What I read in October 2023

Even though I update you guys what I'm reading when I do Fridaze, I've been figuring out how to incorporate my reading more into my blog! I already have a bookstagram, where I talk about books, but I also want to have some info about what I read on here. So I think I'm going to do mini reviews of what I read every month. Let's chat books!

please note that anything with an asterisk (*) was an ARC I received. It didn't change my opinion of the book, but just for transparency's sake.

Yes, Chef by Waitlyn Andrews - ★★★★*

This was a well written chef romance that takes place in Paris. I always love anything that involves food. Whether it's a good book, TV show or movie. I like it even more, if it's a well told story. The romance was a beautifully told slow burn. The characters genuinely get to know each other, and I just fell in love with them not only as individuals, but as a couple. I will definitely look into other books by Waitlyn Andrews in the future

Off-the-Charts-Chemistry by Christine Miles - ★★★*

A Super fluffy high school teacher/football coach romance. Nothing too extraordinary about the story, but it was a quick fun read! Overall, a bit too surface level for my liking.

Camera Chemistry by Chelsea Curto - ★★★★

A well written short romance about two strangers being photographed for a special photo series, and they end up clicking a lot. Really quick paced, but fun. Kind of wish I got more from the characters, because it left me wanting more, but super enjoyable to read. While it was a bit of Love/Lust at first sight, which is one of the tropes I hate, Chelsea did a good job not making it cringe-y at all.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas - ★★★¾

The novella in the ACOTAR series. For a novella, it was still really long. Over 200 pages, but it was a nice change of pace after the very action packed and plot heavy third book. Enjoyed to see what was going on with all of the main characters during this Christmas themed story. Not necessary to read, but fun!

When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein - ★★★*

A UK based story about a ghost writer and a soccer (football) player. Plus sized FMC who doesn't realize how pretty she is to other people. A little slow paced in the beginning, but you get into it as you get to meet the characters. They're both very awkward, which is pretty funny. I love the one-liners in this one. TOO much miscommunication for my taste. Still a super fun read.

Arrived by Ashley Jacobs & S.S. Rich - ★★★¼*

Really enjoyed the plot line. It was fast pace, and the characters were both really likeable. I think the main problem with this story was the fact that I didn't believe their relationship. I understand they were both attracted to one another, and I don't know if the story was rushed or what, but I just didn't feel like they genuinely were in love with each other by the end. I also felt like the story felt a little underdeveloped. I wish we saw more of their lifestyle or more about their businesses. I would still read another story by them, because the writing wasn't bad.

Match Me If You Can by Sandy Barker - ★★★½*

This is a matchmaker/wealthy bachelor. The bachelor also has to get married by a certain time to receive a inheritance. I feel like I've read this exact plot line before, but I can't pinpoint where exactly. Nontheless, this story was super funny, quick, and fluffy. I wish we got a bit more interaction between the two characters before it ended, but overall a fun and enjoyable read.

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks - ★★★★

Fun romance between a mortician and an animator in Galway, Ireland. I chose to read this book while I was in Ireland, and it was a good decision! I knew a few of the places they mentioned, and it gave me great visualization of the town they're talking about. I really liked the slow burn friends-to-lovers thing going on. I also like the way they talked about grief in this book. MMC suffers from a stutter and anxiety. There's not really anything bad to say about this book. Overall, I really enjoyed this POV story, and I highly recommend.

Happy Place by Emily Henry - ★★★★★

My sole 5 star book of the month. This book was...wow. After feeling a little disappointed by Book Lovers (don't come at me, I know a lot of people love that book), I was nervous about starting this one. But I think I honestly read this at the perfect moment of my life. It's about long term relationships and friendships and how they change over time. How easy it is to be friends or in a relationship when you go to school in the same place or when you live in the same building/apartment. Then as years pass by things change. You don't all live in the same city, or even state. You live in different time zones with different work schedules, and things just aren't the same anymore. Everyone's on their own life path, and no one's path is wrong, but they're just so different. How you thought that your college boyfriend was going to be the one, and here you are broken up for six months and haven't had the heart to tell your best friends. I think the main basis of this story is the fact that change is difficult, even if they're good changes.

This story really spoke to me. A lot. The characters are about the same age as me, and I almost felt like this story was written just for me. It made me cry, laugh, and all the things in between. I understand why some people weren't a fan of this one, but this may have been one of my top books of 2023, hands down.

The Only One Left by Riley Sager - ★★★¾

This was the book of the month for my book club. It's a thriller book club that one of my bookstagram friend hosts. There were a lot of things I liked about the story. I loved the typewritten letters. The slow buildup. The way it kept you guessing what was going on and who did it throughout the whole story. The major issue I had with this story is the fact that all of the major plot twists happened at the end of the story, and I felt like it was very BAM BAM BAM. One thing right after another, and it almost felt like too much for me? Still a quick and enjoyable read though.

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard - ★★★½*

This is a Hollywood romance between two actors. I really liked the fact that these characters had history, because it makes this romance much more believable. When a romance takes place in a short period of time, it can sometimes feel like it all happened too fast. The characters were likable, and the story was quick and fun to read. I loved that they had some emotional conversations about their insecurities, because it made it feel like this wasn't a lust at first sight (which I mentioned above, that I hate!)

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Well those were all the books I read in October! I read a lot more than usual, and that's probably because I had a transatlantic flight when I went to Ireland! What did you read this month? Any 5 star reads that you recommend? Let me know down below!