My wrap-up for September is surprisingly longer than I thought it would be. Honestly, it has felt like I haven’t read anything for the past month as everything is taking me weeks to get through. Surprisingly I read eight books including graphic novels and audiobooks, one of which was a festive arc which I won’t talk about here as it’s way too early. If you’re wondering why I’m reading Christmas books in September, it’s because I am once again doing my ‘12 books of Christmas series, this will be my third year doing it.
Anyway enough about Christmas. Here’s my September wrap-up.
Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong
Read: 24/8/22 – 12/9/22
*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I didn’t finish my first book of the month until the 12th. I’m usually the type of reader where books take me a week tops. However, that really has not been the case lately. Before starting this ARC I didn’t realise it was over 500 pages long. Usually, that’s not too bad for me but recently I’ve been struggling with books this length.
That being said though I really loved Foul Lady Fortune. It wasn’t quite five stars but if the pacing was a little quicker then it probably would have been. I have a more in-depth review of the book here if you want to check it out.
Synopsis: It’s 1931 in Shanghai, and the stage is set for a new decade of intrigue.
Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but the strange experiment that saved her also stopped her from sleeping and aging—and allows her to heal from any wound. In short, Rosalind cannot die. Now, desperate for redemption from her traitorous past, she uses her abilities as an assassin for her country.
Code name: Fortune.
But when the Japanese Imperial Army begins its invasion march, Rosalind’s mission pivots. A series of murders is causing unrest in Shanghai, and the Japanese are under suspicion. Rosalind’s new orders are to infiltrate foreign society and identify the culprits behind the terror plot before more of her people are killed.
To reduce suspicion, however, she must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong, and though Rosalind finds Orion’s cavalier attitude and playboy demeanor infuriating, she is willing to work with him for the greater good. But Orion has an agenda of his own, and Rosalind has secrets that she wants to keep buried. As they both attempt to unravel the conspiracy, the two spies soon find that there are deeper and more horrifying layers to this mystery than they ever imagined.
Heartstopper: Volume Four by Alice Oseman
Read: 12/9/22
It had only occurred to me recently that when I started a re-read of Heartstopper I didn’t do Volume Four. Well, I’ve done it now.
After struggling for so long with my recent reads I wanted to read something that was quick and that I knew I loved. This definitely won’t be the last time I re-read the entire Heartstopper series this year. They are my comfort books.
Synopsis: Charlie didn’t think Nick could ever like him back, but now they’re officially boyfriends. Charlie’s beginning to feel ready to say those three little words: I love you.
Nick’s been feeling the same, but he’s got a lot on his mind – not least coming out to his dad, and the fact that Charlie might have an eating disorder.
As summer turns to autumn and a new school year begins, Charlie and Nick are about to learn a lot about what love means.
Heartstopper is about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.
Bridesmates by Sydney Smyth
Read: 14/9/22
This book was added to my ever-growing pile of ‘meh’ audiobooks. It was ok and that’s about all I can say here that I didn’t in my original review.
I’m still on the hunt for a great Audible Original and it’s not looking too promising right now. Wish me luck!
Synopsis: After getting unceremoniously dumped by his boyfriend, the last thing Cooper Evans wants is to return to his hometown of Big Rock, Montana to be in his best friend’s wedding. But he agreed to be her Bridesmate (her male maid of honor), and a promise is a promise. What he didn’t expect is to run into his high school crush, who’s out of the closet and a smoking hot cop to boot.
Will Baker is just as dreamy as he was when he broke Cooper’s heart all those years ago – and it turns out he’s in the wedding party too. Will Cooper make it through the ceremony with his heart unscathed, or will he risk it all for a second chance at love?
The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3) by Rick Riordan
Read: 16/8/22 – 25/9/22
I honestly thought I was never going to make it through this. For such a short book it really gave me a hard time. Just so you know this was to no fault of the book, more of how busy my life has been lately and how much I haven’t felt like reading.
With that being said I did enjoy The Titan’s Curse. If it hadn’t taken me so long it may have been my favourite so far, but that title still sits with The Sea of Monsters. I don’t know when I’ll get around to reading the next instalment as I have so many seasonal arcs to get through but either way I’m quite excited for it.
Synopsis: It’s not every day you find yourself in combat with a half-lion, half-human.
But when you’re the son of a Greek god, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster.
Oh, and guess what? The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive…
Princess of Souls by Alexandra Christo
Read: 19/9/22 – 26/9/22
*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I haven’t posted my review of this yet so I don’t want to talk about it much here. Just know I really enjoyed Princess of Souls.
Synopsis: A Rapunzel-inspired YA fantasy romance that tells the story of a young witch who is bound to steal souls for an immortal King, until she discovers her fate is tied to a boy who’s trying to bring down her kingdom.
For Love or Music by Julie Lipson
Read: 28/9/22
This was somewhat terrible and not at all what I was expecting. I did a full review of it which you can read here.
Synopsis: Sadie and Max fell in love while training to be classical pianists in music school, and they’ve been chasing their dreams together ever since. Now they’ve gotten engaged and are on the verge of a bright future—until an unexpected twist throws them out of harmony. When they’re both finalists in the prestigious Van Cage piano competition, they go from being each other’s biggest fans to fierce rivals. The winner will be launched into a meteoric career as a concert pianist, but only one can take first place. Now Max and Sadie face the ultimate test. What will come first—love or their dreams?
Thieves by Lucie Bryon
Read: 29/9/22
*I was given a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review*
This was a very decent graphic novel with a stunning art style. For me, the pacing of the story was where it went wrong. Read my review here.
Synopsis: Ella can’t seem to remember a single thing from the party the night before at a mysterious stranger’s mansion, and she sure as heck doesn’t know why she’s woken up in her bed surrounded by a magpie’s nest of objects that aren’t her own. And she can’t stop thinking about her huge crush on Madeleine, who she definitely can’t tell about her sudden penchant for kleptomania… But does Maddy have secrets of her own? Can they piece together that night between them and fix the mess of their chaotic personal lives in time to form a normal, teenage relationship? That would be nice.
Check out Young Creative Press on all socials
You can also check out my StoryGraph here
Like this post? Why not read this one too: What I Watched: September 2022
[…] Like this post? Why not read this one too: Monthly Wrap-Up: September 2022 […]