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A Bookish Wrap-Up // January 2025

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Now that the seemingly endless January is finally over, I’m kicking off the year with a fresh approach to my reading wrap-ups. I’ll still be sharing spoiler-free reviews of what I read. But this year, I want to share all my bookish things for the month.

Jumping into the reviews………………

The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore

The book cover for The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore features a charming, cozy autumnal scene. The focal point is a large wooden sign with the book's title in bold, vintage-style lettering, framed in dark green with a string of decorative fall leaves draped across the top. Below, a quaint green bookshop with arched windows and a welcoming open door is decorated with warm-toned foliage and festive garlands. A cart filled with colorful books sits outside, alongside potted flowers. Through the window, a display of cinnamon buns on a cake stand is visible. A fluffy white cat is seen walking into the shop, adding to the inviting atmosphere. The tagline, "All it takes is a little bit of sugar and spice," is written beneath the title, and The Sunday Times Bestseller is noted at the bottom.

Synopsis: “When Hazel finds a secret message hidden in a book, she’s intrigued. But she has no idea what it means. As more coded notes appear, she realises she’s stumbled onto a mystery. She decides to follow the clues. The only problem? She needs a partner. Noah, a charming fisherman, is always up for an adventure. A scavenger hunt sounds like fun—especially if it means spending time with Hazel. He’s had a crush on her for months. As they search the town, their connection deepens. Hazel wasn’t looking for love, but their chemistry is undeniable—just like the bookstore’s famous cinnamon buns.”

I picked this up in December, knowing I’d want to read The Christmas Tree Farm next, but I ended up feeling a bit confused. The cover gives off all the cosy autumn vibes, yet the story is actually set in late summer. That disconnect threw me off a little.

That said, I really enjoyed Hazel’s journey—watching her grow into herself was a highlight. And Noah? He was written as the perfect match for her. Their communication and connection gave me all the feels. However, the book was a very quick read and felt more like a filler in the series rather than a fully fleshed-out installment. Still, it was sweet and enjoyable! 3.5 stars

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone 

A festive book cover with a pink and white wintery background. The title, "A Merry Little Meet Cute," is written in playful green script across a snowy hill. Two illustrated characters—a woman in a pink coat, red boots, and a beanie, and a man in a black jacket, white pants, and a red hat—stand together in the snow, seemingly engaged in conversation. Around them are red Christmas trees decorated with pink ornaments. A film camera and a clapperboard icon hint at a movie-related theme. The authors, Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone, are listed in bold pink text at the bottom. A quote from Tessa Bailey at the top describes the book as “Christmas in the sexiest way possible... charming.”

Synopsis: “Bee Hobbes just landed the lead role in a wholesome, made-for-TV Christmas romance. It’s her biggest break yet. The rules are simple: stay professional, keep her other career a secret, and do not get involved with anyone on set. Filming in Christmas Notch should be easy. But there’s one problem—her co-star, Nolan Shaw. The former boyband heartthrob is trying to fix his bad-boy reputation. Bee doesn’t expect him to know exactly who she is. Or that he’s been a fan for a long time. As sparks fly, they struggle to keep their chemistry under control. But in a town full of Christmas magic, resisting each other might be the hardest role they’ve ever played.”

I didn’t get to read as much as I’d hoped over Christmas, which is a shame because I have so many Christmas books waiting for me. (I have a plan for them—you’ll see later this year!) This was one of them, and it had been on my TBR since its release.

I went in expecting spice, but wow, I wasn’t prepared for that level of heat for a Christmas book! The premise was great, the pacing solid, and I loved the focus on main characters with unconventional jobs—it added a fresh twist. That said, while the concept was strong, some moments didn’t fully land for me. Still, it was an enjoyable read with plenty of chemistry. If you love steamy romance with a unique setup, this one’s worth a try. 3.5 stars.

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore

A cozy, wintery book cover featuring a wooden cabin with a red door, adorned with festive decorations like wreaths, garlands, and twinkling lights. The cabin is nestled among snow-covered trees under a dark blue, starry sky. A small white dog with a green scarf sits on the snowy front steps. The book’s title, "The Christmas Tree Farm," is displayed on a wooden sign with icicles hanging from it, with the tagline "The magic starts here..." written below. The author's name, Laurie Gilmore, is at the bottom, along with a note that it is a Sunday Times bestseller.

Synopsis: “Kira North wants nothing to do with Christmas. So, of course, she ends up owning a Christmas tree farm. Dream Harbor is festive, charming, and full of holiday cheer. She couldn’t care less. But she’s determined to make the farm work. Bennett Ellis is just passing through. He needs a quiet vacation and a break from fixing everyone’s problems. But a snowstorm traps him at Kira’s farm. Now, he’s stuck with a guarded woman who hates Christmas—and wants nothing to do with him. As fairy lights glow and pine fills the air, Kira and Ben grow closer. She doesn’t believe in Christmas miracles. But she might believe in him.”

This is my favourite book in the series so far! I love a good grumpy x sunshine trope, especially when the female main character is the grumpy one.

Laurie Gilmore writes fantastic communication between her characters, and I loved watching Kira grow—both in honesty with herself and with others. Her sarcasm was a highlight! She fit perfectly into the Dream Harbor world and I cannot wait to see more of her as the series progresses. I also loved Bennett’s relationship with his sister and the hints at future romances in the next two books.

While the books work as standalones, they’re even better as a series. 4 stars.

18 by Alice Loxton

A vintage-style book cover with an ornate border in turquoise and gold. The central focus is the large number “18,” designed with an elegant mix of black, turquoise, and gold flourishes. An arrow is embedded in the number “1,” giving a historical or medieval feel. The background is a warm cream color. The author's name, Alice Loxton, is displayed at the top in bold black text, with a quote from Dan Snow stating, “Loxton is the next big thing in history.” The subtitle, "A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives," appears in gold lettering below the number.

Synopsis: “What was it like to be eighteen at different moments in British history? In this engaging and witty exploration, award-winning writer and broadcaster Alice Loxton uncovers the lives of eighteen remarkable young Britons at a pivotal age. From an ambitious Elizabeth Tudor navigating courtly intrigue to a determined Empress Matilda shaping the fate of nations, Eighteen takes readers on a journey through time. Along the way, we meet a rugby-loving Welsh teenager destined to become Richard Burton, a woman born without arms or legs making a name for herself in Georgian London, and a university student facing the outbreak of the First World War. Blending rich storytelling with historical insight, Eighteen offers a fresh perspective on Britain’s past through the eyes of those on the cusp of adulthood—each shaping their era in ways both extraordinary and unexpected.”

This was one of those books I really loved but struggled to get through at times. I’m not a big nonfiction reader, though it’s something I want to change. Documentaries have always been my go-to for learning, but the premise of this book really intrigued me.

The book puts adulthood into perspective through history, and I learned far more than I ever did in school. It was also incredible to see so many overlooked historical figures finally get the recognition they deserve. Despite my usual hesitation with nonfiction, this one made me appreciate taking in history through reading. 4 stars.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

A dramatic and mystical book cover with a black and gold color scheme. The title, "Onyx Storm," is in bold white text with a subtle 3D effect. A stylized dragon silhouette appears in front of a glowing gold moon, surrounded by geometric and celestial designs, including stars and clouds. The tagline “Brave the Dark” is positioned above the title. Wisps of white smoke rise from the bottom, adding a sense of movement and mystery. The author’s name, Rebecca Yarros, is written in white at the bottom, along with the note that this is part of The Empyrean Series.

Synopsis: “After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows the time for training is over—real war is here. With threats closing in from both outside the kingdom and within its walls, she must decide who to trust as the stakes grow higher than ever. To save her dragons, her family, and the home she refuses to lose, Violet embarks on a dangerous journey beyond Navarre’s weakening wards, seeking allies in unfamiliar lands. But survival will demand more than just her cunning and strength—it requires uncovering a truth powerful enough to shift the tides of war. With an unstoppable storm looming on the horizon, Violet and her allies must prepare for a battle unlike any before. But in war, sacrifices are inevitable… and not everyone will make it through unscathed.”

My first five-star read of the year! I cannot tell you how incredibly hard it was not to devour this book in one sitting—but I was good and made it last five days 😅. That being said, I need book four, and I need it now.

After Iron Flame left me on the fence, this book gave me all the same feelings Fourth Wing did. And once again, I’m stuck in a what do I read now? slump. Trying my best to avoid spoilers, I loved the character development, the different POVs, Violet’s relationship with Xaden, the expanded world-building, and the many exciting story directions we could take next. But most importantly—Andarna. The dragons are a massive highlight for me, and from the very start, Andarna’s sass shines through. I absolutely love it. 5 stars.

Business Casual by B.K. Borison

The book cover for Business Casual by B.K. Borison features an illustrated scene against a muted green background. The central image depicts a woman with long, wavy blonde hair being lifted off the ground in a playful embrace by another person wearing light pink pants and black Converse sneakers. The woman is dressed in a black top and a blue skirt, holding a large bouquet of autumn-colored flowers, with some petals and leaves falling around her. The title, Business Casual, is displayed in bold white capital letters across the cover. Above it, the author’s name, B.K. Borison, appears in dark teal, with a note that she is the author of Lovelight Farms. A quote from Hannah Grace describes the book as "Borison’s best work – I remain enchanted by everything she writes."

Synopsis: “Charlie Milford knows when to take risks. As the head of an investment firm, he’s built a career on making smart bets—and when Nova Porter suggests one night to get their mutual attraction out of their system, he takes the gamble. Nova can’t explain why she’s drawn to Charlie, the polished, boat-shoe-wearing businessman who’s nothing like her. Maybe it’s his easy charm or the way he genuinely wants to help her growing tattoo business. But with an expansion on the horizon, she doesn’t have time for distractions. Their one-night plan backfires spectacularly, leaving them both wanting more. And with Charlie temporarily in town to oversee Lovelight Farms for his sister, avoiding him in the cozy streets of Inglewild is impossible. As meddling neighbors, close quarters, and an unexpected duckling bring them together, resisting the pull between them might just be the biggest bet of all.”

I read this as part of Steph Love’s Final Book Support Group. And this read brought me to the end of the line. One series on my TBR is finished.

I really enjoyed Business Casual and how it wrapped up the series with Charlie (Stella’s brother from book one) and Nova (Beckett’s sister from book two) as the final couple. It felt like a perfect full-circle moment! The writing style was great, and I loved the strong family vibes and how all the characters from previous books intertwined throughout the story. This series has made me realise just how much I love small-town romance series—there’s something so comforting about them. The best way to conclude my time in Inglewild. 4.5 stars.

January’s Reading Stats

I love using TheStoryGraph to track my reading stats! It has so many amazing features that let you break down your reading in different ways. If there are any specific stats you’d like to see, comment below! But for January, I…

…read four books! Technically, I finished one and picked up three, but since The Christmas Tree Farm was started around the December 30th, I’m counting it as a January read. Altogether, those four books totaled 1,583 pages!

Genre-wise, three were romance—two contemporary and one fantasy—while the fourth was a historical nonfiction read. It’s great I’m able to see how my reading trends shape up each month with this stat features.

I had a great average rating of 4.38 stars this month! I tend to rate books highly, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m an eclectic reader or if I just really know what I like.

Surprisingly, I made progress on my 25 for 2025 list, reading two books from it—which means £20.00 goes into the savings pot!

January’s Book Haul

Also in January, I hauled quite a number of books;

  • The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang
  • The Door-To-Door Bookstore by Carsten Sebastian Henn
  • Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
  • Beg, Borrow or Steal by Sarah Adams
  • Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
  • The Baby Dragon Cafe by A. T. Qureshi
  • Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
  • A Cat From Our World and The Forgotten Witch Vol. 4 by Hiro Kashiwaba
  • Out of the Woodsby Hannah Bonam-Young

Five of my purchases were pre-orders, and only one was purchased from The Works, meaning I had £24.00 left in my budget at the end of the month, which also went into savings.

And that’s my January reading wrap-up. I’d love to hear what your January reading was like! Do you put your reviews on TheStoryGraph? Are you on track for your reading goals of 2025? Were there any books here you have on your TBR?

Comment below or find me on Facebook, Twitter / X, Instagram, Bookstagram or Pinterest.

As always, thanks for reading…

Hannah Marie x

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