September was another great reading month for me! Even with added things in my schedule, I was able to capture some solid reading time and fly through some books.

Another mostly fiction month – finished book count wise, but I have been reading some great nonfiction on the side that I hope to share about in a month or so!!

This is another long post so I hope you’ll bear with me as we dive in!

---

Romancing the Grump by Jenny Proctor

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I realized in my excitement and anticipation for Emma St Clair’s next Appies installment, I missed ordering this gem of a book when it released! I wasn’t that excited, but man did it deliver.

I loved Nathan’s grumpiness 😂 his depth was amazing to see unfold throughout the story. Our FMC’s name was Summer and this is like the third or fourth book I’ve read in the past year I feel like with the main character being named Summer. Is it gaining popularity??? Is it me??? 😂 But she was great and I wish I lived up to that boldness. She’s got a law degree and fresh into her position helping with the team’s contracts. I loved their chemistry and everything they went through – each step thawing Nathan and changing how he saw relationships.

Few things irritate me more than small talk. I don’t like inane questions, and small talk is almost always inane, and I don’t like the pressure to…I don’t know. Impress? Convince someone they want to get to know me more? It’s just easier to…not.

Same 🙂🫠

“I could have handled Dominik,” I say, though I’m anything but disappointed Nathan is here instead.

“I don’t doubt it,” he responds. “But just because you can doesn’t mean you should have to.”

I read this so fast for this to be over 300 pages. It didn’t feel that way at all. Loved every page.

A few curse words, like maybe three.

Book four in the Appies series by Jenny Proctor and Emma St Clair.

---

Runaway Bride & Prejudice by Emma St Clair

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

What didn’t I love about this??? The twists and turns and surprise tropes. MAN. This book hooked me from the first page. Emma St Clair is so talented. I don’t think anyone else could have pulled this whole story off as well as she did.

“Yes. But there’s no need to be so…” His grin grows, and my words sputter out.

“So … what?” he teases. “I’m just being myself.”

This man 😍

But even if it’s already been written, the college professor in the one creative writing class I took once said that every story has been told but not by you in your words. Seth Godin says only you have your distinctive voice and that hoarding it is toxic.

I felt this ^ and took it as an encouragement. Like, thank you Emma St Clair, for speaking to my soul. This helped me get motivated this month in my writing!

The Dream Team text threads 😂😂🤌🏻

ON. POINT.

“I don’t come close to being good enough for Amelia. But if she were mine? I would never let her go. I would spend every waking day and every single breath just hoping I could show her the love she deserves.”

This was a common quote Bookstagrammers posted and yeah, you can see why. 😂

I don’t even want to talk about it and give away too much of this book! It was just 🫠🫠🫠 I’ve melted and even going back through the books I read this month to complete this blog post, I still think about this book that was weeks ago now.

This is Appies book 5, the series by Jenny Proctor and Emma St Clair. Though they can be read in any order, I always recommend reading in order.

---

Caught Stealing by MJ Padgett

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I enjoyed the sports element and the online dating piece of this book! I haven’t a whole lot by MJ Padgett yet, but I do enjoy her writing. I’m looking forward to the next book I pick up by her which will possibly be the next book in this series, although I have been seriously eyeing her other series 😂

This is book one in the Southern Sports and Savannah Sharks series.

---

Freelance Flirt by Rachel John

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I. Loved. This.

The absolute charm from Dean was unreal. Love that guy 😂

If wishes were fishes, I’d own a whole sea.

Relatable.

“That might get you higher on other people’s lists. You should do it. You don’t have to earn your spot on my list, though. I like you for other reasons.” Dean pointed up to a cloud off to our right, as if he hadn’t just dropped that mysterious tidbit.

See? Charm.

He stood up and reached out his hands to pull me to my feet. “We’re going to be buddies right now, Grace. Until you want to be more. And in the meantime, l’m going to woo you.”

“Woo me?”

“Yeah. It’s like seduction, but better. Because I don’t just want your body. I want your mind and heart in tune with mine. I want you to love me so much you’ll never let me go. And until then, maybe we should stay away from dragon-shifting reenactment.” He grinned at the look on my face in response to that, and then led the way to his basement with a loose hold on my hand.

I don’t always love the single parent tropes. I’m just not always a fan of how the kids and parent dynamic gets put into books, but I felt like it worked and was relatable here, although her ex husband grated on my nerves 😩👀 but it is what it is!! Again, relatable. Dean made up for it. lol

Book five of the Sworn to Loathe you series.

---

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Raging explained:

How often do I not rate a Denise Hunter book 5 stars? Not often.

This one was a different feel from her other works, but still the beautiful story and writing we expect from Hunter. The memory loss trope and the flashbacks to the beginning of their relationship unfolding was well orchestrated. I did enjoy the snipits of story and how there was plenty left up to the imagination. I don’t know if you’re into that, but that’s how it felt to me and I liked it in this case. Although, I am all for knowing all the details.

That was what made this so hard. She didn’t want it now, but that didn’t erase his love for her. This kind of love the sort that involved letting go felt unnatural and impossibly difficult. But he loved her enough to do just that. Through this trial his love for her had grown and stretched, like the roots of a scorched plant searching for water.

I didn’t want to pre-order this time because Mardel normally has the book before I get it in the mail. I had this inkling daaaaays before release (it came out on a Tuesday, but I had an inkling the Saturday before) that they had it. I didn’t check online, didn’t call, just went right on over there. Guess who had it? 🙂

I picked myself and my friend up a copy and I was able to finish this gem up quickly and when I seen my friend at church that next day, I gave it to her and she started it after a few days with the same agreement that it was so good!!

If you love Denise Hunter, you won’t be disappointed with this one!

---

House Mate by Leah Brunner

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Wow! A quick read for sure. I’ve had the rest of this series after reading book four and book one (oops) and just got distracted by other books, but here I am catching up.

I enjoyed how this one unfolded, how Sophie and Drew both had things to work through in their arcs. Drew and Sophie just naturally cared for each other and their relationship seemed like a natural progression. It was an interesting past for Drew that slowly was explained and man, there were some moments of just tears forming. And again, I love Leah Brunner’s writing!

I enjoyed the glimpses into David’s story and excited to start that book!!

About four curse words and mention of a sexual abuse in the past.

I went back and forth between a 4 or 5 star review, but settled on 5 because it’s probably a 4.5 rounded up.

Book two in the Under Kansas Skies series.

---

Check Mate by Leah Brunner

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I hyped this one up more in my head based on the previous books and the glimpses I got off David. I’d give this 3.5 rounded up because… I was debating on 3, but then I did enjoy the main plot and the grumpy sunshine trope.

David was the grump and I can relate to his need for order and hey, he’s also in accounting. He was so uptight 😂 the bet he placed with his brother was actually hilarious and it made the next book, which I had already read, make so much more sense.

Isabella was such a fun character! I loved how well she complimented David and pushed him out of his comfort zone in real ways.

Here’s some quotes I remembered to grab:

“Your cat’s name is Mo?” I ask, wondering where she came up with such a ridiculous name.

Her lips form a straight line as if trying to conceal her annoyance in front of my family. “Well, at first I thought he was a girl and named him Moana… but then the vet told me he’s a… he. So I shortened it to Mo.”

I try to keep a straight face… I really do. But my mouth won’t cooperate and turns up in a smirk. “You insulted his manhood, and you’re confused why he likes me better than you? Seems self-explanatory.”

“And at least you know I’m not a serial killer.”

She raises one eyebrow. “Do I?”

I roll my eyes. “If I was, your cat would’ve been my first victim.”

She surprises me by laughing. It’s a rich, husky laugh and does something weird to my stomach. I havent eaten much today, so that’s probably the issue.

But I’m realizing that life is what happens when you get out of your comfort zone and really embrace the experience. The good, the bad, and the llamas.

I gave up years ago trying to find someone who could tolerate my cynical personality. Convinced myself I was better off being Uncle David… the guy who spoils his nieces and nephews and someday helps them with their algebra homework.

There were a lot more curse words in this book for me and I lost count.

Book three in the Under Kansas Skies series. Because I read these out of order, this is it for this series for me! Overall, a great series!

---

The Duke’s Diary by Ashtyn Newbold

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I loved this one!! The plot that includes secrets made me keeping flipping the pages and of course, Leonora’s wild antics at times. 😂

Timothy is such a protector and man, he has a way with words.

This was told in single POV and I see why it was necessary. I loved it!!

This is book two in the Noble Charades series and I can’t wait for book three!!

---

The Cowboy and the Girl Next Door by Janette Rallison

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I was excited to read this one because Janette Rallison in my head is a YA author because she was who got me started reading with her book Just One Wish. Then I stumbled upon this book and this series and I was like no way. So I got it. Luckily her book is book one and I wasn’t going to bother with the rest of the series, but after loving this one, I’m super interested into finding out more about Landon’s brothers!!

Kate, I felt for her. At times, I just didn’t like her. I understood the hurt she felt in a way and her grandpa really should have tried to reconcile. I also get older age and stubbornness. I think Landon telling her things along the way about her grandpa helped though.

Landon was always there for her 🥺🫶🏻❤️ my kinda dude.

I’m not always a western fan, but I really enjoyed this after I got back to it this month.

This is book one in the multi-author Wyle Away Ranch series.

---

How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I’m a big Melissa Ferguson fan… but

This one wasn’t my favorite and I didn’t feel that connected to it til at least halfway through, which in this case, is why it took me such a long time to get through it. Most of it was read in September and the ending, I did love.

Finn has held onto a grudge for so long, convinced that his life changed because of Lavender. Now they’re in close proximity and living in the same orbit and he’s plotting a payback only to find more about himself and her in ways he didn’t expect.

The book doesn’t have great reviews overall, and while I see why, I think the heart of it came through at the end. It was an outrageously hilarious read most of the time.

Do with this review what you will.

---

When Holidays Hurt by Bo Stern

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This is a great book with seasons of devotionals ~ she includes a story from her experience, linking it to a Bible story. Then she has an activity you can do plus a prayer to end with.

What I wasn’t sure of was when exactly the sections were to be read. It wasn’t super clear, unless it was just me not getting the memo. They were sort of labeled and you could figure it out, but it just seemed kind of lost to me.

I’ve included some of my favorite quotes.

Sorrow serves as a tether to His presence. It keeps us needing Him and leaning into His story. And in His story, there is joy.

Bo Stern

..for today, just consider the fact that your brokenness is the only material God needs in order to build something grand. We don’t have to bring Him perfect plans, perfect prayers, or perfect peace – we just bring our own sad selves, and He does all the work.

Bo Stern

Our brokenness finds a Savior who understands.

Bo Stern

It’s not that we are asking God to remove the sting of sorrow, but rather to help us see how He can use it to produce eternal beauty in us.

Bo Stern

Learning to focus exclusively on who God is – without telling Him what we think He should be doing with His omnipotence – is a valuable skill. Meditating on His faithfulness and love fills us with faith for the future and creates a safe haven of rest in our spirit.

Bo Stern

Psalm 37 ♥

So much about who we become is determined on the painful days. How we let suffering mark and move us will be either a gift or a curse, a tragedy or a triumph. If you decide today to lean into the pain and let it push you deep into the love of God, I feel certain you will emerge from your battle more beautiful than you have ever been. And that’s how heroes are made.

Bo Stern

---

Engaging Mr. Darcy by Rachel John

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I was intrigued by this when I discovered this series by Rachel John which are all books that are modern retellings of Austen novels.

I know I gave this 4 stars, but I promise I enjoyed it!! I’ve been reading it alongside P&P (I know, I finished this one first), and I could see all the similarities (especially the names 😂 that so helped me) which made this really fun. It would actually make a great movie! If I watched those. 🙂

Sooooo book one of what I’ve read so far 😂 this is obviously a series that can be read in any order.

---

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This was my first time reading Jane Austen. I knew of the story though because it’s so popular and one of my cousins is a huge Austen fan, especially of P&P.

Even though it took me a year, an embarrassingly long time here, I really did enjoy it and by the end, I was like ugh, Mr. Darcy 😍😍😍

So, call me a fan now!

I don’t know when I’ll read the other Austen books ~ because yes, I do already have multiple copies of many of them 😂

---

The Mistletoe Bluff by Emily Schneider

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

The last half or maybe three quarters… I loved. The first part I was iffy on because Maya really hated Oliver, and for some reason, really thought he hated her back. But I did understand it in a way. Overall, a great read and I enjoyed the tie-in to the first book and a glimpse of book three!

Plus, you can never go wrong with a British accent, mate.

This is book two in the Meridel romance series.

---

I’m so looking forward to start more books in October!!

---

Books read this month: 14

Books read this year: 103

Book goal for the year: 75

---

If you’d like to share, please comment what you read in September! ❤️

Thanks for stopping by!