Okay, it’s finally time! I made it through the top books of my Christmas Book Advent countdown in 2022, and we are going to find out the results. it has been almost a year coming…. but let’s do it! Were they worth it, or not? Let’s find out.

Stratagem by Robin Caroll.

1 star

This book had so much promise, with such a great idea/hook, but it just didn’t follow through.

It ignored show don’t tell completely, it doubled up on scenes – our main character would find out information on the murder, the ONE scene later the police would find the SAME information – and tried to convey research and information, but instead came across as shallow information or just I researched in general.

It reads like someone who hasn’t read many (if any) well written police procedural books, and the cops were either unrealistically clever, or so biased that I wanted to scream. Most cops don’t let personal bias affect them to this extent!

Everyone in this book, had their “guts tighten” all the time. Words like “privilege” are thrown out and woman are Instantly believed as victims just because they w ere cheated on??? Nope.

Very serious issues were thrown in there regarding divorce, infidelity and abortion – just a content warning.

For me, this book was not well written, not well researched, and in general not a nice reading experience.

The Do-Over by Bethany Turner.

5 stars

This is my new favourite love story.
Friends to lovers is just a beautiful trope, and Bethany did an amazing job with this one.
Looking at being independent and not needing a relationship to feel complete, but seeing that it can still make a meaningful difference; that work and love is possible; that family is always there even when you don’t realise it; that love and forgiveness can really make a difference – it was stunning.
Funny as always, beautifully moving, and just something so incredible that it goes up as one of my favourite books of all time.

Knight’s Scheme (The Blackgaard Chronicles) by Phil Lollar.

2.75 stars.

not really for me. Mostly for nostalgia anyway 🙂

Orphan’s Wish by Melanie Dickerson.

3.5 stars
A twist on Aladdin and Joseph from the bible.
What would have happened if Aladdin had been taken from those Arabian nights and deposited into a European place? This book is a potential answer.
Almost nothing the same as the actual Aladdin story, except his name and Abu’s name (though not a cute and mischievous monkey, but a little boy instead in this story).
I liked it. Christian themes were nice throughout. Not what I expected when I hear the words “Aladdin retelling” though.

Cherished by Kim Cash Tate.

3.5 stars
Enjoyed the music aspect.
Characters were flawed but easy to identify with and you feel for them as they find their way through their problems and their faith in light of it.
Pretty strong abortion theme so be aware if you’re affected by that content. Also an assault so be aware of that too.
Faith was well weaved and not too hard at the reader, it felt natural which was nice.

hope you enjoyed my thoughts. share if you’ve read any of these books too and your thoughts.

See You in the Adventures
Christy Grace