Hello Readers! We’ve been enjoying some rainy weather here in Texas after all that summer heat. But while it may look cooler outside thanks to the clouds, it’s been terribly humid, which makes it feel hot anyway. At least we can pretend it’s cool when we’re indoors. 😃

I had my best reading month so far this year in August thanks to my participation in the Trope-ical Readathon. You can check out My August Wrap-Up if you’d like to see what all I managed to read. For the first time in a long time, I had a smaller haul this month. I think I was too busy to add much. Ha!

Let’s take a look at my haul for August!

(Link to synopsis on Goodreads through the book title.)

My eARCs

I’ve never had this happen before, but I was approved for the ARC of a book that I requested and was published in 2019, Three Women by Lisa Taddeo. It just showed up on my Netgalley shelf. I already own a signed hardback copy that I won, but have yet to read. Having the ARC show up has prompted me to finally read it, however, and it’s my current read. It’s fascinating so far! I do know this has been adapted into a television series premiering in the fall, as well.

Synopsis:

A riveting true story about the sex lives of three real American women, based on nearly a decade of reporting.

Hailed as “a dazzling achievement” (Los Angeles Times) and “riveting page-turner that explores desire, heartbreak, and infatuation in all its messy, complicated nuance” (The Washington Post), Lisa Taddeo’s Three Women has captivated readers, booksellers, and critics—and topped bestseller lists—worldwide.

In suburban Indiana we meet Lina, a homemaker and mother of two whose marriage, after a decade, has lost its passion. Starved for affection, Lina battles daily panic attacks and, after reconnecting with an old flame through social media, embarks on an affair that quickly becomes all-consuming. In North Dakota we meet Maggie, a seventeen-year-old high school student who allegedly has a clandestine physical relationship with her handsome, married English teacher; the ensuing criminal trial will turn their quiet community upside down. Finally, in an exclusive enclave of the Northeast, we meet Sloane—a gorgeous, successful, and refined restaurant owner—who is happily married to a man who likes to watch her have sex with other men and women.

Based on years of immersive reporting and told with astonishing frankness and immediacy, Three Women is both a feat of journalism and a triumph of storytelling, brimming with nuance and empathy. “A work of deep observation, long conversations, and a kind of journalistic alchemy” (Kate Tuttle, NPR), Three Women introduces us to three unforgettable women—and one remarkable writer—whose experiences remind us that we are not alone.

Published July 9, 2019

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I adored Kate Clayborn’s previous book, Love at First, so I didn’t think twice when I was invited to read her newest book Georgie, All Along.

Synopsis:

In this heartfelt tale of one woman’s quest to reinvent herself, the acclaimed author of Love Lettering and Love at First delivers a poignant, witty reflection on how the hopes, dreams, and stories from our past shape our future . . .

Longtime personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy has made a career out of putting others before herself. When an unexpected upheaval sends her away from her hectic job in L.A. and back to her hometown, Georgie must confront an uncomfortable truth: her own wants and needs have always been a disconcertingly blank page. 

But then Georgie comes across a forgotten artifact—a “friendfic” diary she wrote as a teenager, filled with possibilities she once imagined. To an overwhelmed Georgie, the diary’s simple, small-scale ideas are a lifeline—a guidebook for getting started on a new path. 

Georgie’s plans hit a snag when she comes face to face with an unexpected roommate—Levi Fanning, onetime town troublemaker and current town hermit. But this quiet, grouchy man is more than just his reputation, and he offers to help Georgie with her quest. As the two make their way through her wishlist, Georgie begins to realize that what she truly wants might not be in the pages of her diary after all, but right by her side—if only they can both find a way to let go of the pasts that hold them back. 

Honest and deeply emotional, Georgie, All Along is a smart, tender must-read for everyone who’s ever wondered about the life that got away . . .

Expected on January 31, 2023

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I also didn’t think twice when I was invited to read Samantha Markum’s next novel, You Wouldn’t Dare. I adored This May End Badly—which would make a perfect fall-ish read btw, if you’re into seasonal reading! I would love to get to this one this month since it’s set in the summer.

Synopsis:

“Perfect for fans of Nina Moreno, Gilmore Girls, and Sarah Dessen, You Wouldn’t Dare will wrap you up in a sun-drenched, salt-scented hug and refuse to let you go.” – Amanda Quain, author of Accomplished: A Georgie Darcy Novel

A rom com about trying to have the summer of your life before everything changes – only to realize change might be exactly what you need…

When Juniper Nash Abreheart kissed Graham Isham for the first time, she had no idea it would nearly be the end of their friendship.

More specifically, she had no idea that the terrible, unforgivable thing she did to keep their summer fling a secret wouldn’t just ruin their friendship, but also Graham’s entire life. Now, months since the fallout, Junie and Graham spend most of their time sidestepping conversational landmines on the journey back to normalcy.

Junie is sure the strangeness between her and Graham is her biggest problem – until her mom hires Tallulah, her boyfriend’s surly teenage daughter, to work at their family café, and then announces they’ll all be moving in together at the end of the summer. The only bright spot ahead is Junie’s dad’s upcoming visit, just in time for her community theater production. And then poor turnout soon threatens that.

But when Junie starts to realize the feelings she swore to take care of last summer have lingered, saving her production and managing her hostile relationship with Tallulah might be the least of her problems. Graham isn’t just off limits – their friendship has been mended to barely withstand a breeze, and the gale force of Junie’s feelings could be just what breaks them.

Samantha Markum’s You Wouldn’t Dare is about the risks and triumphs that come with being brave enough to take a chance at what you really want, including love.

Expected on March 28, 2023

My Physical ARC

This rarely happens, but I received a physical ARC AND was approved for an eARC on Netgalley of Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch, so I shouldn’t have any trouble getting this one read! I’m super excited to read it this month!

Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato comes a poignant and romantic novel about two teens trying to find their place in the world after being unceremoniously dragged to Salem, Massachusetts, for the summer.

Willow has never felt like she belonged anywhere and is convinced that the only way to find a true home is to travel the world. But her plans to act on her dream are put on hold when her aloof and often absent mother drags Willow to Salem, Massachusetts, to wrap up the affairs of an aunt Willow didn’t even know she had. An aunt who may or may not have been a witch.

There, she meets Mason, a loner who’s always felt out of place and has been in and out of foster homes his entire life. He’s been classified as one of the runaways, constantly searching for ways to make it back to his mom; even if she can’t take care of him, it’s his job to try and take care of her. Isn’t it?

Naturally pulled to one another, Willow and Mason set out across Salem to discover the secret past of Willow’s mother, her aunt, and the ambiguous history of her family. During all of this, the two can’t help but act on their natural connection. But with the amount of baggage between them—and Willow’s growing conviction her family might be cursed—can they manage to hold onto each other?

Expected September 27, 2022

My Purchases

• I picked up a used copy of Fortune and Glory (Stephanie Plum, #27) by Janet Evanovich when I visited a used book store. I still need to read #25 and #26, but I’ll have this one waiting for when I get to it.
• I also snagged an ebook copy of My Policeman by Bethan Roberts when I saw it on sale through Kobo. If you’re not aware, this one is being made into a film starring Harry Styles, releasing in October.

Have you read any of these books? Did you add any of them to your TBR? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Wandering!