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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: August 2025

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IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON. But also, here are all the books I read in August! I’m still on track to hit 400, just need to stay focused.

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  • [ARC/ALC] For the Record by Emma Lord
  • [ARC] The Legacy of Ophelia (The Curse of Ophelia #5) by Nicole Platania
  • The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam (Hart and Mercy #3) by Megan Bannen
  • In the Veins of Drowning (The Siren Mage #1) by Kalie Cassidy
  • The Americana Playbook by Cathryn Carter
  • [Novella] Devotion of the Heart by Nichole Van
  • Problematic Summer Romance (Not in Love #2) by Ali Hazelwood
  • Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
  • [ARC] You & Me, For Real by Hayley Elliot
  • [ARC] A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores #3.5) by Julie Klassen
  • The Jasad Crown (The Scorched Throne #2) by Sara Hashem
  • Isles of the Emberdark (Cosmere) by Brandon Sanderson
  • A Promise So Bold and Broken (Compelling Fates Saga #2) by Sophia St. Germain
  • Glorious Rivals (The Grandest Game #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  • A Summer Without You by Caitlin Moss
  • Accomplice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #3) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
  • Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows #4) by Lexi Ryan
  • Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer
  • Deadwood (Secrets of the Serpentine #1) by Karley Brenna
  • Wrath of the Dragons (Fear the Flames #2) by Olivia Rose Darling
  • A Beguiled Gentleman (The Bradley Brothers #1) by Audra Wells
  • Immortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy #1) by I.V. Marie
  • One More Made Up Love Song (Midnight Rush #2) by Jenny Proctor
  • [ARC/ALC] Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson
  • [ARC/ALC] If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry
  • The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold (Blonde Identity #2) by Ally Carter
  • [ARC] Darkness Births the Stars by Sarah Lee Wohn
  • [ARC/ALC] Wild Reverence (Letters of Enchantment #0) by Rebecca Ross
  • [ARC] Stuck With You (Cal’s Garage #1) by Stacy Williams
  • The Dragon Wakes with Thunder (The Night Ends with Fire #2) by K.X. Song
  • Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
  • A Love Most Fatal (Morelli Family #1) by Kath Richards
  • [Novella] A Churn in the Virtual Society (Into the Churn #3.5) by Hayley Reese Chow
  • [ARC] What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller

Book Review: The Rose in the Shadows (House of Hyrax #1) by Arcadia Rayne

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 425 pages
Author: Arcadia Rayne
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 11th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“I was not created to back down”

When you’re the last Descendant of the most hated God in all the realms, who can you trust?

Theadora Moore, with no memories of her past life, arrives at the Athenian Palace with magic in her veins and a mark on her chest branding her the last living Descendant of Hyrax, God of the Dead. After seeing her as an opportunity to bolster his nations power, Prince Clayton Vail forces her into a role she never wanted. But when mysterious attacks plague the castle, it becomes clear that not everyone is thrilled about the return of House Hyrax.

To stay alive and uncover her past, Thea must master her powers, navigate treacherous court politics, and decide who she can trust in a castle brimming with the children of Gods.

In this world of magic and intrigue, friendships are fragile, and enemies lurk at every turn. As Thea and Clayton’s fates become increasingly entwined, their icy hostility starts to thaw, igniting a slow-burn romance that will change the realms forever.

The House of Hyrax series is an action-packed slow-burn romance filled with magic and political intrigue, perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and Red Queen.

LOST INTEREST.

This started off well and I was interested in the story unfolding, but as the book went on I started to lose interest or care for anything happening. I feel like aspects such as the romance weren’t well developed and even though it is a slow burn, the couple didn’t spend enough time together for Thea to be declaring she was in love.

And the antagonists were plain. The “bad” king was lack luster and trying too hard. I liked when the meddling gods came into play because I felt like the stakes actually rose at that point. I didn’t mind Thea as the FMC, though the more I think about it, she did go along with everything so easily and I wish there was more pushback.

There’s some intriguing moments and there is a decent amount of action. It’s not unnecessarily long or drawn out, I just think different pieces could have used a little more. I don’t think I’ll continue this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 1 almost open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: assault, murder, near death experiences, torture

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: July 2025

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SHUT UP ABOUT THE SUN.

I will never stop using that quote. This is the lowest amount of reading I have done in a long time! And that’s okay. There was a LOOOOT of life happening and I needed to focus on that. Luckily the majority of these books were great. Some reviews are out now and others will be out soon!

  • Sunrise Nights by Jeff Zentner
  • Into the Abyss (Into the Churn #3) by Hayley Reese Chow
  • The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang
  • [ARC] Wes and Addie Had Their Chance by Bethany Turner
  • [ARC] All’s Well that Friends Well (Lucky in Love #2) by Gracie Ruth Mitchell
  • Heir of Storms (Storm Weaver #1) by Lauren Hamilton Murray
  • Let’s Make a Scene (Theo & Cynthie #2) by Laura Wood
  • A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly (Compelling Fates Saga #1) by Sophia St. Germain
  • Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
  • [ARC] Of the Curse of the Crown (The Veridian Empire #2) by V.B. Lacey
  • [ARC/ALC] Chasing Shelter (Sparrow Falls #5) by Catherine Cowles
  • Into the Dark (Magnolia Parks Universe #5) by Jessa Hastings
  • [ALC] The Enchanted Greenhouse (Spellshop #2) by Sarah Beth Durst
  • [ARC] A Tartan Love (The Earls of Cairnfell #1) by Nichole Van
  • [ARC/ALC] Steel & Spellfire by Laura E. Weymouth
  • Wicked Sea and Sky (Curse of Ever #1) by Jenna Collett
  • The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy (Dearly Beloathed #1) by Brigitte Knightley
  • Pros Don’t (Fall in Love #4) by Leah Dobrinska
  • Lore of the Tides (Lore of the Wilds #2) by Analeigh Sbrana
  • [ARC] If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair
  • [ARC/ALC] Soulmatch by Rebecca Danzenbaker
  • Family of Liars (We Were Liars #2) by E. Lockhart
  • [Reread] Gilded Serpent (Dark Shores #3) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • Soulgazer (The Magpie and the Wolf Duology #1) by Maggie Rapier
  • Wandering Wild by Lynette Noni
  • Trial of Bronze and Blood (Bronze and Blood Saga #1) by M.K. Deoradhan
  • Keeper of the Lost Cities The Graphic Novel: Part 1 by Shannon Messenger
  • Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge
  • [ARC/ALC] Falling Into Place by Allison Ashley
  • A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

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Book Review: City of Mirth and Malice (Order and Chaos #2) by Alexis L. Menard

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 495 pages
Author: Alexis L. Menard
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 1st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Some debts are not so easily repaid—or forgiven.

Nicolai Attano finally has everything he’s ever wanted: control over the Iron Saint Railway, safety for his family, and not a single rival syndicate to stand in his way. Never could he have imagined he’d want anything more than power—not until Camilla Marchese.

Six weeks have passed since the disaster on the train and his wife was kidnapped, but to get her back, he’ll need help. Nico struggles to work with a city poisoned against him and is instead forced to seek the aid of a disreputable black-market dealer. A simple deal to ensure her rescue, Nico doesn’t think twice. A bargain is struck, and the cost is higher than ever. The collateral? His life.

Meanwhile, Camilla fights to gain control over her newfound powers as the alchemist in charge of her confinement puts her to the test. Forced to free what she’s held so close, the only light in this hellish prison is the hope to see her family again, and the husband who stole her heart. Three trials and three chances to find the source of her Chaos and use it to save herself, if it doesn’t destroy her first.

Cracks in the city draw lines between loyalties, and time is running out until everything comes crashing down. Return to Lynchaven in this action-packed and swoony conclusion of Nico and Milla’s story.

WELL.

This wasn’t what I was quite hoping for and now I don’t know how I really feel about it. The book isn’t bad, but it was lacking the same vibes the first book brought and I was left wanting in some areas.

One of those areas was the romance. There’s good swoony moments but I they felt stretched out and Milla and Nico spent more time apart then together and y’all know that tends to bug me. I loved the foundation they built and wanted to see more of that throughout. Basically they saw each other, had sex, and ran off to do other thing separately.

I liked getting to know more of the world and understanding the magic system more too. There was one sub-plot that I think dragged out the book but otherwise I was intrigued. It had a good start and jail break and scattered moments throughout. I liked how things wrapped up and am curious who will be the next main couple.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3+ open door
  • Violence: high

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