August has ended and September is here, and I am so excited for all things Fall. I love the crisp air, the changing leaves, the football games, and so much more. I love seeing the romance world shift from beaches and beach romances to sports and holiday centered romances.
Before we start talking about what is coming in September, though, let’s recap all the great books read during the month of August. This month brought 28 books to my kindle, and so many were amazing. Make sure you check them out.
Without further ado, here is my monthly wrap-up for August. Below you will find a list of the books with a glimpse of my initial reactions to the book and a link to my full review and other book information. As always, an MB will indicated my top books of the month, and they are books I would highly recommend putting on your TBR!
5 CROWNS
I love Mafia romances. The corrupt yet honorable men, the fierce and devoted women, and the world filled with blurring grey lines is nothing short of enthralling for me, and Rachel Van Dyken’s world has just become my new favorite Mafia romance.
5 CROWNS
Aly Martinez concluded Porter and Charlotte’s story with a journey through some of their absolute painful moments, but at the end this author shows that there is hope even in the darkest of nights.
3.5 CROWNS
It was really hard for me to rate this book. There are so many aspects that I love, but then there are many that are too extreme to me. Overall, it is an incredibly enjoyable read for lovers of insta-lust/insta-love stories.
4 CROWNS
Scarlett Cole has begun a new series centered around suspense, hot ex-SEALS, and an incredibly intelligent heroine, and I cannot wait for more.
5 CROWNS
How is it possible for every single book in the Wright series get better and better? I thought Jensen was my favorite, and then Landon, but Austin’s story takes the whole funnel cake.
5 CROWNS
The third installment of the Dirty Money series has been the best one yet! I was riveted to the page, watching all the chess pieces move in this very dangerous and deceitful game with very real consequences.
4.5 CROWNS
The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas is one for the books! This story takes readers on a journey of angst and torture, leaving readers torn between loving and understanding the characters and being upset with the choices they make.
I can’t imagine the pressure a writer must feel when completing a series, especially one with a huge fan following. The need to see the characters again, to wrap-up all the stories together, to honor the tone and world created in the other books, and to give one last ride to the readers of the series has to be such a huge undertaking, and Meghan March did it all. Lovers of this series will be nothing but astonished with the final story of the Beneath series.
4 CROWNS
I always enjoy a Nicola Rendell book. They are heavy on the steam, filled with fun heroines and dominate alpha heroes, and great romances. So Good, while having a lighter and easy going tone, still has all of these qualities.
4.5 CROWNS
I have said it before and will say it a million more times. I love Sawyer Bennett, and I love her stories. Her worlds vary, the characters are different and three-dimensional, and the steam varies to meet the tone of the story and the type of characters of each novel. What made me fall in love with this author a little bit more, though, is the opening commentary by the author, voicing her stance on writing and reading erotica. I love it and her, and it makes me incredibly proud to be a lover of this erotica series.
4 CROWNS
Just like the other standalones in the romantic comedy Roommates series, Kendall Ryan has delivered a fun, light, and sexy read. Filled with a fast paced plot and enjoyable characters, it is the perfect way to end your summer.
4 CROWNS
I can always count on L.K. Collins to deliver a fast and uber-sexy romance, and The Perfect Bastard is all that I was anticipating.
5 CROWNS
I found Santino Hassell as a writer through the Cyberlove series he co-writes with Megan Erickson, and while I have gone on to buy the Five Boroughs books, I’ve yet to dive into a book written solely by this author. Like I expected, though, he didn’t disappoint. Santino Hassell brings an authentic and realistic voice to the MM romance world, and I devoured Noah and Gavin’s story, not just because of the romance but also because of the personal journey of these characters.
Emma Chase has always been a favorite of mine, but she has truly created something fantastic with this series of standalones. Each story and each character has hit the bulls-eye every single time, and Royally Endowed completes the hat trick.
5 CROWNS
I enjoy all of Karina Halle’s stories, but these types of stories are where her talent shines. Laced with heartfelt emotion, this second chance romance will have readers feeling everything – the pain of the past, the heartache and longing of the present, and hope for the future.
This is going to be a relatively short and sweet review for two reasons. First, everyone should read this book with out any spoilers, even minor ones. Second, my words will never live up to how beautiful and poignant this journey is.
3 CROWNS
This is a hard review for me to write. I have always enjoyed Debra Anastasia’s work whether it be romantic comedy or more angsty, so I was particularly excited for a darker story from her. Mercy, however fell flat for me, and I’m not really sure why. I just didn’t seem to connect to the story or the characters in it.
This review is going to sound similar to all of my other Penny Reid reviews, and while I apologize for my lack of varied diction and new commentary about her books, know that it is because this woman writes impeccable novels. Whether or not I love the story or the characters, I fall in love with her craft and her story-telling, and I am constant awe of her ability to take real world issues and authentic characters we would meet in the world and weave them into a romantic story-line, expertly balancing the essence of literature with the entertainment of romance.
4.5 Crowns
Louise Bay has an incredible talent of mixing romantic, swoon-worthy moments with steamy, passionate scenes to make a romance that kills me every single time!
5 Crowns
Clandestine from Ava Harrison is perfect steamy, angsty romance perfection. With its flawed characters and passionate moments, I couldn’t put down Spencer and Olivia’s story.
5 Crowns
I really enjoyed the second installment of this series. The way Staci Hart intertwined the romance of Kat and Dillon with that of Aphrodite and Ares is brilliant and captivated me from the very beginning.
4.5 Crowns
This is hands down my favorite Fusion series book. The chemistry and the relationship – just everything – is fantastic.
4.5 Crowns
Let me start by saying this book is one of my top 5 Penelope Ward books. I really enjoyed the complexity of the characters, the chemistry that sizzled from thousands of miles away, and the flawed and difficult nature of their relationship. I was thoroughly entertained by this abnormal love connection.
3 Crowns
I really enjoyed Ruth Clampett’s last MM romance, and I was incredibly intrigued by this synopsis. Unfortunately, this story fell flat for more. Even with likable characters and steamy scenes, Encorejust didn’t hit the mark for me.
4 Crowns
If you are looking for a light, low-angst romance, then look no further than Boss Girl by Lily Kate. Like her first standalone novel in the series, Boss Girl brings a sweet romance with enjoyable characters and a story-line that focuses on real and lasting love.
4 Crowns
Could Erin Watt have come up with a better title than Fallen Heir? No, no they couldn’t. From the characters to the storyline, each broken piece slowly cuts down not only our beloved Easton but also readers’ hearts.
It has been over a year since a novel has gripped me, and not just a novel but a series. The Renegades and particularly Rebel has enraptured me, heart and soul. I never want to leave these characters and this world Rebecca Yarros has created, and Rebel is just the shining star of an already beloved series.
3 Crowns
Heartthrob is my first Willow Winters book, and I really enjoyed it. Filled with heartaches, enough tension to cut with a knife, and broken characters, this angsty novel certainly entertained.
Coming during the month of September…
September is shaping up to be another fantastic reading month, too, and it looks like I’ll be spending my first Fall month with some great romances. I cannot wait to share my thoughts and talk books with you. So, make sure you check back this month for more reviews, cover reveals, excerpts, giveaways, and more special posts.
Happy reading,
August was so good with releases!!
There were so many great books in August and I can’t wait to read all that September will bring!
So many of these are still on my wish list…
loved these books. can’t wait for this months relases.
So many good ones coming up!
Thanks for the reviews!
Thank you for the reviews. Many of these books are in my tbr so they’re really helpful
So many amazing books!