No month is over for me without reading a book (or two!). Between festive moments and busy schedules, I managed to take out some time to delve into the fictional worlds of Nora Roberts and Judith McNaught—two authors I always look forward to reading. Here’s my take on the books I read in November, letting you know whether you should (or shouldn’t) pick them up.

1. Time Was by Nora Roberts
Genre: Time-Travel Romance
Target Audience: Fans of light, fast-paced romantic reads with a hint of science fiction

If you’re familiar with Nora Roberts’ work, you know she’s a master of storytelling, but Time Was left me a little underwhelmed compared to her other novels like Montana Sky (which I absolutely loved, btw!).
The story follows Caleb Hornblower, a man from the future stranded in the past, and Liberty Stone, the fiercely independent woman who finds him. While the premise is intriguing, the execution felt a bit rushed. The chemistry between the characters had its moments, but the depth I usually love in characters seemed to be missing here.
I liked that the unique time-travel element added an exciting twist to the classic romance formula and Liberty’s strong and independent personality was refreshing. However, the pacing felt uneven, especially towards the end and the emotional depth just didn’t match.

I will give this book a 3/5

2. Once and Always by Judith McNaught
Genre: Historical Romance
Target Audience: Lovers of classic, emotional, and sweeping love stories

Judith McNaught never disappoints when it comes to heartfelt romances, and Once and Always is no exception. This book follows Victoria, a young woman sent from America to England to marry the brooding Duke of Wakefield, Jason Fielding.
The story is packed with emotional highs and lows, misunderstandings, and McNaught’s signature dramatic flair. The characters are well-developed, and Jason’s transformation from cold and aloof to deeply in love is beautifully written. However, it’s not without its tropes, which might feel a bit outdated for some readers.
I liked the emotional intensity and it kept me hooked until the very last page. Let’s not forget, the author’s vivid descriptions make it easy to picture the 19th-century English countryside.

I will give this book a 3.8/5

As we enter December, I’m planning to add a few more books to my reading list (really need to finish the Goodreads challenge!). Let me know your recommendations in the comments below!

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