Welcome to September’s book ramblings! I hope you were able to enjoy reading this past month. There are SO many books that released in my corner of the reading world that it’s hard to cram them all in! I did read a few new releases and I’m excited to share with you all I read last month.
Maiden in the Tower by Heidi Kimball
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I’m convinced I’m just a sucker for a Rapunzel retelling. I loved this one! So, so sweet.
Gerry stumbles onto this cottage property to find his dog and finds a young woman in a garden there named Lisette. This is just a short novella, but so good. I highly recommend!
No notes!
I Wish He Would by Amanda Schimmoeller
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
This was such a cute baseball romcom! I loved their friendship that was so obvious they had feelings for each other. The story unfolds how they met and the little moments that got them to where they are now.
Notes:
- Alyssa Cartwright – 25ish – 5’8″
- Austin Bradford – 28 – 6’4″
- baseball player
- hairstylist
- Taylor Swift references
- teammate / friend banter
- fake dating
- destination wedding
- one bed
- dual POV
This is book 4 in the Sweeter than Fiction series. Not necessary to read in order, but it always helps.
A Mismatch Made in London by Melanie Dickerson
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
Another book by Melanie Dickerson that I loved! Jeremy is the most sought after bachelor and Amelia befriends his sister at Amelia’s first ball of the season. Jeremy immediately believes Amelia only befriended Juliet to get to him and he’s not having it, at all.
Notes:
- Amelia Moore – 22
- Jeremy Beaumont – 25
- Pride & Prejudice vibes
- Dual POV (hers in first person, his in third person)
- PAGE 173 ♥
- protective brother
- large family
- true friendships
- faith woven in
- banter
As far as I know, this is a standalone novel.
Falling for Keeps by Kasey Stockton
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
4.5 rounded up!
I feel like this was a quick read, but it took me over a week! I was just busy.
I enjoyed this but kind of felt like it was missing something? Not sure what. I loved how Carson was so attentive and wanted to provide a good life for his daughter. It was interesting to see them interact because Carson was very much against relationships because of his ex-wife and also because he has Penny to think about. Emma was very much wanting a relationship, and he was her long-time crush.
Notes:
- Emma Harper – librarian
- Carson Pride – dentist
- instant chemistry
- single dad
This is part of the Falling for Autumn multi-author series. They can be read in any order (because they take place as the same time), but in typical fashion, I’m reading them as they release. You’re welcome.
Once Upon a Fall by Becky Monson
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I want to live in this book. So much swoon!!! Dean needs a place to stay and nothing else works out when he tries to leave, LOL. He ends up falling for Rosie while he helps her fix the Inn since he’s basically stuck there.
Notes:
- Rosie Harper – ~29 (drives a Honda Civic)
- Dean Alden – 33 (drives a BMW M5)
- Rosie owns the only Inn in town she’s still trying to finish
- He’s a business consultant in between jobs
- He inherited a burned up farm in town
There was one curse word I noted.
This is part of the Falling for Autumn multi-author series that can be read in any order.
The Emma Special by Tasha Hackett & Mandi Blake
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
Oh my goodness. Now this is a Christian rom-com! If you’re looking for super sweet Christian romance with a good dose of comedy, this is it.
Notes:
- Emma Glass – mid 20s
- James Lincoln Moore Jr. – late 20s
- He’s a lawyer
- She’s a lot of things and basically anything he needs her to be
- Emma is about 3 yrs younger than him because he was a Senior when she was a Freshman in high school
- He’s always loved her ❤️
- Marriage of convenience
- best friend groups that point them to scripture and truth
- Chapter 7 😂😂😂😂😂
- The way he stands up and cares for her 😭😭😭😭
- Side character named Summer who will get a book in the series!! 😍
Quote:
He could let Emma go and chalk it up to a fleeting encounter with a friend, but he wouldn’t. He’d missed his chance in high school, but not this time. Instead, he’d make up poor excuses like the need for a date to family dinner just to see her face again because the thought of another day without her in it was not an option.
This is book one in the Kiss & Tell series, and they do recommend reading this series in order. I’m so excited!!!
Fall Fake-Out by Kortney Keisel
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
4.5 rounded up!
I think I just didn’t give it a solid 5 stars because I didn’t like the scandal, BUT it was fine. Everything ended fine. Ari and Wade both have family and reputation issues to get through and I did like how the story ended and how things were wrapped up. I also loved all their stolen moments and how Wade came to realize that it’s always been her and why it never worked out with anyone else. Even if he did have a mustache.
Notes:
- Ari Langford – 27
- Wade Stevenson – 27
- He’s the principal
- She’s a teacher
- Fake dating
- avoiding scandal
- He’s for their hometown
- She always wanted to leave
- They’re helping each other out
- The beets!!
- Parental disapproval
- Fun vs forever
- Reputations
This is part of the Falling for Autumn multi-author series. Just two more books to go!
To Love the Brooding Baron by Jentry Flint
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I loved this one. It was hard to read for a few weeks only because it deals with violence and mental illness and it was hard to read when I already felt kind of meh with life.
If the title doesn’t give you a clue… he’s broody and swoony. I don’t even know what else to say!
Arabella sure loved testing the limits of pretty much everything 😂 Her brother Emerson (who has his own story already that I need to go read) is away and so his friends Mr. Bradbury and Lord Northcott who is a Baron are watching over her and her mother in his absence. They sure have their work cut out for them… and along the way, so much happens. I loved so many parts of this, even amid all the voices in Henry’s head 🥺
Notes:
- Arabella
- Henry
- Witty banter
- Shakespeare quotes
- Older brother’s best friend
- Matchmaking women
- Healthy mother/daughter relationship
- Dual third person POV
As I said, this does have violence, mention of murders and mental illnesses as well as visits to Bedlam. Please read with this in mind.
This is actually book two by her but the books won’t need to be read in order seeing as how it’s not technically a series… but I do have book one I will read soon. The next book will be released in November and I’m excited for that as well! These are standalones but I must catch up to read in order.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 1 by Beth Brewer
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I’m going to love this series!
Emma is 20 and moves to the house she’s inheriting. What’s a girl to do in her position with a guardian who is taking advantage of her family’s generosity???? Good grief!!
This is written as daily journal entries in Emma’s first person account in the 1880s. Different, but I also love it.
Emma has such a sarcastic humor about her.
Like most other readers, I was unsure at the beginning if I’d like, but if you keep reading, you’re gonna get hooked. 😅
Quote:
Most time what is amusing in my head is only that, in my head alone.
This is book one / volume 1 in this series. There’s going to be a lot of books, y’all. Eight are already published with more in the works. Yes, I already have the eight in my possession 😂
My online bookstore:
https://pangobooks.com/bookstore/notyourseason
GoodReads profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/131896341-summer
Books read this month: 9
Books read this year: 100
Book goal for the year: 96
I’m excited for what’s in store to end the year! Did we read any of the same things this month? Let me know in the comments!
