Hello and welcome back to another monthly roundup! I hope everyone had a wonderful August and a fantastic summer! I for one am ready for Fall. Well as much of a Fall that Florida can give me.
September is going to be such a wonderful month for me. It’s my husbands and I’s first wedding anniversary, and I am so excited. Well I don’t want to ramble so here we go with August’s Monthly Round Up!
WARNING: some of the link buttons are not working. The posts are just not uploaded to Instagram yet, and will be uploaded shortly
MONTHLY ROUNDUPS WILL INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
– Rating and review
– Author names
– Links to the review/a reel to my instagram about the book
– Pictures of the covers with links to buy from the authors website/amazon
Thank you in advance for reading
Book 1: Rough Lover by Deborah Garland
4.5 out of 5 star rating
Grant Harding is every girls dream man. A hard ass whose only soft to the girl he loves, uses your body for his pleasure, but loves you hard when he’s done, and is respectful to your daddy. He’s a private investigator whose recently opened his own firm, and his first big job is at Magnolia College. The college where the girl he hasn’t stopped thinking about for 4 years father works, and where his little sister Callie goes.
Avery Clark is a 22 year old graduate student. And 4 years ago she fell for Grant Harding when her father hired him to protect her. Now 4 years later she’s helping her father at Magnolia College, and gets to meet Grant again.
Their instant love was amazing. I loved getting to see Grant’s hard exterior slowly melt for Avery. Avery is a badass, who doesn’t need anyone to protect her, but Grant always will protect her regardless. She needs trained for her new LA security job, and Grant is just the man to do it.
The way Avery grows while working with him and his team was phenomenal. I love getting to see her ideas for ways to catch the perpetrator, she’s so intelligent. I love the ending, so much. Grant definitely does what I was wishing he’d do all book. I love how he keeps his past as his own business, until Avery asks and he slowly lets her in. Almost makes me want a P.I cowboy
Book 2: The Couple at No. 9 by Claire Douglas
5 out of 5 star rating
A HUGE thank you to Netgalley and Claire Douglas for the eARC!
The plot twists that Claire threw into this novel, are AMAZING. Claire definitely is an amazing author who knows what she’s doing when she writes these jaw dropping thrillers.
We get so many perspectives in this book, and at first it seems odd. They don’t all particularly fit together and it doesn’t make the most sense as to why we’re getting all of these perspectives. But when it all clicks and it is figured out- holy shit.
I loved every bit of this novel. This is my second Claire Douglas novel, and it won’t be my last. Saffy was such a relatable character. She was anxious and just wanted to live her life without any problems. Her and Tom are such a cute couple, and I love how their relationship is shown throughout the story. Saffy and her mother, Lorna, not having the greatest relationship made this novel come alive more. That element definitely added a wonderful taste.
Book 3: Owned by Magic by Zara J Black
4 out of 5 star rating
Thank you so much to Smuthood for this eARC
I loved this read so much. Talia is definitely an amazing badass female character. That is until Prince Adante comes into her life and decides he wants to break her down. Just because she’s his Favorite doesn’t mean she doesn’t get punished.
Owned by Magic was pure smut- and I loved every second of it. Talia was definitely downright dirty, and she owned it. She knew how to fùck and she used it to her advantage. She was escaping the slums, gangs with dirty sex all around. Talia wasn’t necessarily the most kind person, she wouldn’t do anything out of her way for anyone.
Prince Adante was an interesting character. He gave the cold shoulder to Talia sometimes and other times he only wanted her around him. Kind of reminds me of a situationship – which I mean she was just his sêx slave so I mean it made sense. I did feel bad for Talia when her emotions would be wonky because of his bull crap.
All in all- this book was amazing. I loved it and definitely recommend it to any serious smut lover.
Book 4: Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q Sutanto
4 out of 5 star rating
To say I loved this book- is an understatement. It was such a comical book, and I loved getting to read about Meddy’s relationship with her aunties and her ma. They’re all so close and love each other so much, in their own way.
Meddy was definitely living a chaotic life. She’s still pining over her college sweetheart, whose heart she broke so she wouldn’t break her Ma’s and aunties (SO SWEET AND CARING OF HER). She’s a wedding photographer who wants to venture out, but again doesn’t want to hurt her aunties and ma, so she stays working for them only. The fact that her dating life was the main topic of the first few chapters, was HILARIOUS. I love what her ma did and it definitely added a TON of comedy for me.
Her date gone wrong- was such an angering moment. I hated how he was being pushy, and being how he was. I think the chapters about the death before they went to the island, was so FUNNY. The aunties response to the whole thing, was so CHAOTIC, but honestly kind of felt so far out there that it made it funnier.
I loved the whole wedding chapters, it was so funny and I love how they were so surprising. The little mystery thrown in there was super surprising. I loved it though.
Book 5: The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
5/5 Star rating
Jaw dropping thriller. I was definitely not expecting the twists whatsoever. I love Casey’s detective skills throughout the novel. I love how she grew close to Katherine during the tough time she was going through.
This was my first Riley Sager novel and I’m proud to say that it will not be my last. The plot and world building that Riley did here was phenomenal. I love how they created a whole world and life around every character, and they all intertwined together in some way. The plot was easy to follow and really was addicting. I went from 105 pages to 300 in what felt like a blink of an eye.
Book 6: Reckless Love by Nichole Greene
4.5 out of 5 star rating
This novel was an amazing read. I love that we got Nora’s love story this go around. I love the PCOS representation here! It is definitely a plus & added bonus 👏🏻
I love how this was a student teacher relationship. The way they fall for each other, slowly but surely, made the novel so much better. The sexual tension on Evan’s side for how he feels for Nora, before he shows her, was so HOT.
Talon being in this novel helped to continue the world building Nichole did in the first book in this series. I love her writing so much, and I can’t wait to read more by her
Book 7: The Fake Dating Trope by Jennifer Ann Shore
4.5 out of 5 star rating
This was such an amazing read. The fast burn relationship between Lucas and Kate was so AMAZING. Like always Jennifer came through on 👏🏻👏🏻representation👏🏻👏🏻 Not only does she have a lesbian couple, she has nonbinary characters in the novel, and she helps the conversation with addiction and hoe divorce can affect children.
The world building in this was so nice. There was a connection that I saw from her last novel, Just For You, which helped me be super immersed into the world that was built. I love how Kate was a very big recluse. She works most days at her aunts bookstore/coffee shop, she cares a TON about her grades because she NEEDS that scholarship, and she doesn’t let anybody in when it comes to her family.
Lucas was not what I was expecting, and I’m glad. I thought he’d be more of a grump or be mean, I kept expecting it throughout the read. But it never came, he was a SWEETHEART and I loved the way this novel ends.
Book 8: Hard Lover by Deborah Garland
4.5 out of 5 star rating
This was such an amazing continuation of the series. I love how Noah was the PERFECT gentleman with Callie. They’re an adorable couple and I’m so glad that the novel went how it did.
The twist that Deborah throws into the book when it comes to Noah’s twist was amazing. Extremely unexpected, and it took me by complete surprise. Noah is definitely book boyfriend goals. He’s probably at the top of my list(;
If you liked book 1, “Rough Lover” or just like the “brothers best friend” and “forbidden love” tropes then this book definitely is for you.
Book 9: Consort by Ada Dart
4.5 out of 5 star rating
I loved this book so much. Thecla is definitely an amazing female character. Unlike what I find in most reverse harem novels, she is shy. She isn’t super outspoken, she’s obedient, and she’s intrigued by anything. This novel feels like more of a fantasy than anything, and it was such a WONDERFUL AMAZING aspect. It makes this novel feel like unlike any I’ve read.
Malin and Eleison are definitely super hot villains. I love the whole bad guy vibe that Malin has around him, especially because he doesn’t necessarily have that persona around Thecla. Which melts my heart. Now Eleison and Thecla, 👀👀HOT DAMN. The chemistry, the attentiveness, the nastiness. All of it was so so hot. And so so amazing.
I love how the author took a villains getting a happy ever after turn with the book. I loved it a bunch, it was definitely a fresh taste for me.
Book 10: Powerful Deception by Jocelyne Soto
5 out of 5 star rating
Holy SHIT.
Arianna is definitely such an amazing female character. She’s full of vengeance, hatred, anger. And just like a lot of us other women, she fell for the handsome, wealthy mafia boss. Well, and his kids, of course.
I love how Arianna was having her own investigation during the beginning chapters, trying to figure out who killed her father, although people keep saying it was The Devil. The Devil of Chicago that is. She did so much badass, risky stuff and I don’t think I loved a female character like this in a while. She was so easy to relate to and her thought process, made sense.
Dante, aka The Devil, was such a heart throb. He’s relentless, he’s sexy, and he’s an AMAZING father to his 2 kids. I love how much he takes care of them. How he tries so hard to make life good for them since losing their mother. I love how his protective nature shines through- especially towards the end- and we get to see The Devil at his finest.
For any mafia romance lover, I definitely recommend
Book 11: Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
4 out of 5 star rating
Jaw-dropping. I loved the storyline and the way that each twist happened. Reminds me a ton of the game “clue” in a way.
I was able to pick a copy of this book up from my local Barnes and Noble on August 19, and I was so PSYCHED for it. I’ve read 2 of Alice’s other works and I love what I’ve read so far. I love how the book shined over sensitive issues, while also making the novel easier to dive into. I love when books are relatable, it makes the world an easy world to form in my brain.
I really love the books ending. It was such a shocking twist and I’m so glad that it ended the way it did. I loved the duel perspective of present and past. It really made the books characters come alive more and made the story come alive more. It was such a sweet treat, getting to see the difference in me memory vs. factual as the family watches V.H.S. tapes.
Book 12: River’s Guilt by Monique Orgeron
4.5 out of 5 star rating
This was definitely an amazing book. I love how River was stuck on how he’s going to do Aiden right, by not touching Regina. Even though they’re both obviously perfect for each other. I loved their romance so much. They were friends to enemies to lovers. River was definitely an amazing father to a kid he doesn’t have to be a father to, just because he knew Aiden would want him to.
Regina was not my favorite character. She was definitely hard to like for me. She seemed super bitchy and that she was too good for others. She was definitely becoming easier to read from her perspective as the story went on, but she was just super closed off in the beginning.
Book 13: Alice by Christina Henry
4 out of 5 star rating
This is definitely one of my favorite Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland retellings yet. The author takes a darker turn with it and makes Alice born in a magical world- well a world where there used to be magic but the magicians are all gone because of the government. Alice gets put in the mental hospital, because of the Rabbit. The worst part- nobody believes her.
Until she befriends her cell neighbor and one night when the asylum catches on fire- they both escape and are trying their best to escape the Jabberwok. They need a magician to trap him, but they’re having trouble.
I loved this plot so much and I’m definitely reading more by this author. She’s amazing
Book 14: Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
4.5 out of 5 star rating
This was such an enjoyable read. I love how the book had them concept of being a bigger girl in a skinny girl society. But I don’t think it was done necessarily well. It was barely touched on, and when it was, insecurity was barely there. It wasn’t like it was anything sensitive, when she was supposed to be portrayed as insecure.
I loved the friends to romance that the book had, it was super cute and I loved it. I love how she grew to fall for her music teacher neighbor ( lowkey wish it was spicer 🌶😉), it was magical. I definitely recommend this read for any true crime lover, because we’re all just a little bit too protective over our lives. Aren’t we?
Book 15: One Piece East Blue Sea 4-5-6 Vol. 2
I don’t have a review for this- I just really really loved this. I love One Piece and the artwork 👏🏻
Book 16: Of Legends and Roses
5 out of 5 star rating
Queen Rosemary was definitely a delight. I love how independent she was and how she was stuck to making her decisions for her country. She was such an AMAZING woman, and I love how we got to see into her brain. Being 19- she was definitely relatable for me since I am the same age, which is always an amazing element when reading a book.
Zeke and Rose have an amazing relationship and the chemistry is so evident so early on. But because Zeke cannot provide as a King, Rose pushes her feelings down and away to find a suitor who fits the criteria. And out pops Gryffin.
I could SENSE the negativity from him. He seemed too good to be true and too nice. He was super invested super so quickly. Although, I love how he evolved throughout the novel. He definitely becomes a great character towards the end.
Book 17: Wrapped in Silk by M.J. Fields
3.25 out of 5 star rating.
I almost DNF’d this book. I’ll admit it. I did like a bunch of aspects of the book, but there were some things that were just off putting for me in the beginning.
Emma is such a wonderful independent woman character. She’s brave and strong and does so much just for London to have an AMAZING life. She meets Brody and everything changed. She’s still brave, strong, and does a lot so London is happy, but she doesn’t have the independence anymore. She lets Brody push her around and I don’t like it
Brody was not my favorite whatsoever. He’s an asshole, arrogant and super controlling. In more than just a normal way. He takes control of so many things in Emma’s life that he really should’ve backed up out of. I cant say what they are- spoilers sorry- but it was just much.
I was a little confused about London, but I am unsure if it was my own confusion or if it was the book confusing me. In the beginning when London calls Emma while she’s at Troy’s, she seems so much younger to me. The way Emma’s talking makes me feel like she’s 5-6, not 8.
Book 18: Their Vicious Darling by Nikki St Crowe
5 out of 5 star rating
I don’t even have words enough to describe how much I loved this book. I loved books 1 & 2. And as soon as I saw an Instagram pr company that had an ARC for this- I jumped onto it and signed up for it. And holy cow. I just got it this morning- and I’ve already finished it. Within 2 hours.
Winnie was such an amazing character, again. She was sexy, freaky, and most of all knew what she wanted. The amount of dominance in her voice we got from her was HAWT. I cant believe how much shes changed throughout the series.
Pan and Vane- have achieved top tier status. I love every second we got to see them and get blessed with their amazing dominance. I love how Pan acts now that he’s finally got his shadow back, it’s super hot and I definitely like the difference. Vane is definitely getting better, I love how much he’s warmed up especially in this book.
We didn’t get much of the twins in this novel, which was slightly disappointing. As well as the lack of vine scenes. IYKYK 😉. But the scenes they were in, I loved so much.
Book 19: Last Seen Alive by Claire Douglas
5 out of 5 star rating
Like the other books by Claire Douglas, I was drawn in almost immediately. Libby Hall was living her life married to her husband Jamie, they’re pregnant and she’s a teacher. Then one day everything falls apart.
This novel had some gripping twist mixed with the reality of life. I love how there was mention of how it feels when you’re worried you’re being cheated on, when you’re pregnant, and when you miscarry.
I loved Libby’s character. She definitely takes the cake as my favorite for this book. The things we learn about her and Karen Fischer, are so easy to become more interested in. Definitely a great mystery, like always
Book 20: Invitation to Hell by Amber Bunch
3.5 out of 5 star rating
This book was definitely good. Mythology and a big twist included. There was some spice, which was definitely ✨hawt✨
The main reason I gave this a 3.5⭐️ rating is because the author threw in Greek Mythology and Norse mythology and honestly I’m not here for it. I don’t really like when people mix in two different mythology’s into one like this. I also didn’t like how fast this book went. I felt as if some details were rushed, and we didn’t get enough time to understand one thing completely before another thing happened.
I did love the storyline. It was unique and it definitely was amazing. The family aspect that it has is great and I love how they all are with each other. As if the blood doesn’t matter.
Liz’s Book Reviews & More! 
Leave a Reply