How Did I Get On With My 2020 Reading Challenge?

I received some of these books for the purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

So 2020 is over and we are now in 2021. There is plenty to look forward to after such a shocking and horrible year but also a lot to look back on. I wanted to share with you today how I got on with my reading challenge for 2020 and do a quick round-up of the last few books.

I originally set my target at 80 but it became clear this wasn’t going to happen so I reduced it down to 45. I ended the year on 47 books! So I managed to beat my amended target but was nowhere near my original target.

So what were the final books I read?

A Beginner’s Guide To Christmas by Jennifer Joyce – 3/5

I felt in the mood for some festive reads so thought I’d give this a go! It was a freebie I downloaded after reading Jo’s post about free Christmas reads on Kindle. It was an ok read but I didn’t find it anything special and found some of the characters infuriating such as Ruth’s mum and Ruth’s boyfriend Gideon. Pick it up here {affiliate link}.

Miss Kane’s Christmas by Caroline Mickelson – 4/5

Another freebie read from Jo’s blog post and a heartwarming and fun little read. I loved the concept of Carol being Santa’s daughter and being tasked with making a grouchy single dad like Christmas again. It was just the kind of festive read I was looking for. Pick it up on Amazon here {affiliate link}.

A Lonely Dog On Christmas by Patrick Yearly – 3/5

Yet another I picked up based on Jo’s post. This was an ok read but again nothing special and it didn’t wow me. Was an ok read for being free. Pick yours up on Amazon here {affiliate link}.

A Christmas Gift by Stella Wilkinson – 3/5

Yep, you guessed it! Another freebie from the blog post Jo shared! This was quite sweet but I felt it was too obvious and it would have been a nice little twist if she’d actually got with the brother! Pick yours up on Amazon here {affiliate link}.

A Very Country Christmas by Zara Stoneley – 4/5

This is part of the Tippermere series which I haven’t yet checked out but I may be after this book! This was a lovely and heartwarming festive read and definitely got me interested in the characters. Pick yours up here {affiliate link}.

The First Year Is Survival by Leonie Huie – 4/5 (sent for review)

A really interesting read and it is very helpful for any expectant or new mum – you don’t have to be a mum of multiples to take advantage ot the advice and guidance. I’ve reviewed it in more detail here. You can pick up the book on Amazon here {affiliate link}.

Kiss Me, Kill Me by Louise Mullins – 5/5 (ARC sent via Netgalley for review)

This was a book that really took my fancy on Netgalley. Both the description and the cover really intrigued me!

This was a fast paced and interesting read. I devoured in an evening as I had to know exactly what was going to happen to Bethan.

The first half of the book alternates between three characters (or what you believe may be three characters): Mel, Locke and Bethan. Bethan is married to Humphrey, an elderly rich man , and can’t wait for the day that he dies. She has made many attempts on his life so when he dies in an accident, will anyone believe her?

The backstory of how Bethan came to be who she is today was intriguing and made for gripping reading = you understood how she came to be the fragile, disturbed woman she is today.

I didn’t realise this was the second book in the series and will definitely be checking out the first. However this would work well as a standalone book. This is the first book I have read by the author and I will definitely be looking at reading more. Pick up your copy here {affiliate link}.

As you can see, I really had a festive flurry at the end of the year! My last book of the year was very enjoyable and my favourite of the last few for sure!

I’ve set myself a fairly achievable target of 25 for 2021 and I am already one down. Have you set yourself a challenge yet? Feel free to add me on my GoodReads here.