I’m going to try and get better at posting my wrap ups a bit closer to the end of the month, instead of three quarters of the way through the following month, but we’ll see how that goes (ha!) August was a great reading month and I completed thirteen books, which honestly is probably the most I’ve ever read in a single month!

1. Sweet Black Waves – Kristina Perez

I started this book right at the end of July and it was the first book I completed in August. A retelling of the Tristan and Eseult legend, this book was full of magic and romance and I enjoyed it so much. There is so much detail and research put into this story and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. 4/5.

2. The Way Past Winter – Kiran Millwood Hargrave

I was lucky enough to win a signed proof of this book at YALC this year and it was the first book I picked up when I got home. I loved Girl of Ink and Stars and I absolutely flew through this, it’s beautifully written and full of magic and wonder. It’s already got a lot of buzz around it and fans are definitely not going to be disappointed. 5/5.

3. Shadow and Bone – Leigh Bardugo

I for some unknown reason have never read Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo. I’ve read Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm multiple times and I loved so many of the characters but have never completed the series. It seemed like time to rectify that, so I reread Shadow and Bone in preparation. I loved it just as much as I did the first time and the Darkling will forever be one of my favourite characters. 5/5.

4. Puzzle Girl – Rachael Featherstone

This is a fun and light contemporary romance about a young woman dealing with a break up and trying to further her career. It’s cute and enjoyable (with plenty of awkward cringy moments) and I really enjoyed the story. 4/5.

5. The Lost Witch – Melvin Burgess

I was  a massive fan of Melvin Burgess growing up so when I received a review copy of this book I was so excited. I love books about witches and I thought this would be right up my street. Alas I was left a bit disappointed. I really like the way the Norse mythology was woven in but I felt overall it was a bit slow and I wasn’t really gripped by the story. 3/5.

6. The Humans – Matt Haig

This was a buddy read with my boyfriend and it sounded like something we were both really going to enjoy. The book is a quick read and it’s really fascinating looking at how humans and society view themselves. There were a few really funny moments and I liked Matt Haig’s writing style. I was however a little disappointed with the ending so I ended up giving this 3/5.

7. Show Stealer – Hayley Barker

I loved Hayley’s debut last year Show Stealer – it was one of my favourite books of 2017. I was really excited to find out what was in store next for these terrific characters and I wasn’t disappointed. This instalment is darker and much more focused on politics and intrigue, but I loved every second and could not put it down. 5/5.

8. Darksoul – Anna Stephens

Anna Stephens was my new favourite author of 2017. I loved Godblind more than any other book I read last year, and it has become one of my all time favourite books ever. This was probably one of my most anticipated releases of 2018 and it was so good I honestly can’t explain my love for this series. It’s dark, violent, gory and full of fascinating characters and I’m definitely thinking about rereading the books already because I just cannot get enough. 5/5 (all the stars!)

9. City of Ghosts – Victoria Schwab

A book set in Edinburgh? Sold! Now shameful secret time: despite owning quite a few of her books I’ve actually never read a Victoria Schwab book. Well after reading this gorgeous and spooky tale in a single sitting I am definitely going to be solving that problem. I hope there are plenty more books in this series because I am completely in love with Cassidy and her story. 5/5.

10. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – Jenny Han

I really love YA books but I mainly read fantasy and science fiction. I’ve tried a few contemporary YA books and often it takes me ages to read them because they just don’t grip me in the same way. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before had been getting so much attention because of the Netflix adaptation that I decided to give it a go and surprisingly I absolutely loved it. Fun and sweet and such an addictive read, I read it in two days and watched the film straight after. I’m now eagerly awaiting the rest of the series to be delivered because I need to know if it all works out! 4/5.

11. The Secret Deep – Lindsay Gavin

This was another book that I picked up at YALC which I thought was about mermaids. I found the story a little slow to start but ended up really enjoying it. The book definitely wasn’t what I thought it was – it focuses on science and the creation of new vaccines and was much more of a thriller. It’s a gripping read and one I’m definitely glad I picked up. 4/5.

12. Siege and Storm – Leigh Bardugo

I continued my reread of the Grisha books with Siege and Storm. I prefer the first book in the series but this was still an unputdownable five star read for me. Will I finally read Ruin and Rising? Who knows! 5/5.

13. Resin – Ane Riel

This was a gripping thriller that is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Centring on a family who live on a remote island by themselves, this story is dark and unsettling and I found myself thinking about it well after I’d put it down. This is a really original story and completely unforgettable.

So that’s my wrap up for August! What books did you read last month and have you read any of these – if you have what did you think?