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Showing posts from November, 2024

Book Review: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! By Dr Seuss

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  How the Grinch Stole Christmas! By Dr Seuss 64 pages, Hardcover First published October 12, 1957 Goodreads | Amazon   Get in on the Christmas cheer with Dr. Seuss’s iconic holiday classic starring the Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who—guaranteed to grow your heart three sizes! Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot...but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT! Not since “’Twas the night before Christmas” has the beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. From the Grinch and his dog, Max, to Cindy-Lou and all the residents of Who-ville, this heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit will warm even the coldest and smallest of hearts. Like mistletoe, candy canes, and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, and his story is perfect for readers young and old. My review: What a delightful surprise to read this Christmas classic for the first time! Although I knew the story from the movies (who doesn’t?), I had ne...

Book Review: The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore

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The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore Dream Harbor #3 Published October 10, 2024 Goodreads | Amazon From the author of the viral TikTok sensation, The Pumpkin Spice Café, comes the only spicy grumpy x sunshine Christmas romcom you need this year! Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good. Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor taking a break from his life in California. And most importantly, taking a break from his latest run of disastrous dates. After a run in with Kira in her fields, Ben has no intention of offering to help the grumpy owner set up her tree farm, despite the fact she’s clearly got no idea what she’s doing. Kira knows she should stop being so stubborn, but her farm is not all cute and cozy like people always show on social media, it’s borderline dangerous with no heating, and she’d rather no one saw it. But somehow fate finds Ben at Kira’s farm once more, and as Kir...

Book Review: Little Cloud's Big Dream by Ixtzel Arreola

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Little Cloud's Big Dream Author: Ixtzel Arreola Illustrator: Martina Liebig Pub Date Mar 11 2025 Goodreads | Amazon The little cloud Re has a BIG dream! But when she grows so large she becomes a thunderstorm, will her new friend Flower still recognize her? A little cloud named Re wishes to grow as big as the clouds floating over the sea. She learns from a passing cloud how to collect dew and water and soon she has grown BIG! As she travels, she even soaks up some droplets from the petals of a beautiful flower and the two become fast friends. But then something happens that Re never expected–she starts to storm! After storming across land and sea, Re grows small again and returns to Flower. At first the cloud is afraid her new friend won’t recognize her, but Flower assures her “from dew to rain to thunder, you are still you.” An imaginative look into the water cycle through a little cloud and the feelings she experiences as she grows and changes. My review: Some stories captivate c...

Book Review + Giveaway: A Little Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan

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A Little Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan Standalone Third book in The Christmas Spirit series Genre: Contemporary Romance Tour Dates: 18th - 27th November 2024 Publication Date: 12th November 2024 Goodreads  |  Amazon  | Books2Read Can a sprinkle of magic heal broken hearts this Christmas? With Jacob now at the helm at the cosy Sugar and Spice café, it’s the perfect opportunity for Christmas Spirit Lara to weave her magic. Fraser is floundering in his new role as headteacher as he grapples with guilt over having to place his beloved mother in a care home, leaving him feeling lost and alone during what should be a joyful time. Meanwhile, school janitor Paul is torn between his desire to feel needed and the pressure from his wife to retire, dimming the season’s sparkle. Valerie, overwhelmed by the demands of newborn twins, feels she’s not giving her other daughter enough attention. She needs a bit of me time and for her husband to realise the responsibility for the kids ...

Book Review: Grumble Boats by Susannah McFarlane

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Grumble Boats Author: Susannah McFarlane Illustrator: Tamsin Ainslie Pub Date Apr 15 2025 Goodreads | Amazon What happens when you’re feeling upset? Grandma shows Emma how to say goodbye to being grumpy in this sweet and sensitive social emotional picture book. A must-read for preschoolers and kindergarteners who are often caught up in their feels. Emma is spending the afternoon with her grandmother, but she’s very grumbly. That’s because she didn’t get to go to the pirate party with her brother and now she feels left out. Grandma shows Emma how to draw your grumbles. Then how to take your grumble drawing and fold it into a boat. They take their boats out to the water and say goodbye to their grumbles forever. Once they let go of their grumbly feelings, a different type of grumble makes them realize something: it's time for lunch! A gentle and loving social-emotional learning story for little ones learning to navigate their feelings. My review:  I'm always searching for books ...

Book Review: The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

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The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan The Christmas Bookshop #1 Goodreads  | Amazon Perfect for the holidays! A brand-new heartwarming Christmas novel from the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Bookshop on the Corner and Christmas at the Island Hotel. When the department store she works in closes for good, Carmen has perilously little cash and few options. She doesn’t want to move in with her perfect sister Sofia, in Sofia’s perfect house with her perfect children and her perfectly ordered Edinburgh life. Frankly, Sofia doesn’t exactly want Carmen there either. Her sister has always been sarcastic and difficult. But Sofia has yet another baby on the way, a mother desperate to see her daughters get along, and a client who needs a retail assistant for his ailing bookshop, so welcoming Carmen might still have some benefits for everyone. At Sofia’s behest, Carmen is thrown into the daily workings of old Mr. McCredie’s ancient bookshop on the streets of the old dark city...

Book Review: Cat Sitter Secrets by Shoshauna Shy

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Cat Sitter Secrets:  An in-depth guidebook to happy cats, harmonious clients and healthy boundaries by Shoshauna Shy Pub Date: Nov 08 2024 Goodreads | Amazon An in depth guide to happy cats, harmonious clients and healthy boundaries. Spending time in the company of cats is my passion—but dealing with an owner's particular quirks and expectations can bring challenges! Over the years, I learned how to balance my own needs with the preferences of my clients, from our initial meeting throughout regular cat sitting visits. In this book, I distill what I’ve learned in two decades of providing cat care into 60 pages. I'm sharing these secrets of success so you can set better boundaries and build more confidence in your own dealings with clients, and various surprising household situations. This will enable you to focus more on what you enjoy engaging with the felines! Shoshauna Shy On the ride with you. My Review: As someone who has been working with pets in the veterinary field for ...

Release Day Blitz | Book Review: A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts by J. L. Lora + Giveaway

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A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts by J. L. Lora 107 pages, Kindle Edition Expected publication November 14, 2024 by Larimar Press Goodreads | Amazon   One Christmas Eve, a chance for healing awaits lifestyle influencer Luciana “Lux” Blake in “A Noche Buena for Lonely Hearts,” a heartwarming holiday romance. Luciana is surrounded by holiday cheer that feels painfully out of reach. While she hides her heartache behind a flawless façade, past trauma crashes the fiesta, prompting her to escape familial chaos. Fate intervenes when she bumps into family friend Oliver Amador, a sexy single  papi , longing to escape the shadows of his pain. When he offers her a ride, their journey takes an unexpected turn, setting the stage for a magical  Noche Buena . One that promises to change everything. As they bond over their shared heartbreak, Luciana and Oliver strike a one-night deal to create the perfect Christmas Eve together and then go their separate ways. Under the glow of the light...

Book Review: The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling

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Book Review: The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling Published October 12, 2021 by Scholastic Inc. Goodreads | Amazon A heartwarming, page-turning adventure about one child's love for his most treasured thing, and how far he will go to find it. A tale for the whole family to fall in love with, from one of the world’s greatest storytellers. One boy and his toy are about to change everything... Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve something terrible happens — DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life... even toys. And Jack’s newest toy — the Christmas Pig (DP’s replacement) — has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost, and to save the best friend Jack has ever known... My review: The Christmas Pig  is a heartwarming and enchanting holiday tale that follows Jack, a young boy who experiences the de...

Book Review: A Sled for Gabo by Emma Otheguy

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Book Review: A Sled for Gabo Author: Emma Otheguy Illustrator: Ana Ramírez González 40 pages, Hardcover Published January 5, 2021 by Atheneum Books Goodreads |  Amazon The Snowy Day meets Last Stop on Market Street in this heartwarming classic in the making about a young boy who is in a new town and doesn’t have much, but with the help of a loving community discovers the joys of his first snowy day. On the day it snows, Gabo sees kids tugging sleds up the hill, then coasting down, whooping all the while. Gabo wishes he could join them, but his hat is too small, and he doesn’t have boots or a sled. But he does have warm and welcoming neighbors in his new town who help him solve the problem in the sweetest way possible! A Sled for Gabo is a charming, short story that transports us to a winter filled with adventure, dreams, and challenges. Gabo is a young boy living in a place where snow takes center stage each winter. He dreams of having a sled so he can join the other neighborhood...

Book Review: A Little Labradoodle Christmas by April M. Cox

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Book Review: A Little Labradoodle Christmas A Rhyming Picture Book About the Power of Family, Love, and Kindness (The Little Labradoodle 4) by April M. Cox, Kairi Fullerton Goodreads | Amazon Looking for a holiday tale that will bring smiles and inspire your child to spread kindness? A Little Labradoodle Christmas is the perfect addition to your holiday reading tradition. When a grumpy old cat grumbles his way through the holidays, two playful Labradoodles and a kind-hearted little girl set out on a mission to change his mind. Together, they embark on a heartwarming adventure, determined to show the cat that Christmas is about more than just decorations and gifts—it's about love, kindness, and reaching out to those who need it most. Perfect for children ages 4-8, this beautifully illustrated story promotes important messages about compassion, making a difference, and embracing the spirit of giving. Cozy up with your little ones and share this delightful holiday story that will warm...

10 Cozy Holiday Romances to Curl Up With This Christmas Season

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10 Cozy Holiday Romances to Curl Up With This Christmas Season The holiday season is a time for warmth, joy, and love. What better way to embrace the spirit of Christmas than by curling up with a heartwarming romance novel? Whether you’re snuggled by the fire or sipping hot cocoa under twinkling lights, these Christmas romance books will fill you with holiday cheer and perhaps a little romance along the way. Here’s a list of ten cozy holiday romance books to make your season merry and bright! Each title brings a unique blend of heartwarming romance, holiday spirit, and a dash of magic, making them perfect companions for chilly nights in 2024: The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale I’ll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone How My Neighbor Stole Christmas Edición Kindle de Meghan Quinn The Christmas Crush by Noelle Douglas Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicoll Flying Home for Christmas by Helen Whitaker The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox The Christma...