August 2024 Reading List

Click the book covers below to shop what I’m reading on Amazon.

WARNING: THESE BOOKS ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE.

If you’re thinking of getting these please read the description first to make sure you can handle them. Some of these books contain dark and mature content. Read at your own discretion.

Most of these shown can be found on Kindle Unlimited or through an author mailing list.

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Dark second chance romance with a hitman twist…

Harper, Rowan, Angel, and Nash spent their teenage years together when her mother married their father. That close bond they built took a turn when the guys were tasked with making her disappear, with their father’s greedy motives and threats as the reason. But they couldn’t quite follow through. Rowan just made it look like he killed Harper and shoved her off the old bridge.

Seven years later their paths cross again. The Blackwood boys are all grown up and working for The Guild, taking care of problems and collecting cash along the way. And Harper has been living under an alias keeping a low profile while working as a mechanic, but now she’s their next contract hit.

None of them are the same as they were seven years ago. They each have grown up and have issues of their own. Angel and Nash are shocked to find out Ro has lied to them about what really happened with Harper all those years ago. Now they’re trying to dig into who is behind the contract to take her out again.

They’re all struggling with those not-so-sibling-like feelings that are resurfacing. The trust is gone while darkness and danger remain. They fight it but they can’t deny the heat between them. So many highs and lows but really they all balance each other out and make things better, if they could only get out of their own way. Keeping Harper safe isn’t easy but she’s also not ready to just sit back and let the boys do all the work.

This was a great way to kick off a new series and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

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I can understand the hype…

I finally did it. I dove into the series with the first book and decided to go with the dramatized audiobook version. Although I did try out both versions and decided I preferred this duet style multi-cast option the best. This version is definitely more like a movie with lots of narrators, music, sound effects, etc. that bring the story to life. My only criticism with this version is that I noticed when following along with the book at times, there were some skipped lines and a bit of slight re-wording here and there. But otherwise it was great and I will stick with this style for the rest of the series.

Feyre is a nineteen year old huntress doing her best to provide for her family after they’ve fallen on hard times. She kills a wolf in the woods that turns out to be a faerie. As a result she is taken from her home and into the land of the Fae.

She has been raised with hostility toward the Fae. The longer she’s there the more she realizes that something is not quite right with their world. She faces danger after danger. She tries to discover more about this new world she finds herself in. And her feelings towards Tamlin starts to change and evolve over time.

When it comes down to it, she has decisions to make that will effect not just her but her family, Tamlin, and all the Fae in his court. She is forced to face challenges that puts all her ideals and skills to the test.

This book was great and I can see what all the hype is about. It had a bit of a slower start for me but ended up sucking me in more than I even expected. I can’t wait to see where the series goes.

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Grumpy/Sunshine MM Mafia Romance…

Tatum is the ultimate sunshine boy to Anthony’s grumpy hot mafia boss man. When Tatum finds himself in a dangerous situation he calls his best friend for help knowing his father could be the only one to get him out of it with his life. And it doesn’t hurt that Tatum has had a huge crush on the man, one he’s not afraid to let show.

Not only does Anthony come to the rescue but he essentially moves Tatum in to keep him protected and to secretly keep him close. Meanwhile the rival gang who owns the bar Anthony tore apart to get Tatum out is more than happy to use the situation as yet another reason to go after Anthony and the business he’s built.

But they don’t call him The Silencer for no reason. He’ll have to fight the urge to take the tongues of his enemies long enough to get the information he needs to take down the Fallen Aces. He’s got the perfect crew to back him up. That includes the adorably creepy Bane, with his jars and jewelry of body parts.

Anthony tries to fight his undeniable attraction, obsession, and possessiveness when it comes to Tatum. But Tatum has a way of winning over everyone around him. Anthony’s world might not be safe but he will do everything in his power to take care of those he loves.

These two were fantastic together. I loved the banter and spice. Not only are they a great grumpy/sunshine couple but their story overall felt that way. It was a great blend of dark and dangerous mixed with humor and spice. This was my first Cora Rose book but it won’t be my last. I’m very intrigued now to go back and read the series that this new one spun off of.

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Let the healing begin…

This book is a beautiful blend of the present timeline mixed with scenes of Zayde and Fallon finding each other as kids. We get to see how they started and how Zayde got to be how we know him from the previous books in the series. He’s the last to find his match when really he was the first and no one else knew.

Zayde grew up in the poor part of town alone with his single mother. When she takes him on a cleaning job with her to a rich community, it’s there he meets Fallon. Neither of them cares about what makes them different, because they just connect. That all changes when his mother discovers Zayde’s father is actually loaded. She makes a deal to send him off to be with his father while she remains behind to spend his father’s money on drugs.

As it turns out Zayde’s father and his friends have a long standing rivalry with Fallon’s father. This results in their children following that same path. So their relationship continues to be a secret. But it’s a tragic event that truly pulls them apart.

Years later they find themselves back in the same orbit with so many dark and mixed feelings standing in their way. Their journey to rediscover the truth and their true feelings is full of ups and downs. Lies, betrayal, and greed try to pull them apart.

They both have tortured pasts that they deal with on both the physical and emotional levels. They have a second chance to make things right and to not stay hidden. I loved these two together. Even when it’s hard they can’t fight their inevitability.

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Surviving and strong…

Taylan is certainly not looking to find some dream woman to settle down with. So he had no problem betting his friend he could get with Destiny, the Murdoch Mafia princess. But he was not prepared for how she would effect him.

When men come after Destiny to get her mother’s secret narcotic formula, he’s ready to help protect her. He’s also there to help train her for her next big MMA fight. She’s not just in it for the love of the fight, she’s also fighting her way through her past trauma. And the past just won’t let her go, in more ways that one.

Destiny is not the only one dealing with past trauma. Taylan has a haunted past of his own that has been effecting him in ways he didn’t even realize. It’s not just their trauma that bonds them but their kink as well. And oh the chemistry!

Their journey is dark and emotional. They are both fighting to either run or heal from what’s holding them back. The world they live in is dangerous and hard. Through it all they help heal each other in different ways.

Definitely check the triggers and be ready to feel some emotions right along with them. I loved these two together so much. And if you love Samantha’s interconnected world between the Murdoch Mafia, Memento Mori, Godfathers of the Night, and of course this Re Della Strada, then you’re going to love all the family crossover in this one. I’m absolutely in love with this whole world she’s created and these families so it was great to revisit a bunch of the characters.

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His perfect submissive…

Layla’s best friend drags her to a bar for a night of fun. But it turns out he really just wants to find out more about the exclusive sex club getting ready to open next door to it. While there she has an almost meet cute moment with Tristan when his brother accidentally spills his drink on her. A few drinks later and she stumbles upon his profile on a dating app. She uses it as an excuse to let him know what she thinks of that mishap.

Layla certainly wasn’t prepared to immediately get sucked in by his hot, take-charge type of charm. Turns out he not only owns that bar with his brothers but also the new club too. They get to know more about each other through the chats and dates that lead to an immediate and intense attraction. There’s just something about each of them that pulls the other in.

Tristan also has a darker side, as he and his brothers run the Irish crime family. When the Russians set their sights on Layla as a way to get to him, he’s ready and willing to do whatever it takes to protect her.

Layla gets to learn more about Tristan’s dominant lifestyle and by extension his club. After research and experimenting with Tristan, she wants him to teach her more. And he’s more than happy to train her to be his perfect submissive.

Their story was so good and a great start to a new series. It has all the dark and dangerous vibes blended with all that great romance and spice. And it sets us up perfectly for this world to continue. I can’t wait to see where it goes.

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Oh my fantasy world goodness!!!

This book was amazing! This may have been my first BM Clemton book but it definitely won’t be my last. And since this first book in the Umbra Hunters series ends on a cliffhanger, I’m left craving more.

Mayer sees the monsters in the world that no one else does. She got this ability from her mother. Unfortunately her mother was locked away for being crazy and was lost to her at a young age. Her father left her with her grandfather who actually believed her. She has fought these dark creatures and survived.

When she finds out she’s not really the only one and that others can see what she can, she’s left questioning everything. It turns out these monsters she’s seen are actually demons and there’s a whole group of people trained to hunt them. After a run-in with a couple of young hunters, she’s taken by one of the leaders to figure out who she really is and how she fits into their world.

She’s tested to see what bloodline her abilities come from to determine what powers she may have. Think Harry Potter house sorting but instead of a hat telling you where you belong, it’s a guy with knife slicing you open to see what your blood tells them. She’s basically thrown into ranger training to prepare her for the tests and trials ahead.

Not everything is as it seems at their castle base. She doesn’t know who to trust. And when she meets a guy inside her dreams who seems to know more about her new world than she does, she left questioning things even more. The more she learns the more she questions.

This book was absolutely amazing. It keeps you on your toes and constantly trying to figure out what’s really going on. The chemistry between Mayer and the Regalis brothers and Valen in her dreams is so good. And that shocking twist that just hits you and leaves you wanting more is the worst in the best possible way.

AUDIOBOOK SPECIFIC: Hello growly men! This was recorded in a duet style multi-cast that really brought the story to life. It was so well done. I would highly recommend the audiobook version and now know I want it for the rest of series as well.

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Fantastic start to a new series…

Avery had a rough start in life thanks to an abusive father. That all changed when she was taken in and adopted by a loving family. She went from an abused, malnourished little girl scrounging for scraps to a living in the lap of luxury with everything she could ever want.

But when her adoptive mother is killed in a car accident, her foundation is rocked yet again. She’s pulled from her comfort zone secluded away from the public eye and into the college life on campus. Her stepbrother, Wyatt, is supposed to be looking out for her but she knows he truly hates her. He blames her for the changes in his relationship with his parents from the moment she came home. He’s even told his closest friends, his own found family, to stay away from her.

They had other ideas. Curious about this elusive stepsister he hates, they can’t help but want a closer look. And soon enough they all find a connection with her in their own special ways. Wyatt feels like once again she’s taking his family from him. His guys know that she’s really not at fault for the rage Wyatt feels and want to find a way for them all to make things work as feelings begin to grow and evolve.

Meanwhile there are secrets upon secrets and danger lurking in the darkness surrounding them. Avery has a stalker and her adoptive father knows more than he’s letting on. The guys are determined to keep her safe and figure out what’s really going on and how it all ties back to secrets of the past.

Be prepared to face some emotions and check the triggers as this book touches on some dark topics. Everyone in the group has troubles that have left shadows on their souls. The chemistry and the different dynamics between Avery and the guys is amazing. They are such a supportive and loyal group. This is an absolutely amazing way to start a series. And the twists, turns, secrets, and revelations throughout leaving you wanting more. I can’t wait for book two.

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Pam is a storytelling genius…

This third and final book in the Frozen Fate trilogy was worth the wait but I hate to see Frankie and her men go. Pam is truly a storytelling genius who knows how to build such a dark and twisted intricate web of a world.

Frankie and the guys may be out of the hills and into society but that doesn’t mean things are going to be easy. The guys have never been away from HOSS and don’t know what to really expect in the civilized world. They are still her savage protects who refuse to conform to what others think they should be. And her billionaire husband is determined to prove himself to Frankie and win back her love. He’s helping them every step of the way even while they second guess his motives.

In addition to everyone finding their places in this new world, they are on the hunt for the danger lurking in the shadows. A danger that could be just as bad as Denver if not worse. Frankie has a twisted stalker leaving her gruesome gifts and messages. They find themselves hunting for the truth that lies in the secrets of the past.

I won’t give anything away because you have to go along for the ride yourself to see how their story evolves. This story keeps you guessing and wondering. You’ll be torn in so many different directions with twists and turns. It’s full of all the heat and spice, emotions and drama, along with mystery and danger. This book and the trilogy overall was just absolutely fantastic. It’s dark and twisted so be sure to check those triggers. I want to see more from this world and these characters and I hope we’ll get just that in the future.

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Friends to lovers…

Monique and Diego have been close friends since they were young but they never took that to a romantic relationship. After college she moved away and even with distance between them they remained close. Now that she’s no longer with her loser fiance and ready to move back home, Diego sees a chance to right a wrong and make Monique his.

She is dealing with some harsh truths that were once family secrets. It effects not only how she sees herself but also her relationship with her family. Diego is dealing with his own kind of family drama in the form of his birth father leaving him money in his will and his brothers think it should be theirs. He’s also dealing with reigning in that temper that got him into trouble when they were in college after he fiercely and violently protected her.

Diego is finding his place in the family business working as an architect and putting his stamp on their home town. Monique is using her voice to speak up for artists who can’t always speak up for themselves as she works to start and build her dream art gallery.

Throughout their journey Diego wants to prove to her just how right they are together. Monique has her doubts because she feels like her type 1 diabetes makes her a burden. We can blame the looser ex for those thoughts.

Their journey is so heartwarming. We get to see snippets of their past together along with how they are now. Plenty of romance and spice, family and love, with a bit a danger mixed in. Great read.

AUDIOBOOK SPECIFIC: This was recorded in a dual narration style. My only critique is that I loved their own unique voices so much that I wish it had been recorded in a duet style. I couldn’t help missing the other’s voice as we switched between their chapters. On the plus side I now want to look up other books with these narrators.

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Danger, mystery, and spice…

The forbidden romance drama between Anne and Professor William Stratford continues in book two of the Tanglewood University series. Anne is still reeling from everything she learned about William’s connections the dark secret society on campus. She’s determined to hold on to her anger and mixed feelings for him but at the same time she can’t deny how much she’s drawn to him.

He’s secretly been keeping tabs on her even though he’s no longer her professor. And when the opportunity presents itself for him to be her mentor, he seizes it. They work alongside each other on a project that could make a huge difference for Anne in her educational and literary career. But you can just imagine what their undeniable and electric chemistry could result in when put in such close proximity.

The dark Shakespeare Society is stepping things up and getting more dangerous for those caught in their web. Anne has to decide if she wants to take on the risks associated with digging deeper and doing what she can to help take them down or if she should just try and stay out of their way like she’s been warned.

This book packs in some danger, mystery, and spice into a quick read. And the twists and evolution of their story paired with an intense cliffhanger ending will leave you craving for what could happen in the next book.

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I swear this series just keeps getting better…

Book two in the KORT series picks up just a little bit after where we left off in book one. Celeste has come to stay with Ivy and the guys for a bit. She’s stuck between finding her own path and the pressure to follow the path her family is pushing her down. Unfortunately that path is pushing her to find a nice, boring politician to settle down with. Meanwhile she’s finding it harder and harder to ignore her growing feelings for Liam.

Liam is so sure he knows exactly who Celeste is and what she wants out of life. The other guys in their tightknit, found family are finding ways to learn more about Celeste as a person and connecting with her in their own unique ways. This definitely goes a long way to get Liam to open his eyes and actually see her past the mask she puts on for everyone.

Along the way they try to unravel the mystery of who is after Celeste and her family and what’s so important that it puts her in constant danger. Liam is determined to get Celeste to break free and stand up for herself while she’s determined not to let her family down. Their journey is so intense, emotional, spicy, and just fantastic.

This book was so good! The nontraditional family they’re all building is so amazing. I’m sitting over here making a wish list of potential books in this world. I want all their stories including the Noires and anyone else we collect along the way. Such a great world to dive into. Just two books in and it’s definitely a series on my list to re-read later on down the road when I can binge them all when it’s complete. I can’t wait for Ty’s story next.

AUDIOBOOK UPDATE: This was done in a duet style narration with a couple of great narrators bringing this story to life. The audiobook was a re-read for me and just made me fall in love with this story and this world as a whole all over again. So good!

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From opposite sides of the track…

We first met Lorelei and Kian in the first book in the Callahan Billionaires world, By His Vow, and they certainly didn’t get along. Lorelei came from a rocky, humble start in life but has found herself in the world of these billionaires through her best friend from college. And that friend is now married to Kian’s older brother. Lorelei has worked hard to get to where she is, fighting to earn everything she has in life, while keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. Meanwhile, Kian has been brought up in this flashy, rich world and raised to to take on the family business, and is in no mindset to find “the one.”

After a series of events Lorelei finds herself working at Callahan Enterprises. This has been her dream from before she found herself connected to that world. That dream certainly was not to be Kian’s new assistant but that’s where she ends up. They butt heads over and over while fighting the attraction they feel for each other. Kian ends up proposing a fake dating situation to benefit both of them in different ways.

They have such a back and forth, push and pull dynamic. They find themselves opening up to each other in ways they never planned. It’s a battle between them, their mixed emotions, and their doubts. They have moments of real emotion and passion blended with what they present to the outside world. And they find themselves bonding over family, football, and spreadsheets.

I absolutely loved these two and the journey they went on together. I loved all the passionate moments blended with their fun and flirty banter. This book was so good. And now I’m intrigued to see what will happen with the last Callahan brother.

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Dark found family…

When Jameson “Steel” finds the daughter of his club’s traitor trying to take something from his clubhouse, he’s faced with the decision of what to do with her. Tempe had been sent in under the disguise of being just another pretty girl there to party. But really she had just seen her mother killed right in front of her and she made a bargain to protect her four-year-old brother the she’d hidden.

Steel is drawn to both Tempe and her little brother with a fierce protectiveness. As his attachment to them grows his loyalty to the club as his absolute top priority is tested. Meanwhile, he’s determined to track down who is behind sending Tempe into the clubhouse in the first place with the intent to take them down. He will do everything in his power to protect those he cares about no matter what it takes.

I absolutely loved this darker found family journey. It has all the love, loyalty, and spice that you want but with those dark and dangerous bad boy biker vibes you can’t resist. The connection between Jameson and Tempe was perfect. And the adorableness brought in with her little brother Austin and his instant hero worship of Steel was just so good. Not all superheroes wear capes because some come wrapped in biker leather instead. I can’t wait to see where this new series goes.

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Even better than book one…

Book two in this series picks up right where we left off. Everyone is trying to adjust and find their new normal after everything happened Under the Mountain with Amarantha. Our dear Feyre is most definitely dealing with some PTSD. She’s struggling with nightmares and flashbacks of what all she was forced to face and do in order to save the lives of the fae.

Feyre is losing herself while her wedding and life with Tamlin is being planned around her. On the day of the ceremony Rhysand appears and takes her away to uphold the bargain they made. She is torn between two different courts, the politics, and the men who rule them, each with their own agendas.

As time goes on she learns more about this fae world that is now her home. The effects of what happened Under the Mountain to save her are starting to make themselves known. She’s no longer the simple human girl she once was. Now she has the form and abilities of the High Fae. She must learn to adapt and figure out how to use her newfound powers.

Feyre discovers more about the history of those in this found family she’s become a part of. They must work together to fight against those who seek power regardless of what it means for the innocent fae of their world. Their journey is not easy and they face not only danger but doubt and betrayal.

I don’t want to give too much away but I will say the spice definitely steps up a few notches. And be prepared for several surprising twists and turns and maybe a few tears as well. I’m absolutely hooked on this series and can’t wait to dive into the next book.