I’ve been trying my best to avoid DNFs during 2025, but the universe had other ideas for me. Instead of having no DNFs (like I hoped) I’m now at my most ever during one year. My patience for sticking with reads I’m now enjoying really starts to diminish the further into the year I get. While I’m trying to get through festive ARCs and still have daily content, I just can’t justify finishing books I don’t think are good.
Anyway, I won’t be including DNFs in this wrap up or any going forward as they aren’t worth my energy. I have full reviews coming for every single book I read in September (including DNFs) so keep an eye out for those!
Revolve by Bal Khabra
Read: 3/9/25 – 6/9/25
*I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
September started off on a real high. I adored this book. I’ve really been getting into sports romances recently and I think Revolve has been my favourite so far. I’m very much looking forward to checking out the other books in this series.
Synopsis: Sierra Romanova was an Olympian figure skater before a life-altering accident on the ice left her with panic attacks every time she enters the rink. Now, back for her final year at Dalton University, she’s ready to reclaim the spotlight, with all eyes on her…including those of hockey player Dylan Donovan, whose audacious words goad her back into her skates to prove him wrong.
After getting kicked off his hockey team for his reckless behavior, Dylan is left with slim chances of making it to the NHL draft. But Dylan’s whole world revolves around the ice, and if hockey is forbidden, well at least there’s figure skating. Even better, it means more time at the rink with Sierra. Sure, he’s helping her rebuild her confidence, but pushing her buttons along the way? That’s just a bonus.
As the figure skating world awaits Sierra’s comeback, she finds herself in need for a new pairs partner. The only person she knows who can match her skill on the ice is none other than the cocky hockey player who refuses to cut her any slack. Dylan’s a wildcard, Sierra’s a seasoned pro, but together, they might just be the perfect match on the ice.
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Nott the Brave by Sam Maggs & William Kirkby
Read: 6/9/25
Veth’s back story was the one that actually made me cry during the campaign so I was excited to get around to reading this. It hasn’t been my favourite of the series so far, but they’re all pretty solid reads. The art work and colours were nice but I still prefer the bold style of the Jester instalment the most.
Synopsis: When you become that which you fear most, how do you carry on?
Veth Brenatto doesn’t have an exciting life, but she likes it that way. Unlike her childhood, it’s safe. Predictable. And her husband and son love her almost as fiercely as she loves them. But Veth’s cozy existence is turned on its head when she and her family are captured by raiders. In order to save them, Veth will commit an atrocity that will sever her from all that she loves–maybe forever–and lead her to become Nott the Brave of the Mighty Nein.
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
Read: 6/9/25 – 7/9/25
I read over 90% of this book in one day and the only reason why I didn’t finish it within that day is because I can’t stay up late reading anymore. Like physically. I fall asleep.
Every second of this book was enjoyable. There’s a lot of spice though so don’t let the cutesy cover trick you into thinking this will be a sweet small town romance. It is that, but there’s a lot going on, if you know what I mean.
Synopsis: When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can’t understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just needs someone to help her out.
Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he’s been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!
Hazel didn’t go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells…
The Summoning Vol. 1: The Art of the Craft by Elyse Castro
Read: 15/9/25
*I was given an ARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review*
What a perfect read this will be for spooky season. It’s more on the cutesy end of witchy graphic novels but I had such a great time reading it. I don’t want to give too much away as my review won’t be posted for a while yet, but The Summoning is really fun and the art style is adorable.
Synopsis: Follow Claire, a young witch, and her kitty Familiar, Edgar, as they seek to hone her magikal abilities in this cozy, coming-of-age tale based on the hit animated Frederator Studios short viewed by millions around the world!
Claire specializes in the magic of manifestation, creating art pieces that are capable of coming to life! But she wants to do more, and to be more, with her magic—so when she learns that a prestigious magikal institution called the Ridgewood Coven is accepting applicants for the first time in years, she’s determined to make her mark and improve her skills.
But first, Claire has to pass the Coven’s rigorous application process. With the help of Edgar, her curmudgeonly rabbit neighbor Flufftops, her magikal rival Swan, and host of new friends, Claire is going to make works of art, summon ghosts, battle trolls, and even befriend Death—but will it be enough to impress the Coven and secure a spot within their ranks? Or will Claire’s self-doubt keep her from manifesting magikal art ever again?
Through it all, the sinister secrets of the closed-off Ridgewood Coven slowly come to light. Not everything is as it seems, and difficult decisions lie ahead: Will Claire be up to the task?
The Other Ones by Fran Hart
Read: 15/9/25 – 18/9/25
I felt massively tricked by this book. The cover and synopsis promise a spooky Halloween read but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It has a lot more romance and familial issues going on than it does ghostly activity. Which is a shame as I really enjoyed the few paranormal bits you do get.
Synopsis: Sal lives in a haunted house.
He longs to be ordinary, but when the strangest of strangers arrives on his doorstep – a fellow outcast called Pax – his life grows even more complicated.
Sal goes on to develop an unlikely friendship with Pax, whose love for all things spooky drew him to the house and its inhabitants. But as the two grow closer, the true nature of the hauntings is gradually revealed.
Will Sal find the courage to conquer his ghosts, or will he risk losing Pax for good?
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