What to Read & What to Skip: My November Reading List
Check out the romance books I read this month and discover which I would recommend you read and which romance novels I suggest you skip.
*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
As always, it’s my goal to help romance book readers find the best romance books worth reading. There are SO many romance books available, so why waste your time reading a mediocre book?
Every month I feel like I’m never going to get through enough books on my TBR list but by month’s end I’m always pleasantly surprised by how many I was able to fit into my busy life.
Other than the first book I read, November turned out to be new releases month with almost all of the books I read being books released in November or at the very end of October.
And let me just tell you that almost all were incredible!
Seriously, get ready to add a number of books to your own TBR list because I read some real gems this past month that I know you’ll love too.
Sadly, my one miss for the month was my selection for the November Romance Book Reading Challenge, but that’s the breaks sometimes.
This month I also got in a festive mood and started reading holiday romance books, many of which made my best Christmas romance books list!
Without further adieu, check out my favorites and my not-so favorites books that I read in November below.
My November 2020 Reading List: What to Read & What to Skip
Favorite Books of the Month:
Santa Maybe Baby
by S. Doyle
Published October 2020
An Opposites Attract, Christmas Romance
5 stars
Joy is the head ornament designer at the Christmas decoration company, Kane Co. As an artist, it’s her dream job but unfortunately it means also having to work with the uptight CFO, W.B. Darling.
He completely rubs her the wrong way, and is even going on blind dates to find a wife, so why are they hanging out together….and kissing?
I adored this Christmas romance – which may technically be a novella but it felt like a complete book to me and left me oh so satisfied.
This book had a great storyline, perfect character development and a love story that will truly tug on your heart strings.
If you love opposites attract or office romance stories or are simply looking for a great book to read over the holidays, I can’t recommend this book enough.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Christmas Romance Books, Office Romance Books
Charming Co-Worker
by Laura Runow and Jeannine Colette
Published November 2020
*advanced reader copy
A Fake Relationship, Office Holiday Romance with the Best Book Boyfriend
4.5 stars
Katie’s wanted her boss for so long and this Christmas she’s going to get her man. She just needs a bit of help becoming a vixen this holiday to score her man’s attention.
Her co-worker, Hunter is more than willing to help her and proposes a fake relationship to make her boss jealous. But the more time she spends with Hunter, the more she realizes her boss may not be the man she wants after all.
I loved everything about this Christmas romance book. The chemistry between Katie and Hunter was hot and only grew stronger during their “fake” relationship.
Hunter totally ranks as one of the best book boyfriends who truly notices the girl.
This book had it all – an exciting office romance, a sweet fake relationship, and a wonderful storyline with many hilarious pun jokes! A must read for the holidays.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Christmas Romance Books, Office Romance Books, Fake Relationship Books
A Very Bossy Christmas
by Kayley Loring
Published October 2020
A HOT, Office Holiday Romance with a Fake Relationship
5 stars
The professional line has definitely been crossed between Declan and his assistant Maddie.
First, he asked her to be his fake girlfriend and attend his family’s holiday events in exchange for giving her Christmas day off. And now they’re waking up together after a night of drunk, angry sex.
Declan needs his assistant by his side this holiday season, even if she claims to hate him. But it’s time he got it together or do the most unprofessional thing of all and fall for her.
Best book boyfriend alert! This is what a Christmas romance book should be. It was so good I just couldn’t put it down.
Declan and Maddie burned up the pages with their hate to love chemistry. The texting was oh so good and the writing just witty and hilarious. It was not only hot but also incredibly sweet and tender with the perfect amount of holiday cheer.
A must read every year during the holidays!
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Christmas Romance Books, Office Romance Books, Fake Relationship Romance Books
More Books To Read and Those to Skip:
Little Lies
by H. Hunting
Published November 2020
*advanced reader copy
A Heart Tugging Romance About Soulmates
4 stars
Kodiak was always Lavender’s savior, but even as her savior, he hurt her. His little lies were meant to protect her but it’s hard to maintain the lies when all he wants is her.
I have always loved Helena Hunting’s books which are full of wit and humor, but I’m now loving her turn as H. Hunting with this grittier, more angsty, new adult romance debut.
Hunting presents a gripping story that looks at whether you can truly find your soulmate as a young child. And if you can find that one person who truly “gets you,” how do you distinguish the line between support and dependence?
If you’re looking for a romance with a bit of angst and a lot of heart, then check out this college romance.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: College Romance Books
Make Me Yours
by Melanie Harlow
Published November 2020
*advanced reader copy
A Sweet, Friends to Lovers Romance
4 stars
Cheyenne has been in love with her brother’s best friend for years but he was always the man she couldn’t have. All it took was one accidental text to let her crush out of the bag.
Now she’s finally with the man of her dreams but is he willing to put his heart on the line again, for her?
You are going to love this story about Cheyenne and Cole. The build up to their relationship was filled with such tension and that text message – OMG!
I loved this friends and neighbors to lovers story that was both sexy and sweet. One of Harlow’s best.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Friends to Lovers Romance Books
The First Time We Met
by Jo Lovett
Published November 2020
*advanced reader copy
A Star Crossed Romance that Missed
2 stars
Izzy never believed in love at first sight until she ran into Sam. She asked him out, only to discover it was his wedding day. Years later when their paths cross again and everything’s changed, will the stars finally align or has too much time passed for true love to overcome?
While I loved the idea of this book, I just didn’t enjoy it. Part one was fantastic but the rest of the book was way too repetitive with Izzy waffling in her choices and Sam never stepping up for his children or with Izzy.
I wouldn’t even call this a slow burn because the burn wasn’t really there and despite the long wait for the happy ending, I found it underwhelming.
This is Lovett’s debut novel and I foresee great works in her future given her writing, but this story just fell flat.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
My Fake Christmas Fiance
by Julie Kriss
Published October 2020
A Contemporary Romance to Definitely Skip
3.5 stars
Who knew that a company’s merger plans would force a marriage? The do-gooder may have agreed to marry the playboy by midnight on Christmas Eve, but all she’ll really agree to is a fake engagement. They have absolutely nothing in common, so it’s just a business deal. It doesn’t matter that he’s her dream guy, right?
While you have to get over some crazy shenanigans like a merger being dependent on a marriage and a father disappearing to Tibet, this is a really cute Christmas romance novella.
I adore marriage of convenience love stories and this one was a really fun read, I only wish we got even more depth from each character.
It totally hooked me on the other two novellas in the series which I loved!
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Office Romance Books, Marriage of Convenience Romance Books, Christmas Romance Books
How My Brother’s Best Friend Stole Christmas
by M. O’Keefe
Published October 2020
A Friends to Lovers Christmas Romance with Feels
4 stars
Sophie Kane has been in love with her brother’s best friend for years and this Christmas she’s finally going to do something about it. All dressed up for the Kane Co. holiday party, she just wants Sam to notice her.
When the power goes out, she might just get her wish but when the lights turn back on, he pushes her away. She’s now done with the former Marine, and yet he’s been hired on as her new employee and he’s not ready to let her go.
Oh this book was so good – a great mix of friends to lovers angst with a heartfelt story that gives a real look at veteran’s PTSD.
Even for a novella, you could easily see the chemistry between Sophie and Sam from the start and want to root for their happy ending. I definitely recommend this read.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Friends to Lovers Romance Books, Christmas Romance Books, Office Romance Books
One Time Only
by Lauren Blakely
Published November 2020
A MM Romance Between Rock Star and His Bodyguard
3.5 stars
I’m the bodyguard tasked with protecting Stone. Nowhere in my job description does it say I should lust after the sexy rock star. But one night we combust and there’s no going back.
For the first half of the book, even I was getting blue balls waiting for them to finally act on their attraction, then it was ALL about the sexy times between these two.
I did enjoy reading it and it’s what I’ve come to expect from Blakely – a good story with lots of steaminess.
If you like MM romances and books with bodyguards, then check this one out.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: MM Romance Books, Rock Star Romance Books, Office Romance Books
Maybe This Time
by Lauren Blakely
Published October 2020
A MM Romance Prequel Novella
4 stars
There’s one thing and one thing only that Jackson needs and that’s a job. He’s excited to score an interview with a popular rock star, but what he didn’t anticipate was the intense he attraction that he feels for his new boss.
This is a great prequel novella leading up to Blakely’s MM release, One Time Only.
While you don’t have to read it before reading One Time Only, I really enjoyed it and it was fun to see their instant connection during the interview.
Related: MM Romance Books, Rock Star Romance Books, Office Romance Books
Down Too Deep
by J. Daniels
Published October 2019
A Single Parent Romance To Make You Believe in Love
4 stars
When Nathan lost his wife, he let his parents raise his baby girl while he lost himself in his restaurant. But when his parents give him an ultimatum to step up, he needs to find childcare fast.
Jenna is happy to watch Nate’s little girl, and the more time she and her two kids spend with Nate and his daughter, the more she can’t help but fall for the family they seemed to be building.
This was such a feel good story between two single parents who just click.
I loved how the connection grew not just between Nathan and Jenna but between them and each other’s kids as well.
If single parent romances are your jam, definitely put this one on your TBR list.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Warning Track
by Carrie Aarons
Published November 2020
*advanced reader copy
A Sweet Baseball Romance Between Manager and Player
4 stars
Colleen has always been ready to take her place and run the family’s professional baseball team. She just didn’t expect to take on the role after her father went to prison. Everyone expects her to fail but she won’t let that happen – as long as she can keep her relationship with the new star veteran a secret.
This is my favorite Aarons book yet and I can tell this is going to be such a great series.
Colleen and Hayes couldn’t deny their attraction despite it being a real “no-no” for them to get together. I loved their backstories and the dual POV was great to understand what each was feeling and struggling with.
Check this out if you like baseball romances or books where the woman excels in a male dominated world!
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Related: Sports Romance Books, Baseball Romance Books, Office Romance Books
Pining
by Stephanie Rose
Published November 2020
*advanced reader copy
An Office Romance with a Sweet, Slow Burn
4 stars
Anthony paid for his youthful mistake, but now he’s out of jail and trying to make it up to those he disappointed and deserve a second chance. When he meets Victoria he can’t help but get swept up in her beauty and her passion for comic books.
If only she wasn’t the daughter of his new boss, maybe things could be different. Then again, they could never be different for a guy like him.
Oh, how I love a romance where the hero has to fight his own inner demons before he can find and accept love.
This was a sweet, slow burn romance between the ex-con and the boss’s daughter who saw the man beyond his record.
My first Stephanie Rose book but not my last!
Related: Office Romance Books
What was your favorite romance book to read in November 2020? Share below!
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