Another reading month is over and we want to tell you what we read! Did we find any new favorites? Did we read a lot? Keep on reading our October wrap up to find out!
Candyce
In October I read 30 books (11 paperbacks, 10 audiobooks, 5 eBooks, 3 manga, and 1 eARC). My average rating was 4 starts, so I’d say it was a good month. Let’s talk about the books I read!
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 Vol.3 – Mashiro
I’m always so excited when the next volume of a manga releases that I’m really enjoyed. Which was the case with the next volume of My Love Story with Yama-kun at Lv999. We’re still getting a lot of what we saw in the anime, but I’m loving the little pieces we didn’t get in there. The only downside of manga is that I read them so quickly.
A Condition Called Love Vol. 8 – Megumi Morino
A Condition Called Love Vol. 8 is the last volume I have on my shelves, so I’ll have to get more to continue this series. I’m loving that we’re getting a lot more than in the anime and even more about side characters. This is the first volume I’ve given five stars.
Cat + Gamer Vol. 6 – Wataru Nadatani
I think I’ve said it every time I read a volume of Cat + Gamer, but even though I’m not a gamer, I can very much relate to having cats. I love that our main character is still trying to figure out cats, but she loves them so much. The drawings of the cats and the little sections we get their POV is really the best. I’m sad there are only a couple more volumes before this series is over.
The Only One Left – Riley Sager
After not loving Survive the Night by Riley Sager, I still wanted to give more books by him a try. I bought The Only One Left, because it sounded really interesting. The first 300 pages were really good and had me wanting to keep on reading. Then when getting toward the end, the twists kind of ruined it for me. There were quite a few and a couple felt pretty far-fetched.
Powerful – Lauren Roberts
Powerless was one that was a bit over-hyped, but I was still intrigued enough to continue. I actually enjoyed Powerful a little more than Powerless. We meet Adena in the first book and it was fun getting her story. Even though you know how it ends if you’ve read Powerless, it was still worth the read.
Every Exquisite Thing – Laura Steven
Laura Steven is one of my favorite authors and she pulled me in right away when I started Every Exquisite Thing. This retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray is dark and intriguing. It’s not always easy to read, but Penny’s story kept me going. The ending did feel a little rushed to me, but other than that a great story.
Finally Mine – Lucy Score
Pretend You’re Mine was a story I loved and I was excited for Gloria and Aldo’s story after reading it. I don’t know what took me so long to pick up Finally Mine, but I regret not picking it up sooner. This is such an emotional story, but also heartwarming at the same time.
Grimstone – Sophie Lark
Sophie Lark is an author I’ve enjoyed and her dark romantic thriller, Grimstone, seemed like a perfect choice for this spooky season. I can tell you I wouldn’t want to live in that town or creepy house. The whole twist is one I figured out, but I still had a good time with this story.
Haunted Ever After – Jen DeLuca
Boneyard Key is a town in Florida that has its share of ghosts, and when Cassie moves there she doesn’t believe in the haunting until her house seems to have an unwanted guest. The ghosts and side characters were a lot of fun and Haunted Ever After was a heartwarming story. Cassie and Nick’s romance was sweet, but I really felt it was a bit surface level. I wanted a bit more of them together and just a little more character development.
There Will Come a Darkness – Katy Rose Pool
There Will Come a Darkness is a book that we read for book club this month. It’s been on my TBR for a few years now, so I’m glad I finally read it. This isn’t the most unique fantasy I’ve read, and it’s pretty predictable, but I had a really good time. Some of the events at the end have me wanting to continue with book two really soon.
The Ballad of Never After – Stephanie Garber
The Ballad of Never After is the sequel of Once Upon a Broken Heart, and it had me hooked from the beginning to the end. The first book felt like a set up, and once you get here things get really interesting. I read this book in just about one sitting. I can’t tell you too much, because it’s a sequel, but it was a five star read for me.
Death at Morning House – Maureen Johnson
Since reading Truly Devious, I read everything that Maureen Johnson writes. Death at Morning House follows two timelines and I love when books do that. Marlowe was a fun character to follow and the family we follow in the other timeline was quite a unique one. This was a fast and fun mystery!
Metal Slinger – Rachel Schneider
Metal Slinger is the start of a new romantasy series and I devoured it. I couldn’t put this down from the start and I completely get the hype now. The world is really interesting, the characters kept my attention, and that ending had my jaw hit the floor. I need the sequel!
What If You & Me – Roni Loren
Yes & I Love You was such a good book and I’ve been wanting to read the sequel since I read it. Finally picking up this book took me a little bit, but What If You & Me was another great story. Andi and Hill have both suffered trauma (in different ways) and end up becoming pretty close. I loved seeing their relationship develop and them dealing with their pasts.
When Haru Was Here – Dustin Thao
You’ve Reached Sam by this author was a book I really enjoyed. It hit me in all the feels and I was so excited for When Haru Was Here. While I did enjoy this book, there were a few things that felt kind of off for me. They’re also really hard to describe without spoiling a few things about this story. I will definitely read more by this author though.
Us in Ruins – Rachel Moore
Us in Ruins is a book I stumbled upon when watching a reading vlog on YouTube, and it sounded like a book I’d love. The audiobook is on Storytel, so I listened to this one during my commute to and from work. I love that we get some mythology on top of the adventures and humor mixed into this story. Margot and Van were fun characters to read about.
One of Us Knows – Alyssa Cole
One of Us Knows caught my eye because the main character has dissociative identity disorder. This story is told through her multiple identities and had me hooked from the start. I do have to say though it started being pretty confusing trying to keep track of who was who. I’m not sure if it was because of the fact I listened to the audiobook. This might have been different if I had read physically? All in all, I still enjoyed One of Us Knows and the ending made everything pick up again.
Horror Movie – Paul Tremblay
I’m not a big horror fan, but I was really curious about Horror Movie. I’m glad I decided to listen to the audiobook for this one, because it has a full cast and sound effects throughout the story. A horror movie that was made in 1993 only ever had three scenes published online. So 30 years later, a reboot is wanted. Of course memories come to the surface and things start happening. I loved that we got some of the screenplay every chapter. I was entertained by this one.
Mr. Heartbreaker – Piper Rayne
I can never say no to a hockey romance, and Mr. Heartbreaker didn’t disappoint. This is a brother’s best friend romance and we had an amazing audiobook.While a lot of problems could be solved if the characters actually just sat down and talked, I still enjoyed Kyleigh and Rowan’s story. I’ll definitely be continuing with this series as the books release.
The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore – Laurie Gilmore
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe was a book that left me a bit underwhelmed, but I was willing to give the series a second try. The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore was entertaining and I loved the fact that our MMC loved books! While this was enjoyable, I still don’t completely get the hype.
The Wedding Witch – Erin Sterling
The Wedding Witch is the third book in The Ex Hex series. It was fun, but just like the first two books, they were fun, but they’re not my favorite. I did really enjoying getting a glimpse of the characters from the other books.
Dead Girls Talking – Megan Cooley Peterson
After reading Dead Girls Talking, I’m honestly still not sure how I feel about this story. It held my attention, and I don’t think I saw the twist coming, but there were some scenes in this story that didn’t feel right to me.
I’ll Be Gone for Christmas – Georgia K. Boone
I couldn’t let the month end before reading another holiday book. I’ll Be Gone for Christmas is kind of like The Holiday. Our two main characters are struggling and decide that a new location could be just what they need. This is a heartwarming and sometimes emotional story. At times it was a bit too slow, but all in all, I really enjoyed myself while reading this book.
The Bribe – Willa Nash
Willa Nash is Devney Perry’s pen name and I’ve been wanting to start the Calamity Montana series for quite some time. When I saw The Bribe on Storytel, I knew I needed to read it. Duke and Lucy don’t start off on the right foot in this small town romance, but that changes quickly. I loved the banter, tension, and even the touch of suspense we get. Add in some amazing side characters and I had a great time! I’m almost done with book two as I’m typing this.
The Boyfriend – Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden has been on my list of authors I want to read from. I finally decided to take her off that list by reading her newest release, The Boyfriend! This book had me thinking of so many theories while I was reading and in the end I wasn’t even close to having the twist right. I read this in one sitting and I’ll definitely be reading more by Freida McFadden soon.
Six Scorched Roses – Carissa Broadbent
I really enjoyed The Serpent and the Wings of Night and I’ve really wanted to continue with the series. I recently received an eARC of the first book in the newest duology in this series releasing next month, so it made me even more excited to continue. Six Scorched Roses was an interesting short story in this world and I’m excited to learn more about Lilith and Vale (I believe they make an appearance in The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King.
Incidents Around the House – Josh Malerman
So horror isn’t my go to genre, but I was so intrigued by Incidents Around the House. This story is told through a child’s POV, and it was so creepy. I’m not going to say too much about it, because I believe this is a book you need to experience yourself. All I know is that I won’t be going to the bathroom in the dark any time soon, haha.
Only One Coffin – A.J. Truman
Only One Coffin is a grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, MM vampire romance. For a story under 200 pages, this still hit me in all the feels. The humor, emotions, and even the romance were great in this story. I wouldn’t have minded a full novel about Magnus and Kilroy.
The Roommate Risk – Talia Hibbert
The Roommate Risk was an emotional friends to lovers romance. I think I like Rahul just a little more, and while I understood where Jasmine was coming from, she did annoy me at times. I actually didn’t realize that this was the second book in the trilogy, so I have to go back and read The Princess Trap.
All I Want Is You – Falon Ballard
I know it’s still spooky season, but I’m in such a mood for Christmas reads. All I Want Is You is a 2024 release that I had an eARC of, and I’m so glad I decided to read it. This book has everything I love about holiday books. We had a character who loves Christmas, characters that get snowed in, forced proximity, and characters writing a book together. Reading this book left a smile on my face.
Isabelle
It always feels weird saying this after Candyce but I did pretty good this month, especially compared to the previous 2 months. This month I read 7 books, and yes that was mostly because of audiobooks but it is what it is!
The Blonde Identity – Ally Carter
This one was so much fun! I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and finished it so quickly. This made me want to revisit the Gallagher Girls series, I’m so curious to see if I would still enjoy this series.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – Jesse Q. Sutanto
This is another fun, quick book. I have listened to the audiobooks for all 3 books in this series now. They’re not the best books ever but like I said, they’re fun and quick and I do enjoy them. Apparently there was supposed to be a fourth book but the publisher wanted to focus on the Vera Wong series. I guess that will be the next book by this author I’ll pick.
The Scholomance Trilogy – Naomi Novik
I adore these books so much! They were mentioned in my Halloween tag and of course I immediately had to get the audiobooks and binge the whole series. I still loved this series so so much, even more so this time around if that was possible. It took me less than a week to binge the series and I definitely teared up a couple of times.
The Awakening – Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
My first Kindle Unlimited read! It took me so much longer than I wanted to finish this one, but I really enjoyed it and I’m currently reading the second book in the series. Once again, not the best books but also enjoyable for sure. I don’t know if I want to read all the books in this universe yet but for now I’m enjoying it.
The Honey Moon – Shalini Boland
My second Kindle Unlimited read! I came across this book in a TikTok video about books with surprising endings I believe and I had to try it for myself. This didn’t completely live up to my expectations based on that recommendation but there was a small twist I didn’t see coming that definitely upped my rating.
So that’s our October wrap up! Have you read any of these books? Or what was your favorite read of the month? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!
