I didn’t get the chance to read as much as I would like in September, since I am getting married in October and wedding planning is significantly more work than I ever expected. I had endless phone calls, fittings, and meetings. It is insane what the wedding industry has become, but I digress. This month’s books had some incredible highs, some wild lows, and some unexpected winners. It was all over the map, much like my mental health. Here’s what I read this month.
The Heartbreaker features a near-torturous amount of sexual tension, with a slow-burn build-up that makes it all the sweeter when these two characters finally give in to each other. I was very skeptical when the description of this book revealed that she was pregnant with someone else’s baby because I’ve seen people try to make a romance out of that in real life and only a mess ensued. But alas, this is not real life, and it actually made for an incredibly emotional and rewarding romance. I was surprised at how much I loved it. The Heartbreaker is a classic contemporary romance, in tone and in tropes. Reading it feels like a special little comfort food treat, but that doesn’t mean it’s not also absolutely filthy, which is always a delightful combination. Fans of contemporary romance and Sara Cate’s books will love this latest story. I can’t wait to read the next book, The Prodigal Son, coming next April.
I love Kate Quinn’s writing. Her books are among my all-time favorites, and I reread them often. Her female characters are always compelling, intelligent, and strong. Quinn’s books usually take place at pivotal moments in history and war, featuring layers of secrets and personal turmoil that weave right in with the politics. The Briar Club embodies all of these traits in a wonderful tale of solidarity, secrets, and women who fight back. The Briar Club is a glimmering portrayal of female friendship and families built from troubled times. It seamlessly blends mystery and historical fiction and places the reader firmly in 1950s Washington D.C. and within the walls of the Briarwood house in a way that only phenomenal writing can do.
The blurb for these books promised House of the Dragon meets Throne of Glass, and this series delivered on those promises with a badass heroine, a found family, and a war between relatives for the throne and the future of the realm. There are no actual dragons, but there are wyverns, which give a similar vibe. High action and nefarious plots abound in each chapter of this story. The danger is high, and the events will keep readers on the edge of their seats dying to know what happens next. Between battles and disasters, there are extremely touching moments exploring both love and family and a moving conclusion that brings this story to a perfect close. The Forbidden Heir is a classic romantasy trilogy, with all the tropes readers love, but with a fresh perspective and tone.
This book is just filth. Long filth that has unfortunately lost the plot. I’m not even going to try to explain it all here, we don’t have time to unpack all of that. The full review is linked if you’re interested. You can find its equivalent on the most depraved corners of PornHub. If that’s your thing, go nuts with this one. If not, move right along.
Verdict: Leave It
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
When you read dozens of romantasy novels in a year, they sometimes have a tendency to blend together. This is not the case with When the Moon Hatched, which stands out from the crowd with an imaginative world unlike any other and intrigue so layered that it is a marvel. This book genuinely dazzled me. When the Moon Hatched is thoroughly enchanting, with equal parts high action and tender moments that will tug hard on the heartstrings. Fair warning: the end had me screaming. I actually scared my dogs. This cliffhanger is brutal, and so many questions are left unanswered. Not to be dramatic, but I might die waiting until the fall of 2025 for the next book in the series.
Verdict: Love It
Split or Swallow by Lindsay Staube
Split or Swallow by Lindsay Straube is a supremely smutty romantasy, featuring a prince, a farm girl, and a basilisk. The smut didn’t come as a surprise, given the title, but everything else about this book kept me guessing and intrigued. Split or Swallow is indie-published, which makes it all the more impressive. I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. It exceeded all my expectations for a super smutty romantasy.
Verdict: Love It
The Pretty Savage by L.K. Reid
The premise of The Pretty Savage is fascinating. A female assassin is sent to an academy for assassins with a specific target to hunt, but also to find out what happened to her best friend. It’s the perfect set-up for an enemies-to-lovers situation, but the execution fell short. The character’s internal dialogue is aggravating and ridiculous at times, and it’s a slow burn where the spice doesn’t start to pay off until the end, which is fine if the plot can support it. By the end of this book, I was intrigued, and I’m going to read the next one to find out what happens after the crazy cliffhanger, but so far this series is missing the mark.
Verdict: Leave It, but I reserve the right to change my mind when the second book drops
The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
The Night We Lost Him had twists and turns that I truly didn’t expect, but ones that are revealed slowly, and feel less like yanking the reader in a whole new direction and more like the pieces of a puzzle falling perfectly into place. Some reviewers called this book slow, but I would call it gentle. I still read it in a single day. It’s a more realistic thriller than readers seemed to be prepared for. There’s no gratuitous violence, no heart-racing action. None of the characters, besides the initial victim, are ever in mortal danger. It’s just a family and a mystery and years and layers of a story. I found it utterly captivating.
Verdict: Love It
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson is a dark academia contemporary fantasy, with some gothic horror vibes. Sometimes the best books are the ones that are hardest to quantify in terms of an exact genre, and that is definitely true with this book. It falls into many categories and does justice to them all with a fascinating plot, alluring characters, and an atmospheric campus setting. I am partial to a dark academia fantasy. Leigh Bardugo‘s Ninth House is one of my favorite books of all time, and An Academy for Liars hits that same feeling for me. It’s a fascinating exploration of power and sacrifice, betrayal and love. It is my favorite of Henderson’s books so far, and perfect for a spooky season dark academia read.
Verdict: Love It
Plight of the Guardians by Alonna Williams
I thought this was just another dramatic-sounding romantasy title, but truly, Plight of the Guardians is an incredibly apt description of what goes on in this story. It is a high fantasy set in an aquatic kingdom, with all kinds of water-related creatures inspired by myths and legends. I really wanted to like this story, but in an oversaturated fantasy market, this one can be skipped. There were some beautiful moments in this story, and certain enchanting pieces of this world that made an impression, but it fell short in its execution. Plight of the Guardians almost felt like reading a first draft. It’s the most frustrating kind of read—one with so much potential that just didn’t hit the mark.
Verdict: Leave It
Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath
We all know how much I love a hockey romance, and Pucking Sweet is no exception. This book is a contemporary polyamorous hockey romance surrounding the members of the Jacksonville Rays hockey team, the horniest hockey team that anyone has ever dreamt of. The romance is MMF, with a strong, accomplished heroine and two hockey players, a playboy and a lover boy, who fall for her hard. Pucking Sweet held flawlessly to the standard of the rest of the Jacksonville Rays series. It is a balanced mix of sweet and spicy, with characters that are relatable and shine on the page. If you like messy drama, lots of spice, and a happily ever after that will make you smile, Pucking Sweet is the perfect read.
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