Christine Kelly Reads and Writes

November was a great reading month for me. At least in the last part. I finally emerged from my reading slump (but don’t ask me about my writing). Not only did I get a lot of reading done, but I read a few books that I know will be re-reads and recommendations to my other romance lover friends.

One of the books that surprised me the most was Lore Olympus: Volume One. It wasn’t just the story (because it was that), but that I truly lost myself in a graphic novel that caught be off guard. There is nothing against them, I just never felt it’d be something I’d enjoy. And I did! I have always gravitated towards the Hades/Persephone retellings- I even have a WIP inspired by the Homer poem. And this one is a top recommendation!

Since reading (and re-reading) Sweet Filthy Boy, by Christina Lauren last year, I had been hesitant to read the next book in the series, unable to believe anything could be as good as the first. And dear reader, let me tell you I was wrong, because now Dirty Rowdy Thing is a strong favorite from the author duo. And did I mention it is spicy? Now, if only I could get over my stubbornness and read the last in this series, but alas, can it get any better than Dirty Rowdy Thing?

Always Only You, by Chloe Liese lived up to the hype I had seen on Twitter. Ren may be one of my favorite MMC and the reverse grumpy/sunshine trope made my heart happy. This book also had good autistic rep along with invisible illness rep. While the characters from book 1 (Only When It’s Us) show up, I don’t believe it’s completely necessary to read in order and this book could stand alone. Out of the two I’ve read so far, this one is my favorite in the series.

The Bromance Book Club was something I read as a comp possibility. And while it won’t work as a comp (yet), it worked at breaking me out of my reading slump. This was such a unique premise I was thoroughly entertained by men reading smut. (Also if you haven’t seen the reels on BookTok/Bookstagram, there is an account out there that has their male friend read chapters from ACOTAR and it’s hilarious!) I really enjoyed the characters. It was still entertaining and I plan to use the next book in this series to save me from a reading slump again.

The Co-Op by Tarah Dewitt was a book I was really looking forward to reading because I had seen rave reviews online and I LOVED Funny Feelings. While it wasn’t what Funny Feelings was to me, there were moments I enjoyed. I’m always here for a “my wife” moment in a marriage of convenience trope.

I also read Electric Idol, by Katee Robert to help get in the headspace for my Hades/Persephone re-telling (even though this is not what this book is, it is in the greek god realm).

I read Twisted Games, by Ana Huang because of Bookstagram. I had read the first book in this series as well and liked it well enough, but had put off reading this for other books on my TBR. This book also helped me out of my reading slump.

Lastly, because this is a no judgement zone (truly, I like what I like, and you like what you like) and I brought it on myself when I googled “best smut books”….I read Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon. And listen, if you’re looking for smut with textured tongues and dicks, this one is for you. I’ll leave it at that.