Hi everyone! Where has this year gone? I’m still a bit behind with my posts, but here is my October Mini Review. October was a month filled with spooky, fall, thrillers and romances! I enjoyed all of the books I read! I hope you enjoy my October Mini Review!

Synopsis: “Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal—which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home—to Gallant. Yet when Olivia arrives, no one is expecting her. But Olivia is not about to leave the first place that feels like home, it doesn’t matter if her cousin Matthew is hostile or if she sees half-formed ghouls haunting the hallways. Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallant—but not. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Now Olivia sees what has unraveled generations of her family, and where her father may have come from. Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him?” (goodreads.com)

This was an interesting read! I was curious to know how everything connected. However, I felt like the ending was a bit anticlimactic, but I’m not sure how else it could have ended. I really enjoyed the acknowledgments at the end.

Playlist listened to on Spotify: gallant – v.e. schwab

Synopsis: “When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, they find something elusive―the friendship of two like-minded, pitch-black souls who just happen to enjoy killing other serial killers. From small-town West Virginia to upscale California, and from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country. But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?” (goodreads.com)

Omg I throughly enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would! Considering the topics in the book it was such a fun read! I loved the twists that popped up, and Rowan and Sloane’s relationship! Can’t wait to read the next book!! (Make sure to check the trigger warnings!)

Playlist listened to on Spotify: Butcher & Blackbird

Synopsis: “It’s hard to find an employer who doesn’t ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want. It’s almost perfect. But I still haven’t met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I’m sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I’m doing laundry. And one day I can’t help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything… That’s when I make a promise. After all, I’ve done this before. I can protect Mrs. Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe. Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It’s simply a question of how far I’m willing to go…” (goodreads.com)

I really enjoyed this!! Loved all the twists and turns and wasn’t expecting the twist at the end! I think I enjoyed the first Housemaid’s book more, but this was a good psychological thriller!

Playlist listened to on Spotify: The Housemaid’s Secret – Freida McFadden

Synopsis: “Aurora De La Torre, or Ora to her friends, knows moving back to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, a place that was once home and is now full of bittersweet memories of her late mother, isn’t going to be easy. Starting your whole life over probably isn’t supposed to be. But after breaking up with her longtime famous musician boyfriend, hiding out in a small town in the mountains might be the perfect remedy for a broken heart. And checking out her landlord who lives across the driveway just might cure it, too. Only Tobias Rhodes didn’t rent out the apartment to her, rather it was his teenage son, Amos. Fiercely protective of his family and distrusting of strangers, gruff and grumpy Rhodes initially keeps little miss sunshine Ora at a distance. But over days and weeks, long hikes and fireside chats, Aurora breaks down his walls and soon an unbreakable friendship blossoms into a once-in-a-lifetime love.” (goodreads.com)

I love a good slow burn!!! I really enjoyed this story so much and found myself smiling so big at some parts!! Rhodes, I loved his character! Highly recommend this if you’re looking for an outdoorsy, age gap, slow burn, grumpy/sunshine romance!! Also, the way Zapata wrote about grief really resonated with me.

Playlist listened to on Spotify: all rhodes lead here: aurora & rhodes

Synopsis: “Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two. That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all. Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.” (goodreads.com)

I mostly read this by audiobook. I really wanted to love this story, but I felt like the ending was anticlimactic. The main problem seemed impossible to solve the whole book and then all of a sudden it was an easy fix. However, I did love the witchy vibes and the romance, plus the spicy scenes, but it probably won’t be a reread for me.

I didn’t end up listening to a playlist with this book.

I hope you enjoyed my October Mini Review! What was your favorite read from this month? Check out the Books category on my home page for more book reviews and recommendations. Please give me a follow on Instagram or Facebook to stay updated about when I post! I’ve loved engaging with the Bookstagram community, so it would be great to have you join! As always, thank you for your continued support!

Take care and stay safe,

Renée