Today it’s time for our September wrap up! What did we read last month? Did we find any new favorites? Keep on reading to find out!

Candyce

I only worked four days in September, so I was expecting to get a lot of reading done. In September I read 34 books (11 paperbacks, 8 ARCs, 5 manga, 5 eBooks, 4 audiobooks, and 1 hardcover) and I had an average rating of 4. So I definitely can’t complain about how my month went. Let’s take a look at what I read.

Electric Idol – Katee Robert

I finally read Neon Gods in August 2023, and I’m actually mad it took me a year to read the second book. Electric Idol is Pschye and Eros’ book, and is basically a marriage of convenience. I loved the characters, the banter, the romance, the world, and the politics. This book reminded me that I really loved this series and I’m not going to wait a year for the next one.

Warbreaker – Brandon Sanderson

My boyfriend actually suggested Warbreaker for our book club, but it wasn’t picked. I still really wanted to read it, so we read it together. Warbreaker is such an interesting book and I couldn’t put it down. The magic, the politics, the characters, and the world are all so interesting. I was really afraid this one wouldn’t wrap everything up, but it did so in ways I wasn’t always expecting. Warbreaker was definitely a favorite read this month.

Tangled Up in You – Christina Lauren

I love a good retelling and Tangled Up in You is a Tangled retelling, and I was so excited. Ren and Fitz’s story was cute and sweet. There were definitely some darker themes, and I would’ve loved just a little bit more of the characters, but I really enjoyed my time reading this book.

Wild Eyes – Elsie Silver

After loving Flawless, I’ve been wanting to continue the Chesnut Springs series, but also really read this one. Wild Eyes is the second book in the Rose Hill series (I still need to read the first one) and I devoured this book. West and Skylar’s romance was everything I was hoping for. Both of these characters weren’t really looking for a relationship, but found each other anyway. Wild Eyes is filled with all the feels. The banter and steamy moments were perfectly balanced and I loved that both of the main characters had really strong back stories.

Better than the Movies – Lynn Painter

Better than the Movies was Lynn Painter’s debut and I fell in love with this book. The year it released I read the eARC and I listened to the audiobook later that year. I loved all of the movie quotes and Liz & Wes’ love story. So when I got my hands on an eARC of the sequel she surprised us with, I knew I needed to reread this one. I loved Better than the Movies just as much as the first two times.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown – Talia Hibbert

After loving Get a Life, Chloe Brown I’ve been wanting to read the next book in this series. Take a Hint, Dani Brown has been on my shelves for over four years and it was time to read this one. I love fake dating and I really enjoyed this one. Dani and Zafir were both such genuine characters and this book hit me in all the feels. I’m glad I finally took the time to read this book.

Magnolia Parks – Jessa Hastings

I’ve been wanting to read Magnolia Parks for a few years now, and I finally read it! Even though I really didn’t like any of the characters and the relationship between Magnolia and BJ was very toxic, I just couldn’t stop reading all of the drama. I’m actually hoping to read the next book in this universe soon.

The Pairing – Casey McQuiston

Since I read Red, White & Royal Blue by this author, I’ve read everything they’ve written. Nothing has topped that book for me yet, and in all honesty, I’m still not sure what I thought of The Pairing. I loved the traveling aspect and all the food mentioned, but I didn’t connect to these characters at all. Kit more so than Theo and I was glad we got his POV the last half of the book. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a favorite of mine.

Pawn of Prophecy – David Eddings

Pawn of Prophecy was my in person book club read for September. This fantasy released in 1982 and that’s very clear when you read it. I was also shocked by how many spelling errors there were in this book. This was a fun story. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it. I wanted more world building and more show than tell.

Kingdom of Ash – Sarah J. Maas

I did it!! I finally finished the Throne of Glass series. I’ve had Kingdom of Ash on my shelves since release day. Since then I’ve even reread the other books a couple of times, but I just didn’t want one of my favorite series to end. Kingdom of Ash was a roller coaster ride of emotions, but so good! I have to say that I’m happy with how this one ended.

Once Upon a Broken Heart – Stephanie Garber

After Caraval, Once Upon a Broken Heart got a lot of hype. Part of me was afraid to start this trilogy, because the hype kind of made Caraval a little bit of a disappointment for me. That being said, I had a great time reading Once Upon a Broken Heart. Evangeline is an interesting character and I love the fairy tale vibes we get from this story. The world is fun to be in, we get interesting characters, and there were definitely some twists I wasn’t expecting. I’m excited to read The Ballad of Never After in October.

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England -Brandon Sanderson

I’m really trying to work on my backlist books and The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England is one that’s been calling to me. Last year I read Tress of the Emerald Sea, and I loved it, so I wanted to continue with the Secret Projects. While I did enjoy this one, I have to say it didn’t wow me. The idea of going to a different dimension was really interesting, I enjoyed the humor and the world, but it just didn’t blow me away.

My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 Vol. 2 – Mashiro

This second volume was another interesting one and I feel like there are already little things that we didn’t see in the anime. I read most of this one with a smile on my face. I’m glad that I only have to wait about a month for Vol. 3.

A Condition Called Love Vol. 6 & Vol. 7 – Megumi Morino

The boyfriend and I watched the anime of A Condition Called Love and in volume 6 & 7 we finally start getting parts of the story that weren’t included in the anime. I’m really enjoying this story and we’re slowly starting to get to know the characters a bit better. We’re also starting to get more of the side characters and I think that’s a fun addition to the story.

Horimiya Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 – Hero

Horimiya is an anime that I watched a few years ago with the boyfriend and really loved. He actually got the first few volumes of this manga for Christmas and read them this month. Knowing I would love them too, he told me I should read them. I’m glad I read the first two. It was great reading about these characters again and remembering things I forgot about the anime.

Before We Were Strangers – Renee Carlino

After reading This Used to Be us last month, I decided I needed more by this author. Before We Were Strangers is a second chance romance and quite the romance if I do say so. Our main characters met in college, but when an internship and miscommunication separates them it takes years before the see each other again. A lot has changed and there were some secrets. I loved how the author wrote this one.

Heavy Hitter – Katie Cotugno

The idea of a pop star and professional athlete having a romance is a lot of fun. I loved how we did see possible things that would make their relationship a bit more difficult, and that they talked about the pressure to perform really affects them. That being said, I just didn’t really feel the chemistry between Lacey and Jimmy. I don’t feel like we got enough of them really together. It was a quick read though.

Seas and Greetings – Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone

The A Christmas Notch series has been one I’ve loved and was excited when the authors announced another novella. Unfortunately, Seas and Greetings just didn’t work for me. It felt like we were just dropped into the middle of a story without much explanation and it was just too instalove for me.

The Blonde Identity – Ally Carter

After loving The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by this author, I wanted to read more and I saw that The Blonde Identity was on Storytel. I started this on my last workday before vacation, so it took three weeks for me to finish this one. While I enjoyed the mystery and romance, I think taking a break definitely affected how much I would’ve loved it.

Phantasma – Kaylie Smith

Phantasma is a dark romance that I’ve seen around since it was announced and this stunning cover had me excited to read it. I loved the trials in this and the atmosphere. It had my attention from the beginning. Ophelia was a really interesting character and her romance with Blackwell had me hooked. The book had the perfect balance of world building, games, character development, and romance. I’ll definitely read the next book Kaylie is writing in this world.

Nothing Like the Movies – Lynn Painter

Part of me was scared when Nothing Like the Movies was announced. Would it live up to Better than the Movies? I was so excited when I got this eARC and I read it in one day. Wes and Liz have been through a lot since we left them at the end of book one. There’s a lot going on in this story, but I loved it! My full review will be on the blog soon.

Evocation – S.T. Gibson

I’ve had my eARC of Evocation for quite some time and after a few people I know read and loved this one, I had to sit down and find out what it’s about. This fantasy took me a little while to really get into, but once I did, I couldn’t stop. The world, the characters, and the romance just all worked so well together. This is a perfect fall read!

Odd Spirits – S.T. Gibson

When I finished Evocation and saw that I could request Odd Spirits, the novella that takes place before that story, I couldn’t click request fast enough. I thought it was really interesting to see how Rhys and Moira met. Also, the illustrations in this newer edition are truly stunning.

May the Best Player Win – Kyla Zhao

May the Best Player Win is another book that reminds me why I need to read more middle grade. I haven’t played chess in years, but this book definitely gave me a little refresher. Our main character, May Li, is great at chess and gets to join her school’s team at nationals. Even though this is very exciting, it also brings some insecurities and frustration. This middle grade book deals with pressures of being good at something, friendship, doing what you love, and much more.

Casket Case – Lauren Evans

Casket Case was marketed as a heartwarming rom-com. I feel like that’s where it went wrong, because this didn’t feel like rom-com. The premise is fun, but the execution just didn’t work for me. The story goes very slow, and the relationship between Nora and Garrett has them saying I love you before their third date. I also didn’t really buy their romance. They were constantly arguing and it just didn’t feel right. Add in a love triangle and this book kind of lost me. I did appreciate how grief was handled in the story though.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas – Sara Raasch

The Nightmare Before Kissmas was one of my most anticipated releases of October, and it didn’t disappoint. I had an eARC and an ALC, so I got to tandem read this story. Hex and Nicholas stole a place in my heart, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series. It had everything I love about holiday books sprinkled with a few other holidays.

Fang Fiction – Kate Stayman-London

When I read our main character would get invited to the world of her favorite fantasy novel, I knew I needed to read Fang Fiction. I loved that the author incorporated pieces of the book Tess love, podcast transcripts, articles, and stuff like that throughout the book. Add in some pop culture references we all know and love, and I had a great time. Tess also goes on quite the journey after trying to get her life back on track after being assaulted. This is an emotional book, but is also filled with feisty vampires, friendships, and finding yourself again.

Escaping the Friendzone – Emily Antionette

Monster romances aren’t normally my thing, but I decided to give Escaping the Friendzone a try for the Discord book club I’m in. It was mentioned that these two ended up in an escape room together (unfortunately that was only one chapter). While I loved Ari and Wesley, the sexy scenes just aren’t for me. I found myself skimming most of these.

Smut – Karina Halle

Karina Halle is an author I’ve been wanting to read something by for a while. Not too long ago her book Smut got some negative attention. I didn’t get why and decided to pick this up, because no author should be treated that way. Smut is a fun romance with two characters trying to find out what they really want. We go from rivals/enemies to friends and to lovers. I love the fact these two characters start off writing something for school together to writing smut together. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.

Cash – Jessica Peterson

Since reading Flawless and Done and Dusted, I’ve been wanting to read more cowboy romances. Cash is one I’ve seen online a lot since it released and it caught my eye. This enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance went above everything I was expecting. Mollie and Cash were made for each other. Even if it took time for them to figure it out. This story also deals with grief and realizing that you can’t control everything all of the time. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

This Cursed Light – Emily Thiede

After loving This Vicious Grace I was excited to read the sequel in this duology. While it was still a lot of fun, I do feel like the buildup took a little bit too long compared to the fight we were heading to. That went a little too quickly for my liking, but all in all, a good way to end a duology.

So Wrong – Abby Millsaps

So Wrong is a book I’d seen around since it released and it caught my attention. I have a feeling this is going to be a why choose romance, but I enjoy those. This isn’t a fluffy romance. All of our characters are dealing with things and it definitely left us with a cliffhanger.

 

Isabelle

While September has been slightly better than August in reading terms, it still wasn’t great. I’m currently reading a fun book and I hope this will be the turnaround but we will have to wait and see. For now I’ve only finished 2 books this month, but I also read a long fanfic so I’m counting that as well since it took me quite a while to finish haha.

Dreams of Gods & Monsters – Laini Taylor

I finally finished the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series! It was a great series and I enjoyed this last book. I also am really happy with the fact that I can now cross this series of off my list haha.

And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie

I have been wanting to read this one for years but after seeing a youtube video about mystery books I was reminded of it again. And after seeing it as an audiobook, I decided to dive in! It was a pretty short read and I really liked the twist at the end.

Manacled – SenLinYu

I couldn’t not mention this one. It has over 370.000 words, according to google it has around 850 pages and I read it over a period of several weeks haha. I really enjoyed it! It was super dark and I was uncomfortable at times but I also really loved the story.

So that’s our September wrap up! Have you read any of these? Or did you find any new favorites in September? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!