March Reading Wrapped

March was a simple month. Filled with rereads of comfort books and revisits of beloved authors, it felt like the perfect way to ease into autumn. Despite my overflowing TBR and the pile of unread books sitting on my shelves, I found myself returning to the stories I love most.

As the first month of settling back into routine after travel and moving, comfort reading was exactly what I needed. Whenever life feels slightly out of control, going back to my favourite authors brings a sense of calm that nothing else quite can. Here are the books that shaped my month:

The Unhoneymooners written by Christina Lauren

I had seen The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren in bookstores ever since its release in 2019, but as a creative, I’ll admit I judged it by its cover rather than what was inside. It wasn’t until March this year that I finally decided to give it a go.

Driving down the highway on my way to my childhood home, I pressed play on the audiobook, narrated by Cynthia Farrell and Deacon Lee. My first impression? I’ve made a mistake. The opening chapters felt a little underwhelming, and I wasn’t convinced.

But as the story unfolded, I found myself completely drawn in. By the time I reached my destination, I was reluctant to get out of the car, not wanting the audiobook to stop, desperate to find out what would happen next. I’m not too ashamed to admit that I stayed in the driver's seat a little longer than necessary, just to hear what was going to happen next.

Falling written by Christina Lauren

This quick novella, part of the Scared Sexy Amazon Original collection, follows Cat, a graduate student attending a Halloween party, where she meets Brigan, an immortal being. The story is fast-paced and easy to read, and it honestly left me wanting another chapter or two.

It’s simple and straight to the point, without the need for extensive backstory or detailed explanations of the magic system or Brigan’s origins. Instead, it embraces its brevity, delivering exactly what it sets out to do. For a 50-something page read, it’s well worth the time.

The Viscount Who Loved Me written by Julia Quinn

Despite being an avid reader, I have to admit that I came to the book after watching the TV adaptation of Bridgerton. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed both the show and the novel, despite their differences. I had been especially excited to read Kate and Anthony’s meet-cute — her riding through the woods and running into him — only to find that it never actually happened in the book. Instead, their first meeting takes place at a ball.

Several elements didn’t translate directly between the two formats, which was slightly disappointing. However, creative license was taken in Shondaland’s adaptation, enhancing certain moments that, while effective on the page, may not have had the same impact on screen.

Fake Skating written by Lynn Painter

Oh my goodness. This was a literary masterpiece (in my opinion). I am completely obsessed with Lynn Painter and everything she writes. She is the ultimate comfort author for me (Mr Wrong Number alone has been read at least five times).

This book was so good, I accidentally bought it twice: once in anticipation of its release, and again after I had forgotten I already owned it (all my books were packed away during a move) and had fallen in love with the audiobook. I was completely invested in Alec and Dani; it felt like listening in on high school drama in the best way.

There were moments where I found myself genuinely giggling at something “Zeus” had said or done. Painter has such a talent for making you feel like you’re part of the story, like another student at Southview High, fully immersed in the Minnesota hockey world despite being an Aussie girl who’s never lived in the snow or picked up a hockey stick.

The Love Wager written by Lynn Painter

Once again, this felt like another masterpiece from Lynn Painter. I actually began this book back in January, but as an audiobook, I found myself returning to it throughout March on long-distance drives. It’s a story I’ve revisited multiple times, always feeling drawn back to it. There’s something about Painter’s writing, the way her words and characters come to life, that makes everything feel so natural and believable.

Hallie and Jack are the kind of characters I could easily see myself being friends with. They’re lighthearted, down-to-earth, and genuinely funny. I especially loved getting to see Jack from his own perspective, rather than through the eyes of his younger sister Olivia, who leads her own story in Mr Wrong Number.

The Road to Gundagai written by Jackie French

This book sits a little outside my usual reading tastes. I tend to avoid historical novels, with the exception of Bridgerton, and I rarely pick up books set in Australia. Not for any particular reason, but often because there simply aren’t many that feel authentic. In the past, Australian-based novels I’ve come across tend to exaggerate country living, relying on stereotypes that don’t reflect the reality I’ve grown up in, which makes them difficult to connect with.

I’ve found it’s much easier to get lost in stories set elsewhere, places that feel distant or unfamiliar, where the setting becomes more dreamlike than personal.

That said, this is a novel I first read as a child, and I enjoyed it just as much revisiting it now. It felt like a glimpse into my past. However, I did find myself wishing for more when it came to Blue’s story. The ending, particularly the epilogue, seemed to rush through important developments in her relationships, leaving it feeling somewhat unfinished. While it is part of a series, the final portion of the book felt slightly abrupt, as though it was more focused on setting up what comes next rather than fully resolving the story at hand.

A Photo Finish written by Elsie Silver

Elsie Silver is the kind of author I can completely lose myself in. Whatever she writes, I can pick up and instantly feel immersed. I chose to reread this novel because there was a particular theme I felt like revisiting (without giving anything away), and this book captured it perfectly.

There’s one scene in particular that sparked such a strong emotional reaction in me, I could feel the love between the characters so vividly that it genuinely brought a tear to my eye.

That said, there are moments in Silver’s writing, particularly in her earlier work, that don’t fully align with my own experience of farm life. Certain details can feel slightly off, especially in the portrayal of how farm girls grow up. However, I’ve come to appreciate that much of this comes down to the differences between Australian and Canadian farming lifestyles.

Because of that, I find myself reading with a sense of both familiarity and distance, recognising elements of my own upbringing, while also imagining a world that operates a little differently. In a way, it deepens my connection to cowboy romances, allowing me to engage with the story through both personal experience and perspective.

Hopeless by Elsie Silver

Beau and Bailey’s love story is so beautiful it genuinely makes me cry. This is a book I find myself returning to again and again, at least twice a year, and it never loses its impact. The age gap, combined with Bailey coming from a struggling, often looked-down-upon family while Beau is essentially Chestnut Springs royalty, creates a romance that feels both tender and deeply compelling.

What I loved most was Bailey’s journey. She’s always been a strong and capable woman, but has spent much of her life held back by her family’s reputation. Watching her finally step into who she truly is, and seeing the town begin to recognise that as well, was incredibly rewarding. The way Beau supports and encourages her along the way adds such a softness to their relationship, and honestly, it made me believe in love a little more.

There’s also something so special about the Eaton family as a whole. The sense of chaos, warmth, and unconditional love makes it impossible not to want to be a part of it. It’s the kind of family dynamic that feels both comforting and aspirational, and it adds so much heart to the story.

Knowing that elements of the Eaton family were inspired by Elsie Silver’s own life only makes their dynamic feel even more genuine.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Last year, I attempted Throne of Glass but couldn’t quite make it through the final three books. This year, in anticipation of upcoming A Court of Thorns and Roses releases, I decided to give it another go. Starting with this novel rather than returning to the very beginning, I found myself falling back in love with the series.

Aelin is such a compelling character; the power she commands and her connection to her people are genuinely inspiring. One detail I especially appreciated was her physical description. She’s portrayed as a taller woman, which feels surprisingly rare in fantasy. So often, female characters are written as small and delicate, which doesn’t reflect the full range of real bodies.

As someone who is 5’10, I rarely see myself represented in books. And when taller women do appear, they’re often written with a very different physique from my own. I’m not small, but I am healthy and strong, and it’s something that feels like it should be more common in fiction, yet isn’t.

In that way, Aelin feels aspirational and grounded at the same time, like someone I could see parts of myself in (minus the assassin-queen aspect, of course).

Looking back, March was exactly what I needed: a calm, comforting month of reading that allowed for a much-needed rest. It gave me the opportunity to reread some personal favourites and restart Throne of Glass which I had been meaning to for a long time. It felt like a gentle pause before April, where I’m hoping to dive into a few books from my ever-growing TBR.