Another month has passed and that means it’s time to talk about the books we read in October. Did we find any new favorites? Keep on reading our October wrap up to find out!
Candyce
In October I read 20 books (5 ARCs, 5 Kindle Unlimited books, 4 hardcovers, 3 audiobooks, and 3 eBooks) and I had an average rating of 3.6 stars. October wasn’t my month and it’s been years since I only read 20 books. Yes, I know it’s still a lot, but for me it’s not, haha. Work was really busy and I was also sick, so I’m really hoping November is a better (reading) month. Let’s take a look at what I read.
Immortal Consequences – I.V. Marie
Immortal Consequences was a book I kept seeing everywhere before it released and it had two things that I love: a boarding school and a competition/trials. We follow six students who are technically in purgatory. The story and world are interesting and there were quite a few twists and reveals I didn’t see coming at all! That being said, I do think six POVs was a bit much at times to keep the story going. I’m excited about book two.
Heavenly Bodies – Imani Erriu
Heavenly Bodies was one of the prettiest editions I’ve received from Fairyloot!! I’ve been wanting to read this fantasy romance for quite some time but kept putting it off. I love the Gods are stars in this world and the prophecy we’re reading about. This was a five star read for me but I will say I do wish we got a few chapters from Enzo’s POV. I can’t wait for the sequel.
Sanctuary of the Shadow – Aurora Ascher
I’ll be honest and admit that this was partially a cover buy. Even though the synopsis was very interesting. This was marketed as a magical circus, but the circus barely plays a part in this story. Also, the world building was lacking and I didn’t connect to the characters. Unfortunately, I completely understand that 2.91 average rating on Goodreads.
The Games Gods Play – Abigail Owen
The Games Gods Play was a fun time. I love books with trials and a bit of romance. Lyra annoyed me at times, but knowing what she’s dealt with and how her life was before the trials, I do get where she was coming from. The romance didn’t take over the whole book and that’s something I appreciated. I’m excited to see where the sequel takes us.
From Blood and Ash – Jennifer L. Armentrout
From Blood and Ash is a series I’ve been wanting to continue for ages, so it was time for a reread of the first book. Because I’ve read this one before, I decided to listen to the audiobook this time around. This was a great experience and I loved being back with Poppy. When I reread the second book it will be immersion reading. I feel like I did miss some details only listening to the audiobook.
Falling – Christina Lauren
Falling is a typical example of why I have a hard time with short stories. The concept of a fallen angel who feeds by having sex was interesting. Even the FMC being immune to said curse caught my eye. There was just so much I would’ve loved to have known and this story was just too short. I would’ve loved this more as a full length novel.
Spicy Little Curses – J.T. Geissinger
Spicy Little Curses is a short story I really enjoyed. Our MMC has a family curse. Any woman who falls in love with him ends up dead. Petra is a reporter who doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but that changes when she meets Dax. The banter and tension was great and for a short story I feel like we were given all of the information we needed. That being said, I wouldn’t say no if the author ever turned this into a full length novel.
Space Vampire – Ruby Dixon
I think Space Vampire just made me realize I’m really not a fan of alien romance. It also made me realize once again why I have a hard time with short stories. There just wasn’t enough time to develop this story and it just didn’t work for me.
Beautiful Nightmare – Katee Robert
Beautiful Nightmare is the proof that I can love a short story. Gemma is a very awkward sleep paralysis demon and I ate this story up. It was funny and heartwarming. While I wouldn’t mind having this as a full length novel, I love it for what it is.
The Fang Arrangement – Sarah Blue
A witch/vampire romance? Yes, please! It’s the perfect time of year for these kind of books and I had a great time with Ember and Warin. The banter and tension was great. And in all honesty, Ember’s raccoon familiar really stole the show for me, haha. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
What Fury Brings – Tricia Levenseller
I’ve enjoyed previous YA books by Tricia Levenseller and I was really excited about her adult debut. What Fury Brings didn’t disappoint and I had a great time. She gave us an interesting twist by having the women be more powerful in this world and the MMC needed “saving”. While this is very focused on their relationship and less on the world, I think we got enough information to keep it entertaining. I will say after reading the author’s note, I expected the story to be darker.
Female Fantasy – Iman Hariri-Kia
Our main character doesn’t have the best luck in love and her expectations are high because her favorite book boyfriend is just amazing. After another failed date she finds out her favorite fictional male is based on the author’s best friend. So she starts her journey to find him. Okay, so this book has some moments that are very unrealistic, but I love the messages this book brings. Romance isn’t some silly genre, but means a lot for women. I highly suggest also reading the author’s note at the beginning of this book.
The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn – Valerie Bowman
The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn had everything I should love in a fall romance, but this one just didn’t work for me. I think it was mostly the main character who had some weird obsession with dementia. I also just couldn’t connect with her. The family dog is the character who really stole the show.
Mistletoe Meet Cute – Bella Matthews
I’m so glad I signed up to read an eARC of Mistletoe Meet Cute. I loved Camden and Holly’s story. Holly is a fan of Christmas just like I am and is exactly what Camden needed. They both got to know each other and realized they were just what the other needed. This was a great start to my holiday reading.
Girl Geek – Brenna Aubrey
Girl Geek was an eBook I had on the Kindle app on my phone. I read a chapter or two a day on there and this one sounded fun. The concept of the FMC being a gamer was fun. I don’t game myself, but I love seeing it in books. After reading this I realized it was a prequel and I’m not really sure I’ll continue. I don’t really feel like this story went anywhere? It’s kind of hard to explain.
Make Your Move – Cali Melle
Make Your Move started off pretty strong for me. I love a romance when characters finally get their chance with each other. Lincoln and Nova clearly had feelings for each other and ten years later they were still there. I loved Lincoln with her daughter, but this story stayed very surface level for me. A few moments of drama were thrown in that felt kind of awkward and I just didn’t get as invested as I had hoped.
Leviathan Wakes – James S.A. Corey
Leviathan Wakes was the book I read for my in person book club this month. Science fiction is something I don’t read that often, but I had a good time. It had some flaws and I feel it could’ve been about 100 pages shorter than it is, but I did have a good time. I am curious about the adaptation of this series.
Hazel Says No – Jessica Berger Gross
The Blum family moves from Brooklyn to Maine and their lives get upended after a certain event, we see everything play out in this community. We get the POV of every person in the family and how they all deal with the aftermath. This is a very character driven novel I don’t think will be for everyone, but it kept my interest from the start. It’s interesting to see each character deal with things in their own way and how it affects them as a family.
Passion Project – London Sperry
I can’t even imagine what it’s like to lose your first love in such a way. Our main character is dealing with that grief and it’s understandable she’s lost her passion for many things in life. Bennet and Henry working on a passion project was emotional but also heartwarming. I feel like the author really took her time with this one and made it feel genuine.
The Housemaid – Freida McFadden
I probably have a very unpopular opinion, but I don’t get the hype about The Housemaid. It started off pretty strong, but I really felt the twists and the way this plot went was rather cliche. After reading four books by Freida McFadden and only really enjoying one, I think it’s time for me to say that this author just isn’t for me.
Isabelle
I read 5 books this month, which is pretty decent but they are all rereads haha. With not sleeping great and being sick all I wanted was to lose myself in a great audiobook. I do hope I’ll be able to read some new books in November.
Throne of Glass 4 – 7 – Sarah J. Maas
I started rereading the Throne of Glass series as a way to spend the time when I was trying to fall asleep. At some point I got so invested again I just kept going and going until I got to the end. I love the books and I have once again shed so many tears over these characters.
House of Earth & Blood – Sarah J. Maas
After finishing Kingdom of Ash I wanted to torture myself some more haha, so I started listening to House of Earth & Blood. And I cried some more. It’s been awhile since I read this series and I really loved being back with these characters. At the moment I’m listening to the second book and I will probably dive into the third one right after finishing it.
So that’s what we read in October! How was your reading month? Did you find any new favorites? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!
