What I Read In August and September 2025.
I’m back, I’m back! I hate when I miss a month of book reviews. There are some of my favorite posts to write and the crazy month of September just totally got away from me. I still got a lot of reading done, despite losing my kindle in August! Spoiler alert: I found my kindle just last week (of course I ordered another one weeks ago because I can’t life without it) so now I have one to keep in my bag at all times and one by my bed. This is a book lovers’ dream!
I’ve read so many good ones in the last few weeks that I can’t wait to tell you about. And I can’t wait to hear about the best book you’ve read lately.
I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. I read SO many books from this box. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.
Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.
Okay, keep me posted on what you’re reading below!
WHAT I READ IN AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2025Wild Dark Shore – 5 starsThis is an INCREDIBLE book. I don’t even know where to start! The story follows a family on an island off of antarctica who takes care of a seed bank. One day a woman washes ashore threatening everything they have. It was a little slow to start for me but shortly I was hooked and oh my gosh – you know SOMETHING is going to happen but you don’t know what. And it could be so many different things. It’s sad and dark but also incredible and the characters are just phenomenal. I have thought about it for weeks after finishing!
The River Is Waiting – 4.5 starsAnother one that is incredible. But also sad and moody and dark! The story follows a man who spirals into addiction, causes a horrible accident and ends up in prison. I was afraid I couldn’t get into this one and I almost didn’t read it because of the accident (IYKYK) but the story of him is really amazing. Very heartbreaking and even heartwarming at the same time.
The Heartbreak Hotel – 4 starsLoved this one! The story follows a woman after a breakup who turns her home into a bed and breakfast so she doesn’t lose it. This is SUCH a cute story and I love the chemistry between the main character and her landlord. Super cute and sweet and my favorite kind of story!
My Favorite Lost Cause – 4.5 starsThis was another huge win for me. I LOVED the book before this that I read in May. Oh my gosh – I really liked this too. Now don’t freak out – the story follows step-siblings (I KNOW!!!) who fall for each other but trust me, it’s done in a way that is very “okay” and believable. I was very afraid to read this because I had no idea how it would pan out and it kind of freaked me out. But I loved it and the story is so good!
Forget Me Not – 4 starsMany of my books the last two months came from my book of the month membership, and this was one of them. I definitely needed a thriller and this fit the bill. In this story we follow Claire who has struggled since her sister disappeared when she was a teenager. Claire finds herself at a surprising job and uncovers a few mysteries that are shocking and wants to find out if her sister is dead or alive. I think you can see where this is going. I really liked it and it kept me in suspense!
The Academy – 4.5 starsLOVED this and was so excited to read it! I got a copy early when I was signing on Nantucket with Elin but waited until the fall to read. I adored it. It has the classic Elin feels but instead of being set on the island, this is written with her daughter and is set at a fictional boarding school. I love a drama like this! It felt like Elin but also fresh and new and is amazing to read this time of year!
Everyone Is Lying to You – 3.5 starsI was excited to read this one because it has an influencer/blogger aspect! We all know that social media never depicts real life, but this story enhances that even more. It’s the story of two friends, one all but disappears and then many years later, is a famous influencer living with her big family. Very trad wife-esque! There is murder, mystery and all the great makings of a story that really lets you in behind the scenes of the social media life.
Happy Wife – 3.5 starsThis is another fun and twisty thriller/mystery! The story follows a married couple (with a fairly big age gap) in a community in Florida and one of them goes missing. It has great “who did it” vibes and even some funny moments too! It’s a fun easy read and I loved the peek into the fancy lifestyle. There was a little twist that really got me too!
You’ll Find It All Still Here – 3 starsI’m all about a second chance romance! It’s probably my favorite trope. I was kind of surprised by this because it felt a little young – almost like YA. The story follows a women who loses her mother and in an effort to find herself again, goes back to her camp from her younger years. But this time, they have adult dating experiences. It’s cute and kind of predictable.
Beach House Rules – 4.5 starsI can’t believe it took me all summer to get to this book! I adored it, much like her other books! It’s a fun little twisty one, where the story involves some white collar crime, a gossip-girl like instagram account and a fun beach rental. It was a fun peek into the coastal town and I loved the mother/daughter story. It also gave me Silver Girl vibes, one of Elin Hilderbrand’s books from years ago, which was one of my faves too.
For The Record – 4 starsOoooh this was a fun one! In this story, we follow two music stars (from different genres) who have a love/hate relationship. Enemies to lovers is so good here! Years later, they must reconnect in order to get the spark back in their careers. And it goes from there. I loved this, loved the ending and thought it was a super fun, quick read.
Anywhere With You – 4 starsIn this book, we have friends to lovers! Another super cute read, this story follows Charley who is desperately trying to stop her sister’s wedding and recruits her best friend for help. Of course this is a lovely little journey where sparks fly. I loved the chemistry between them and the banter was super cute.
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