Reviews of the 7 Books I Read in December 2024

1. The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose

Molly Gray has always loved the holidays. When Molly was a child, her gran went to great lengths to make the season merry and bright, full of cherished traditions. The first few Christmases without Gran were hard on Molly, but this year, her beloved boyfriend and fellow festive spirit, Juan Manuel, is intent on making the season Molly’s most joyful yet. But when a Secret Santa gift exchange at the Regency Grand Hotel raises questions about who Molly can and cannot trust, she dives headfirst into solving her most consequential—and personal—mystery yet. Molly has a bad feeling about things, and she starts to wonder: has she yet again mistaken a frog for a prince?

My Rating: ★★★

This short little novella was just as wholesome as I thought it would be. It wasn’t ground-breaking or anything, but a nice little Christmas addition to the Molly the Maid series. However, it was very obvious where the story was headed, but still make a heart-warming read all the same.

2. Magnolia Parks: Into the Dark by Jessa Hastings

In the fifth instalment of the Magnolia Parks Universe series, Magnolia and BJ navigate heartbreak and chaos while preparing for the so-called “wedding of the century.” Grappling with a devastating loss, mounting family tensions, and unresolved issues from their pasts, the couple must confront their deepest truths. As they struggle to rebuild trust and rekindle their love, they face the ultimate question: can they truly be together, or will their journey end in tragedy?

My Rating: ★★★★★

Five stars. The perfect ending to the perfect series. I’m so gutted this is over, but so happy I picked it up last year. I will say however, there do seem to be a few unanswered questions, so thought there might be another book but it doesn’t appear to be. But there was definitely something brewing with Christian, Jo and Julian… but that storyline seemed to fizzle out. There has to be a TV series made about this show which will hopefully fill the Gossip Girl hole in my life.

RELATED blog post to read: Review Of the Magnolia Parks Book Series by Jessa Hastings

3. Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay

Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas is the hilarious, poignant and entertaining story of the life of a junior doctor at the most challenging time of the year. With twenty-five tales of intriguing, shocking and incredible Christmas incidents, the British public will finally appreciate the sacrifices made and the challenges faced by the unsung heroes of the NHS.

My Rating: ★★★★

It’s been a while since I read This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay, and I forgot just how witty his writing can be. This funny but also sad reality of the NHS at Christmas is a quick, enjoyable read for this time of year. While you’re relaxing over the holidays eating as much chocolate and turkey as possible while watching Christmas movies, spare a thought for those working relentlessly over the holiday period.

RELATED blog post to read: The Best 15 Winter Books to Read This Christmas

4. In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Maelyn Jones is stuck in a dead-end job and facing a holiday filled with regrets. After a crash, she wakes up on a plane bound for Utah, reliving the same Christmas over and over. With each loop, Mae must find a way to break the cycle and discover true love under the mistletoe. Full of humour, magic, and holiday cheer, this swoon-worthy romance will leave you believing in Christmas miracles.

My Rating: ★★★

Another Christmas book for the month that it is. I love Christina Lauren books, so had to read this during the holiday season. It was somewhat of a Ground-hog Day novel so I knew what to expect, but it was still an enjoyable and entertaining read, so I’d recommend for the Christmas season.

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5. Maybe Next Christmas by Emma Heatherington

On Christmas Eve, meticulously organized hotel manager Bea and overworked A&E nurse Ollie meet on a flight to Ireland, sharing an instant spark before parting ways, each secretly longing for another encounter. Months later, they cross paths in London, but a small misunderstanding leaves them as strangers once more. As the next Christmas approaches, fate seems determined to reunite them, offering yet another chance to listen to what the universe is saying. Could the magic of the season finally bring Bea and Ollie together? Perhaps next Christmas will be the start of their love story.

My Rating: ★★★

This was exactly what I was expecting from a Christmas book. It was actually set between Ireland and London which I really enjoyed (being from Ireland and having lived in London). Plus, there was the added family atmosphere, and the main character worked in a hotel (which I love/relate to). It was however, also extremely cheesy and had some dialogue that I can’t imagine anyone would say in real life.

RELATED blog post to read: 10 Books You Should Read By Irish Authors

6. The F**k It! List by Melanie Cantor

Daisy Settle has it all. A successful interior design firm, a happy relationship, a beautiful house and adoring friends and family. The only piece left to complete the puzzle is a baby. And even that finally seems within reach. That is, until she finds her boyfriend is a cheat. Now Daisy is 40, alone and in a world that seems built for couples. Time for a F*** It List!

My Rating: ★★★★

The cover of this book tricked me a little into thinking it was a Christmas book, but it wasn’t. And that the book was centred around something like a bucket list, but it wasn’t. It was actually about a woman at 40 years old who wanted to start a family but didn’t have anyone to do it with, so went the route of donors. I really enjoyed the story and it had me laughing out loud quite a lot. My only fault is the title/cover/blurb are a little misleading.

7. Berlin Atomized by Julia Kornberg

Berlin Atomized opens in early 2000s Buenos Aires, where Nina Goldstein obsessively washes herself as she navigates a world of youthful revolutions and indulgent siestas. Her brother Jeremías dives into the city’s volatile music scene, while eldest sibling Mateo becomes a literal pyromaniac. As each plots their escape from Nordelta, a crumbling capitalist haven, their once-affluent lives unravel as the community sinks underwater, scattering the family. Spanning continents from Punta del Este to Paris, Berlin, Jerusalem, Brussels, and Tokyo, the novel hurtles into a near-future filled with chaos, fire, and the siblings’ desperate search to reconnect.

My Rating: ★★★

The final book of 2024! I picked this up from P&T Knitwear Bookshop in New York for free, but it only published a few months ago. It made for a nice change from the recent Christmas-themed books I’d been reading, and I liked the change of settings around the world with each new chapter. I will say that it confused me at times, and it wasn’t the most gripping of storylines, but I did still enjoy it.