings others might overlook, and cares deeply without expecting anything in return.

He sees Lenny in a way no one else does. He offers to help her work through her grief and complete her “live again” list if she helps him navigate his complicated relationship with his niece. As they spend more time together, Lenny begins to realize that healing doesn’t always come from big, dramatic moments. Sometimes it’s found in the quiet, gentle connections that slowly stitch you back together.

Lenny’s grief feels painfully real—so raw it almost becomes your own. Lou had been there for everything, and now she’s gone. Watching Lenny struggle to let go, to allow herself to live again, is devastating. There’s a quiet, lingering ache that comes with losing someone you love so deeply, and the book captures that ache beautifully. Grief isn’t something you “get over.” It’s something you learn to carry, day by day, and Lenny’s journey reflects that truth with honesty and tenderness. What struck me most was how the book portrays grief as unpredictable, messy, and deeply human.

Lenny and Miles don’t find each other by searching for love—they find each other by surviving the hardest parts of life side by side. Their love grows from friendship, shared pain, and seeing each other at their most vulnerable. The slow burn between them feels natural and unforced. It’s simply two people healing, slowly and quietly, until they realize they’ve found something meaningful in the middle of their grief.

While this isn’t a typical love story, it is so much more. It has a happy ending, which is poignant and so meaningful. These characters will be staying with me for a long time. Don’t miss it.

Note: This is my final review of the year, covering a book released earlier in the year. Publishing used to be very light in December, so it was always my month to catch up on whatever I missed earlier in the year, like this. But these days publishing doesn’t take that holiday break anymore, and frankly, I miss it.

12/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

PROMISE ME SUNSHINE by Cara Bastone. Dial Press Trade Paperback. (March 4, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593595732. 416p.

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Audiobook Sunday: A CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Courtney Walsh

December 28, 2025

Narration by Reba Buhr & Will Collyer

Road Trip Romance, Book 1

From the publisher:

Lauren Richmond isn’t a fan of Christmas.

Which is why she rarely makes the trip home to the Midwest for the holidays. After all, she has plenty to keep her busy—namely, her duties as a set decorator on a TV sitcom.

But this December, Lauren‘s brother and his wife are expecting a baby, so her brother arranges a ride home for her with his good friend, Will.

Unfortunately for Lauren, she’s been trying to forget college baseball coach and childhood crush Will Sinclair for more than 10 years.

Now, thanks to her fear of flying, she’s stuck in a car with him from California to Illinois.

She’s circumspect and organized. He’s flirty and spontaneous.

She’s convinced that people don’t change. He’s trying to prove to her (and himself) that he has.

On this cross-country road trip, they’ll both discover that history doesn’t exactly repeat itself…but like any good Christmas carol, it does have a second verse.

https://amzn.to/3KQjmZ4

Lauren has never been much of a Christmas person. As a busy set decorator for a TV show, she rarely makes it back to her Midwest hometown—especially not during the holidays. But this December is different: her brother and his wife are expecting a baby, and they’re determined to have her there. Knowing she’s terrified of flying, her brother arranges a ride for her with Will, his best friend. It’s a road trip, he promises. It’ll be fun. And since she already knows Will, she reluctantly agrees.

Ever the planner, Lauren maps out a three‑day route complete with hotel stops. But when Will shows up, it’s immediately clear he has no intention of following her itinerary. He’s set on a week‑long adventure and refuses to change course—or let her drive. Frustrated but out of options, Lauren climbs in.

Will’s easygoing nature contrasts sharply with Lauren’s prickly mood, but he takes it in stride. She doesn’t like road trips, and she’s not particularly fond of Will either, yet the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for her to stay frosty. Along the way, she uncovers a difficult truth about him that shifts her perspective entirely. By the time they reach home, their relationship has transformed. They might even be falling in love.

This closed‑door romance is a charming holiday read, and the narration really brings the characters to life. A great pick for fans of cozy holiday storytelling and Debbie Macomber’s warmhearted romances.

12/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Courtney Walsh. Narrators: Reba Buhr & Will Collyer. Courtney Walsh. June 13, 2022. Listening Length: 6 hours and 34 minutes.

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THE CHRISTMAS CURE by Kristine Winters

December 26, 2025

From the publisher:

A cozy holiday rom-com in which ER physician Dr. Libby Munro travels back in time to the previous Christmas during her hometown’s rumored-to-be-magical Christmas tree lighting ceremony, where she must confront her past choices—while navigating an unexpected romance that could rewrite her future.

He wasn’t on her Christmas wish list, but he’s just what Santa ordered.

When Libby Munro returns to her hometown of Harmony Hills—a holiday-obsessed village that feels like stepping into a Christmas card—she’s longing for an escape. A respite from her hectic job as a big-city emergency room doctor, and a change of scenery after a painful break-up. Maybe Harmony Hills’s festive charm will help her rediscover the holiday spirit.

What she doesn’t expect is Liam Young: the dreamy, green-eyed owner of the local bakery, whose smile rivals the glow of the town’s legendary Christmas tree. Or a run-in with Liam’s excitable pot-bellied pig, Mary Piggins, at the rumoured-to-be-magical tree-lighting ceremony. Libby’s knocked unconscious in the chaos and wakes up to find herself thrust into the past: specifically, to Christmastime, one year ago.

As she relives last Christmas, Libby begins to wonder if this is a second chance to change her life. With every snowflake-filled moment, the undeniable spark between her and Liam grows brighter. But if she’s going to rewrite her future, she’ll need to figure out what changes the past is asking her to make—and whether she’s ready to embrace the pull of home, and the promise of true love.

Perfect for fans of In a Holidaze and One Day in December, The Christmas Cure is the holiday rom-com that will make you believe in the magic of Christmas.

https://amzn.to/4pTN8eJ

This warm, twinkly holiday romance comes from Canadian author Karma Brown, writing under the pseudonym Kristine Winters. Set in a fictional small town straight out of a Hallmark movie, it’s filled with festive charm, nosy-but-lovable locals, and a sweet pig, Mary Piggins.

Libby Munro, a Toronto ER doctor, returns to her hometown of Harmony Hills for the holidays, only to find herself tripping over the adorable pig. She blacks out, and when she awakesn, she has been transported back to the previous year and forced to repeat the town’s beloved Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. And there she stays, stuck in the past. Libby must confront what she truly wants: the high-pressure city life she’s built, or the slower, sweeter rhythm of home… and maybe even Liam, the dimpled tree farmer–baker who is basically the human embodiment of a cinnamon roll.

I love magical realism and alternate-reality stories, and I thought the premise here was clever and charming. Overall, this is a cozy, pun-filled, delightful small-town holiday romance. Liam was an instant favorite—soft, steady, and swoon-worthy in all the right ways. The story is comforting and predictable in the best holiday-romance way, with plenty of Hallmark vibes and a light touch of magic. A sweet, festive read that’s perfect for the season.

12/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE CHRISTMAS CURE by Kristine Winters. Simon & Schuster. (October 7, 2025). ISBN: 978-1668069592. 304p.