Everything I read in March
... and how I'm resetting my reading for the rest of 2025
As I sit here writing this post, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve hit a wall with my reading routine. Since 2022, I’ve been consistently reading at a pace that I can no longer sustain. I joined #bookstagram (@bennetandthebookworm) in the spring of 2022 and spent two years reading ~100 books a year. There’s a post in me about the pressure/comparison trap social media places on the many aspects of our lives (reading included), but I’ll leave that for another day.
At the end of 2024, I stepped away from Instagram and have decreased my time on that platform even more in 2025. This has resulted in my reading slowing down as well. I have been intentionally trying to lower the amount of books I consume each year. I want to give myself the grace to listen to a playlist or podcast when I want to, instead of my audiobook to hit some arbitrary reading goal.
What this has resulted in, is me feeling disconnected with reading in general. I need a self-enforced reset. I am nearly done with my current audiobook and have 100 pages left of the library book I’m reading. Once I finish both of those I plan on giving myself a week (maybe two) hiatus on audiobooks—I’ll still physically read before bed as that’s how I unwind to fall asleep, but I expect it to be less pages than normal.
I’m hoping that the absence will make the heart grow fonder and help me ‘rediscover’ my reading routine. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll be taking a page out of Michelle Martin’s book, and restructuring my reading routine.
Phew… that was quite the intro!! Get your favorite bevvy ☕️ and let’s dive into the booktalk.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez | Romance | Would recommend
Justin is cursed when it comes to dating: every woman he dates goes onto find their soulmate the second after they break up. Thanks to a Reddit thread, Emma slides into Justin’s DM to say how she has the same problem. They come up with a plan: they’ll date each other, cancel out the curse, and when they break up, they’ll find their soulmate. Sounds like Good Luck Chuck right?
On the surface, it’s a romcom. But at the heart of the story both our MC’s are going through some sh*t. Jimenez has a way of unraveling a characters actions in a way that almost feels like a lesson in psychology. Jimenez books are hit or miss for me. This one settled somewhere in the middle. Justin was a top-tier book boyfriend. The characters were mature, the relationship had healthy communication, but my frustration lay with Emma’s actions (our gal had a lot to unpack). I would recommend but I’d say you shouldn’t expect this to be a fluffy romance.
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens | RomCom | Would recommend
Minnie and Quinn, were born at the same hospital on New Year’s Day meet on their thirtieth birthday and discover the many times their paths almost crossed before.
Yet another Cousens novel in my journey to get through her backlist. Her debut and my least favorite of hers to date (although I am a BIG fan, so know I still enjoyed this one). It had a slow start and felt a tad jerky until ~the halfway point. I loved the side characters, the London setting, and the clocks. My grip is that I think Minnie and Quinn’s relationship could’ve been built up more, at times it felt secondary to other plots driving the story forward. Now that I’ve read the book, I’m eager to watch the Netflix adaptation to see how it compares!
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley | Contemporary Romance | Highly recommend, amazing on audio!
Percy and Joe meet at a crowded campus bar in Berkley arguing about what makes the perfect song vs. perfect track. Joe, a musician, ends up asking Percy for feedback on one of his songs. A casual conversation with strangers turns into a friendship and partnership that spans years.
A pure nostalgia balm for millennials who are like Percy, music lovers. I adored this book from the first chapter. It’s not your ordinary love story. It starts off as a friendship which turns into a musical partnership and morphs into a slow-burn, will-they-won’t-they. I always find it captivating to see characters work through very specific crafts on paper (think in Book Lovers when Charlie and Nora work through edits) like we see with Joe and Percy in songwriting. Percy was such a singular character and I loved how Brickley portrayed her insecurities and thought processes—very relatable. After you finish, might I recommend the Bad On Paper Book Club episode as a good way to unpack the book!
French Braid by Anne Tyler | LitFic | Highly recommend!
A stirring, uncannily insightful family saga that illuminates the kindnesses and cruelties of our daily lives, the impossibility of breaking free from those who love us, and how close—yet how unknowable—every family is to itself.
Another backlist read I’ve been meaning to pick up and I’m glad I did! This was the palate cleanser I needed after (perhaps) too many romance/romcoms. It is character driven with very little plot and each chapter follows a Garrett family member. I was swept away by Tyler’s writing, and found myself chuckling throughout while also reflecting on my own families foibles. If you love Ann Patchett than this would be right up your alley.
Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker | Thriller | Would recommend, great on audio
A gripping story of motherhood and motherloss and the brutal, mighty things women do to keep themselves and each other alive.
This was a wonderful audiobook listen. I enjoyed the themes of motherhood and the realistic (and not romanticized) way Bieker portrayed a struggling mother on the page. I found the authors use of our MC writing letters to her mother to tell the story of her past, and the mystery of her mom being sent to jail, riveting. Such an engaging tool to move the story along. I did see both of the big twists coming, but it didn’t bother me. Rather I felt satisfied that I guessed correctly (am I the only one who does this with thrillers 😅?) Check-out,
if you want to go deeper on this one!First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison | RomCom | Would recommend
A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle-inspired love story.
Unfortunately I overhyped this one for myself. After falling for the Lovelight Farms series last year, I was convinced this would be my favorite book of the year and no one is more gutted than I am, that it wasn’t 🫠 Not to say I didn’t like Lucie and Aiden’s story, but I also didn’t feel attached to them. The book was too long, while somehow not being satisfying enough—more backstory pls! The needed more magic GD! Less time on air, more time in their lives outside of work, more Patty! Needless to say, I am a Borison stan and if she writes something, I’ll be reading it. I have faith the second book in this series, with adorable-bumbling weatherman Jackson as our lead, will be a winner.
And those are the books I read in March. I’m heading into April with renewed hope that I can reconnect with reading and get more quality reads in this month. Did you have a favorite read in March?? Give it a shout in the comments so I can add it to my never-ending tbr 😆
If you like what you read then please do share, like or drop a comment with. I appreciate it so much and it really helps me out!
XO,
MacKenzie
I have a copy of French Braid I found at a thrift store and now I’m excited to pick it up! Also have Madwoman on my TBR and may need to use a Libro.FM credit on Deep Cuts. What a month!
You had such a good month! And I definitely relate to the feeling of burning out on reading after being on booksta. I hope your reset provides the fresh start you’re craving! 🤍