After a months-long reading slump, October was the month of mostly romance! I got a lot of recommendations from #BookTok, which took some of the pressure off the usual hunt for my next read.
In other good news, I’ve hit this year’s Goodreads Reading Challenge of 52 books, so I’m looking forward to spending the rest of the year sifting through my TBR list and prepping my reads for 2023. I’ll also be moving my tracking from Goodreads to The StoryGraph; I’ll probably write an update on how that’s going in a few months.
With that said, let’s get into a few of this month’s most memorable reads!
The Buttons Series by Penelope Sky
I blazed through this six-book series in a couple of days. Literally. I could not put them down.
The first three books give us the story of Pearl and Crow. Pearl is abducted while vacationing with her boyfriend and sold into a massive sex trafficking ring. She’s bought by Bones, one of the most sadistic and cruel characters I’ve encountered in a long time. Crow kidnaps Pearl from Bones in a revenge attempt that’s stalled when the two begin developing feelings for each other. Crow gives Pearl the chance to buy her freedom by earning 365 buttons in exchange for favours she finds herself more than willing to provide. Just as things are resolved with Crow and Pearl, the series pivots to Crow’s brother Cane, and Adelina. Much of the same follows, this time with the added bonus of the friendship between Cane and Pearl.
A word of caution, however, for anyone considering reading The Buttons series. The abuse Pearl and Adelina are forced to endure is horrific. I only managed to make it through the books because I needed to see them both free and happy.
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
Izumi Tanaka is just about to graduate high school in California when she discovers that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan. She heads over to Tokyo to meet her father and extended family, and soon learns just how difficult it is to be a princess.
This was such a fun and light read. I think this one might be my most surprising read this year.
The Fantasy League by Meg Reading
This was another light read. Football player Abel is in love with his personal chef Scarlett, but she doesn’t know and she certainly doesn’t feel the same way…until he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend.
This was a great reprieve after reading Buttons. I think I’ll be putting #Booktok and romance reads down for a bit. It’s been a while since I’ve read a thriller or mystery that sticks.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
I had no plans to read this one, but it’s hard to ignore what so many people had been raving about for weeks. Jenette is really candid about her struggles as a child star and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. I’m glad she’s doing better. She also did an interview with Drew Barrymore a few weeks ago I recommend watching. Her interview on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah is excellent as well.
Her Perfect Twin by Sarah Bonner
Megan and Leah are identical twins who’ve been estranged for several years. But after Megan finds pictures in her husband’s phone of Leah in her lingerie, Megan kills Leah. Then COVID hits and Megan decides to take over her twin’s life. After all, things couldn’t possibly get any worse, right?
This one had me telling everyone who would listen about it. Loved it!
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
Sarah and Adam’s perfect marriage is shattered when Adam is arrested and charge with killing his mistress, Kelly. Sarah, a successful attorney, makes the difficult decision to defend her husband in court.
I have a few choice words for a couple of characters in this book, but I can’t unleash them without giving the whole story away. People can be so evil.
Honourable Mention: Catharina Maura
I’ve read Bittersweet Memories, Forever After All, Dr. Grant, and Professor Astor. I am officially a fan of Catharina Maura. Whenever I’m ready to get back into some romance, she’ll be my first stop.
