This month I didn’t read as much as I hoped because things got SOOOO BUSY. However I am still a bit ahead to finish my goodreads goal this year, which has actually never happened (so fingers crossed). I’m hoping with all the time I spend waiting for the bus to and from campus I’ll get lots of reading in this month. Now onto the wrap up!

1. Verity
I was really disappointed with this book, and my realization that CoHo’s works are just no longer for me. It was very dark/disturbing, so not what I would call an enjoyable read. I couldn’t even give it a rating!
Pacing: medium
Intended audience: Adult
Content warnings: graphic child abuse, attempted murder, murder, drowning, car accident, death of a loved one, cancer, adultery

2. Iron Widow
Now on the other hand, this book was everything I could have hoped for! There was an amazing (and poly!!) romance, awesome sci-fi robot machine fighter things controlled by Qi, and a very important commentary on the power and treatment of women in China. What more could you ask for??
Rating: 5/5
Pacing: medium-fast
Intended audience: older YA
Content warnings: physical abuse, discussions of sexual assault, murder, torture, misogyny

3. Reclaimed
Another important book that talks about women’s place in society, this time set on a futuristic space station/moon where humans have developed the power of erasing memories. Although I appreciated the message that women’s voices are frequently erased by men of power, I didn’t love the execution of this one as much.
Rating: 3.5/5
Pacing: slow-medium
Intendedaudience: Adult
Contentwarnings: sexual assault, assault, death of a loved one, cults, stalking, manipulation

4. Carmilla
I’ve never read Dracula, but was super curious when I heard there was a sapphic vampire book that inspired it. I loved the atmospheric writing that was surprising fast to get through for a classic. However, I wasn’t as thrilled with the fact that such an influential sapphic work was not actually written by a wlw, and got the impression of a “lesbians are evil and will seduce and steal the life of innocent young women” kinda message. But hey, I could be reading too much into this.
Rating: 3.5/5
Pacing: medium
Intended audience: adult
Content warnings: death of a loved one, murder
So there is my very small August wrap-up! What did you guys read this month? Are any of these on your list?
Happy reading!

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These are all books i don’t think I’ve ever heard of. I’ve never actually read anything by CH, never really thought I would be into it. The premises always sound a bit like dark fanfiction to me? (Not that that’s a bad thing but I’m always so confused about her books.)
The cover of Iron Widow looks amazing.
I wish you a great September, happy reading!
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Omg I totally see how you could get that impression! They are certainly very dark in general. Happy reading to you too (:
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Iron Widow looks fantastic – I’ll be looking that one up. Good for you for making so much progress on your Goodreads challenge! I think I’m not going to make mine this year but it’s fun to try either way. 🙂
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I hope you enjoy it! I agree, it’s cool to finish the challenge but also just fun to see how much you read in a year (:
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I should probably pick up Carmilla someday because i feel like i am greatly missing out on vampires but i will read dracula first since it is inspired by it😂
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Hahah I remember vampires being such a craze when I was in middle school! Looks like they’ve been around a while though
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Iron Widow has been on my tbr! Glad to see you liked it!
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It was amazing!! I hope you love it (:
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Great mini-reviews! Good luck on the Goodreads goal, I’m rooting for you!
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Thank you so much (:
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I would read Iron Widow just for that cover! Good luck with your goodreads goal!
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know, it’s so gorgeous!!
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Lovely Wrap Up!! 💕 I have never read a CoHo book but I think I’m going to start with her romances haha 😅 I only heard amazing things about Iron Widow and I’m very excited for the poly romance!! 🥰
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Thank you!! Even some of those are intense haha. I hope you enjoy them!
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i’m glad you enjoyed the iron widow! i can’t wait to read it for myself.
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Thank you, I hope you enjoy it too (:
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Great wrap-up!! I’m so excited for Iron Widow, I’m so glad you liked it!
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Thank you!! It deserves so much praise
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Iron Widow sounds really good! The only Hoover book I’ve read is actually It Ends with Us!
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Such a great wrap-up! I have most of these on my radar and I’ve read Verity a while back!
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Thank you!! I hope you enjoy them when you read them
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I am up to read iron widow now.., great wrap up
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Thank you so much (:
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Even I couldn’t read much in August. Amazing wrap up with mini-reviews. Have a Happy September!!
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Your take on Iron Widow has me interested to pick it up soon!
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Iron Widow is definitely on my list – the whole space element of it sounds so cool! I had no idea that Carmilla partly inspired Dracula – I did read Dracula once but I think I struggled with some of the pace and archaicness of it to fully understand what was going on! 🙈
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I’ve been wanting to read Carmilla for so long, your take on it makes a lot of sense for the time it was written so I’ll have to read it with a more critical eye when I eventually get to it.
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Awesome sci-fi set in Asia with interesting commentary; I’m 100% sold. Added Iron Widow to my list!
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I’m reading Iron Widow soon and I am so excited! so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
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Nice discription about books
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ooh so happy to see that you loved iron widow, I’m SO excited for all the action as well as themes it explores! lovely wrap up and happy september! 🥰
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It happens to me 2, u r not alone👍💖
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This month even I couldn’t read much
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So glad to see you enjoyed Iron Widow, I didn’t have it added to my TBR but now I think I’ll add it! ☺️👏🏻✨
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I’ve not read any of those but the cover for Iron Widow looks so good!
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I just stayed my ARC of Iron Widow this morning. I’m really excited, I’ve only heard good things!
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I’ve been reading but too busy to write up the reviews 😭 I’ve been busy writing my own book too but I haven’t even finished the first draft 😂😞
Best books I’ve read recently though have been, The Last Witch trilogy by M.J Lawrie, This Raging Light by Estelle Laure, Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood, Inherit The Stars and Split The Sun by Tessa Elwood, Zodiac Academy series, Prince of Never by Juno Heart, City of Thorns by C.N. Crawford, The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper and Raising Hell by Bryony Pearce. I’m also reading Vows of Gold and Laughter by Edith Pawlicki, Girl in the Shadows by Gwenda Bond, Rise of the Gladiator by Cheree Alsop and Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa. They’re so good! Have you read any of these?
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Ah, a little less excited about Carmilla now. But Iron Widow sounds so awesome! I’m really looking forward to reading it. 😀
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