Family Fun and Reindeer Games

by Donna Huber

Kids will soon be home for the holidays. You don't want to be the parents in the song "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." (You know the lyric: "And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again".) If you have really young children, check out the list of current and classic Christmas books. If your kids are a little older, here are some fun books for the whole family to join in reindeer games.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

New Books in A Yuletide Creek Series by Kimberly Thomas

by Susan Roberts

Kimberly Thomas has new books in her holiday series that takes place in Yuletide Creek - a small town that really knows how to celebrate the Christmas season.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for honest reviews.

2 Mysteries to End the Year With

by MK French

Are you ready to settle in for a long winter's nap? These two mysteries are great for a cold, winter night. So grab a blanket and settle in with a book!

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Crime and Christmas - 3 Christmas Crime Novels to Read

by Donna Huber

I used to think that Christmas books were only romances, but then I read a Christmas thriller, and I was hooked. I usually have a few Christmas mysteries on my reading list. If you want to try a little crime with your Christmas reading, check out these free reads*.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

5 Current and Classic Children Christmas Books

by Donna Huber

Do you have a favorite Christmas book from when you were a kid? Or perhaps you found a new favorite while reading with your children. I reviewed a new children's book for Christmas, plus I've rounded up some of my favorite classics. Whether you are looking for books to share with your kids or just want to skip down memory lane, check out this list.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

Strength of Water by Karin K. Jensen ~ a Review

by MK French

King Ying grew up in 1920s Detroit with her parents and sisters, helping out with their laundry. The increasing debts during the Great Depression meant her father sent her and her siblings to his mother in a remote village in Guangdong Province of China. There, the family battled extreme poverty, hunger, and lack of education as the Japanese invaded and the Sino-Japanese War broke out. She managed to return to America and struggled to build a life for herself there.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

by Donna Huber

I live in the deep south, where we are more likely to be wearing short-sleeve shirts and sandals at Christmas time. In the 40 years I've lived in the south, I think we've only had a white Christmas a couple of times. (AI says the only year in the past century where my state had measurable snow for Christmas was in 2010). So I tend to lean towards Christmas books with snowy settings. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can read the ebooks for free!

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

Murder on a Frosty Night by Verity Bright ~ a Review & Recipe

by Donna Huber

Wrapping presents and singing at midnight mass on a frosty night… Lady Swift is determined to enjoy Christmas at home this year, until another body turns up!

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

2 New Christmas Romances to Relax With

by Susan Roberts

The Christmas season can get pretty hectic for all of us. Nothing is more relaxing this time of the year than a Christmas romance with a happily ever after ending.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  Free books were provided for honest reviews.

3 Horror Novels You Won't Want to Put Down

by MK French

I know this time of year is all about being Merry and Bright, but with the cold, dark weather, you might be looking for something equally dark and cold. Maybe grab a plate of sugar cookies, as these horror novels will keep you glued to the pages. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Ho-ho-horror! Christmas horror short stories

by Donna Huber

I'm not a horror fan at all, but I find it interesting that there are Christmas horror stories. I kind of understand it because a few years ago, I read a terrific Christmas serial killer thriller. I saw these 3 Christmas horror books on the free list and thought I would share them if you are looking for a Christmas horror story. If you would rather just read a horror novel without Christmas, MK has 3 awesome horror novels to recommend later today.

If you are looking for more Christmas reading recommendations, be sure to check out all our 25 Days of Christmas Reading posst for reading lists, free ebooks, and other festive goodies every day until Christmas.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

Come Home for Christmas by Matthew West ~ a Review & Excerpt

by Donna Huber

Come Home for Christmas invites listeners to enter the Christmas season with the intention of returning their hearts to God. In the midst of what can be the busiest and most stressful holiday season, each chapter points the listener to the kingdom realities that God invites each of us to participate in through the birth of Jesus. Matthew West's humor, Bible-teaching, and storytelling challenge us to embrace this season of Christmas as the homecoming that God intends for it to be.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

Ten Christmases Without You by Jenny Hale ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

It’s Emmy Brewer’s tenth Christmas since she lost her mom, and without her, Emmy is floundering. Her job is pointless, and she struggles to find direction and passion. So when her sister invites Emmy’s childhood crush and former neighbor, Charlie Russell, to their family Christmas and he shows up, given her state, Emmy is anything but excited.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

All I Want for Christmas is a Hitman by Katie Reus ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Scout isn’t sure what to do with the stranger who showed up on her farm carrying a bag of cash and weapons—so she orders her llama to knock him out. But when her nasty neighbor shows up trying to cause trouble, the stranger takes over and keeps her safe so she figures she can trust him enough. If only he wasn’t so sexy and distracting…

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Days at the Torunka Café by Satoshi Yagisawa ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Tucked away on a narrow side street in Tokyo is the Torunka Café, a neighborhood nook where the passersby are as likely to be local cats as tourists. Its regulars include Chinatsu Yukimura, a mysterious young woman who always leaves behind a napkin folded into the shape of a ballerina; Hiroyuki Yumata, a middle-aged man who’s returned to the neighborhood searching for the happy life he once gave up; and Shizuku, the café owner’s teenage daughter, who is still coming to terms with her sister’s death as she falls in love for the first time.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

Day 4 - Free Holiday Romance Novels

by Donna Huber

It is almost the weekend and the perfect time to snuggle under a blanket, in front of a fire, or with a hot beverage (or all 3) and a good book. Here are a few holiday romance ebooks that are free to read (at the time of this posting).

Don't miss out on our 25 Days of Christmas Reading where we feature reading lists, free ebooks, and other festive goodies every day until Christmas.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

2 New Fantasy Novels to Read Before the End of the Year

by MK French

We are in the final month of the year, and while things are starting to wind down, we still have a few new books to read. If you are looking to ring out the year with a little more fantasy, check out these two novels.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Day 3 - Cozy Crime-filled Christmas Reads

by Donna Huber

If you have followed me for very long, you know I'm not really a fan of romance novels. I do make an exception during the holidays, but I still can't binge-read solely holiday romances. So I like to have a few Christmas mysteries on hand for a change of pace. If you are an Amazon Prime member, these two ebooks are free to read, otherwise, they are just 99 cents!

Did you miss Days 1 and 2? Catch up on the 25 Days of Christmas Reading where we feature reading lists, free ebooks, and other festive goodies every day until Christmas.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Forgotten Book Club by Kate Storey ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Life can begin with a single story. You just have to Bring Your Own Book…For three decades, Grace supported her husband Frank’s passion for books, even though her own love for literature paled in comparison. Since his passing, the shelves echo longingly, and Grace's heartache has only grown.​

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

What's on My Christmas Reading List

by Donna Huber

It's Day 2 of the 25 Days of Christmas Reading, and I'm sharing the books on my Christmas reading list. Some are new books out this year that I held off reading until Christmas, others are books I either picked up for free over the years or books I saw at the library. 

I hope you will join us every day for Christmas reading recommendations, free ebooks, or some other festive goodies. If you do miss a day, you can catch up at this link: Christmas Reading. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Hidden Seasons by Tristan Gooley ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

In The Hidden Seasons, Tristan Gooley shows us how to read the clues that the sun, moon, stars, plants, fungi, animals, water and weather give us - but that we continually miss, because we don't know how and where to look.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

It's Time for the 25 Days of Christmas Reading!

by Donna Huber

We are kicking off our 3rd Annual 25 Days of Christmas Reading. Each day, we will feature reading recommendations, free ebooks, or some other festive goodies. If you aren't into reading Christmas books, we will still have reviews of new and recent releases throughout the month. Keep up with all the Christmas Reading posts and check out the past two years as well. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Enigma Trilogy by Kim Idynne ~ a Review

by MK French

Do you like binge-reading a finished series? The holidays can be a good time to lose yourself in a new series, so if this series hasn't made it on your radar, now is the time to pick up all three books.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

The Lie She Wears by Elle Marr ~ a Review

by MK French

Museum curator Pearl Davis was never close to her mother, Sally, and is surprised by the letter she gets when her mother suddenly dies. In the letter, Sally confesses to murder. At first, it seems like a story, but there are human remains in the garden. Other notes seem to be a warning, and there are more remains that Sally had hidden. Pearl has inherited her mother’s secrets, and they could be the death of her.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

15th Annual Holiday Book Buying Guide

by Donna Huber

Wow - 15 years! I started the very first year of Girl Who Reads, putting together a guide for books to buy the readers on your list. It is the only feature that I still regularly run, as it is a lot of fun to look back at what I've read over the year that I would recommend giving as a gift. It has changed just a little this year. I decided that I would go back to December 2025 to determine the books I would recommend. I always feel bad when I read an awesome book in December, and I've already done my guide. So here are the BEST books I've read since December 2025! 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Most of the books listed here were provided free for an honest review. 

Murder at Midwinter Farm by Helena Dixon ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

A frosty country lane, snow-dusted Devon hills as far as the eye can see… and a local farmer vanished without a trace. Can Kitty Underhay solve this chilling mystery?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The French Effect by Patricia Sands ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

 

A hopeful and heartwarming journey that reminds us it’s never too late for a second chance.

France has a way of changing your mind ... and your heart ...

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Marriage Method by Mimi Matthews ~ a Review

by MK French

The Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies strives toward one clandestine goal: to distract, disrupt, and discredit men in power who would seek to harm the advancement of women. Newspaper editor Miles Quincy starts to question the school’s intentions, so Penelope “Nell” Trewlove is tasked to distract him. It's supposed to be an easy mission, but Nell finds Miles too fascinating to resist and her visit to London coincides with the murder of one of Miles’s reporters. The two are soon caught in a compromising situation, and agree to an arrangement that will save their reputations while enabling them to investigate the story that led to a man’s death.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

2 Christmas Romance Novels to Kick Off the Holiday Season

by Donna Huber

Have you started on your Christmas reading list? I've seen people on social media requesting recommendations of books to read for Christmas. Before I was a book reviewer, I was strict about not starting Christmas books until after Thanksgiving dinner. But since they start coming out in September, I've been a little more relaxed on that, though I still have a long list of ones to start reading Thursday evening. Whether you are just starting to build your list or you are ready to start the binge reading, you don't want to miss these two books.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Righteous by Ronald H. Balson ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

 

By the end of 1943, nearly all of Europe’s Jewish population had fled, been deported, captured, or killed by Hitler. Only Hungary, and its almost 900,000 Jews, remained free from Hitler’s subjugation. They lived under government edicts and restrictions but without fear of harm. That changed in March 1944, after the Nazi defeat at Stalingrad, as an avaricious Hitler conquered Hungary and declared his plan for mass extermination of the Jewish people. With the notorious Adolf Eichmann supervising the process, Nazis began rounding up Hungary’s Jewish population.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

2 New Romantic Fantasy Novels

by MK French

Do you have a long weekend coming up? If so, these are two great romantic fantasies to pick up. Shadowplay is a sequel, so if you haven't read Pantomime, you'll want to grab it too.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Murder Most British by Helena Dixon ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

London, 1941. Miss Jane Treen is faced with another mysterious disappearance within her Secret Detective Agency’s team. Tabitha Moore, a government typist, was on her way to meet Jane with vital information about some secret codes. But she didn’t turn up for work and has seemingly vanished without trace. Then Jane and her colleague, handsome codebreaker Arthur Cilento, receive a call: a body has been found, and it matches Tabitha’s description…

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz ~ a Review

by MK French

Guy Shadowfade, the dark sorcerer, is dead, and Violet Thistlewaite is determined to become someone good. Violet decides to open a flower shop in Dragon's Rest, a quaint town easily charmed by her efforts. The prickly and handsome Nathaniel Marsh, an alchemist sharing her greenhouse, has no time for her flowers and isn't charmed in the slightest. When a mysterious blight endangers every living plant in Dragon’s Rest, Violet and Nathaniel must work together. Her former life soon threatens to uproot everything she’s worked so hard to grow, making Violet wonder if a former villain can have a happily-ever-after.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Lost Bride Trilogy by Nora Roberts ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Every spring, Nora Roberts publishes a standalone suspense novel, plus in the fall, she releases a book in her current trilogy.  I don't usually read her trilogy because for the past years they have been magical realism and/or paranormal.  I really enjoyed her standalone books, so I decided to try one of her trilogies.

The Lost Bride Trilogy is a tale of tragedies, loves found and lost, and a family haunted for generations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for honest reviews.

Infected by Muhammad H. Zaman ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

In this groundbreaking new audiobook, award-winning scientist Muhammad H. Zaman delves into the history of US epidemics, from the earliest cases of syphilis, cholera, and smallpox to AIDS and the recent COVID crisis, to show how the country's response (or lack thereof) to infectious disease in America is part of a critical, time-tested strategy in America's toolbox of oppression of the weak, the poor, and the non-white.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

Two Incredible Books of Asian American Literature

by MK French

Asian Americans have been increasingly represented in literature. These two books are different; one is humorous fiction and the other is written as a letter, but both are worth reading. Whether you regularly read Asian American literature or are trying to diversify your reading, I don't think you will be disappointed with either of these books.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review. 

This American Woman by Zarna Garg ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Award-winning comedian Zarna Garg turns her astonishing life story into an entertaining memoir, spilling all the chai on her wild ride from escaping an arranged marriage and homelessness in India to carving her own path in America and launching a dazzling second act in midlife.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Maybe One Day by Catherine Bybee ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

A Caribbean cruise opens a widow’s heart to a love she never expected in a breathtaking novel about second chances

 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

These Violet Delights by Madeleine Roux ~ a Review

by MK French

Violet Arden is a burgeoning painter whose debut in London ended in scandal when an illicit affair with her art instructor is exposed. She flees to her cousin Emilia Graddock's country estate, but once there, she meets Alasdair Kerr, who had belittled her work in front of family and friends. Alasdair is back in the country to rebuild the family estate that had burned and taken his father's life. His younger brother Freddie keeps visiting the Graddock home, and his mother brought an overbearing clergyman into their home who appears determined to stay. While Violet is determined to ignore Alasdair, the two bond in their attempts to end Emilia and Freddie's secret relationship. New fires threaten their safety, so Violet and Alasdair also join forces to find the arsonist. Can they ignore the feelings kindling between them?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Last Safe Place by Marion Kummerow ~A Review

by Susan Roberts

Inspired by the incredible true events of Operation Seven, where a handful of Jewish citizens escaped Berlin in 1942 by posing as German intelligence agents. A beautifully emotional and action-packed historical novel about a forbidden love affair, unfathomable courage and the power of never losing hope.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Your table awaits at the Chibineko Kitchen, where a soul-nourishing meal in the company of the resident kitten will transport you back in time to reunite with departed loved ones.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Not You Again by Erin La Rosa ~ a Review & Excerpt

by MK French

LA screenwriter Carly Hart is trapped in a time loop, repeating April 23 and taking advantage of a life without consequences. Funeral director Adam Rhodes is also caught in the loop and wants out. The two seem to be the only ones aware of the loop consequences, but can't stand each other. Carly offers mystical explanations while Adam wants logic, and the two will have to work together to get out of the loop.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Mindful by Nature by Tim Drake and Jason Hamilton ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Connection to the natural world, to community, and to ourselves is fundamental to our well-being. When we nurture these connections, we thrive, drawing strength from the web of interdependence that sustains life. In an increasingly fragmented and urbanized world, accessing nature and knowing how to engage with it can be challenging. Mindful by Nature points the way, bridging nature connection and mindfulness practices.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

3 New Young Adult Novels

by MK French

Are you a teen looking for something new to read, or are you an adult who loves young adult novels? Either way, you will want to check out these three novels.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

When a librarian discovers she’s descended from a long line of powerful witches, she’ll need all of her bookish knowledge to harness her family’s magic.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

59 Minutes by Holly Seddon ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

 

Nuclear missile threat to South England. 59 minutes until impact. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a test.

If you knew you had fifty-nine minutes until everything and everyone you love would be lost forever, what would you do with that time?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Fallen City by Adrienne Young ~ a Review

by MK French

Luca Matius plans to carry on the family name and participate in the Forum after his powerful and cruel uncle dies. Maris Casperia, inside the Citadel, expects a lifetime of service to a corrupt city. Their meeting sets off a chain of events that changes everything. A dangerous secret throws the city into chaos, so Luca and Maris try to tip the scales of power. When an execution forces Luca to become the symbol of rebellion, he and Maris are thrown onto opposite sides of a holy war.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Heart of the Jaguar by James Campbell ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

A fascinating story of the movement to protect the jaguar, and the man who devoted his life to saving the species.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

One Killer Night by Trilina Pucci ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

 

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

Love will stab you from behind.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Wrath of the White Crane by JF Lee ~ a Review

by MK French

The White Crane general is at war with the Black Tiger, and everyone in her way will be consumed. She won't even hesitate to use the Soul Fog, a weapon able to destroy entire cities. Shu Yan and her sworn sister plan to stop the use of this weapon, using her master's blade, Sorrow, for the task. Li Ming is now the last Swordsman of Blue Mountain, looking for a cure for the illness that continues to drain his strength. His journey shows him that he's not alone, but what can they do against the wrath of the White Crane?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.