Clare's September Wrap Up and October TBR

September Wrap Up:

In September I read a total of 13 books. Compared to last month this was a really good reading month since of the 13 books I read - 6 were 4 and a half star reads! I really enjoyed (almost) all of the books that I read this month and I managed to get a lot of review books read which means I have so, so many reviews scheduled which is making me feel very productive!

13. After Alice by Gregory Maguire: This was, quite possibly, my least favourite read of the year. I have a full review coming up for this soon but to summarise I just thought it was not a great tribute to Alice in Wonderland. The writing was too unnecessarily complicated, the characters were uninspiring and the plot was a bit all over the place.

12. Fell by Jenn Ashworth: This was a hard book to review as I get the feeling it just wasn't for me. Personally I felt like the two halves of the book - supernatural and corporeal - just didn't gel well together and I didn't love the writing style but I can tell that there will be people who love this book.

11. Marlow's Landing by Toby Vieira: Another difficult one to review. I enjoyed it and by the end of the book I felt like I almost understood most of what happened but it does take a lot of concentration to read. I may re-read this at some point to try and take it in a bit more.

10. Don't Let Go by Jaci Burton: This was a light(ish) and fun read. I really liked all of the characters but I didn't 100% believe in the romance. I thought that the main characters were really not in a place to start a relationship and that it developed a little too fast.

9. Hard Rules by Lisa Renee Jones: This was a great start to what looks to be a very addictive series. There is another very swiftly developed romance but in this case I think it kind of worked and I liked the corporate drama side of the book although I wish that had got more page time. It was a relatively uneventful read since it is mostly setting up the characters and plot but the ending was great and I am interested to see where this one goes.

8. Sting by Sandra Brown: There is a definite thing this month for slightly unbelievable romances. I didn't completely buy that the main character fell so fast for the guy who had kidnapped her and "might" be going to kill her for money. But the thriller aspect was great and there were plenty of great twists that I didn't see coming. I also really felt for the main character.

7. Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater: This is the third book in the Raven Boys series by Maggie Stiefvater. I read this at the beginning of the month and I just really love this series. 

6. The Unseeing by Anna Mazzola: A really, really good mystery. This kept me guessing the entire way through. It would be a great read for Halloween especially if you don't want a scary read as this is more dark and mysterious than outright terrifying. I really loved the characters and the plot was amazing. It inspired me to look into the original case that this book is based on and it is a very fascinating one!

5. In the Month of the Midnight Sun by Cecelia Ekback: I read and enjoyed Wolf Winter last year but in my opinion this is a huge improvement in writing style. The characters were compelling. You read from three points of view and they are all very distinctive and, in their own ways, unreliable. The plot was interesting but it was the characters that kept me reading. I look forward to more from Cecelia Ekback.

4. The Rumour by Elin Hilderbrand: My review for this is actually already up here. This isn't my normal kind of read so I was surprised by how much I really loved it. It is quite slow paced and the characters are really the focus of the story. But this is such a page turner and I am definitely looking for more Elin Hilderbrand reads now!

3. You and Me, Always by Jill Mansell: I've read a couple of Jill Mansell's books before but this one is definitely my favourite of hers. The characters were well drawn and believable and all the relationships were wonderful. I really wanted to keep reading to find out what happens and the ending was so very heartwarming! My review for this will be up on Thursday.

2. A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean: The only book aside from The Raven Boys series that wasn't a review book this month. This was a really fun read and I loved the romance. I also really loved the plot and how the author linked it to modern day events and attitudes (hard to explain this without spoilers). I always love Sarah MacLean's books and I look forward to her next one.

1. The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater: The Raven Boys has become one of my all time favourite series. This was a great ending to the series and I am so, so glad that we will be getting a spin-off series soon. Although not soon enough for me. I highly recommend this series.

October TBR:

October is an amazing month for new releases so a lot of these will be books I already mentioned in my October Releases post. October is set to be such a great, great month!

15. Victoria by Daisy Goodwin: Daisy Goodwin wrote the incredibly good My Last Duchess and this looks like it will be an excellent read. Victoria is a fascinating historical figure and there are so many different accounts of her life (for example the BBC show) so I am interested to see how Daisy Goodwin writes about her.

14. The House on Sunset Lake by Tasmina Perry: This was sent to me for review from the publisher. This book takes place in two different times (1995 and 2015) and I am interested to see how the events of one influence the other. This is recommended for those who like Santa Montefiore and Rachel Hore who are authors I love. The blurb is intentionally mysterious and I look forward to unravelling the mystery.

13. The Secret by Kathryn Hughes: This is another review book and another mysterious novel. The Secret of the title is Mary's and its a 40 year old secret that is about to come to life thanks to another character - Beth who is searching for answers about her parents. 

12. Friction by Sandra Brown: After reading and enjoying Sting I am excited to read Friction as well. This one follows a man battling for custody of his daughter when the court hearing is interrupted by a gunman who heads for the judge. I am sure there will be romance and thrills and I am interested to learn more.

11. Burn by Suzanne Wright: This follows Harper who is part of a demon lair in Las Vegas as she discovers that her psychic mate is a powerful demon. With the presence of demons I am hoping for some morally grey characters and plenty of action. It also looks like there will be a fair bit of romance.

10. Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare: Tessa Dare is one of my favourite romance authors. This is the 5th book in the Spindle Cove series and it's Charlotte's turn to get her story told. Charlotte has been in these books since the beginning and I am excited to see her story unfold. I also really love the Cluedo nature of the blurb since Cluedo is probably my favourite board game.

9. The Midnight Star by Marie Lu: I have been waiting for The Midnight Star to be released so that I can marathon this series which I will finally be able to do this month. I believe this series is a villain origin story which means definite morally grey characters (my favourite) and probably a very interesting ending!

8. Rose & Thorn by Sarah Prineas: Sleeping Beauty is a hard story to retell. Especially in an exciting way or with a kick-ass heroine (sleeping your way through the story is not kick-ass). But I trust Sarah Prineas to do it. 

7. Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan: This is the second book in the Magnus Chase series. I am hoping for another Annabeth cameo. The first book was great but not quite on the level of Percy Jackson so I am interested to see the series improve as it goes along. Plus the characters are pretty epic.

6. Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown: This is the story of a girl who, when her family moves home, is asked by her father to pretend to be straight. That's about as much as I know about this book but it has me intrigued. I am hoping for something fun and romantic.

5. The Smoke Hunter by Jacquelin Benson: I was so excited to receive this for review. It's blurbed as Lara Croft meets Indiana Jones. And since I love both those things this sounds like a great read. This is set for release in November.

4. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco: I am always interested by how obsessed we in Britain are with Jack the Ripper. There are endless theories and guided tours and I am very much looking forward to this. I pre-ordered it pretty much off the title alone (see I have the obsession) and I am hoping for a great mystery!

3. Replica by Lauren Oliver: I know nothing about this book except the format. This is two sides of a story on either side of the book so you can read them one after the other or alternate chapters. I think this may be a clone story? But I am really not sure and I don't want to know yet. 

2. A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas: In this book Sherlock Holmes is the assumed name of Charlotte Holmes who has to turn detective in order to prove the innocence of her father and sister. Sherry Thomas has written amazing books in the past so I am certain this will be excellent.

1. Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: One of my most anticipated books of the year. This is the second Illuminae Files book and after how incredible the first book was I know that I will be expecting great things. This follows two new characters after the events of the first book and how those events affect the new characters. This is another one where I don't really want to know anything more!

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare) to keep up with what we are reading