firewhiskeyreader

I have several ARCs of books that I was really excited to read and I’m so looking forward to telling you about them! Although I only listed three in the title and have three covers included in the photo, I actually also am going to include a quick DNF review of Work in Progress by Kat Mackenzie. Before we dive into talking about Flirting with Disaster by Naina Kumar (already out!), Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen (out Tuesday!), and The Favorites by Layne Fargo (already out!), I need to shout out Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copies. I did read two of them via the provided e-book, but I listened to The Favorites/read my BOTM copy largely due to having heard such fantastic things about the audiobook that I decided to just hold off on reading it with my eyeballs. But with that being said, let’s talk about these books, shall we?

Flirting with Disaster
by Naina Kumar

What a way to start off my reading year! Flirting with Disaster was my first book of 2025 and I really loved it. I think Kumar has just launched herself to the status of an auto buy author for me. Both of her books have been emotional in a way that I’ve adored, complete with character development for days, plus they’re sexy and full of chemistry. Flirting with Disaster is a Sweet Home Alabama inspired novel, but it is also very much its own thing. It takes the premise of SHA in that it’s about Meena returning to Houston to get a divorce from her husband, whom she hasn’t seen for seven years. But then the two of them wind up having to survive a hurricane together and the way that this man has pined after her for SEVEN years… Y’all, my heart. And the angst!!! So good. 

Yin Yang Love Song
by Lauren Kung Jessen

I read Yin Yang Love Song toward the end of January, which capped my month off so well considering I began with Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookstore. Both books have such a theme of burnout, which given where I am in my life, felt so relatable. Maybe sometimes too relatable. Anyway, all that to say, this book is about Chryssy, who quit med school and is now working at an inn her aunts run where they use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to heal heartbreak. The thing is, her family genuinely believes that the women in the family have been cursed to never have a successful romantic relationship. Meanwhile, Vin is a professional cellist who plays rock covers with his brother, who is currently dealing with a heartbreak. The two of them are caught in a photo that makes it look like they’re more romantically involved than they are, but the two of them decide to seize the moment and use the public’s interest to help sell tickets for Vin and Leo’s tour and to promote the new tea line that Chryssy and her aunts have created. This romance truly does feel like it’s about healing. So if you are into a healing narrative, this gives that vibe, but with a cohesive storyline and not in almost vignette form. Overall, I really enjoyed this one, I just wish I hadn’t dragged it out so long. I always enjoy a book more when I sit down and read it in one or two sittings, but that’s on me. What I’m getting at though is that I absolutely think you’ll enjoy it if the things I’ve mentioned sound appealing!

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

I keep seeing The Favorites compared to Daisy Jones and The Sixand on the one hand, I totally agree. Actually, I almost entirely agree and this is precisely the kind of thing that I would appreciate as a comp. A book that makes characters feel real about a thing that I otherwise wouldn’t have cared too terribly much about with the multimedia focus and full cast audio to handle the interviews? My ideal fiction novel, honestly. On the other hand, I do feel like The Favorites is actually better described by looking at Carrie Soto is Back with a blend of Daisy for the interview format excerpts. Because if we’re talking characters, Kat has the exact same will and drive to win no matter the costs as Carrie Soto. And furthermore, I think this book is very much Kat’s book in the way Carrie Soto is Carrie’s book, but Daisy is actually about the full band and Daisy (just mostly about Daisy and Billy). 

But let me turn away from comparing this book to other books because that’s not fair. The Favorites is about Katarina Shaw, who from the time she saw Sheila Lin and Kirk Lockwood win their second gold medal in ice dancing said, “That’s going to be me one day.” She and Heath Rocha become partners, best friends, and eventually more than that, despite being so young. From the get go in this book, you see how much Kat is willing to suffer, willing to sacrifice, to be the best. And you can also tell that Heath is in this sport because Heath is there for Kat. This book follows Kat and Heath, by way of Kat specifically, from the time they’re 16 until… Well, let me not tell you when. While I was reading this book, I had no idea what was coming next. I was having a lot of feelings, I wasn’t sure how to feel about a variety of things, and I was so deeply invested. I did the thing where I would get so anxious about what was about to happen that I paused the book at least twice. In case it wasn’t clear, I would HIGHLY recommend this book and I do think that the audiobook is a fantastic way to read it.

Work in Progress
by Kat Mackenzie

For me, this book started off so strong. The main character was annoying, but in the way that I would be when I’m hungry and exhausted and also a little heartbroken. But then, she just stays stagnant. Like, you’ve slept and had some food, so can you have more of a personality than just bantering with the tour guide? No? Okay. And then there’s the HP reference and as an HP girlie, I get it, but also, we don’t like JKR now and so we don’t really need to bring it up when there is no reason to do so. Anyway, I made it 37% in and having to pick it up is making me not want to read anything, so I’m just going to go ahead and call it quits. 

Closing Thoughts

Despite two DNFs this month, I’ve had a remarkably strong start to the year. I hope your reading year is starting off equally strong and that although things in the real world may feel completely awful, you’re still managing to conserve your sanity. Sending so much love into the universe toward you because I know we all need it. In the meantime, if you feel like letting me know what your favorite read of January has been so far, I’d love to know. Or if you have opinions about any of these books?

xx