A Cuppa Cosy Reads – May 2025

Um hi- where did May go and why is June going just as fast? I’m literally writing this post on a late evening because quite honestly, I have no time, but I really want to keep up with all the things (this is definitely me and how I handle life). Somehow June is shaping up to be just as busy as May, coinciding with a move- which means things should be winding down, except I’m me and I keep saying yes! 

Anyways- you didn’t come here to read about that this week, that was last week (and maybe next week who knows). You came here today to hear about all the books I read in May- and boy did I read books in May. I read a total of 9 books and gave an average 3.54 rating. There were some real highs and some real lows there, and only one “this was fine” book in there. 

So, without further ado…

Wild by Cheryl Strayed NR This takes the cake as my least favorite of the month and honestly probably of the year. We picked this for our book club and honestly- hated every minute. I could write an entire thesis on it, but the wonderful people on good reads have already done it (I did give an entire essay verbally at book club though). 

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose 4.5 Stars I actually loved this one- the set-up, the storyline, the ending- this was exactly what I wanted in a thriller…

The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose 2 Stars However this was completely unnecessary and relied on the same plot devices as the first (which you spend the entire book going- surely, she wouldn’t). I did not need to read it and I will not continue if there are new books with this same character. 

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey 3.75 Stars This was a solid romance, HOWEVER it felt flat in terms of characters. I felt like I was being told all these anxious things and being told that the characters felt this way, but I didn’t feel that. I also felt like the wrap up was very convenient. 

The Royals Upstairs by Karina Halle 3 Stars This is my OK book of the month. It’s a sister book and I just didn’t really need it. Convenient and not enough of the couple from the first book. 

Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 4 Stars This was a good literary fiction read. I always enjoy when women make fields work for them, especially in era’s when it was harder, and this was one of those stories. This was just a really lovely read, hard at times, but overall, so good to read. 

Off to the Races by Elsie Silver 3.5 Stars I think one of my favorite aspects of this was the horse racing and that we were following an owner/trainer- this wasn’t something I had read before, and I really enjoyed it. I am going to continue on in the series as I know Elsie Silver will always be a solid romance for me. 

Tentacle Kitty by John Merritt NR I picked this up at the book fair because it looked adorable- creatures sharing tales of adventure around an afternoon tea? Sign me up. And it delivered- just a fun short read! 

Little Heaven by Nick Cutter 4 Stars This was my final read of the month and what a way to go out. What Nick Cutter does so well is really setting the atmosphere, while you’re reading, you really get absorbed into his world and when you come out of it it takes a little bit of time. I always know his books are going to be dark, uncomfortable, and all encompassing. 

And that’s it for the month of May! It was a good reading month overall (I don’t know how I did it to be honest) and with summer coming, all the travel happening, and a break from saying yes to everything…well I’m looking forward to how many books I’ll be consuming!! 

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Reading Wrap Up – January 2025

If January is any indication of my 2025 year in reading (and in reading ONLY), it’s going to be a damn good year. And I Mean that in every bone of my body. Not only did I love everything I read, but I read a lot. To go along with that, I feel invigorated to share about it all- to talk through all the books and my thoughts in a way that I don’t think I did in 2024. I read a total of 10 books and gave out an average rating of 3.7. Not too shabby to start off the year!

Let’s get into them- if you want a quick just book by book, check out my IG or TikTok (acuppacosy). 

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson 4.5 Brandon Sanderson is always going to be a win for me. I feel like I’m starting to get back into high fantasy, and what better place to start than one of my favorite authors? The world building, character development, and storytelling is masterful, and it was such an enjoyable read. 

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings 4 Let me tell you- watching toxicity/reality tv is kind of a guilty pleasure of mine and this book was exactly that. Somehow you feel all of the feelings WITH and AT the characters in this book. The friend group and relationships in this book are all so toxic and you as the reader know they are, the characters know they are, but it’s all done a bit tongue and cheek that makes it bearable and have you fully invested in every moment. 

The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden 3 I think I’ve resigned myself to what I’ve known all along- I’m not really a Freida person. I’m not knocking anyone who is- I think she’s a solid writer and her books are super easy to read, I just am not feeling them to be honest. I don’t really have much more to say on this one- it was fine. 

Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas 3.75 I was a little worried about this one- it’s a “dark romance”, HOWEVER, it didn’t feel like it was all that dark. At least not to me. The setting itself is dark (and maybe that is the dark portion), so any potentially questionable acts were tame in comparison to what they experienced in the “college”. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this until the very end, where I questioned everything, I read and then needed the next book immediately. 

The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy 3.5 Elle Kennedy is quickly becoming my favorite “go-to” author for a sports romance. I know I’ll enjoy anything she puts out and it’ll be a nice chance to step back without feeling full on cheesy hallmark romance. She manages to bring in real world issues and events and things that happen every day, but in a way that feels real? I’m not sure how to say it- she brings in the real in a way that feels natural, not forced and not just a plot device. 

Daisy Haites by Jessa Hastings 3.75 Take it from me- this should be read either in tandem or directly after Magnolia Parks. You are in the same time period as Magnolia Parks, but from a different viewpoint and different friend group that loosely associates with Magnolia Parks’ group. There is crossover and I really enjoyed this alternate viewpoint. I actually prefer Daisy to Magnolia, BUT I wish I had read this sooner after Magnolia- it might have gotten a higher rating then. 

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros 4.5 I’ve somehow said a million words about this book AND STILL cannot manage to form coherent words. While I do have a complaint where the pacing of this book feels a bit off, I LOVED being back in this world. And we are in the world- we’ve gone further out and have learned so much in this book. And that ending?! Ready for the next one, please and thank you. 

The Favorites by Layne Fargo 4.5 Ok, I need to read this and that’s saying something given the content. I’m infamous for not liking figure skating books because, to be honest, they are unrealistic for the most part (looking at you Icebreaker). This one though? This was everything. It took my right back to my own skating days and all of the politics, melodrama, and…just life that is the figure skating world. I loved it. 

Heartless by Elsie Silver 3 I’ve been working my way through the Chestnut Springs books by Elsie Silver and overall enjoying them. My biggest complaint with this one is there is something that is used as a plot device that I despise. It brought the entire rating down for me (I had truly enjoyed it in so many ways up till that point). 

Hopeless by Elsie Silver 3.5 This book- so much good in this book. Similar to Elle Kennedy, Elsie Silver can wield real world issues in a way that feel real to both the story and the characters. She worked through PTSD, Alcoholism, abuse and so much more in this romance. 

And that’s it! February has gotten off to a bit of a slower start, and I don’t think it will be as large of a stack based on my calendar, but I’m hoping for the best and some more good reads!

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