The Gift Exchange: YA Holiday Anthology.

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Thank you to Happily Booked PR, for E ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 5,2025   

In these ten standalone stories, teens navigate grief, love, friendship, and the surprises that come wrapped in unexpected packages. From a holiday heist to a magical keychain, a storm-delayed reunion to a secret society, each story explores how giving—and receiving—can open hearts and heal old wounds. 

Featured stories “One Perfect Gift” by Caroline Baccene“Cereal Thieves” by Gwen Cole“The First Christmas” by Jessica Daniliuk“The Gift of Christmas Present” by Katie Fitzgerald“Snow People” by Lisa Freeman“Mad-Dashing Through the Snow” by Justine Gunn“Tinsel and Tangled Hearts” by Amy Kelly“When the Snow Settles” by Kate Ormand“Share the Love” by Katherine Rea“Tater Tot” by Desi Snow Whether through new love, chosen family, or long-overdue reconciliation, The Gift Exchange shows that the holidays are less about what’s under the tree and more about the people around it. Perfect for fans of cozy and contemporary romance, found family, and meaningful moments. 

 

 🌷

 
When I heard about The Gift Exchange, I was intrigued, mainly since it features short stories by different authors. I love short stories and even wrote a few myself for a class. However, this was my first holiday short story. I liked how many different authors the anthology featured, and how each of the stories featured had a different take on the holiday season. From the moment I started reading, I found myself engrossed in the story until the end, and then wondering which story I would read next. You couldn’t help but fall in love with each of the stories. 

I loved how different each of the stories were. Some featured more heavy topics, others wrote about true meaning of the holidays and some had me laughing. All these stories will get you into the holiday spirit. Some stories had a slower start than others, but in general, I adore these stories; each of them had its own magic. These are the perfect stories for the holiday season.

The Holiday Hate Off (Hideaway Harbor,#1)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★ 

Thank you to the author,Angela Casella for  E ARC, in exchange for an honest review. 

 

 

RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 4,2025   

All I want for Christmas is his complete and total destruction.

 
Lucy

 
The only thing standing between me and an idyllic Christmas in Hideaway Harbor is Enzo Cafiero, the hot jerk whose family runs the Italian market next door to the coffee shop where I work. 

He hates me because I convinced his girlfriend to break up with him a few months ago. In my defense, his now-ex ran into the coffee shop sobbing. All I did was make her a latte and validate her feelings.
He didn’t even live here at the time—they were just visiting—but he does live here now. 

He ditched his cushy NYC consulting job so he could save his family business. I’d admire his loyalty if he didn’t seem determined to ruin my Christmas. Because within minutes of his return, we’re trading barbs, destroying each other’s holiday events (RIP Santa Speed Dating), and having price wars.
I loathe him. And, unfortunately, I really want to push him under the mistletoe.

 
Enzo

 
Hideaway Harbor is the last place I want to be. But family means everything to me, so I left the big city to help mine. 

Getting dragged into a full-on holiday feud with the girl next door wasn’t part of the plan, but I’m living for my hate-off with Lucy. 

The truth is, I’d rather argue with her than get along with anyone else.

 

 🌷

 
I adored this book. Lucy and Enzo’s story affected me in so many ways. I couldn’t get enough of the story, and each page made it harder for me to put this book down because I needed to see what was going to happen next. I believe that Lucy felt an attraction towards Enzo from the moment that she met him, she just didn’t want to admit it. I think both did. I enjoyed the banter between the two of them, which had me laughing out loud multiple times while reading it. That was one of my favorite things about this book: the humor, which made the story even more fun to read. I couldn’t help but root for the two of them all the way through the book. 

It didn’t take me long to fall in love with Hideaway Harbor. I loved this small town, and it sounded like just the type of town that I would love to live in. It was one of those books that you feel connected to most of the characters and wonder what they will be up to next. I also loved the way that everybody looked out for one another; it was like they were one big family. It gave me a vibe from Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, during the holidays. I enjoyed all the conversations between the characters, some of which had me laughing out loud. 

The letters had me smiling. I loved the nicknames that they came up with for each other. I liked the rivalry between Lucy and Enzo and wondered what the two of them would come up with next. Of course, I was curious to see how long it would last. The Holiday Hate Off got me into the mood for holidays, and I'm craving hot chocolate. I'm so glad that I came across this one and cannot wait to see what's in store for us in other stories in Hideaway Harbor.

Some Kind Of Famous.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★ 

Thank you to publisher,Random House Publishing|Ballantine|Dell for  E ARC via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.  

 

 

 

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 28,2025  

 

It’s been a decade since Merritt Valentine’s peak as a celebrated singer-songwriter… and her subsequent career-ending mental breakdown. Since then, she’s abandoned the glitz of Los Angeles to move in with her sister, Olivia, in the sleepy Colorado ski town of Crested Peak, hoping to heal her lingering emotional wounds of the spotlight. 

Life in Crested Peak would be uncomplicated if not for Merritt’s inconvenient crush on the local contractor and handyman, Nikolaos Petrakis. Niko is disarmingly handsome and too kind-hearted to ever be right for the complex and prickly Merritt. Though tempting, a fling with Niko would only bring the kind of drama Merritt has vowed to leave behind. 

After his last heartbreak, Niko is done dating his fellow townies. Still, he can’t shake his fascination with the brilliant Merritt, even as he heeds their mutual friends’ warnings to steer clear of her chaos. But when Merritt needs help fixing up a house of her own, Niko is glad to be the only man for the job. 

As the two spend more time together, their mutual attraction sparking a deeper connection than either one expects, they’re forced to confront the idea that they may have underestimated each other– and themselves. 

 🌷

 
It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this story. It’s such a heartwarming story that will break your heart multiple times. 

Some Kind Of Famous was the first book that I read by Ava Wilder; the cover and the blurb are what caught my attention. You never know what to expect when it’s a new author. The story blew me away. My only regret is that I didn’t discover Ava earlier. The writing in this book was beautiful and felt almost like the lyrics to me. My eyes were glued to the book, and I only put it down when I had to. This book had a few dull moments; something was always happening. The way that the author described emotions in this story were phenomenal, and I felt every single one of those emotions. 

My favorite was the connection between Niko and Meritt. There were so many heartfelt moments between them, and it seemed that Meritt was the happiest when she was with him. I enjoyed how the author developed the relationship between Niko and Meritt. I was rooting for the two of them all through the book. I hoped that they would find a way to be together and stay together. In general, Niko is the type of guy every girl dreams about; he’s caring and listens. I could go on about what else I loved about him, but I don’t want to give too much away. 

On the other hand, Meritt was a complex character; at first, I had trouble connecting with her. I understood why she acted the way she did, but I didn’t always agree with her actions. However, she grew on me, and she changed a lot from the beginning of the book; her character development was one of my favorites in the book. This was one of the most emotional books that I have read. I am eager to check out rest of Ava Wilder’s books!

Meddling Under The Mistletoe.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 Thank you to the Pen Pal PR and author,Melissa Grace For E ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 4,2025

 

 

Five years ago, Dr. Lindsey Haggerty inherited her late father’s veterinary clinic, and with it, a constant reminder of how quickly she could lose those she loves most. So when a handsome new client asks her out, she's quick to shut it down. It’s Christmastime, and Lindsey’s only focus is making new holiday memories with the remaining members of the Haggerty clan—if only she could get her stubborn, heart-sick mom on board. 

MJ Haggerty is still clinging to the beautiful life she shared with her late husband, but when she discovers Lindsey is burying the crush she has on the town's newest firefighter, the chance to meddle in her head-strong, independent, and chronically single eldest daughter’s life might be just the incentive she needs to come out of hibernation. 

Not to be out-meddled, Lindsey seeks revenge by asking for help keeping an adorable puppy with an appetite for destruction. What Lindsey doesn’t anticipate is her mom hitting it off with the pup’s retired owner. As unexpected connections spark for mother and daughter, they each find themselves torn between the comfort of the familiar and the promise of what could be for Christmases to come.

 🌷

 
A beautifully written story about love, grief, family, and moving on. 

Meddling Under The Mistletoe was an inspirational story that will hold a special place in your heart. I finished the book last night and cannot get the story and the characters out of my mind, and I find myself recommending this book to my friends. It’s the perfect book for the holiday season and probably one of the books I will return to next holiday season. Meddling Under The Mistletoe is what I love about holiday books, especially how this book was written. I loved how this story was written with so much emotion, making me feel all the feelings that Lindsey and MJ felt, even the other characters. I laughed, cried, and got scared along with them all. 

I enjoyed reading from Lindsey and MJ's perspectives, and if I were asked who my favorite was, I don't think I would be able to pick. My heart broke for both Lindsey and MJ, but especially MJ. I know that holidays are tough after you lose a loved one. However, I found myself hoping that MJ would find someone she could be happy with again. I enjoyed that this was not just a love story, but a story about family, and dealt with a few tough subjects, making the story so much more realistic. As I read, I found myself hoping that both MJ and Lindsey would find their happily after. 

I loved how the romance between Lindsey and Oliver and MJ and Ron was written and how the relationships developed. I know they were both hesitant about it, but I hoped they would realize that it’s okay to move on. Meddling Under The Mistletoe is one where you fall in love with all the characters; at least that was the case for me. I loved the small town and the community, and the way everyone looked out for one another. In general, I loved everything about this story; the plot, the characters, the relationships. This was my first book by Melissa Grace and I cannot wait to check out her others. Highly recommended.

The Devil She Knows

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★ 

 Thank you to publisher,Berkley for E ARC via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

Samantha Cooper is having a day from hell. 

In less than 24 hours, her life has unraveled, leaving her single and with nowhere to live. Adding insult to injury, she’s trapped in an elevator with a gorgeous woman claiming to be a demon. 

Daphne is not at all what Samantha expected from someone claiming to be an evil supernatural entity. She’s pretty, witty, dressed in pink, and smells nice. And she’s here to offer Samantha a deal she can’t refuse. Six wishes in exchange for one tiny trade—Samantha’s soul. There’s a glaring loophole in their contract, one Samantha fully intends to exploit so she doesn’t fork over her soul. After all, she only needs one wish to win her ex back. 

Hell-bent to gather the last of the one thousand souls she needs so that she can be free of her own devilish deal, Daphne grants each of Samantha’s wishes . . . with a twist, so that Samantha is forced to make another. 

As Samantha’s wishes dwindle and Daphne offers her glimpses into the life she thought she wanted, the unlikely pair grows close. Perhaps the girl of Samantha’s dreams is actually the stuff of nightmares, but Samantha and Daphne will have to outsmart the Devil himself if they want a chance at happily ever after. 

 

 🌷

 
I adored this book! 

This was unlike any book I have read before, and that was one of the things I loved about this one. I have read several paranormal romances, but The Devil She Knows was unique. From the moment I saw this book's cover, I was intrigued and couldn't wait to dive into Daphne and Sam's story. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading since it was my first book by Alexandra Bellefleur, and I was hooked on the first page and had trouble putting it down. Every page had something happening, and just when I didn't think I could be more surprised, I was only to find out I was wrong. The Devil She Knows surprised me in so many ways. 

I liked how detailed the author was with her descriptions; they were so vivid. I adored the conversations between Daphne and Sam, especially their banter. Sam might not have seen it at first, but I noticed the connection between the two of them before she did. I wish there were more scenes between the two of them than there were; a chance for them to form a deeper connection. During each of their interactions, I was eager to see what would happen between the two of them next. Even though I felt like I shouldn’t like Daphne, considering that she was a demon, I loved her. She is not what you would see in Demon. 

However, I couldn’t help but love her; I think it was because of the way that she interacted with Sam.
Hannah. I did not see why Sam wanted her back so bad. From what Sam told Daphne, she just feels like Sam should be wasting her wishes on her, but I did understand why she did. The Devil She Knows was such fun book to read! I am so glad that I got chance to read it! I am eager to check out rest of author’s works now.

Secrets Of A Witch.

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the tranquil town of Ipswich, Massachusetts, witches hide in plain sight. Shay Whitley, the resident soulmate finder and psychic, control freak witch, is the last in the powerful Whitley coven. The Whitley legacy is her responsibility. 

When a dark family secret is exposed, Shay s world goes up in flames, threatening her family s livelihood and her single-dom. Her best friend, Dean, is hiding something. A blazingly sexy firefighter, Cade, tempts Shay to spill all her secrets. Added to the chaos is her foul-mouthed chatty cat, Mildred, who never hesitates to give her hell. When tarot and spells aren t enough, Shay must find a way to trust those in the present and from the past to save the entire Whitley Witch bloodline and maybe her love life. 

 

 🌷

 
I had loved books about witches since I read Harry Potter in middle school. The title drew me into the story, followed by the blurb and the cover. I liked the way that this book was written, and the way that the story progressed. I was so captivated by the story that I didn’t even notice how much time had passed. Every page had me wondering what was going to happen with Shay next. There were few times when I had a bad feeling of what was going to happen. I liked the way that the story kept you guessing. I love the world-building, and the way that Steph described everything; I imagined myself in Ipswich, Massachusetts. 

I found myself being able to connect with most of characters, especially Shay. I cannot even begin to imagine having to deal with everything that she did. The mix of fantasy, romance and mystery intertwined in this story perfectly. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat; guessing, and of course I was wrong every time. Dean was one of the characters I didn’t like. I had a bad feeling about him from the beginning. Sometimes, there was something wrong with the way that he acted. Cade, I had mixed feelings about. There were times I liked him, but other times I was hesitant about him. I was eager to find out what would happen between him and Shay. 

Mildred, I think I loved her as much as Shay. I loved her humor. I found myself laughing a few times at the things that she did or said. In general, this book had everything I love about witches, and I would highly recommend it. I’m eager to see what the author has in store for us next.

A Vow Of Shadow And Blood(Blood Vows,#1)

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 Thank you to the author, Charlene Antrobus for E Book, in exchange for an honest review 

 

In the Kingdom of Kalyn, humans are good for two things. Hunting and owning.

 
Adina Barron was bred to serve the ruling-class vampires. Owned from birth by Blackwood House, her only desire has been to keep herself and her sister safe. But Adina harbors a dark secret. She possesses the power to turn her blood into a deadly poison that kills vampires. An ability she swore never to use until she learned that her sister was dying. After discovering that vampire venom can extend life, Adina has spent the last year risking exposure and execution to hunt and kill the creatures she was born to obey. 

But desperation leads to foolish mistakes, and when she accidentally reveals her power to a mysterious stranger, she is forced to make a difficult choice. Use her ability to assassinate the Crown Prince or watch her sister die. 

The decision is easy, and it’s not long before Adina manages to use her wits and cunning to embed herself into the prince’s life. But making the kill is not as simple as she anticipates, especially when fate seems hell-bent on drawing the pair together. And when whispers of a war start to arise, Adina realizes that there may be bigger issues than just saving her sister. 

But time is closing in, and soon she will be forced to make a choice. Her sister? Her kingdom? Or her heart? Because one thing is clear, she cannot save them all.

 

 🌷

 
Be prepared for a thrilling ride! 

This book had everything that I love about fantasy. I used to read a lot of fantasy, until a couple of years ago, I started reading less. After reading A Vow Of Shadow and Blood, I want to read more fantasy, especially romantasy. I loved the world that Charlene created, and I couldn’t get enough of it. Every page had me craving more, wanting to see what would happen next. Twists are what kept me up late into the night some days. I would finish this much faster if it weren’t for classes and assignments. When I wasn’t reading, I thought about it and wondered what would happen with Adina and Karius next. I loved those two characters and their connection, even if Adina was in denial. I wondered what was going to happen between the two of them next. All through the book, I was rooting for two of them. 

What I loved about this book is the characters and character development, which were phenomenal. Most of the characters changed in so many ways, especially Adina, from the beginning of the book. She was one of my favorites. I loved how determined she was and how she was willing to do anything to save her sister. Adina and Karius might be two of my favorites. Still, I love so many other characters, like Ajax and a few others. I loved how I was about to connect to a few different characters. Even though they were fictional characters, I felt as if they became my friends while reading. 

My favorite aspect of the book was the description and the action. Every page always has something going on, and when you don’t think you can be more surprised, you are only to find out that you were wrong. I also loved how different this vampire book was. I love books about vampires and have read several different ones. This is unlike any others I have read, and one of the best ones I have read. I’m so excited that this series will have 4 books. I can’t wait to see what happens, especially after that ending. I don’t want to give too much away, so you will have to read it to find out for yourself.

Remain.

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★

Thank you to publisher,Random House for  E ARC via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

 

When New York architect Tate Donovan arrives in Cape Cod to design his best friend’s summer home, he is hoping to make a fresh start. Recently discharged from an upscale psychiatric facility where he was treated for acute depression, he is still wrestling with the pain of losing his beloved sister. Sylvia’s deathbed revelation—that she can see spirits who are still tethered to the living world, a gift that runs in their family—sits uneasily with Tate, who struggles to believe in more than what reason can explain. But when he takes up residence at a historic bed-and-breakfast on the Cape, he encounters a beautiful young woman named Wren who will challenge every assumption he has about his logical and controlled world. 

 
Tate and Wren find themselves forging an immediate connection, one that neither has ever experienced before. But Tate gradually discovers that below the surface of Wren’s idyllic small-town life, hatred, jealousy, and greed are festering, threatening their fragile relationship just as it begins to blossom. Tate realizes that in order to free Wren from an increasingly desperate fate, he will need to unearth the truth about her past before time runs out . . . a quest that will make him doubt whether we can ever believe the stories we tell about ourselves, and the laws that govern our existence. Love—while transformative—can sometimes be frightening.

 

 🌷

 
Magical. 

There are so many other words I can use to describe this book. I’m still trying to process this story. Such a beautiful supernatural love story, but it’s much more than a love story. One of my favorite aspects of the story is the way that Nicholas Sparks and M.Night Shyamalan blended romance with suspense and the supernatural. It was outstanding. I loved the way that Wren was written. I liked her high spirit at times, and of course, the connection that she had with Tate. I think that Tate needed someone like Wren in his life to heal after losing his sister. The two of them had the sort of connection that had me smiling. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, but simultaneously I was hesitant because I feared what might happen. Remain is not the story you can pull away from. Even when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about it. 

I was curious about the title, Remain when Nicholas Sparks announced that he was writing a new book. Once I started reading the book, the title made so much sense. I also love the cover because it has a romantic and mysterious look on it. I have read all Sparks' novels and even own most of them. I have heard of M. Night, but this was the first time I read something written by him. The two of them make a fantastic team. I liked the way the suspense and the romance blended. In the second half of the book, I found myself turning the pages until I reached the end. All those descriptions had me visualizing everything that was happening, like a movie. 

I could keep talking about this book, but that would take too long. After reading Remain, I’m excited for the movie to come out. I think it will be a great movie. I also hope Sparks and Night will team up again for another book. I highly recommend this book for romance, thriller, and paranormal fans.

Smaal Town Frenzy(Peachtree Pass,#3)

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★ 

 Thank you to the The  Author Agency and author,S.L Scott For E ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

My biggest rival is the father of my child. He just doesn’t know it yet. 

 
Sleeping with my family’s enemy wasn’t planned. Oops. Too late. 

It was a one-night stand in Costa Rica, and names were the last thing we wanted to exchange. What can I say? The man was hot as sin. 

Blue-sky eyes. Broad, athletic shoulders. A smile that just about did me in.
I came home with more than his cowboy hat as a souvenir. 

Four years later, that sweet memento calls me Mommy. 

I’m a busy single mom helping to run the Dover empire. The last thing I need is a vacation fling showing up wearing the one name on the back of his baseball jersey that’s forbidden by my family. Greene. 

Annoyingly arrogant. Infuriatingly irritating. A smirk on his stupidly handsome face.
Just my luck when I need to break the news, he’s my son’s father. 

He came to play baseball, not be a dad, so I have no intention of getting me and our son caught up in his game. But even the strongest walls have faults, and when we start spending time together, mine begin to crumble. 

Is the universe giving us a second chance or are we caught up in a small-town frenzy?

 

 🌷

 
A heartfelt story that will have you going through emotions all the way through. 

This is what I love about discovering new authors. I’m so glad that I came across this on Instagram and signed up for ARC. Small Town Frenzy had everything that I love about small town romance, and the reason is that it’s one of my favorite tropes. But this story was more than just a romance story; it was also about family and second chances. I liked how that story was written; it flowed so well and felt so real. I felt as if I was there, along with Cricket and Griffin. 

I adored the connection between Cricket and Griffin from the beginning. I was rooting for the two of them from the beginning. Cricket seemed to be in denial about her attraction to Griffin initially, and I understood why, but I also hoped she would let him in. I enjoyed that the story was written from Cricket and Griffin's perspectives, allowing readers to connect with both. I loved them both; if I were asked which was my favorite, I wouldn't be able to choose. 

Another thing that I loved about this story was the descriptions; I could picture it so vividly, as if I were there. I liked how you could connect to most of the characters in the story; even the minor characters stood out to me. My favorites were, of course, the bittersweet moments that had me smiling and kept me turning the pages. I did not realize that Small Town Frenzy was the third book in the Peachtree Pass series, and now that I read this one, I cannot wait to read the others. I want to keep talking about this book, but don’t want to give too much away. You’ll have to read the book and find out! Highly recommended.

Dark Harvest.

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 Thank you to the author, Persis Lassister for providing with E ARC, in exchange for an honest review. 

 

 RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 14,2025 

 

When the dead won’t stay buried, the living aren’t safe either. 

 
After losing her job as a morgue technician, Raven thinks working at a Halloween fall camp will be a harmless way to pass the season. But the camp is far from ordinary—campers have a tendency to vanish, and whispers of missing teens haunt the cabins at night. 

Enter Damien, a mysterious camp counselor with a shadowy charm and secrets that make Raven’s dark humor seem almost normal. As the disappearances escalate, Raven realizes the camp is hiding more than tricks and treats—and she might be in danger of becoming part of its terrifying game.
Between the chilling mysteries, stolen moments of passion, and a growing attraction she can’t ignore, Raven must survive the season… or fall for the darkness.

 🌷

 
Haunting. 

Be ready to read this until you reach the end. From the moment I read the first few sentences of Dark Harvest, I knew that I would have a hard time putting this book down. I shouldn’t be surprised, since I’m already one of the biggest Persis Lassister fans. It’s the way that she describes everything that is going on that pulls you into the story instantly. I tend to be picky when it comes to horror/spooky books, but I loved the way that Persis set up the scene, and the way she described everything; I imagined as if I were there, as if I were Raven. 

I loved Raven and Damien, although sometimes I had mixed opinions about him. There was a part of me that knew there was a reason I was wary of him, but I couldn’t help but love him at the same time. I loved the setting; it gave such a creepy vibe, and this novella will give you the Halloween vibes. I loved this story so much, including the setting and the characters, but I don’t want to give too much away. You will have to read to find out. It is one of the best horrors/spooky stories I have read. Highly recommended!