Book Review: While Idaho Slept by J. Reuben Appelman

I devoured this audiobook during an inventory shift at the Barnes & Noble Café, and it ended up being my very first true crime read. If you’re into true crime podcasts, you’ll probably enjoy this — it has that same binge-worthy feel. I was especially interested in picking this one up, due to the recent updates on the verdict for this trial. The stories were heartbreaking, but it was also fascinating to hear how the investigation unfolded.

★★★★★/5 — a gripping, heavy listen that’s perfect for true crime fans and audiobook lovers alike.

Book Review: Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross

I was lucky enough to get an advanced reader’s copy (ARC) of this book through my job at Barnes & Noble, and wow… Rebecca Ross has my whole heart. Her writing is some of the most beautiful I’ve ever read: lyrical and poetic in a way that makes me fall in love with words all over again.

The story follows Matilda, a goddess born without her full constellation, navigating a world where gods and goddesses can never truly trust one another — betrayal could mean losing your life and your powers. But everything shifts when she enters the mortal realm and discovers what it means to be vulnerable, to trust, and to love.

This book is a blend of mythology, self-discovery, family bonds, and a love story that feels tender yet powerful. It’s a transformative journey with prose that will absolutely wreck you… in the best way possible!

★★★★★/5 — if you love stories with rich mythology, lyrical writing, and romances that make your chest ache, add this to your TBR. Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross officially releases on September 2nd, 2025, and trust me… you’ll want to read it right away!

Book Review: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc

This one was hyped as a must-read for Gilmore Girls fans, and while it did carry that cozy vibe, it just didn’t land for me. The writing felt too young, amore middle-school than high-school, and I struggled to connect with the characters (Lucy especially came across as more rude than relatable). At about 100 pages in, I decided to put it down. Just not my style. And honestly? Life’s too short to read books you don’t like.

☆☆☆☆☆/5 (DNF) — if you’re picking this up expecting full Gilmore Girls magic, it’s not quite that. But if you’re looking for a super easy, low-key read with fall vibes (and you’re not a pumpkin spice fan 👀), you might enjoy it more than I did.

Book Review: Clean Point by Meg Jones

I’ve drifted away from sports romances lately — not because I dislike them (I actually do enjoy them!), but because they often skip over the actual sport. That wasn’t the case here, which was a pleasant surprise since I only picked up this audiobook from Libby for a book club with some friends.

Meg Jones really delivered on the tennis side of things. She writes about two players, both dealing with injuries, but carrying very different internal struggles. It added depth that I don’t usually see in the genre. The romance itself leans more on the spicy side than the poetic, but overall, I really enjoyed listening to this one!

★★★★☆/5 — if you’re a fan of sports romance, and especially if you enjoy tennis as a sport, this audiobook is worth picking up.

Book Review: The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells (In Progress)

I started this on August 22nd and haven’t finished it yet by the time this post is going live, but so far it’s giving me all the fall vibes 🍂. Rachel’s descriptions of nature are so vivid that I can practically smell the crisp air as the seasons shift. It even has a touch of Practical Magic energy, which makes it the perfect cozy read for this time of year. Right now it feels like a solid four-star read in the making — but we’ll see where it lands once I finish. I’ll share my full thoughts over on Instagram and Goodreads when I do!

☆☆☆☆☆/5 (in progress) — a cozy autumn read with witchy Practical Magic vibes.

Book Review: Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

I picked up the audiobook after a friend’s glowing recommendation, and wow — they were absolutely right! This quickly became one of my favorite audiobook experiences ever. The dual narration brings the characters to life in a way that feels almost theatrical, like listening to a dramatized performance rather than just a reading.

★★★★★/5 — one of my favorite books of 2024, and revisiting it through audio only made me love it more. Whether you pick it up in print or as an audiobook, I can’t recommend this story enough. It’s a book I’ll never stop recommending!

Book Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Audiobook narrated by Lola Tung)

I’ve been dying to get my hands on this audiobook ever since I started watching the show this summer. It’s quickly become part of my personality (sorry not sorry), and I’d heard the books are a little less messy than the series. That made me extra intrigued to see how the story unfolds and so far… I’m hooked! ⚓

I devoured this audiobook in just a few days, mostly on my drives to and from work. There were some differences from season one of the show, and I won’t spill all the details in case you want to discover them for yourself. Let’s just say we should’ve been Team Cam Cameron forever and always.

★★★★★/5 — an addictive audiobook adaptation that fans of the show will love (and maybe even love more than the series)!

Favorite August Read

Wild Reverence wasn’t just my favorite book this month — it might be my favorite of the year so far. Rebecca Ross has a way with words that makes me fall in love with reading all over again. I feel so lucky her books exist, and I know she’ll always hold a special place as one of my all-time favorite authors. She is truly one of the best voices in fantasy romance today.

If you haven’t read Wild Reverence yet, do yourself a favor and start with the rest of the Letters of Enchantment series before this one releases on September 2nd. Trust me — you’ll want to be fully immersed before diving into this gem.