It was a quieter reading month for me than last September. I just wasn’t into audiobooks as much, so I listened to eight titles instead of last year’s 14. I’m ok with any of my reading, as long as I’m enjoying it, and of the many titles I gave five stars to, I’d say the quality was high! 

Here are the titles I gave five stars this month. A list of all the titles I read this month is at the end of this post. 

Tell me – what have you read that you enjoyed?

Five Star Reads:

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren – a popular, swoony, hilarious rom-com that features my most favorite romance trope – the fake relationship. 

Lowcountry Lost by TI Lowe – Avalee Elvis brings Southern ghost towns back to life. I loved everything about this book. I found myself intentionally slowing down my reading because I didn’t want it to end, and then I’d speed up because I had to know what happened. This is Southern romantic fiction (with a small mystery element) at its finest. It’s just the perfect mixture of the messiness of life with love, grief, humor, and second chances for both buildings and people. (Full blog post here) 

The Library Girls of the East End by Patricia McBride – WWII Historical fiction, the first in a series that I mentioned last month in my August 2024 Five Star Post. Perfect for fans of character driven stories with one of my favorite themes ever – found family. If you enjoyed The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan, give this series a try. I listened using Hoopla. 

Death on the Night Riviera by Patricia Penrose – a cozy, British, historical mystery and just the kind of historical mystery I love to read. Just the right mix of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages and trying to guess the ending, but only coming slightly close. I adored the humor that showed through charming characters. And the cozy scenes blended perfectly with nail biting ones. (Full review here)

Essentials of Murder by Kim Davis – “Recovering from a scandal that chased her from San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael struggles to find acceptance in her small Southern California hometown as she opens her aromatherapy  and reflexology shop.” Great introduction to a wonderful sleuth with a unique occupation. (Full blog post here)

Apple Dumpling Murder by Trixie Silvertale – Such a fun cozy mystery featuring Santa’s daughter living among us humans, owning her own bakery and of course, solving murders. Did you see the 2019 Noelle movie? This book gave me the same fun, heartwarming vibes, despite the murder mystery. This was the perfect magical escape with a lovely mix of mystery and humor and Christmas cheer. Yes, you have to suspend your disbelief as you dive into this paranormal cozy mystery, but as I have said before, that’s one of the main reasons I read – for escape and entertainment. (Full blog post here) 

French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron – Book three in the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series, can easily be read as a standalone, but don’t miss out on books one and two! Here in book three, it’s Halloween time in New Orleans, and the author’s descriptions make this a festive fall read. The mystery is solid and wonderfully paced. I was annoyed with life when I had to put this down and take care of adulting tasks. (Full blog post here)

Death at the Dinner Party by Ellie Alexander – Book three in A Secret Bookcase Mystery series, can be read as standalone, but books one and two are not to be missed. If you enjoy reading seasonally, this is the perfect fall read with wonderful details of life in Redwood Grove and the Secret Bookcase Shop decorated for Halloween, as well as a clever mystery with the hint of lost treasure. (Full review here)

All books read in September 2024:

• Quilty as Charged by Maggie Bailey
• The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker
• The Address by Fiona Davis
• Crime and Culpability by Regina Jeffers & Others
• Murder on Devils Pond by Ayla Rose
• Tallowed Ground by Valona Jones
• Halloween Parade Peril by Victoria Tait
• The Jig is Up bybLisa Q Mathews
• The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln
• Murder at Midwinter Manor by Anita Davison
• Echoes of Memory by Sara Driscoll
• The Tanlgewood Bookshop by Lilac Mills
• The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster by Shauna Robinson
• Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant
• Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
• Essentials of Murder by Kim Davis
• Apple Dumpling Murder by Trixie Silvertale
• French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron
• Death at the Dinner Party by Alexander
• The Library Girls of the East End by Patricia McBride
• Death on the Night Rivera by Patricia Penrose
• The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
• Lowcountry Lost by TI Lowe