My August 2026 reading recap featuring standout romances, cozy mysteries, thrillers, series guides, and the books currently keeping me entertained.
August was a BIG reading month around here. The kids went back to school, which apparently means I suddenly have time to read all the books again, and I finished 35 books this month. 😂 I read across romance, cozy mysteries, thrillers, and plenty of fall leaning fiction, but the biggest theme of the month was pretty obvious: I am officially, completely, and unapologetically in a fall reading mood. Give me small towns, autumn leaves, bookstores, pumpkin treats, creepy mysteries, and anything remotely cozy, and I am there.
ICYMI: August Highlights
August Book Recs
My monthly book recommendations, featuring some of the books I think deserve a spot on your TBR.
August Reading Wrap Up
A look at everything I read in August, from the books I absolutely loved to the ones that were… fine.
I also shared two new series guides this month, including a beachy cozy mystery binge and a Julia Wolf romance series:
August Standout Reads
Let’s Kiss and Tell by Joss Richard
Joss Richard officially cemented herself as an auto read author for me with this one. Let’s Kiss and Tell delivered a fantastic slow burn friends to lovers romance with fake dating, major How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes, plenty of banter and tension, and a great sense of place. I loved the chemistry between Lucy and Marsh, but the emotional depth underneath the romance made this one stand out even more.
Read my full review of Let’s Kiss and Tell
Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore by Brittanee Nicole
My first five star fall read of the year, because apparently August is early enough for me to start declaring fall reading season. 😂🍂 This had everything I wanted: a cozy bookstore, apple orchard, small town fall events, a bookish heroine, great friendships, fake dating, chemistry, spice, and an entire town that apparently has nothing better to do than meddle in everyone’s business. I absolutely adored this one and am now happily working my way through Brittanee Nicole’s backlist.
Read my full review of Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore
Pumpkin Vice Café by Ellie Alexander
Book 23 of the Bakeshop Mysteries somehow still managed to feel fresh, cozy, and completely addictive. Pumpkin Vice Café brought all the fall atmosphere I could want, from seasonal treats and autumn decor to crisp Oregon scenery, while continuing the character storylines that made me binge this entire series in the first place. The mystery was clever, the food descriptions were fantastic, and the ongoing family and relationship developments made this one of my favorites in the series.
Read my full review of Pumpkin Vice Café
Falling for Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey
It had been a while since I visited Peachtree Bluff, but thankfully I slipped right back into the Murphy family’s world like I’d never left. This was such a fun return to a series I already love, with plenty of family drama, juicy gossip, Southern charm, complicated relationships, and the warm small town atmosphere that makes these books so comforting. It also turned out to be a surprisingly perfect fall read and earned a very happy five stars from me.
Read my full review of Falling for Peachtree Bluff
Currently Reading, Listening & Watching
Reading: A Perfect Mother by Miranda Smith
I’m currently reading A Perfect Mother by Miranda Smith, and so far it’s exactly what I was hoping for: short, fast paced, and gripping. I’m definitely ready to get into some solid thrillers for fall, so this feels like a pretty perfect place to start.
Listening: The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle
I’m listening to The Mystic and the Missing Girl, and this one is giving me modern cozy mystery in the best way.
I feel like we’re seeing more of this newer style of cozy lately—still charming and small town, but with a little more edge, slightly darker mysteries, and characters who feel very contemporary. There’s a reluctant psychic, a decades old missing person case, a metaphysical shop, local secrets, family drama, and a cold case that could expose the entire town.
So far, it definitely has cozy mystery DNA, but it doesn’t feel like the traditional formula, which I’m really enjoying.
Watching: Sterling Point
I just finished Sterling Point, and I have one very important question: How old is too old to be this invested in the lives of fictional teenagers and their drama?
Hopefully never. I lived it. 😂
There is something about watching fictional teenagers make questionable decisions that remains wildly entertaining no matter how old I get. I’m thinking it might be time for Five Star Weekend next because I adore Elin Hilderbrand, and apparently I’m fully committed to my fall watchlist era too.
What’s Next?
September is looking VERY fall around here.
I have more series guides coming, and I’m about to do a reread of Big Little Lies so I’m ready to go strait into Big Little Truths. I’m already thinking that might require a mini guide because obviously I cannot simply read a book without turning it into content. 😂
I’m also thinking it may finally be time to tackle a Harlan Coben guide because Myron Bolitar is currently filming and OH MY GOD. That feels like a sign if I’ve ever seen one.
And, of course, there is a ridiculous amount of fall content planned. Think fall cozies, fall romance, creepy thrillers, seasonal recommendations, and my huge fall reading guide, which is coming soon.
I’m also trying something new with my cozy mystery reading: the three book rule for large and frankly intimidating series. Instead of looking at a series with 20+ books and immediately wondering how on earth I’m supposed to catch up, I’m going to read three in a row, take a break, then come back for three more. It will also allow me to see if a series is worth my time. Because apparently I need a system for my cozy mystery addiction. 😂
So yes, September is going to be busy.
And very, very fall.
How was your month? Would love to hear your faves.
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