Yes, they’re cool reads now. Because I got tired of calling them hot. (And they were only hot because I ran out of book-related puns.) But enough about temperature! Let’s take a look at all the awesome books I read last month! Like Mia Sosa’s trade paperback debut, The Worst Best Man—which isn’t out until February, so get those pre-orders in! It pairs a cynical wedding planner with the hot younger brother of the jerkface who dumped her on her wedding day in a funny, warm, and heartfelt enemies-to-lovers-but-really-friends-to-lovers plot. Plus, the cover ranks as one of my absolute favorite of the current cartoon cover trend cycle. Then there’s Ilona Andrews’ highly anticipated fourth Hidden Legacy book. Sapphire Flames totally delivered, selling me on Catalina Baylor’s strength as a heroine. Like many other readers, I came to love her almost more than big sis Nevada.

Brothers were pretty big for me in September, too. Like Shelly Ellis’ Branch Avenue Boys, who put their lives and loves on the line in her tension-wrapped series-ender, The Final Play. And Nisha Sharma’s Singh family, who popped onto the page in full-color…and full flavor. All I wanted while reading The Takeover Effect was paratha and mango pickle. But I also felt full—thrilled to see so many little cultural touches that reminded me of my own family and my own community. Farah Heron’s hilarious and sweet The Chai Factor gave me those touches and glimpses as well. I’m bouncing up and down waiting for both authors’ follow-up novels!

The Reading Rundown:
Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews (urban fantasy, paranormal romance)
Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole (contemporary romance, novella)
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore (historical romance)
The Final Play by Shelly Ellis (out 10/29, mainstream fiction, urban fiction)
The Chai Factor by Farah Heron (contemporary romance)
Open House by Ruby Lang (out 11/11, contemporary romance, novella)
Small Change by Roan Parrish (contemporary romance)
The Takeover Effect by Nisha Sharma (contemporary romance)
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa (out 2/4/20, contemporary romance)

On the wishlist/TBR:
The Third Mrs. Durst by Ann Aguirre
A Crash of Fate by Zoraida Córdova
Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik
Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse
Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri
The Magnolia Sword by Sherry Thomas