Monthly Book Recs | August 2024
Only one book got four stars from me this month, while two others didn't.
I went into August’s new releases with high hopes, but ultimately ended up being disappointed by nearly everything I read. After some feedback, I’m trying something different this month and incorporating my thoughts on some of the reads I didn't enjoy as much, rather than making you go read my review on Goodreads like I did at the end of my July recs. Turns out, people like knowing why you didn’t like a book. Not sure if I’ll be doing this every month, but since I only have one actual rec this month anyway, might as well try! Be sure to share your thoughts in the poll below.
Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe
★★★★☆
August 20
I’ll say one thing: a hero who’s a conspiracy theorist sounds very niche, but it certainly piqued my interest. Against all odds, it totally works in this specific story and makes for a memorable read. The premise is fresh and quirky, with light banter, swoony moments, and a bit of an adventure element. One thing that stood out to me in the story is how the heroine gives hero energy. She initiates physical intimacy and considers what she can do for him more than what he can do for her. I feel like these are characteristics typically reserved for the MMC in most romance novels, so the gender swap is notable.
This is Mallory’s debut novel and tells the story of a video producer who sets out to produce the web show of a popular paranormal conspiracy theorist in order to save her job — even though she’s a huge skeptic. Things heat up when she must step in to co-host the show with him and as the two travel around to different cities to hunt cryptids. There are a lot of fun tropes present in this story (only one bed, caretaking) that keep it engaging.
There were two books I was really looking forward to reading this month that ended up falling just shy of receiving four stars from me for various reasons. They’re both currently receiving rave reviews on Goodreads, so I might be in the minority.
Emma of 83rd Street by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding was in my top five for 2023, so I was very excited for the duo’s newest release, Elizabeth of East Hampton. I hate to say it, but this book made me realize that Pride and Prejudice is not my fave Austen story (despite the Keira Knightley movie being one my all time faves). There’s just so much family drama! It made the romance in this retelling feel secondary. It’s certainly cute, I just could have done with more interactions between Elizabeth and Darcy, and less of everything else.
Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer was so close to getting four stars from me. The writing is Emily Henry-esque, the banter is bantering, and there are some really cute and memorable moments between the characters. The grand gesture is a good one! It was just one of those reads for me in which I kept wanting to shake the main character and tell her to stop being such a stubborn idiot.