September 2025 Wrap-Up

Happy Extended Spooky Season!

I’m totally not posting my September review in November 🤫 I had a bit of work in October and a lot of social engagements, so I’m taking a rain check and doing all my fun spooky things this month instead. Do you have any favorite October traditions? One of mine is that I only eat pumpkin pie in October and I can only buy 1 pie 😅 In terms of reading, I managed to finish 2 books and 4 audiobooks. Audiobooks are definitely more of my friend lately since I can multitask while listening to them. How was your reading month?

Editing Update: I think I had the busiest editing time for the first half of September. I’m really proud of myself for actually accomplishing all that work, because I essentially had 4 projects on the go at the same time. My October was more relaxed so I thought I could enjoy more of my personal reading TBR (we all know how that turned out), but I’d still love to hear about all the spooky WIPs people have because yay spooky season! I also had the joy of attending ACES VCON 2025. There were so many great sessions happening at the same time, so I’m excited to watch the ones I missed during the next couple months.

My Library

I haven’t read a single book from my personal library, but I’m looking forward to reading more this month.

Netgalley eARCs

Sheeta’s Little Big World Vol. 1 by Yuki Kamba

Review:

This was such a cute manga! The beginning didn’t really hook me, but I decided to keep reading just to see if it would get better, and it ended up being a really enjoyable story. @sushisrainbow mentioned that this would make a better anime and I have to agree. I’d keep reading the manga, but I’d definitely prefer watching an anime version, especially with all the pretty settings. I’m curious about what happened to Sheeta’s friend after all. In general, the story reminds me of The Secret World of Arietty and Tinkerbell with a little bit of Made in Abyss vibes. If you enjoyed those, you’d probably like this manga.

3.5/5⭐

Other (e)ARCs

From Slow Burn (Zando)

Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

Review:

I love all of Brynne’s books, so I was super excited for this release! This is a bit different than what she usually writes because this book is part of a trilogy with the same characters as the MCs for the entire trilogy. I also forgot this was part of a trilogy, so I was expecting the book to end happily but I got a MAJOR CLIFFHANGER instead 😭 I can’t even with that ending. I need the next book asap. In terms of gore, I thought this book was less gory than Butcher and Blackbird, so I was a little sad about that, but it was still satisfyingly violent. I guess it makes sense since Harper is basically Sloane’s indirect protégé and probably wouldn’t be as prone to violence. I loved that throwback to B&B. The characters in this book were well written as usual. The dementia rep was really well done and emotional. Harper and Nolan’s spicy scenes were absolute fire, and you know it’s a Brynne book if there are piercings involved! I felt like Nolan fell super hard and fast considering he was so hellbent on revenge in the beginning of the book, but that works out since he and Harper will get more happy lovey murder time together. I also want a Morbius. Anyhoo, definitely read this if you like serial killer romance books!

4.5/5⭐

From Jamie Applegate Hunter

Obsessively Yours by Jamie Applegate Hunter

Review:

I loved the first book in the standalone series so I was super excited to read this one. I was so disappointed though. I want to preface this by saying the author has a note at the beginning saying her book is mostly for the romance and not for the plot, however I felt like the romance was lacking and there was more plot than last time, especially regarding the rebels. There were many plot twists that were very random and felt like they were there to add drama and just move the plot along and make it work. Things kept happening, so I felt like the plot was a bit rushed as well. I loved the beginning interactions between the 2 main characters, but as they grew up, I didn’t feel as much chemistry for them and didn’t really care if their relationship survived or not. I found myself skimming the second half just so I could finish it. There was also a part where the MMC calls the FMC “baby” and that just threw me out of the story because it seemed like such a modern pet name. I’m so sad about it because I really wanted to love this book, so now I’m conflicted about whether I want to read the next book or not. The author definitely does warn you about the writing style and subpar plot in the beginning, but I really wish the romance had deeper development and wasn’t so rushed with all the rebel things and scene changes happening.

3/5⭐

Audiobooks

Unhinged and Echoes and Ravage by Steph Macca

Review:

I started this series purely from listening to 10 seconds of the voice acting and I’m loving it so far. It’s like it’s set in its own world and the secret plot and gang is just for the plot. I didn’t mind, though, because I was more focused on Avery and her perfectly flawed duo, Theo and Gray. In the first book, I was wondering why this book was why-choose because things don’t end nicely in the first book between her relationships. However, everything was redeemed in the second book and we got wayyyy more fun action between the trio. I loved how they handled exploring their throuple. I also loved the relationship development that happens between Avery and Damon as well, because the more the merrier. The plot thickens and things get more dramatic and intense with more logical stakes as the story progresses. The mystery behind Lilydale was so vague for the first book, but things get revealed the more you read and as you read each book in the series. I’m excited to see how everything ends. The third book ends on such a dramatic cliffhanger and I was so pissed off about that because I was ready to go right into the fourth audiobook, but it’s not available yet 😅 (It is now, so that’s my current audiobook) I’ll have to practice some patience, but when that audiobook releases, you’d best bet I’ll be putting everything else aside so I can listen to it! Everything just keeps getting better with each book.

4/5⭐

Better Luck Next Time by Cara Bastone

Review:

This was definitely my least favorite Bastone book of all the ones I’ve listened to. The voice acting was great, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the alternate universe storyline with the sci-fi arc. I enjoyed the banter between the main couple, but didn’t find myself too invested in their relationship. I would recommend this because I’m sure there are readers out there who’d enjoy this type of plot and relationship dynamic more, but it just wasn’t for me. I have to say, though, the story did get more engaging about halfway through, so I did end up finishing it and enjoying it a bit more.

3/5⭐

What was your favorite Halloween read? Let me know in the comments below so I can keep adding to my spooky TBR.

Happy reading 🎃