What I Read in September

It's been a while since I wrote one of these! I did tons of reading in September and wanted to share what I've been loving - or hating! I found all of these books on Kindle Unlimited - I actually can't remember the last time I picked up a real book. Can you believe I read six books?! I can't!

The Second Time We Met, Frances Mensah Williams

"Recovering from heartbreak, unlucky-in-love events manager Cara has vowed to avoid relationships. That is until fate throws her into the path of handsome and kind Henry, who is worlds apart from the men she’s dated before. Unfortunately, this encounter is short-lived when Cara misses her coach home—and with it, any chance of seeing him again.

But fate is not finished with the mismatched couple. When Cara quite literally bumps into Henry a second time at a work event, the run-in leaves them with feelings instead of bruises, and they can’t wait another day before seeing each other again. Yet it soon becomes clear how deeply different their worlds are: Cara’s drama-filled African and Caribbean family couldn’t be further from Henry’s family of wealthy lords and ladies."

I struggled with this one. It was good, but it wasn't great and found a lot of repetition in it, which bugs the hell out of me in books. I don't want to read the same thing 5 times over throughout the book! It was a lovely little romance though.

Mother of All Secrets, Kathleen M. Willet

"Sleep deprived and overwhelmed, first-time mom Jenn is struggling to adapt to her new role. Frustrated with her loving but preoccupied husband and still grieving the death of her own mother, she feels isolated and depressed. It’s only when she joins a new-moms’ group that she starts to think she’s finally getting back on track. Until Isabel, the group’s leader, suddenly disappears."

I really enjoyed this book! I liked all the characters and the big reveal shook me to the core. I honestly thought I had it all figured out but I was very very wrong. 

The Wisteria Tree Cottage, Holly Martin

"Meadow has only ever loved one man – the very gorgeous Bear Brookfield. Ever since they were children she’s dreamed of marrying him under the green canopy of Wishing Wood. But when a teenage kiss that held such promise was followed by a series of misunderstandings, Meadow lost all hope of a future with Bear. Years later, Meadow and Bear remain best friends, despite Meadow marrying and divorcing Bear’s brother Heath. Yet she’s sure there’s no chance they’ll be anything more."

I literally only downloaded this one because the cover was so pretty - so pretty in fact that I'm tempted to buy the paperback! I didn't even read the synopsis of this one but I started reading it straight away. I actually nearly stopped reading it just because of all the dumb names the characters have. Meadow, Star, Bear - it felt like something I would have written as an 11 year old. I distinctly remember always naming my protagonist Pixie. But I persevered and soon fell in love. I absolutely adored all of the characters, the friends to lovers trope, the secrets. It made my heart sing! I actually read this book in two hours. It's a lovely, easy read and it might just turn into my comfort book.

The Ex Husband, Samantha Hayes

"I haven’t lived here long. The house is small and a little rundown, but each piece of faded floral wallpaper I peel away feels like unwrapping the second chance I never thought I’d get. I’m finally free to wear what I want, and I don’t flinch when I accidentally burn dinner. My new home is warm, and the kids are safe inside. Anywhere would feel idyllic after the nightmare marriage I’ve just escaped. But then I see my ex-husband Craig stroll past my window and let himself into the house next door. Fear chokes me. How did he find me? Does he want me back, or to destroy me for good?"

I struggled to get into this one but I was about halfway through this once I realised I've read it before! After the halfway point the book gets better and I was able to get into it more, though it was annoying vaguely remembering what happens. I think I enjoyed it more the first time I read it! 

The Lodger, Valerie Keogh

"Leigh Simon can’t say for sure what made her do it. A moment of madness, perhaps, but when the young, loud and gorgeous waitress at her favourite coffee shop reveals she is homeless, Leigh offers her the empty room in her house. When Leigh returns from a work trip she’s shocked to find Gina missing. Where could the young woman have gone…and why."

Apparently this was a brand new release for August this year but I'm sure I've read it before! Maybe I need to start reading new genres, clearly they're all the same after a while! I did really enjoy it, despite feeling like I'd already read it. I kind of wish there'd been more about a certain blooming relationship towards the end though.

Queenie, Candice Carty-Williams

"Queenie is a twenty-five-year-old Black woman living in south London, straddling Jamaican and British culture whilst slotting neatly into neither. She works at a national newspaper where she's constantly forced to compare herself to her white, middle-class peers, and beg to write about Black Lives Matter. After a messy break up from her long-term white boyfriend, Queenie finds herself seeking comfort in all the wrong places."

I couldn't sleep one night so I decided to start re-reading Queenie! I actually think I enjoyed it more this time, I remember feeling really horrified by it the first time round but it didn't seem quite so tragic during the second read? Probably because the shock-factor wasn't quite so high as I remembered a fair amount of the book - which is unusual for me! 

Until next time,

Saph x