My December #bookspinbingo board.

I've already finished The Roommate and The Gift. Do I think I can finish all these books this month...maybe, especially since quite a few are short ones. Either way, I'm going to give it a try.

@TheAromaofBooks

3.25⭐
Unlike the first book, this one didn't draw me in. The endless “mate“ references didn't help—she uses it constantly. We get it, they're mated. Honestly, I think I liked it more when they had the angst between them, and now that they‘re “mated,” all that delicious tension is gone. Sometimes I was just downright bored with the monotony this was giving.
🎙️•I love duet narration, so this was obviously fantastically done.

I haven't posted an updated version of my brackets since August.

September - Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff.
October - Blood Like Ours by Stuart Neville.
November- Nobody Knows You're Here by Bryn Greenwood.

#readingbrackets #readingbrackets2025 #favoritebook2025

My November #bookspinbingo board.

3 Bingo's.
17 Books completed.
0 DNFs. (yay!)

#bookspin (Nobody Knows You're Here) - completed.
#doublespin (To Cage A Wild Bird) - completed.

2⭐
• serial killer thriller • psychological • alternating timelines • a slew of characters • bloodline guilt • dual POVs •

Well, this turned out to be a disappointment. The first half was great—I was engaged and following along easily. Then, at the halfway mark, the format changed drastically. Between the rapid POV changes, timeline jumps, and influx of new characters, I struggled to make sense of it all.⬇️⬇️⬇️

4.5⭐
This was a quick, engaging listen. It was intense and twisty with great character development—ideal for spending a day with or pulling yourself out of a slump.
🎙️The narration was a treat, and everyone performed excellently.

Here is my December #booksinbingo list. Can't believe it's the final list of 2025...

@TheAromaofBooks

4.75⭐
This can be read before, after, or as a standalone. Just be prepared: ghosts play a major role. Upon finishing this, I learned that the story is loosely based on the real-life crimes depicted in the Netflix documentary: Into the Fire. Watching it the same night I finished the book, I was amazed by how she skillfully integrated aspects of this story into Andrea's. It grounded it in reality, while the ghostly aspect let it soar.⬇️⬇️⬇️

3.5⭐(Light Pick)
This had interesting characters and a compelling premise. It started strong but then dragged in the middle, and while the action eventually picked up, some elements became too over-the-top for my taste.
🎙️Even though my interest waned when this story got a little wonky, I‘m still all in on Graphic Audio doing thrillers. Please do more of them.

4⭐
Bound is a quick, easy listen—somewhere between a short story and a novel in length. While it took a bit to gain momentum, once it did, I was hooked. The MMC was such a treat—he is definitely an old soul, and the banter between him and the FMC was pure gold. The second half felt rushed and could have benefited from a little more angst and emotional depth.⬇️⬇️⬇️

4.25⭐
I really like Heather Gudenkauf's books, and this is no exception. Don‘t miss out on this one. My only issue was the bizarre narration choice—not the narrators themselves, who are great, but the decision to use a different narrator for one POV while leaving the others (including the sole male POV) with the primary narrator. It made no sense.

3.75⭐
Jewel E. Ann is the perfect writer for people who like their romances a little messy—as in, not your average cookie-cutter love story. This one was no exception. This wasn't quite as emotionally powerful as some of her other work, but it was still quintessentially her writing style.
🎙️Charlotte North and Robert Hatchett narrated capably, though they didn't particularly impress me.

3.25⭐(Could be a Pick for some)
Honestly, with its 80s hair band vibes, I should've loved this. Instead, I only liked it—with significant caveats. One being the sluggish pacing, the other was that the humor didn‘t always land with me. If you like movies (Naked Gun/Police Academy) with that kind of absurdity, OTT humor going on, then this could be perfect for you.⬇️⬇️⬇️

3.5⭐(mostly a Pick)
On the surface, this has everything I could want in a book. I‘m always down for a good dystopian story, especially one with romance. Unfortunately, while mostly solid, it was predictable and didn't bring anything fresh to the genre. The romance also felt forced/rushed, and overall lacked believability. That being said, if I had read this back in the day, I probably would‘ve loved it.
🎙️Nikki Massoud‘s narration was decent.

3.5⭐(Pick-ish)
This might be perfect for Taylor Swift fans, though it didn't quite work for me. I typically enjoy both musically driven stories and puzzling murder mysteries, and while this was entertaining enough, it didn't blow me away—possibly due to believability issues. That said, I've been a tough sell lately.
🎙️The narration by Deborah McBride was decently performed.

5⭐
A woman, kidnapped and thrown into extreme circumstances, must navigate psychological warfare while trying to comprehend her situation and hopefully find escape. Spanning several years, this isn't an easy read, but it isn't overly gratuitous with violence either. It's emotional but not overwrought. Informative without excessive detail. A deep dive into the world of trafficking that had me hooked. The narration had me immersed in the story.

4.75⭐
This strikes an excellent balance between character development and action, emotional depth, and compelling plot. I stayed invested throughout. While the main conflict could've been resolved a touch sooner, the epilogue made it all worthwhile.
🎙️Linsey Dorcus and Moniqua Plante were excellent.

3.25⭐
The performance was fantastic. The story was entertaining for the most part. The ending…wait, was there an ending?

3.25⭐
Despite being invested in the story, overall, I was disappointed. I expected this to focus more heavily on dystopian elements. When in reality, it can only be vaguely referred to as such. Very vaguely. Also, focusing on a single POV undermined the reality TV premise. We were trapped in a single perspective rather than getting multiple viewpoints. The result was a thought-provoking but agonizingly slow burn that ultimately didn't deliver.

5⭐
A distinctively unforgettable take on a vampire-esque tale that is bloody good. This sequel to Blood Like Mine delves into the origins of Moonflower's transformation, taking readers on a compelling journey. I loved this—from its dark brutality to its exploration of how far one would go for family. It does not disappoint.⬇️⬇️⬇️

My November #bookspinbingo board. I broke Brimstone, the lunker, into two parts.

@TheAromaofBooks

3⭐
I loved Such Sharp Teeth by this author, but every book since has left me chasing that high without ever catching it. The potential for something good was there, but between the unlikable MC and the lackluster plot, I couldn't stay engaged and found myself surface-listening throughout.
🎙️I'm honestly not sure whether the narrators, Alex Finke and Natasha Soudek, contributed to my feelings about this book or not.

My October #bookspinbingo board. I only had four books I didn't get to,..so, a pretty good month.

I finished my #bookspin and DNF'd by #doublespin.

@TheAromaofBooks

2.5⭐
• mystery thriller suspense • isolated setting • unlikable MCs • alternating timelines • alternating POVs •
I should probably part ways with this author, but she utilizes some of my favorite narrators, so I keep giving her another chance. Her characters are so whiny and uninteresting that she makes even my favorite narrators sound off their game. Unfortunately, the character's shortcomings ruined the whole vibe for me.

•My Score 4.54/10•

My November #bookspinbingo list. I can't believe the year is almost over.

@TheAromaofBooks

3.5⭐Light Pick
I nearly DNF'd this early on due to the slow, monotonous pacing. I hung in there due to the narration. It‘s performed like a duet but with multiple narrators, and that is where it shines. Eventually, the pace picks up with a thickening plot interspersed with adrenaline-infused action sequences. The ending was a tad confusing, and the whole thing was a little OTT, but overall, not bad.

2.75⭐
While the compelling premise kept me engaged, the execution ultimately fell short. The writing needed some polish; some of the characters' actions often felt inauthentic or just plain wrong. Worst of all, the ending left countless loose threads dangling. Why introduce plot elements you have no intention of resolving?

4.75⭐
This has an interesting time-travel aspect that doesn‘t get bogged down with the science of it. So it‘s perfect for someone who gets tripped up by too much technical jargon. It also leaves you feeling like it‘s completely feasible in the near future. I may have hoped for different fates for some characters, but ultimately everything worked out exactly as it should.

3.5⭐Light Pick for me
I loved Every Last Lie by RV, so I thought I‘d give this a try even though I knew there was a good chance I wouldn‘t care for it. Urban Fantasy doesn‘t always work for me, and while this was filled with reasons for readers to love it, I just wasn‘t one of those readers. Despite my reservations, I did like it…it delivered a solid message in a remarkable way.
🎙️Gabra Zackman gave a remarkable performance with lots of voices.

4.5⭐
If you enjoyed the chill, playful vibe of Zombieland, this is probably your kind of zombie book. But if you want something serious and graphically intense, this might not be for you. For me, this zombie apocalypse style was perfect, and the dynamic between the MCs was entertaining. I will be continuing the series. The narration was performed perfectly by Cassandra Campbell.

3.75⭐
Sure, the slow-burning plot burned a little too slowly, and the characters were unlikable…but this book is wild AF. Super-graphic-nasty scenes, shit-tastic husbands, shady deals, one bat-shit crazy grandma, a book club that likes to read trashy crime novels (what's wrong with that?), and one deplorable vampire are just some of what you'll find within these pages. All that, and it still manages to be funny, too.⬇️⬇️⬇️

2.5⭐
• fantasy historical • magic • light dark academia vibes • ya friendly content • awkward romance • folklore/urban legends • single POV •

Was this adult, because it felt ya? Was it historical or modern times, because everything was so underdeveloped that I couldn‘t tell? Was this magical because they threw the word magic around a whole lot? This was my first Stephanie Garber novel, and it didn‘t really impress me much. The narration was fine.

3⭐
The writing was solid, so I can't say this book was terrible. It just wasn't for me. The book dragged on with an overwhelming cast of characters, leaving me struggling to keep up with the intricacies of the plot.
🎙️While Jeremy Carlisle-Parker narrated well, different narrators for each POV might have made it easier to follow.

4⭐
This blends darkness with humor effectively. I mostly enjoyed it, though the pacing dragged in several spots and I found my attention wandering. Still, it's a solid effort that some readers will absolutely love.
🎙️•Pete Cross's narration suited the story and character perfectly.

4.5⭐
I enjoyed this more than Bride, and I think that maybe I went into Bride with an attitude that I wasn‘t going to like it, but I ended up doing so, anyway. For Mate, I went into it knowing what I was getting, and I think I let myself enjoy it more. Ali Hazelwood can write some angst…angst that even my cold, dead heart felt. I have to give her props for that. Not going to lie, though; the knotting thing still freaks me out.⬇️⬇️⬇️

3.5⭐(Light Pick)
A wildly inventive concept with a twisted ending, but the writing left me feeling like I was on the outside looking in instead of in the thick of it. This only served to make it feel like it dragged on too long—especially given how it ended.
🎙️•James Babson was okay, not sure if he contributed to my feelings on this one or not.

3.75⭐
Well, that was an experience. I'm not saying it was all good—for the majority of the book, you have to just go with it despite not having a damn clue WTF is going on. The ending brings enlightenment that makes it all worth it, somehow.
🎙️Stephanie Nemeth Parker‘s narration was excellent; she definitely nailed the tone.

4⭐
The first time I read this, I gave it 3 stars because it was difficult to follow. I recently watched the TV show on Prime, and I loved it, despite knowing the crazy twist ahead of time. The show gives the story everything the book is lacking. It has backstories for characters, fills in the gaps of the story, and essentially gives it much more depth. I‘d give the show 5+ stars easily.⬇️⬇️⬇️

4.25⭐
I really enjoyed this one. I found myself relating to some of the characters' feelings and was genuinely engaged throughout. I jokingly guessed, “watch it be blankity blank,” and I ended up being right. Did it lessen my enjoyment? Not at all; in fact, it was more like the opposite, as it easily kept me second-guessing.
🎙️A different narrator for Rose's past POV sections would have reduced my confusion. Aaron Shedlock was great, though.

3⭐(could be a Pick for some)
I wanted to like this more than I actually did. It often felt like action scenes occurred without explanation for how we got there. It has a cool concept, and at a different point in my life, I might've loved this. As it stands, though, the execution fell short.
🎙️•Both Tiffany Bache and Neil Thorne could use improvement, though neither was outright bad.

2⭐
• mystery thriller • P.I. amateur sleuthing • psychological aspects • disappearing orphans • fast-paced • single POV •

There could've been a decent story here, but the inept private investigator, the sloppy writing, and the wholly unbelievable situations left me unable to see it.
🎙️Michelle H. Lee‘s narration must‘ve been working on some level since I kept listening to this.

3.5⭐Light Pick
I thought the snowstorm would play a bigger part in the plot than it did, which disappointed me. Who knew this was going to go in the direction it did, especially towards the end, not me. While I‘m always for a good cult story, things definitely get dicey in this one and take a one wild ass turn, which is unfortunately difficult to follow and possibly swallow.
🎙️Isabella Tugman is a “new to me” narrator, and she was decent.

My OCTOBER #bookspinbingo board is ready to go.

@TheAromaofBooks

4⭐
This features a slow-burn romance with satisfying buildup and occasional steamy moments, all set against an apocalyptic fantasy backdrop. I sensed where the story was headed and was relieved to be right—it could have crashed and burned so easily.
🎙️It feels like this was a waste as a GraphicAudio production since it essentially only has two characters for the majority of the story. But I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

3.75⭐
The story alternates between the evil Aunt Clara's perspective, whom you'll love to hate, and her newly orphaned nieces, who move in with her. While the nieces' viewpoints gave the story a YA feel, they're what kept me engaged and made the story worthwhile. Unfortunately, the pacing dragged at times, and I found myself wishing it would move along more quickly.
🎙️The narration was fantastically performed.

My OCTOBER #bookspin list.

The first 9 books are for Halloween Bingo. Not picking actual books yet for the remaining squares because I've been DNFing so many books, lately.

@TheAromaofBooks

My final results for September #bookspinbingo. A decent month of books. I finished all except one (In the Veins of the Drowning). Including my #bookspin and #doublespin.

Six of these were DNFs, plus 3 more DNFs that are not pictured. I'm clearly in my DNF era.

I also finished 3 additional books not on the board.

@TheAromaofBooks

4.25⭐
I loved Tasha Coryell‘s debut. While this one didn‘t hit quite as high as Love Letters to a Serial Killer did, it still brought the same unhinged energy and put yet another unconventional twist on the serial killer thriller.
🎙️Sarah Mollo Christensen did a decent job with the narration. She isn‘t a fav, but I don‘t dislike her, either.

4⭐
Despite its unbelievability, it ended up being wildly binge-worthy and quite thrilling.
🎙️Renata Friedman grew on me as I listened.

4.75⭐
I flew through this story and was genuinely moved by it. Although many readers share my positive reaction, I have noticed that there are quite a few who disliked it. I saw common complaints about disliking the MC, her repetitiveness, and believability issues. I'll admit the MC's thoughts were repetitive, and some story elements strained credibility, but neither bothered me much—I was too invested in the story for it to diminish my enjoyment.