October was quite the month. It was the spooky month, where we got to celebrate All Hallows Eve and plenty of fun Autumn activities. October is probably my favorite month of the year, the weather is just perfect, we get changing colors and fall scents and pumpkin everything galore. This was a strong reading month, in fact my second strongest of this year. I just gobbled up so many books, not super balanced of a month but it was a fun month that is for sure. I got hooked on a author that I have been wanting to love, I had to DNF a couple of books, but I also had the majority of my reads above 4 stars, so still a great reading month.
Reading Stats
Books Read: 50
Audiobooks: 12
Audio Book Listening: 96:53:00
Number of Pages: 11,217
Library Books: 9
Re-Reads: 1
Diverse Reads: 13
Self Pub Books: 35/ Trad Pub Books: 11
Total Books For Year: 360
Historical: 5
Contemporary: 14
Dark: 12
Erotic Romance: 2
Fantasy: 5
PNR: 3
Romantic Suspense: 4
Romantic Comedy: 0
5 Stars: 12
4.5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 23
3.5 Stars: 4
3 Stars: 3
DNF: 2
Average Rating: 4.21
Books Read
Top Books of the Month
From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 44 Chapters About 4 Men (inspiration for one of the most-watched Netflix series of all time)comes a dark mafia romance steeped in Irish folklore.
I can’t remember anymore if my grandfather’s eyes were blue or green, but I’ll never forget the way they wrinkled at the corners when he laughed at one of his own jokes. Or the way they sparkled with mischief when he told me tales about the magical creatures that dwelled in the forest behind his humble Irish sheep farm—shy fairies who liked to eat tea biscuits, cruel witches who liked to eat children, a moody lake spirit with a taste for expensive gifts.
As a child, I believed every fantastical word. But when he warned me about the mute boy who also lurked in those woods, the one the priest had declared to be the spawn of Satan himself, I refused to listen. Kellen wasn’t evil. He was kind, and beautiful, and special, and hurting. He was my friend. And with every summer I spent stolen away with him in those enchanted woods, he grew to become so much more.
But when I return to Glenshire as an adult, grieving and engaged to someone else, all those legends quickly morph into nightmares.
My grandfather had been right about everything, especially the boy.
If only I had listened.
I absolutely loved this book, if you are looking for a modern setting of “The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne” this is the perfect book! It does have some dark elements over the hero’s occupation, but if you like mafia romance, then this is a beautiful story to adore. I was so swept away by this story and it was so endearing and beautiful, seeing the way that these two just fight for each other.
From USA Today bestselling author Rina Kent comes a new STANDALONE dark romance about a villain and his new obsession.
I caught the attention of a monster.
I didn’t ask for it.
Didn’t even see it coming.
But the moment I do, it’s too late.
Killian Carson is a predator wrapped in sophisticated charm.
He’s cold-blooded, manipulative, and savage.
The worst part is that no one sees his devil side.
I do.
And that will cost me everything.
I run, but the thing about monsters?
They always chase.
This was a dark romance that I just didn’t expect to end up loving as I did. I absolutely adored the complexity of this story. It was so interesting, to see how this brought together some differences here. It does have some dubious consent elements, especially in the beginning, but this story became so addictive and captured my attention so quickly!
A Sensual, Powerful, And Thought Provoking Tarzan Retelling
Eden Matthews stumbled upon the discovery of a lifetime while photographing wildlife deep in the heart of Africa…
A gorgeous god of a man living in the wilds of the African jungle among a family of gorillas…
When he saves her life she’s compelled to uncover the man’s tragic past and the fate which led him to grow up in the wild.
But Eden soon learns she can take man from the wild, but she can’t take the wild out of the man…
When her savage savior soon shows her just want he wants of her…her sensual surrender, she finds she can’t resist him teaching her how to love…in the wild.
Leopard’s Scar was such a wonderful read and I adored everything about this book. Its one of my more recent favorites of this series. There was something so uniquely different in how this author wrote this one and I was all on board for it. And seeing some old favorite characters come into play was worth some brownie points.
Honorable Mentions
I read 6 of these and loved them. You had a great month!
Looks like you’ve got a great reading list. I’ve read Flawless, and absolutely loved it. A lot of these are on my TBR. I definitely want to read the BB Easton one even more now.
I read four of the books on your list. I hope to pick up Her Soul to Take. I wish I could read so many books. I only managed to read 18, my highest for the year.
As always, you read a lot. Glad to hear it was a strong month for you. I agree, October is a great month. Usually it’s not too cold or too hot, and well, fall!
Fifty books is simply amazing! I love seeing the Madigan Mountain series included. All three authors are among my top faves and I really enjoyed the series.
I do love October! The weather is good and the colors are great. I am impressed by your totals for the month. I hope that you have a fantastic November!
You read so many books that I don’t know how you ended up with only these few favorites!
Oh my goodness your reading list was EPIC. I thought I had a good reading month until I came across this post – lol. I want to thank you in advance for all the great reads I have to look forward to now! My favorite romance read so far has been “Awake” by Lisa Battalia. It’s Book #1 in her Midlife Romance Series and it’s all about how life and love can give you a second chance. It left me feeling hopeful about the possibility of finding love (dating has BEEN AWFUL – the struggle is real). The story follows Lori, a dedicated wife and mother, who is struggling after her husband of 20 years abandons their marriage. She had stopped focusing on herself and what made her happy and just focused on the family, so she truly has to start from scratch.
Brandon an old friend/lover, is also a single parent who is struggling to make ends meet. Despite the many obstacles in their way, Lori and Brandon reconnect and take a chance on romance and begin a long-distance relationship.
I loved the realistic portrayal of modern romance in this book. The characters are complex and relatable, and their relationship has that great will-they-won’t they tension. The sex scenes are steamy without being gratuitous, and I appreciate that the story doesn’t shy away from intimacy. If you do end up checking it out, I would love to hear what you think of it. Here is the author’s website with more info – https://www.lisabattalia.com/