Mysteries

I’m honestly a big fan of mystery style novels - specifically from the ‘cozy mystery’ genre. Although you will find some more traditional mysteries mixed in here, with the odd one that might leak over into the psychological thriller genre. But in general I stay away from anything too scary, morbid, or dark - nothing that would inspire nightmares.

The O’Malley Series by Dee Henderson

This is one of my favourite book series of all time. Each book tells the love story of a member of the O’Malley family, while they’re embroiled in the midst of a mystery. I’ve actually read all of the books in this series multiple times with my two favourites being The Healer and The Protector.

In keeping with Dee’s style of writing, each of the books tell a story of faith as well.

I highly recommend!

PG - 13

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

This is a “closed room” murder mystery set at a cabin in the mountains with a family where everyone has killed someone.

I really enjoyed the narrative voice and humour - dry, funny, and self-deprecating. I hope the next book this author releases will have a similar feel.

PG-13

Addendum: The two follow up books in this series: Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect, and Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret are both really great as well! Highly recommend the whole series.

The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman

Technically a ‘cozy mystery’ as a friend group from a retirement village chases down a murderer. In the middle of this they also deal with the pains that come from growing older. Somehow this book had me in suspense as well as in tears as it rushed to find it’s culprit while dealing with what it means to be human with a deadline on our time here in this life, and the tough choices that come with that.

PG-13

Addendum: I’ve also read other books from the series: The Man Who Died Twice and really enjoyed them

Miss Dimple Mysteries by Mignon F. Ballard

One of my favourite “cozy” mystery series of all time! Set in the southern States during WW2, the main protagonist is an elderly neighbour in a small town.

I love the warm community feeling of these books, as well as the interesting day-to-day tidbits of life during that time period - gas rations, women going to work to make up for men going to war, having to be creative with food and supplies.

I definitely recommend!

PG

Double Take by Lynette Eason

The first in a new series by Lynette Eason. I enjoyed this book - good suspense. I do find Lynette’s characters a bit . . . made up - if that makes sense. But I did still really enjoy the story.

PG-13

Private Justice Series by Irene Hannon

- Vanished - Trapped - Deceived

This series was my introduction to Irene Hannon, and I was instantly struck by the similarities between her writing and one of my favourite authors , Dee Henderson. This series is a faith based, mystery romance, series. And overall I really enjoyed them.

PG-13

Evie Blackwell Cold Case series by Dee Henderson

I really enjoyed Evie as a character, and seeing her interact with a new set of support characters in each book. These books are faith-based murder mysteries (note: Traces of Guilt does involve a cold case about a child, so it may not be a good read for everyone).

Usually Dee’s books involve romance, and I found it interesting seeing Evie not fall smoothly into the role, as the two books leave her love life unresolved. I really wish/hope that Dee will write additional books in this series.

PG-13

The Witness by Dee Henderson

The main protagonist witnessed a crime, and has been on the run ever since. Then she meets a police detective who helps bring the situation to resolution.

PG-13

PG - PG13 Rom Coms & Romance

I often find myself wishing that books had ratings like movies and tv shows have. As someone who tries my best to avoid explicit content in all of my entertainment, nothing is more disappointing then getting halfway through a rom com with likeable characters, and good writing and finding myself in the middle of an explicit sex scene. Let me help you avoid the same disappointment! Here are my favourite PG to PG-13 rated romcoms. (PS: if you have any recommendations for other books that fit this category, please send it in an email: hello@roxannelois.com)

The Enemy by Sarah Adams

A cute enemies to lovers romcom, where a series of misunderstandings set this couple up to dislike each other. But through growing up and a conscious choice to be vulnerable come to see, and like the other. I really enjoyed this book.

The main characters have other important family and friend relationships, and that are just as emotional and valuable to their growth and the story - which I appreciate. And the love and care that develops between the two main characters is so charming.

With only 1 fade to black, implied sex scene, this book was really quite clean.

PG - PG-13

Clouds by Robin Jones Gunn

A story of reunited first love. I’ve read this book multiple times - for some reason I find the story very compelling.

Faith based.

PG

Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl & Melissa De La Cruz

The fan fiction we’ve all wanted.

I think every girl who has read Little Women have wanted a version with a different ending for Jo & Laurie. I myself have re-written the Little Women story in my head so that these two best friends end up married. In this novel that is exactly what Margaret & Melissa do - they give us a happy ending for Jo & Laurie, and I loved it enough to purchase my own copy after returning the book to my local library.

PG

Borrow My Heart by Kassie West

This story is about teenager, which is not my favourite romcom genre (because I’m not a teenager lol), but it involves volunteering at an animal shelter, and a fake dating plot.

PG

PG-PG13 Christmas Rom Coms

I don’t know why, but this genre has a special place in my heart. I love a good cozy romcom with Christmas trees, and tinsel, and snow falling gently on a holiday market.

Faking Under The Mistletoe by Ashley Shepherd

My favourite Christmas romcom to date. This is based around a fake dating situation with a Christmas lover and a grinch. The comedic element actually hit, and I actually found myself chuckling while reading the banter between the characters.

Pushes close to the upper end of PG-13, but I think ultimately avoids being too explicit, and there are no full sex scenes.

PG-13

A Cross Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh

Like all Christmas romcoms, this book resembles a Hallmark film in that it’s a little basic, a little predictable, and somehow this is exactly what we want. In my original notes I wrote, “cute, heart-warming, Hallmark” as the descriptors.

PG-13

All I Want For Christmas by Maggie Knox

A reality music competition show. A fake dating scenario. A cabin in the mountains. . . a good classic romcom.

There were a couple points where the books reached the high end of a PG-13 rating, but still squeaked in under the explicit line.

PG-13

Others

Books that don’t fit into one of my normal genres.

The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas by James Patterson

This is a Christmas family drama. It begins with a family a few years after their mother passed away. This story starts with a dating profile and a series of mysterious gifts that correspond with the 12 days of Christmas.

Over the days the family comes back to life and learns to celebrate the season once again.

PG

Fantasy

The Lunar Chronicles

I’ve never been a huge fantasy reader, but I truly loved this series. The reimagining of classic fairytale characters into a mechanical, futuristic fantasy world. I enjoyed the stories, the overarching arc, and the characters.

This series had a very “classic” type feeling to it. I believe this series is categorized as Young Adult fiction, but the complexity would definitely mean older teenagers.

PG-13

Pre-teen/Teen

These are some of my favourite books for pre-teens and teens. These are novel style books, but specifically written for earlier readers both in style and content.

I Want To Go Home by Gordon Korman

An absolute classic! A book that will have you chuckling along with the antics of Rudy and his new friend Mike while they try to escape the camp their parents sent them to for the summer. Based in Algonquin, and reminiscent of nostalic childhood summers.

G

The MacDonald Hall books by Gordon Korman

These books are hilarious! They follow Bruno and Boots are their friends at a boarding school in Ontario, Canada. The story premises are ridiculous, and the hijinks are wild. They always make me laugh.

I especially appreciate that these books seem to be written with pre-teen boys in mind - a population segment that doesn’t seem to have a lot written for them. And as ridiculous as some of the storylines are, you never feel like the author is reaching, he is allowing the characters to truly be what they are - young boys.

G

Ghost Hunters Adventure Club and the Express Train To Nowhere by Dr. Cecil H.H. Mills

This book is the second in a series, but I like it much better than the first. The first was bit gruesome, where as this one was more a standard who-done-it.

I don’t fully understand the origins of the book - something about video game promo or something, but the author is a joke (like actually, the listed author is part of the story and not the real author), the characters and the story plot is utterly ridiculous, and yet somehow that makes it even more enjoyable. I honestly wish there was a third.

PG-13

Children’s Books

Pick A Pine Tree by Patricia Toht

I love a rhyming children’s book! This book has a solid rhyming pattern and pretty pictures. It tells the story of picking out and setting up a Christmas tree.

Christian Non-Fiction

Aggressively Happy by Joy Marie Clarkson

I really enjoyed this book. It’s encouraging to be reminded that there is a good reason to still be joyful, even through adversity.

God Has A Name by John Mark Comer

No Longer Strangers: Finding Belonging in a World of Alienation by Gregory Coles

Some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever read.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

A classic, and for very good reason! I REALLY enjoyed this book.

Autobiographies/Biographies

Thirst by Scott Harrison

Scott Harrison is the founder of one of my favourite charities - charity:water, which is on a mission to ensure that every person on the planet has access to clean drinking water. In this autobiographies he share how it came to be that he had a life transformation and became the founder of charity:water.

Fully enjoyed.

I Must Say: My Life As A Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short

I might not love reading autobiographies, but I love Martin Short, and honestly this book was great. Filled with wonderful stories from Martin’s life, his sense of humour, and heartbreak when he details the loss of his wife. Honestly him talking about that loss was beautiful and painful.

I would recommend.

Coffee Table Books

Surf Shack: Laid-Back Living by the Water

When I was in Florida this year (2024) this coffee table book was one of the decor items in our room/suite, and even though I had brought books with me to read I actually ended up reading this whole book cover to cover instead.

This book was almost like Home & Garden magazine, but for surfers. It was made up of profiles on the homes of different people who love to surf - surf magazine editors, fashion designers, interior decorators etc. - all of whom are famous in their own right I’m sure, but each profile covered their houses. The design, background, decor, etc. as well as a bit about the owners.

Each story made me wish that I had married a surfer, learned how to surf, and lived a short walk from a beach. The stories continually talked about the laid back, catch the waves when they’re good life style, and often featured last minute dinner parties and more people than beds crashing over on the weekends so they can catch the breaks. 10/10 coffee book, would recommend.

Cook Books

Eat What You Love by Danielle Walker

This book is ideal for people like me with a bunch of food allergies. This book was 100% gluten and dairy free, mostly paleo, and had a decent amount of school safe/nut free options.

I generally only recommend cookbooks where I tried quite a few recipes and loved them. This book includes a meatball recipe that’s the best one I’ve ever tried, a easy to make dairy free creamy broccoli soup, a paleo morning glory muffin, and a pina colada green smoothie which have all entered my regular rotation.