Five Star Friday is my version of the monthly wrap-up. On the first Friday of each month, I will share my five-star reads from the previous month. Fingers crossed, I have lots of books to tell you about.
This month, I was able to read 29 books, and I had 2 five-star reads.
PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
Published by Berkley on December 3, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Goodreads
Maddie Sanderson would be proud to honor her older brother’s dying wish, that she scatters his ashes over eight destinations that the adventurous 29-year-old never got to visit before he died from cancer. But in his will, Josh assigned her an impossible partner to help complete the mission—Dominic Perry. Seriously, if Maddie weren’t already at his funeral, she would have killed him for this.
Sure, Dom was Josh’s life-long best friend. He’s also the infuriating man who broke Maddie’s heart back when she was naïve enough to give it to him. But since Dom insists on following the rules and Josh didn’t leave much room for Maddie to argue the matter, they embark together on a farewell trip that spans thousands of miles, exploring new places and revisiting their complicated history along the way.
After a snowstorm leads to a shared bed, Maddie starts to wonder if her brother might be matchmaking from the grave. But when grief also reopens old wounds between them, Maddie will need more than Josh’s ghostly guidance to trust Dom again.
I am trash for grief and loss stories as well as road trip books, and here, I had both! I loved the way Connelly showcased each location while also taking us along on Maddie's grief journey. There were so sad moments, obviously, but there was a lot of joy and humor as Maddie and Dom did their best to execute Josh's last wishes.
[review]
The Curious Kitten at Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi
Published by Penguin Books on February 4, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Goodreads
Your table awaits at the Chibineko Kitchen, where a soul-nourishing meal in the company of the resident kitten will transport you back in time to reunite with departed loved ones—for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and The Midnight Library.
In a remote seaside town outside of Tokyo, Kotoko makes her way along a seashell path, lured by whispers of an enigmatic restaurant whose kagezen, or traditional meals offered in remembrance of loved ones, promise a reunion with the departed. When a gust of wind lifts off her hat, she sees running after it a young man who looks like her recently deceased brother. But it’s not her brother; it’s Kai, the restaurant’s young chef, who returns her hat and brings her to the tiny establishment, where he introduces her to Chibi, the resident kitten, and serves her steaming bowls of simmered fish, rice, and miso soup—the exact meal her brother used to cook for her. As she takes her first delicious bite, the gulls outside fall silent, the air grows hazy, and Kotoko begins a magical journey of last chances and new beginnings.
Could you imagine getting to see your loved one one last time? At the Chibineko Kitchen, one could request a remembrance meal and the deceased may appear. These reunions were always lovely and emotional as well as touching and reflective. It was the heartwarming read I hoped it would be, and it filled my heart with joy.
[review]
Honorable Mention
January was packed with great reading. Here are my honorable mention books. All earned 4.5 stars.
- Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith
- If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley
- Foster by Claire Keegan
- Wreck My Plans by Jillian Meadows
- Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction by Shannon Richard
- Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa
- Back After This by Linda Holmes
- Anything for You by Kristan Higgins
- You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon
- Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey
- One Night, Two Holidays by Ali Brady
- Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley
- Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Let us know in the comments!
I had to return PS I Hate You and go back to the bottom of the list, but I will definitely get to it. The Curious Kitten at Chibineko Kitchen is only available in physical book from my library, so I will have to wait and read it after I get home. They both call to me. It looks like you had a great reading month, Sam.
ReplyDeleteI hate when my loan runs out. I just rechecked out Summers at the Saint. I am pretty sure the Libby app would have kept my place in the book. I had to return it before I found out how it ended. I hope you get to read both and cannot wait to see what you thought.
DeleteI just used an audible credit and got PS I Hate You. It has a long waitlist at the library and I want to be able to read or listen to it on my schedule.
DeleteI do hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
DeleteI read 9 books in January, and Penitence by Kristin Koval was my standout, five-star read!
ReplyDeleteLook at you exceeding your goal of a book a week.
DeleteI'd not heard of the Chibineko Cafe books but that sounds like it'd be a wonderfully emotional read. I'm chucking it on my emo reads radar! 😍 That Connolly book also sounds like a lot of fun! I'll have to keep my eye out for a good deal on that.
ReplyDeleteIt's emotional but in a good way. Unromance needs more hype. The book was fantastic! It's all the best parts of all romances.
DeleteI have the kitten one on my amazon wish list. Once I get a little more caught up on what I'm reading, I'm getting it!
ReplyDeleteWell, I will be awaiting your thoughts and I hope you love it!
DeleteThat's a good amount of books for the month.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much always hover around that number, so I am pleased.
DeleteWhat an incredible start to the reading year! I didn't find a 5-star read in January although I had a few close contenders. After reading your thoughts on both of these books, I've immediately added them to my TBR wishlist and I'm going to keep an eye out for a good sale so I can add them to my shelves asap, lol. Hope you're finding some great reads in Feb!
ReplyDeleteIt was a light 5-star month for me. Maybe we were both feeling that holiday hangover? I do hope you love these if you get to read them.
Delete