Back in January I made the goal to take reading seriously. We’re 8 months in and I just wrapped up my 43rd book of the year. Not too shabby when I thought at one time 20 books in one year was a hefty goal. I’ve been posting what I’ve read on my social media but since I’ve started writing again I also wanted to put them here in case anyone stumbles across this little corner of the internet of mine. I love sharing with people current reads and what books I liked or didn’t like and what I would recommend them to read. Half of the books I read this month are recommendations from friends.

As always, I will be linking these books to Amazon in case you would like to purchase. If you do purchase using my affiliate link I will earn a very tiny commission, but it’s at absolutely no additional cost to you. Just a girl trying to pay my bills in all kinds of revenue streams while sharing what I love through my love of writing.

Apprentice of the Villain by Hannah Nicole Meahrer | #38 of the year for me
I’m writing this on August 7 and the third book in the series came out August 6 and I have a hold on it on the Libby app. But I’m not sure I’ll read it. I guess we’ll see when it because available. The slow burning romance was my jam in the first book but by the end of the second book it’s more than time to either shit or get off the pot on that main storyline. I will say the character development of the supporting characters was chef’s kiss.
3.5 stars
Paperback is available here and the Kindle version is available here.

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins | #39
The first 30% I was get more interested then from 30% to 50% I was thisclose to not finishing the book because the MFC was on my last nerves with her whining and manipulation. I only kept going because I was curious to know what happened to the wife and her best friend at the lake house. Boy am I glad I kept going. I read the second half of the book in one sitting because it was getting so good. And the plot twist at the end wasn’t what I was expecting. A side note, I really enjoy Rachel’s writing and I was absolutely captivated by her book The Heiress and highly recommend.
4 stars
Paperback is available here and the Kindle version is available here.

Quit like a Woman by Holly Whitaker | #40
Due to struggling a bit with sobriety I decided to dive into this book to help combat thoughts/feelings (along with discussing things with my therapist and my doctor). I’d heard so many good things about this book and I had put a hold on it in July and when it became available it was perfect timing. It’s part educational and part memoir. It helped to validate why drinking isn’t great in the grand scope of things anyway but more so when you’re inclined to drink. I felt validated that this is truly part of the journey, I know what I want (and that I strongly want it), and reminders of why things are so much better this way. Even reminders for seeking joy in every day things. I felt a lot better after reading Holly’s book.
4 stars
Paperback is available here and the Kindle version is available here.

A Clean Mess by Tiffany Jenkins | #41
I’ve loosely followed Tiffany (Juggling the Jenkins) for years (whenever the Algorithm Gods allowed her to appear in my feed even though I follow her). I knew of her story but not the specifics. I hate that she had to experience any of this but I enjoyed her storytelling of her years of newly sober and post 2020 when her life blew up again but yet she remained sober. I can also relate to her severe anxiety and doing the work to manage that beast. I wouldn’t have any clue she had her second memoir released this summer if it wasn’t for Laura Clery choosing it as her first book of her newly formed book club. I’m a sucker for a book club rec.
4 stars
Hard Cover (it’s a new release) is available here and the Kindle version is available here.

Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Meahrer | #42
Okay, listen. I know when I finished the second book in this series at the beginning of August I was so disappointed in book two that I wasn’t even sure I would read book three. I am so glad it wasn’t available for me to read through the Libby app for a couple weeks and a few books between. Because I’m not sure otherwise I would have read this book. But. I. Am. So. Glad. I. Did. This book is the best book of the series so far. Lots of twists and turns that took me by surprise. Character development. And almost everything I desired for the characters. There will be a fourth book in the series according to the ending of this one. I’ll be looking forward to that.
5 stars
Paperback is available here and the Kindle version is available here.

All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett | #43
The MFC grated my nerves but again, 23 year old Amy would probably grate 39 year old Amy’s nerves too But I kept reading because I enjoyed the other characters enough to stick around long enough to see how the story ended.
3 stars
Paperback is available here and the Kindle version is available here.