I’m a little late with My Favourite Reads this month. We’re all so busy this time of the year, aren’t we? The Christmas silly season is well and truly upon us, but it’s fun, too, with all the parties and decorations. There are streets near me where I think there’s some sort of Christmas lights war happening between the neighbours. The effort some have gone to is eye-popping!

November was a bit lean for me reading-wise but as usual those I did read were terrific. Good friend Anna Campbell certainly helped put me in a festive mood with her new release The Christmas Stranger. But the title of favourite must go to…

The Pretty Delicious Café by Danielle Hawkins

I am a huuuuuge fan of Hawkins, whose debut novel Dinner at Rose’s was an absolute joy of a book (my thoughts on that here). As was her second release, Chocolate Cake for Breakfast. The Pretty Delicious Café didn’t disappoint.

This book is funny, sweet, heart-warming, romantic, quirky and, as the title suggests, filled with delicious things. There are even bonus recipes at the back. The setting for this one was great too. An idyllic seaside town that makes me want to book a trip to New Zealand ASAP.

I adore Hawkins’s romances. They’re delightful and real and if you like Aussie rural romance then you need to try Danielle Hawkins too. I promise you’ll have a wonderful time and finish reading with a big smile.

The Christmas Stranger by Anna Campbell

My second favourite read of the month. Yes, Anna and I are buddies and feel free to call me biased, but I honestly think her books are wonderful. The hero and heroine of The Christmas Stranger are so lovely, you can’t help cheering like mad for both as they struggle with their attraction.

Romances where the hero and heroine are trapped together are a blast, although I don’t think Josiah and Maggie see it quite the same way at the beginning of their story! Ooh, now that reminds me of one of my all-time favourite Anna Campbell’s – Her Christmas Earl. That’s a forced proximity romance too.

The Christmas Stranger is only 99 cents on Amazon. Get festive and romantic with a copy today!

The Magician’s Diary by CJ Archer

I love this series. Love it. Matthew and India’s romance is fraught with conflict and twists. I know they’ll get together eventually, but it’s such frustrating fun to follow them as they struggle with their attraction and more and more obstacles are thrown in their way.

As with CJ’s Ministry of Curiosities series, the characters in the Glass and Steele books are great, and the stories made even richer thanks to some romantic subplots.

The Convent’s Secret is out in March. You can guarantee I’ll be reading it.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone series is one of my absolute favourites. Her writing is vivid and lush, and she weaves beautiful fantasies.

Strange the Dreamer is very much in the same vein. It’s big and dense with expert world-building, and the character of Strange is very imaginative. I had no idea this was the first in a series and was a bit taken aback to have it end without resolution, but that’s my fault for not checking. Now the wait for book 2!

What were your favourite reads?