I had an excellent and very fall-themed reading month in September! I really wanted to kick off the fall vibes reading with a strong start, and definitely feel like I accomplished that with multiple horror reads.
Stats
Total books read: 10
Fall vibes: 6
Physical books: 6
Aardvark: 2
Book of the Month: 1
A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon (4.25 stars) – An excellent romantasy sequel that did not suffer from middle-book syndrome. I continue to love this author’s writing and skilled crafting of an enemies-to-lovers romance where the tension does not dissipate. Can’t wait for book 3, which just came out and is on my wish list, to see how all of the buildup will turn out!
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne (4 stars) – This book genuinely scared me, was very well-written, focused on complex and toxic family dynamics alongside its haunted house storyline, and had an extremely satisfying ending–it’s all I want in a horror read! I’ll definitely look for more from this author.
Morsel by Carter Keane (4 stars) – Another horror standout, this one focuses on the horrors of capitalism and MLMs while prioritizing the value of true friendship. It was short and impactful, and makes a great one-sitting read.
I Kissed Her First by Betty Cayouette (4 stars) – I really enjoyed this Sapphic romance between a Taylor Swift-esque musician and the TikTok famous personal chef she hires to accompany her on tour; the plot and romance were both very strong. My only gripe was the miscommunication/third act break-up, which is often where I get frustrated in romances, but this one was great overall.
The Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a Violent System, and a Public Defender’s Search for Justice in America by Emily Galvin Almanza (4 stars) – I learned a lot from this nonfiction book that outlines some of the myriad of problems with our criminal justice system and also actually proposes solutions for these issues.
A Study in Sparkling by Jodi McAlister (4 stars) – The first book in this series, An Academic Affair, is one of my favorite romances of 2026, and I wasn’t sure I’d be as interested in the sequel as it focuses on more of a friends-to-lovers dynamic rather than the academic rivals-to-lovers of its predecessor. But it was a really sweet romance, and I enjoyed the return of Sadie and Jonah from book 1, as well as the introduction of other possible future couples. I do find the wine world quite interesting, and could have done with even more on that side of things.
She’s a Doll by Barbara Truelove (4 stars) – This horror novel was actually a lot sadder than I was expecting, and also more introspective and friendship-focused than revenge-centric. But it was well-written, and the narrator did a great job; it was sort of a random pick for me that I selected because it was an Aardvark option, and I’m not sorry I read it.
One Bad Night & Other Stories, edited by Isabel Armiento (4 stars) – This horror anthology was a mixed bag, but an ultimately enjoyable one; I read stories from authors I’ve previously enjoyed and was also introduced to new-to-me voices. My favorite was “Two Observers of the Slaughter Rites on Gannet Island,” which was a historical horror story featuring an anthropologist couple studying the mysterious customs they’ve heard about on a remote island in the North Atlantic; it was really well-written and creepily fascinating.
This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum (3.5 stars) – I was hoping to really enjoy this podcast-centric contemporary thriller, but it was just OK for me; I predicted the twist fairly quickly, and it was more flashback and romance than true mystery. But I liked the audio narration.
I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell by MacKenzie Reed (3.5 stars) – This was a fun adult debut about a road trip through Hell featuring an administrative assistant and boss on their way to rescue a friend and coworker, and I found it fun and entertaining, although I was never fully sold on the romance. I actually got to see this author speak at the book launch party and got my copy signed, which was very cool.
