Hello, everyone! It seems fitting to do quarterly updates, since I seem to only do monthly wrap-ups every few months anyway, haha. I did do one this month, but have also read several books in the last few months, and thought now would be as a good a time as any to offer up some mini-review type recaps and thoughts on the books I’ve read so far in 2025.

Plus, if we’re here for the next quarterly recap, or the end of the year, I’m curious to look back and see a glimpse of my reading journey throughout the year. I honestly hope the catching away (harpazo) happens before that, and we are in Heaven with Jesus by then, knowing that He promised that those who are called and found watching and waiting for Him will be called up to be with Him forever more in the last days, before His Judgement is poured out. But we don’t know exactly when that Day will be, although we know it’s close, I’m content to stay here and continue to serve Him and point others to Him as well, as long as He wills it. I know His plans and timing are perfect.

This is also my 9 year blogging anniversary! I started my original blog on blogger, but also started a bookslesstravelled.com/ site as a back-up, and actually didn't switch over to worpress until a few years after I started my blog. I also started my bookstagram account that year, in May. How has a been so long? It feel like a lifetime ago, and yet seems to have been only a couple years, all at once. It feel like a lifetime ago, and yet seems to have been only a couple years, all at once. It's crazy looking back and realizing all the things that have happened. But on the other hand, it's hard to imagine all that can change in just a few months or a year's time and almost impossible to comprehend how time works. So much can change in such a short time, but at other times it seems that time goes on forever and very little changes. God in His infinite grace and wisdom knows exactly what we need, and when. How awesome is He!

January

This was my first read this year, and Gigi Lynn was a new to me author. I enjoyed a lot about this book, but the few things I was uncomfortable with are also some of the reasons I probably won’t read anymore of her work.

Overall the story was fairly clean, and a fun regency mystery/romance, but was told from the perspective of two friends through a series of letter corrospondances. There is another couple of charcters who also get short POV’s via letters of their own, but the two girls/young ladies are the main narrators. One of them keeps referacing to her love-interest as the devil, using Bible verses and then belated remembering they are about the devil himself… Not idea.

The other is living a double-life of sorts, and while I found the story immensely entertaining, and loved their partnership, I also realize that Biblically speaking, this isn’t ideal or really godly, and would rather not read stories that compromise my faith or morals, even if it was a clean read and nothing actually happened. It was far too causal about some things, and I just don’t want to get into a habit of blithely reading something that can easily lead to more questionable content in future books. I admit I did enjoy this one, but don’t think me and the author share the same beliefs, and what we believe is reflected in our art and work, so I try to be careful about not reading too many books from people with vastly different faiths or beliefs from mine, especially not on a regular basis if I can help it, because like with TV and friends, what we read also plays a role in defining how we thinks, and who we are.

*Edit* I forgot to add this one originally since it’s not listed on my Goodreads (well, it’s not on Goodreads at all, actually) but thankfully I did have it listed on my Read More app. This was an amusing non-fiction about the author’s time at an orangutan sanctuary, filled with colorful pictures of the orangutan around the animal center.

I’ve always had a love and fascination for animals and this sort of job, and even went to school for something similar for a time. Life (and God) had other plans for me, but I still really enjoyed reading about Jesse Hay’s account of his time there.

I never really thought about working with orangutan, and honestly they aren’t my favorite. But this opened my eyes and made me realize I might have actually liked to spend a few months there too!

I had planned to spend a couple months to a year at different places, and traveling in-between stops. I wanted to work as a missionary as well, and likewise had hoped to travel. I wanted to work with wolves or something similar here in the States, travel to Australia to work with their varied and unique wildlife (probably in a zoo there), then maybe work with elephants or something similar. Just traveling, learning, and trying new things until something finally stuck and until I found the place I was meant to be. Turns out, traveling wasn’t necessary as God had me where He wanted me all along, haha. It’s interesting how that all worked out.

I honestly wasn’t sure I would enjoy this one. The first half was a bit choppy, the dialogue reading like something out of a self-help or psychology book. It was very odd language use and wording, which sounded very unnatural at times. Yet, the story itself was good, and I had started to like the characters, their dialogue just annoyed me.

Then I reached right around the middle of the book and I couldn’t put it down! I loved the last half, and even the writing and dialogue seemed to improve. I’m so glad I read this one, and stuck with it to the end. I’m not sure I’d read anymore of her books, this was the only one the really caught my interest, but I’m thankful that I read it this year, all the same.

I read the first one around the end of 2024, and while I enjoyed the story, the characters and dialouge sounded off. Like a psychology or self-help book. (Yes, this one too!) But it was a little different. Where in Stay it was as if their words were overly positive, or at least seemed to be trying to smile through the pain, even if it was clearly forced. This one was more like they were constantly trying to be everyone’s friend and cheer them up. So, less about cheering themselves up, or pretenting to be unaffected by everything, but more about constantly trying to be perfectly cheerful to fix everyone else’s problems instead.

It was a little weird, but while the first book was overly peppy, this one was slightly more realistic, then it wasn’t. It went back and forth between interesting and believable to somewhat annoying and a clear example of a character who had no idea what they just said, so therefore contradicts themselves five minutes (or sentences) later…(“It’s not possible” then “It makes perfect sense”. Or “I’d never suspect …” to “I knew it was them all along!” Yeah, not likely.)

Still, I did really enjoy this story overall, and not all of the characters were that way. It did frustrate me toward the middle of the book, since that seemed to be the worst part for that, but the other characters were mostly fine, and I enjoyed that it explored a topic and style that I haven’t seen talked about much in more popular Christian Fiction mysteries and romantic suspense books. I also liked the slow-buildup that led to the sequel after this one, with a few of the side-characters we met before finally getting their chance to have their stories told.

This one! I loved this one so much, but I also breaks my heart. I want to shout it from the rooftops how adorable and sweet this story is, and that everyone should read it, but can’t.

The main reason being that the MC is catholic, and I’m pretty sure the author is too. This one and the other book I read by her both show a little of that, but in this one the MC ‘talks’ to her late grandmother as the unpacks her thoughts and emotions, working through her feelings by pretending to speak to her grandmother, despite knowing she is dead, and even expressing doubts that she can even hear her. I mean, on the one hand I’m glad that the possibility is raised that her grandma can’t really hear her, so she’s not really ‘talking’ to her, but then again, even the thought or concept if wrong according to the Bible. The Bible is also clear that no, they can’t hear us, but we are also forbidden from even trying to speak to or contact them. As such, I’m both uncomfortable and saddened that I can’t recommend this one, despite it being an amazing story for the most part, because I am forbidden from encouraging others to read something that I know is wrong. Pretty much everything I read has something or other I don’t agree with, but this is a big one, especially as more and more people embrace an inter-faith or ecumenical approach that is more syncretism in beliefs that ever before. Knowing what the Bible says about this, I have to mention it, and caution against it. Although I do still love Matt and Toni (and Senor Jose!) in this one, and am so glad I got to read this one. It came at just the right time, and I absolutely needed the sweet light-hearted story during this dark time.

February

I read this one at the same time as reading The Super Big Favor, but this one was in print, while the other was an ebook. I ended up finishing this one a little after the other, hints why it’s listed as February here.

Like with Matt and Toni, I loved Nona and DeMarcus! G’mama and the preacher were also a humorous distraction, and I loved meeting them. I also loved how this one has two (or three) mysteries woven together, along with the entertaining connection between Nona and DeMarcus. I absolutely loved this debut, and for the most part found it to be a great story that I would gladly recommend.

There were a few things that gave me pause, in part how the ‘villain’ treated and spoke of others, including his girlfriend. Definitely not idea, but then again as villain(s) I guess it’s to be expected, although I know that kind of talk/behavior is a potential trigger for some. Still, not much is shown, and it’s clear that this behavior isn’t condoned or shown in a positive light, but rather something that marks you as a, well a villain.

After loving the previous too, I had high hopes for this one too. Perhaps too high? I have enjoyed K. Hall’s books in the past, so I know she is capable of writing amazing stories. This one is likely a favorite for some of her fans, but just didn’t quite work for me. It reminded me too much of To the Uttermost (which I loved) but was almost too similar.

As if the basic outline was pretty much the same, with a few slight but noticeable changes thrown in to make it different. This isn’t a bad thing, I know a lot of the bigger named and well-known authors do this all the time with great success. But I don’t care for these kinds of stories, where the author finds something that works, and instead of writing the story the characters are telling, they just stick to the tried and true formula. It just leaves me feeling underwhelmed and bored.

There were definitely some things I loved about this one. I enjoyed Burke for the most part, and even liked Jesse. The setting and having him work at the livery were also fun additions to the story.

Still, the overall plot and characteristics felt too much like Sally and her story, and I couldn’t quite separate the two enough in my mind to fully enjoy this one, since I loved the other so much. As such, my feelings on this one are definitely biased, which I admit and if you don’t mind the similarities, or haven’t read the other yet, I still recommend giving this one a read. I do tend to be pickier on things like this, but also openly admit that it’s a personal preference issue, and not anything bad about or against the story. It was a fun read and a good story, just not my favorite.

This is kind of a funny story… I read an eARC of this one as part of the launch team, and while so many people seemed to find Kate annoying…I found her a lot like myself! Which admittedly, makes my thoughts on this one a bit extra biased as well, but in the opposite way. After reading the prevoius book and not loving it, I hesitated to read this one right away.

I don’t often read sports romances, books set in or about California, or contemporary romance rom-coms. Actually, I’m super picky and hard to impress on all fronts. It’s possible, but rare that I like that style of book, so to have one that’s all three? Plus, to know that others had already complained about the FMC’s personality being ‘annoying and hard to read’? Yeah, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but braved the unknown and started reading anyway.

Didn’t take long. Soon after I started reading I realized that not only could I relate to the FMC in a lot of ways, but also that I loved her quirky humor and also enjoyed the story as a whole! (What?!) It’s true though, and while I definitely didn’t like the ‘problem’ (in part because I have family the acts like that too) I adored both seeing someone else to acts, thinks, and feels/expresses herself a lot like I do, but I also loved seeing Bryce’s encouragement and adoration, and seeing how the story ends up. Talk about encouraging and refreshing! I loved this one, but realize that yet again this was a very biased reaction, and can also see why a lot of readers struggle to relate to Kate and her story. So, while I loved it, it’s still probably not for everyone.

Kismet. Why did you have to mention this mystic belief? Ugh! I loved this one, absolutley adored so much about it, but that one word ruined the effect for me. I still finished the story (after much consideration and some strong thoughts about DNFing it right then and there) and while I loved it in so many ways, that one word really blew the wind out of my sails.

Like karma and fate, kismet is absolutely against everything God teaches in His Word. And as such, I will never be okay with such beliefs, mentioned in passing or as a joke or otherwise. Much like yoga and vibes, many people see nothing wrong with these things, even in the Christian walk, but according to God Himself, they are unacceptable, and as such I must also take such a stance. So, as much as I adored these characters, craved their authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, and as much as my heart went out to these two stubborn love-birds, I just can’t suggest this one. (The catholic references and priests too, one of which was the problem in the first place…But his mention of kismet was the final nail.) Which is sad, but not worth causing others to stumble over.

I knew I wasn’t a fan of Dawson, but actually enjoyed this one more than expected. I loved the health rep mentioned in this one, as Olivia’s such a strong characters and seeing her suffer from a debilitating disorder, especially one that many women likely have and don’t even realize it, was a great way to really shine a light on how we can be so strong on the outside, while secretly falling apart internally.

I also adored the animal scenes, as well as Dawson’s time at Beau’s garage. Well, other than his constant beef with Gage, who honestly just wanted to avoid all the drama. That got old pretty fast (although I loved them including him in the ‘surprise’ scene!) But I was surprised that there was a lot that I did enjoy about this one. I also loved his relationship with her father later in the book. I always love these parental/mentor type roles, and the level of wisdom and respect that is reflected in these interactions and relationships when done right!

The main thing I didn’t like about this one was the ‘my queen’ ‘I’m your prince’ nonsense. I hate when women are elevated like this. Don’t get me wrong, I love that he loved, adored, and respected her, but God set the natural order, and when men lower themselves beneath their women, problems arise. I know in this case they were well matched, and Olivia was so giving and selfless that she wouldn’t have wanted or tried to intentionally be dominating in the relationship, but it’s still not a healthy dynamic long-term. I just can’t ignore it when it’s such a large part of the book, and in his word and interactions with her. So much of what he does is sweet and can even be part of a healthy relationship/dynamic, but this one point is a no-go for me. God’s way is always best, even when it doesn’t make sense or when it’s hard and seems unfair. He designed it that way for a reason, and His ways are always worth seeking and His standards worth keeping.

This one wasn’t a ‘Christian’ story, but was another ‘clean’ regency romance. This one also dealt with a deceptive theme or ruse, but in this case the MMC knows the truth… Yet, even knowing this the FMC doesn’t want to consider him because he wasn’t included in her perfectly curated list.

Overall I did enjoy this read, but it also highlighted what I love Christian Fiction so much. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the story, but it was just missing the best parts. It had all the basics but without that faith and the reminders of how good God is, it just lacked the sparkle and life-giving truth that I love so much in a well-written Christian Fiction story.

This one! I’ve DNFed another of her books that I was really looking forward to because she mentioned a CCM singer on the first page. This one, she did one better (or worse) and wrote the dedication to him and one of his songs instead… Which was deviastaing knowing what I do about the CCM music and the decpetion involved in their industry after having my eyes opened.

Still, Holy Spirit encouraged me to read this one, even after my hesitation. I’m so thankful I did. I loved the story, and found it was just the message I needed at the time. There were a few mentions of music, including a short conversation about Skillet (what used to be one of my favorite bands, much to my now regret) but even that didn’t sting as bad in this context, and I’m glad it didn’t stop me from reading the story and getting to see the bigger picture in this one.

I still cannot recommend the songs or singers, but that took up a very small part of the book, and I know so many people still love and listen to CCM and similar music, not realizing the dangers behind their songs. I don’t claim to understand why this was the one I was impressed upon to read, up the point where I questioned a few times and every time was told that it was important. I also know that while I needed the message at the time, that’s not true for everyone, and for some readers this books might even be triggering, so make sure to pray about it and look for a content guide before reading this one, just in case. Also, I by no means recommend or support CCM music any longer, and an actually firmly against everything about and behind it, knowing now that it isn’t what we are led to believe, but is a distraction from the truth of God’s Word, no matter how convincing and beautiful seems to be on the surface.

March

This was another fun read, but maybe also a goodbye? I enjoyed the first book in this series, wasn’t a fan of the sequel, and now this one proved to be an interesting read, and nice addition to the series. Still, I’m quickly realizing that I’m not really Eason’s target audience, and more and more I find myself preferring the freedom and deep faith available in indie books that seems to be increasingly lacking and difficult to find in trad books, especially recently.

I know I’m not alone in feeling this way, but more and more the books written by and published through the bigger and well known authors and publishing houses seem to be superficial, flat, and often formulated. Nothing really new and original, no deep and profound faith or truth, just a little sprinkled in, or perhaps a theme or two woven beautifully throughout, but nothing really ground-breaking and while it makes for a fun read, it doesn’t really deepen our faith or challenged us to walk closer to God, dive deeper into scripture, or to live boldly and unashamedly for Him. Nothing like the faith the apostle and prophets had, and encouraged for all those who claim and believe on the Name of Jesus.

This story was an interesting addition to the series, but it seemed like just that. A means to an end, a way to move the overall story forward and check another box (and couple) of the list along the way. I did prefer this one and found it had a depth and did have a bit more faith and challenge to it than the last book, but still didn’t feel like that was something reliable or likely to stick as the series continues on. It’s just a book series, a way to offer fans new material, while still sticking to the tried and true methods that have worked for years. I get this is a business, and that’s how they do things, but…I’ve come to want more, especially when I know there are so many books out there that can give me that and that truly encourage my walk with Jesus on a deeper level. So, I’m considering letting this be my last Eason book, calling it quits while I’m ahead, and stopping on a high note, so to speak.

I’ve wanted to read this series since hearing about it last autumn, and was so glad to get to read it last month! I loved the writing style and ‘tone’ and also quickly came to enjoy Tate and Sissy. I wasn’t a fan of the mention of Malcom X (or the endorsement of him…) but know that during the time it was likely an opinion of many, and even today people follow him and many others, despite the Bible clearly warning us to avoid following men or putting out hopes and trust in them, regardless of personal feelings on the matter.

Still, the overall story was interesting, and I enjoyed the unique perspective and characters in this one. There were some fun surprises along the way as well!

Laura Beers is a LDS author, so I know it’s another book that’s not ‘Christian Fiction’ but she does write clean regency fiction. I’ve loved a couple of her books in the past, but like with Eason, I’m finding that her newer books aren’t really hitting the same. This is the second of her books I’ve read in the last six months or so that felt me, while content, slightly underwhelmed as well. I mean, I liked them, they were interstin at the time, and fun reads to pass the time, but afterward I found them to be mostly forgettable and less exciting and enjoyable than I’d hoped.

I’m convinced that this is no fault of the author, but likely due to me personally and my own needs and preferences when it comes to finding a book that I can both love and that challenges me to be better, or to think differently, in some way. I want books that both delight the imagination, but that also encourage me to grow deeper in my faith and to strive harder to live Biblically in a way that actually helps me point others to Jesus along the way. The closer we are to Him, the less we can keep quite about it, and I’ve also found that the closer I move to Him, the more I seek Him in every area of my life, books included, and I desire to see more and more of that hope and faith reflected in the stories I read now, as well.

This was another that I was excited about, and enjoyed well enough while it lasted, but found forgettable after I finished. (Worse, I completely forgot who the villain was just a week or so after reading this one. I remembers after thinking about it for a minute, but as dramatic as that reveal/climax was/should have been, that’s saying something.)

I am glad I read this one, but think L. Shannon might be another author that I’m not likely to continue reading in the future. I’ve enjoyed some of her books, and even loved one of them, but it’s just not the kind of story I look for anymore, and my time might be better suited reading other books or spent on other things.

This one! While it wasn’t my favorite ‘of all time’ I did love this one! There’s a bit of questionable content, and while most of it was addressed there’s a few things that I’m kind of unsure how I feel about, and therefore wouldn’t suggest it to everyone, but for most I definitely recommend giving this one a try. Especially if you’re a Christian Romantic Suspense reader.

While I struggled with the first two books in this series, I can see improvement in the authors writing, and dialogue, in this one and am excited to see what else the author has planned for this series!

This is another that might loosely be considered catholic (which isn’t really ‘Christian’, according to the Bible) although apart from one scene is mostly just a clean regency story. It was (surprisinly, or perhaps not) much like the other two I read this year, although this is the one that really woke me up to that interesting (and slightly concerning and yet curious) trend. I don’t even know how I found out about this one? I’m thinking I likely saw it on IG and added it to my Goodreads TBR, but I’m not 100% sure on that.

All I know is that it did end up on my shelf, and I ended to getting the opportunity to read it last month. Unsure what to expect (and even more concerned when I realized the author tends to write about witches and vampires, this being the only ‘clean’ none demonically themed story!) I decided to give it a fair try and kept reading, although hesitantly.

I’m glad to note that no vampires or other ghouls showed up in this one. There was a scene where they lit a candle and prayed in a small catholic church, but otherwise it was simply a clean regency romance. There was the whole matter of both MCs being deceptive and one of which increasingly cruel, to the point where they were nearly repentant, but took it all back and promised more tricks to come after getting what they wanted. (It sounds worse here that it was, and yet, maybe not?)

This one has a long list of potential trigger warnings, and spiritual cautions, that should be included. But since I’m horrable at taking notes and read this one in print, I didn’t realize until I was a good ways in that it would have been a good idea to mark them and make a list while reading. Still, since it’s an older book, I’m hoping someone has taken the time to do just that, but regret not being more diligent myself on the matter.

I did enjoy the story, loved meeting Eitan’s family and seeing him grown up and making his own way, and getting to see more of Derek and Moriyah. But there were a lot of things that I found both questionable, and potentially post the risk of causing some readers to stumble in their faith. While I don’t think it was intential on the author’s part, it’s not the first time, and more and more I’m growing uncomfortable with her work. I already don’t read a couple of other Biblical Fiction author’s works for their loose and flipant use of the Bible and willingness to change it to fit their needs. (A definite no-go, if we take scripture seriously and consider God’s Word and authority as He had detailed them in His Word) but something more and more seem to be find and completely justified in doing, all the same. Scary how little some fear God, many not at all, but others are unaware of any wrong doing, simply following the crowd.

As another ‘big name publisher’ book, I have had other reservations about her work as well, and as much as I enjoy her characters and stories for the most part, it’s not worth compromising one’s faith for. Nothing is.

Looking Forward:

There are several books I’d love to read, and two of my most anticipated reads are coming out soon. One, These Wild Dreams of Ours by Carly L. Carlson, is scheduled to release May 20th.

The other one, Gold in Fire by Misty Woods, will likely come out this summer. She’s saying it’ll probably be July right now, but that’s pending the how fast she can get things ready leading up to the release. It may come out slightly before that if the timeline goes smoothly.

Either way, I’m excited for both stories, and more so since both are debuts! What an exciting way to start the year, getting to help two debut Christian authors in these thrilling yet challenging months leading up to the publication of their debut stories.

There’s also a few others I’m excited about. I have a few series that I’d like to try to finish, and a couple new-to-me authors that I’m hoping to read in these coming months. For more on those, you can find many of them listed on my Goodreads shelves, To-Read and To-Read-UnOwned. (Original, I know XD)

Discover more from Books Less Travelled

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.