What I Read in August 2024

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About a year ago (September 5th to be exact), I created this blog. I decided that I wanted to share my reading with the world every month through this website I created through Wix, which has been an amazing platform to work on. I love what I do, and I'm so grateful to still be doing it a year later. Thank you so much to everyone who's supported me in the last year with this, you are truly the best. <3

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Hello everyone, welcome back! I was in a lot of physical pain this month, so I was in a slump for the first half of it; thankfully it picked up, and I ended up reading 21 books and DNFing 2 this month. Let's talk about them!

Powerless by Elsie Silver: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on August 2nd. This is the third book in the Chesnut Springs series and follows Jasper and Sloane. This was the last one I read in the series and it became my favorite. I love friends to lovers (especially childhood friends) so Sloane and Jasper nailed it perfectly. I liked seeing a glimpse into her first series with this one because it made me want to explore that series much more. I'd definitely recommend this one if you like small-town, cowboy romances, but also friends to lovers.

"Two childhood friends. Two broken hearts. One impromptu road trip to get away from everything. That’s all this was supposed to be. After all, I’ve been living in the friend zone for years now. But hockey heartthrob Jasper Gervais isn’t looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn’t touching me like one either. To his fans, he’s the handsome, talented athlete on TV. But to me he’s still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold. The man I’ve loved in secret for years. So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he’s the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I’m there to return the favor. But the more time we spend alone, the more Jasper doesn’t feel like a friend at all. He feels like everything I’ve ever wanted and thought I could never have. Our feelings aren’t straight forward though. They twist and turn around the pain of his past and the reality of my present. Jasper Gervais acts like he wants me. But after years of turning me away, he’s going to need to prove it."

Spunky by Haley Tyler: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on August 2nd. This was an arc I received that was part of the DNF series. I thought it was fun! Fun and funny, definitely smutty and cringe. Not mad though, I had a good time. I'm not sure if I'd recommend it though, purely because of just how cringe it was.

"If your book boyfriend came to life, would you do anything to keep him? Of course you would. And I would too. Ian and I only have 72 hours together before he disappears back into his book, and the only way to keep him with me forever? True love's j*zz. That's right. I need all the creamy, spunky goodness he has to offer. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make him mine forever, even if that means marrying a fictional man."

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton: I rated this book 3/5 stars and DNF'd it on August 2nd at 30%. I'll keep this review short since it is a DNF for me: I thought it was boring. Which was sad, because I really wanted to love it. I saw lots of women on Booktok saying this was the perfect memoir for women in their 20s to read, so as a woman in my 20s, I picked it up. It was super boring though, super bland, and I realized that I didn't really care about her life story at all. I might read her newest release, but this was a miss for me.

"The wildly funny, occasionally heartbreaking internationally bestselling memoir about growing up, growing older, and learning to navigate friendships, jobs, loss, and love along the ride. When it comes to the trials and triumphs of becoming an adult, journalist and former Sunday Times columnist Dolly Alderton has seen and tried it all. In her memoir, she vividly recounts falling in love, finding a job, getting drunk, getting dumped, realizing that Ivan from the corner shop might just be the only reliable man in her life, and that absolutely no one can ever compare to her best girlfriends. Everything I Know About Love is about bad dates, good friends and—above all else— realizing that you are enough. Glittering with wit and insight, heart and humor, Dolly Alderton’s unforgettable debut weaves together personal stories, satirical observations, a series of lists, recipes, and other vignettes that will strike a chord of recognition with women of every age—making you want to pick up the phone and tell your best friends all about it. Like Bridget Jones’ Diary but all true, Everything I Know About Love is about the struggles of early adulthood in all its terrifying and hopeful uncertainty."

Slurp by Georgia Rayne: I rated this ebook arc 4/5 stars and finished it on August 8th. This might be one of my favorites of the series honestly. It’s so so spicy, and somehow the cringe language of it didn’t bother me. I was surprised to see it marketed as not having a HEA, so seeing that was still surprising to me. A good surprise I’d say though. I loved it, and I can’t wait to read more by this author!

"What's worse than having a serious lady-boner for your professor? Having it for two of them. I'd never dream of pushing that boundary, especially as a sophomore in a new college with only a handful of friends. But when tall, dark, and tasty makes a pass at me, can I really resist the bulge I've been eye-f*cking for months? And when curvy, luscious, and lickable joins in with plans to make me the new toy they fight over in every sexy way possible, how can I possibly keep my panties from disintegrating under the pressure?"

If You Tell a Lie by Lucinda Berry: I rated this book 2/5 stars and finished it on August 13th. While I am thankful this book got me out of a long slump, I am not thankful I read it. This was a birthday gift to myself as I had pre-ordered it early so it’s taken me a while but I finally read it and man…I did not enjoy it. The premise was fine but the execution was horrible. Also, the twist? At the end? No. It just..it wasn’t good. I don’t think I’ll read anything more from this author unfortunately.

"They never considered how his wife might react, or that by the end of the summer a man would be dead. But Blakely always got her way, and the others followed her lead—even when they knew it was dead wrong. The girls had been friends from day one at Camp Pendleton, a haven for gifted children. But their senior summer was different. When Mr. Crosby, the handsome tennis coach, wound up murdered after a reckless lie, Blakely, Grace, Meg, and Thera swore themselves to secrecy. And never spoke to each other again. Until now. Twenty years later a sinister note claiming to know what they did brings them back together. And once again Blakely is pulling the strings. Unfolding in a dual timeline, If You Tell a Lie is a disturbing journey into the dangerous, sometimes deadly consequences of peer pressure—with a bone-chilling twist you’ll never see coming."

The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie by Freida McFadden: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on August 14th. This was a satirical novella and it came at a great time in my life. I definitely needed a laugh and lemme tell you, this delivered. I was laughing the entire way through, while also gasping and being shocked with the multiple twists and turns this novella took. The writing was kinda clunky but for a novella that makes sense. All in all, I loved this, and I'd absolutely recommend it.

"My husband is dead. I attended his funeral. I watched his casket be lowered six feet into the ground. (Actually, it may have been only five feet, but that still seems like more than enough.) And then we ate an array of finger sandwiches and deviled eggs and miniature beef wellingtons that cost more than my first car. My point is, Grant is gone. And so are all his many, many deep, dark secrets which I never really ever bothered to ask him about. He is never coming back. So why do I still see his face everywhere I go? The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie is an utterly addictive, unputdownable, nail-biting, absolutely gripping psychological thriller novella with a shocking, breathtaking, heartstopping, spine-chilling twist that you won't see coming, will leave you stunned, and will literally have you picking your jaw up off the floor and bringing it to the nearest hospital for major facial reconstructive surgery."

The Inmate by Freida McFadden: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on August 14th. I normally wouldn't read two thrillers back-to-back, but I'd heard so many good things about this one and ended up flying through it in one sitting because it was just that good. I thought I guessed the twist around 20% in, but somehow got it wrong and right at the same time. This was easily in my top three favorite books from her, and I'd absolutely recommend going into it blind like I did. It was fantastic.

"There are three rules Brooke Sullivan must follow as a new nurse practitioner at a men's maximum-security: 1) Treat all prisoners with respect. 2) Never reveal any personal information. 3) Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates. But none of the staff at the prison knows Brooke has already broken the rules. Nobody knows about her intimate connection to Shane Nelson, one of the penitentiary's most notorious and dangerous inmates. And they certainly don't know that Shane was Brooke's high school sweetheart―the star quarterback who is now spending the rest of his life in prison for a series of grisly murders. Or that Brooke's testimony was what put him there. But Shane knows. And he will never forget."

Give Me More by Sara Cate: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on August 14th. This is the third book in the Salacious Players Club series and follows Hunter, Drake, and Isabel. I'd been meaning to read this one for a while and I flew through it immediately after starting it. I love her writing style so much and I loved the characters. I loved the sexual awakening that both Hunter and Drake experienced, I thought it was really well-written. Also, I'd like to note that this was when I started a free month of Kindle Unlimited, so my reading picked up quite a lot after this. I'd recommend it for sure, but look for content/trigger warnings.

"I’m a scoundrel. Playboy. Man whore. Basically, I get around, and I’m not afraid to admit it. So when my best friend opens up Salacious Players’ Club and asks me to head the construction, how could I say no? Now we’re on a cross-country road trip touring other kink clubs, and I couldn’t be happier. Life is good. Then Hunter suddenly asks me to sleep with his wife…while he watches. I’ll do anything for my best friend, but this is the one request I should say no to. Isabel is the woman of my dreams, but she’s his. And the exact reason I should say no is the one reason I say yes. Because it’s not only Isabel I want. These are the two most important people in my life, and if we go down this path, how will I ever be able to walk away? I’m not sure my best friend understands just how much I’m willing to do for him—and why."

Madame by Sara Cate: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on August 15th. This is the sixth and final book in the Salacious Players Club series and follows Eden, Clay, and Jade. This was the book I was most excited about in the series because I wanted to know more about Eden and her story and I definitely got that with this one. It's heavier in terms of content for sure, but honestly, I loved it. It was somehow the spiciest one too, probably because she's a Dominatrix, and they tend to be written spicier. Anyway, I'd recommend this entire series to anyone who can handle the spice. I thought all six were very well-written, and honestly, I wish she could've made these characters real people. I'm sad it's over now.

"They think they know me, but they have no idea. As a professional Domme, I see men and women come and go. But no one ever sticks around, and I like it that way. I have a secret to protect—at all costs. So when the cocky, handsome, and submissive Clay Bradley weasels his way into my heart, I do the one thing I’ve always excelled at. I push him away—forever. And like a good boy, he listens. But a few months later, during a chance encounter, he shows up again, but this time he isn’t alone. He has the stunning Jade on his arm. And she has a request of her own. She wants me to teach her. I should say no. Training a woman who makes my knees weak is bad enough. But this particular woman is dating the man who still has my heart. It’s a recipe for disaster. Made worse by one simple fact—they know my secret. And they won’t let go. But how can I protect what’s mine if I’m holding onto them too? Jade and Clay are the only ones who truly see me and the only ones who know… I’m so much more than Madame."

Highest Bidder by Sara Cate: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on August 15th. This is the fifth book in the Salacious Players Club and follows Ronan and Daisy. Initially, I wasn't sure if I was gonna love this one, or even if I was going to read it. Thankfully, I changed my mind, and I ended up loving it. I wish Ronan and Daisy were real people at this point. Definitely recommend.

"He’s not just rich…he’s filthy rich. When I started working at Salacious Players’ Club, I never expected to end up on the auction block ready to grant a date to the highest bidder. This club is not really my scene. I’m not the kind of girl rich guys take home. I’m more a piano-playing, van-living, free-spirit kind of girl. So when Ronan Kade, the richest man at the club, puts down over a hundred grand for my time, how can I tell him no? But he’s too old. Too rich. Too cocky. And oh yeah…he once dated my mother. Except he doesn’t know that. He has no idea who I am. One date turns into a trip to Paris. And an offer to live with him in his penthouse. Then a promise to take care of me. Before I know it, I’m calling this silver fox my daddy. Ronan Kade only bid on one date, but I think he’s winning much more than that. Can we overcome the years between us to find happiness? And will he find it in him to forgive me when he learns the secret I’ve been keeping?"

Eyes on Me by Sara Cate: I rated this ebook 4.5/5 stars and finished it on August 16th. This is the second book in the Salacious Players Club series and follows Garrett and Mia. I thought it was pretty good! The only reason why it's getting a 4.5 instead of a 5 is because they're stepsiblings. And while they're not technically related, she kept calling him her brother//him calling her his sister which put me off a little bit. I'd still recommend the series though.

"I’m a voyeur—it means I like to watch. And in my line of work, that’s a gift. As one of the four owners of the Salacious Players’ Club, I’m comfortable on the sidelines. This is what I was made to do, and I work better alone. Until the day I stumble on a certain cam girl app and find myself watching the one person I should never have watched—my step-sister. There are three big problems with this. One, Mia and I can’t stand each other. Two, she has no idea I’m the man on the other end of the video. And three…I’m hooked—on the app and on her. Now, Mia has me wanting and doing things I said I’d never do again, like opening up and getting attached. I’m falling for her, but she’s falling for the mystery man I’m pretending to be. If I’m going to make this right, then I have to do more than just watch. But how far will I go to keep her eyes on me?"

Milky by Daisy Jane: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on August 17th. This is part of the DNF series. I thought it was okay! Definitely weird and very cringe, to the point where I wouldn't recommend it. Short and sweet though, and super easy to get through.

"Herb is the best kind of man. He always listens. He’s very agreeable. He helps me at work. He’s a good cleaner. He doesn’t complain. And holy moly can he suck. I thought it would be me and Herb forever, the only guy to ever understand my needs. Then one night when Herb and I are cleaning the DNF bookshop, I notice my favorite book is no longer on the shelves. We discover a cute guy in the store, reading our favorite book: Milk Mama: The Adult Male's Guide to Drinking Milk From The Source. All I can hope is that he's into MFV."

Drippy by Stephanie Swann: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on August 17th. This is part of the DNF series. I thought Agatha and Arnold were great! I'll probably read more from her in the future because I enjoyed her writing style. **I would like to note that this is when I got a Kindle in the mail, so along with Kindle Unlimited, my reading skyrocketed from here.**

"Agatha is a mega dork by day and an adult phone operator at night. Everything was going just fine until she met with one of her Arnold. She finds herself wanting a deeper connection with him. Arnold works at a small town bookstore. As much as he loves his job, and his dog Rufus, the only connection he has is with an adult phone operator, "Angel". She knows him as "Adonis," but when they meet, they're surprised to find they're nothing like their phone personas. Will Agatha and Arnold find true love amidst many kerkuffles, awkward interactions and strange names for each others... parts?"

Dark Restraint by Katee Robert: I rated this ebook 3.75/5 stars and finished it on August 20th. This is the seventh book in the Dark Olympus series and follows Ariadne and the Minotaur, Asterion. This was my least favorite by far, but I'm hoping the next one can be redeemable enough for me to finish the series. I thought Ariadne and Asterion were not good together, like, at all. He's so possessive and controlling, and also just a major jerk. There's a sex scene in the first chapter too. THE FIRST CHAPTER!! Hello??? That's not okay. Even if it was in the "prologue", but still. That kinda set the book off for me, and I already knew then that I wasn't going to enjoy it. Icarus and Posideon better be great in the next one.

"Ariadne Vitalis is in trouble. She's betrayed her father—and his benefactor—and now she's left to rely on the questionable mercy of Olympus to keep her safe. As with everything in this city, mercy comes with a price. For Ariadne, that means a marriage to Dionysus. She has no choice but to agree, even if there's only one man she's ever wanted—a man she's feared just as much as she desires. The Minotaur never had any illusions about Minos's plans. He was willing to get his hands dirty as long as the old man kept his word—at the end of this, the Minotaur would be given Ariadne as a reward. Nowhere in that deal was her walking down the aisle to a different man. She's meant for him, and he means to have her. Ariadne knows better than to encourage the Minotaur. Her relationship with her new fiancé might be more friendship than burning passion, but she is all too aware of how much fiery passion can hurt. She and the Minotaur are no good for each other. She can never forgive him for what he's done, and he can never change. But when his hands are on her body and his wicked words are whispered in her ear, she might just be willing to let all of Olympus burn…"

Love Lessons by Sidney Halston: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on August 23rd. I thought this was easy to fly through, and the characters were pretty likable, I just felt like it was a little slow. That doesn't make sense though, considering how short it was. I think it was missing something, but I can't put my finger on what. Cute nonetheless though, I'd recommend it.

"Quirky, free-spirited Valerie Marquez likes to make sure her kindergarten class has fun while learning. Uptight, by-the-book Andrew Wexler is allergic to fun, and loud music gives him a migraine, which makes sharing a wall with the other kindergarten teacher who loves to blast music all day his worst nightmare. But during the end-of the school year party, their shared tension morphs into a night of wild sex. What neither expected was the surprise consequence of that night. A baby. And, if sharing a wall with her nemesis was hard, sharing a classroom with him, while she’s feeling hormonal and hungry, is much harder. Turns out that co-teaching isn’t the hardest thing they’ll have to overcome. Trying not to fall in love with her baby daddy is much harder."

Souls and Sorrows by Sav R. Miller: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on August 23rd. This is the fifth book in the Monsters and Muses series and follows Cash and Ariana, as a loose retelling of Eros and Psyche. Honestly, I thought this was fantastic. Reading this made me realize how much I missed her writing style and how she writes her characters. I read Electric Idol by Katee Robert in August last year and loved it, so I knew I wanted to read another book about the story of Eros and Psyche. I'd absolutely recommend this series though, I loved it and I can't wait to read the rest.

"Cash Primrose takes his namesake seriously. As a successful environmental lawyer, work is his focus, and he has no room on his plate for anything else. That is, until an ex-ballerina gets herself into a bind at an underground auction, and he becomes so enamored with her that he ends up placing a bid. A quarter of a billion dollars later, and suddenly Cash is married to more than just his career. Not to mention, his new wife is a complete nightmare. As the middle daughter of a once-prominent crime family, and her mother’s former punching bag, Ariana Ricci is no stranger to grappling for control. She relies on seduction and violence to get what she wants, and thinks her new husband will be just as easy to manipulate as the men she’s used to dealing with. Only, Cash is different. He won’t touch Ariana, doesn’t retaliate when she lashes out in anger, and, in spite of their temporary status, sticks up for her when he could just let her get into trouble. He isn’t exactly kind, but perhaps the stoic, secretive lawyer is precisely what she needs to start healing once and for all."

Twisted by Emily McIntire: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on August 25th. This is the fourth book in the Never After series and is an Aladdin retelling with Princess Jasmine and the evil Jafar. I'm surprised it's taken me this long to finally read something by her but it's been a long time coming, I promise. This was FANTASTIC. The characters! The plot! The overall storyline! The themes! Everything was amazing. If you loved Aladdin, you should read this. I loved seeing the villain shine through in Julian, and I loved seeing Yasmin portray Jasmine in a more modern light. I will be reading the rest of the series now for sure, but check your content/trigger warnings because it is marketed as a dark romance.

"She's his diamond in the rough. He's her worst nightmare. Yasmin Karam, daughter to one of the richest men in the world, has never known strife. So, when her beloved father falls ill, she's determined to make his final days his happiest. His last wish? To see her married to a man of his choosing. Except Yasmin's heart already belongs to someone else. A servant. A street rat. A man her father would never consider worthy. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Yasmin strikes a desperate deal with her father's right-hand man, Julian, not realizing he has his own twisted agenda. Julian Faraci has one goal: become the most powerful man in the world. He's built a future from broken bones and faded bruises, never caring who he hurt along the way. But when his mentor falls ill, he finds himself on the verge of losing everything, and he'll stop at nothing to inherit what is rightfully his. Even if it means forcing a woman he can't stand into marriage. Yasmin is a brat who speaks out of turn, and he's the villain of her story. But he decides she'll be his—no matter what it takes to convince her."

Creamy by Bex Dawn: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on August 25th. This is part of the DNF series. Can I be honest with you? I don't remember reading this. I don't remember consuming it whatsoever, but if I gave it four stars then it must have been pretty okay, considering the books in this series are meant to be terrible. I think it's about one of the owners of the DNF bookshop going on a horrible date and then getting rescued by a firefighter?? Yeah, I have no idea. Can't say I'd recommend it though.

"Creamy is a romantically insane soap opera featuring a dramatic bookstore owner and her beefy paramedic. Follow their journey as he falls spunk-first in love with a chaotic woman he’ll do anything to keep, no matter how creamy things get."

Handy by Misty Walker: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on August 25th. This is part of the DNF series and honestly, I don't really remember reading this one either. I think it was good, but again, I don't remember. I wouldn't recommend this series to anyone though, it's just too cringe.

"Eaton Beavers never imagined that he would stumble upon the love of his life in a cozy, dimly lit used bookstore on a mundane weekday. But the moment his gaze landed on Jenny Tayla, he knew deep within his bone that she was the one. Her physique was a work of art. Her thick, shapely thighs, hips that curved just so, and ample bosom left him breathless. And lord almighty, when she smiled, it was as if the sun itself had taken residence in her features, casting a radiant glow that could light up even the darkest night sky. In that fleeting moment, Eaton knew without a doubt that this woman was meant for him. All he has to do now is convince her. Jenny Tayla is an entrepreneur of. . . how could she put it? Fake nizzle drizzle? White honey? Trouser gravy? Semen. She is a maker of fake but edible semen and proud of it, even if her profession comes with a price. She’s single and lonely, constantly rejected by men who find her fascination with the white substance repulsive. Sigh. That is until a dreamboat of a man catches her drooling over the cover of a steamy romance novel at her favorite used bookstore, DNF. Eaton Beavers is everything she could charming, handsome, and funny. Most importantly, he shares her appetite for indulging in her unique passion. But their happy ending is threatened by Jenny’s ex-boyfriend Daniel, an investor in her company who still harbors possessive feelings towards her. With misguided determination, he sets off to destroy her man chowder business and her one chance at true love."

Nectar by JD Midnight: I rated this ebook 1/5 stars and DNF'd it on August 30th, about 56% in. Of all twelve novellas in this series, this was the worst by a long shot. I'm actually surprised I stuck it out for as long as I did honestly. First of all, every character felt like bland white bread. Keep in mind though, that I like bland white bread from time to time. This though, was absolutely garbage. The MMC's kink in this is screwing poor women. WHAT?? HELLO??? Yeah. Classism is a kink now, and it's his, and it's disgusting. I'm not here to kink shame anyone, but being as he's a fictional character, I'm gonna shame him. He gets off on his girlfriend pretending to be poor! What? Why?!! I couldn't even tell you. Anyway, he wants to buy the bookstore so he meets Gertrude (think of Wednesday Addams) and they start to have a fling. You think they're gonna end up together right? Wrong. She ends up falling for her manager at the bookstore! Gertrude and Barret don't even have a happily ever after! I know I shouldn't be spoiling it, but please do yourselves a favor, please do not read this. Do not. I wish I hadn't.

"Gertrude Bliss walks to work at the DNF bookstore and is struggling to make ends meet. Woodrow Barret avoids entire nations' worth of taxes every month. He wants to buy, liquidate and take over the entire block the DNF sits on, so that way his company (which owns like, the color blue or something) can expand there. But what if he meets Gertrude? What if she's simply unlike other girls? Can true love quench the gaping hunger of unfettered capitalism?"

Vipers and Virtuosos by Sav R Miller: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on August 30th. This is the second book in the Monsters and Muses series and follows Aiden and Riley, as a loose retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice. I love the story of Orpheus and Eurydice so much. Hadestown is one of my favorite musicals because of it, and I read Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert earlier this year that was a retelling of that as well, and absolutely ate it up. This was pretty good! I liked the story, I liked Aiden and Riley a lot. They were well-written, and I can't wait to continue the rest of the series.

"Riley Kelly didn’t come to New York City with the hope of changing her life. After a vicious assault two years prior left her scarred and deeply traumatized, all the eighteen-year-old really craves is normalcy. Enter rock star Aiden James, the complete opposite of normal. When he’s not playing sold-out arenas, he’s working on the next hit album and dodging the paparazzi. His happiness, however, has always taken a back seat. The one shred of secrecy left in his life is his dark, tragic past, and his infamous family prefers to keep it that way. Only, when Riley catches his eye at a fundraiser in the city, he can’t stop himself as obsession takes root. Her blue eyes and peppermint scent are all he can think about, even after their one encounter takes an unfortunate turn. Suddenly, his dream girl is a malicious ghost. Now, Aiden’s on a mission to track her down and make her pay for ruining his career. Even if it means abandoning his life to make hers completely miserable. Soon, he’ll learn that revenge isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be."

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That's it! Thank you all so much for being there for me and reading my posts this past year, it truly means the world to me that people care about my reading so much. Love you guys, see you next month!