Book Club for Girls that Want to Make Friends and Drink Wine

Ok one more ~fall vibes~ book to bring us back from our October thriller! This book has been recommended by a few of our members and pitched as "evoking Howl's Moving Castle" vibes and I've also heard it described as similar to "you've got mail" but with gods?--anyways, what I'm trying to say is-- that was all I needed to hear to want to read this book 😉

Please remember to join us on Discord to discuss our current reads and vote on upcoming books! https://discord.gg/XRfZRTRXSU

Full synopsis:

Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the strange and magical wilds of Tanria. It’s an unforgiving job, and Hart’s got nothing but time to ponder his loneliness.

Mercy never has a moment to herself. She’s been single-handedly keeping Birdsall & Son Undertakers afloat in defiance of sullen jerks like Hart, who seems to have a gift for showing up right when her patience is thinnest.

After yet another exasperating run-in with Mercy, Hart finds himself penning a letter addressed simply to “A Friend”. Much to his surprise, an anonymous letter comes back in return, and a tentative friendship is born.

If only Hart knew he’s been baring his soul to the person who infuriates him most – Mercy. As the dangers from Tanria grow closer, so do the unlikely correspondents. But can their blossoming romance survive the fated discovery that their pen pals are their worst nightmares – each other?

In our second to last meeting of the year, let's all read a cozy holiday romance with a little time-loop twist! I look forward to discussing this with everyone!

Please remember to join us on Discord to discuss our current reads and vote on upcoming books! https://discord.gg/XRfZRTRXSU

Full synopsis:

One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners..

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

Hey, holiday hotties! Let's get together for our LAST meeting of the year and have a cute little white elephant gift exchange!

To participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped, unmarked gift valued between $20-$25. To participate in the gift exchange, you MUST bring a gift!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to message me and/or chat with us on Discord! https://discord.gg/XRfZRTRXSU

We will conduct the gift exchange following the below rules (don't worry, I'll keep us all on track!):

1. The game will begin with each player drawing a number from a bowl.
2. Round One - The player who has number 1 will select a wrapped gift from the table of gifts, and unwrap it – showing the item to the other participants.
3. Round Two - The second round; the player who has number 2 then has the option to either a) Take a gift from the table, unwrap it and show it to the other participants OR b) Steal the unwrapped gift from the first player. If this occurs, the first player selects another gift, unwraps it, and shows it to the group.
4. Subsequent Rounds - Each following round, the player with the next highest number has the option to open a new gift, or steal an already opened gift from a previous participant. Players who have a gift stolen from them have the choice to either open a new gift, or steal a gift from another player. A player cannot possess the same gift more than once in a round, though the same gift may travel through many hands in a single round. The round ends when each player who has already had a turn has a gift. A player can steal a gift they've already had in a later round, if the opportunity arises.
5. Penultimate Round - The player with the last number has the choice to take the last unwrapped gift, or to steal any of the opened gifts. The round ends when a player selects and opens the last unwrapped gift.
6. Final Round and Wrap Up - The final round goes back to the player with number 1. This player has the option to either keep the gift they ended up with, or force a trade for any other gift. Once this occurs, the game is over, and each player keeps the gift they have.

Scheduling this one SUPER far in advance, but honestly, let's not even pretend we won't be reading this book immediately 😘

Can't wait to see what Ms. Yarros has up her sleeve for this one! I will be sure to update the event as needed closer to the date 😜

Please feel free to speculate in the comments as to what may happen on this one, and as always, be sure you join our Discord to discuss theories! (and share memes & Reels).