Another month of reading complete! September is over, so it’s time for our wrap up. What did we read last month? Did we find any favorites? Keep on reading to find out.

Candyce

In September I read 28 books(8 paperbacks, 6 hardcovers, 6 eARCs, 3 eBooks, 2 manga, 2 eBooks on KU, and 1 audiobook). I had a great time reading and ended with an average of a 4 star rating, so I read some good ones as well. Let’s take a look at what I read!

A Condition Called Love Vol. 9 & Vol. 10 – Megumi Morino

After loving the anime and the volumes of A Condition Called Love I’ve read before, so it was time to continue with this series. It’s hard to really talk about what I thought 10 volumes in, but we’re getting more background story and our characters are definitely growing as the series continues. I’m still having a great time.

Nectar of the Wicked – Ella Fields

Nectar of the Wicked was a book I wanted to like, because the synopsis sounded really good. Unfortunately, this was just okay for me. Our main character is a changeling that hasn’t been treated well by the mother she was left with. After she passes, her world changes. The world and characters were interesting in this story, but I felt like the author never took the time to really develop them. Most of the time it was just our two main characters having sex every time something went wrong or she had questions. Also, quite a few elements were very predictable.

Rose in Chains – Julie Soto

If I understood everything correctly, Rose in Chains used to be a fan fiction. That’s not something that’s ever caught my eye, but this story sounded really good. I will say that Rose in Chains is a dark story with some themes that go quite far. Briony was an interesting character and I kind of wished we had a few chapters from Toven’s POV because the tension between them was jumping off of the page. There’s also a lot of politics and the magic in this world is intriguing. I can’t wait for the next book.

Katabasis – R.F. Kuang

After loving The Poppy War trilogy, I needed Katabasis! Two rival academics go to Hell to save their professor’s soul. Definitely an interesting concept and Kuang had me hooked from the start. The book ended up being a bit different than expected, but I had a great time with it. She gives us lots of information, but they way it’s woven into the story doesn’t feel like she’s just throwing it in there.

The Break-Up Pact – Emma Lord

Two friends decide to fake date after they both have very public break ups. I love this trope and I really enjoyed the small town it took place in. I will say I think I would’ve loved it a bit more if we had chapters from Levi’s POV. Also, June annoyed me a bit when she just decided not to talk to Levi and assume things. All in all, I had a great time with this story.

Warrior Princess Assassin – Brigid Kemmerer

Warrior Princess Assassin was a book I read in one sitting! This book was just so good. I will say it felt more character driven than plot driven, but that fit this story so well. We still got quite a bit of world building and I can’t wait to see where the story goes in the next book.

The Will of the Many – James Islington

I think I may have found one of my favorite books of the year! The Will of the Many was very hyped after it released and I kept seeing people being shocked by the ending. The hype had me a little scared to read this, but I’m glad I finally did. The world was very interesting as well as the magic and characters. I also didn’t feel like this was a 600+ page book. The only positive side of waiting to read this is that the sequel releases in November!

Quicksilver – Callie Hart

I finally sat down and read Quicksilver! This fantasy romance was so much fun. The banter, the world, and the characters all kept my attention from the start. This 600+ page book was very easy to devour. While some things could be seen as predictable, I had a great time! And I don’t have a long time to wait for the sequel to be released.

Beautiful Things – Emily Rath

Historical romance isn’t something I tend to pick up, but Beautiful Things sounded like so much fun. This stunning cover and sprayed edges definitely helped that as well. This is a why choose romance filled with tension and we get all of the POVs. I do wish these characters would just sit down and talk sometimes, but other than that I had a great time!

Kiss the Girl – Zoraida Cordova

So far I’ve enjoyed all of the retellings in the Meant to Be series so far. Kiss the Girl is a retelling of my favorite Disney movie, The Little Mermaid. I had a great time with Ariel’s story and I love the little hints of The Little Mermaid throughout the story. The only thing that did bug me a bit was that this book felt like it wasn’t sure if it was a YA or adult book.

Tryst Six Venom – Penelope Douglas

This dark bully romance caught my attention, because a lot of my friends really enjoy this author. I will say that I did enjoy the fact that Clay and Olivia both really grow as characters in this story and with their family. On the other hand, I feel like this book was just a bit too smut heavy. I don’t mind a steamy book, but it didn’t feel balanced enough for me here.

Double Apex – Josie Juniper

Double Apex is a Formula 1 romance and that’s not something I read very often. It started off pretty interesting and I love seeing a female character in a role like Phaedra has. That being said, as a character she annoyed me so much. At the end I couldn’t stand her at all. Unfortunately, that really ruined my reading experience. I also saw that the sequel to this book has a very low rating on Goodreads. While that normally doesn’t stop me from trying a book, I will not be continuing with this series.

Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee – Jeff Zentner

Every book I’ve read by this author so far have been five star read and Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee kept that record going. I thought this would be the first time one of his books didn’t make me tear up, but I was wrong. He got me again! This book is filled with family, friendship, growing up, mental health, and a little bit of romance. I need to get Jeff’s other two books I haven’t read yet.

Rewitched – Lucy Jane Wood

We’re officially in a cozy season, so that also means cozy books. Rewitched was a cozy fantasy that had a lot to do with family, believing in yourself, and going after what you want. I loved seeing Belle learn about her magic and becoming more confident.

Out of the Gate – Elsie Silver

Earlier this year I read Off to the Races, but I never got around to reading the prequel novella at the end of the book. In Out of the Gate we get Vaughn’s grandparents’ romance. I had a great time with this story. Even though we only had a limited time with these two I loved their romance and the tension jumped off the page. I will say I wouldn’t have minded a full novel about Dermot and Ada!

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping – Sangu Mandanna

We’re heading into my favorite season of the year, so of course I need to have some witchy reads. Our main character, Sera, resurrected her great aunt from the dead and lost all of her magic. That made her Guild exile her. A little much for someone to handle. We basically read about Sera going about her daily life while trying to get her magic back. This was a cozy read that hits you in all of the feels. I enjoyed my time with this book.

People Watching – Hannah Bonam-Young

Hannah Bonam-Young is one of my favorite authors and she proved to me again with People Watching. Milo and Prue were both interesting characters with their own emotional family stuff. I enjoyed that this book was lighthearted and emotional at times. There was communication and some amazing side characters. I hope we see stories about Milo’s sister!

The Brave and the Reckless – Dilan Dyer

A cowboy romance that takes place at a theme park? Yes, please! I had a great time with this romance. I will say that Esra annoyed me at times, but when you learn about how her childhood was, it’s a bit more understandable. The tension, banter, and side characters really bring this story to life. I can’t wait for the next book in Bravetown.

Falling Like Leaves – Misty Wilson

When I saw this was pitched for fans of Gilmore Girls, I was sold! This young adult book had a lot of elements I love. A great small town, a cute romance, great friendships, family, and a main character who grows a lot in this story. If I could move to Bramble Falls I would!

The Killer Question – Janice Hallett

I’ve only read The Appeal by this author and I had a great time. I love the way she tells stories and when I heard that The Killer Question would also be told through text messages, emails, and pub quizzes, I needed this book in my life. I will say this was a book I couldn’t put down and I had a great time. This was a mystery I didn’t solve and I loved that I didn’t see the twist coming.

Everything She Does Is Magic – Bridget Morrissey

I’ve read a few books by Bridget Morrissey that I really enjoyed, so I was excited to read a YA book by her. Everything She Does Is Magic is fun book for this time of year and it felt very cozy. I love that she explores the themes of friendship, family, romance, growing up and figuring out what you want in life. I’m glad I requested an eARC of this one.

Lucky Shot – Rebecca Jenshak

I’ve been in the mood for some sports romance and Lucky Shot sounded like a book I would love. This grumpy/sunshine, single dad, forced proximity was so much fun. He’s a hockey player and she’s an author who needs to change her baseball romance into a hockey romance. The last thing he wanted was someone hanging around taking up his time, but there was definitely a connection. The banter and humor in this book was so much fun! I also enjoyed both of these characters trying to find their confidence again in the things they loved.

Love & Other Killers – Brynne Weaver

Even though I’m normally not a fan of short stories, I will make an exception for the stories that takes place in a series I’ve loved. Love & Other Killers takes place a while after the ending of the Ruinous Love Trilogy. It was so fun being back with all of these characters for a bit and it was fun, quirky, and even a little steamy. I’m glad the author gave us this story.

Hot for Slayer – Ali Hazelwood

So short stories don’t tend to work for me, but Hot for Slayer was a lot of fun. I loved this vampire/slayer romance. This story had me laughing out loud a few times. I will say, I would’ve loved to have had this as a full novel.

The City and Its Uncertain Walls – Haruki Murakami

The City and Its Uncertain Walls was my book club read this month and I ended up really not liking this book. The concept was interesting and I appreciate the themes the author brought into this book, but it was so repetitive. I really need to get better at DNFing, because the last couple of hours of this book weren’t fun.

Prince Charming – Rachel Hawkins

Prince Charming was such an adorable young adult romance. I think a lot of us wished we would become a princess as a child, but I can say I wouldn’t want that at all anymore, haha. Our main character’s sister is going to marry a prince and after a few paparazzi mishaps, she ends up spending her summer with the Royal family. There’s a lot of chaos and drama, but it was a lot of fun to read. I also really appreciated that the actual romance didn’t take over the story.

Tourist Season – Brynne Weaver

I loved The Ruinous Love trilogy, so of course I had to read Tourist Season. Cape Carnage is an interesting small town and so are its characters. Harper and Nolan both have their reasons for being there and he’s actually after her. Their lives become intertwined and it gets messy. I wasn’t expecting this to be an actually series and not interconnected standalones. I had a great time and I’ll be anxiously awaiting the sequel.

 

Isabelle

September wasn’t a good reading month for me, I only read 1 new book and reread 3 others. I haven’t been sleeping great, so listening to audiobooks was my way to go. Luckily I did love what little I read.

Jade War – Fonda Lee

This book took some turns I never saw coming! And I’ll admit, it makes me a bit scared for the final book. I love these characters and I’m not sure they will all make it out alive or even in one piece. This is a wonderful series and I’m excited to dive into the next book.

Throne of Glass 1-3 – Sarah J. Maas

This started as a reread while trying to fall asleep. But at some point the second book just completely hooked me again and I started listening outside of falling asleep. And when I had a migraine on Sunday, I listened to all of Heir of Fire and bawled my eyes out haha. I’m currently listening to Queen of Shadows and I expect I will finish that one in the next day or two.

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