Finally, the last few weeks of 2020 are upon us! Normally the holidays are so busy for our family that this year has me feeling so strange. Yes, the extended work hours are still going strong but gone are the extra activities for our kids, the massive Christmas prep and family gatherings galore that usually fill our calendar from now until New Years. I long for the days when I can’t even figure out how we will be in three places at once. Hopefully soon we will be back at it but on the bright side all of this extra time helped me reach my goal of reading 70 books this year! These last 12 are a less diverse collection and a little more lighter toned than usual because let’s be honest we all can use a little levity right now. I have really enjoyed getting to read along with so many of you this year and look forward to many more books together in 2021!

“Here and Now and Then” by Mike Chen

Everyone believes Kin Stewart is just an average IT guy, husband to Heather, father to Miranda but what they don’t know is that Kin has a secret past, no…more like future. Kin was stranded in the 90s during a time-traveling mission from the year 2142 after he was shot. When his retrieval team failed to show up Kin was forced to go on with his life and attempt to blend into his new world. He has kept his secret hidden from everyone but the blackouts and memory lapses are coming more frequently now and Heather is growing suspicious. Then, out of the blue, a retrieval agent arrives to bring Kin home, only now, this time is Kin’s home. For Kin, 18 years have passed but back in 2142 he’s informed it’s only been two weeks. Not complying isn’t an option but Kin is scared for his family’s welfare. What will the agency do with them, considering his daughter shouldn’t have even been born. Risking everything for one last chance to talk to his family Kin will move time to keep them safe. This debut novel by author Mike Chen was really entertaining. I love a good time-travel story and “Here and Now and Then” is a great addition to this genre. It is filled with the perfect amount of heart, emotion and suspense. Fans of sci-fi add this to your TBR list.

“Clanlands: Whiskey, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other” by Sam Heughan & Graham McTavish

Where are my Outlander fans at? For loyal Fraser clan followers Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish need no introduction. Two of Outlanders biggest stars take readers on a journey around Scotland to explore its land, beauty and rich history. Beginning their journey in Glencoe the duo travel through to Inverness and the battlefield at Culloden on various madcap modes of transportation. Sam and Graham share behind the scenes tales from the Outlander set, share bits about their pasts all while giving us a glimpse at Scotland’s clan feuds, life in the Highlands and the brutal battles that ensued. Heughan and McTavish’s friendship shines through and you may just see some guest appearances from other Outlander favorites along the way. Confession: I have never listened to an audiobook before – this was my first one – but I had to hear Sam and Graham tell this story for themselves. Every Outlander fan should sit down with this book while drinking a glass of Sassenach whiskey, wearing some tweed, a scarf and maybe even your best kilt. Speaking of kilts, Sam and Graham filmed this journey and we will all be able to watch the trip this book is based on when Starz releases “Men in Kilts” hopefully sooner rather than later.

“Untamed” by Glennon Doyle

If you don’t know who Glennon Doyle is, get familiar. The multi-best selling author has written another outstanding memoir in “Untamed”. So much of this book resonated with me, especially Glennon’s thoughts on parenting, motherhood and the constraints set upon women by society and more upsettingly by ourselves. In this follow up to “Love Warrior”, Glennon walks readers through her life with her wife Abby Wambach and her three teenage children through life lessons and flashback memories. Glennon’s focus on accepting who we are as women, focusing on who we are as women, remembering who we are as women (…and not just someone’s mother!) are lessons we all need to hear. I listened to the audiobook so I could hear Glennon tell the story herself and I would highly recommend it. Now I need to go back and reread my physical copy with a highlighter and post-its in hand. For all of the Cheetahs who have read “Untamed” what was your favorite bit of Glennon wisdom you picked up? For me, I loved this gem on asking others for advice on life decisions: “This life is mine alone. So I have stopped asking people for directions to places they’ve never been.”

“The Honey-Don’t List” by Christina Lauren

Everything in Carey Duncan’s life revolves around Melissa & Rusty Tripp. Carey has worked for the superstar couple since she was sixteen and the Tripps were just a couple who owned a shop in Jackson. Fast-forward ten years and the Tripps are home renovating icons about to embark on a book tour as well as revealing a new television show in just days and Carey works as Melissa’s right hand helping her through literally everything. So when Carey and Rusty’s assistant James discover Rusty being less than faithful, the picture perfect Tripp brand and all that they have been working for could come crashing down. In order to prevent the disaster of America finding out their Sweethearts can’t stand one another, Carey & James are forced to road trip with the Tripps during their book launch to hopefully keep the couple out of the tabloids. Something that Carey & James both agree is not in their job descriptions. “The Honey-Don’t List” is written by one of my favorite rom com writing duos, Christina Lauren. Because this book didn’t quite measure up to the other two titles I have read by them, “The Honey-Don’t List” falls into the just ok category for me. It has all the ingredients to be a sweet read for fans of this author but if you have yet to discover Christina Lauren books I encourage you to reach for “The Unhoneymooners” first.

“Mistletoe & Mr. Right” by Sarah Morgenthaler

Lana Montgomery has been in love with the town of Moose Springs, Alaska for as long as she can remember. That’s why when the opportunity to grow her family’s business there presented itself Lana jumped at the chance even if others on the Montgomery Group board don’t understand what Lana sees in the failing town. The locals make it very obvious how much they dislike Lana no matter how hard she tries to win them over. They only see her luxury condominium project as an intrusion and Lana as an outsider. When the decorations around town become the target of a disgruntled moose Lana decides she will be the one to catch it and win over the people of Moose Springs. Really, how hard can it be? I love a good Christmas read but sadly this one just didn’t do it for me. “Mistletoe & Mr. Right” is the second book by Morgenthaler and before I began reading I made sure to check to see if this was a sequel in any way. Even though I was reassured that it wasn’t, it constantly felt like I was an outsider to a conversation I was just joining. I really wouldn’t recommend reading this if you haven’t already read “The Tourist Trap”.

“In A Holidaze” by Christina Lauren

For as long as she can remember Maelyn Jones has spent her Christmas holidays at the cabin in Utah surrounded by her parent’s friends from college that have become their family. Also, for as long as she can remember Maelyn has been in love with Andrew. Spending the week with him has become the best part of her year but also pure torture because Andrew has no idea how she feels and if Mae has anything to do about it he never will. When Mae wakes up on their last morning at the cabin completely hungover from the night before she realizes she has made a catastrophic error and to add to Mae’s distress it’s announced that her favorite place in the world, the cabin, is being sold. They just experienced their last Christmas together without even knowing it. As they drive away from her happy place Mae asks the universe “Please show me what will make me happy”. Next thing she knows Mae is waking up on the plane to Utah, six days in the past, destined to relive the last 6 days over again, only now she has the chance to do it right and maybe hold on to everything she loves the most. “In A Holidaze” has all of the ingredients you need for the perfect Christmas read – unrequited love, a cozy cabin setting, family drama, and all of the holiday adventures one could dream up. Christina Lauren has written a heartwarming book that is just right for a night by the fire. Do yourself a favor, grab a hot chocolate and settle in with a copy of “In A Holidaze” before the month is out.

“The Twelve Dates of Christmas” by Jenny Bayliss

Kate Turner’s love life has gone completely stale and living in the tiny village of Blexford isn’t helping matters. Kate isn’t too bothered by this though, her career as a designer is thriving and she loves baking for her old friend Matt’s café on the side. Kate’s best friend, Laura, however thinks she needs to remedy her single status ASAP and signs Kate up for a holiday dating service. The “Twelve Dates of Christmas” special promises to match dates up based on compatibility and lets their clients choose what activities they want to participate in. Twelve dates, twelve different men…the odds have to be in her romantic favor, right? As Kate bounces from ice skating, to trivia, to dancing, to gingerbread house building, she begins to learn more about who she is and exactly why she is still single. Could Kate actually find love on these crazy dates as the countdown to Christmas ticks on? “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” drips with the classic predictability of a Hallmark movie but in the most delicious way. I want to move to Blexford, have a brownie at the Pear Tree Café and visit the Manor’s Christmas market immediately. If you are looking for a feel good Christmas rom-com, do not miss this one!

“All About Us” by Tom Ellen

Ben’s life is at an all time low. His career is in the toilet, his marriage is on the rocks and he can’t get the idea out of his head that he somehow made a wrong turn somewhere in life. Ben always goes back to that night in college when he and Daphne shared their first kiss. What if Daphne hadn’t been the first to find him in the maze that night? What if it had been Alice, the girl Ben always imagined as the one who got away. Ben is ruminating over all of this when he meets an old man on Christmas Eve 2020. The man, who reminds Ben of his grandfather, gifts Ben a watch before quickly walking out of the bar. It’s only once he’s gone does Ben notice that the watch doesn’t even work, its hands frozen at one minute ’til midnight. When he wakes up the next morning, however, Ben realizes that the man gave him much more than a broken watch – he gave him a chance to do it all over again. You see, Ben woke up fifteen years in the past, the night he chose Daphne and left the idea of Alice behind. Tom Ellen’s “All About Us” is a modern day take on “A Christmas Carol”. It’s heartbreaking, thoughtful, and not your typical cheesy Christmas read. Be sure to add this one to your holiday reading list.

“The Christmas Project” by Maxine Morrey

Kate Stone has finally met the worst client she’s ever had. Unfortunately for Kate this new client of Stone Organization has been taken on as a favor to his best friend Janey. Michael O’Farrell needs all the help he can get and not just with getting his home ready to host Christmas for his family. Kate has never met anyone so rude in her life. Not only was he an hour late for their first meeting but he openly admits to being a single woman’s nightmare. His house and his life are so unorganized that Kate knows she can’t say no to helping Michael no matter how much she wants to. With just a few weeks to go before Christmas Kate will need a Christmas miracle to get the job done without killing Michael in the process. “The Christmas Project” is a sweet (but very predictable) read. Despite the title Christmas really is a background character in the book. Yes, it takes place during the month of December but it isn’t too heavily mentioned. I really enjoyed “The Christmas Project” despite knowing exactly how it would play out from page one. Everyone could use a book that makes you smile right now and this one is a guarantee.

“This Time Next Year” by Sophie Cousens

Beginning on December 31st until dawn on January 2nd you are best avoid Minnie Cooper. After experiencing disasters year after year on New Years Eve and Day, Minnie is convinced she is jinxed. You see, Minnie was born just after midnight on January 1st, 1990 and this is where all her troubles began. Not only was she edged out of being the first baby born in the 90s resulting in her family missing out on the prize money and promotions that went along with that honor she had her intended name stolen by the same baby…Quinn. Instead she was given the same name as a car fueling her bullies with endless amounts of ammunition for years to come. When Minnie finally crosses paths with her birthday twin, Quinn Hamilton, on their 30th birthday the two couldn’t be any less alike. Quinn has everything in life while Minnie’s business is barely hanging on by a thread. However the more time Minnie and Quinn spend together she begins to realize that maybe she has been wrong for not-so-secretly blaming Quinn for her life’s path. Could these two opposites actually help one another discover what they really want from life? “This Time Next Year” is a wonderful debut by author Sophie Cousens. With the book starting off on New Year’s Eve 2019, it was really nice to imagine what a fictional 2020 could have been like if the pandemic hadn’t happened. Set over the course of the year, including flashbacks to different points in Minnie and Quinn’s life, I thought “This Time Next Year” was the perfect way to round out my 2020 reading. If you could use a little levity before we all kick 2020 to the curb add this to your TBR list for the holidays. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. (I liked it so much I made it my Book of the Month pick, too!)

“One Way or Another” by Kara McDowell

Paige Collins can’t make a decision to save her life. Even the simplest of choices leaves her with crippling anxiety she may pick the wrong thing. So when Paige is handed one of the toughest decisions of her life, she consults an app on her phone for guidance. Should she travel to New York City with her Mom, somewhere Paige has always dreamed of going? Or should she join her best friend and secret love of her life, Fitz, at his family’s cabin, see snow for the first time and possibly convince him to fall in love with her, too? Just as Paige is about to spin out from indecision, a slip on a grocery store floor splits her life in two showing Paige exactly how each scenario will play out. But before she can fall in love with anyone Paige must come to terms with her anxiety and let go of her ideals of perfection. “One Way or Another” is a Christmas version of “Sliding Doors”. When one choice can lead you to a very different life path. If you have a Christmas obsessed YA reader in your life pick this up for their holiday wishlist.

“The Christmas Pact” by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Riley Kennedy has an arch nemesis she has never even met. By some cruel twist of fate someone she works at the same company as keeps getting her emails by mistake due to the fact that his name is her’s in reverse. Kennedy Riley seems to think he is entitled to an opinion on her life and doesn’t have a problem putting his two cents in when forwarding her emails along. Infuriating. When the two finally meet at the office Christmas party, Kennedy is able to charm Riley into agreeing to a crazy proposal, pretending to be romantically involved at each other’s family holiday obligations. Kennedy will pretend to be Riley’s boyfriend at Christmas if Riley agrees to be Kennedy’s date to his brother’s wedding before New Years. When the lie spirals out of control these two end up getting caught up in much more than they bargained for. “The Christmas Pact” is a quick read novella that would have been just fine if left narrated from Riley’s perspective. What Kennedy’s chapters brought to the table was a little unnecessary. With so many other holiday romance books out there this one just didn’t measure up for me.

Til next time,

The Booked Mama

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