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October has been a fun mix of fall and Christmas reads. My desire for a cabin house has only grown exponentially. But I’m reminding myself that even though we don’t have a vacation cabin, we do still have all of these amazing family traditions during the holidays – even if they’re at home!

A lot of these fall book reads have also had dual points-of-view, which I’ve realized I LOVE.

The Breakaway, by Jennifer Weiner: Three Mugs (Libby Loan)

This book had a post-pandemic setting, which I’m enjoying reading more and more. Although I know we all went through it together, it’s interesting to gain insight in how others fared through it, and how it affected them after.

I enjoyed the exploration of staying in a relationship because it’s “safe” and you know what you’re getting into, versus pursuing a relationship that has all the passion, but all the uncertainty as well. Sometimes, you just gotta take the risk!

She was worried that if she told Lizzie what she’d decided, if she spoke it out loud, it would sound impractical or impossible; like something Abby could never hope to accomplish, or like something that someone else was already doing. Abby wasn’t sure which one of those things would be worse. 

I feel this, SO. MUCH.

One Italian Summer, by Rebecca Serle: Three Mugs (audiobook on Libby)

I loved the familiarity of this book: it starts off in Culver City, CA, which I’m vaguely familiar with (two of my best friends from college are from that area), and the main character went to UCSB for undergrad, which is my alma mater (Go Gauchos!). It’s always cool to read about places you know first hand or have some history with.

This was a little difficult for me to get into at first: it was hard for me to wrap my head around some of the main characters’ relationships with those most important to her (the priorities were unrelatable to me).

But overall, I really enjoyed listening to this book and loved following along on (another) an Italian adventure.

Ding ding dings: You guys, reading The Breakaway and One Italian Summer back-to-back was bonker balls! Here’s why: for one, One Italian Summer mentions a book by the author of The Breakaway at the end (WHAAAAT?). For seconds, both books have female main characters that are evaluating their relationships with their significant others, and exploring relationships with someone else while they’re doing that evaluation. Both books also explore some intense relationships with their mother’s, although from VERY different perspectives. Lastly, both books had characters that had to let someone go, in order for them to come back.

There is more to do than continuing to do what you do.

A Court of Silver Flames, by Sarah J. Maas: Three Mugs + Two Jalapenos (Book 5 of A Court of Thorns and Roses series)

Ohhh boooooy. All the spiciness on this one. Although it teetered on the edge of what I’m capable of consuming, it was SO GOOD. I think book 2 is still my favorite, but this would be my number 2 of the five. Now we just….wait….for the next one? Ugggghhhh

Last Summer at the Lake House, by Heather Dixon: Two Mugs (currently free with Kindle Unlimited)

Gaaaaah, just gimme gimme gimme a lake house, pleeeeeease. I’ve been lusting over a cabin in Lake Arrowhead or Idylwild for a few years now, and reading books like these just gets me all hyped up. I want the memories and the traditions and the weekend/summer/winter getaways.

There were so many great quotes in this book about family life, dynamics, and the messiness of life. I felt that it was authentic and real, even if I though it went a little slow at times.

Not everything is as simple as you see it. Life isn’t black and white. There are so many shady gray areas that nobody knows what to do with, and everybody has their own answer, especially when it comes to marriage and raising kids. Our marriage had its natural ebbs and flows, and I didn’t want to give up when it got bad. 

Easy as Pie, by Carina Taylor: Three Mugs (The Sweater Weather Series, currently free with Kindle Unlimited)

Female mechanic and hot doctor in a small town? Yes, please. This is another sweet, closed-door romance from The Sweater Weather Series.

This is a classic best friends to lovers romance, and I was all in. Also: what’s cuter than a guy taking care of you when you’re sick? Swooooon.

A Very Typical Family, by Sierra Godfrey: One Mug (audiobook on Libby)

This is one of those that I read because it was highly recommended somewhere, and it just didn’t live up to the hype for me. It seemed to drag on for a too long and I really just wanted to get to the end (eek).

I think my issues started at the very beginning where the main character is publicly passed over for a promotion and is devastated. I haven’t worked in the private sector in about a decade, but I’m not sure that’s how promotions work…do they? I feel like if you were getting a promotion, you would have a closed door discussion about it and hammer out the salary and contract before it’s announced to the entire office. I also feel like this happened in another book that I read recently and it’s killing me that I can’t remember it (main character was passed up for a promotion and she fled to a small town…Bueller?).

There were several WTF moments for me with this book: things that seemed liked obviously terrible ideas but the main character went for it anyway. And there are only so many “I’m sorry’s” that I can read. I did need to see how it ended though…

Ding Ding Dings: Stuck in a storage room, like in Easy as Pie (and countless other romance books, ha!). Like Breakaway, the main character here was trying to decide between a safe romantic relationship, and one that offered more than stability. Also reminiscent of Liz’s Road Trip: going on a road trip across the country, even down to the cat companion!

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, by Laurie Gilmore: Three Mugs + Jalapeno

Do you think it’s a coincidence that the author’s name is Laurie Gilmore, and that this book takes place in a cute town like Stars Hollow, where Lorelai Gilmore lives? I think not!

I loooooved this fall romance book. Pumpkins, apple donuts, contentious town hall meetings, a hot apple orchard farmer, who is grumpy and thoughtful? Yes, please.

Ding Ding Ding: This was a little reminiscent of Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe: the main character finds herself in charge of running a cafe in a small town with zero experience.

Absolutely Not In Love, by Jenny Proctor: Three Mugs (The Sweater Weather Series, currently free with Kindle Unlimited)

I think this is the last book in the series, and I LOVED it. The forced proximity trope was executed expertly, and I loved the reading and classical music themes running through the book. And who doesn’t love a smart AND hot hockey player with a ladder bookshelf?!

Take Me Home, by Beth Moran: Two Mugs (currently free with Kindle Unlimited)

I assumed this was a holiday book from the cover, but it was NOT. Obviously the description would have set me straight, but I didn’t give the description enough credit, haha.

This book deals with a lot of trauma and therapy, but has a nice historical throwback plot line woven throughout it that I really enjoyed.

I did also love the description of the property, and I’m ready to book my stay on the grounds.

Mrs. Nashes Ashes, by Sarah Adler: Two Mugs + THREE Jalapenos?! (Libby Audiobook)

Nothing says forced proximity better than having to road trip in a car together because all the flights got cancelled and no other rental cars are available! I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator on this one, and maybe that had something to do with my overall enjoyment of the book. This book also had some historical flashbacks which were entertaining, but I mostly loved the grumpy but caring male companion.

I question the three jalapenos because there aren’t THAT many spicy scenes, but some of them were borderline much for me. I’m still trying to psycho-analyze myself to understand why I draw the line where I do, but I haven’t finished my self-evaluation yet…

There were definitely some laugh out loud moments, which were amazing. I loved the small town pitstop (I’m all about the small town books, in case you haven’t noticed).

I’m also realizing I’m not a fan of the last-act conflict. I’m not sure that’s an exact literary term, but I’m sure there’s one. Like when the happy ending is in sight, but then there’s a curveball and everything is up in the air again, but you know you’re getting a happy ending eventually. Whatever it’s called, I don’t think I like it, ha!

Ding Ding Ding: Ashes, on a road trip to Florida. Hello Liz’s Road Trip!

I’ve Got My Mind Set on Brew, by Stephanie Jayne (publication date 04.09.24): Three Mugs

Ahhh this was such a delightful read! I’m sure it helps that we love beer in this house. There were definitely lots of beer references and metaphors (not sure that’s the right literary term, but I’ve ruled out alliteration, simile, and allusion, so I’m pretty sure it’s metaphor), but I think they were executed well.

I really liked that the romance plot was secondary to the well-being of the pub and the main character finding her true calling. It’s refreshing (like a good IPA…see what I did?).

I also really enjoyed the writing style:

He shrugs. “I like books.” A gleam from his eye hits me square in the feels. Ryan likes books. I like books. Kat can’t think smart now.

Cabin Crush, by Kasey Stockton: Three Mugs

Cabin (which you already know I’m obsessed about). Christmas. Cookie decorating. Sledding. Puzzles. Friends to lovers. Yes, yes, yes. I read this book in a day. I loved the chemistry, the family vibe, the holiday traditions, all of it. This is book one of the Gift Wrapped Romance series, so I’m excited to check out some of the other titles as they come out.

To be honest, I didn’t really love Die Hard. Go ahead, revoke my man card. Jake Peralta would be totally ashamed.

Ahhh I love when I get a good reference. And yes, Jake Peralta WOULD be totally ashamed.

Five Gold Rings, by Kristen Bailey: Three Mugs

I wasn’t sure I was going to finish this one in time to include it for October, but I couldn’t. Put it. Down. This one kept me up late…I couldn’t stop, haha.

I found the characters to be absolutely adorable and I’m smitten with both of them. I was excited to hear about each individual story with the five rings they had to deliver, and laughed and cried through some of them. I like how the separate ring stories explored different types of love: the showy and extravagant, the simple and straightforward, and sometimes the heartbreak that love brings.

What have been your favorite reads lately?

If you’re looking for your next read, here are some of my TBR lists:

You can also follow me along on Instagram for regular posts on what I’m reading (@alexs.reading.nook)

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