What I Read In November 2021

What I Read In November

Right when it hit November 1st, I immediately started reading holiday books. All of the books I shared are from my holiday reading list. It helps me get into the holiday spirit. I love how they just make me feel good, get into the Christmas magic, and overall makes me think about my life and how I should approach it.

Some of the books are your typical holiday rom com books and some are your wholesome book and what Christmas is really all about it. I enjoyed every book I read in November and hope you all enjoy these books too!

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What I Read In November 2021

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand (Winter Street Series Book 1)

Kelley Quinn is the owner of a Nantucket’s Winter Street Inn. He has four grown children all of which have their own personal issues. Patrick is the oldest, hedge fund manager that is living with guilt. Kevin is a bartender and is secretly sleeping with the French housekeeper. Ava, is a school teacher and is dating the perfect guy but he can’t commit. Bart is the youngest and he joined the the Marines. Bart is Kelley’s only child from his second marriage with Mitzi. Kelley walked in on his wife kissing the Inn’s Santa Claus, his three eldest children are experiencing drama, and Bart is unreachable in Afghanistan. Kelley’s ex-wife, Maragret who happens to be a famous news anchor might be the one to have the Inn. The holidays are bringing together this dysfunctional family that’s filled with a federal crime, unplanned pregnancy, love triangle, and a small fire.

I’ve been wanting to read the Winter Street series for awhile now.

It’s been on my holiday reading list. There’s 4 books in the series and I plan on reading all four this holiday season. So far book 1 is exactly what you would expect with Elin Hilderbrand books and I love it. What I love about it so far is that it is not Hallmark cheesy unlike all the other holiday-themed books.There is a cliffhanger at the end but it’s not to the point that I just have to know right at this second what happens next. So if you want to stop at book one, you can and won’t feel like you’re missing out.

Which is very different from Elin’s Paradise book series (in this series, I just had to read the next book until the series were over). What is intriguing me to read book 2 (Winter Stroll) is I’m curious how storyline will continue to build and the fact that it is so well-written. Every character has something relatable. For instance, I was so annoyed by Ava but at the same time I saw myself in here. I was like her at some point in my life. Definitely recommend it.

Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews

Ivy Perkins is newly divorced and decided to buy a farmhouse in the countryside without seeing it. When she arrived, the previous family left all their furniture and belongings. This house was much more labor than Ivy anticipated. When she was sorting through all the stuff in the house, she came across a Santa suit. Inside the suit’s pocket is a letter written by little girl asking for her father to return home from the war. This set Ivy to a mission – who wrote the note? Did her father come home? Did the previous owners have mysteries of their own? During Ivy’s quest, she finds a community that welcomed her, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and nursed her wounds.

What a sweet book! It was so heartwarming and that’s exactly what I’m looking for in a Christmas book. It made me believe in a Christmas miracle. I really love that romance was not a major focus of this book. While there is romance in it, it didn’t pick up until the very end. Which is just the right amount of love story. This book is very short and can easily be done in a few days or less. I found the book so captivating that I’m now inspired to read more of Mary Kay Andrews books.

SHOP THE OUTFIT: Fair Isle Sweater | Mott & Bow Jeans | Monogram Necklace | Fleece Slippers

Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand (Winter Street Series Book 2)

Throughout the year, the Quinn family has series of misfortunes and worry. This Christmas, Kelley Quinn is reflecting on the year while he writes a holiday letter to family and friends. He’s now in better terms with his first wife Margaret, Kevin has a new beautiful baby, Genevieve, and Ava is finally dating a nice guy. It’s Christmas Stroll weekend, and the Quinn family is about to celebrate Genevieve’s baptism. Mitzi, Kelley’s estranged wife, shows up unannounced, and surprise guests from almost everyone’s past shows up. This Christmas Stroll weekend is filled with jealousy, new beginnings, and surprising news.

You’ll definitely need to read Winter Street (Book 1) to understand what is going on. It picks up right where Book 1 left off. The first half was okay. It was more like catching up with everyone since last Christmas. Then the second half starts picking up and there’s drama with every Quinn family. And oh my Ava! I cringe at her situation. I sympathize her last book, but now I’m like really? The book really made the Nantucket Christmas Stroll weekend sound so magical and now I want to go. It’s so festive! Also, can the Quinn family just get it together with their past loves haha. There is a good cliff hanger at the end and I’m looking forward to Book 3!

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

Chef Charlie Goodwin is a famous pastry chef that is featured on a popular reality baking show. Her twin sister, Cass, is frantically trying to run the family bakery back in their hometown. One day, Charlie gets hit in the head and loses her ability to taste and smell which impacts Charlie’s ability to work. So she decides to switch places with Cass. Cass is looking for an escape and agrees to it. What they both found out is that temporarily trading lives is much more complicated and it has impact both of their lives. Now the twins are wondering if this switch is a recipe for disaster or they have the right ingredients to get their life back on track.

This book reminds me of the movie The Holiday minus Europe and the fact that this switch involves identical twins. But the idea of one person living a glamorous life in L.A. and the other lives in a wholesome small town is essentially the same. The storyline and ending is very predictable. No surprises at all. But it is a cute book and quick read too. It has all the Hallmark Christmas feels to it. But I’ll admit, this book was way overhyped. So I had extremely high expectations.

Window Shopping by Tess Bailey

Two weeks before Christmas, all of Manhattan’s windows are decked out in Christmas decor especially all the shops on 5th Avenue. As Stella walks down 5th avenue and stops in front Vivant, she thinks about her dream in fashion merchandising especially in window displays. A charming man, Aiden, approaches Stella and asked her opinion on the Vivant’s window. Stella gives her brutally honest thoughts. Little did she know, Aiden works for Vivant. Stella’s dream comes true and works on Vivant’s window displays. However, there is a strong attraction between Stella and Aiden. Stella has to remind herself that she must hold back any attraction because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. People with her past don’t ever come across this opportunity.

Wow, this book is SO STEAMY! I do like that this book didn’t drag on the romance. It went straight to the point. Most romance books drag in the beginning and don’t admit there are any attractions until the end. Not this book. I had no idea it was a steamy romance book haha. When I initially picked this book, I thought it was about Christmas shopping LOL. It is a quick read and has a wholesome ending.

SHOP THE OUTFIT: Fair Isle Sweater | Mott & Bow Jeans | Monogram Necklace |

What about you? Have you started reading holiday books? Did you start as early as I did in November?

xo RD