Today I’m going to be discussing the books that I finished reading in August! I read 6 books in total and out of those six books, I gave 2 books five stars, 1 book 4 stars, and the rest 3.5 stars. Overall, it was a pretty good month of reading with a good mixture of genres. Here is my August reading list.
What I Read in August
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
5⭐️ / LOVED IT
“There is no such thing as a happy place. Because when you are happy, everywhere is a happy place. And when you are sad, everywhere is a sad place.“
This is the best book I’ve read in 2024 so far. The author had an amazing style of writing. There was so much dark humor, but also really thought provoking moments when the main characters were talking about past issues or current life dilemmas.
Phoebe (Our main character) always wanted to go to the Cornwall Inn with her (ex) husband. That never happened, but she’s finally made it there on her own. She’s booked a room and it turns out, there is a private wedding event being held at the hotel and Phoebe is the only guest not there for the wedding. Whoops!
Lila, the bride, is such an interesting character. At times I was so annoyed by her. Other moments, I just felt like even though she was so out of touch, I wanted to give her a hug. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’m not saying more.
This book is whitty, sad, and also very real. There are unexpected friendships formed, grief, mental health issues, infertility, infidelity, romance and more. I can’t recommend it enough.
The audiobook narration was incredible!
Synopsis:
It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She’s immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamt of coming for years―she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe―which makes it that much more surprising when the women can’t stop confiding in each other.
Five Star Stranger by Kat Tang
3.5⭐️/Liked It
“I sank comfortably into the role that most people didn’t realize they truly wanted when they hired me-A non-judgemental emotional receptacle: Part therapist, art priest, part garbage bin.”
This cover is very deceiving as I thought this was going to be a light-hearted, fun read. Once again, check trigger warnings before starting this book. Whew, it was so much more serious than I was expecting. I should know better than to judge a book by its cover and this book is a perfect example of that. It appears (to me) lighthearted and “cute” but it’s anything but that. This book is heavy and it honestly broke my heart.
I really enjoyed this very character-driven story, but I did feel the ending was a tad bit rushed. I felt like I needed more? Overall a heavy, but enjoyable read.
Synopsis:
Would you hire someone to be the best man at your wedding? Your stand-in brother? Your husband?
In an age where online ratings are all-powerful, Five-Star Stranger follows the adventures of a top-rated man on the Rental Stranger app—a place where users can hire a pretend fiancé, a wingman, or an extra mourner for a funeral. Referred to only as Stranger, the narrator navigates New York City under the guise of characters he plays, always maintaining a professional distance from his clients.
But, when a nosy patron threatens to upend his long-term role as father to a young girl, Stranger begins to reckon with his attachment to his pretend daughter, her mother, and his own fraught past. Now, he must confront the boundaries he has drawn and explore the legacy of abandonment that shaped his life.
Five-Star Stranger is a strikingly vivid novel about the commodification of relationships in a gig economy, isolation in a hyperconnected world, and the risk of asking for what we want from those who cannot give. This is the story of a man who finds out who he is by being anyone but himself.
You Are Here by David Hall
5⭐️/LOVED It
“It’s true I do have time and freedom and I love it, sometimes. But the notion that I should be “making the most of it”, travelling the world or out every night, there’s a kind of tyranny in that too, that life has to be full, like your life’s a hole that you have to keep filling, a leaky bucket, and not just fulfilled but seen to be fulfilled. “You don’t have kids, why can’t you speak Portuguese?” Do I have to have hobbies and projects and lovers? Do I have to excel? Can’t I just be happy, or unhappy, just mess about and read and waste time and be unfulfilled by myself?”
Did you watch One Day on Netflix? Or perhaps you read the book? If so, you know his writing is incredible. This book is full of english humor, and once again, really serious topics. Basically, David Nicholls did it again. After LOVING One Day, I decided to read this on a whim. I am realizing I love how this author writes banter between his characters. I love the complexities of each person and how their story comes together.
This book addresses some serious topics: Life after divorce, moving on after a failed relationship, children (and also no children) mental health and much, much more. I’d check trigger warnings for sure.
Michael likes to walk the English countryside. He does this to think, but he’s also deviated after his wife left him. He doesn’t like to be home. So he’s set out on another hike, which is where he meets Marnie. They’re quite different, but a friendship is formed. Marnie is divorced and has basically become a hermit and hasn’t left her house. She avoids friends and family. They both are going through some hard times.
I highlighted so many passages in this book. Such gorgeous writing and I felt like I was hiking right along with Marnie and Michael, in the English countryside. I felt like I could feel the energy in the pubs they visited. I felt gross reading about microwaved chicken lol.
The ending of this book. Beautiful. It gave me chills. Overall a lovely read. I could see this being adapted for film/tv.
Synopsis:
Sometimes you need to get lost to find your way . . .
Michael is coming undone. Adrift after his wife’s departure, he has begun taking himself on long, solitary walks across the English countryside. Becoming ever more reclusive, he’ll do anything to avoid his empty house.
Marnie, on the other hand, is stuck. Hiding alone in her London flat, she avoids old friends and any reminders of her rotten, selfish ex-husband. Curled up with a good book, she’s battling the long afternoons of a life that feels like it’s passing her by.
When a persistent mutual friend and some very unpredictable weather conspire to toss Michael and Marnie together on the most epic of ten-day hikes, neither of them can think of anything worse. Until, of course, they discover exactly what they’ve been looking for.
Michael and Marnie are on the precipice of a bright future . . . if they can survive the journey.
The Weiner Across the Way by Amy Award
5⭐️/LOVED It
“There was a spark there and I wanted nothing more than to let it set me on fire.”
Ok. This title. I know, I know. It almost stopped me from reading it. It’s a bit cringe (IMO) This book is in fact a Taylor and Travis fanfic that is steamy as hell. It’s an athlete and a popstar fake dating. I listened to the audiobook because Jacob Morgan narrates it and honestly, I’d listen to him read the phonebook. This was a great “palette cleanser” book to read between really serious ones. Parts were a tad corny, but in the best way possible?!? Loved it!
Grumpy/Sunshine. One bed. Golden retriever boyfriend. He falls first. Safe sex. Pinning. Praise kink.
Synopsis:
Kelsey Best is America’s pop sweetheart, and anyone who says they don’t like her music is a liar and needs to be punched in the nads. And I’ll do it, too, because I’m the guy the NFL dubbed the meanest player in the league.
It’s great for my career on the field, but not so much for my reputation off it. So I’m shocked as hell when Kelsey’s team sends my agent a wild idea—they want a showmance between us. She’s looking to dodge the media frenzy after her breakup with Hollywood’s latest heartthrob, and I apparently fit the bill as her perfect distraction. My agent is convinced this fake dating stunt is the key to fixing my image. But what happens when I fall for her?
The whole world is going to hate me when we fake break up. But she’s going to create a blank space in my heart, and I don’t think I’m going to be able to shake it off.
This plus-size curvy-girl romance features a burnt-cinnamon-roll hero with a mean protective streak and a baddie plus-size pop star on the verge of burn out. But a Bridgertons-meets-American-Football family you’ll wish you were a part of will make sure they get their happy ever after.
Purchase the audiobook (t’s on sale!)
Leather and Lark by Brynne Weaver
3.5⭐️/Liked It
“Whether our vows were real or not, whether she believes them or not, whether she uses her name or mine, she’s deftly reminded me of the ultimate truth: for better or worse, we are stitched together.”
Whew. I listened to this audiobook and OMG, Lachlan’s accent is HOT. Did I like this book? Yes, but I enjoyed Butcher & Blackbird so much more. It’s still a good book and the audiobook narration was fantastic. Did I pre-order the next book in the series? Sure did. (The male narrator is not the same as Butcher & Blackbird…major drama there)
Lark and Lachlan were fun characters to read about. Lachlan Kane. What can I say other than HOLY HELL. This man and his Irish “charm.” He is an acts of service type of husband. The way he will do anything and everything for Lark. Americanos in the morning. Walking her dog. Making her dreams come true. Is it too much to ask to be called “Duchess?!?”
Lark Kane is funny. She is definitely an interesting character. The last chapter 😬 Wow. I also loved her Aunt. She was a firecracker.
The book was VERY steamy with VERY open door scenes. It also involves serial killers and some really messed up moments so please check trigger warnings before starting this one. This is also the second book in the series, Butcher & Blackbird being the first.
-Enemies to lovers
-Marriage of convenience
-“You’re my wife”
Synopsis:
Contract killer Lachlan Kane wants a quiet life working in his leather studio and forgetting all about his traumatic past. But when he botches a job for his boss’s biggest client, Lachlan knows he’ll never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until songbird Lark Montague offers him a deal: use his skills to hunt down a killer and she’ll find a way to secure his freedom. The catch? He has to marry her first.
And they can’t stand each other.
Indie singer-songwriter Lark is the sunshine and glitter that burns through every cloud and clings to every crevice that Lachlan Kane tries to hide inside. The surly older brother of her best friend’s soulmate, Lachlan thinks she’s just a privileged princess, but Lark has plenty of secrets hiding in the shadows of her bright light. With her formidable family in a tailspin and her best friend’s happiness on the line, she’s willing to make a vow to the man she’s determined to hate, no matter how tempting the broody assassin might be.
As Lachlan and Lark navigate the dark world that binds them together, it becomes impossible to discern their fake marriage from a real one. But it’s not just familiar dangers that haunt them.
There’s another phantom lurking on their doorstep.
And this one has come for blood.
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
4⭐️/Really Liked It
“Look, I don’t know what you want from me, but—”
“Anything.” Black eyes looked down on her, and he took a shaking breath. “Everything.”
- Celebrity romance
- Rivals to lovers
- Found family
- He falls first
I love this author. Her first book, Forget Me Not was such an amazing book. Not Another Love Song, is her second book and I couldn’t put it down. I hesitated with 5 stars ONLY because in some parts, I needed just a bit more to them. I really loved that the storyline included classical music. I can’t wait to go to the symphony now and have this storyline in my head, ha.
Spicy, but also with tension and angst. The cello scene 😱
Synopsis:
Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne are both musical prodigies, but each has had very different paths to success. Xander was born into classical music royalty, while Gwen had a natural ear for music that was nurtured by a kind shop owner.
After Gwen performs at his friend’s wedding, she’s mortified when she realizes Xander has no clue who she is—despite having worked together for a year at the Pops Orchestra. But she’s more furious that he arrogantly critiques her performance.
When Gwen is offered the role of First Chair of the orchestra, something Xander had secretly coveted for years, their existing hostility goes up a notch. But their respect for each other’s music is undeniable, and their onstage chemistry off the scale. As they begin to explore their feelings for one another, suddenly they’re box office dynamite and the fragile romance that’s growing between them is in danger of being crushed beneath a publicity stunt…
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