September Reading Wrap-Up–Books I Read and Reviewed in September

September was a fairly busy month, we had our second child return to college and we went to Las Vegas for a meeting/job perk/mini-vacation. It seemed like I blinked and the month was over! I was able to read quite a few books, so here’s the summary below.

This post contains affiliate links, see disclosure for more detail. I received complimentary copies of many of these books for review, all opinions are my own.

What I Read:

If I Die Tonight by Alison Gaylin, I rated this book 3.5 stars

Summary:

Late one night in the quiet Hudson Valley town of Havenkill, a distraught woman stumbles into the police station—and lives are changed forever.
Aimee En, once a darling of the ’80s pop music scene, claims that a teenage boy stole her car, then ran over another young man who’d rushed to help.
As Liam Miller’s life hangs in the balance, the events of that fateful night begin to come into focus. But is everything as it seems?

The case quickly consumes social media, transforming Liam, a local high school football star, into a folk hero, and the suspect, a high school outcast named Wade Reed, into a depraved would-be killer. But is Wade really guilty? And if he isn’t, why won’t he talk?

My Thoughts:

Very thought provoking, and an interesting mystery overall. However the secrets and hiding got old and I just wanted Wade to trust someone and tell someone what was going on. It seemed silly at the end, but I suppose that’s a teenager for you. In general a fast-paced read that kept me turning pages to see what exactly was going on because it was pretty obvious it wasn’t what it seemed on the surface.
The parts I found the most fascinating were how insidious the social media conviction of the different people were. Whenever someone was “guilty” in the eyes of the public, no matter how misguided, it became a mob mentality. You see it every day and having it as a part of a fictional tale really brought it into glaring light. Not that things will change, it was just fascinating.

Reclaiming Raven by Mary Holt, I rated this book 2.5 stars

 Summary: Murder, even in self-defense, is a preemptive act. Raven Balback’s obsessive husband demands she return to their marriage. The frightened woman, partially paralyzed from her last encounter with him, flees. Unable to locate his wife, Cole burns the buildings that sheltered her in the past and endangers lives. Raven must decide whether to sacrifice herself for strangers or grasp for a life free of her vows.

My Thoughts:

First the warnings: this is not my typical read. Much more graphic both sexually and violence-wise than I usually read, and so this colored my rating a bit. Trigger warning: abuse, stalking, extreme violence

The good: The ending is fantastic. The characters worked well together as an ensemble.

The meh–I didn’t really like Raven all that much. She came across as way too naive, especially with all she had gone through. I admit, I have not experienced any form of domestic violence, so I am not familiar with whether or not her reactions were typical or not. It just got tedious with her trying to prove her innocence, etc. I wondered why she didn’t just disappear somewhere further away, there has to be more help than she received. And using her phone, ordering a new bank card and transferring her disability payments, that all seemed so blatant like she didn’t care if he could find her.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, I rated this book 4 stars

 Summary: 

The Rules of Blackheath
Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered at 11:00 p.m.
There are eight days, and eight witnesses for you to inhabit.
We will only let you escape once you tell us the name of the killer.
Understood? Then let’s begin…

Evelyn Hardcastle will die. Every day until Aiden Bishop can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others…

My Thoughts:

This is not a fast-paced book, but it is certainly an intriguing, captivating mystery. This Agatha Christie-esque book is actually two mysteries: Who killed Evelyn Hardcastle, and what on earth is actually going on?
I found it a bit difficult to keep the characters straight at times, I was so thankful for the party invitation in the front that listed all of the key characters and I referred back to this regularly. One pet peeve that keeps popping up in my reading: why is it that authors insist on naming characters starting with the same letter? It is SO difficult to remember who’s who: Dickie, Derby, Donald, Daniel, Dance (some are referred to by their last names all the time!) It really affected my reading enjoyment because I got quite confused.
The core story here is beyond excellent and creative. Although the middle got a bit bogged down, the ending more than makes up for it with its unique conclusion. This is one of the most original books I’ve read in quite a while, both in its premise and construction. It bears re-reading now that I know how things turn out so I can keep a better eye out for clues.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, I gave this book 3.5 stars

Summary:

 The story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

My Thoughts:

I wanted to read the book before I watched the Netflix show. I thought this book was really cute. I’m not super into teen romance anymore, but this is a fantastic example of a good teen romance. Realistic, but not overly gritty. Sweet, but not sappy. I actually liked it better than the movie, but mostly because the actress that played Margot in the show was WAY too old for the part.

The Cost of Betrayal by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason, ratings below, overall 3 stars

Summary: 

In Dee Henderson’s novella “Betrayal,” Janelle Roberts is freed–thanks to people she doesn’t know–after serving six years of a twenty-year sentence for a murder she did not commit. But a murderer is still at large, and Janelle needs to be somewhere safe with someone she can trust. She may not survive another betrayal.

In Dani Pettrey’s “Deadly Isle,” Tennyson Kent is trapped on the isolated island of her childhood by a storm surge, and she is shocked when the typically idyllic community turns into the hunting grounds of a murderer. Cut off from any help from the mainland, will she and first love Callen Frost be able to identify and stop a killer bent on betrayal before they become the next victims?

In Lynette Eason’s “Code of Ethics,” trauma surgeon Ruthie St. John saves the life of Detective Isaac Martinez. After a betrayal leads to him getting shot and then attacked while in recovery, Isaac is now a key witness determined to testify. But someone is intent on silencing him–and those around him–forever. Together, Ruthie and Isaac go on the run, desperate to escape the killers hunting him

My Thoughts:

I’m not always a huge fan of novella-length stories, but this collection is well done in general.

“Betrayed” by Dee Henderson is by far the weakest of the three stories and what made me average the overall book rating as 3 stars. Henderson’s overly wordy and analytical style of writing does not lend itself well to a novella. Every piece of evidence, feeling, possibility, action is examined from all sides, sometimes multiple times. This potentially would have been all right in this story had there actually been a conclusion or ending, which there is not. Crime is not solved in the end. Plus, the romance between the main characters is implied to be possible in the future, yet it doesn’t happen during the course of the novella, nor should it since they are patient and therapist and I find it to be a grey area of ethics that it could even be considered appropriate after their therapy has ended. 2/5 stars
“Deadly Isle” by Dani Pettrey is fast-paced and intriguing. There are many possible villains and the romance and suspense balance is excellent. The relationship feels naturally developed and the mystery kept me guessing. 4/5 stars
“Code of Ethics” by Lynette Eason is another exciting thrill ride. From the first page to the last of this story there is action and a puzzle to solve–with an unpredictable conclusion that will fool even the most astute mystery readers. 4/5 stars
Both Henderson’s and Eason’s novellas contain characters from other book series, but they are easily read as stand alones and you won’t miss anything.

Rose in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan, I rated this book 4 stars

Summary:

Rose McNeil is rising the ranks at the Mozarteum in Salzburg as a violinist to watch. Her musical Nova Scotian heritage has loaned an unparalleled technique to her interpretation of some of the most beautiful compositions in the world. The opportunity of a first chair assignment to the Rainer Quartet under the baton of Oliver Thorne is a dream come true— until her visa expires and the threat of leaving Vienna looms. As much as she grieves the prospect of leaving Vienna and the quartet, it is Oliver—with his dry sense of humour and unexpected charm- she will miss most.

British ex-pat Oliver Thorne’s recent appointment as conductor to the Rainer Quartet make him the youngest in the role during its prestigious history. But it wasn’t the path he wanted. A tragic accident years ago forbade him from ever playing his beloved cello again. Now he spends his life teaching and guest conducting for premiere orchestras at the Musikverein. When he first hears Rose McNeil play, all the dreams he left by the wayside are reborn with her unexpected talent. When Rose learns she may have to leave Vienna, Oliver has to come up with a solution. Losing his first violinist is unfortunate, losing her is unimaginable.

So he comes up with a crazy idea: A marriage on paper only. She’ll take his name and his citizenship. They’ll split rent money and coin toss to decide who takes the bed or the the futon every night. They’ll keep their secret from the orchestra. She’ll play and he’ll conduct and, most importantly…she’ll stay.

Unbeknownst to each other, Rose is in love with Oliver and Oliver is in love with Rose. They might even find a happy ending, if only their pesky marriage doesn’t get in the way.

My Thoughts:

What a sigh-worthy book! Such a beautifully written love story.
Guess what? Marriages of Convenience are my absolute least favorite trope. Can’t stand them. I can always find a dozen different reasons why they are preposterous and wouldn’t work in the real world. But guess what again? I really, really liked this book.
The MOC is so well done, it actually turns the trope on its ear. Instead of a couple who either don’t know each other or can’t stand each other getting married and then having to fake to everyone that they are in love, these two genuinely like each other and are attracted to each other and can’t tell anyone that they are married. Brilliant premise and it made me endeared to the characters and the story much more than I would have otherwise.
The music is such an integral part of the story, I looked up many of the composers and music pieces online and listened to them while reading. What a way to enhance the experience of this book. It made me appreciate all of the chamber orchestra and symphony performances I have attended over the years. I know the intense work that these musicians put into making the performance sound seamless, which made me admire Rose and Oliver’s dedication even more.
I also loved that Klaus and Evelyn (From Love in Three Quarter Time) make multiple appearances, I was so excited to see what was going on with them.
As with the first book in this series, Vienna has a starring role, and if you don’t want to visit after reading the book, you didn’t read carefully enough. The sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the city are so vividly portrayed, this book is as much about the setting as it is the characters.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention that gorgeous cover, wow!

A Secret to Die for by Lisa Harris, I gave this book 3 stars

Summary:

Psychologist Grace Callahan has no idea that she has a secret–one worth killing for. But when she finds out one of her clients has been murdered, she quickly realizes that the computer security specialist wasn’t simply suffering from paranoia.

Detective Nate Quinn has just been cleared for active duty after a bombing killed eighteen people, including his partner, and left him dealing with PTSD. His first case back on the job involves the murder of Stephen Shaw, and his only lead turns out to be an old friend, Grace Callahan–and her life is in grave danger. Someone believes Shaw gave his psychologist information before he died. Information they are willing to kill for.

My Thoughts:
Good, solid romantic suspense, but overall the romance is better than the mystery/suspense portion.
I liked the development of the relationship between Grace and Nate. It felt real and I appreciated that a Christian fiction book portrayed a relationship between a divorced woman and a never-been-married man. It seems as if CF books nearly always have the previously married person as a widow or widower, and in real life, with younger people, a divorce is a much more realistic scenario.

The suspense parts of this tale weren’t very surprising, and there were just too many perilous situations with Grace in the middle to be believable. I just cannot believe that the police/FBI would allow a civilian in the center of everything. And this had a feel of been-there-done-that with the mystery. Harris has much better books.

As a whole, I liked this book. It is fast paced and pretty easy to read in a couple of sittings.

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager, I gave this book 5 stars

 Summary:

Two Truths and a Lie. The girls played it all the time in their tiny cabin at Camp Nightingale. Vivian, Natalie, Allison, and first-time camper Emma Davis, the youngest of the group. The games ended when Emma sleepily watched the others sneak out of the cabin in the dead of night. The last she–or anyone–saw of them was Vivian closing the cabin door behind her, hushing Emma with a finger pressed to her lips.

Now a rising star in the New York art scene, Emma turns her past into paintings–massive canvases filled with dark leaves and gnarled branches that cover ghostly shapes in white dresses. The paintings catch the attention of Francesca Harris-White, the socialite and wealthy owner of Camp Nightingale. When Francesca implores her to return to the newly reopened camp as a painting instructor, Emma sees an opportunity to try to find out what really happened to her friends.

Yet it’s immediately clear that all is not right at Camp Nightingale. Already haunted by memories from fifteen years ago, Emma discovers a security camera pointed directly at her cabin, mounting mistrust from Francesca and, most disturbing of all, cryptic clues Vivian left behind about the camp’s twisted origins. As she digs deeper, Emma finds herself sorting through lies from the past while facing threats from both man and nature in the present.

My Thoughts:
I finished this last night and I’m still thinking about it! Wow! I absolutely devoured this book in one day. I rarely give books 5 stars, and when I do it’s not usually a psychological thriller, but this one is so well done.
The twists are fantastic. I adore the premise of people missing without a trace, and this one is a stellar offering in that vein. I didn’t guess what was going on at all, I just let myself take the thrill ride and was rewarded for it.
There are so many creepy elements that all come together for a gripping story. I don’t want to give anything away, but if you like this type of book, this one is a fantastic choice.

Last Seen Alive by Claire Douglas, I gave this book 3 stars

Summary:

As much as Libby Hall needs a vacation, she’s never considered taking one until she sees the note for a house swap. Suffering a miscarriage was a personal turning point. Saving a child from a burning school was a public one. Just as the emotional fallout of both incidents takes its toll, along comes her lifesavers—the Heywoods, a couple in need of a getaway of their own.

Libby and her husband Jamie can’t believe their good fortune when they arrive at the Heywood’s isolated seaside estate with its panoramic views—and just in exchange for their drab two-bedroom apartment. How generous of the Heywoods! Yet how odd. Libby almost feels guilty until the home yields disquieting surprises: a fortune in hidden surveillance equipment, a stranger in the garden who watches them, and the make-shift operating room in the basement…

When Jamie falls dangerously ill, all Libby wants is to return to their comfortably imperfect lives. But it’s already too late. Libby has just discovered the Heywoods’ biggest secret. And when it appears that even Jamie is hiding something from her, Libby’s paranoia gets the best of her. It should. For she has buried secrets of her own. As the past comes crawling out of the darkness, Libby fears she’s walked into an elaborate trap. But who has set it? What do they want of her? And what is she willing to risk to make it out alive…?

My Thoughts:

This book has a very intriguing premise, and made me want to love it. I liked it, but I just thought there were too many parts in the second half of the book that were so far-fetched I couldn’t stretch my mind to believe them.
There are definitely some great twists, but without giving too much away, one didn’t go far enough and one went too far. Both women were awful people in their own ways and so neither one deserved to have everything turn out right (or wrong for that matter).
Overall solidly entertaining psychological thriller and worth reading.

Hidden Peril by Irene Hannon, I gave this book 4 stars

Summary:

As teenagers, Kristin Dane and her two best friends took a vow to make the world a better place. Twenty years later, she’s fulfilling that pledge through her fair trade shop that features products from around the world. All is well until, one by one, people connected to the shop begin dying.

Detective Luke Carter, new to the St. Louis PD, wants to know why. Before he can answer that question, however, the FBI weighs in and Kristin suddenly finds herself in the middle of international intrigue–and in the sights of the ruthless mastermind behind an ingenious and deadly, scheme. Can this cold-blooded killer be stopped before more people die . . . including Kristin?

My Thoughts:

Oh my! It will take a day or two for my heart to stop pounding so fast!
Such a great combination of action and romance. The identity of the villain wasn’t too difficult to figure out, but the tense, thrilling situations are what make this book shine.
Terrorists and a coordinated law enforcement effort come together for such an action packed thriller that I actually found myself holding my breath at times hoping that the various characters would be all right, just like I would if they were a real person.
Highly recommended!

Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, I gave this book 3.5 stars

Summary:

Midwestern movie house owner Virgil Wander is “cruising along at medium altitude” when his car flies off the road into icy Lake Superior. Virgil survives but his language and memory are altered and he emerges into a world no longer familiar to him. Awakening in this new life, Virgil begins to piece together his personal history and the lore of his broken town, with the help of a cast of affable and curious locals–from Rune, a twinkling, pipe-smoking, kite-flying stranger investigating the mystery of his disappeared son; to Nadine, the reserved, enchanting wife of the vanished man; to Tom, a journalist and Virgil’s oldest friend; and various members of the Pea family who must confront tragedies of their own. Into this community returns a shimmering prodigal son who may hold the key to reviving their town.

My Thoughts:
3.5 stars for its beautiful, lyrical imagery. I just wanted a bit more from the story.
You have all of these great quirky characters, some of their storylines seem complete and satisfactory, but others don’t.
Maybe this book is just a bit too contemplative for me at this point, but I can see that it will be well-liked. Overall the plot and characters are great and the writing is stellar. It’s just a little slow at times and didn’t quite give me the feelings I was expecting.
Many of the characters I loved–Virgil, Nadine, Bjorn, Rune and they will stay with me for a long time.

When the Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica, I gave this book 3 stars

Summary:

Jessie Sloane is on the path to rebuilding her life after years of caring for her ailing mother. She rents a new apartment and applies for college. But when the college informs her that her social security number has raised a red flag, Jessie discovers a shocking detail that causes her to doubt everything she’s ever known.

Finding herself suddenly at the center of a bizarre mystery, Jessie tumbles down a rabbit hole, which is only exacerbated by grief and a relentless lack of sleep. As days pass and the insomnia worsens, it plays with Jessie’s mind. Her judgment is blurred, her thoughts are hampered by fatigue. Jessie begins to see things until she can no longer tell the difference between what’s real and what she’s only imagined.

Meanwhile, twenty years earlier and two hundred and fifty miles away, another woman’s split-second decision may hold the key to Jessie’s secret past. Has Jessie’s whole life been a lie or have her delusions gotten the best of her?

My Thoughts:

Kubica’s books are hit or miss for me, but they definitely never fail to bring about many thoughts!
There are hints throughout this book to help you figure out what is going on–but you have to read carefully to get them (that’s all of the spoilers I’m going to give)
It’s decently short, so it is a fairly quick read, although it kind of drags if that makes any sense. The sleeplessness and the hallucinations/paranoia/what have you get a bit cumbersome and boring to read after a while. By far I liked Eden’s linear story much more than Jessie’s convoluted one, but you need both to give a complete picture.
The end is satisfying, which elevates the book above ho-hum and puts it into the decent read category.

Literarily for Keeps by Sarah Monzon, I gave this book 4 stars

Summary:

Literature professor Ashleigh Darmody never imagined her life would turn into a classic trope, but that’s exactly what happens when her sister Claire calls with a bizarre request–quickly find a fake husband. Backstory is a powerful thing, and Ashleigh’s has plenty of shadows, but is her past so shady that it requires an elaborate scheme to ensure Claire’s prospective father-in-law, renowned TV evangelist Ken Abrams, will give her his blessing to marry his son?
Already divorced from a man who turned out to be other than he claimed, Ashleigh now has to pretend to be blissfully married to a stranger for the next five days. But when the lines of fiction and reality blur with each tick of the clock, could a temporary deal turn into something for keeps?

My Thoughts:

What a great book! The cover is spectacular, so it should lead you to pick it up.

There are many lighthearted, sweetly romantic moments, but where Monzon shines with her writing is with the deeper, more meaningful messages. It’s surprising that this can be accomplished within a shorter novel (novella), but it definitely can. This author truly elevates novellas to another level.

Spiritual insights are portrayed from many of the characters on different topics and levels. Yet, like I mentioned above, there are also wonderful moments of romance that don’t feel forced, fake, or rushed despite the book’s length.

All Made Up by Kara Isaac, I gave this book 4 stars

 Summary: 

Everyone thinks Katriona McLeod is living the dream. Her professional career as a make up artist sees her traveling the world working with the stars and she’s got no shortage of men wanting her affection. Only problem is she’s never gotten over Caleb Murphy, the one guy she’s ever loved. When she accepts a job on the latest looking-for-love reality TV show, Falling for the Farmer, she discovers to her horror that Caleb is the leading man and she’s cast as one of his harem. But she hides a secret that means that even if she wanted a second chance with the guy who broke her heart she could never have it.

Caleb Murphy couldn’t care less about C-Class celebrity fame or reality TV and he certainly doesn’t believe it could lead him to love. The one thing he does care about is fulfilling his mother’s last wish. Kat’s presence on the show seems to offer up a solution that will make both the network and his mother happy. It might have been almost ten years since they split but he knows he can trust her with his plan. Just as long as he doesn’t fall in love all over again with the woman who will never stay.

My Thoughts:

So many fantastic moments in this book!
If you like The Bachelor and reality shows like it, this novel will really entertain and actually enlighten. You may think “reality” shows happen just as they are portrayed on television, but it’s only a slight version of the real truth.

Kat is a multi-dimensional character. (She, and other characters in this novel are featured in previous Isaac novels) She’s hiding some secrets and has never truly moved on and had closure from her relationship with Caleb. He is hiding some things as well, and because they broke things off and didn’t lay their cards on the table, there’s unfinished business between them. When she agrees to temporarily fill in for an ill bachelorette on the show “Falling for the Farmer”, she never imagined that Caleb would be said farmer.

There’s depth of emotion here and even some growth and maturing that takes place throughout the course of the book. If you’ve never read a Kara Isaac novel, then you are in for a real treat. If not, then what are you waiting for?

Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd, I gave this book 4 stars

Summary:

Miss Eleanor Sheffield is a talented evaluator of antiquities, trained to know the difference between a genuine artifact and a fraud. But with her father’s passing and her uncle’s decline into dementia, the family business is at risk. In the Victorian era, unmarried Eleanor cannot run Sheffield Brothers alone.

The death of a longtime client, Baron Lydney, offers an unexpected complication when Eleanor is appointed the temporary trustee of the baron’s legendary collection. She must choose whether to donate the priceless treasures to a museum or allow them to pass to the baron’s only living son, Harry―the man who broke Eleanor’s heart.

Eleanor distrusts the baron’s motives and her own ability to be unbiased regarding Harry’s future. Harry claims to still love her and Eleanor yearns to believe him, but his mysterious comments and actions fuel her doubts. When she learns an Italian beauty accompanied him on his return to England, her lingering hope for a future with Harry dims.

With the threat of debtor’s prison closing in, Eleanor knows that donating the baron’s collection would win her favor among potential clients, saving Sheffield Brothers. But the more time she spends with Harry, the more her faith in him grows. Might Harry be worthy of his inheritance, and her heart, after all? As pressures mount and time runs out, Eleanor must decide whom she can trust―who in her life is false or true, brass or gold―and what is meant to be treasured.

My Thoughts:

I have long been a fan of Sandra Byrd’s books, because she can immerse you into a Gothic setting and help you feel like you are there (and you’ll be thankful you are not, with some of the scenes in the jail I don’t think I would be able to handle it!). This novel has it all–romance, intrigue, treasure hunting, hidden secrets, lies, and family devotion.
I loved the character of Eleanor. She is headstrong, confident in her abilities to place value on treasures, yet she is also tender and loving. She cares about her ailing uncle, even to the point where it could (and does) cause her personal and professional detriment.
The one part of this novel that I wasn’t as confident in was Harry. I did see the author’s point of writing him the way she did (after everything is revealed), but it was a bit frustrating and didn’t make me his biggest fan until the ending.
The themes of redemption and trying to discover who is trustworthy are subtly woven throughout.
This first novel in the Victorian Ladies series makes me anxious to read the next, as it is absolutely fascinating to see the lives of women woven in with the history of the times.

Whew! I guess I read a few more books than I originally thought I did! Did you read anything that wowed you in September?