September turned out to be a good reading month for me. Most of the ARCs that I read that released in September, I actually read in August. That freed up some time to read from my TBR and finish two reading challenges. During the last week of the month, I finished the A to Z reading challenge. Earlier this month, I completed the B.A.N.G. Book Club reading challenge. I also took this as an opportunity to read new-to-me authors and fit in several novellas. Out of the 23 books I read and the 2 I did not finish, I read 19 new-to-me authors! That has to be a record for me. There is a place for smutty insta-love novellas and this month I had the pleasure of reading several. I am thankful that I had that time to read before life got crazy as I am really struggling to read at the moment.
My completed A to Z reading challenge.
#readingchallenge
BOOK REVIEWS
Take Me (Cherry Blossom Lake #5) by Tawna Fenske
ARC: Release Date- 09/26/2025
#FriendsToLovers #FakeRelationship #SmallTown #FamilySeries
#ARC
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. Written in first person from an alternating
dual POV, this can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. As book five of
a family series, readers should be aware that characters from previous books
play important roles in this one. Maximum enjoyment might be obtained from
reading the series in publication order.
Mason is the Spencer-King brother who is always up for a
laugh and a good time. He owns his brewery, is the life of any party, adores
his twin sister, and has been best friends with Erika since they were eight
years old. They have been through the ups and downs life has thrown at them. Erika
is a tough woman who loves her job as a mechanic. She is good at it. She has
always been a tomboy and Mason has always been her best friend. I loved her fierce spirit. I loved that she
is unapologetically true to who she is. She and Mason have known each other for
so long they have a shorthand for communication that was a joy to read. Their
attempt at a fake relationship doesn’t get far before it is very real to both
of them. That ability to read each other pays dividends in the bedroom too.
They are hot and tender with each other. Do they have a wobble? Sure. But it is
resolved quickly and in the very best way. This was an outstanding addition to
the series. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. I adore this family and
this series. I am excited to see what comes next.
Witch Way After Forty (Silver Sisters #1)
by Jennifer
L. Hart
#BookClub #Paranormal #OWYM #AgeGap
Written in primarily first person from multiple POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HFN. There is one character (a fae)
whose sections are written in third person.
I enjoyed the dynamics between the sisters as they come into their magic and learn how to work together to handle it. I liked that Alys (49) and Brock (29) are so comfortable together despite their age difference. There was humor, drama, some action, and some heat. The book addresses coming to terms with abandonment, grief, and futures much different than anticipated by the sisters. I picked this book for book club because I appreciated that the characters were in their forties and magic is always fun in October. This was my first book by this author, but I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Your Dad Will Do (A Touch of Taboo #1) by Katee Robert
#AgeGap #Erotica #Taboo #Novella
Written in first person from Lily’s POV, this standalone ends with a HEA. With a 20+ year age gap and the taboo element of Shane being her ex-fiancé’s father, this was a smutty, fast, and fun read. Though Daddy kink doesn’t really do it for me, I appreciated that Lily and Shane discover that they do like it with each other-something they didn’t know before. What starts as revenge sex becomes an all-consuming weekend filled with pleasure and complicated emotions. I liked that some time passes between their sexy weekend and when they finally come together for their happy ending. I loved how Shane took care of Lily in all the ways she never knew she was missing. This was my first book by this author, though I have seen her recommended a lot for her spicy books. This was a HOT read, perfect for an evening between longer books. I look forward to reading more of her books.
XXL by Kate Hunt
#AgeGap #Billionaire #CurvyGirl #GrumpySunshine #InstaLove
#Novella
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
standalone ends with a HEA. Violet is a young woman motivated to bail her mom
out of trouble. Maverick is a loner and owner of a security firm. He meets
Violet on his 40th birthday at the dive bar where she is working a
second job. He is immediately smitten, though it takes him a little while to
admit it to himself. I appreciated his generous heart and protective nature. I
liked Violet’s spunk. Hot times were fun in part because Maverick is such a giant.
This was a sweet, steamy, insta-love good time.
Zane (Bad Boys of Saddle Creek #1) by Kat Baxter
#CurvyGirl #FriendsToLovers #Virgin #Novella
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
standalone novella ends with a HEA. This
was a quick and steamy read with a neurodivergent FMC and a tatted up and
pierced cinnamon roll hero. I appreciated Emmaline’s logical outlook on life
events. I loved Zane’s tender manner with her and his acceptance of who she is.
This was an easy evening read that left me feeling warm and fuzzy.
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