Another reading month is over, so it’s time to talk about how we did. Did we find any new favorites? Or did any books surprise up? Keep on reading our September wrap up to find out!

Candyce

In September I read 22 books (6 manga, 6 paperbacks, 6 eARCs, 2 hardcovers, and 2 eBooks). I’d say it was a good month even though I didn’t have a single 5 star read. I also kind of expected to read more because I had half of the month off, but I had some fun things going on. So all in all, a good reading month!

Deathbringer – Sonia Tagliareni

Deathbringer had a lot of things I loved. We had an interesting world, magic, an academy, and even a murder mystery. The book started off really slow though and I normally don’t mind that, but I felt like I didn’t get much from it being slow and I felt like I was missing information. I just wanted more? More of the characters, more of the world, and even more of the academy. Even though I do feel that way, I am curious about the sequel.

Shadow Reaper – Lynette Noni

Shadow Reaper is a book I was really looking forward to and I had a great time. I enjoyed the idea of shadow magic and reapers. Also, they live in a mountain? So much happens and I couldn’t put it down. Yes, I predicted some of the twists, but there were many I didn’t see coming! I can’t wait for the final book in the duology.

If Not for My Baby – Kate Golden

Rockstar romances aren’t something I read often, but I’m glad I picked up If Not for My Baby. The slow burn in this one had the tension jumping off of the pages. I also loved that Clementine finally got to live her dream!

Wyatt – Jessica Peterson

Friends to lovers romance? Yes, please! Wyatt and Sally were so much fun and this story hit me in all the feels. They both really cared for the other. Wyatt was so protective and Sally just wanted Wyatt to open up a bit more. The only reason this wasn’t a five star read was because they should’ve talked a lot sooner, haha. I still appreciated the fake dating and spicy lessons though.

Beth Is Dead – Katie Bernet

I have to admit I’ve never read Little Women, but Beth Is Dead sounded like a great read. This murder mystery has multiple POVs and a dual timeline. While reading this I couldn’t stop because I needed to know what happened. I will say that the ending was just a little underwhelming to me and I guessed it early on.

The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love – India Holton

I’ve enjoyed other books by India Holton and had heard great things about this one. Her humor is a lot of fun and I love that we get a slow burn romance. The search for a magical bird also gave us a great adventure.

The Second Death of Locke – V.L. Bovalino

So I started The Second Death of Locke at the end of March and life started lifing, but I finally sat down and binged the rest of the book. The setting, the magic, and our characters had me hooked. It even made me tear up a bit at the end! I can’t wait to read the next book that just released in this interconnected trilogy.

The Gilded Ones – Namina Forna

We read The Gilded Ones for my series slayers group and it was a fun time. Yes, it’s what we’ve seen a lot of in YA fantasy and I’m not really sure that this should be a trilogy, but I’m curious to see where the story goes. The world and magic is interesting and I enjoyed Deka as a main character.

A Sign of Affection Vol. 11 & 12 – Suu Morishita

For some reason I had no clue that the next volume of A Sign of Affection was out in the world. This really is my favorite manga, so I couldn’t wait to read it. It had been a year since I read volume 11, so I did a little reread. In volume 12 our two main characters are adjusting to living together and we get to see some side characters again. My only complaint is that they always feel way too short.

The Moon On a Rainy Night Vol. 5 – Kuzushiro

Another fun manga and I enjoy seeing these two characters get to know each other. I think they’re really making the other think about things and learn more about themselves. We seem to be getting a budding romance? I’m excited to read more.

A Condition Called Love Vol. 15 – Megumi Morino

How have I already read 15 volumes of this series? I’m still having a great time and love that we’re seeing a lot of development between the characters and more of their past. We’re really starting to open up more story lines and I’m loving it.

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku Vol. 3 & Vol. 4 – Fujita

I watched the anime based on Wotakoi a few years ago and my fiancé bought the boxset of the manga. I read the first two volumes back to back, but then just didn’t revisit the series. My fiancé got to pick a few things for me to read and this series was one of them. I love being back with these nerdy characters and their relationship woes. I’ll be reading the final two volumes in October.

The Arcane Arts – S.D. Coverly

Dark academia is something I love this time of year and The Arcane Arts was a book I had on my Kindle waiting for me to read. The story started off very strong and I loved the murder mystery. What surprised me was that the relationship between Elsbeth and Rawlins took over the story. I still had a great time though and it was a good read for a rainy evening.

Mudlark – Mary Helen Specht

Dystopian novels have been taking over this year and Mudlark caught my eye for that reason. I appreciated the dual timelines and the moment they uncover Jenny’s master recording in the future and how it brought everything together. That being said, I think Mudlark was trying to do too much? There were a lot of side characters and lots of plot lines. I just wanted a bit more of the world and focus on a couple of the characters.

My Roommate from Hell – Cale Dietrich

I’ve had this book on my radar for a while and it seemed like a great month to read this one. It seemed fun, but the first half of the book is Owen freaking out about being in the same dorm as the prince of hell. And then things get exciting, but I didn’t really feel like the characters really thought anything was a big deal? The cat from hell was my favorite part of the book.

Fall I Want – Lyra Parish

September is when I go all fall and Fall I Want seemed like the perfect book to pick up. I love a little magical realism in my romances, so that was a lot of fun. Usually, I’m not a fan of instalove, but it worked for Autumn and Zane. Yeah, many things weren’t realistic and it could’ve been shorter, but this was just a cute fall romance.

A Summer of Stars – Liana Cincotti

If I know a story has fake dating I’m sold! A Summer of Stars had just that. Luna and Kieran were both interesting characters and I had a good time, but I guess I wanted just a little bit more? Maybe just a little more depth? That being said, this book was still a fun read. I will definitely read more by this author.

Doomsdate – Laura Piper Lee

For some reason whenever there’s some type of apocalypse it’s always with zombies, haha. Doomsdate was a fast and fun read. In this occasion some type of stomach virus is turning people into zombies. Our doomsday prepper FMC and professor MMC end up stuck trying to survive. While the romance was cute and I enjoyed the characters finding themselves and what they want, I’m still not sure how I feel about all of the pandemic reveals.

Bourbon Lullaby – Walker Rose

So this was a mix of cowboy romance and just a small town romance. Our main characters met being in a foster home together and Wynter never could forget the foster sibling who read to her during storms. Yeah, we had some drama, but these characters reuniting and falling in love was a great time.

Station Eleven – Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven was my in person book club read for September. The concept was really interesting (I mean the author wrote a pandemic book 6 years before we ended up in one, haha). That being said, I was bored. Most of the book took place in the past and I would’ve enjoyed having more time set during that pandemic leading up to where the characters were now.

 

Isabelle

I read 6 books in September and all of them were rereads haha. Since we are getting ACOTAR 6 this month I wanted to complete my reread before then and I am getting really close! But it also means I only read Sarah J. Maas books this month haha.

Kingdom of Ash – Sarah J. Maas

I had to stop in the middle of this reread because I knew what was coming and I just wasn’t ready for all the emotional turmoil and all the tears haha. It was once again a wonderful ride and yes, I have cried many tears.

Crescent City 1-3 – Sarah J. Maas

Talking about crying….. I bawled my eyes out during House of Earth of Blood haha. It has been a while since I last read Crescent City and I absolutely loved rereading this series. Talking about it makes me want to do another reread actually haha. But especially book 1 makes me so so emotional!

A Court of Thorns and Roses 2&3 – Sarah J. Maas

I can’t remember the last time I read A Court of Mist and Fury and A Court of Wings and Ruin. It was an enjoyable reread, but I was once again reminded that this is my least favorite Sarah J. Maas series. I am excited for A Court of Silver Flames, I really loved that one. It was nice to have reread these before the release of the new books, but it’s not a series I’ll want to reread just for the fun of it.

 

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