As I’ve said before, I am completing the 50 states in 52 weeks reading challenge for 2025. I wish it were that easy. BUT THE BONUS BOOKS. They’ve been welcome side trips during my journey through the states. These books are set in places other than the USA or are set in states I have already read for the challenge.  They’ve been some of the best reading.  As I have time, I am trying to get the state reads and the bonus books posted over the next few weeks (before I start the 2026 challenge – more later).

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

A spicy small-town romance and TikTok phenomenon, perfect for fans of Hannah Grace and Stephanie Archer.

When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.

Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor’s gossip at all costs. But Jeanie’s arrival disrupts Logan’s routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.

Will Jeanie’s happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won’t fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…

The Pumpkin Spice Café is a cozy romantic mystery for fans of Gilmore Girls, with a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed! (Goodreads.com)

This book is like a Hallmark movie if they were spicy. (It gets three chili peppers for spiciness.) It’s a good read if you are looking for something that ends with Happily Ever After. I chose it because of the Fall setting in New England. I was looking for something seasonal to read on a recent road trip.

Will it change your world? Nope. Is it great literature? Nope. Will it entertain you if you are looking for something fairly light and predictable? Yep.

Sometimes that’s what I am looking for in a book. Maybe you are, too.