Need a little bookspiration? Check out everything I read in December 2023 ... from holiday novels to thrillers, literary fiction, and more, there is something for everyone!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Happy New Year, friends! I hope you had a lovely holiday and had lots of down time to spend cozied up with a great book.
My husband I spent two weeks in Spain over Christmas and New Year's, and it was magical! This was my second trip to Spain, and it's truly become one of my favorite countries. We started in Madrid, enjoying our time in the city and traveling to nearby small towns. Then we flew down to Seville, which was stunning. The streets were lined with orange trees full of ripe fruit ... it smelled amazing and was so beautiful!
While I didn't get a ton of reading done during my vacation (apart from when flying or at the airport), I somehow managed to read 12 books in December, including one novella and five audiobooks! I love listening to audiobooks when I'm doing something mundane, like cleaning, cooking, or boring work tasks that don't require much attention. It's a great way to squeeze in extra books!
Tip: I use the Everand app for audiobooks, and I love it! It's affordable, and they have a great selection of books (including many new books). If you'd like to try it out, you can get 60 days free here!
I read tons of holiday books this month—everything from Christmas romances to holiday murder mysteries—which was the perfect way to get in the festive spirit! My favorite book in December was The Seed Keeper, and while it was not Christmas-themed, I loved it nonetheless. It was actually quite a sad book, but one I can't stop thinking about (and would highly recommend).
Did you read anything noteworthy this month? Let me know in the comments ... I'd love to hear about it!
Books I Read in December 2023
I've included links for all of these books on Bookshop.org and Amazon so you can easily find them, as well as my ratings for each book (one star is lowest / five stars is highest).
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Two women search for justice in Bright Young Women! In 1978, an infamous murderer wreaks havoc on a Florida sorority house in the middle of the night. The sorority's president Pamela Schumacher is a key witness, and her life is forever changed. Across the country, Tina Cannon is convinced that her friend is a victim of a murderer that newspapers are calling the All-American Sex Killer, and that he's struck again in Florida. The two women join forces as they search for answers and work to bring the killer to justice.
This book was based on the serial killer Ted Bundy, and it's a fictionalized story of the actual events surrounding his murders, told from the survivor's point of view. This was such a gripping read, and it expertly blended true crime and psychological suspense! I thought the two women's stories were told so well, and it was interesting to see how Bundy was described by the press at the time. The story is told through a dual timeline, which worked really well in showing how the characters changed over time, even as their lives were still affected by the murders.
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
A Dakhóta family struggles to preserve their way of life in The Seed Keeper! Rosalie Iron Ring was raised by her father, a former science teacher, who shared with her stories of the plants, stars, and origins of the Dakhóta people. One day, when Rosalie's father doesn't return home from checking his traps, she's told that she has no family. She's sent to live with a foster family in Mankato, where she befriends rebellious Gaby Makespeace. Two decades later, Rosalie (who is now a widow and mother) returns to her childhood home in the woods. After spending years seeking solace in her garden, as her white husband's farm was threatened by drought and a predatory chemical company, she's looking for somewhere that she can finally belong.
This is such a beautiful, painful book! It's told through the perspectives of four strong women who have faced generations of trauma and a constant struggle to preserve their way of life. My truly heart ached for Rosalie, and I thought the way the author brought history to life (both on a large scale, and the history of her ancestors) through her story was amazing. I listened to the audiobook. The story is fairly complex and layered, and while the narrator did an wonderful job, and I think I would have enjoyed the book even more if I had actually read it myself!
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars)
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
A Christmas wish has strange consequences for the main character of In a Holidaze! Maelyn Jone's life is seriously off track. She lives with her parents, hates her job, and just made a major romantic error. Worst of all, it's the last Christmas that Mae, her family, and their close friends will ever spend at their beloved Utah cabin. As Mae leaves the cabin for the last time, she asks the universe for a simple wish: Show me what will make me happy. The next things Mae knows, everything goes black and suddenly she's back on the plane to Utah ... to start the same holiday all over again! As one disaster after another sends her back to the plane, Mae must learn how to break free of the strange time loop and finally get her true love.
This book is something of a Christmas romance classic, so I was glad that I finally got the chance to read it. And it ended up being such a cute story! I love the Groundhog Day meets Christmas vibes, and it was the perfect light read after finishing a heavier book. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a great job capturing Mae's messy life and the sweet romance.
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
An American art student spends a chilling week at an English manor house in The Christmas Guest! Ashley Smith is a lonely American studying art in London. She was resigned to spend Christmas alone, but her plans change when she receives a last minute invitation from fellow student Emma Chapman. When Ashley arrives at Starvewood Hall, she's mesmerized by the Chapman's manor house, charming village, and Adam Chapman, Emma's handsome brother. But Adam is being investigated in connection with the murder of a local girl, and a strange man is roaming the woods between Starvewood Hall and the village pub. Is Ashley embarking on a romance, or has she wandered into something more sinister than she ever imagined?
This is such a clever novella! The story is told through a series of diary entries written in 1989 by Ashley as her week unfolded, but revisited thirty years later. I was drawn in by the characters (and left wondering who to trust). As an American who also loves the English countryside, I could see how Ashley was completely charmed by the Chapman family and their beautiful home and village. If you're looking for a Christmas book that's not a romance, you'll love this one!
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)
The Twelve Days of Murder by Andreina Cordani
University friends reunite twelve years after a mysterious disappearance in The Twelve Days of Murder! The Masquerade Murder Society was created by eight college friends to solve elaborately staged, but always fictional murders. But during their final Christmas Masquerade, one friend disappeared, never to be seen again. Charley has always been on the periphery of this exclusive group, but she decides to join the others twelve years later, when the remaining friends are invited to the Scottish Highlands for another holiday-themed party. The "Twelve Days of Christmas" theme turns the friends into characters like Lady Partridge, Lord Leapworth, and Doctor Swan. As the festivities begin, it feels just like old times ... until the next morning, when Lady Partridge is found hanging from a pear tree. It quickly becomes clear that the game is all too real, and long-hidden secrets begin to surface. Can Charley uncover the truth before it's too late?
If you're looking for an Agatha Christie-inspired holiday read, you'll love The Twelve Days of Murder! The story has so many character and plot twists that it was honestly a little hard to keep everything straight (I probably would have done better reading the book vs. listening to it). And I also couldn't understand Charley's motivation for putting up with the other characters, but overall, I really enjoyed this story.
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
A dysfunctional family must reckon with their secrets before it's too late in Daisy Darker! For years, Daisy Darker's family has been avoiding one another, but they've finally gathered together for Nana's 80th birthday. Each of the family members has secrets, and when the tide rolls in, they'll be trapped on a tiny island in Nana's crumbling gothic house for eight hours. As a storm rages outside, Nana is found dead at the stroke of midnight. And an hour later, the next family member follows. Someone is killing the Darkers one by one, and before the tide goes out, all will be revealed.
This is another Agatha Christie-inspired, locked room murder mystery, but I didn't enjoy quite as The Twelve Days of Murder (which I read right before it). The story itself was interesting, but I felt liked it dragged a bit and was missing tension. And I didn't find myself rooting for (or even enjoying) the characters, apart from Daisy. I did like Daisy's surprising twist at the end though!
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 5 stars)
A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
Can a country music star and a lawyer find love? Find out in A Very Merry Bromance! Colton Wheeler thought he was in perfect harmony with Gretchen Winthrop after they spent the night together, but the next morning she ran out the door. A year later, Colton is still searching for love and struggling with his music career. Meanwhile, Gretchen can't help but be annoyed by the excesses of Christmas when her immigrant clients are struggling to pay their rent. So when her wealthy, but estranged family makes her an offer that will allow her to better serve her community, she can't say no. All Gretchen needs to do is convince Colton to become the face of her family's whiskey brand. Colton agrees to consider the offer, as long as Gretchen agrees to a few dates. Can Colton win over Gretchen with the help of the Bromance Book Club?
This book is the fifth novel in Bromance Book Club Series. I've really loved this series, and I'm honestly kind bummed that it's over ... and hoping there will be more books! This book was the perfect combination of everything I loved about the other books (lovable male / feminist perspective, great characters, fun plot), combined with a festive Christmas setting (what's not to love?!). If you enjoy rom-com style books with a fun twist, you'll love this series, too.
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)
Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan
An entire family is on a journey of self-discovery in Late Bloomers! Suresh and Lata Raman have divorced after thirty-six years of an unhappy arranged marriage, and they're following different paths in their new lives. Suresh has dipped his toes into the online dating world ... without much success, until until he meets a younger, beautiful woman. And Lata, who is enjoying her new job and independence, is caught off guard when a friendly professor starts flirting with her. Meanwhile, their daughter Priya is appalled by her father's new dating life, but carrying on a clandestine affair of her own. And their son Nikesh's marriage to his work colleague isn't quite what it seems. As they each explore life's second chances, the family's secrets are revealed, testing their love and loyalty to one another.
I really enjoyed this book! Each of the characters was facing their own problems, both in their personal lives, and with other members of the family. And it was interesting to see how their relationships with one another changed throughout the book as they embarked on new paths in their own lives. I found myself especially rooting for Lata! Check it out if you like heartfelt family dramas.
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)
With Love, From Cold World by Alicia Thompson
Opposites attract in With Love, From Cold World! Lauren Fox is a bookkeeper at Cold World, a unique tourist spot in Orlando, Florida, where it's always winter. But even though it's a fun place to works, Lauren is more concerned with her to-do list than having a good time. Unlike her coworker Asa Williamson, who is always trying to make work more interesting, whether that's organizing the secret Santa at Christmas or teasing Lauren. Cold World isn't exactly Orlando's number one attraction, so when Lauren and Asa's boss asks them to come up with ideas to raise revenue, their rivalry kicks in. Cold World's problems are more dire than they realized though, and the two polar opposites need to work together to save the day. Soon Lauren and Asa discover there's more to each other than they first thought, and as they work together to save Cold World, their attraction heats up.
This was such a great read! I love a romance with a fun setting and quirky characters, and both Lauren and Asa are so well developed and had interesting / painful back stories. And though they had great chemistry, it was also easy to see how they might get on each other's nerves in real life and / or misunderstand one another! As a bonus, this book also has an amazing cover. If you like this one, I'd also recommend reading the author's other book, Love in the Time of Serial Killers, which was also great (and also has a cool cover)!
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)
Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
A family's holiday is filled with chaos in Winter Street! Kelly Quinn, the owner of Nantucket's Winter Street Inn, is looking forward to spending Christmas with his family. But then he walks in on his wife Mitzi kissing Santa Claus. Meanwhile his four adult children have their own issues. His oldest son Patrick is a hedge fund manager with a big problem. Kevin is a bartender who is secretly sleeping with the inn's French housekeeper. His daughter Ava (a teacher) is dating the perfect guy, but he won't commit. And his youngest son Bart (the only child from his second marriage to Mitzi) has shocked the family by joining the Marines. With everyone caught up in their own drama, and Bart unreachable in Afghanistan, Kelly's ex-wife (nightly news anchor Margaret Quinn) sweeps in. Can she save Christmas at the Winter Street Inn?
All the drama drew me in, but Winter Street fell a little short for me, especially compared to Elin Hilderbrand's other books. I did enjoy the story, characters, and Christmas setting (I want that nutcracker mantle!), but with everything going on, this book wasn't as compelling as I expected it to be. The story also ended abruptly and felt unresolved. Which I guess makes a little sense, since it's the first book in the Winter Street series. I really like the author's other books though, so I think I'm going to read the second novel, and then decide from there if I'll keep going with the series.
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 5 stars)
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
Two best friends fake date in Lovelight Farms! Stella Bloom is the owner of Lovelight Farms, the Christmas tree farm she's loved since she was a kid. But with a field of dead trees, a raccoon infestation, and shipments that have mysteriously gone missing, it's not exactly the winter wonderland of her dreams. Strapped for cash, Stella enters a contest hosted by Instagram influencer Evelyn St. James, hoping that the publicity and $100,000 prize will be enough to save the farm. There's just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic holiday destination, Stella lied on the application and said that she owned the farm with her nonexistent boyfriend. If she can convince her best friend Luka Peters to act like her boyfriend for the holidays, she just might be able to save Lovelight Farms.
This sweet story is the first book in the Lovelight series. I loved the Christmas tree farm setting, and Stella and Luka also had great chemistry. I felt like the story dragged a bit though and wish it had been a bit faster paced. And I question Stella's motivation in regard to Luka, but maybe all's well that ends well. I'm not sure if I'll read the other books in the series or not.
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 out of 5 stars)
The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman
Four friends spend the holidays together in The Christmas Orphans Club! With no where else to go, Hannah and Finn have spent every Christmas together in NYC since college. Eventually, Priya and Theo join their found family, and each year their offbeat holiday tradition grows more outrageous. But with Finn moving to L.A., this might be their last Christmas spent together. Hannah is terrified of losing her family of friends, even as with her boyfriend seeks a commitment. And Finn is struggling too, especially with his secret feelings for Theo. Does growing up mean growing apart, or are these changes exactly what the friends need?
I've listened to the Bad on Paper podcast for years, so when I found out that Becca Freeman (one of the hosts) was coming out with a book, I couldn't wait to read it. And it didn't disappoint! I loved this unique take on the holiday book. It's not quite a romance (although there is some of that), it's more of a drama between friends, and I enjoyed how the timeline flashed back and forth between the current year and Christmases past.
Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon | My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars
And that wraps up all my December reads (and the year)! I hope you found some books to add to your reading list! Have you finished any of these novels, or did you read anything this month that you'd recommend? Let me know if the comments!
Looking for more great books? Check out all the Books I Read in November 2023 and these roundups of Winter Reads and my Favorite Books from 2022 that I created for bookshop.org!
