January 2026
- Katie Peterson
- Jan 1
- 7 min read
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Something old, something new, something steamy, something true-ish
(Hint: If you click on the image of a book below, it will take you directly to the section about that book!)
Something old: The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner
Something new: The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
Something steamy: Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
Something true-ish: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Book club pick: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
The Ratings:
Like plain, black coffee. Strong dislike.
A little cream, a little sugar. Not bad. Not great.
Add some flavor or syrup, it's getting good.
I liked this a latte!
Love! Refill please!
The Steam:
No peppers: Love/romance not a major part of this story
One pepper: Mild! Some love scenes; nothing risque on the page; fade to black
Two peppers: Moderate! Slightly descriptive romantic scenes may occur on page; some implied innuendos
Three peppers: Hot! Blushing while reading may occur; lots of spice
The Second Chance Year
Melissa Wiesner
'Go back and redo' books are so tricky. The author has to set up the character in the present enough for you to realize why they need/desire the do over, but also leave enough time in the past for any 'fixes' or 'lessons' to occur. They also have to decide if the main character is going to try to convince anyone that they're living in the past or not. And that's all just logistics, without even getting into the heart of the story. Like, do we even like this person? Do we care if they get another try to get it right? Do they even deserve it?
I've read a few 'go back in time to change the future' books this year, and this is one of my favorites. Sadie is someone who sticks up for herself, and others, and isn't afraid of taking a hard stance to defend what's right. However, this leads to her losing her job, boyfriend, and apartment. A New Years Eve encounter gives Sadie an opportunity to have a 'second chance' at reliving the past year. When she wakes up, it's New Years Day...one year prior. As she navigates her year a second time, she tries to reign in her opinions, hoping to change the outcome...but is she okay with staying quiet when there are obvious red flags? And her choices aren't just affecting her future, but also those around her.
Sadie learns a lot during her repeated year...but the lessons are unexpected. She grows closer to people she took for granted, notices things she overlooked, and realizes that the things she regretted about the past were actually blessings in disguise. When the year comes to a close, and she finds herself back at the same New Years Eve party that started it all, will Sadie be able to truly move forward...or will some things always be stuck in the past?
My rating:
Steam:
The Midnight Feast
Lucy Foley
If you haven't read a Lucy Foley book yet, this review might contain a bit of a spoiler, as most of her books (maybe all? I don't know...I haven't read them all yet) follow the same pattern. I absolutely love how this author sets up her books. A multi-faceted (both inwardly despicable and outwardly philanthropic) villain who usually ends up dead. A slew of rotating cast members all with varying degrees of likeability, but all who have a strong connection to the deceased. And through a back and forth timeline and multiple points of view, you learn exactly why each character may want harm to come to them. It all builds to a crescendo at the end, similar to a game of Clue, when you discover the who/how/where.
Francesca is as zen as a Buddhist monk. Effortlessly chic, organically nourished, naturally beautiful. And she has just refurbished the manor left to her by her grandparents as an exclusive vacation spot, sure to allow wealthy travelers to find their inner peace and connect with nature. However, during opening weekend, nothing goes according to Francesca's perfectly manicured plan. Her brothers are off to their usual mischief. Her husband makes a grim discovery about a missing family member. The locals wreak havoc on every planned event in protest. And someone from Francesca's past (one of the only people to know her as 'Frankie') resurfaces, just in time for The Midnight Feast, a celebration planned for all of the manor's guests. But what they don't know, is this isn't the first Midnight Feast on these lands...and last time, someone didn't make it out alive. Will history repeat itself? And who will the victim be this time?
My rating:
Steam:
(nothing really...just references to it)
Good Spirits
B.K. Borison
Ghost of Christmas Past, Nolan, is prepared to spend this holiday like he has hundreds of others: haunting his assigned human until he can pass them along to their next ghost, Christmas Present. However, when he meets Harriet and traipses into her past, he doesn't know what it is he's supposed to help her realize. She's already sweet, helpful, kind and caring. A bit too much of a people pleaser, but he doesn't think it warrants a haunting. And the more time he spends with her, the more human he begins to feel. He tastes food for the first time in a century, experiences emotions he's not supposed to have as a ghost, and craves human touch like he never has before.
His deadline for progressing Harriet through the process is Christmas Eve, but as December ticks by, he doesn't find himself any closer to solving the mystery of why he was placed with her. What's worse, is that as the date nears, he finds himself wondering, what will happen if he doesn't? On one trip to a previous time, Nolan is shocked to discover that Harriet's isn't the only life under examination. To ensure Harriet is safely delivered to her future, they must work together to solve the puzzle of how their pasts are entwined.
I loved this book, until the end, which although I liked, felt really rushed. I wish we'd spent a little more time understanding the 'why'. Still a great read and I would recommend as a holiday romance with a fun, fresh premise!
My rating:
Steam:
(For the 'something steamy' pick, this one was quite tame. I debated even giving it two peppers honestly.)
Anne of Green Gables
L.M. Montgomery
I have to admit, this book wasn't even on my radar until I was an adult...I feel sorry for childhood me never having experienced it. I was encouraged to read this book by the memory of how a former colleague of mine would read this book every year to her second graders. She was the type of teacher that every parent wanted their child to have, and every student was better off for having been taught by her. I know she is the reason that hundreds of students fell in love, not only with Anne, but with countless characters in books they now had the power and confidence to read. [Don't despair! She is still reaching children with her boundless love of learning through tutoring and coaching.] Thank you D.S. for inspiring me (even if it took me a decade!) to embark on this literary journey. I can only imagine the thrill (to quote Anne) of listening to this book as a second grader from someone who truly brought Anne's light to life.
Anne (emphasis on being spelled with an 'e' if you please!) is an orphan, on her way to what she hopes is her first 'forever home'. An unfortunate mix-up (elderly siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert were seeking a boy to help on the farm but instead were sent Anne) leads to immediate dismay. Anne is thoroughly crushed that her lifelong dream of belonging may be ending before it even gets started. But her effervescent personality, uncontainable zest, and insatiable curiosity have both Cuthberts thawing to the idea of her staying on a more permanent basis.
Although the road is not without bumps, often caused by Anne's overactive imagination and lackluster directive following, the trio sets out on a journey towards becoming a family. Although Marilla and Matthew often find themselves at a loss, Anne has never sought perfection, just love.
This book is so delightful you'll want to immediately follow it up with book two in the series: Anne of Avonlea (there are eight books total).
Note: Even though it is in the jacket synopsis and explicitly stated at the beginning of the book, I somehow skated right over the fact that the Cuthberts are siblings, and not a married couple (one of the downfalls in being taught to read in the 'speed reading is best era' is that I miss so many details!) so I want to really point out that this is not the case--so you don't go through the same sadness over the 'ending' of their nonexistent marriage like I did.
My rating:
Deep End
Ali Hazelwood
This book was a much spicer pick than the 'something steamy' book above--so if that's your jam--try this one instead!
I'm a sucker for any romance book involving athletes. I'm not sure why, but I think at least part of it is because the characters are obviously fit, disciplined, and generally confident. That being said, I liked this book way more than anyone else in my book club...so if you read it, I'd love to hear your take!
Stanford diver Scarlett is recovering from a career threatening injury, and an even more problematic mental block. Whenever she attempts the dive that went awry, her mind freezes and she's unable to complete the move. After practice, she overhears her teammate, Pen, complaining that her boyfriend wants to experiment beyond her comfort level in the bedroom. Having experience with this type of relationship, Scarlett offers to help her work through her apprehensions, unaware that Pen will instead suggest that Scarlett become his friend with benefits.
Lukas, a Stanford swimmer and Olympic medalist, is the campus golden boy. Entering into a secret, no-strings-attached situation seems like the perfect solution for both of them. They are able to satisfy their desires and find their compatibility extends outside the bedroom. Soon, they are working together on a group project and discussing future plans. But their simple plan becomes increasingly complicated as they navigate real developing feelings, intense pressure, and mounting expectations. The entire swimming & diving world still thinks Pen and Lukas are together...Scarlett and Lukas know better...but does Pen?
My rating:
Steam:
Read along with me in February
Something old | That's Not My Name by Megan Lally |
Something new | Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz |
Something steamy | The Rehearsals by Annette Christie |
Something true-ish | Come Fly With Me by Camille Di Maio |
Book club pick | The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar |
As always, send me book recs to sosnssst@gmail.com or tag me on IG @ktpete23.
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