(Because I Survived Christmas!)

After what felt like a lifetime of Christmas madness at work — cooking festive dinners for children and staff, surviving nursery Christmas parties, and running almost entirely on caffeine and festive spirit — I finally made it.

Last day of work before Christmas: complete.

And honestly? That deserved a reward.

So naturally, I treated myself to a few early Christmas and birthday presents… to myself.
Because why not? 🎄🎂

If anyone earned it this year, it’s definitely me.

I popped into The Works (obviously) and ASDA, and while it’s only a small haul, it was exactly the little boost my tired book-loving soul needed.

📖 What I Picked Up

🔥 Sky Ridge Hotshots — Book 1 & 2

Let’s address the elephant in the room immediately.

Was it the gorgeous men on the covers that pulled me in?

👉 Yes. God yes.

Did my O.H. judge me?

👉 Also yes.

But listen — he knows me well enough by now. I’m usually a discreet, pretty-cover kind of gal… however… if the only option is men-on-the-cover, then so be it.

I will survive. 😉

What actually intrigued me though is that each book in the series is written by a different author, which I genuinely love as a concept.

Same world. Different voices.

Sign me up.

👻 Good Spirits — B.K. Borison

This one was found in The Works, and honestly? She’s pretty.

The sprayed edges immediately caught my eye (I’m weak, I know), but what really sold me was the paranormal angle.

He’s a ghost.

And look — I’ve done vampires.
I’ve done fae.
I’ve done werewolves.

So why not expand my supernatural horizons to ghosts? 😂

I’m genuinely excited for something a little different here.

🐺 The Wolf King — Lauren Palphreyman

Speaking of wolves…

I’ve been eyeing this up in ASDA for weeks, just casually walking past it pretending I didn’t want it.

(Lies.)

Eventually the temptation won.

It’s a hardback, and I’m definitely more of a paperback girl — but sometimes the pull is just too strong. And when that happens, the rules go out the window.

If a book calls loudly enough… I answer. 🐺📚

🌿 Blackthorn — J.T. Geissinger

Now this was a surprise find.

Found in ASDA of all places — with sprayed edges?!

Usually ASDA only does sprayed edges when they’re pink for breast cancer awareness, so spotting this one felt like a proper little treasure hunt win.

It’s another hardback, but once I realised it leaned into fantasy/paranormal vibes, I was more than happy to forgive that.

It feels moody, slightly witchy, and very my thing.

✨ Final Thoughts (and Come Chat With Me)

So yes — it’s only a small little haul, but it was exactly what I needed.

After weeks of chaos, noise, and Christmas cooking madness, these books feel like:

• a reward
• a reset
• and a reminder to actually sit down and breathe for a moment.

Sometimes a few new physical books are exactly what a tired soul needs. 🖤

But now I’m curious…Have you read any of these?

Or do you have a paranormal romance recommendation I absolutely need to add to my ever-growing list?

Tell me:

• Ghost romances… yay or nay?
• Hardback or paperback?
• And be honest — do you also buy books purely for sprayed edges sometimes? 😉

Come chat — I’m very much in cozy, end-of-year book goblin mode right now.

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