32. Circe

By Madeline Miller (393 pp)

Several of my writer friends and I have a bookclub that meets periodically and talks about books and craft. I enjoy the group but we often read books that aren't part of my current and very large "to be read" pile. They asked me to look at my TBR and pick some things the group might like and this is what we agreed on. What a wonderful book! The prose style is so beautiful and a delight to read. Circe is an immortal born to Helios, the sun god and into a family of vicious gods. She is banished to this island where she develops her powers as a witch, turns bad men into pigs, has a bunch of lovers both human and immortal, becomes a 5 star helicopter parent, and is a general badass. I wanted to read it again as soon as I finished.

31. Cowboy, It's Cold Outside

By Maisey Yates (320 pp)

See book #30. This is from the same best-of set. In this one, Sheena has overcome her father's death and sacrificed a lot to raise her sisters. Now she has an idea to start her own business with an axe throwing bar. Denver's father was a bad guy and responsible for the death above so Denver has felt responsible for Sheena's situation and helped where he could. He helps her with her business to consider his debt to her paid and they are determined to dislike each other except they are hot for each other.

30. Into the Woods

By Jenny Holiday (360 pp)

Did I already explain this? I bought the Fated Mates Best of 2025 boxed set. I'm helping the economy, everyone! Meanwhile, I have this stack of books here so I'm trying harder to read them because the best of 2026 is going to be here soon. 🤣 This is a summer camp story. Gretchen is done with terrible dates and dating apps and swears off men. Teddy's rock band just broke up and he's not happy about how that happened. They both end up at a summer camp for arts kids and you can guess what happens next.