October Book Recap

It's still a little hard for some of y'all to believe, but I didn't really grow up reading. Clif Notes were a lifesaver in high school. I'd read 'enough' to get by, but I didn't enjoy the act of reading so never did it. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required", but whatever the reason, I'm glad I took the challenge to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which became 88 books in 2017, 77 books in 2018, 67 books in 2019, 66 books in 2020, 67 books in 2021, 41 books in 2022, 98 books in 2023, 224 books in 2024 and 136 books in 2025). The majority of my reading recently has been listening to audiobooks, but it still counts! Even still, holding a physical book is my JAM and I hope I can add that back into my routine on a more regular basis. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I finish is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading (so I don't forget and in case anyone is curious) and to stay accountable. So, without further ado, here are the books I completed in the month of October:

• Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto - I saw this book on a table at the library for mysteries. I remembered adding it to my 'for later' list on my Libby app, so I figured it would be a perfect book to snag while checking out my other holds. This was a cute, feel-good type story about a sixty-three year old Chinese-Indonesian trophy wife named Mebel. After forty years of marriage, her husband tells her that he is leaving her for their twenty-something private chef. As a way to try and save her marriage and win back her husband, she enrolls at a culinary school so she can learn to cook. While there, she makes friends with her much younger classmates, learns more about herself and starts to reject her traditionally held beliefs of what her life should look like and who she should be. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and was rooting for Mebel (and her motley crew of cohorts), but think it's a bit much to consider it a mystery. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• You, with a View by Jessica Joyce - I had seen this book mentioned on social media and it was available on my Libby audiobook app so I thought I'd snag it. This was a rom-com featuring Noelle and Theo. It was mainly an enemies-to-lovers story, but it also included a road trip (which means forced proximity). Noelle recently lost her grandma (and her job) and is in a bit of a free-fall. While going through her Gran's things, she comes across old photos along with a love letter from a mystery man and decides to try and track down this person who seemed to be important in her grandma's life. The post she made on TikTok ends up going viral and to her surprise (and chagrin), the mystery man is actually the granddad of her high school rival, Theo. While chatting with Theo's grandpa, Paul, she finds out that he and her Gran were actually planning to elope and go on a honeymoon road trip. Noelle decides to take the trip as a way to work through her grief, learn more about her grandma and hopefully get back into her previous passion, photography. Oh yeah, Paul and Theo also decide to go along for the journey. Sure, there's a lot of witty [bickering] banter and spicy romance in this one, but it is also a story about grief, self-discovery, expectations, vulnerability and more. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Sweet Talk by Cara Bastone - I'm not sure if you read last month's recap, but I flew through the Heart of New York series by this author and really enjoyed it. Once I finished it, I looked at my local library's catalog and saw they also had the Love Lines series by her, so I drove over and checked it out. Technically this is the second book in the series (which I normally would never start with... I mean, I am a rule-follower to the T), but the first book was checked out and I couldn't wait any longer ;) [Also, I looked and they are technically stand-alone stories, with a few little Easter eggs throughout, but you don't necessarily 'have to' read them in order, so I was in the clear.] Anywho, this was originally released as an audiobook only, but made its way to print and I am here for it. A rom-com about Jessie and Eliot. The two connect through an accidental texting situation - Eliot meant to send his sister a message, but accidentally sent it to Jessie (who he had saved in his phone as just a bunch of random letters bunched together). Seeing as they were both insomniacs, the pair starts to communicate in the evenings, with Eliot trying to figure out who Jessie is and Jessie trying to keep her identity a secret (while still being able to chat openly and honestly with this man she has had a major crush on). I thought it was a fun premise with sweet characters and a cute romance. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Seatmate by Cara Bastone - This is the third book in the Love Lines series (yes, I'm still waiting for the first book to become available at my local library since none of my audiobook apps have them) and let me tell you, I gobbled it up. This is a rom-com about Gwen and Sam. The whole book takes place over a single afternoon and evening. A series of (unfortunate) events occur and the pair ends up sitting next to each other in crappy seats on a discount bus trip from Boston to New York. Sam is heading home after a weekend with his mom and Gwen is trying to get to a super important meeting with a potential interview subject. There are bumps along the journey that lead to everything from a box full of kittens to a bike ride around NYC. I thought it was super cute and I enjoyed every second. I flew through it in a single afternoon. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller - I had seen this book pop up recently on social media so I thought I'd give it a try. I don't know why, but I was thinking it'd be a little Gilmore Girls-ish, but I am sad to report that was not really the vibe I got. Livvy is a prestigious pastry chef in Boston, but after a disastrous evening where she catches the club she works at on fire, she retreats to a small Vermont town to hide out with her childhood best friend. While there, she gets the job as a baker at the local inn. The inn's owner, Margaret, is rather prickly, but Livvy hopes to win her over with her charm (and outstanding culinary skills). Although there were a few characters I enjoyed (Henry and Dotty), overall I just couldn't get into this book. There were a couple cute moments, but I think since it started off with Livvy sleeping with her married boss I was just turned off from the jump. I did finish it, but it wasn't the one for me. I would give it a 6 out of 10.

• The (Most Unusual) Haunting of Edgar Lovejoy by Roan Parrish - I need to start off by saying that scary is not my thing, so normally 'spooky season' isn't something I lean into, but when I saw this cover as I was scrolling through rom-com books at my local library it caught my eye. I am HAPPY to report that it was NOT scary (and that I LOVED it, even with going in completely blind and having no one recommending it beforehand). This is the story of Edgar and Jamie. Edgar has a HUGE secret - he sees ghosts. This 'gift' (or curse, depending on who you talk to) is something that runs in his family, so they are the only one who really knows about it. Jamie is a haunter - yep, he plans and implements haunted houses for a living (I mean, I know I don't enjoy being frightened, but I guess I never thought about someone doing this for their job - pretty cool if you ask me). The two meet when Edgar actually goes out with some friends (which happens very rarely because he is petrified of seeing ghosts 'in the wild') to a queer burlesque show and Jamie is one of the performers. I won't get into the nitty gritty of the plot, but let's just say it's opposites attract and I was there for every minute of it. Sure, it was a rom-com at its core, but it also focused on more serious topics like overcoming trauma, personal healing and embracing your true self. I think if you go into the book knowing this is not really about the ghosts or the haunts, but more focused on the awesome cast of characters and the overall love [which is exactly what i was hoping for] ,you'll be good to go. I love me a cozy, queer romance. I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

• Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter - I saw that a new book by this author (who I normally really enjoy) was coming out soon, so it got me looking into her back catalog. I saw that my Libby app had a two book series that I hadn't read before, so I downloaded them both. Anywho, this was a rom-com that features Olivia and Colin. Bad luck always seems to follow Olivia, so it's no surprise that when she was burning her ex's love letters on her apartment patio she ended up burning down the whole apartment building. Seeing as she needed somewhere to stay, she turned to her brother, Jack, who let her stay with him and his roommate. Turns out, Jack's roommate was his childhood best friend, Colin. Colin had always seen Olivia as the chaotic little sister of Jack, but since she was down on her luck, he agreed to let her stay for 30 days in their place. Aside from the roommate situation, one night Olivia received a random text from a mystery man and the two ended up hitting it off. Come to find out, don don don, Colin is the mystery man (he didn't know it when the conversation first started up, but saw her phone light up one night while they were having dinner at the apartment and put two and two together). There's a whole bunch of drama, but the two actually start catching feelings for one another as they hang out more, even though Olivia still doesn't know Colin is 'Mr. Wrong Number'. I won't spoil it for ya, don't worry, but it's steamy, funny and playful. I know I had just read a book days before with another wrong number text trope, I still enjoyed it thoroughly. I would give it an 8 out of 10. 

• The Love Wager by Lynn Painter - This is technically the second book in the series, which is why I downloaded it right after finishing the first. It picks up where Mr. Wrong Number left off with Olivia and Colin getting married. Jack (Olivia's brother and Colin's best friend) had been living with his girlfriend at the time and was actually planning on proposing, when said girlfriend got super jealous of the wedding bartender he was talking to, threw a drink on her and caused Jack to reconsider their relationship (meaning they broke up on the spot). Jack wanted to apologize to Hallie, the bartender, but did a little more than that because the two hooked up after the wedding. Throughout the story, Jack and Hallie go from one night stand to each other's wing-person while trying to find love on a dating app to best friends to fake dating to falling head over heels for one another. It was fun and flirty and I always appreciate a dual narration in an audiobook. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Getaway List by Emma Lord - This was another book that I came across when scrolling through the rom-com section of my local library's catalog. I have read a few of this author's books before and figured it was time for a YA read, so I picked it up. This is a coming-of-age story with plenty of will-they-or-won't-they moments sprinkled throughout. Riley and Tom were childhood best friends, but Tom moved away three years ago and the pair have been struggling to connect lately. As Riley is heading into the summer after graduating high school, she realizes she doesn't know who she is or what she wants. She decides to jump on a bus and head to NYC for the weekend to see if she and Tom can get back on the same page (and maybe cross off a few items on their 'getaway list' - a list of things they wanted to do [but life/ circumstances kept getting in the way and wrecking their plans]). The week turns into a summer long trip and their friendship turns into deeper feelings. It wasn't my fave, but it was cute enough (but could have been shorter). I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• Call Me Maybe by Caara Bastone - Earlier this month I read books two and three in the Love Lines series by this author and finally the first book became available at the library. These are all about people who meet due to unusual forms of communication. This rom-com was about Vera and Fred. Vera was having issues with her website and called their customer service line in hopes that they'd be able to fix the mess before she needed the site live for a huge business opportunity later that week. Fred is the customer service rep who answered the call after she had already been on hold for more than three hours and starts the quest to fix her website in time. The issues are more in depth than either of them expected, which leads to a week's long 'relationship' where the pair talk on the phone for hours at a time - learning more about each other and themselves along the way. It was super cute with sweet characters you couldn't help but root for. The only bummer is now I'm done with the series and all of this author's books that I had access to ;) I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• So Happy Together by Olivia Worley - I had seen this book mentioned on social media in the past, so had added it to my 'for later' list on my Libby app, but only now got around to downloading the audiobook. This was a psychological thriller focusing mostly on a twenty-something playwright named Jane. When we meet her, her ex-boyfriend had just broken up with her after six dates, even though she thought they were meant to be. She was a bit unhinged and stalker-ish, determined to win Colin back and show him the error of his ways. After breaking into his apartment (yup, like I said, she was a stalker), she came across some incriminating items in Colin's possession, which leads to some major discoveries - even involving murder. For some reason, this one just wasn't my jam. Maybe it felt a little too creepy for me, maybe it was the whole unreliable narrator thing, maybe it was the messy characters (none of who I liked and who all seemed to lack any type of depth), maybe it was the slow start, maybe it was a combination of all of the above and more. I would give it a 6 out of 10.

• First and Forever by Lynn Painter - This was a new release that I was keeping my eyes peeled for. As you can tell since I listened to two of her books earlier this month, I always enjoy whatever this author writes, so I knew I needed to scoop this one up as soon as my local library added it to their catalog. Another rom-com, this time featuring Duffy and Connor (with the story told from their alternating POVs). Duffy goes viral (and not in a good way) because she shoved a beloved mascot after he grabbed her butt at a local football game. She is quickly deemed a villian in the eyes of the fans, so, as a way to clear her name, she goes on a morning show to talk about what happened. While there, she ends up meeting (and having hilarious banter with) Connor, the team's star tight end. Connor is trying to do damage control (after it comes out that the mascot was a major creep and had sexually assault numerous fans) as well as increase his likelihood of staying with his current team. When the interview gains traction, the football team's front office nudges Connor to exploit the popularity a bit and ask Duffy out. Well, I won't spoil it, but let's just say there is some fake dating involved and you know what tends to happen in those situations. As with most rom-coms, I wish it was a little longer. It felt like we got about 3 or 4 pages of the ending and I wanted more. And we never really got much backstory on Connor (or his grandpa), which left me feeling a bit cheated. With that said, I am always a sucker for a sports romance (especially when it's 'he fell first') and this one did not let me down. I would give it an 8 out of 10. 

• Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady - Someone had mentioned this book on social media a while back and I had saved it for later. I hadn't read anything by this author before, but I found out that similar to Christina Lauren, Ali Brady is actually a pen name for two writing BFFs - how fun. This book was a rom-com all for bookworms. Josie and Ryan are two bookstore managers who work on the same street (in fact, their stores are only separated by a coffeeshop in between the two), but the two couldn't be more different. Josie is very Type A, loves literary fiction and is pretty cold and prudish to the world around her. Ryan is easy-going, believes in happily ever afters and is constantly looking for ways to find romance stories for everyone he comes in contact with. The two literally become rivals when their landlord decides he is going to combine the two bookstores (with the coffeeshop) into one singual store and only keep one of the managers on staff. They are given the summer to show who can sell the most, bring in the most profit, and therefore keep their job. Oh yeah, and even though the two are opposites in most ways, they unsuspectingly became friends on an anonymous bookish forum without knowing the other's identity. I thought it was lighthearted and cute, even if it was a bit predictable (but, as you know, most rom-coms follow a certain equation, so that makes sense). I appreciated that there wasn't a big third act breakup, even if the story was chocked full of miscommunication. Think of it as an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers plot with a fun book store setting. I would give it an 8 out of 10. 

• The Honeymoon Crashers by Christina Lauren - Oh my goodness. I saw that this novella was released in audiobook version only form and had to get in line for it on my Libby app. This is the follow-up to The Unhoneymooners (which I read earlier this year) and I was pumped for it. It was a full-cast narration and even had ambience noise in the background to help get you fully immersed. The rom-com is all about Ami and Brody. The couple from the previous book, Olive and Ethan, decide they're going to elope (to try and avoid the Torres family wedding curse) and tell their families they're heading to Maui for the private ceremony and extended vacation. Ami, who is Olive's twin sister (and the one who's honeymoon Olive and Ethan ended up taking since everyone got terrible food poisoning at her wedding), knows this won't do and plans to surprise Olive and Ethan in Hawaii and offers to throw them a wedding. The couple acquiesces, but only if Ami allows Brody, Ethan's best man, to help her with the planning. Not only do they pull off the event (with plenty of hiccups along the way), but sparks fly in this cute and cozy romance. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Fly Away by Kristin Hannah - So last month I found the first book of this series in the little library in our front yard, so once I finished it (and realized there was a follow-up book) I got in line for this one at my local library. This one picked up where Firefly Lane finished, after Kate has lost her battle to cancer and everything seems to be falling apart in the lives of everyone she left behind. It focuses on three of the characters [Tully, Marah and Cloud] as they try to move forward with life and learn about things like forgiveness, loss and redemption. I would say it was a tough read (with a lot of difficult topics discussed), but I couldn't put it down. There were a few parts that felt like they were wrapped up a bit too easily so everyone would get a happy ending (and I'm not sure I loved how often the story flipped timelines or POVs because it was a bit much to keep straight at times), but overall it was emotional, devastating and yet still filled with hope. I would give it an 8 out of 10. 

• Parachutes by Kelly Yang - I actually came across this book because of the Cornell Seven. I saw a video this author shared about her story, and, in it, she mentioned this YA book she had written. This is a story about Claire, who is from Shanghai, and Dani, who becomes her host sister. Claire is sent to California from China to attend an American high school and lives with Dani and her mother. Dani is less than pleased her mother rented out their guest bedroom for extra income, especially when it appears as though Claire is a spoiled brat like the rest of her privileged classmates. The two seem to have nothing in common, but are brought together to deal with serious issues such as expectations, oppression, reputation, corruption, racism and sexual assault/ rape culture. It was an important, powerful, complex and moving read. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Pot Shot by Laura Piper Lee - I had heard of this book a while back, but was only recently able to get in line for it on my Libby app. This is a rom-com featuring Nomi and Julian. These two were high school nemesis and reconnected after a shaving accident leads Nomi into Julian's urgent care. Nomi has stuck around their hometown, working for local dispensaries in hopes of opening her own, whereas Julian went away to college/ medical school and is only back because he is on probation from the large hospital he used to work at is forcing him to work on his bedside manner. The two continue to butt heads due to their feelings on cannabis, but eventually end up on the same side in hopes of bringing healing and happiness to their small town in New Jersey. I appreciated the compassionate way this author addressed chronic illness and loved the humor that was infused throughout the story. It was sweet, tender and a even bit steamy. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell - I was looking for an audiobook to listen to on the drive up to Mammoth and thought I'd change up the rom-com spree I'd been on and pick a thriller. I have read a few books by this author and when I saw this one had popped up on my Libby app recently I figured I'd give it a try. This was a psychological thriller about a man and the women he ensnares. I'll call him Nick because that's the name he uses towards the end of the book, but he goes by many different names over the years (and throughout the different relationships he has). Nick reaches out to a newly widowed woman, Nina, and says that he is an old colleague of her recently deceased husband, Paddy. Nina and Paddy's daughter, Ash, is pretty suspicious of this charming man right from the jump and tries to dig into his past to see what he might be hiding. Throughout the story, we flash to different timeframes and learn about women like Martha, who is married to a man she knows as Alistair, and Amanda, who is married to a man named Damian who was suspected to have died. There were a lot of names and characters to keep straight, but overall the story was about a grifter who lied and lied and lied some more. I'd say it was entertaining, but it felt a bit predictable. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan - This was the final book from this author that I had yet to read. It finally became available while the hubby, pup and I were in Mammoth, which was perfect because I would need a new audiobook to listen to on the drive home. This was the story of Nora, who was a screenwriter for a romance movie channel. When her husband told her that he wanted a divorce, Nora took the news in stride and decided to write a script about their relationship (which was outside of her usual rom-com equation she had always followed and was relatively successful with). When the script was picked up for a movie by a big studio and they actually wanted to film a few of the scenes on her property, she was excited for the distraction. The moviestar who was cast to play her ex-husband was dealing with some drama of his own and once filming wrapped, he found himself on her porch, asking if he could stay in her tea house for seven days. Well, I'm sure you can guess where this is heading. The pair strike up a friendship that turns steamy, but eventually he has to leave for a big opportunity. Although Leo swore he'd be back, he disappeared and Nora is left picking up the pieces... again. I thought it was a sweet small-town romance, but it probably won't stick with me very long after finishing it. I enjoyed the more mature characters and the real life circumstances (minus the big, famous movie star aspects ;)), but have enjoyed some of this author's other books a little more. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle - A few weeks back I didn't have any library books ready to check out, so I quickly scrolled through the rom-com section of my library's catalog and saw a few that caught my eye (this was one of those books). Come to find out, it was this author's debut rom-com, which can always be hit-or-miss, but I ended up really liking it. This was a second-chance rom-com about opposites attracting. Molly writes Hollywood rom-coms for a living, but doesn't believe in true love or soulmates. Seth is her high school ex-boyfriend who is now a divorce attorney. The two reconnect fifteen years after they broke up at their class reunion. They place a bet, picking five different couples from the reunion and guessing whether or not they will be together at the twentieth year reunion. Although I had just finished a book about a romance writer (I don't read the synopsis beforehand so had no idea that they might have a similar premise), it was still unique enough to be fun. The story jumps ahead months or years, catching us back up with where Molly and Seth were in their lives and relationships (or lack thereof). The characters felt real and relatable (even if occasionally Molly rubbed me wrong) and I'm always a sucker for a golden retriever man. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• You've Got Hate Mail by Pippa Grant - I first saw this series on my Libby app (since then I've seen it pop up all over social media), but there was a wait for each of the books, so I crossed my fingers and logged into my Hoopla app to see if they might be available there. To my surprise, they were. This is the first book in the Accidentally Infamous series. It's a little longer in length, but that's because it's setting the scene (a closed winery/ women's commune where all the books take place) and introduces us to all of the characters (women who move to this winery after going viral and need a safe space to regroup and get their footing back). This is a rom-com about Cricket, who goes viral after accidentally showing her lady parts on a live stream, and Heath, the winery's handyman. It's all about forced proximity and that grumpy/ sunshine trope. The winery is at capacity and Cricket has to move into Heath's basement so she can stay on the property to heal. Heath doesn't want to like Cricket, but her infectious attitude opens him to the possibility that there might be love and life after his wife died of cancer. I loved seeing how much Cricket grew and blossomed throughout the story (and how Heath healed and transformed too). I've gotta say, Lavender (Heath's six year old daughter) and Aunt Pip (the winery's 85 year old deaf, nudist of a matriarch) almost stole the show. I hope we get more of those two as well as more of the found family that this first book contained. I would give it a 7 out of 10. 

• While You Were Trending by Pippa Grant - Might as well keep the Accidentally Infamous series train a chuggin' on through the station. This rom-com had the second chance trope, the forced proximity problem and the 'don't date your best friend's ex' rule going for it. This book picks up where the first one ends, with the fire in the barn at Ginny's sister's wedding. Ginny was a choldhood star and then became InterWebs infamous when she tried to stop her ex's wedding (breaking her front teeth in the process) and moved to the Makepeace Winery to recover. Because the defunct winery/ women's commune was struggling financially, they were broadening their horizons on how to make money. One opportunity presented itself - Ginny's ex's best friend, Declan, wanted to make a documentary about the winery reopening. Declan had always been rude to Ginny during her and Alex's four year relationship, but come to find out, it was because he liked her. Even though time had passed, the feelings he had for Ginny hadn't disappeared and the two work through their messy, imperfect lives to find happiness on the other side. This one had less of the side characters than the first one did, but I still enjoyed Aunt Pip popping in from time to time and causing her brand of chaos. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• How to Troll a Guy in Ten Days by Pippa Grant - This was the final book in the Accidentally Infamous series. Another rom-com and although this one had the forced proximity thing going on and a bit of the second chance romance, it felt more enemies-to-lovers than the last book. Mabel moved in with Aunt Pip years ago when her ex started trolling her online and doxed her because he was jealous she was getting more famous than he was. The two of them opened the property up to women who needed a soft place to land after the Internet turned on them for some sort of viral incident. Mabel hadn't opened herself up to love until an Australian charmer showed up at a bar one night and she fell hard... only to find out the next morning that he was actually Ginny's brother, Ten, who was faking the whole thing. Well, let's just say she hated him for years, even if he was her best friend's older brother. Flash forward a few years and Ten finds himself in a situation he needs escaping from (where he has recently gone viral and has a stalker he can't shake). He shows up on the doorstep of the winery looking for a place to hide and Aunt Pip ends up hiring him as her personal assistant (without any real input from Mabel). As with most enemies-to-lovers stories, this one is filled with plenty of witty banter and pranks pulled, but it leads to character growth, forgiveness and acceptance (not only of oneself, but also of others). I know some people think rom-coms might be ridiculous or all fluff, but this one was filled with all the deep feels. The found family in this series - chef's kiss! And I loved that Mabel, who seemed to be the glue that held the community together, finally got her happily ever after. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Grim Tidings by B.K. Borison - I have read a few books by this author and when I saw she had recently released another one, I thought I'd grab it from my local library. Technically it is the second in the Ghosted series, but they are standalone books so I thought I'd read this one first since it is spooky season and would wait to read the first book (Good Spirits) around the Christmas holiday. This is a bit outside of this author's normal repertoire (a paranormal romance) and I'm normally not one for the angel/ reaper type storyline, but I figured I'd still give it a try. Darcy is a Grim Reaper and Gabriel is a Guardian Angel, but both of them are a little sick of their current station in life. Darcy is hoping for something different with her next assignment and runs face first into Gabriel, who has set up shop as a bartender in a dive bar. Darcy is assigned to take the soul of a mortal who happens to be under Gabriel's protection (Reapers are given specific people to take to the other side, while Guardians are tasked with protecting specific areas and all of the humans in that geographical location). Even though Darcy is trying her best to outrun her label as a villain, Gabriel doesn't believe a word coming out of her mouth but decides to keep his enemies close and thwart her evil ways. Seeing as this is a romance, you know the two will fall for each other in that kind of star-crossed lovers/ enemies-to-lovers type way, but I was still along for the ride. As always, I enjoyed the story being told in alternating POVs. I did find it a bit predictable (at least when it came to some of the side characters), but finding out in the acknowledgements that the author wrote this with her husband in mind made it all the better. I would give it an 8 out of 10. 

• Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner - I am always a sucker for a good sports romance, so when I saw this book on my Libby app a few months back I got in line. It took forever for it to become available for me, but I was hoping it would be worth the wait. This was a sapphric rom-com with a major rivals-to-lovers trope at the center. Grace is a soccer vet (both on her professional team and on the women's national team), while Phoebe is a newly drafted up-and-comer who still has a joy for the game. Grace sees Phoebe as her competition, thinking that Phoebe is there to take her spot now that she is aging (and secretly injured), whereas Phoebe has always seen Grace as an idol to look up to and emulate. Although the two seem to be opposites as far as personalities, they have their love for the sport as a commonality. The two end up becoming 'teammates with benefits' and have to figure out how to deal with their new arrangement while also trying to both make the World Cup roster. I'll be honest and say this was a little steamier than I would have preferred. It felt like we were diving into their hook-up sessions more than their soccer (I know, I know, it's a rom-com, not a sports book, but it seemed like the spice more the focus than the relationship). I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• This is Me by Hayden Panettiere - I had seen this memoir for a while and was finally able to grab it from my local library. I'll be honest and say that I never really watched any of the shows that she was on, but I am still always interested to learn about people's lives. Hayden had been in the limelight since before she could walk, so her memoir spans decades of auditions and roles, plus pressures she faced in Hollywood and personal challenges she faced. Although she has changed some names and characteristics of people, she doesn't sugar coat her experiences - whether it was postpartum depression, domestic abuse or addiction. I appreciated the honesty and vulnerability she showed with opening her life up, on her terms. There were parts I wish she would've gone into more detail about, but digging into disturbing truths, toxic relationships and unimaginable loss cannot be easy. The ending seemed a bit abrupt, but, then again, so was the end of her life, so I guess it's another reminder of how much can change in a moment. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Clover - I don't remember how this book came to be on my 'for later' list (not sure if I saw it somewhere on my social media because they thought it was a 'fall' type book or if the cover caught my attention when I was scrolling through rom-coms at some point), but it was available when I was in need of an audiobook to listen to so I thought I'd check it out. This is a slow-burn rom-com about Louisa and Henry. Louisa was recently cheated on by her long time boyfriend. Although she could/ should have seen the writing on the wall for a while, she was still thrown off-kilter. Her main concern, though, was staying in the first place she had ever considered a home. Without her ex-boyfriend, seeing as she was unemployed and yet to pass her therapist exam, she didn't have a way to afford the rent... unless she could talk the landlord, Henry, into allowing her to stay for free and turning the place into a bed and breakfast (hopefully bringing in more than her rent alone would have). Louisa decided to turn the B&B into more of a retreat for the brokenhearted and offer counseling for those who needed a safe space to land. Let's just say Henry's past made him less than thrilled about this option, but he went along with Louisa's plan and the two became more than just landlord and tenant. I thought it was a sweet story that was actually filled with quite a bit of emotion. Sure it was a romance, but even more so it was also about picking up the pieces of your shattered heart and making something of a future you never expected. Heartbreak doesn't have to be the end of the story. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• Seven Days in June by Tia Williams - I read one of this author's more recent books last month, but had been hearing rave reviews about one of her previously released novels so thought it was time to give it a download (thankfully, my Hoopla app had it available for the masses - YAY!). This was a second-chance romance about Eva and Shane. The two reconnected fifteen years after they had an intense week together when they were seniors in high school. They are both authors - Eva writes bestselling erotica (having written 14 in her series thus far) and Shane is a world-famous literary novelist who releases a new book every few years. No one in the literary world realizes that the two authors have been writing books for each other (using the other person as their inspiration) this whole time. After reconnecting, they spend another seven days together, working through their traumas, history, heartbreak and undeniable chemistry. I ate this one up with a spoon - hoping it'd never end. The transition from past to present was seamless and although it was written in third person, I enjoyed all the different characters being featured. I also appreciated that the author discussed serious topics such as addiction and invisible chronic illness with compassion and sensitivity. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna - Another spooky season read ;) I got in line for this one at my local library and was pumped that it became available in October. I had seen it pop up a couple times on my social media feeds, but really didn't know what to expect. I'll say from the jump, this reminded me a bit of a TJ Klune type book (which is high praise because I love his writing). It was a romantasy story about Mika Moon. Mika is a witch living a fairly lonely life in Britain. You see, the rules that these witches live by keep them isolated as to not allow their powers to combine or attract unwanted attention. One day Mika receives a message on one of her social media platforms, asking her to come and teach three young witches to control their magic. Although it goes against the strict guidelines she's always lived by, she takes a leap and heads to the Nowhere House. What she finds there is more than she expected - love, acceptance and an eccentric found family for the ages. This is definitely a grumpy x sunshine, slow-burn romance, so buckle up and be in it for the long haul. I thought it was sweet and cozy, witty and adorable. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Honey Bee Mine by Sarah T. Dubb - I listened to this author's debut novel last month and enjoyed it, so got in line for the next one on my Libby app. It was available to check out after a couple weeks, so I was stoked to give it a try. This rom-com was about Penny, a Type A beekeeper who is trying to save the family business from ruin, and Zander, a former bad boy who had to move back to town (and next door to Penny's family farm) to take care of his grandfather's estate. Although the two didn't 'know' each other while they were growing up, they both knew of each other - Zander hating Penny because she was the town's 'golden child' his grandfather always compared him to and Penny knowing only the rumors she heard around the gossip mill. Penny has always been an overachiever, but when Zander comes to town she is barely keeping her head above water. Zander's son ropes Zander into helping Penny with the upcoming honey festival and the pair has to start working together in hopes of saving the farm (Penny) and proving they are more than the screw up they used to be (Zander). I thought it was sweet enough and enjoyed the diversity in characters and small-town vibes. You know I'll probably get in line for her next book releasing in February. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto - I had seen this one on a recently released list and saw that my local library was getting a copy so jumped in line. A rom-com about two meteorologists/ storm chasers?! Sign me up! You know I love me a strong STEM female lead, so this was right up my alley. This was a rivals-to-lovers story, set in the Orlando, Florida area. Quincy has a PhD in atmospheric sciences and runs a super popular social media platform where she shares her love and knowledge about weather (and in a male dominated field nonetheless). Sebastian is her high school/ college academic rival (oh yeah, and her best friend's brother) who works for a major TV network in NYC as the evening weatherman. Sebastian has been stir crazy in his current position, so leaverages his popularity and asks his network to allow him a few weeks out of the station to make a docuseries. When he ends up back in his hometown, he's forced into close proximity with Quincy (or, Quinny baby, as he calls her) as they chase the same storms around Florida. As with all enemies-to-lovers stories, the barbs/ banter eventually turn into swoony steam. It might not be my favorite trope, but I thought it had a great mix of humor and heart (and I'm excited to see if this turns into a series). I'm always down for a male character who has it bad for a strong (not to mention super smart and sassy) female lead. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Tropesick by Lauren Oakie - I had read another of this author's books a couple months back (but, to be honest, it wasn't my favorite) and thought I'd give her writing another go with her most recent release. I went in blind, just like I do with the majority of books I read, except for the fact that the cover of the book lists a few different rom-com tropes, so I was assuming it would be trope heavy ;) With that being said, I will take full responsibility and say that it was my fault I felt tricked by the book... I don't want to give the twist away (although, I guess if you look closely into the genres this book is listed under you may already know where the story is going), but let's just say I was disappointed. This is a book about childhood 'friends' who reconnect eight years later to ghostwrite a book together. Katie has been ghostwriting for a famous romance writer for years, but, with the most recent book, the novelist wants her to team up with someone. Tyler, who was Katie's brother's best friend and her childhood crush, happens to be the writer she is forced to work with. The two hadn't seen each other since the funeral of Katie's brother/ Tyler's best friend. The pair has to learn to work together while dealing with all of their past and current feelings. I enjoyed the nod to all of the romance tropes and the flashbacks throughout the story that gave the readers a glimpse into why the characters have grown into the people they are now, but I felt like there was so much going on in the book and I was left with a lot of unanswered questions. This book, or at least the last 20% of it, wasn't my jam and I just don't know that I'll be rushing out to get in line for any more of this author's releases in the future. I would give it a 6 out of 10.

• I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy - I had seen this memoir for a while now, but the audiobook had a super long wait on my Libby app so I hadn't gotten around to listening to it before. I didn't know anything about this actress before I downloaded the book (I'm a little too old to have known her on her Nickelodeon shows), but I am always interested to hear people's stories. Jennette was pushed into acting by her mom at the age of six. She never had a passion for it, but wanted to make her mom happy, so she went along with it for years. We follow along on Jennette's journey as a child actor with an overbearing (and, at times, abusive) mother. As with many child actors, all wasn't sunshine and rainbows, and Jennette dealt with quite a lot - including eating disorders, lack of privacy, emotional control, addiction and more. I am happy that she has been able to come out the other side of the abuse to take control of her own life. I would give it an 8 out of 10. 

• Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood - When I was returning my ballot to the library (it's a drop-off location for the November election), I saw this book on the new release shelf and it caught my eye. Although I mentioned (or alluded to the fact) I don't love magical realism type stories, it's more that I don't like the idea of the 'magic' being hidden and surprised on me late in the game. If I know from the jump that I need to suspend reality for a while, I can be okay with that every now and then. This book lets you know from the first few pages that you will be diving into the land of make believe for a bit. You see, Gertie is a romance novelist who is struggling with a major case of writer's block after her boyfriend of four years asked if they could have a 'break'. That might be okay on a normal day, but her fourth and final book in her current series is due soon and she doesn't have time for the ideas to have completely stopped. Her quirky neighbor suggests that they do a manifestation ceremony to help Gertie out of her funk... and, to Gertie's surprise, she gets a lot more than she bargains for. Gertie walks out of her shower to a shirtless cowboy on her couch and realizes he's one of her characters come to life. This has a bit of everything - grief, fake dating, betrayal, the one bed trope, finding oneself, a chug, etc. I'm thinking I might have to go find more books by this author. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Annie Knows Everything by Rachel Wood - This one has been on my 'for later' list on my Libby app for a while now and I'll be honest and say I don't really remember how I originally came across it. This was a fun rom-com about Annie (and, eventually, her boss, Connor). Annie walks into her job one day to realize she has been laid off, but she won't let that stop her. She heads to her best friend's office, who happens to be the head of HR, and they hatch a plan to have Annie fill an open role at the company (seeing as they just went through a major downsizing they can't hire externally for the positions, but through a loophole she can move departments and 'override' her firing). The only problem is, she needs to manager of the new department to sign off on the redesignation... Here's where Connor enters the scene. Annie is nowhere near qualified for the position, but she eventually wins Connor over and he decides to allow her to join the team. I thought it was a cute, tech-y romance with family drama, work drama and love drama all wrapped into one workplace sitcom-ish story. For this being the author's debut, I am impressed and hope there's more to come. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Birds of California by Katie Cotugno - I had saved this book on my Hoopla app a while back for one main reason - the narrator is one of my favorites. When none of my holds on my Libby app were available yet, I thought I'd give this one a try. Turns out, it's a rom-com about Fiona and Sam. They were child actors in Hollywood and worked together on a sitcom many years ago. Fiona left the Hollywood scene after many public breakdowns and unrelenting tabloid scrutiny. Sam, on the other hand, was still an actor, even though the show he was currently working on had been unexpectedly cancelled. The execs of their childhood show, Birds of California, were interested in a reboot, but Fiona was adamantly opposed. Sam was tasked by his manager to try and get Fiona on board with the new project, so tracks her down after what seemed like a lifetime of no contact between the two. It was a second-chance sort of romance, but with heavy topics such as sexual assault, cancer, PTSD and depression in the background. I enjoyed it even if it felt unrealistically rushed, but it definitely wasn't an easy-breezy, lighthearted read like some rom-coms can be. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty - I read the first book in this series years ago (like in 2017!) and saw there was a new one being released so made my way to my local library. I was happy to read in the book's forward that these were technically stand alone stories since I definitely didn't remember the in's and out's of that first book NINE YEARS LATER. This book is set ten years after the first, when the group of ladies now have teenagers who are figuring out life in the midst of high school drama. Similar to the first book, this is also a mystery, but it centers around a severed finger arriving in the mail to the high school principal. If you haven't read the first book (or it has been a while and the details aren't fresh in your mind), it can be a bit tough to keep all of the characters straight, since there are a lot, but after awhile you get the hang of who everyone is. All of the ladies have some stressful things happening in their personal lives, so the story can be a little heavy at times, but there were also some laugh out loud moments as well (I think the WhatsApp conversations were my fave). I liked how the story switched back and forth between the different characters' perspectives and the interview-ish scene with the group of kids. It felt like a reality tv show I couldn't look away from (and although I guessed some of the plot points, it did keep me guessing till the end). I didn't watch the series they made from the first book, but I could totally see them doing something similar for this one too. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun - I had seen this book mentioned a few times recently so got in line for it on my Libby app (I had to wait a month or two for it to become available and was hoping it'd be worth it). This was a best friends turned enemies turned lovers rom-com. Rosemary and Logan were inseparable for three years (between the ages of 11 and 14), then they were rivals for four years (from 14 to 18), then they spent 10 years never seeing one another (from 18 to 28) and then they started working at the same high school they attended when they were younger. The pair never reconnected (even if they continued to run into each other over the years at work), until their former English teacher talks them both into joining him on a 'death trip' - a road trip from Washington to Maine - as his dying wish. Yep, it's a forced proximity, second-chance love story, full of hotel rooms with only one bed, but this queer romance is much more than a traditional rom-com. This will definitely pull at your heart strings, so be prepared (and maybe have tissues). I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer - This series popped up recently on both my Libby and Hoopla audiobook apps (probably because the fourth book was released a month ago) and I decided to pull the trigger. I downloaded the first book (and put books two, three and four on my 'for later' list) and listened to it during a couple runs and on a long car ride. I didn't know what to expect, but did see it was in the Fantasy genre (which normally isn't my top pick, but I still dabble in it from time to time). It ended up being about a young woman named Evie, who ends up going to work for 'the Villain' (a notorious bad guy who has a reputation for killing, terrorizing and being an all around menace to their countryside). During her employment, she realizes she has a crush on him AND that there is a traitor in the villain's mist. She has to figure out who is trying to kill her crush/ employer and figure out the nefarious plan currently in the works. I'm not sure why, but this book just didn't do it for me. It looks like it is highly rated wherever I look, but I just found it long and boring. I really wanted to enjoy it, but the audiobook was 14 hours long and I kept waiting for it to grab my attention - it just never did. Once I finished it (which I was actually surprised I did), I went into my 'for later' list and deleted the rest of the series. I'm glad other people enjoy this series, it just isn't for me. I would give it a 4 out of 10.

• Trust Fall by Lynn Painter - I will be honest and say that this author has become a bit of an auto-grab for me (meaning anything she writes, I grab it up... and quickly). I saw she was releasing a new YA rom-com and I knew I was going to have to get my hands on it. This was the story of two teens - Julia and Damion. Julia and her family lived in Nebraska. Her parents owned a small grocery store where life was small, but good. The previous couple of years her family sort of adopted an older gentleman who moved into town on his own. The man, who they knew as Lou, passed away and surprisingly left them a house in New York City. There was one stipulation - they needed to move to NYC and live in the house for at least six months before the home would officially become theirs. Well, little did they know, but Remington, the name his friends and family knew him by in NYC, had people in his life that loved and missed him. One of those people was his great-nephew, Damion. Damion and his family were flabbergasted to find out that Remington wrote the Lowells into his will (and believed that they had swindled him into doing so). They made it their mission to figure out who the family was and prove they acquired the home illegally (seeing as they thought they would inherit the house). Julia and Damion end up going to the same elite Manhattan private school, where Damion is forced into tutoring Julia so she can stay at the school. Let's just say that feelings start flowing, but Damion holds all the cards because he knows who Julia is, but she has no idea his relation to the man who flipped her and her family's life upside down. I thought it was super sweet (it reminded me of the 90s teenybopper rom-coms we all loved so much), had a bit of a Gossip Girl feel to it and was a perfect fall read. I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

• The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams - I read the Rome, Kentucky series by this author last month and really enjoyed it, so when I saw she had a different series (The Los Angeles Sharks duology) on my Libby app I thought I'd give it a go. This was a rom-com featuring Bree and Nathan. These two are best friends who both have had secret feelings for one another for the past six-ish years. Bree is a ballet teacher (she was set to go to Juilliard for dance but a car accident derailed that dream) and Nathan is the quarterback for the Los Angeles Sharks NFL team. They have never been single at the same time (and neither of them has ever wanted to potentially ruin their friendship), so all the feels they harbor for the other person have stayed hush-hush. After a video of drunk Bree goes viral, Nathan's agent suggests they fake date for a few weeks to take advantage of the media storm they find themselves in. Unlike a lot of fake dating tropes you see, it wasn't actually the focus of the story. It was more the catalyst that allowed both of them to explore the feelings they have had for one another. It was super sweet (I am a sucker for a story that has best friends becoming more, not to mention a good sports romance) with very limited spice and all the swoon-worthy moments. I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

• The Rule Book by Sarah Adams - This is the second book in The Los Angeles Sharks duology and, since I enjoyed the previous one so much I downloaded this one as soon as I returned the first. It was a stand alone story, but did mention some of the characters from the first book. This was a second-chance, grumpy x sunshine rom-com featuring Nora and Derek. Nora and Derek dated in college, but Nora broke Derek's heart when she dumped him without explanation (and Derek has been holding a grudge for years). The two are brought back into each other's orbit when Derek needs a new agent (he's an injured tight end on the LA Sharks NFL team) and Nora is recommended to him (although he doesn't realize it's his ex because everyone she works with calls her Mack these days). Derek agrees to let Nora represent him, but figures he will haze her bad enough that she'll quit and he can move on. The two end up in Las Vegas for a sponsorship campaign and wake up married after a night of way too many drinks. So that Nora doesn't lose her job, they agree to 'ride it out' for a few weeks and let the drama die down before getting the marriage annulled... Well, as you can imagine, things get a little more complicated when they realize they both have been carrying a candle for one another for the past few years. I might not have liked this one as much as the first, but it was still a super cute, easy read that had me rooting for the couple to win the entire game time. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Endurance Athlete by Jared Beasley - If you've been around the ultramarathon world, you've probably heard the name 'Lazarus Lake'. He's the man (or at least one of the names that 'the man' goes by) who created races like The Barkley Marathon and Big's Backyard Ultra. He's usually quite the enigma, no one really knowing anything about him, so when I saw there was a book about him on my Libby audiobook app I kept my eyes peeled for when the book would become available for me. This author was able to get a behind-the-scenes look into Laz/ Gary's life (his upbringing, his running, his mentality behind running and life in general), while also sharing accounts from runners who were in the midst of some of Laz's brainchild races. I found it super interesting (I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I don't think you even need to be a runner or an endurance athlete to find this story intriguing) and appreciated learning more. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Good Material by Dolly Alderton - I read this author's memoir a couple months ago and had this novel on my 'for later' list so thought I'd check it out from my local library. The genre said rom-com, but it didn't feel like a romance or a comedy to me (but maybe I just don't get the British humor...). This was a story about Andy and Jen. It is mostly told from Andy's perspective (the last two-ish chapters are then told from Jen's POV). The pair had been dating for a few years when Jen abruptly breaks up with Andy. Andy is heartbroken and can't get over Jen. That's it. That's the whole story. I kept hoping for more, for something, but the story felt stagnant, like nothing was happening. Don't get me wrong, I think a lot of us can relate to how Andy felt, but I was left feeling blah, annoyed and disappointed that I stuck it out to no real payoff. I would give it a 4 out of 10. 

• The MASH Up by Laura Marie Meyers - I had seen this book mentioned a few times recently on my social media accounts and I was stoked to check it out. There was a decent wait for it on my Libby app (I couldn't find it anywhere else), but I knew it'd be worth it. This was a rom-com, but with a magical realism element to it (don't worry, you learn about it right up front so there is no guessing on what's going on). It was a story about Ruby and Penn. Ruby is turning 35, so was at her birthday party when her best friend pulled out a relic from their past - a copy of the MASH (mansion, apartment, shack, house) game they played many years before. When it was time to make her birthday wish, Ruby wished that she would become more like the girl who played that game... only to wake up IN THAT LIFE! Yep, she woke up (after hitting her head when she fell off a barstool) and found out that everything the MASH game had predicted had come true and she was living that 'reality'. Of course, while she's in the game life, she falls for (and realizes she has always loved) her brother's best friend, Penn. This was nostalgia in cozy, cute, charming book form. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Some Choose Darkness by Charlie Donlea - I had heard of this author before, but had never checked out any of his books. I didn't have any books I was actively waiting for available at my local library, so I went through some of my lists and noticed this one was in stock. This is a mystery/ thriller told in dual timelines. In 1979 there was a serial killer terrorizing the Chicago area. He was kidnapping and murdering women, although there were no bodies found or clues that were uncovered. An autistic woman becomes infatuated with the case and tries to figure out what has happened to the missing women. Without too many spoilers, I'll say she figures out the killer, but then disappears. In the current timeline (forty years later), The Thief (the moniker given to the serial killer in 1979) is being released on parole. Rory, who is a forensic reconstructionist, is forced to take over the parole case because her father had been working on it prior to his death. Rory becomes entangled in the old case and her current life. I was hooked from the start, enjoyed how the story flipped back and forth between the two timelines and loved all the characters (okay, not all, I didn't love the serial killer ;)). Oh yeah, and there's a second book in the series that I'm already in line for at my library. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam - I don't remember if I had seen this book on social media or just saw the Netflix sticker on the cover while I was scrolling through my Libby app, but it somehow ended up on my 'for later' list and I thought I'd give it a download. This was a mystery thriller from a few years ago. The premise is a family takes a vacation and rents a home in an isolated part of Long Island. They are interrupted on said vacation when the homeowners (or at least they claim to be the homeowners) of the vacation rental appear on the doorstep one night. The couple claims that there is a major blackout on the East Coast and instead of returning to their place in NYC, they decided to get out of the city and hopefully hunker down where they believe they will be safe. Obviously there are multiple dilemas going on - first is whether or not the vacationing family believes the couple and then there is the fact that there may be a major statewide/ countrywide/ worldwide disaster going on. I'll be honest and say I didn't enjoy this one. It felt slow with no real conclusion. I realize the author probably wanted to focus on topics like race, class, humanity, etc, but it felt dystopian without an actual disaster. I did see that it was mentioned the film had several plot changes, so maybe it'd be worth watching, but I'm definitely rushing out to track it down. I would give it a 4 out of 10.

With that, October is done-zo. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always looking to add to my "must read" list! 

What's the best book you've read lately?