Read on to see everything we finished in October and take a peek at our exciting November TBR.
Books We Finished in September 📚
Bride
Description
A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.
Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again…
Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was…
Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she’s ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.
What can I say about Bride that I already haven’t? Ali Hazelwood does the “he falls first” and “she is oblivious that he did” trope so well. I loved Bride, it was my first Ali Hazelwood novel and I am forever charmed by it.
It’s funny, has great banter, fantastic romance and a great intro to shifter romances.
I read it about 3 times so far with sprinkles of my favorite moments (peanut butter as a guilty pleasure anyone?) since then and it’s always a six star read. If you’re wondering if you should read Ali Hazelwood, Bride is a spectacular place to start.
If you’re just looking to catch up on Bride before Mate, check out our full summary of Bride!
Mate
Description
A Human hybrid and an Alpha Were claw against the bonds of fate in the highly anticipated companion novel to the New York Times bestselling Bride.
Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her.
As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.
But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…
I’ve been just as feral for Mate as I was for Bride. The chokehold this universe has on me is unreal. That unique Hazelwood blend of witty banter, flannel-loving Pacific Northwesterners, and the biological, animalistic pull between characters she writes so craftily? Bottle it and sell it.
This book was exactly what I want from a werewolf romance. I want scenting. I want licking. I want that feral pull that makes no sense and every kind of sense.
Did this book have any business being 500 pages long? I don’t know man, I’m eating everything the Bride universe has to offer, so make it 1000 if you can.
Koen Alexander. Tall, dark, handsome, grumpy. Very grumpy. He falls first. He always will. But somehow still soft and emotionally devastating. Serena Paris. A compulsive liar, selfless, smart, flawed, messy in the best way. I rooted for her every page.
I loved Mate, almost as much as Bride. But Bride has the unfair advantage of being the first AH book I’ve read.
Who knew all Ali Hazelwood’s universe was missing was a cult subplot? Seriously. There were vampire bounties, cult babies, horny science things, and Pacific Northwest sightseeing. Most importantly, there was no miscommunication plot line. Big A+ for me.
If you like woods, Twilight, Omegaverse novels the Pacific Northwest, creative insults, yearning, scenting, and lots of licking, this one’s for you.
Check out the full Bride Summary, Review, Ending Explained and Spicy Chapters of Bride!
Legends & Lattes
Description
High Fantasy with a double-shot of self-reinvention
Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen.
However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve.
A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth.
WHY AM I CRYING OVER AN ORC HUGGING A RAT?
I adored Legends and Lattes. It reminded me of a high fantasy version of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books I read as a child. The story is lovely, wholesome, and kind, monotone in a way that makes stillness feel charming. It’s a slice-of-life story about small kindnesses, second chances, and finding family when you least expect it.
It’s cuteness overload. Viv, Tandri, Cal and Thimble, I would protect them all at all cost. This entire thing is so warm, so kind, and just full of goodness everyone should experience.
This was one of the most immersive books I’ve read recently (or listened to). The audiobook, narrated by the author himself, was cozy, warm, and engaging. Legends & Lattes truly felt like a blanket for my heart and will be my go-to palate cleanser when I need something gentle and full of hope.
Check out Legends & Lattes full summary, review and ending explained!
The Wolf King
Description
3.5 rounded up to 4!
Okay, so this was predictable but a great time and total brain candy. I am always partial to werewolf books, with the possessive yearning, wild natures, and just all the… scenting (?). This book has it all, and I will continue reading, even if it was just for Blake. It’s not very deep but a decent read.
It has the usual markings of a good romantasy: a kidnapped princess, court scheming, deep enough worldbuilding, and magic.
Aurora, the FMC, however, is aggressively mid. She is inconsistent. Somehow she’s a seasoned courtier but very naive. Most of her interactions are her gasping “Callum!” or yelling “Brute!” It’s okay, we’re not here for Aurora.
Callum is sweet, charming, possessive, and since something is wrong with me, completely uninteresting other than his yummy accent.
Blake though. Blake has me 100 percent feral, and if this doesn’t turn into a why choose, I will cry.
Definitely recommend audio, as it’s a duet and the accents were delicious. Be careful where you get it from though. I got a library copy and the audio felt a bit low quality.
Will definitely read book 2, considering despite being predictable I need to know if I’m right about everything else. Or just for Blake, since I cannot stop myself from rooting for the “villain.”
Check out the full summary, review and ending of The Wolf King explained!
Warrior Fae (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac)
Description
I once thought one of my ruthless boys could be the killer I’m hunting. They’re all dark, deadly and more than capable of brutality.
But now I’m held by the King I’ve been stalking in the shadows and when I unmask him, he’ll realise he made a huge mistake in taking my brother from this world.
My Kings are coming for me, I know that in my soul. They’re on their way to rip me from my enemy’s arms and tear him apart for me.
My heart beats to the sound of their names.
But I won’t wait around to be rescued. Everything has led me to this moment and I’m ready to destroy the Fae who stole my brother from me.
Secrets will be uncovered. Destiny will be decided. Death will deliver us all in the end.
No one will escape the conclusion of this story without blood on their hands. I guess it’s a good thing I’m a Vampire then, because I just so happen to have a taste for blood.
I’m a die-hard fan of the Zodiac Academy universe, but I’ve made no secret about how fatigued I am by the Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac series. At this point, I’m just glad I got to the conclusion of this story. The bromance between the Four Kings continued to enchant me, and the mystery behind Gareth’s death kept me going, but I could not connect with Elise for the life of me. This series was very character and spice oriented, and in a sea of reverse harems and spice-heavy romantasies, I just need a stronger plot to stay engaged.
Over 2000 pages later, Elise never redeemed herself for me. For a why choose to work for me, the FMC needs to have redeeming qualities beyond being fated to her mates. She gave pick-me energy the entire time and stayed unlikeable for me. Leon is always and forever my favorite. He’s a golden retriever with claws, funny and warm but with depth and flaws that make him feel real. Dante and Ryder stood out with how they handled their feud, and the Astral Adversaries becoming fast brothers was a highlight. Gabriel still felt flat, but the brotherhood and friendship among the Kings were what truly carried the series for me.
The fact that Warrior Fae took me a month and a half to finish should tell you all you need. I still love the worldbuilding and the magic system, but this story was more about spice and characters than plot. It could have been a trilogy, maybe even a duology. I wish the dark magic plot connected more clearly to Zodiac Academy and that the reveal of the mysterious King hadn’t felt so predictable. The epilogues were adorable and tugged at my heart, but by the time they passed the Zodiac Academy timeline, they felt vague.
The Twisted Sisters’ wit continues to be the shining star of this series. The world is well thought out, and nothing feels thrown in just because. Even when I got annoyed by RBOTZ, I still found clues that tie everything back to Zodiac Academy. Despite my complaints, I’ll still read anything these authors write, even if it’s just for the banter and the unserious, satirical way they poke fun at their own world.
Check out the full summary, review and ending explained of Warrior Fae here!
The Princess Knight
Description
A princess desperate to win back the prince who broke her heart follows him to his kingdom’s prestigious military academy—and in doing so, falls in love, saves the realm, and continues to look fabulous in this delightful debut fantasy.
Domhnall and Clía are an ideal match—or so everyone says. They are prince and princess of neighboring kingdoms. An alliance the gods will smile on. Until Domhnall ruins everything by refusing to propose.
Heartbroken but determined, Clía makes the perfect plan: Follow Domhnall to Caisleán Cósta, the military academy he’s attending. Show she can protect her kingdom. Secure the betrothal. Sure, the castle has a brutal reputation. But how hard can dueling really be?
Warrior Ronan promised himself he’d never lose his focus. He fought and sacrificed for his place at Caisleán Cósta, and he has no time for blonde princesses who waltz into arenas like they’re attending a ball. Even if she and her otter-like pet are…well, cute.
He doesn’t want to be intrigued by Clía. But her hunger to prove herself is something he understands. He tells himself there’s no harm training her. Even if his heart does race around her. Even if Domhnall is his best friend.
But as they say, love is a battlefield—and unfortunately for them all, a very real war is looming on the horizon. It’s a fight that will threaten all their kingdoms…and test all their hearts.
Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Stars: 3 ⭐
Peppers: 1.5 🌶️
The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs is a lovely debut and a clear Legally Blonde retelling, which makes the self-dubbed “Medievally Blonde” title very appropriate. It follows Princess Clía, a golden-haired royal who joins a warrior academy after her fiancé-to-be breaks off their relationship because she isn’t “serious enough” to be his queen. On her quest to win Dormhall back, Clía finds she’s far more capable than just being someone’s future queen. It’s a beautiful story about self-worth and confidence, where Clía learns to fight, saves kingdoms, and even finds love.
The male main character offers great chronic pain representation. He’s a mentor, a steady presence, and the kind of MMC who is kind, compassionate, and only wants to build the heroine up.
I really liked the blend of Celtic mythology, nature, and druids, even if some of the lore felt unnecessary and a bit confusing. The writing shines in the smaller moments, the sewing scenes, the friendships, and the banter. It’s charming, cute, and easy to read, even if it sits somewhere in between full fantasy and rom-com.
Although it fell a bit middle of the pack for me compared to my other reads, it’s still sweet and worth picking up. The pacing can be uneven and occasionally stalls, but it remains a cozy, heartwarming debut.
If you love strong women learning their worth, cozy fantasy vibes, and a Legally Blonde twist on sword fighting, this one’s for you.
Girl Dinner
Description
Good girls deserve a treat.
Every member of The House, the most exclusive sorority on campus, and all its alumni, are beautiful, high-achieving, and universally respected.
After a freshman year she would rather forget, sophomore Nina Kaur knows being one of the chosen few accepted into The House is the first step in her path to the brightest possible future. Once she’s taken into their fold, the House will surely ease her fears of failure and protect her from those who see a young woman on her own as easy prey.
Meanwhile, adjunct professor Dr. Sloane Hartley is struggling to return to work after accepting a demotion to support her partner’s new position at the cutthroat University. After 18 months at home with her newborn daughter, Sloane’s clothes don’t fit right, her girl-dad husband isn’t as present as he thinks he is, and even the few hours a day she’s apart from her child fill her psyche with paralyzing ennui. When invited to be The House’s academic liaison, Sloane enviously drinks in the way the alumnae seem to have it all, achieving a level of collective perfection that Sloane so desperately craves.
As Nina and Sloane each get drawn deeper into the arcane rituals of the sisterhood, they learn that living well comes with bloody costs. And when they are finally invited to the table, they will have to decide just how much they can stomach in the name of solidarity and power.
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I went into Girl Dinner to be a whimsical satire book with dark humor, kind of like Santa Clarita Diet or like a funnier American Horror Story. However although it’s advertised as a mix of humor/horror, it’s more like a very long social commentary essay.
I liked the two main characters, Nina and Sloane. They’re smart, funny, ambitious and want to get themselves some power. The story is very character driven, and nothing really happens the first 60% of the book with the majority of the chapters being introspection.
This was my first Olivie Blake, and I really enjoyed her prose, you can tell she’s witty and clever. This set up just wasn’t for me, I wanted it to be more about some of the funnier/absurd comedy bits and not a length opiniion piece.
If that’s your jam this might be for you, even though it wasn’t for me. There were some really funny bits and wish the book was about that some more.
Books on our November TBR
Grab Brimstone and see if the chaos alchemizes into magic for you 🔥📚
Can love overcome fate?
Sail back into Celestia with your copy of Fallen Stars 🌙🌊
Dive into the prequel that shows Lance and Darius needed therapy way before term started 🐺💥
That’s all we read in October and what we’d like to cover in November! What did you read last month? What are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!
Leave a Comment