SEPTEMBER 2026 BOOKS

Yep, you guessed it… I only finished four books this month. 😂

September was BUSY. I had several projects I was working on, and my dad is still down, so there just wasn’t a whole lot of extra time to curl up with a book.

But I did stick with one thing that is important to me—I read every single day. ❤️📖

Some days that meant several chapters. Other days? I was lucky to get through ONE. And you know what? I’m counting it! Reading is one of my favorite ways to escape for a little while, so even when life gets busy, I try to make at least a little room for it every day.

Then there’s my current read… 😬

I started Lady of Darkness by Melissa K. Roehrich, and y’all, I am DRAGGING through this first book.

I usually love her books, so I keep waiting for that moment when everything clicks and suddenly I can’t put it down. I really think once I get into it, I’m going to love it—it just hasn’t grabbed me yet.

This is what I get for letting someone else pick my next read. 🤣

And since there are at least FIVE books in the series, apparently I have decided we are in a committed relationship now. 😂 I’m not giving up yet!

Thankfully, the rest of my September reading was GOOD.

✨ I finished the Bewitched series, and those were all solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reads for me.

✨ Then I read The Poison Daughter, and THAT one earned every bit of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

I will absolutely be revisiting The Poison Daughter again. You know a book has gotten me when I’m already thinking about rereading it. ❤️

So, only four books for September—but four books, some great stories, a completed series, a five-star read, and 30 days of making time for something I love.

I’ll take it. 📚❤️

Now here’s hoping October brings a little more reading time… and that Lady of Darkness and I can work through our current relationship problems. 🤣

September Books Read: 4 📚
Best Read: The Poison Daughter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Currently Reading: Lady of Darkness
October Goal: MORE BOOKS! 🍂📚

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#2026ReadingChallenge #GoodReads #September2026Books #Fable #ReadingWithRese

AUGUST 2026 BOOKS

I didn’t get nearly as much reading in as I wanted to with how absolutely chaotic life has been lately. But even though I only read 9 books (okay, technically 10), most of them were solid 4- and 5-star reads. My book of the month actually goes to one I can’t even officially list yet, because it hasn’t been formally published (the author is currently working on getting it traditionally published). It was one of those pay-by-coin books you see floating around on social media. It’s called The Son of Red Fang and it’s going to be part of a series. Did I know that before I started it? Of course not—because apparently I love starting incomplete series.

This book was so beautifully written. There were a couple of moments where it felt like the author repeated themselves a bit, but honestly, aside from that, it was a 5-star read for me. I’m still thinking about Cole and Demetri. This is not your typical wolf-shifter book. It dives into some really dark subject matter—abuse and torture, sexual assault, mental illness—and it absolutely wrecked me. I was on the verge of tears for almost the entire book. I’ll be reading the entire series once they are published for sure.

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  • CAGED WOLF by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

#2026ReadingChallenge #GoodReads #August2026Books #Fable #ReadingWithRese

JULY 2026 BOOKS

July was an incredible 4-star reading month for me—nearly every single book hit that sweet spot. It ended up being a slower month thanks to the World Cup, but honestly, I didn’t mind because every book I did pick up completely pulled me in. If I had to choose one true standout, though, it would definitely be Luna Graced. I am absolutely obsessed with wolf-shifters, and this one just hit all the right notes for me.

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  • None

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#2026ReadingChallenge #GoodReads #July2026Books #Fable #ReadingWithRese

JUNE 2026 BOOKS

I wrapped up the month having devoured 12 incredible books! Honestly, I could have accomplished even more, but I found myself grappling with one particular book (Metal Slinger) until I decided to set it aside and dive into another captivating read. And let’s not forget, the World Cup was electrifying, monopolizing much of my time! Nevertheless, I remained fiercely committed to my daily reading ritual, though it did impact my overall volume. I was utterly blown away by the New Camelot Trilogy (American Queen, American Prince, and American King). I absolutely LOVED that series! It’s undoubtedly a must-read for any passionate book lover!

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#2026ReadingChallenge #GoodReads #June2026Books #Fable #ReadingWithRese

MAY 2026 BOOKS

May was incredibly frustrating! I picked up The Auction, convinced it was a standalone, only for it to end on a maddening cliffhanger. Now, I’m left anxiously awaiting the second book’s release later this year. Then Broken Dove hits the shelves, and I could have sworn it was the final installment in the Silver Elite series. After rereading both Silver Elite and Broken Dove, that ended on another jaw-dropping cliffhanger! UGH! I’m going to have to dive back into them when the final book finally arrives. Thankfully, I immersed myself in a few delightful rom-coms to alleviate the frustration, and ultimately, I couldn’t resist rereading The Ties That Bind series to clear my mind. Plus, with the boys’ POV out, I wanted a refresher before diving into that one. My favorite read this month was undoubtedly Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn! It was refreshing, hilarious, and one hundred percent a must-read!

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#2026ReadingChallenge #GoodReads #May2026Books #Fable #ReadingWithRese

APRIL 2026 BOOKS

April was an exceptional month for reading! I wrapped it up with an impressive total of 16 books. A few challenged me, like Yesteryear, but once I powered through that one, I breezed through the rest! Overall, it was a remarkable reading month, and choosing a favorite is tough. I absolutely loved The Wolf and the Crown of Blood for fantasy, and for romance, I’d definitely highlight Take A Number. Honestly, every single book I read was fantastic. I’m eagerly anticipating what May has in store for me!

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#2026ReadingChallenge #GoodReads #April2026Books #Fable #ReadingWithRese

MARCH 2026 BOOKS

March was an absolute treasure trove of 5-Star Reads, showcasing a magnificent reading journey! I embraced the month with a delightful blend, diving into half a wondrous fantasy/romantasy and half a heart-pounding romance. What a thrilling mix it turned out to be! My top pick for the month has to be Caught Up by Liz Tomforde, which captivated my heart. The enchanting tale of Kai and Miller swept me away, leaving me utterly enchanted!

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#2026ReadingChallenge #GoodReads #March2026Books #Fable #ReadingWithRese

FEBRUARY 2026 BOOKS

In February, I may not have read as much as I had hoped, but I still conquered eight books, maintaining a consistent reading habit. I made it a point to read every day, diving into at least a chapter or two. My standout read of the month was undoubtedly Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross; the poetic prose truly captivated me.

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#2026ReadingChallenge #GoodReads #February2026Books #Fable #ReadingWithRese

JANUARY 2026 BOOKS

I kicked off the year with impressive momentum, wrapping up January by reading 11 books. I expertly navigated between fantasy and MM romance, uncovering some true gems along the way. My standout read of the month was undoubtedly ALCHEMISED, which completely blew my mind. Although it started slowly, by the time you reach Part 2, you’re completely hooked, and by Part 3, it all comes together, making every bit of Part 1 worthwhile. You’ll see for yourself; it’s absolutely fantastic!

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#2026ReadingChallenge #GoodReads #January2026Books #Fable #ReadingWithRese

2025 YEAR IN BOOKS

Today is the last day of 2025. Wow, I definitely read some great books this year and a couple of duds, even DNF a couple. Looking back, I found myself immersed in various genres, which made the reading experience all the richer. But for the most part, 2025 was a great year of reading, filled with unexpected twists and engaging characters that brought each story to life. It’s hard to pick my favorite book and completed series of the year from such a diverse selection. So many to choose from, each with its unique charm and allure. However, if I had to pick just one, I would say that the standalone book that stood out to me the most would be Nocticadia by Keri Lake, which captivated my imagination with its intricate world-building and compelling narrative. As for series, The Legacy Series by Melissa K. Roehrich swept me off my feet with its rich character development and thrilling plotlines. Although, I absolutely loved The Edge of Darkness Trilogy by Leigh Rivers, which kept me on the edge of my seat with every page turn, filled with suspense and emotional depth that resonated deeply with me. Reflecting on all these reads makes me excited for what the upcoming year will bring in terms of new adventures and discoveries within the pages of books.

BEST STANDALONE BOOK OF 2025

NOCTICADIA

BY: Keri Lake

BEST SERIES OF 2025

THE LEGECY SERIES

BY: Melissa K. Roehrich

HONORABLE MENTION

THE EDGE OF DARKNESS TRILOGY

BY: Leigh Rivers

#2025readingchallenge #2025yearinbooks #goodreads #readingwithrese