On the Shelf: October 2025

With just two months to go until the end of the year, I'm inching ever closer to 200 books read. I actually think I'll be hitting that goal by the time my November wrap-up post rolls around. But,  for right now, let's commence with this past month's bounty!

One of the best books I read in October doesn't even come out until April of 2026. People should definitely keep an eye out for Anna Cowan's The Duke, a beautifully drawn romance set in a version of England where women can be titled peers. Kate and Celine are angsty and sexy and romantic—and well worth the wait! Fortunately, other books I devoured this past month are very much available right now. Like Charish Reid's Read Me Slow! This smoking-hot story of indie romance author Maya recording her steamy audiobook with a horror podcaster—who happens to be her little brother's best friend—was just what I needed to lift my spirits during a rough month. And Aydra Richards's latest historical romance continues her streak of excellence. The lengths to which Ian goes to make up for his past mistakes with Felicity...? It got me right in the feels.

The Reading Rundown
Breakout Year by KD Casey (contemporary romance, m/m romance)
The Duke by Anna Cowan (out 4/28/26, historical romance, f/f romance)
[Redacted] by TK (out 2/3/26, suspense, thriller, for professional review purposes)
The Night and the Butcherbird by Alix E. Harrow (short story, SFF, speculative fiction)
The Villa, Once Beloved by Victor Manibo (out 11/25, gothic horror)
Read Me Slow by Charish Reid (contemporary romance)
Felicity Cabot Sells Her Soul by Aydra Richards (historical romance)

Backlist titles & rereads: I returned to several favorites in October, like Any Old Diamonds and Gilded Cage by KJ Charles and Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong. I wrapped up a trip back to Illona Andrews's Hidden Legacy with Diamond Fire, Sapphire Flames, Emerald Blaze and Ruby Fever. Then I picked up Beast by Judith Ivory, which I really enjoyed. Especially after reading its spiritual successor, Sherry Thomas's Beguiling the Beauty in September. Edge of Nowhere by Felicia Davin was a fun, queer, sci-fi romance—a treat amidst my steady diet of historical rereads. And then I went back to Sherry Thomas for another pass through Ravishing the Heiress and my first time with Tempting the Bride. (Now that I've read all three Fitzhugh books, I can say with certainty that Fitz and Millie are still my favorite.)

Currently reading: Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught.

On the wish list/TBR
The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong
Three Chances to Cherish by Grace Callaway
In a Second by Kate Canterbary
All of Us Murderers by KJ Charles
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
The Lines We Cross by Ausma Zehanat Khan
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James

On the Shelf: September 2025

When last we checked on my reading habits, I'd hit the milestone of 150 books. Now, as September falls behind us, I'm up to 166. Two hundred by the end of the year is looking pretty realistic. And I'm not trying to hit a particular number on purpose. It's just that, as our real world grows all the more nightmarish, books—especially good books—provide all the more solace and escape.    

It's not a genre romance, but Starling House by Alix E. Harrow is probably one of my favorite romances that I've read in recent years. Honestly, if you give me something with southern gothic vibes and a strong love story you're already halfway to winning. Harrow engaged me from start to finish and I may have shed a few tears at the end. Have you ever sniffled reading the acknowledgments and a "post-credits" scene? Sure, I could blame PMS. But I think it's the author's talent that did it. And speaking of talent, V.E. Schwab's Bury My Bones in the Midnight Soil is a gorgeously dark and gothic vampire story spanning centuries—emphatically not a romance. It left me haunted and a little bit in awe, and will no doubt land on many a "Best of" list for 2025.   

The Reading Rundown
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (gothic, horror)
Not Here to Make Friends by Jodi McAlister (contemporary romance)
Bury My Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab (horror, gothic)
[Redacted] by TK (out 1/20/26, suspense, thriller, for professional review purposes)
[Redacted] by TK (out 1/27/26, suspense, thriller, for professional review purposes)

Backlist titles & rereads: I kicked off by finishing Sabaa Tahir's A Sky Beyond the Storm and giggling at Rear Admiral by Nathan Burgoine—which is probably the most wholesome novella involving sex toys I've ever encountered. Then I checked out The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt, since I liked The Raven Prince so much. I had my expected dose of Lorraine Heath new reads and revisits with She Tempts the Duke, The Duke and the Lady in Red, The Viscount and the Vixen, and Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman. Though Ravishing the Heiress has been a favorite for years, this was my first time through Sherry Thomas's Beguiling the Beauty. At the end of the month, I holed up with some comfort reads—the first three books in Ilona Andrews's Hidden Legacy series. Because sometimes you need a ferret heist, Sgt. Teddy, Grandma Frida, and Connor Rogan to get through your week.

Currently reading: Any Old Diamonds by KJ Charles.

On the TBR/wish list
The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong
Three Chances to Cherish by Grace Callaway
In a Second by Kate Canterbary
All of Us Murderers by KJ Charles
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
The Lines We Cross by Ausma Zehanat Khan
Felicity Cabot Sells Her Soul by Aydra Richards
A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James

On the Shelf: August 2025

I always want to give myself a sticker or a pat on the back when I manage to read some brand-new romances instead of just hiding out in authors' backlists. And sometimes the books themselves end up being a prize! Such was the case this past month. I tore through Elliot Fletcher's excellent follow-up to Whisky Business and Liana De la Rosa's lush Luna Sisters series-closer, and I enjoyed Elizabeth Bright and Danica Nava's contemporary cowboy/ranch-set romances.

Fletcher's Callum is so gone for his brother's prickly ex-girlfriend that some readers may hate her for not snapping him up right away. Me? I related to how Juniper felt unlovable and abandoned and thus had a hard time opening up. (But speaking of total simps? Bright's MMC, Steven, literally crawls on broken glass to prove his devotion. He was apparently a total dick in the previous book.)

As for the count for the year so far? The 18 books finished in August brings me to 150. I'm not sure if that warrants a whole book of stickers or some extra therapy sessions.

The Reading Rundown
Call Me Yours by Elizabeth Bright (contemporary romance)
Gabriela and His Grace by Liana De la Rosa (historical romance)
[Redacted] by TK (suspense, for professional review purposes)
Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher (contemporary romance)
Love is a War Song by Danica Nava (contemporary romance)

Backlist titles & rereads: Yeah, I read Shadowheart by Laura Kinsale again, just months after I read it the first time. I'm not sorry. Then I moved on to The Indiscretion by Judith Ivory—which I am a little sorry about. It was okay, but not on par with The Proposition. So I had to retreat to familiar and beloved territory. Like Personal Demon and No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong (yes, I reread them in reverse order, because I'm as chaotic as Hope). And of course, there's always some emotional support Lorraine Heath books to be had: Lord of Temptation, In Bed With the Devil, Surrender to the Devil, Once More, My Darling Rogue, and Between the Devil and Desire. Was I done marathoning one author? Nope. I went on to finish three out of four books in Sabaa Tahir's Ember in the Ashes series. A bunch of people dying as they combat an authoritarian regime and seemingly all-powerful beings? Yup, that hits a little too close to home. At least I didn't start this series reread right after revisiting the Hunger Games. For a palate cleanser I went back to Lorraine Heath for Lord of Wicked Intentions, after finishing book two, LoT, earlier in the month.

Currently reading: A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir and some books for review.

On the TBR/wish list
The Lines We Cross by Ausma Zehanat Khan
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
Such a Perfect Family by Nalini Singh
A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James