Join The Discussion: December Book Club Picks

There’s something about December that invites a softer pace — colder mornings, earlier sunsets, twinkling lights, and the quiet pull toward reflection. It’s a month that naturally asks us to slow down, to notice the small moments, and to sit with our thoughts a little longer than usual. As the year comes to a close, there’s often a mix of nostalgia, gratitude, and anticipation in the air, making it the perfect time to reach for stories that feel comforting yet meaningful.

This month’s book club pick, One Day in December by Josie Silver, fits that season beautifully, unfolding as a tender, reflective story about timing, missed connections, and the quiet power of chance encounters. If you’ve ever wondered how much power a single moment can hold — one glance, one almost, one missed chance — this story leans fully into that idea.

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If you’re the type of person who believes in fate, chance encounters, and love that finds its way back around, you’ll fall hard for this one. One Day in December is made for romantic dreamers who enjoy emotional depth, layered relationships, and stories that unfold over time rather than all at once. It’s tender, thoughtful, and quietly unforgettable. Grab your copy HERE!

A Story Built on a Moment

One Day in December begins with what feels like a classic meet-cute: Laurie locks eyes with a stranger through a fogged-up bus window. It’s instant, electric, and fleeting. By the time she realizes what just happened, he’s gone.

What unfolds isn’t a traditional rom-com, but a slow, layered story about timing, friendship, love, and the many versions of “what if.” The book follows Laurie and Jack over the course of ten years — through relationships, heartbreaks, missed opportunities, and the quiet ways life reshapes us.

Why It Was a Perfect December Read

This book feels like winter — not just because of its setting, but because of its emotional tone. It’s reflective, cozy, and occasionally bittersweet. It reminds you that life rarely unfolds in clean, perfect arcs, and that sometimes love is messy, delayed, or unexpected.

It’s also a great reminder that December isn’t only about endings — it’s about pauses. About looking back. About recognizing the moments that changed us, even if we didn’t know it at the time.

What We Loved (and Talked About)

In true book club fashion, this pick sparked plenty of conversation:

How timing plays such a huge role in relationships
Whether love can survive years of missed chances
The complexity of friendships when emotions aren’t simple
How much we grow — and change — over a decade

Some of us found ourselves rooting hard for certain outcomes, while others appreciated that the story felt more realistic than fairy-tale perfect. It’s one of those books that leaves you thinking long after you turn the final page.

Final Thoughts

One Day in December is heartfelt without being overly sentimental, romantic without being unrealistic, and emotional in a way that feels honest. It’s the kind of book you want to read curled up under a blanket, maybe with a cup of coffee or tea, letting yourself slow down for a bit.

If December had a literary mood, this book would be it.

✨ If you read along with us, I’d love to hear your thoughts — what did you think of Laurie and Jack’s journey? Did the ending feel right to you?

Here’s to one last cozy read before we turn the page on a new year. 📖💫

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4.5/5)

This was an uplifting, feel-good story full of emotional depth, charming characters, and an engaging narrative.

Grab your copy HERE!

The Academy is for readers who love stories set in insular, high-pressure worlds where ambition, power, and secrets simmer just beneath the surface. It’s a great pick if you’re drawn to academic settings, complex characters, and narratives that explore hierarchy, competition, and the cost of belonging. If you enjoy books that feel a little dark, a little cerebral, and keep you questioning motives and loyalties, this one is likely to pull you in.

I really enjoyed The Academy because it was such an easy, entertaining escape. The boarding school setting, layered with secrets and social dynamics, kept the story moving and made it hard to put down. I loved the multiple perspectives and the modern twist of how quickly information spreads, even if not every storyline was fully wrapped up. It felt buzzy, dramatic, and perfect for a book club read that gives you plenty to talk about without feeling heavy.

This is the kind of book that works especially well if you enjoy observing characters navigate power, privilege, and belonging in closed-off environments. It doesn’t ask you to overthink every detail, but instead invites you to get swept up in the dynamics, the gossip, and the tension of it all. If you like stories that feel a little scandalous, a little messy, and very conversation-worthy, The Academy fits that bill perfectly.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

A fast-paced, juicy boarding-school drama with plenty of secrets, social tension, and modern twists. While the large cast can feel a bit crowded at times, it’s an entertaining, binge-worthy read that sparks conversation — especially for fans of ensemble stories and Elin Hilderbrand looking for something different.

Follow along with what I’m reading HERE!

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December always feels like an invitation to slow down and read a little more intentionally. Whether you’re savoring a quiet moment to yourself or squeezing in a few pages when you can, I hope this month’s pick gives you something to settle into and enjoy. I can’t wait to hear what you think and share in the conversation together.

xx,

Kim

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