As usual, after our bookhaul, we talk about the books we read the month before. Was August a good reading month? Did we find any new favorites in the books we were able to read? Keep on reading our August wrap up to find out!
Candyce
In August I read 22 books (7 paperbacks, 7 eARCs, 3 eBooks, 3 hardcovers, 1 manga, and 1 KU book). August was one of my best reading months since life has been lifing starting in April. I feel like I found my reading mojo again, but also just accept not having the headspace to read at times. I read some amazing books last month, so let’s take a look!
The Compound – Aisling Rawle
The Compound was on my shelf for over a year, so it was definitely time to pick it up. I think seeing it everywhere last year made me want to read it, but hesitant at the same time. In the end, I was definitely kicking myself for taking so long. This book was a wild ride. The characters weren’t likable, but it was like a train wreck you couldn’t stop watching. I understand that The Compound is something you either enjoy or you don’t. It was weird to read about a Candice in the story though in the way she was described, haha. I would definitely read more by this author.
Kiss of the Basilisk – Lindsay Straube
It took me a while, but I finally picked up Kiss of the Basilisk. Other readers were right when they said this book is more spice than anything. That being said, I do enjoy the plot and politics of this world. Tem annoyed me at times, but I couldn’t put this book down. I already have the sequel, Between Two Kings, ready to read!
In Stormy Weather – Chelsea Curto
August seems to be the month of reading storm chaser romances, haha. In Stormy Weather was one I had a great time with. The banter was amazing, I loved the encounters we had with intense weather, and both of our characters were trying to figure out what makes them happy.
Power Play – Chelsea Curto
Hockey romances are a weakness of mine and Power Play was another great read. Piper and Liam both had their insecurities. Who knew sex lessons and a drunken marriage would help both of them get more confident and find each other? I loved the communication and banter in Power Play. Liam calling Piper “pipsqueak” was just too cute. Add in Liam’s teammates and this book was a great time.
Accomplice to the Villain – Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Why did it take me so long to read the third book in this series? Accomplice to the Villain was such a fun book. The characters, the world, and even the humor had me hooked. I also really appreciate the short chapters. I am happy that the fourth book is now out, so I can read it soon because the ending of this book was very unexpected!
Mate – Ali Hazelwood
Bride was Ali Hazelwood’s first paranormal romance and one that I very much enjoyed. So Mate was added to my shelves as soon as it released, but it took me some time to get to. I’m mad it took me so long, because I loved every minute of Serena and Koen’s story. The tension and build up to their romance was perfect. I will only say that the way the audiobook pronounces Koen’s name bugged me the whole time I was listening along while reading.
Save the Date -Allison Raskin
Save the Date seemed to have everything I love in a book, but this one didn’t work at all. I didn’t love the FMC. I loved the idea of this story but it just tried too hard? DNFing is hard for me, but this is one I should’ve gave up on.
Ruinous Ends – I.V. Marie
Ruinous Ends starts off right where Immortal Consequences ended. We still follow the group of characters we got to know in the first book. I was surprised how much of an emotional roller coaster this book was and I had no idea what kind of ending we were going to get. It’s hard to say anything without spoiling the first book, but our characters have a lot to get through. The ending is bittersweet but fitting to this story.
Assassin’s Apprentice – Robin Hobb
Assassin’s Apprentice is a book I’ve been curious about for quite some time. My fiance loved this trilogy and it was our in person book club read for August. Robin Hobb’s writing is beautiful, the world was really interesting, and the characters were flawed but kept me reading. The last 30% of this book kept me on the edge of my seat and I definitely need to read book two soon.
A Dance of Lies – Brittney Arena
A Dance of Lies has been on my radar since it released last year and it was a great time! I definitely got major Throne of Glass vibes and that made me enjoy this more I think. The world was interesting, the politics, and there were some twists I didn’t see. I’m glad I decided to read this when the sequel just released. I need to get my hands on the sequel and make time for it!
A Condition Called Love, Vol. 14 – Megumi Morino
After reading 14 volumes, I’m still loving A Condition Called Love. This volume took a little more of a look at the past and we had some more of a few of the side characters. I’ll be continuing with this series soon.
Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt – Ben Reeves
I was naïve to think that a book with death as the main character wouldn’t make me cry, haha. Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt is a book that’s going to stick with me for quite some time. It definitely makes you think about life and to not take your time for granted.
The Twelve Loves of Christmas: An Advent Romance Collection
I’m someone who loves Christmas, so I’ve been reading a story here and there of this advent romance collection. Short stories don’t always work for me, but there were quite a few in this anthology that made me very happy. A few of my favorites were: Ho Ho Oh No, Twelve Seconds to Forever, and A Solstice Kiss. I’ll definitely be diving into some more Christmas books after reading this.
Long Story Short – Serena Kaylor
Long Story Short is a great story of our main character learning a lot about life, friendship, and maybe even love. Beatrice is pretty much a statistical genius and has been accepted to Oxford at sixteen. Her parents are concerned about this and rightfully so, because Beatrice has been home-schooled and tends to avoid social situations. Them sending her to a theater camp to see if she can handle the social aspects of school and even being far away from her parents was an interesting and safe idea. It was great seeing Beatrice experience things for the first time and how her group of friends embraced her when she was new to said camp. Long Story Short is a heart-warming story.
Fossil Feud – Maggie North
When I first got invited to read an eARC of Fossil Feud, I was a bit hesitant. I didn’t know if this romance would be for me. After reading this book I’m glad I did, because this was everything I want in a book and more. This has a slow burn romance and a MMC that really sees our main character and what she won’t let others see. I definitely see myself rereading this in the future.
Yours for the Season – Emily Stone
It’s August, I know! I was just really in the mood for a holiday romance. Yours for the Season is a second chance romance and it was a great time. These two characters clearly broke up because of lack of communication, but it was great seeing them find their way back to each other. Also, I’m always a fan of fictional families, so this one was great!
Accomplished – Amanda Quain
Accomplished is a fun Pride & Prejudice retelling that is a pretty quick read. If I’m honest, that’s all I can really say about it. The book was fine. Georgie has been through a lot and I do think it was interesting to see her find her way in this one and fix some things that didn’t go as planned.
Kiss Me Maybe – Gabriella Gamez
Kiss Me Maybe was a story about our main character exploring her identity and sexuality and doing this even more after a video goes viral on TikTok. Our main character starts a scavenger hunt to find someone to give her first kiss. That aspect of the story was interesting, but I loved that what she was looking for ended up being closer than she realized. The tension and spice in this story was really good, loved the found family feelings, and I loved how the author wrote this story.
Chase Me If You Can – Heather Frances
I love watching storm chaser TV shows, so how could I say no to a storm chasing romance? Chase Me If You Can was a book I picked up and just couldn’t put down. Sloane and Wes’ romance was so much fun and I love how these two being forced together really started something amazing. These two needed the other more than they realized. I only wish we also had Wes’ POV in the story. I really hope Heather writes more storm chaser romances.
Sidecar Crush – Claire Kingsley & Lucy Score
Sidecar Crush is the second book in the Bootleg Springs series. This was a fun and easy to read romance. Bootleg Springs sounds like a great place to visit. Leah and Jonah were fun characters to have a romance about and I loved that the siblings play just a big of part as they did in the first book. I will say it’s not a series that’s really blowing me away. I will continue, because I want to find out how this mystery aspect is going to play out.
The One I Left Behind – Piper Rayne
The One I Left Behind is a book I grabbed when it was free on Kindle and I’m glad I sat down to read this. I’m someone who loves small town romances that have a big fictional family and I know this one is going to be great. That being said, I do feel like this one needed to be longer. It was fun, but I needed more depth.
Accidentally Yours – Christina Lauren
If you’re looking for a fast and funny read, I can definitely recommend Accidentally Yours. There was banter, emails, and just a great time. The only thing that bugged me was the unnecessary miscommunication. In a novella it just didn’t feel fitting at all.
Isabelle
I read 7 books in August and 6 of them were rereads haha. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to read that much during my trip, but thanks to audiobooks I have been rereading a lot when getting ready for the new school year.
The Right Move – Liz Tomforde
The one new book I read; the second book in the Windy City series. I enjoyed the first book in this series and I really liked this second one as well! The third book is already downloaded and ready to read on my Kindle. These books aren’t perfect, but they are a lot of fun and the men are very swoon-worthy!
All for the Game 1-5 – Nora Sakavic
I told a reader friend about this series and I just had to reread the books myself! Even though it’s the third time this year haha. I flew through the books and in about a week I listened to all 5. The wait for book 6 is killing me haha.
A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J. Maas
I’m starting to get ready for ACOTAR #6, my reread of Throne of Glass is almost complete and I started my reread of the ACOTAR series. Book 1 is finished and I’m about to finish book 2. After the ACOTAR series I also hope to reread Crescent City to be fully ready for the next books!
So that’s a wrap on August! Did we read any of the same books? Or did you find any new favorites last month? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!
