November 2025
- Katie Peterson
- Nov 1, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 22, 2025
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 Day the World Came to Town by Jim Defede
Something new: Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
Something steamy: Seduction Theory by Emily Adrian
Something true-ish: Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
Book club pick: Perfect Strangers by J.T. Geissinger
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 Day the World Came to Town
Jim Defede
This is the most heartwarming, restoring-faith-in-humanity story where kindness and compassion are the true heroes. The best part is-it's non-fiction. This retelling of life in Gander, Newfoundland (bonus to reading is you learn how to pronounce Newfoundland like a local) on September 11, 2001. When the United States closed down airspace, hundreds of intercontinental flights were faced with the challenge of where to go. They were given limited options and about thirty seconds to choose, before the choice being made for them. And 38 of those commercial flights landed in Gander.
Gander, having gotten through the stressful process of directing all of the planes safely to the ground, faced another problem: what to do with the thousands of crew and passengers now stranded there? From shelter and showers to cigarettes and medications, the people of Gander rallied to meet the needs of all the 'plane people' as they collectively, and endearingly, became known. Among the passengers: government officials, families with newly adopted children on their way home, and a couple whose firefighter son was missing in the collapsed towers. With the unknown and despair tormenting them mentally, the residents of Gander banded together to make their time there as peaceful as possible. From taking care of the pets who traveled along with them, to forging lifelong friendships with the people, this retelling truly shows that when the worst circumstances are presented, the best of people may come out. It's a must-read.
My rating:
Something in the Water
Catherine Steadman
Erin is a documentary filmmaker, tasked with a pitch that could break her career wide open, working with prisoners who are nearing parole. Mark is a successful investment banker, but loses his job and struggles to find a new one in hard economic times. The loss of their guaranteed income strains their finances, causing them to downgrade their wedding plans and put all their money towards a honeymoon vacation in Bora Bora. While scuba diving, the couple happens upon something in the water...debris of some form.
While the initial finding may just be the answer they've been looking for, they have to make a dangerous choice: should they turn in what they found, or use it to help themselves stay afloat? Every decision they make from here on out has an impact. They start keeping secrets from one another. Their mistakes become deadly. And they are definitely being pursued. The problem is, they don't know exactly who it is coming after them. And when you're not sure who you're looking for, it can be hard to hide from them.
This one is suspenseful and quick-paced. The opening chapter pulls you right in with a future glimpse, and you can't wait to get to the end to find out how the characters got there.
My rating:
Steam rating:
(Nothing detailed; it is truly more suspense/thriller/mystery)
Seduction Theory
Emily Adrian
This book was such a disappointment! I was expecting a steamy, illicit office affair...and instead was bored, annoyed, and confused.
I really hope that opening sentence discouraged you enough to not-read...but in case it didn't, I'll go on.
Ethan & Simone are well-liked and successful creative writing professors at their university. I don't know if the university is specified...I can't remember, and refuse to look it up. Ethan begins flirtatiously pursuing his administrative assistant, Abigail. Although I vehemently dislike affairs, if you're going to put one in a novel, you at least want to make it sexy so the reader kind of understands the 'why'. But you really don't get this one. Abigail has food in her teeth, and she has an undisciplined son, and her home has dog feces in it and she has stains on her clothes. And yes, all of those things are realistic and could describe any 'real' person...but we don't want to read about them when we are imagining a character being courted! And then, they fully cross the line with a physical affair, and Roberta, a student in Simone's creative writing course finds out.
Roberta asks Simone to mentor her and help with her developing thesis. The two of them begin spending an insane amount of time together. Again, it's not 'sexy time'. It's running obscene amounts of miles and sweating and then pigging out on junk food. It's weird. And while they never become physically intimate, they develop an emotional attachment which is just as inappropriate. Roberta writes her thesis on the two liaisons, comparing the two and emphasizing that emotional affairs are just as implicating and serious as physical ones, hoping that her presentation will be the final coffin in the marriage, clearing the way for her future with Simone. You'll have to read to find out if her plan is successful. Which I'm guessing that you won't, and you'll never know.
My rating:
Even though this was my 'something steamy' pick, there wasn't any steam. *See book club pick below for the spice!
Caleb's Crossing
Geraldine Brooks
Historical fiction set in colonial New England during the 1600's. Bethia is an English Puritan girl, daughter of the local minister. Caleb is a Native American boy, son of a local tribe leader. Both living on what is known as modern day Martha's vineyard, they become secret friends. He teaches her how to walk without making sound, the native names and uses for all of the natural wildlife found on the island, and the beliefs of his people. She helps him practice his English, teaches him to read, and encourages him to embrace her father's ministries of Christianity.
As they grow older, both of them struggle with the future that is expected of them. Bethia is promised to a local boy for an arranged marriage. Caleb is prophesied to take over for his father in their tribe. A series of events leads to Caleb moving in with her family to receive additional instruction and tutelage. He thrives with his learning, and due to grants afforded to Native Americans for English instruction, moves to Cambridge to prepare for attending Harvard. Bethia's brother, long desired to be a minister, doesn't have the funds required, but Bethia is 'contracted' to the house master as an indentured servant in order to pay for him to go, as well.
Caleb and Bethia's time in Cambridge is filled with surprising twists: newfound friends, challenging lessons, extreme prejudice, unexpected encouragement, and budding romance. As they navigate through these tumultuous times, they learn about themselves, and still work at protecting one another.
Based on the true story of the first Native American to graduate from Harvard, this story is simultaneously hope filled and heart wrenching.
My rating:
Perfect Strangers
J.T. Geissinger
Sometimes you think you know exactly what type of book you'll get when you glance at the cover...and while this one definitely implies it's going to be a romance, it surprises you by delivering in mystery and thrill, too.
Olivia is an author spending time in Paris hoping to gain some inspiration to write following the personal tragedy of losing her daughter, Emerson. She meets James, an artist who wants to paint a portrait of her, as she has 'the saddest eyes he's ever seen'. They begin a passionate, no-strings-attached affair, agreeing to not complicate things by sharing personal details.
When Olivia's ex shows up on scene with some new information regarding Emmy's death, everything enters a tailspin. Olivia may be in danger, and James may not be 'just an artist' she happened to meet. Who can she trust? Be ready for a twisty, turny, bumpy road to the finale...and when you're done, you may just have whip-lash from all the 'what!?' you'll be thinking.
I thought this was just going to be a steamy romance...but it was so much more. The first twist threw me. The second twist made me question everything. I lost count of twists after that and I couldn't wait until our book club meeting to discuss!
My rating:
I debated anywhere from 3-5 to be honest. I finally landed on 3, and I'm not even sure why. The pure outlandishness maybe? But I did really enjoy it, and it is a QUICK read!
Steam rating:
Read along with me in December
Something old | One Day in December by Josie Silver |
Something new | Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor & Heather Web |
Something steamy | Holly & Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. Amant |
Something true-ish | December 6th by Martin Cruz Smith |
Book club pick | Love, Mom by Iliana Xander |
As always, send me book recs to sosnssst@gmail.com or tag me on IG @ktpete23.
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