I was hoping to finish a sixth book before the end of the day, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, so without further ado, here are my tradpubbed books of December this year!

A Gargoyle’s Guide to Murder by Gigi Pandian (audio, read by Julia Motyka)
As this is the ninth book in this series, I don’t have much more to say that I haven’t already said in previous reviews. I adore this cozy little fantasy mystery series. This particular book takes place in the UK, and it was nice to visit a few spots that I’ve been to IRL!

A Thief in the Night by KJ Charles (audio, read by James Joseph and Ryan Laughton)
This was a free-on-sale novella, a historical gay romance between a man who just became an earl (with an inheritance that amounts to a rundown mansion full of a hoarder’s rubbish, obviously no money) and the man who seduced and robbed him as he was heading to said rundown home. It was cute and sweet and delicious, and the narration was enjoyable.

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (audio, read by Tor Thom)
I don’t have access to the show, so I decided to read the book. And, um… well, let’s just say, this isn’t a gay romance despite what it claims. Oh, sure, the two MCs are two men with all the appropriate bits and acts (which make up roughly 60% of the story, notably, so if you don’t like spice, don’t pick this up), but this isn’t a gay story. It relies heavily on heteronormative tropes, gender roles, stereotypes, timelines, plot lines, and resolutions. It’s not a bad book. It’s just not gay. It’s straight-people romance involving two men. Performance was okay. I didn’t particularly like the Russian accent as if felt a bit too put on, but I’m generally picky about accents so this may just be me.

They Hate Each Other by AM Woody
Oh hey, I actually read a physical book! This is a cute enemies-to-lovers meets fake dating story, toned down for YA. On the one hand, a lot of the backstories of the two narrators, Dylan and Jonah, are carefully crafted to be extremely traumatic, but in a way that would keep the two from understanding that they’re both hiding trauma. Honestly, that part felt a bit contrived. Most of the setup felt contrived, actually. But once we got into the story and the characters had to deal with their issues (and each other), things not a lot better. I actually ended up really enjoying the book, and I appreciated that the author didn’t take the easy way out in any of these spaces.

Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun (audio, read by Jeremy Carlisle Parker and Cindy Kay)
Honestly, I’m not sure a book could be more designed for me. A late-in-life lesbian who decides to hike the Camino de Santiago with a group of queer folks, including the woman she accidentally came out to on the plane on the way there. Said woman is running from her bigoted family after they rejected her in her teens when she came out. I mean really, this is perfect, and it remained perfect all the way through. If I hadn’t read it over Christmas while I was in a major depression slump, it might have edged its way last minute into my favorites of 2025. As it stands, I might go back and revisit one day.