August Reading Wrap-Up

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Introduction

Hey friends!

So, how was your reading month? Did you fly through your August TBR or, like me, end up in a bit of a slump? 😅 August's Reading Wrap-Up wasn’t exactly my most productive month reading-wise—honestly, I just wasn’t in the mood much. But I did finish five books, so I’m still calling that a win!

If you're into romantasy, romance, or mystery, you might want to peek at what I read and maybe add a few to your own never-ending TBR. Speaking of, mine is overflowing. At this point, I’m fully expecting to be a ghost still trying to finish it. 😂

Alright, let’s jump into the books I read in August!

August Wrap-Up:

• Ashes of Ruin by Thomas B. Matthews

• The Obsidian Eye by Cathy Warshaw

• For The Record by Emma Lord

• Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

• Stacy by Arnold Jackson

Ashes of Ruin by Thomas B. Matthews

Publishers Blurb:

"Everything burns, even the dead." Joshua Mason, Prince of the Octava, has been abducted. An act done since he is the only one capable to defeat the crown. Victoria, his reluctant teacher, must prepare him for what's to come. Yet something tugs at her, pulls her closer than expected, leading them along a treacherous path. Together, they'll fight the shadowed foe. An occult, formidable, and ancient force known only as Ashryn."

The Obsidian Eye by Cathy Warshaw

Publisher's Blurb:

"Two small-town sisters. One mysterious artifact. No time to waste.

With help from a martial artist, a hacker, and a robotics genius, the sisters' courage and bond are pushed to the limit. From Upland's quiet streets to Mt. Baldy's shadowy trails, the stakes couldn't be higher.

When sisters Chloe and Lily from Upland, California discover a cryptic artifact called the Obsidian Eye, their small-town lives erupt into a race against time. As they unravel clues tied to secret societies, ancient mysteries, and local legends, danger lurks at every turn.

The Obsidian Eye is perfect for teens who love decoding puzzles, uncovering secrets, and chasing thrilling adventures."

For the Record by Emma Lord

Publisher's Blurb:

"An electrifying rom com of rivalry and redemption, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Daisy Jones and the Six, from New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord.

Once the most notorious rivals in the music scene, pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze electrified audiences as their bands clashed on stage. But behind the scenes, their simmering tension grew into something more — until suddenly both bands fell apart, and the idea of Mackenzie and Sam did, too.

Two years later, Sam has traded the rockstar lifestyle for a quiet life raising the son he didn’t know about. Meanwhile, Mackenzie is dealing with a postoperative change in her voice by only singing under a pseudonym. The only way to revive their public careers? A joint comeback album.

With fans over the moon and their futures on the line, Sam and Mackenzie face their biggest challenge yet: giving up their old rivalry and learning to work together. But as old sparks fly and new secrets emerge, they set off a chain reaction neither of them could have anticipated — one that proves that sometimes, the greatest hits are the ones yet to be written."

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

Publisher's Blurb:

Shield of Sparrows is a slow-burn, high-stakes romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros—where enemies become lovers, monsters stalk a cursed realm, and a forgotten princess finds the strength to tear off her crown and become the warrior she was never meant to be.

The gods sent monsters to the five kingdoms to remind mortals they must kneel.

I’ve spent my life kneeling—to their will and to my father's. As a princess, my only duty is to wear the crown and obey the king.

I was never meant to rule. Never meant to fight. And I was never supposed to be the daughter who sealed an ancient treaty with her own blood.

Now I’m crossing treacherous lands beside a warrior who despises me as much as I despise him—bound to a future I didn’t choose and a husband I barely know.

Everyone wants me to be something I’m not—a queen, a spy, a sacrifice.

But that changed the fateful day I stepped into my father’s throne room. The day a legendary monster hunter sailed to our shores. The day a prince ruined my life.

But what if I refused the role chosen for me? What if I made my own rules? What if there’s power in being underestimated?

And what if—for the first time—I reached for it?

Stacy by Arnold Jackson

Publisher's Blurb:

"In the spring of 1988, young inventor Alen Bronte stands at his father's graveside, haunted by the stroke that stole his father away and the dreams they shared of building a better world. Struggling with grief, a toxic relationship, and dead-end jobs, Alen clings to his passion for creating gadgets that could heal—like a revolutionary device to aid stroke recovery. But when a chance encounter at a cozy Chinese restaurant introduces him to Stacy, a vibrant teacher with a heart as vast as the ocean, everything changes. Their whirlwind romance unfolds amid 80s nostalgia: origami fortunes, hidden coves teeming with colorful marine life, and heartfelt adventures that ignite Alen's hope for a future filled with love and purpose.

Yet, as Alen chases his ambitions in a cutthroat corporate world, betrayal looms—greedy colleagues steal his inventions, turning his dreams into weapons of exploitation. Amidst heartbreak, eccentric allies, and profound losses, Alen must confront his deepest fears: Can he reclaim his stolen legacy, honor the memory of those he's lost, and forge a path to redemption? Infused with spiritual whispers of reincarnation, Native American folklore like the White Buffalo Woman, and the raw ache of young love, Stacy's Story is a poignant tale of resilience, innovation, and the unbreakable bonds that guide us through life's storms.

Heart-wrenching yet uplifting, this debut novel by Arnold Jackson blends romance, drama, and 80s flair into an unforgettable journey. Perfect for fans of The Notebook meets The Social Network, it reminds us that even in our darkest moments, love can reinvent us. Dive in and discover why some stories are worth fighting for."

Final Thoughts

So yeah, five books in August—definitely fewer than I planned (don’t even ask me how many are sitting unread on my nightstand 😅), but still a solid mix! I got a bit of everything: two romances, two romantasies, and one mystery/adventure. Honestly, I’m okay with slower reading months. Sometimes your brain just needs a breather, you know?

If any of these caught your eye, let me know! Or drop your August reads in the comments—I’m always looking for new books to add to my “TBR mountain of doom.” 😂

Until next time—happy reading, friends! 💛