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

On the Shelf: July 2025

Twenty-one books in July brings my total for the year so far to 132 titles consumed. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. However, I'd be more exhausted if I was constantly thinking about everything else going on in the world. As always, reading provides both comfort and escape. And, sure, normally escaping to Florida during hurricane season isn't the wisest idea, but it's a safe trip within the pages of Jen DeLuca's Ghost Business. I needed this return to Boneyard Key, the kitschy haunted town as full of romantic potential as it is ghosts. It's very much a story about finding home and community, and watching both Tristan and Sophie grow as they fell in love was so satisfying. But growth isn't just for first-time lovers. In Tarah DeWitt's Left of Forever, there's a gorgeous, second-chance romance with divorced pair Ellis and Wren slowly working their way back to each other. Folks on social media have been raving about this book, and justifiably so!

Before we get to the lists, I also want to shout out Darkwater Lane, Carrie Ryan's closer in Rachel Caine's Stillhouse Lake series. It's great seeing Gwen and her family finally achieve some peace and happiness—but, of course, it wouldn't be a Stillhouse Lake book without a lot of white-knuckling along the way.

The Reading Rundown
Darkwater Lane by Rachel Caine and Carrie Ryan (suspense, thriller)
Two Secrets to Surrender by Grace Callaway (historical romance)
Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca (out 9/9, contemporary romance)
Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt (contemporary romance)
Streams and Schemes by Rebecca Kinkade (erotic romance, contemporary romance)
Tips and Trysts by Rebecca Kinkade (erotic romance, contemporary romance)
Masks and Mishaps by Rebecca Kinkade (erotic romance, contemporary romance)
Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter (contemporary f/f romance)
To Catch a Thief by Anne Stuart (historical romance)

Backlist titles & rereads: Regarding the Duke, The Duke Redemption, Return of the Duke, and Olivia and the Masked Duke, Pippa and the Prince of Secrets, and Glory and the Master of Shadows by Grace Callaway. As much as I love reading Callaway and fell down this reread rabbit hole, I don't actually advise rereading this many books in a row, because certain tics become repetitive. Space out your Grace for maximum enjoyment! I also reread Falling Into Bed With a Duke by Lorraine Heath--which meant I had to reread the book that comes directly after, The Earl Takes All (aka "Gorilla Twins"). Them's the rules. lol. When it comes to reading, I don't make 'em and I don't break 'em. Naturally, I kept on with rereads, tackling Ruthless and Reckless by Anne Stuart to palate-cleanse after disappointment with her new release and going back to Scrap by Cate C. Wells. Then I wrapped up my backlist adventures with Skyla Dawn Cameron's chilling suspense novel, The Silent Places.

Currently reading: Shadowheart by Laura Kinsale. Again.

On the TBR/wish list
Gabriela and His Grace by Liana de la Rosa
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
A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James