Find your comfiest chair, grab something warm to drink (peppermint bark optional, Krampus‑approved), and settle in — it’s time for our December Mid‑Month Check‑In. This episode was equal parts festive, chaotic, and deeply honest about what December does to readers with big goals and even bigger TBRs.
If you’ve been wondering where our December Featured Read wandered off to… don’t worry, we address that immediately (and dramatically).
🎄 Where Is the December Featured Read?
Did we forget it? Did it fall behind the couch? Was it kidnapped by Krampus?
Nope — we intentionally set it free.
December is doing what December does best: Decembering aggressively. Between schedules, travel, burnout, and the general end‑of‑year scramble, we decided not to half‑read something just to say we did. Instead, we’re saving all that energy for a big, sparkly, slightly unhinged Year‑End Wrap‑Up episode — which we’ll be recording together, in person (finally not through Discord 😭).
So the December Featured Read is officially Missing in Action, frolicking in the snow, and living its best life. We’ll catch up with it next month.
Release Radar: What We’re Eyeing This Month
December releases were… sneaky. Not a ton, but a few caught our attention and demanded a spot on the TBR.
👻 Seeing Other People — Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund‑Broka
Paranormal romance | 352 pages | December 9
A woman being ghosted by her ex — literally. He died. And now he’s haunting her. Add in a support group for humans and their haunters, a man whose ghost‑fiancée is slowly fading, and a romance that blossoms while exes linger in spirit. Emotionally messy in the most intriguing way.
🏔️ Bluebird Gold — Devney Perry
Romantic suspense | 316 pages | December 30
Set in 1983 Montana (which we immediately loved), this small‑town romance blends grief, mystery, a single‑dad sheriff, and legends of lost gold. There’s a winter cabin, unresolved questions about a father’s death, and enough suspense to keep things interesting alongside the romance.
Small town ✔️
Single dad ✔️
Sheriff ✔️
Mystery ✔️Say less.
🕶️ The Bodyguard Affair — Amy Lea
Contemporary romance | 432 pages | December 2
A personal assistant to the Prime Minister’s wife secretly writes romance novels… one of which sparks a scandal involving the PM. Enter: her former one‑night stand turned bodyguard, fake dating, workplace tension, and a summer‑long plan that definitely won’t stay fake.
Cartoon covers remain undefeated in this house.
🕯️ An Arcane Inheritance — Kamilah Cole
Dark academia fantasy | 400 pages | December 30
Ivy League school. Occult history. Secret societies. Deja‑vu‑soaked hallways. A freshman who knows she’s been here before — and a brooding legacy student who might help her remember.
This one gave serious eerie‑academic vibes and immediately went on the TBR.
🧛 We Who Will Die — Stacia Stark
Romantic fantasy with vampires | 432 pages | December 10
An arena. A binding vow. A mission to kill an ancient vampire emperor. Political intrigue, court dynamics, broken hearts, and morally complicated alliances.
Also the tagline: “Bow before the God of Ruin.”
Enough said.
❄️ Needle Lake — Justine Champine
Mystery / coming‑of‑age | 256 pages | December 2
Two cousins. One winter. One death beneath the ice on Christmas Eve.
This one feels quiet, unsettling, and deeply character‑driven — a story about girlhood, secrets, and the dangerous intensity of adolescence. Short, sharp, and likely emotionally devastating.
The Bookish Grapevine
Not a huge news month, but a few notable moments stood out:
Sophie Kinsella, author of the Shopaholic series, sadly passed away at age 55 after battling brain cancer.
The Goodreads Choice Awards wrapped up, with wins including:
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (Romance)
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Historical Fiction)
Alchemised by SenLinYu (Debut Novel)
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (Romantasy)
Some wins surprised us, some didn’t — and some are now firmly on the “approach with caution” list.
What’s On Our Nightstands
December reading = vibes over structure.
Stace’s Stack:
Empire of Storms / Tower of Dawn (Tandem Read) — Sarah J. Maas
This tandem read is still very much a full emotional commitment. We’re deep in the political maneuvering, long-game plotting, and POV hopping that makes this stretch of Throne of Glass both rewarding and exhausting. Empire of Storms is bringing the chaos, the heartbreak, and the “everything is about to go wrong” energy, while Tower of Dawn is quietly doing the important character work that hurts more than expected. We’re so close to the end… and yet emotionally unprepared for what comes next.
The Fix — Mia Sheridan
This one is hitting harder than expected. The Fix is a romantic thriller that blends emotional trauma, suspense, and a ticking-clock mystery in a way that keeps the tension constantly simmering. Stacey is about halfway through and fully stressed — in a good way. It’s emotionally heavy, deeply unsettling at times, and absolutely a book where content warnings matter. That said, the storytelling is gripping, and it’s already shaping up to be a standout.
Rose & Chains — Julie Soto
Currently listening on audiobook, and the fascination level is high. Rose & Chains is the traditionally published version of The Auction, and a big part of the fun has been noticing how Julie Soto has reworked the story away from its fanfic roots. It’s easier to sink into than expected, the worldbuilding feels more distinct, and the emotional beats are landing differently this time around. It may not dethrone Alchemised as our collective baby, but it’s still very, very good.
Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love
This one has finally entered the chat — and it’s living up to the hype. This fic reads shockingly polished, with clever, classic-inspired prose, low-stakes humor, and a slow burn that feels intentional rather than indulgent. Featuring a hyper-competent Hermione and a lazy-but-dangerous Draco, it feels less like fanfiction and more like an extremely smart romantic fantasy that just happens to wear a familiar face. Long, yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
Reb’s Stack:
The Intruder — Freida McFadden
Rebecca is officially past the warm-up phase and into the something is very wrong portion of this book. Multiple POVs, shifting timelines, and super short chapters are making this one fly by — while also cranking up the unease. The storm is here, the vibes are eerie, and there are moments that feel like they’re daring you to keep reading. So far, it’s delivering the tension we want… with cautious optimism about how it’ll stick the landing.
Merry Little Kissmas — Lauren Blakely
A holiday romance palate cleanser has entered the scene — complete with fake dating, hockey, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and brother’s best friend energy. This one is unapologetically festive and trope-forward, with lots of banter and small-town Christmas chaos. The FMC is very Christmas (possibly too Christmas), the MMC is a full Scrooge, and the hope is that they meet somewhere in the middle. Cozy, predictable, and exactly what December sometimes requires.
Heavy books everywhere. Burnout pending. Fluffy holiday reads may be deployed as needed.
☕ Final Thoughts
This month was cozy, chaotic, and exactly what we needed. Lots of book talk, no pressure to perform, and permission to read what feels right — even if that means pausing half your Goodreads shelf.
Our Year‑End Wrap‑Up is coming next, and it’s going to look a little different (and a lot more unhinged). Keep an eye on Instagram for updates.
Until then… Keep your mugs warm, your blankets close and your TBR gloriously chaotic!
Happy reading, friends 💚✨
