October flew by and I canât believe weâre already in the final month of fall! This month came with some truly stellar reads, but it was also when I had the most DNFs. Iâve learned that if Iâm not hooked within the first few chapters or first 30 pages, itâs best to move on, and it has made reading so much more enjoyable overall.
đ Favorite Reads of the Month
Instead of choosing just one, I wanted to highlight my three five-star reads from October. Full reviews can be found on Goodreads:
The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson – Thank you Berkley Romance for the free ARC, releases December 2.Mate by Ali Hazelwood – Target editionSecret Haven by Catherine Cowles
đ Favorite Manicure
Lights Lacquer The Restricted Section
Lights Lacquerâs The Restricted Section is a deep gray-green polish with a fine shimmer finish. I was surprised by how much I loved this one since shimmers are usually out of my comfort zone, but it perfectly captured the fall and spooky vibes this month.
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby Publisher: Flatiron Pub Date: 6/10/2025
Thank you Flatiron & Macmillan Audio for the free advanced copies.
Rating: âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
When Roman Carruthers returns home after his fatherâs suspicious car accident, he finds his family drowning in debt and danger from violent criminals. As his sister Neveah fights to hold the family together, Roman uses his sharp financial skills, a ruthless side the gangsters didnât expect, to protect the people he loves at any cost.
S.A. Cosby is an auto-read author for me and I can always count on his books to pull me out of a slump. I was especially excited to hear that Adam Lazarre-White would be narrating this one because I love his performances in Cosbyâs other books. King of Ashes is another hit! Cosby has a way of creating characters you genuinely empathize with. They make tough choices and suddenly youâre wrapped up in their complexity and moral grayness. Roman was such a layered character and heâs truly put through the wringer. The book raises hard questions about how far you would go to protect your family while also exploring strained family dynamics and complicated ties within a close-knit community. Cosbyâs story is gritty and includes some graphic elements, but it feels purposeful and drive both the plot and character growth. I loved the slow burn, the high stakes for every character, and that epic ending! I was driving while listening to the last part and literally had to pull over just to relisten. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one up on audio!
Iâve read all of Neely Tubati Alexanderâs books and each one brings something unique to the table whether itâs slow-burn romance, self-discovery or forced proximity that reignites old feelings. If youâre wondering where to start or curious about my thoughts, hereâs my ranking based on personal vibes, favorite tropes, and the emotional ride each story took me on:
Love Buzz (#3 in my ranking)
Pub Date: 5/2/23
Quick Summary: Serena meets a mysterious, charming stranger during a chaotic New Orleans bachelorette trip and becomes determined to find him once she’s back in Seattle. As she searches with only a few clues, she starts to question whether the carefully planned life she built is truly what she wants or if love might be worth the risk.
Thoughts: I had mixed feelings about it. The plot was intriguing and I didnât mind that the romance took a backseat. I actually appreciated that the story focused more on Serenaâs journey which was letting go of a job that no longer fulfilled her and ending a relationship she had clearly outgrown. It was empowering to watch her find a career she felt passionate about and even when she stumbled, she learned and moved forward. The part that didnât work for me was the romance. I was fine with the insta-love setup between Serena and Julian, but her obsession with finding him after a brief encounter felt a bit unrealistic and hard to buy into. While the story centers on self-discovery and we do eventually learn how great Julian is, I wish they had reconnected earlier so we could actually see their relationship develop. The ending felt too rushed to fully enjoy the spark between them.
Rating: âď¸âď¸âď¸
Courtroom Drama (#2 in my ranking)
Thank you to the author for the free ARC and to LibroFM & Harper Audio for the free ALC.
Pub Date: 5/20/25
Quick Summary: Sydney Parks thinks jury duty might finally bring some excitement to her life, especially when it involves a reality TV star on trial for murder. But things get messy fast when she realizes her long-lost childhood best friend is also on the jury, and old feelings start bubbling up at the worst possible time.
Thoughts: The plot felt original and intriguing. I loved how Neely balanced two subplots: Margotâs trial and the slow-building connection between Sydney and Damon. The character development was exceptionally well done. I donât usually love single POV stories, but it worked perfectly here where each character felt deeply flawed yet relatable. The banter between Sydney and Damon was top-notch. The trial scenes were surprisingly engaging and kept me hooked all the way through. I also appreciated that the book included content warnings at the beginning of both the print and audio versions and the sensitive topics were handled with care. My only gripe was the pacing. I adored the slow burn and the pining between Sydney and Damon, but I wish we got to see more of their relationship after the trial wrapped up. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one up!
Rating: âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
In a Not So Perfect World (#1 in my ranking)
Pub Date: 3/19/24
Quick Summary: Sloane Cooper, a video game designer focused on landing her dream job, agrees to pose as her neighbor Charlieâs fake girlfriend on a trip to Turks and Caicos. As sparks fly between them, Sloane struggles to stick to her career-first plan and avoid falling for someone whoâs supposed to be winning back his ex.
Thoughts: I really enjoyed it! Some readers might not like how discriminatory the company Sloane interviews for is portrayed and while it may feel extreme, there is definitely some truth to it in the gaming world. I had a lot of empathy for Sloane and I could tell she was trying to prove something to herself. Charlie was a fun character although I thought he could have used more time to recover from his breakup before getting involved with Sloane. The banter between Charlie and Sloane was off the charts and the slow burn was perfect for their story. I loved all the activities they did during their vacation and how their connection gradually deepened. I appreciated that Sloane stayed focused on landing her dream job and that we got to see justice served at the end regarding the company. What did not work for me was the ending where everything felt tied up a little too neatly especially in terms of their work situations and how the third-act breakup was resolved.
Canât Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 5/13/2025
Thank you Forever for the free advanced copy.
Rating: âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Hendrix Barry has built a successful life, balancing her thriving career and caring for her aging mother which leaves little room for romance. But when charming tech mogul Maverick Bell enters her world, sheâs forced to question whether love is worth the risk of disrupting her carefully planned future.
Canât Get Enough is the third book in the Skyland series. While it can be read as a standalone, itâs best enjoyed after reading the first two books to fully understand Hendrix and her friends. Before receiving the ARC, I had already preordered a personalized signed copy from Kennedy Ryanâs local indie, Page158 Books, because I had a strong feeling this would be another 5-star read for me. Considering both Before I Let Go and This Could Be Us were also 5-star reads, itâs no surprise that Kennedy Ryan blew Canât Get Enough out of the water! I devoured this book over a weekend. Dare I say, this may be my all-time favorite Kennedy Ryan book! Not only was it refreshing to see a 40-year-old woman finding love, but it was also incredibly meaningful to have a female main character who is childless by choice. I adored Hendrixâs fierce confidence, her unwavering support for her loved ones, and most of all, the softness and vulnerability she allowed Maverick to see. Thereâs a lot to unpack in this story which made it a heavy yet deeply resonating read. I highly recommend reading Kennedyâs authorâs note at the beginning as this helped me prepare for some of the bookâs heavy and sensitive themes. There were still moments that caught me off guard and had me in tears. Kennedy has an unparalleled ability to build chemistry and intimacy between characters and the slow burn in this book is absolutely worth it. There were so many powerful quotes and emotionally resonant scenes that I felt deep in my soul and moments where I truly felt seen in ways I never had before. I also loved seeing Yasmen and Soledad show up for Hendrix which just further shows how deep their friendship is and is such goals! The new characters, especially Bolt and Skipper, added a fun subplot that I enjoyed. Plus, the surprise cameo appearances from characters in the Hoops and Grip series were a delightful touch. The scenes between Hendrix, her mom, and her Aunt G tugged at my heartstrings. I found myself feeling deeply for Hendrix and I just wanted to reach through the pages to give her a hug. The writing, character development, and storytelling were all chefâs kiss! I also appreciated how Kennedy wrapped up the story in a way where it delivers the satisfying romance readers crave while also acknowledging the complex realities of life. I can already see this being one of my favorite reads of 2025. I highly recommend Canât Get Enough especially if you loved Before I Let Go and This Could Be Us!
The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Pub Date: 4/8/2025
Thank you Amazon Publishing & Brilliance Publishing for the free copy.
Rating: âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Denny Voss, living a quiet life in rural Minnesota, finds himself unexpectedly charged with murder after a series of well-meaning but chaotic misadventures. As he awaits trial, he unravels painful family secrets and learns what it means to take control of his future.
The Sideways Life of Denny Voss is the first book Iâve read by Holly Kennedy. This gave me strong Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and The Maid vibes. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I devoured it. I ended up finishing it in a single day and absolutely loved it! Andrew Eiden did a fantastic job narrating. He truly brought the story to life! Holly Kennedy did an exceptional job capturing Dennyâs perspective. I felt so much empathy for him. I loved how certain characters showed their love for him in quiet but powerful ways. I also really enjoyed the multiple subplots and how well-developed each of the supporting characters were. I didnât anticipate any of the twists and I had no idea how the story would turn out which made the reading experience even more engaging. There was one chapter near the end that made me cry which is something that rarely happens when I read so be prepared with tissues and maybe give your fur baby an extra cuddle. Overall, this was a 5-star read for me and I highly recommend it!
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone Publisher: Dial Press Pub Date: 3/4/2025
Thank you Dial Press and PRH Audio for the free advanced copy.
Rating: âď¸âď¸âď¸
Lenny, reeling from the loss of her best friend Lou, takes a babysitting job for single mom Reese and her daughter, Ainsley, only to clash with the brusque yet grief-savvy uncle, Miles. As they navigate their respective struggles, an unlikely partnership helps Lenny rediscover herself and find love amidst the healing process.
Promise Me Sunshine is the first book Iâve read by Cara Bastone. I have mixed feelings about it. The premise was unique and intriguing. The themes of grief and moving on were portrayed well. Lenny and Milesâs relationship seemed promising. I enjoyed watching their friendship develop and evolve into something more, but it didnât seem strong enough. The second half of the book took an odd turn. The pacing felt uneven, with some scenes dragging unnecessarily, and some of the dialogue came off as cringey. While I appreciate a slow-burn romance, the way Lenny and Miles eventually came together felt disjointed. Lennyâs grief over her best friend was understandable, but at times her behavior seemed overly immature and frustrating. Her character development didnât align well with the overall story. As for Miles, I found myself wanting more insight into his perspective as his character didnât seem like fully fleshed out. In fact, many of the characters felt underdeveloped which detracted from the overall experience. Overall, I found it to be a decent read. People who are fans of friends-to-lovers might enjoy this.
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 2/11/2025
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the free advanced copy.
Rating: âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Radio host Aiden Valentine finds himself drawn to Lucie Stone after her daughterâs call for dating advice makes them local celebrities. As sparks fly off-air, Lucie must choose between a staged romance and a genuine connection with Aiden.
I loved the premise of First-Time Caller and appreciated that it was inspired by 90s romcoms. The dual perspectives from Lucie and Aiden were fantastic and the sprinkled radio segments added a nice touch to break up the chapters. The charactersâ voices were distinctive which made it easy to connect with both protagonists. The supporting cast was equally well written and Iâm excited to see which characters might get their own books! Lucieâs 12-year-old daughter, Maya, was an absolute highlight. She was cute, quirky, and showed a wonderful mix of maturity and childlike innocence. I also appreciated that Aidenâs grumpy attitude was explained rather than just presented as a personality trait. The slow build-up and chemistry between Aiden and Lucie were amazing which created great chemistry. However, I found the book to be a bit too long with some scenes dragging and the pacing occasionally feeling off. While the build-up to their romance was great, the steamy scenes felt abrupt and could have benefited from smoother transitions. I also wished there had been more focus on Aiden building a relationship with Maya as that would have added more depth to their story. Overall, I found that this was a solid start to the series. I canât wait to see whatâs next!
Cross My Heart by Megan Collins Publisher: Atria Pub Date: 1/14/2025
Thank you Atria for the free advanced copy.
Rating: âď¸âď¸âď¸
Rosie Lachlan becomes entangled in a dangerous obsession after suspecting her heart donor was the late wife of author Morgan Thorne, with whom she feels destined to be. As she uncovers unsettling truths about Morganâs past, Rosie must confront whether her connection to him is love or a fatal mistake.
Cross My Heart is the first book Iâve read by Megan Collins. The intriguing premise initially drew me to this thriller. The story is told through Rosieâs perspective, interspersed with emails between them in DonnerConnnect, and other emails Morgan sent, which added an interesting layer to the narrative. The characters were all unlikable, unreliable, and unhinged, making questionable choices that effectively added to the storyâs tension. However, I found Rosie, the main character, to be particularly daft and annoying. While the story started off strong, it began to drag in the middle becoming repetitive and overly focused on Rosieâs monotonous overthinking. The writing leaned more toward telling than showing which lessened some of the impact. That said, a couple of unexpected twists sparked my interest with the plot. Overall, it was an entertaining three-star read.
All The Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Pub Date: 1/7/2025
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for the free advanced copy.
Rating: âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
True crime podcaster Ridley Sawyer seeks justice for cold cases while grappling with the unresolved disappearance of her twin sister. When her investigation collides with Sheriff Colter Brooksâ guarded small-town life, sparks fly, but danger looms as the case takes a deadly turn.
All The Missing Pieces is the first book in the Shady Cove series. This romantic suspense book contained grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity romance tropes. I appreciated the unique combination of a true crime podcaster heroine and a sheriff hero which got me invested in the story. Overall, it was an engaging read, but I found myself more interested by the suspense than the romance. The cold case plot was what truly hooked me and kept me turning the pages. There were moments where I thought I had figured out the culprit, only for the author to completely blindside me with unexpected twists which I loved. However, the romance between Ridley and Colt fell a bit flat for me. The dialogue felt too clichĂŠ and occasionally cringey. Ridleyâs impulsive decisions sometimes annoyed me. Coltâs behavior while meant to be grumpy occasionally came across as outright rude which detracted from the charm of their dynamic. Given that Ridley is a true crime podcaster, I would have loved to see a few podcast episodes woven into the story to provide more depth and immersion. Overall, this was a solid start to the series and Iâm excited to see which characters get their own stories next!
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams Publisher: Dell Romance Pub Date: 1/7/2025
Thank you to Dell Romance for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Emily Walkerâs life is thrown off track when her rival, Jack Bennett, moves back to town as her neighbor and coworker. When Emily accidentally sends her secret romance manuscript to their principal, Jack agrees to help her get it back, sparking an unexpected connection between the two.
Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third book in the When in Rome series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. While I read When in Rome and wasnât a fan, I didnât realize Beg, Borrow, or Steal was part of the series until I was halfway through the book, as I hadnât read Practice Makes Perfect. That said, I devoured this book in just 24 hours! I absolutely loved Emily and Jackâtheir personalities and chemistry were spot-on. Sarah Adams did a fantastic job developing their relationship from enemies to friends to lovers in a way that felt sweet, endearing, and natural. The banter between them was off the charts and the texts and emails interspersed between chapters showing moments from 10 years ago to the present added depth and kept the story engaging. It was also wonderful to see both characters grow and learn more about themselves and each other. Emilyâs quirks might not appeal to everyone, but given her past, I found them relatable and understandable. I especially appreciated getting inside Jackâs head as his perspective felt unique and introspective. Seeing the previous couples from the series as supporting characters was a delightful touch. Overall, this was a solid 5-star read for me! Iâm hoping for Madison and James to get their own book because their chemistry seemed electric!
Asha Reads 