It’s time for Day 6 of Five Fall Favorites (hosted by Once Upon an Ordinary and Read Another Page)!

Now, this is not my final list by any means, but I’ll discuss some of my 2025 favorites thus far! I’ve only read 13 books this year (not counting my rereads, which are many), and most of them were either Voices of the Future anthologies, my own books, or DNFs!

The Mapmaker’s Secret by Jennifer Mistmorgan

One of a three-book series that I really enjoyed! This is the final one and was probably my favorite. I actually enjoy the trope that most people don’t, which is fake identity in a romance. This one was fun because both the hero and heroine were doing their best, and you really understood both of their motives. Plus I just feel like the heroine was really complex! This is not the first book I’ve read where the heroine was the muse of an abusive artist, though … so that’s interesting.

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham

Another Freddie & Grace mystery! Though not my favorite of their stories, this was nonetheless a lot of fun! And I do love seeing a glimpse of Scotland. The mystery was also fun this time – very classical whodunit. So excited for the next novel!

These Long Shadows by Jennifer Mistmorgan

This was the first book I read of this trilogy even though it’s the second novel. I really enjoyed it! I love a good marriage of convenience/marriage of honor story, and this was so sweet. I enjoyed the realistic portrayal of trauma recovery.

The Heart of the Family by Elizabeth Goudge

A reread – this one I appreciated more now then I did on the first couple rereads. Generally, the first and second books are my favorite, and the third kind of drags. It’s mostly set over one long summer afternoon, and that’s … wild. And it is kind of draggy! But some of the ideas and concepts presented here are really good.

The Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton Porter

Yes, another reread! I told you I’m rereading a lot of books this year. This is one I hadn’t reread in a while, so I’d forgotten some of the central twists. There are a couple weird moments, as is true of any Gene Stratton Porter novel, but I feel like this has some of the more wholesome and interesting thoughts despite that.

This year, we’re divided into teams! Allow me to share about my team for this year!

Hannah: hereynolds.com

Katja: littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com

Sylvie: sylvieohara106.wixsite.com/my-site-2

Olivia: withloveolivia23.wordpress.com/my-blog

Riley: rileygwriterartist.wordpress.com

Rose: rewriteswithafaeriepen.wordpress.com

There’s a giveaway for Five Fall Favorites this year! Click this link to find out more and enter:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6113ead966/?

TTFN!

~Kell~

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