August Reading Wrap-Up
A Snapshot of What I Read
Time for the August Reading Wrap-Up, and this month felt completely different from July in every possible way. My personal life was overwhelming, my schedule was jam-packed, and my mental bandwidth was stretched thin, which meant my reading pace slowed to thirteen books. After last month’s ARC and ALC whirlwind, dropping from thirteen to eight felt like a huge shift, and even though Deep Sapphire remained my dominant emotional lane, the entire rhythm of the month was shaped by exhaustion and limited focus. I struggled with note‑taking toward the end of August, but I still found myself reaching for stories whenever I could.
Even with everything going on, I did get to several books I had been genuinely excited for. Tar City was one of my most anticipated ARCs of the month, and I loved every second of it. Obsession was a last‑minute ALC approval that felt like such a fun surprise, especially with its Bloody Quarter energy. I finally got to dive into long‑awaited sequels like Thrones and Savage Things, and I ended up binging A.V. Blackmoor’s books because she’s an author I will always enjoy. I also reached for long‑standing TBR picks like Mother Faker and started working through Lauren Rowe’s Audible Plus titles before they expire, which felt so satisfying. Many of the books I read were anticipated ARCs and ALCs, long‑awaited sequels, or personal picks I had been wanting to reach for, and I loved that not everything this month was tied to deadlines.
August was one of the most demanding months of my year, and reading became the one steady escape I could rely on. My schedule was full of responsibilities and unexpected challenges, and even though my energy was low, I still found joy in the books I managed to pick up. Deep Sapphire continued to shape my emotional reading experience, just like it did in July, but in a way that felt quieter and more reflective. I’m proud of what I read this month, especially given how difficult everything felt, and I’m grateful for the stories that carried me through.
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Quick Stats
- Books read: 13
- Average rating: 3.90 ★
- Dominant emotional lane: Deep Sapphire
- Most common genre: Dark Romance
- Reading Format: 4 Audiobooks, 5 eBooks, 4 Audiobooks + eBooks
- Total Pages: 4,975
- ARC/ALC Books: 8
Note: I’m a hybrid reader, so many of my books count as both an audiobook and an eBook because I read and listen at the same time.
Curious how I rate books? My Rating System breaks down my emotional lanes and star scale, and you can also see my individual reviews for these reads on my Goodreads page.
Emotional Lane Breakdown
- ✨Golden Comfort: 1
- 💙Sapphire Angst: 2
- 💎Deep Sapphire: 5
- 🖤Onyx Chaos: 4
- ⚫Obsidian Edge: 0
- No emotional lane: 1
Top Reads
Tar City – Blair M. Shadows (5★ | ARC – Available on KU)
This book pulled me in immediately with its raw, gritty world and the way the past and present bleed together to build tension. Sisk and Jax are flawed in ways that feel real, and watching their connection twist through loyalty, fearlessness, and all the times they pushed each other away was both heartbreaking and addictive. The mystery around Tar City, Jax’s power, and Sisk’s role kept me guessing, and that intense ending paired with the lighter epilogue made me want to revisit their world all over again.
Ghost Marked (Ghost Duet #1) – A.V. Blackmoor (4.5★ | KU)
After finishing the Monster Duet, I had been anxiously waiting for this series, and it did not disappoint. I loved the character dynamic, especially with the FMC taking the bully role and Logan falling apart in his villain era. The tension, drama, and toxic push and pull kept me locked in, and that cliffhanger wrecked me. I was desperate to know what happened in book two.
Devil Owned (Devil Duet #1) – A.V. Blackmoor (4★ | ALC – Available on KU)
I absolutely love the interconnected world A.V. Blackmoor has built, so getting Damien and Seraphina’s story in audio made me even more excited to dive in. Damien’s spiral over Seraphina and the constant danger around them kept me tense the whole time, especially with the FBI circling and the threat of a rat in their midst. Seraphina’s vulnerability and the way she’s never known safety made every moment feel heavier, and watching her try to separate truth from lies had me hooked. The twists, the cliffhanger, and the relentless push and pull left me wondering how she’ll survive what comes next.
Obsession – Harleigh Beck (4★ | ALC – Available on KU)
This story is dark, dirty, and depraved in the best way, and I loved how Savannah and Robbie’s connection grows out of shared darkness rather than anything soft. Savannah’s ambition and hidden past make her easy to root for, and Robbie’s brutal childhood and unhinged nature create a tension that never lets up. The twists, the danger, and the constant uncertainty kept me questioning everything, especially as Savannah starts falling for a man who can never be safe. The narration brought the grit and atmosphere to life, and that balance of sympathy and monstrosity made this an unforgettable listen.
Mother Faker (The Momcoms #1) – Brittanee Nicole (4 ★ | KU + Audible)
This book was hilarious in the best way, and I found myself laughing out loud, snort laughing, and even tearing up at the sweeter moments. The absurd situations softened the heavier themes of divorce, single parenting, and rebuilding confidence, and the Momcom community gave me all the found‑family warmth I love. Liv and Beckett’s grumpy and sunshine dynamic was so well done, and the duet narration by Maxine Mitchell and Joe Arden made every moment even better.
Reflection & September Preview
August leaned Deep Sapphire for me, shaped by a month that demanded more energy than I had to give. My reading pace slowed, my note‑taking faltered, and I reached for stories in shorter bursts whenever I could. After spending July in contemporary romance, this month shifted heavily into dark romance, which paired surprisingly well with the emotional weight of everything happening behind the scenes. Even with the exhaustion and the constant pull on my attention, I still found joy in the books I picked up. It was a quieter reading stretch, but the emotional payoff was still there, and I’m proud of what I managed to read.
September is looking like a lighter and more flexible reading month for me. I only have a couple approved ARC and ALC titles on my schedule, along with a few audiobook requests that may come through later in the month. With my personal life still feeling busy, I’m planning to keep my reading commitments small and focus on finishing the books already on my radar. I have two Lauren Rowe audiobooks I want to complete before they expire on the seventeenth, and if I have the time and energy, I may reach for the Libby audiobook I have suspended.
As of now, these are potential ARC/ALCs for September:
- (ARC) Offside by Amy Briggs: I loved the prequel and I’m super excited to start this eBook!
- (ALC) Malice by Brooklyn Cross: A dark why choose romance from Brooklyn Cross! I have high expectations!
- (Requested ALC) Dance of Defiance by Jagger Cole: Book 5 in the series. This is an MM dark mafia romance.
- (Requested ALC) Altar of Lies by Jenika Snow: A cult survivor dark romance narrated by Troy Duran and Audrey Obeyn!
- (Requested ALC) The One-Night Secret by Brighton Walsh: This is the book following the huge cliffhanger of The Roommate Rules!
Since I’m keeping my reading commitments light, these are the non ARC and ALC books already on my radar for September.
- Mister Bodyguard by Lauren Rowe: Zander’s story from the Morgan Brothers series. Leaving Audible Plus 9/17/26.
- Rockstar by Lauren Rowe: Dax’s story from the Morgan Brothers series. Leaving Audible Plus 9/17/26.
- Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws: I actually requested this ALC from NetGalley and was declined. So sad. Thankfully, after months of waiting it’s now available on Libby! This is narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon!
If you want to explore more of the vibes I read this month, here are a few posts that pair well with August’s Deep Sapphire emotion and highlight the books I binged or plan to pick up next.
- 6 Deep Sapphire Romance Books: a curated list of Deep Sapphire romances shaped by internal danger and emotional healing.
- 4 Complete Mafia Romance Series on Kindle Unlimited: a collection of KU mafia series if you want underworld tension.
- Finding Home by Lauren Rowe Book Review: A Deep Sapphire small‑town romance about grief, guarded hearts, recovery, and slowly rebuilding trust after loss.
- Bloody Quarter by Brooklyn Cross Book Review: a psychologically tense, danger‑driven dark romance review.
The Emotional Borrow — A Little About My Approach
I read for the feeling a story leaves behind — the emotional borrow you carry with you after the last page. When I recommend something, it’s because the book delivered on what it promised: the tropes, the tone, the emotional payoff, and the overall experience.
I move through a lot of books across Kindle Unlimited and Audible, which means I’m always paying attention to what the genre is doing right now. I look for stories that land their beats, honor their setup, and make your time feel well spent.
Every pick I share comes from that lens: thoughtful, current, and focused on how the book actually reads, not just how it’s marketed.
You can read my full Review Policy for details on how I handle links and honest reviews.
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