Welcome back to my mini blog series where I share the books I’ve absolutely loved reading and why you should put it on your TBR shelf!

After spending a few dreamy days in Arizona for the Showit DXP Experience meeting fellow creatives, soaking up inspiration, and swapping stories under the desert sun… I found myself glued to my Kindle in hand, indulging in some of the best stories I’ve ever read.

There’s something about fall reading that just hits different. Maybe it’s the cozy evenings, the warm drinks, or the way fiction feels like a safe place to land when everything else feels a little too fast. This month’s reads absolutely delivered — from sweeping fantasy to emotional historical fiction, I was all in.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Genre: Historical Fiction

Not me, a self-proclaimed “not-a-historical-fiction-girlie,” getting absolutely wrecked (in the best way) by this book. This was my first real dive into historical fiction and it completely altered my brain chemistry. I picked it up on a whim after seeing Kristin Hannah’s name floating around and wow, I get the hype now.

This story follows a young nurse who ends up in Vietnam during the war, and let me tell you… it’s moving, emotional, and incredibly vivid. The way she writes feels cinematic, and the characters are so fleshed out, you feel like you know them. You’re right there with them — through the trauma, the friendship, the growth, the heartbreak, and the healing.

Even if historical fiction isn’t your go-to, this one’s worth trying! Especially if you love stories about resilience, sisterhood, and forgotten women who changed the world.

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Easily one of the more compelling thrillers I’ve read lately and this one had me hooked from the jump! Something shady is happening inside this bougie Paris apartment building, and every tenant has something to hide. The way the tension builds is so satisfying, and Lucy Foley’s signature multi-POV style works so well here.

I usually am meh with multiple POVs, but the character voices were distinct and well-paced. The slow-burn mystery kept me guessing without dragging, and I really appreciated that. Moody, eerie, and atmospheric — a great pick if you love twisty stories set in glam-but-creepy places.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Genre: Chick Lit (Romance)

Emily Henry, my queen of feel-good fiction, strikes again. This one was the definition of a warm and fuzzy read: a cute, heartfelt rom-com about two opposites who end up fake-dating after being betrayed by their exes (who left them for each other, of course).

It’s sweet, emotional, and honestly just the kind of story that makes you believe in second chances. If you’re into friends-to-lovers, opposites attract, or slow-burn chemistry that makes you smile like a dork, don’t skip this one. And yes, it’s a rom-com, so you kinda know how it ends, but the journey doesn’t feel cliché at all.

The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros

Genre: Contemporary Romance

I inhaled this one in what felt like a single sitting and then just… sat there, emotionally wrecked, in the best way. This story weaves two timelines: one during WWII told through letters between lovers, and one in the present, and it all flows together so beautifully. It’s poetic, heart-wrenching, and deeply moving.

I honestly wasn’t prepared for how emotionally layered it would be. You get friendship, sisterhood, longing, loss, and this incredible story of sacrifice. Every character felt so fully developed and real and I’m OK with this living rent-free in my head for the unforeseeable future.

I might go as far as going on record and saying this is my favorite Rebecca Yarros book yet! Netflix, if you are somehow reading this… please make this into a movie!!!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Genre: Historical Fiction

This book had been sitting on my TBR for a while, and I finally got the chance to indulge in it having now discovered Kristin Hannah!

The Nightingale tells the story of two sisters living in France during WWII, and their paths could not be more different. One plays it safe. One joins the resistance. But both are fighting for survival, family, and the right to be free. The first half is sort of a slower build but the second half? I was fully in it. Goosebumps. Tears. The whole thing.

What I loved most is how the storyline centers women. Their bravery, their sacrifices, their invisible heroism. Kristin Hannah doesn’t shy away from the gritty, heartbreaking parts, but she also leaves you with so much hope. Definitely a story that sticks with you long after the last page.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Okay, hear me out: I thought I loved Fourth Wing… and then I read Iron Flame. This book delivered in every possible way. Action-packed? Yes. More dragons? Absolutely. World-building that feels effortless even as it expands? 100%. I was so swept up in the pacing that I forgot I was reading a 600+ page book — it just flies by.

I just love the camaraderie between characters. There’s something so magical and nostalgic about watching these relationships deepen and kind of gave me major Harry Potter vibes (but, I guess spicier?!). And don’t even get me started on the ending. I audibly gasped out loud to my husband. Rebecca Yarros really said “plot twist, but make it emotionally devastating.”

Already counting down the days until Onyx Storm drops next year!!

Related Post: Books I Loved Reading (June 2024)

Let me know your thoughts!

If you end up picking up any of these books, please slide into my DMs or leave a comment — I live for book chats. Tell me what you thought, what broke you, what healed you, or what twist had you wide-eyed at 2am. I always love hearing how stories hit other people differently.

PS: Come find me on Goodreads if you wanna follow along on what I’m reading and rating!