My Top 3 Reads of the Last 3 Months | Sept. 2021
My top three reads of the last three months
WOW. I seriously cannot believe how quickly the last three months have flown by! Didn’t summer JUST START? Also didn’t this year???? 😂 I really struggle to get my monthly wrap-ups up in blog form every month, but I find I really enjoy this quarterly wrap-up that I do occasionally! It fits with my non-committal, let’s-change-things-up, and go with the flow attitude!
So, overall, I read a total of 23 books during the months of June, July, and August. WHOA! That’s a lot! And I had such a good time with all of these reads.
Blog Contents
The books
Other Notable Mentions
Full monthly wrap-ups
more on the blog
The Books
JUNE
So, reading in June for me was... weird. I traveled a bit and that seemed to really throw off my reading game and I was kind of all over the place in genre but overall it was pretty good! I read 7 books altogether in various genres (but still fantasy or romance) with summer camp, paradise, and travel vibes along with paranormal, witchy, and sci-fi twists. But my favorite of this bunch has to go to…
The Croc by Jenny Hickman
Series: The PAN Trilogy #3
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy Romance, Sci-Fi, Retelling
The Croc is the amazing conclusion of The PAN Trilogy by Jenny Hickman ... and it was just perfect 😭 Told again from both Deacon and Vivienne's perspectives, they begin navigating through life after Deacon's trial and Vivienne's impending forgetfulness while still searching for HOOK and a cure for The Forgetful.
There's a slew of (yes, more 😆) drama that unfolds and seemingly unmovable and unavoidable obstacles, but Jenny works her magic in creating a perfectly crafted, unguessable, fast-paced, action-packed, swoon-worthy plotline that will leave you on the edge of your seat and unable to put the book down once you begin. Deacon and Vivienne's love story is one of my favorites and this Peter Pan retelling will forever hold a special place in my heart. It's just one of those stories that feels like home.
And P.S. the ending was just *chef's kiss* and I'm holding out hope that we get more books in the future! Thank you to Jenny for my advanced copy.
Check out my full series review of The PAN Trilogy here!
“‘I wanted to love you forever’, he said with a laugh, ‘but I’ll settle for one lifetime.’”
What I Also Read In June
JULY
July was an AMAZING reading month for me. I read so many good books, it's probably my favorite reading month of the year so far! I read 8 books altogether and all were fantasy except 1. I was either obsessed or just swooning over everything honestly, but I have to say my top read of this month goes to…
Under The Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
Genres: Adult, Fantasy with Paranormal Elements and an MM Romance
And OMG guys 😭 What a story! Holy moly. This book was amazing. Seriously, ALL THE FEELS. It was hilariously charming and heartbreaking in the most beautiful way.
I LOLed an incredibly good amount while reading this! The fast-paced witty prose is intoxicating and profound. Really. It's that unexpected dry wit and deadpan humor that sneaks up on you so much so that you grin like a dork and then snort-laugh, giggle uncontrollably, or just full-on deep belly cackle 😂 I also cried a whole bunch 🥺 The character interactions are lively and snarky and thoughtful and kind. Their banter and group dynamic is so on point! I loved the processing and working through of feelings as well as the empathy and warmth given to said feelings without judgment. I love Mei to pieces. Nelson is the bombest grandad. Apollo is THE best. And Wallace and Hugo 😭😭😭 Together, they make the most amazing found family. And I am just absurdly fond of everything in this story. I would LOVE to see it as a TV show 🥺
Read this for LGBTQIA+ rep, feelings and empathy, anxiety and grief awareness/processing, positive self-growth, found family, the bestest pooch sidekick, grumpy x sunshine trope, snark, and banter. Potential Triggers: death, the afterlife, grief, murder & suicide, panic attacks, anxiety, heart attack, divorce
Under The Whispering Door is out September 21st! Thank you to Tor Books, MacMillan Publishing, and T.J. Klune for my advanced copy
“Death isn’t a final ending, Wallace. It is an ending, sure, but only to prepare you for a new beginning.”
What I Also Read In July
AUGUST
August was filled with ALL the romantasy vibes! I read so many good ones and also a couple of YA fantasies with dark and dystopian sci-fi twists to break things up. My MOST FAVORITE though was…
To Bleed A Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker
Series: Crystal Bloom #1
Genres: Adult, Fantasy Romance, Retelling
Please meet my new romantasy addiction and obsession— To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker —a Rapunzel reimagining with unrequited love and a new, dark, adult romantasy series. It was haunting, mysterious, and breathtakingly beautiful. Be ready to have your heart ripped out in the best way 💔 All romantasy fans everywhere need. this. book. ASAP. (PS. it's available on KU 🤗)
AND MY HEART, y’all. I’m still screaming internally about this book. I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. I am obsessed beyond words and I want everyone else to be too. The writing is mysterious, enchanting, and poetic. The story is haunting. The world is SO immersive and gothically atmospheric. The characters are complex and dynamic. All effortlessly drawing you in along with just the overall secrecy surrounding EVERYTHING. There’s still so much more we’ll find out as readers and I’m hooked by that alone! AND RHORDYN 🤤 He is amazing in the best? worst? way (😂). My heart shattered many times alongside Laith, but HOLY CRAP. WAS. IT. GOOD.
Check out my full review recapping all things TBaCB including a book aesthetic and playlist here!
“I refuse to live in a world where you don’t exist.”
What I Also Read In August
*Empire of the Vampire Exclusive Sampler
Fantasy
To Kill A Kingdom | Little Mermaid Fantasy Retelling (Young Adult) — My Review
Defy The Night | YA High Fantasy (Young Adult) — My Review
Stay A Spell Series, especially Wolf Gone Wild + Don’t Hex and Drive | Paranormal Fantasy Romance (Adult) — Tap the titles to check out my reviews on Instagram!
Goddess in the Machine | Dystopian Sci-Fi Fantasy (Young Adult) — My Review
Full Monthly Wrap-Ups
Check out my full monthly wrap-ups over on Instagram! Tap the image below.
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Hey y'all, I'm Leah!
Cozy connoisseur and bountiful book buyer. I have a minor obsession with getting lost in the pages of a good book, guzzling coffee, and thriving at home. Yoga pants, wine, and essential oils are also my jam. I'm truly just a homebody at heart with a knack for content creation, flatlays & cozy shots. This is my creative space.
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So, December felt like a slower reading month for me, but this stack looks hefty! Regardless, it was a great wrap to the year. Let’s review all the books I read in December 2022!