The autumn months are now upon us and I couldn’t be happier. I think we can all agree the heat has been ridiculous this year so I’m more than ready for chilly days, cosy blankets and pumpkin spice lattes – yes, I’m one of those people.
I’m also ready for autumnal and spooky reads. The latter half of the year is the only time you can really seasonally theme your reads. Yes, summer reads exist but they’re not quite on par with a spooky book set during autumn. Also, do spring themed reads really exist? Not really, I always just pick flowery covers.
Anyway, this is my favourite time of year to plan my reading schedule. I have so many books I’ve been saving for this time of year, so many that there are still some from previous years. I like a witchy read but apparently I buy far more than I have time for.
If you fancy also reading these books over the next few months, I’m adding links for you to check them out under each section (these are affiliate links, they cost no extra to you but they do help me out as a creator making free content!).
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
The amount of times I’ve added and taken this book from my to be read/reading schedule is actually getting silly. Bride has been high in my list of priorities for quite some time now but other books keep getting in the way. My plan was to check this out last year during October/November/December but those pesky festive books got in the way. That’s not so much an issue this year. I have just two and a half festive books left to read for 2026 (half because I’m currently halfway through a festive book).
If you’ve been reading Young Creative Press for a while, you’ll know how much I love Ali Hazelwood’s books. It’s actually a crime that I haven’t ventured into her paranormal romances yet other than her vampire novella, Hot for Slayer, which I LOVED.
Get your copy of Bride here:
*Kindle Ebook
*Paperback
*Audible audiobook
Synopsis: Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again…
Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….
Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she’s ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
Oh look, another book I’ve been meaning to read for a long time. I loved Butcher & Blackbird, so much so that I own the audiobook (if you know, you know). Who doesn’t love a serial killer romance? Ok, so I’ve only read one, but I had a great time. I actually read the first book over Christmas a couple of years ago and the severe contrast in vibes was quite funny.
This book isn’t necessarily set during autumn by the contract killer of it all fits the Halloween vibes.
Get your copy of Leather & Lark here:
*Kindle Ebook
*Paperback
*Hardcover
*Audible audiobook
Synopsis: Contract killer Lachlan Kane wants a quiet life working in his leather studio and forgetting all about his traumatic past. But when he botches a job for his boss’s biggest client, Lachlan knows he’ll never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until songbird Lark Montague offers him a deal: use his skills to hunt down a killer and she’ll find a way to secure his freedom. The catch? He has to marry her first.
And they can’t stand each other.
Indie singer-songwriter Lark is the sunshine and glitter that burns through every cloud and clings to every crevice that Lachlan Kane tries to hide inside. The surly older brother of her best friend’s soulmate, Lachlan thinks she’s just a privileged princess, but Lark has plenty of secrets hiding in the shadows of her bright light. With her formidable family in a tailspin and her best friend’s happiness on the line, she’s willing to make a vow to the man she’s determined to hate, no matter how tempting the broody assassin might be.
As Lachlan and Lark navigate the dark world that binds them together, it becomes impossible to discern their fake marriage from a real one. But it’s not just familiar dangers that haunt them.
There’s another phantom lurking on their doorstep.
And this one has come for blood.
This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin
Fake dating + magic? Yes, please! I actually bought this book a couple of years ago now so I’m feeling a little determined to actually get around to it this year. I like to save witchy books for the spooky season but I have so many that I think I’ll have to forgo that from now on.
This cover is giving major Episode vibes, just me? The character designs really remind me of it. I do think it’s pretty cute though. I love the colour scheme and a queer witchy book is always a win in my eyes.
Get your copy of This Spells Disaster here:
*Kindle Ebook
*Paperback
Synopsis: Potion maker and self-proclaimed “messy witch” Morgan Greenwood is sure she was hexed at birth. Not only did she drunkenly offer to fake date the woman of her dreams during the biennial New England Witches’ festival, but Rory Sandler, spellcasting champion and brilliant elemental witch–for reasons known only to the Goddess–accepted. It’s like every good luck spell Morgan ever cast came through at once, and it doesn’t take a crystal ball to predict this charade will end with a broken heart.
Or is the magic between them real? As Morgan and Rory prepare to fool everyone at the festival, their relationship starts to feel a whole lot less fake–right until Morgan realizes she might have screwed up the common relaxation potion she made for Rory and given her a love potion instead, breaking one of the most sacred Witch Council Laws.
To fulfill her promise to Rory, Morgan must somehow keep playing pretend while under the watchful eyes of Rory’s family and legion of fans. But to break the love potion, she’ll also have to prove how incompatible she and Rory really are. For a screwup like her, ruining their relationship should be easy–except every day, Morgan is becoming more bewitched by Rory herself.
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