The 14 Books I read in August | Monthly Wrap-up

Wow wtf it is already September??? Literally how did that even happen. I actually read a bunch of books in August which was pleasantly surprising. Were they the books I was planning on reading? Nope! You know, we can’t win them all lmao

“ARC August” really flopped for me. Idk why but I haven’t really been interested in reading fantasy books, and that’s pretty much all I have right now in terms of arcs. I think I’m having a post-nevernight chronicle fantasy reading slump. Or maybe just a perceived reading slump? I’d probably love them if I actually started reading, but I’m just not in the mood!

SooOoo you will be seeing a ton of contemporary romances below

Maybe This Time | Kasie West  ★★★★☆

I loved this book so much. Kasie West is a contemporary queeeen. I feel like I mostly love everything she does at this point, but this book did a little something different than her previous books which I definitely appreciated! Basically, the mc works for a florist and provides flowers for most of her small town’s events. The story only cuts in during these events over the course of about a year. So, you get to see these snapshots of her life, her friendships, her *not* relationship with the son of a famous chef lol.

Somewhere Only We Know | Maurene Goo ★★★★☆

Oh wow, another contemporary queen. Did I read this exclusively for the kpop references? No. But they did help. This is a Roman Holiday retelling ( I have never seen Roman Holiday, but apparently it’s pretty similar lol) following a super famous kpop artist after performance in Hong Kong and a tabloid photographer. Such a cute story that included some v k-drama heart-racing moments, a scenic tour of Hong Kong, and two people on a journey to find themselves. I loved the perspective on kpop and how this book doesn’t romanticize the life of an idol, but even criticizes the industry without looking down on it. So so well done. 10/10 would recommend for a cute ya romance involving an unlikely duo set in Hong Kong 

Not the Girl You Marry | Andie Christopher ★★★★☆

When I found out this was a role reversed How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days I almost died. It is objectively one of the best romcoms of our time, and I never knew I needed the book version until now. This was such a cute romance filled with all the shenanigans of the movie with a little twist. I kind of loved that Jack trying to “lose” the girl meant he acted as your typical fboi failed so miserably bc Hannah took NONE of it lmao. If you’re a RomCom fan, you’re bound to love this one

Well Met | Jen DeLuca ★★★★☆

This was an adorable romance set at a small town Ren FAire. Did I know I needed to go to a Ren Faire before this? No. But I do now. If you’re into hate to love with some serious t e n s i o n this is the book for you bb.  It was so so cute and if you want some more thoughts read my full review here

The Grace Year | Kim Liggett ★★★★☆

I don’t know what I thought this book was going to be, but I was most definitely not expecting a Handmaid’s Tale level dystopian. It was high key feminist and I am here for it. The only thing I didn’t love was the romantic situation. Felt weird to me.  If you want to read something that blends the horrific dystopian themes of the handmaid’s tale and the horrific survivalist tactics of Lord of the Flies, bitch this is for you. 

Prince Charming | Rachel Hawkins ★★★☆☆

I definitely liked aspects of this book. I’m all for a broody love interest. Yes. Give me more. The delicious description of the setting OO baby. It was good. Other parts of it just kind of fell flat for me. Some of the characters felt a bit one dimensional. I wish we got to see more of the royal friend group. I feel like there was room to make them more than just these drunk hooligans who get into trouble. The mc was leaning dangerously into “im not like other girls category” not quite there but def toeing the line. I feel like the prince could have been more than just a drunk fuck-up. Basically, all the characters lacked the depth I was craving. I did enjoy the writing though, so I’m looking forward to reading the sequel (oh which I have heard many great things)

Dreamin’ Sun Vol 01 and 02 | Ichigo Takano ★★★★☆

I love manga and I especially love shoujo manga. This series is from the same author of Orange (if you haven’t read it yet PLS do) so I was super looking forward to reading it. So, far it is a sweet story about a girl living in a house with 3 dudes and I have a feeling she’s going to have a crush on each of them lol. The art is so adorable and I’m liking the story thus far — will report more soon

Crown of Coral and Pearl | Mara Rutherford ★★☆☆☆

I didn’t know much about this book going in, but had high hopes in the beginning! The description of the sea and how the people lived was so so intriguing. Unfortunately, the book was just not for me. The “twist” was very underwhelming. I didn’t really care all that much about the characters. I was mostly reading because i had so many questions, but the reveals were so unsatisfactory. I kept thinking there was going to be a devious twist, but nothing happened. and then it was over. 

The Winner’s Curse | Marie Rutkoski ★★★★☆

Not going to lie. I had never heard of this series before the day I started reading this book. I guess I was just not that super in the YA world in 2014, so I completely missed it. Luckily, it still holds up 5 years later. The characters are so so well written. They’re complicated and flawed and make bad decisions, but not for stupid reasons. There is so much devious strategizing by our mc Kestrel and UGH I love her. I didn’t think I could ever be this engrossed with political intrigue. But I was. The romance is also so good. I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

The Winner’s Crime | Marie Rutkoski ★★★★☆

This book may be the most frustrating thing I’ve ever read. But not in a bad way. The characters are so freaking good. They make real, believable terrible ass decisions and I understand why but I am still MAD lol But UGHHHH! So many things are going w r o ng. And I just want our two bbs to be happy and together and not have to worry about war and ppl dying and *sigh* I have yet to read book three but I am afraid.

Middlegame | Seanan McGuire ★★★★★

Sometimes books really do live up to your expectations. Somehow. This book, man. How do I even describe it? It’s a book that probably doesn’t make sense, but makes you believe that it does. It’s confusing and takes you on a journey and sometimes you have no idea where you’re even going. I can’t tell you how many times I got chills while reading this (it was actually ridiculous) and I shed tears at least once. Omg please read it. You will not regret it. I really think this is a book best read not knowing anything going in. 

Heartstopper Volume One & Two | Alice Oseman ★★★★★

Ugh there’s just something about graphic novels that makes them the perfect medium for showing small/soft/wholesome content. They are SUPERIOR. Ngl I have read way past these volumes bc I’ve been reading the chapters as they are published online. I would recommend it. This story is too urgent to wait for. Read it if you wish to get punched straight in the heart