Book Review: A Pack for Winter by Eilana Lee

 Sometimes,  a reader needs a bit of a cozy read.  Life has been really tough for me in the past 2 months, and when I saw this adorable cover peeking out among all the thrillers and tell-alls on Net Galley, I decided to request it! I just could not with another piece of yearning speculative fiction. 

It may be the ridiculous piece of enjoyment that got me through that last two weeks. 

This cover is adorable. I couldn't ferret out who exactly designed it, so I hope there is an actual designer behind it. 

    This is classic Omegaverse.  If you aren't sure what that is, the linked post on reddit explains it well.  I personally, can only really tolerate so much omegaverse at a time.  It's an interesting concept and the fact that is started as fanfic, and evolved is super interesting to me. 

   Our story is one of Ivy, a dedicated teacher and omega finding her pack.  One day she's lugging a fish tank around for her students, and then next she's basically being courted by 2 alphas and a very special beta male. So special, she names her beta fish after her beta male.  (ok folks, that may be considered a spoiler, my huge apologies) 

 There is nothing entirely stressful in this novel. Ivy and her pack go through some adjustment issues, and issues with her Ex. and some jealous co-workers, but overall... it is a delightful progression of a relationship pack.   I admit I was hoping for more Christmas, but this book isn't really a Christmas novel even though Christmas happens in the novel. 

   I especially loved that many of the characters were from different backgrounds- this enriched the story without being the main focus. 

So, if you are looking for something that is VERY spicy (4+ chili peppers!) and very low stress, this is a read you'll want to pick up.  Recommended with a cup of hot cocoa, and a cozy warm blanket!

Many Thanks to NetGalley, Eliana Lee, and Putnam for the advanced copy. 

First Published : 12/17/2024

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: mental health, jealousy, sexual content, emotional manipulation, bullying.

Not a full TW list, please read responsibly. 

Book Review Thirsty Ground By Kimber St. Lawrence 4/5 Stars

 Debut Novel Alert!!! 

Thank you to the author and Union Square and Co for the advance reader copy via Net Galley. 

I really have been trying to do only Advance Listener Copies this year because it takes me a touch longer to read a book with my eyes and my reading device has only been working intermittently.  Should I replace it?  Probably, but that is for a different day when I have E-reader money. 

I, have, however, been breaking this rule somewhat more frequently than I expected to and when I saw this on Net Galley, I had to have it.  The cover was just stunning - Shout out to the Balbusso Twins for this lovely cover. 

I mean, come on. The title tells me that water (my 2025 reading theme) is involved, and it's set in space!  This is like kryptonite for me. So... I hit that "request" button and uploaded it into my wonky e-reader. So- Let's get into it! 

Spoiler free synopsis:  (Because spoilers just suck!)

Decades after the Tsimmaon people's original planet became an arid planet, Conway and his friends train to join the elite class of hydro-seekers. He's the best in his class- he thinks, and he's wholly absorbed in the mission. Nothing is going to distract him, not pretty girls, not his friends, and not the hydro-seekers in the classes above him. He wants to be the Hero and he is certain that just one opportunity is all he needs. 

As is... often the case in actual life...things are more muddled.  

After a mission goes awry Conway is injured and left behind. Conway learns to survive in a new environment with new challenges, leading him - and others- to question their core mission and beliefs. 

This is Young Adult Space Opera and I enjoyed it. I had a few moments there at the end where I felt like I might be reading more Marie Lu. (not quite but there were some moments that pulled those same emotions out).   There is treachery, romance, jealousy, betrayal, double crosses, and subterfuge.  St. Lawrence gives the reader epic battles and chases, and a realistic portrayal of disability, while not slipping so far into the YA hero- arc as to become trite. 

There were a few points in the novel that didn't quite hang together as much as I wanted them too and a few chapters of dialogue that could have been more showing than telling, but when I got to the last chapters I was unable to put the book down as I had to know the outcome. And - whooooooo-eeeee

what an outcome. So much revealed in the last few chapters that I did not anticipate or expect. In fact, I was a little breathless with the twists and turns it took!  As a debut novel, it really was very good. 

This would be a fantastic book for YA book clubs (and possibly for certain adult clubs also) 

There's a lot to discuss-

-disability

-relationships

-trust and loyalty

-transformation

-perseverance and hope

-environmental responsibility and choices

and more, but these are the themes that I noted. 

STATS

First Published  May 2025

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book : not at this time 

Trigger Warnings:  death, violence, undead creatures, gun violence, spinal injury, 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

What's your favoite way to read?

 It's my opinion that the best way to read is usually curled up under a blanket on a rainy day, preferable with a snuggly pal. 

BUT - these days, it's all about format! When snuggled up with your pal, are you listening to a full cast audiobook production? Pulling out one of many books stuffed in a slim E-reader? or cracking the spine of a print book? 

After all, we have to "pick our poison"!

(American Institute of Pharmacy, jar and bottle display. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Theodor Horydczak Collection, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-H824-0224])

For me, I use them all.  But over the past 2 years I've gravitated strongly to audiobooks, mostly because I can play them in the car, at the gym, and on the couch. Plus, my eyes look at "close work" all week and I love giving them a break! I was sort of opposed to them for myself but then I decided to try one, and that opposition drifted right away. These days my least favorite is the e-reader. It may be MY e-reader- which is a relic, and is glitchy, and frustrating, but in general, if I can get it on audio, or in a print version, I'll do that before I use an e-book. Despite the portability of a book collection in an e-reader or even now with an app, I just...don't love the e-reader as much as i thought I would. 

  That said, I use the e-reader a lot as sending Advanced Reader Copies to e-readers is very economical for publishers and I'm never one to turn down an advanced copy of an anticipated book in ANY format.  Send it!  I love it. 

Sadly, use of audio and e-reader for me hasn't garnered a lot of savings, because... I mean... I often need a trophy book to sit on my shelf, to let the world (and by world, I mean, my house)  know I've read that fantastic book. 

After all:

(Bill Sokol, Artist 1966  https://lccn.loc.gov/2015647888)

So what's your reading format?  Has it changed over the years? let's chat in the comments!