I ended up getting quite a few books read in September. I did have a few manga and graphic novels, but I ended up reading some thicker books too. Hope you enjoy!
Haunt The Mall by Annelise Amore
I would do anything not to miss out on the biggest horror movie of the season. And I do mean anything. Right down to getting on my knees for the hot, mysterious theater manager and ruining my fishnets and black lipstick with some vigorous begging when I get caught sneaking into a movie without a ticket. Victor, however, has other ideas. Instead of taking me up on my offer, he locks me into an Two months of movie dates. With him. Two months of sitting in the dark, with his hand on my thigh, my heart racing as I wonder if he’s about to kiss me… or sink his teeth into me. And I can’t decide which one I want more. By the time my ‘punishment’ ends and the credits roll, I’ll know if I successfully bewitched the phantom of Westbrook Mall… Or if I’ll have to accept that his feelings for me might be even less real than the horrors we witnessed onscreen.
This was okay. It took me forever to get through it. Something intrigued me enough to not DNF though.
Coast Guard Sweetheart by Lisa Carter
When Coast Guard officer Sawyer Kole is stationed again in Kiptohanock, Virginia, he’s ready to prove to Honey Duer that he’s a changed man—and the right man for her. But it’s not smooth sailing when a hurricane blows their way. To save the family inn she’s restored to perfection, Honey will ride out the storm. But can she handle the turbulence of seeing Sawyer again? Years ago he walked away, taking her dreams of love. Now as Hurricane Zelda barrels down, Honey may have no choice but to trust Sawyer to save her life and—just maybe—her heart.
I didn’t love this. The characters irritated me so much. I loved the ending though.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz—a magically sentient spider plant—have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite. When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new home. In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries. But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.
Soooo good! Very cozy and like a warm hug. I loved it so much and didn’t want it to end.
Finding Magic In Misfortune by Nicole Campbell
After a spectacular end to her fledgling career, Sam Marsh retreats to Emberwood for a fresh start. She hopes to see what options might exist for an out-of-work graphic designer and part-time witch. Sadly, she is not a wand-waving magic wielder from another realm, but simply a gifted intuitive with impressive tarot-reading skills, among other things. While she can’t conjure a spell to fix her life, she hopes some small-town magic will help. Former Triple-A baseball player Jesse Garrett is stuck managing his father’s hardware store, his dreams of the major leagues shattered. Facing a mundane reality and stalled physical recovery, he’s determined to find meaning beyond his glory days on the diamond. Reunited unexpectedly after years apart, Sam and Jesse’s awkward encounters reignite old sparks. If Sam can stop arguing with her spirit guides and Jesse can overcome his fears about the future, they might just help each other rebuild from rock bottom.
I enjoyed this and really liked the characters. Super cute.
Crumbs by Danie Stirling
In a very special town, there’s an even more unusual bakery with a selection of baked treats hand-crafted to help your dreams come true. For Ray, a quiet young woman with special powers of her own, the order is always the same: a hot tea with a delicious side of romance. When Ray meets Laurie, the kind barista who aspires to be a professional musician, she gets a real taste of love for the first time. But even with a spark of magic, romance isn’t so simple. Both Ray and Laurie are chasing their own dreams and even when Ray starts to see the future, she can’t predict her fate with Laurie.
This was so cute and sweet! I loved the characters and the artwork too.
The Demon Prince of Momochi House Vol. 2, 3, 4, and 5 by Aya Shouoto
Himari Momochi inherits Momochi House, an estate that exists on the barrier between the human and spiritual realms. Aoi is the human Omamori-sama, or guardian of the house, who can transform into a powerful spiritual being. But once Momochi House had chosen Aoi as its protector, all evidence of his existence in the human world was erased, and he has never been able to leave. Can Himari break Aoi free?
I’m loving this series and wish I had them all so I could binge it.
How To Be A Good Creature by Sy Montgomery and Illustrated by Rebecca Green
Understanding someone who belongs to another species can be transformative. No one knows this better than author, naturalist, and adventurer Sy Montgomery. To research her books, Sy has traveled the world and encountered some of the planet’s rarest and most beautiful animals. From tarantulas to tigers, Sy’s life continually intersects with and is informed by the creatures she meets. This restorative memoir reflects on the personalities and quirks of thirteen animals–Sy’s friends–and the truths revealed by their grace. It also explores vast themes: the otherness and sameness of people and animals; the various ways we learn to love and become empathetic; how we find our passion; how we create our families; coping with loss and despair; gratitude; forgiveness; and most of all, how to be a good creature in the world.
This wasn’t what I was expected. It had a lot of darker topics and made me sob. It had more to do with the animal’s deaths than learning from them. The cover and illustrations were my favorite part.
Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
Callum Flannelly would rather dive into an open grave than take a stranger to dinner and a movie. But he can only inherit the family undertaking business and carry on their legacy under one condition: He must marry before his 35th birthday. So it’s out of the mortuary and into the dating scene. Lark Thompson would rather get crushed by a falling anvil than stay next to a funeral home during her stay in Galway, Ireland. The vivacious American cartoon creator and animator came here to embrace life, not be reminded of losing her husband. When Lark learns of Callum’s dilemma and aversion to marrying out of necessity rather than love, she agrees to help the introverted mortician. Although sworn off love herself, she is optimistic that Callum can find The One and secure his inheritance. But as the dating project progresses and their friendship grows, so does a mutual attraction. The more time she spends with serious, sarcastic Callum, the more she dreads finding him a match. And the more disastrous dates he endures, the more he dreads Lark’s imminent return to the states. If they think it’s possible to ignore their connection, they’re dead wrong.
I loved this! So fun with amazing characters. I cried and really appreciated the topics of grief and all the little nods to Texas.
Wilds of Wonder by Tee Harlowe
I’ve spent my life raised to be a wife. My husband has no clue about my secret hobby. I hunt for magical and rare artifacts, hoping that one day I can join the esteemed Academy of Historians & Scholars. When the unthinkable happens, I’m given an opportunity to find a divine relic belonging to one of the ancient seven spirits, a lightning bolt with deadly powers. Finding it could be my ticket to joining the academy. The catch? It’s been stolen by the bone collector, a nemesis who also has a penchant for collecting historical objects—and who crosses over into a mysterious land with the bolt in tow. Now I have to follow him into this wonderland of death, where nothing is as it seems, most of all the bone collector. To survive and get out, I must do something I never thought I would. Work with him. Mystery and intrigue surround us, and what we begin to discover not only unravels everything we thought we knew about our world and our magic . . . but even more terrifying, about ourselves.
I loved this! I was so glad to be back with all these amazing characters plus the romance was great! Such a fun world too.
Secrets and S’mores by Aly Hollis
Onyx, the tech-savvy cousin of the pack’s Alpha, has a reputation as a troublemaker. He doesn’t always make the best choices, like flirting with the daughter of their rival pack’s Alpha. Ember is defiant, fiesty, and exactly his type. Too bad she once stabbed him during a battle. Ember has grown up in a brutal environment, leaving her with steep walls around her heart. She’s furious when her mother sends her off to Bracken Creek as a part of a diplomatic exchange and Onyx is assigned as her bodyguard. Stuck together for the week, it doesn’t take long for sparks to fly between Ember and Onyx. But Ember is desperate to get home as her pack destabilizes and her position as the future Alpha is in jeopardy, while Onyx is torn between loyalty to his pack and the pull he feels towards Ember.
I could not put this down! I loved this romance and the characters as always.
The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol
Arianwyn has flunked her witch’s She’s doomed. Declared an apprentice and sent to the town of Lull in disgrace, she may never become a real witch — much to the glee of her archrival, Gimma.But remote Lull is not as boring as it seems. Strange things are sighted in the woods, a dangerous infestation of hex creeps throughout the town, and a mysterious magical visitor arrives with his eye on her. With every spirit banished, creature helped, and spell cast, Arianwyn starts to get the hang of being a witch — even if she’s only an apprentice. But the worst still lies ahead. For a sinister darkness has begun to haunt her spells, and there may be much more at stake than just her pride… for Arianwyn and the entire land.
I enjoyed this. I loved the characters and all the creatures in here. So cute!
Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt
Farley Jones is a loud, chaotic, and hilariously clever standup comedian on the way to stardom. The only thing she loves more than the rush of telling jokes in front of a revved-up audience is her hot older manager Meyer, though he doesn’t have a clue. Keeping her feelings hidden from him is agony (a tragedy, even―in lieu of flowers, please send cash…) but Meyer has been Farley’s closest and most treasured friend, not to mention vital to the trajectory of her career. She can’t risk ruining their relationship by telling him how she truly feels. After all, who else would have the patience to put up with a hot mess like her? A former standup star himself, single father Meyer Harrigan left the stage years ago in order to focus on raising his deaf daughter Hazel. Farley has been everything to them since she came into their lives three years ago, and despite his grumpiness, his protectiveness over Hazel, and his disdain for public attention, Meyer will do anything to make her standup dreams come true. When the biggest opportunity of Farley’s career comes along and forces the pair to fake-date in order to stir up publicity, it doesn’t take long for their act to bring all those other funny feelings out into the open. Like most matters of the heart, it quickly begins to feel like anything but a joke.
I loved this! Amazing characters with an amazing romance. Loved the humor too.
The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy
Mildred Hubble is starting her first year at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches — and making a mess of it! She can’t ride her broomstick without crashing, she’s always getting her spells mixed up, and worst of all, the teacher’s pet, Ethel, has just become her sworn enemy.
This was cute and a lot of fun!
The Witch’s Cat and the Cooking Catastrophe by Kirstie Watson and Magdalena Sawko
“One day, a witch’s cat found a dusty old cookbook, and it gave him the most marvellous idea…” The witch has gone out and inspired by the old cookbook, the cat is determined to knock up a super-scrumptious surprise lunch for her. But unfortunately, his enthusiasm far exceeds his cooking abilities, and he carelessly overlooks some rather important information. But hey, what’s the worst that could happen?
I don’t talk about children’s books on here a lot, but I loved this one! So cute and I immediately added the rest of the series to my wish list.
The Wrong Bride by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe
Vacationing in Scotland, schoolteacher Elizabeth “Elle” Darcy anticipates picturesque landscapes, castles of old and kilt-wearing charmers, not awakening in someone else’s body. Worse, that someone just married enigmatic billionaire Callen Bruce. Though that’s not the biggest problem. To the rest of the world, her new “husband” runs an elite empire. But behind his public persona, he’s a king of berserkers locked in an ancient, supernatural war with wolf-shifters. Determined to reclaim her normal life, Elle will do anything necessary to switch back with Callen’s real wife. First, she must ditch the disciplined warrior. An impossibility when he refuses to relinquish the bride chosen for him by fate, even though he despises her. Or does he? The growing heat in his eyes says otherwise. Not that it matters. There’s no way this temporary queen will fall for the moody, broody secretive warrior who belongs to another woman. Nope. Not Elle. Not ever. Probably.
I LOVED this! So good and I could not put it down! I was obsessed and can’t wait for more in this series.
Dark Halloween Knight by Tracy Lorraine
I’ve lived my entire life in the shadows… Sheltered yet painfully aware of the haunting reality of who my family really is. I’m tired of being the good girl— of doing everything I’m told. Halloween seems like the perfect time to explore my hidden desires. And that’s exactly how I end up in the arms of a masked mystery guy. He doesn’t handle me like glass. He takes exactly what he wants and gives me everything I didn’t know I needed— until he vanishes into the darkness leaving me with one burning question… Who was my mysterious knight that introduced me to the dark side?
I really enjoyed this and need the book that follows this couple! I’m so excited to see what happens next.
Wickedly Yours by Jennifer Chipman
“Be my wife.” No part of me should have accepted the demon’s proposal, especially when it came with all of these strings attached. Being his wife, his queen. Except, there was a part of me that wondered… What if? What if the fates had been right, pairing us together? What if we were something… more? Wickedly Yours is a standalone Halloween novella featuring the marriage of convenience between a witch who loves to bake and a demon prince who falls in love with her.
I enjoyed this! I do like the first book more, but I still loved this one. I’m glad to have more of my favorite characters and loved adding a new friend group too.
Forestfall by Lyndall Clipstone
The curse that haunted Lakesedge Estate has been broken, but at great cost. Violeta Graceling has sacrificed herself to end the Corruption. To escape death, Leta makes a desperate bargain with the Lord Under, one that sees her living at his side in the land of the dead. But this world of souls and mist hides many secrets. And when Leta realizes she is still connected to Rowan by a tethering spell, she will risk everything— even her soul— to try and reach him. Torn between power and love, life and death, Leta struggles to keep hold of her humanity as she falls further and further under the spell of the world Below… and the Lord Under.
I enjoyed this. Super fast paced and hard to put down. The atmosphere was crazy good too. I didn’t love it as much as book one though.
Knot Today Satan by Calliope Stewart
Art student Eden Evans is your average college-going omega. When she’s not in class, she’s either painting or waiting for her alpha crush to finally notice her. That is, until the annual Kappa Sigma Psi Halloween party arrives to shake things up. It’s the place to be on October 31st, and Eden’s art skills just landed her a coveted invite. Now all she needs to do is help decorate for the party. Easy-peasy, right? Wrong. When Eden’s decorating attempts summon a whole lot more than spooky vibes, her Halloween night quickly goes from fun to downright sinful. Read at your own risk…and Happy Halloween!
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. So much fun and I loved the characters.
Of Vows and Betrayal by R.G. Angel
Javier Fifteen minutes. That’s all it took for my world to shatter. From the moment I said ‘I do’ to the moment her heart stopped beating, my happiness turned into a relentless nightmare. Fifteen years of meticulous planning have led to this moment—my chance for revenge against the man who destroyed my life by killing my wife. But protecting his daughter was never part of the plan, and now everything is more complicated than I ever imagined. Ophelia Living under my father’s oppressive rule feels like a prison. My world is turned upside down when Javier Vargas, a brooding and enigmatic bodyguard, is assigned to protect me. Little do I know, his true mission is darker and more personal than I could ever imagine. As forbidden desires ignite and hidden truth unravel, can we overcome the tangled web of our pasts to find a future together?
This was so good! I really liked these characters and would love to see a few others get their HEA.
Scotch & Shortbread by August Lindsay
Freelancer Quinn West is finally chasing her dream of writing her debut novel in the snowy embrace of a charming mountain town. After a lifetime of surviving, she’s accustomed to being alone, and this Christmas she’s counting on it. Despite being distracted by repeated run-ins with brooding Scottish Hot Cop, Sergeant Alex Mackenzie, Quinn is on a mission and refuses to be derailed. Haunted by past demons, Sergeant Alex Mackenzie has sworn off love, finding refuge in the quiet solitude of his mountain retreat. But Quinn West’s arrival disrupts his carefully constructed barriers, stirring emotions he thought were long buried. Saving the troublesome lass wasn’t on the top of his Christmas list, but when a punishing snowstorm leaves them trapped in his small one-bedroom cabin, Alex clings to the lessons of his dark past in Scotland, even as he strains against his undeniable attraction to the lass stranded in his home. As Christmas approaches, their walls begin to crumble. Will they surrender to the intoxicating pull of passion, or will their pasts keep them bound in icy detachment?
I enjoyed this! I really liked these characters and the warm, fuzzy Christmas vibes.
Once Upon A Boyband by Jenny Proctor
Once upon a time, she slept with his poster beside her bed. Now he’s all grown up, hiding behind a burly beard and lots of flannel … and she doesn’t have a clue. Eight years ago, Adam Driscoll walked away from his stage name—Deke—and the boyband that turned him into an international star before his eighteenth birthday. And he never looked back. It didn’t even matter that everyone blamed him for the band’s breakup. He might miss making music, but he had good reasons for walking. Give him solitude over thousands of screaming fans any day of the week. These days, the only company he’s truly interested in is that of the vet who works closely with his dog rescue—Dr. Laney Lawson. She’s brilliant, funny, beautiful, and best of all, she has no idea he used to be a pop star. But then Adam’s bandmates reach out about a one-time reunion concert benefiting a charity that’s close to his heart, and he starts to wonder if some things are worth a little extra attention. He loves the idea of singing again, but saying yes would out him to the small mountain community that has become his refuge. Worse, it would out him to Laney. But old hurts can’t stay buried forever. And something tells Adam that scary or not, saying yes is the decision he needs to make. He just has to hope he doesn’t lose the life—or the woman—he loves in the process.
I loved this so much. So cute and I adored these characters. Plus all the dogs just made me love it even more.
The Butcher And The Wren by Alaina Urquhart
Something dark is lurking in the Louisiana bayou: a methodical killer with a penchant for medical experimentation is hard at work completing his most harrowing crime yet, taunting the authorities who desperately try to catch up. But forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Muller is the best there is. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of historical crimes, and years of experience working in the Medical Examiner’s office, she’s never encountered a case she couldn’t solve. Until now. Case after case is piling up on Wren’s examination table, and soon she is sucked into an all-consuming cat-and-mouse chase with a brutal murderer getting more brazen by the day.
I really enjoyed this! I’m not a huge thriller reader and this was such a win for me. It kept me on the edge of my seat and left me dying for the next one.
Cursed By Fur by D.C. Gomez
Welcome to Texarkana, where Death’s Interns are working overtime—and the body count is rising. Meet Death’s part-time grim reapers, full-time troubleshooters for the supernatural community. Usually, their biggest headache is keeping the local vampires from picking fights at the all-night diner. But now? They’re hunting a killer. Bodies are dropping faster than autumn leaves, and it’s not just humans filling up the morgue. Someone—or something—is cutting a bloody swath through Texarkana. As Halloween creeps closer, Death’s Interns find themselves in a race against time. Can they unmask the killer before Texarkana’s secret community becomes front-page news? Or will long-buried prejudices turn neighbor against neighbor, predator against prey?
I really enjoyed this! I loved these characters and there was a plot twist I never saw coming. I cried at the end too.
Those are all the books I read this month! Hope you enjoyed! Until next time.