Books Read in December 2025
- Gap Year by Lindsey Goldstein--This was an eARC I received from the publisher about a woman in her 40s who gets divorced and goes on a "gap year" in Ecuador while her 18-year-old daughter is on one in Spain. I found the Ecuador content interesting but I wasn't that into the writing or character. I do wish there were more books about older female protagonists taking journeys like this though.
- The Menorah Matchmaker (Matzo Ballers Hanukkah Romance #3) by Amanda Usen
- The Rugelach Road Trip (Matzo Ballers Hanukkah Romance #4) by Jessica Topper--I read the first two Matzo Baller books last year, and I love the concept and all the books I've read so far. They're interconnected (but standalone) books about 8 friends who studied abroad in Israel together and reunite each year on a "Matzo Ballers" boat cruise during Hanukkah that has become a premiere event for young Jewish couples and singles. The books are written by two real-life friends and they're planned so there's a little bit of overlap in each "set" of books (#1 and #2 take place the same year; #3 and #4 both take place the following year, etc.). The books are very Jewish, very sexy, and a lot of fun. I'm a little sad that there seem to be no plans for friends-to-lovers plotlines (e.g., none of the Ballers end up together--I guess so they can have 8 separate books), and also, all of them are straight cis M/F romances so far. Otherwise, these are everything you could want in fun Hanukkah romance reads!
- The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer--Another Hanukkah romance--this one is a second-chance romance from the queen of Jewish romance, Jean Meltzer herself, and it's a deliberate but Jewish and modern twist on A Christmas Carol. This one is a little more intense--trigger warning for pregnancy loss--but definitely heartwarming, thoughtful, and satisfying. Highly recommend!
- Three Days in June by Anne Tyler (Book club read)--I was a little apprehensive since Tyler has been a bit hit-or-miss for me but I liked this one. It was engaging, quirky, and very readable. I don't love how it ended or that *spoiler alert if you've never read a Tyler book*---Tyler apparently cannot get over her obsession with women leaving their marriages and then returning (IYKYK), but overall a good read.
- Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins--I knew this book would be propulsive and also break my heart, and it was, and it did. It was amazing how surprising it was given that we already knew the basics of what happened and I loved the insight it gives into Haymitch as a character and how well she conveys his voice, which is very different from Katniss'. Haymitch is much more emotionally and socially aware, and more deliberately rebellious than Katniss, and he unfortunately suffers for it, which makes a lot of sense with his portrayal in the later books. This was a wonderful last full read for the year.
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