September 2025 Reading List

Survivor in Disguise…

There’s a reason why Blake Black is one of my favorite authors. She’s just so good at pulling you into a story, making you fall in love with the characters, and taking you on an emotional rollercoaster that will wreck you and put you back together and make you want to ride it all over again.

This book was so good! Alaina found the strength to make a huge comeback after her body and her life were wrecked by a fellow downhill mountain bike competitor. She’s determined to do whatever it takes to get revenge on the one who did her wrong. All the while her devoted older brother is trying to help her find something real and worthwhile to hold onto. And that might just be in the form of Mason – the dark and moody outsider, Luc – the French flirt with an adorable little rat for a son, and Finn – her brother’s best friend. But with so much going on around her and in her head, she has to stay focused or risk it all. She’s been playing the long game.

And of course we know with this being book one in a duet, that we’re in store for an cliffhanger like only Blake can do. Even when we know it’s coming it’s still gonna tear us up. I need book two ASAP!!!

Love and Healing…

When Blake left us with that massive cliff hanger at the end of book one, I knew I had to dive into this one as soon as it hit my Kindle. And let me tell you, this book was fantastic.

The characters we fell in love with were truly tested in so many ways for this one. They all had to really hit pause and re-evaluate their priorities in love and life. I love how they all came together as this epic family to love and support each other. Alaina really got the support system her and her brother needed to work towards healing. We all need someone like Luc’s mom in our lives.

I’m not going to spoil anything when it comes to twists and turns here so you can experience it all for yourself. Be prepared for the heat to turn up and the feelings to intensify. I loved this duet and I’m already looking forward to whatever Blake has in store for us next.

Oh and by the end Luc had me wondering if I need a pet rat. I never thought I’d say that.

Spicy Exploration at the Club…

Molly is out to let loose, have fun, and forget all about her loser ex. That’s how she finds herself playing and experimenting with three masked men at the club. Let’s not forget to mention they’re brothers, two of which are twins. Secrets and agendas are easy to hide behind a mask, but those same masks also bring a bit of freedom.

If you’re in the mood for a new quick, spicy, dark, taboo, and twisty romance with three masked men who rule the hockey rink and her please, then this might need to be your next read. Just like with the other books in this series, you’re getting a variety of spice and … interests to explore. Check those triggers just to be safe.

Black Cat & Sunshine Energy…

First there was Bree and Vinh and I loved them so much. Then Liem and Cody became my favorite. Now we get Ireland and Adair. It’s so hard to choose a favorite couple but these two may have just shocked me by pushing their way to the top of the list. I love them so freaking much! Ireland and her resting bitch face, black cat vibes but with a big heart under it all. And then freaking Adair with his always smiling, caretaking, adorable, …. just everything!

These two were perfect, so cute and awkward, sweet and steamy, all of it. They found each other in such a meet-cute way during such a difficult time in both their lives. The emotional aspect of their journey including their family in a memory care facility brought a whole other level to their story that was so touching. And did I mention the steam? Cuz… yeah we got that too.

If this is the momentum this series has going, who knows what’s in stake for our hearts next. But you know what… I’m totally here for it. Bring it on. Sooner rather than later, thank you.

Dark & Spicy Headless Horseman Retelling…

If you’re looking for something extra dark and spicy for spooky season, this novella has you covered. This is a whole different take on the Sleepy Hollow / Headless Horseman story. Izzy is the town coroner working alongside Detective Branson Crane as they try to figure out how to stop the killer leaving headless victims in his wake.

Izzy finally gets the chance to make something of her high school crush on Branson only to then have a wrench thrown into the mix. It seems the killer has an obsession with her and now she has to play his dark and twisted games.

Be prepared for quite the twist. And definitely check those trigger warnings before diving in.

This audiobook version of the story brought it to a whole different level. It’s done in duet with some graphic audio style effects that bring the story to life.

Champagne and Second Chances…

Ryker, along with his brothers, runs La Lune Noire. It’s the dark, sexy, and mysterious resort and casino that calls to those in the criminal underworld. They are the kings of New Orleans. Fierce and loyal, obsessive and protective, elusive and powerful.

Mercy was his closest friend and someone he would do anything and everything to protect. Even if that meant letting her disappear into hiding to keep her safe. Even if it tore him apart to be away from her for three long years. In that time his obsession grows to the point he can’t live without her any long and tracks her down to bring her home where she belongs.

Ryker proposes a contract that means she gets to come back and use her law degree working with his family. But it also means she comes back posing as his future wife to discourage someone who just can’t take a hint. Only this fake relationship is never really fake to him. Ryker is determined to show Mercy what life with the Noires can really be like again. He’s ready to protect them from any lingering threats and give her and her little boy the life they deserve.

I absolutely loved the KORT series and craved seeing more of the Noires. So I was super excited for the start of this new series and was not disappointed. Their story was so good!!! They were clearly meant to be and meant to heal together, not apart. I love this whole world and can’t wait for more.

AUDIOBOOK UPDATE: The audio was a re-read for me and made me fall in love with this story all over again. These narrators did such an amazing job bringing these characters to life. They really brought out the passion and the fun banter between Ryker and Mercy. I was totally swooning and laughing and routing for this second chance journey the whole time. So so good! And I absolutely love that it was done in duet style because that makes the story really come alive.

Opposites Meant to Be…

Devi and Seth seemed to be least likely to get together in these courts but they are definitely meant-to-be. They may start out as a fake relationship / arranged marriage type of situationship but their journey proved they belonged together all along. This is their chance to take control of their lives, take back what was stolen, and prove themselves.

I loved their story with all the twists and turns, ups and downs. I also love that Seth knew he was doomed to fall in love with Devi from so early on. He fell and he fell hard even when she was reluctant to accept her feelings for a while. Great book! More people should be talking about this series.

Dark forbidden romance…

He may be her student but he’s not your average senior. A little eight year age gap seems like nothing to him when he’s this obsessed. She hates that she wants him so much. But in the end these two can’t keep away from each other and will stop at nothing to stay together.

Dark and twisted, enemies to lovers, masked bikers, forbid romance, mysteries, secrets, and suspense, intense chemistry and spice. This book checks all those boxes. Be sure to check those triggers before diving in though.

Sweet & Cozy Second Chance Romance…

This was such a sweet story. Shelby and Gray are thrown back together after years apart when her grandmother schemes a little matching making from beyond the grave. And it totally works. They are so cute together and he got a bad deal back in their high school days. He was due a little redemption and they deserved the chance at the life together they missed out on before.

This was my first book from this author and it won’t be the last. I loved the heartwarming story and the audiobook was done really well. I’m partial to duet narration but even by herself this narrator brought the story to life.

Absolutely love these characters…

This book picks up right where we left off in book one. The relationships individually and as a whole unit continue to grow and build. Each of these characters went through their own struggles to figure out how they really all fit together as one big amazing family. I really felt for all of them throughout the journey. Lina went through more than anyone ever should. It really felt like each brought something different to their dynamic that made them all fit together like the perfect romantic, steamy puzzle. The mystery behind what really happened to Lina’s parents finally gets unraveled so the girls can have closure. And we can’t forget about Howie! Even though everything with the story is all tied up with no lose ends, I loved these characters so much that I can’t help wanting more. Fingers crossed we get even just a little novella (or two) somewhere down the line. Just occasionally pop back into their lives maybe. Great story!

AUDIOBOOK UPDATE: This was a re-read for me and I swear I’m in love with this found family all over again. Maybe even more now, if that’s possible. This audiobook was so good. The narrators did a great job bringing the story and these characters to life. Still makes me want more in this world.