Perfect Autumn Reads – My Fall 2020 TBR

Posted October 3, 2020 by Kate

hello, lovelies!! 

Can you feel it? The crispness of the air, hear the crackle of leaves? The hot drink in your hand as you curl up in a blanket to watch the colorful branches sway? Heaven. I’m no poet, but I’m so ready for the leaves to start turning!  ?? We’re not quite there yet, but I’m still expecting it every time I look out the window ??

I’m a mood reader to the extreme, and very subconsciously seasonally focused. During autumn, I love to read urban fantasy / paranormal romances, mysteries, college romances, and dark romances almost exclusively ✨ I’ve put together a list of books that I’ll be reading this fall – or attempting, at least ?

>>> Prefer to watch instead? <<<

Check out the video I filmed to accompany this post on my BookTube Channel here

YA Fantasy

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater on Cover to Cover Book and Blogging Blog by Kat Snarkf Top Nine Friends to Lovers Romances     

The Raven Cycle + Call Down the Hawk

[ Goodreads | Amazon ]

This is definitely on my fall TBR, and perhaps one that I’m looking forward to the most! I adore the Gangsey clan, and am so excited to revisit 300 Fox Way, and finally read Call Down the Hawk, which released almost a year ago!!

I was reminded of how magical Maggie Stiefvater’s writing was with The Scorpio Races this past spring (which would also be a great fall read!) – it’s so lyrical, but also daring and perfectly atmospheric. Gotta love two characters who were so soft, but definitely offended that they fell in love with each other. AGH! Anyway! ??? So excited see my Gangsey again ?

 

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

[ Goodreads | Kindle Unlimited ]

This book is the perfect book to read for fall!! Secret (possibly vaguely magical??) Yale secret societies? Vaguely dark YA/NA book? Written by Leigh Bardugo, who wrote the incredible Six of Crows duology?? (Her Shadow and Bone series wasn’t for me, but with SoC… I’m thinking I will probably love this!!)

This is the extent of my knowledge for this book ? But I’m still cautiously optimistic. Dark academia, bring it on ? It’s a genre I had no idea existed but BOY do I want to experience the love! New Adult is one of my favorite genre’s, after all :) I just hope this doesn’t disappoint!!

 

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

[ Goodreads | Amazon ]

Vampires in New Orleans!! ugh, I want to read this soooo badly. Even though I’ve heard that vampires don’t really get involved too much in the first book, the promise is there and (I’ve heard) delivers in book two. I want to experience the glittery, seedy, paranormal underbelly of New Orleans!!

I loved Renee Ahdieh’s rich and opulent storytelling in The Wrath and the Dawn, and am super eager for more from her! Yet it’s taken me a year so far to read it… oops? Really I have no excuse ? I’m sorry!! But I miss my vampires, so I definitely intend to finally read The Beautiful this season!

 

Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin

[ Goodreads | Amazon ]

I’m hearing about this book everywhere!! Even from accounts that don’t typically read/spotlight YA books! This means I’m having a serious case of FOMO and that I need to read it, too. However, it also means that despite trying to manage my expectations, I’m going in with an inflated sense of expectations.

But oh my gosh, I’ve heard it follows a witch, a witch hunter, and a fake marriage of convenience that ends with one of them dead. So basically… yes ??? This sounds absolutely right up my alley! People are absolutely losing their minds over this debut on bookstagram, and I hope I love it just as much ?

 

Urban Fantasy + PNR

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews on Cover to Cover Book and Blogging Blog by Kat Snark Kate Daniels Magic Urban Fantasy Paranormal Romance Sword Fierce Female Vampire shifter changeling slow burn romance  Curran Julie Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews on Cover to Cover Book and Blogging Blog by Kat Snark Kate Daniels Magic Urban Fantasy Paranormal Romance Sword Fierce Female Vampire shifter changeling slow burn romance  Curran Julie Magic strikes by Ilona Andrews on Cover to Cover Book and Blogging Blog by Kat Snark Kate Daniels Magic Urban Fantasy Paranormal Romance Sword Fierce Female Vampire shifter changeling slow burn romance  Curran Julie Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews on Cover to Cover Book and Blogging Blog by Kat Snark Kate Daniels Magic Urban Fantasy Paranormal Romance Sword Fierce Female Vampire shifter changeling slow burn romance  Cover Book Blog Kat Snark covertocoverlit Book Blogger Book blog reader reading Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels

The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

[ My review of book one ]

First of all, you must understand that this series is a ride-or-die for me. I’ve loved this series for years now, and it’s what first made me discover Ilona Andrews, a pseudonym for a husband-wife writing duo, and they have since become one of my few auto-buy authors, and one of my top- two favorites! 

This series follows Kate, a merc for hire who cleans up magical messes (but who has secret powers of her own). These books are intricate magical mysteries that are so immersive, and characters that are so distinctive, lovable, and sarcastic, I literally cannot praise this enough. Kate herself is one of my favorite heroine’s of all time; she’s practical, ethical, witty, badass and always manages to get back up on her feet again. Check out my review, because truly I’m not allowing myself to go full gush here!! I’ve already started my reread and ?????✨ I’ve cried so many times (Read my review of book one here)

 

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy on Cover to Cover Book and Blogging Blog by Kat Snark    Wildfire by Ilona Andrews Nevada Baylor, Connor "Mad" Rogan on Cover to Cover Book and Blogging Blog Waiting on Wednesday by Kat Snark   

The Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews

[ Goodreads | Amazon | Mini-Review ]

Aww look at how much better the covers are getting! That White Hot cover is ? This series is one I just finished rereading and it is everything!!! The world here takes place in a modern-day setting… except if about a hundred years ago, scientists created an Osirus serum that allowed people to have magical powers. The serum ran rampant before it was hidden away, and now the world is run by the powerful and the wealthy through familial “Houses” /businesses specializing in something their magic assists them with. 

This series follows the Baylor family, who runs a PI business. Nevada Baylor, the subject of the first three books, is forced to take a case chasing down a pyromaniac and uncovers an insidious conspiracy. In order to survive, she’s forced to team up with Mad Rogan, one of the most powerful telekinetic’s in the world ?

This series is one of my favorite of all time. In fact, I’ve read the first book fifteen times now, as of last week. It’s immersive, the world-building is as incredible as it is effortless, and the characters are ??? I read this book, and I’m among friends ?

 

       

Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

[ My review of book one ]

This series is the perfect Halloween read, and I read at least a few of these books every year! It’s the perfect paranormal/urban fantasy package: werewolves, fae, vampires, ghosts, shapeshifters, ghosts, and native legends ? Mercy herself is a coyote shifter, she lives next door to the werewolf alpha, her best friend is a vampire, and her mentor is a fae! She’s surrounded by magic, which means she often gets pulled into situations beyond her control.

That said, Mercy is an incredible character. She’s no “Golden Clam,” she doesn’t have all the answers or is even able to win all of the time. But she does her best to help her friends, get rid of evil, and still wake up on time to open her mechanic shop up for work in the morning. (See my review here)

 

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh Top Five Books Featuring Shifters on Cover to Cover Book and Blogging Blog by Kat Snark  Cover to Cover Book Blog Kat Snark covertocoverlit Book Blogger Book blog reader reading Paranormal Romance Nalini Singh Paranormal Romance Review Changeling Shapeshifter Psy Fantastic book fall recommendations hate-to-love romances enemies-to-lovers forbidden-romance Nalini Singh Psy-Changeling  Cover to Cover Book Blog Kat Snark covertocoverlit Book Blogger Book blog reader reading Paranormal Romance Nalini Singh Paranormal Romance Review Changeling Shapeshifter Psy Fantastic book fall recommendations hate-to-love romances enemies-to-lovers forbidden-romance Nalini Singh Psy-Changeling Caressed by Ice Judd Lauren Arrow P-Psy Ghost Assassin Brenna Snowdancer Enrique Victim Rape  Cover to Cover Book Blog Kat Snark covertocoverlit Book Blogger Book blog reader reading Paranormal Romance Nalini Singh Paranormal Romance Review Changeling Shapeshifter Psy Fantastic book fall recommendations hate-to-love romances enemies-to-lovers forbidden-romance Nalini Singh Psy-Changeling Mine to Possess Clay Bennett Talin Human and Changeling Were-leopard leopard changeling DarkRiver Pack San Francisco Second Chance Romance 

The Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh

[ My review of book one ]

One of my all-time favorite series ?? I will never stop shouting my love for this series from the rooftops, but its really such an incredibly groundbreaking series!! Nalini Singh (along with Ilona Andrews) is one of the most talented writers I’ve experienced, just in pure subtlety and magic. 

In this series, there are three “races” in the world: Human, Changeling, and Psy. The first two are pretty self-explanatory, so the Psy are a race of evolved(?) humans who have (to put this simply) mind powers, or mental control over a variety of things, depending on the individual’s specialty. They have a PsyNet, which is a kind of mental telepathic internet, and what makes the Psy so interesting and horrible is that they brainwash their children to not feel any emotion through a program called Silence. And the price of showing emotion as an adult is steep: they get “rehabilitated,” or lobotomized.

The writing itself is absolute perfection – beautiful, unique, and completely fluid. This series is like nothing I’ve read before, Ms. Singh writes such vivid characters, and oh my god her utterly unique world-building is undeniably top-notch. We don’t get it all in the first book, but it builds and it builds and it builds throughout the series into a masterpiece. She has a true gift for crafting an amazing, one-of-a-kind world, all without you realizing it. Plus the side characters? The sense of community in this one is wonderful, and whenever I reread one of these books, I truly feel like I’m with friends each time. (See my review here)

 

      

The Three series by Kristen Ashley

[ Goodreads | Amazon ]

The Three series by Kristen Ashley is another one that I periodically read every autumn. Kristen Ashley’s non-contemporary books are essentially contemporary romances set in magical settings, so I always really enjoy them! The first book features vampires, the second werewolves, and the third a hybrid. They’re really rich and well-developed worlds that are really traditional and set in their ways, but then have modern women unwillingly brought into the fold and the result is typically hilarious and immersive ✨

 

Dark Romance

        

The Corrupt series by Penelope Douglas

[ Goodreads | Kindle Unlimited ]

I read book one, Corrupt, last month, and have since decided that the entire Penelope Douglass series must happen this season!! This is dark and devious romance and I’m living for it ?? The first book is better if you go in blind, but involves the heroine’s best friend’s older brother, someone who has always sang to her dark side, but who is unscrupulous and very dangerous. He’s plotted three years to get his revenge, and he finally has her right where he wants her…

Oh yes ?? My feminist side was often screaming at me, but it’s deliciously dark, devious, and absolutely perfect for a cool October evening ✨

 

Sparrow by LJ Shen

[ Goodreads | Kindle Unlimited ]

Sparrow is one that I’ve had on my list for a couple of years now, especially with how much I’ve heard LJ Shen’s name thrown around lately! I like to go into books like this blind, so admittedly I’m not fully aware of what this one is about?? But I’m pretty sure Troy is a Mafia guy, or the son of a Mafia guy… somehow he has Mafia ties. He’s a really dangerous dude, everyone knows who he is.

And somehow, he gets Sparrow, a girl he knew in his childhood, to marry him. It’s a fake relationship/a marriage of convenience (I believe), and she’s not happy about it. Somehow, she got manipulated into this scenario. I don’t know much more, but I’m absolutely rabid to read this one!!

 

      

The Fallen Men series by Gianna Darling

[ Goodreads | Kindle Unlimited ]

This book has been everywhere!!!!! Gianna Darkling Darling (LOL I can’t that typo was excellent!!) is on my 2020 Bucketlist because the hype has been so astronomical! They’re available on Kindle Unlimited, and are all forbidden romances… the first a teacher/student and the second an age gap?? I think? Spooky ?

I’ve seen these books all ?? over ?? bookstagram lately, and I definitely need to know what the hype is about. Age gap romances aren’t typically my thing, but from what I hear, Gianna doesn’t give you a choice but to love them! Plus the second one is a motorcycle romance?? Yes please!

 

 

      

Monsters in the Dark series by Pepper Winters

[ Goodreads | Amazon (free) ]

This series is dark, dark romance. It’s been a favorite of mine for a few years now, but admittedly it’s been a while since I’ve picked any of these books up. I reread Tears of Tess on a whim a few weeks ago, and finishing my series reread has been on my mind ever since. Anyone familiar with Pepper Winters knows that she flirts with lines and doesn’t hold back when it comes to stepping right over those lines, and I think this series is masterfully done.

Without getting too detailed, this book follows Tess, who was kidnapped by a sex trafficking ring, and Q, the darkly delicious billionaire who she stumbles into. ?

 

A Gathering of Dragons series by Milla Vane

[ Goodreads | Amazon ]

This is a series that I’ve been seeing everywhere lately!! Book two more than book one, admittedly, but it seemed like fate when the first two books of this series were included in September’s BaeCrate box!! ✨ I read the blurb for the first time this morning, and my excitement levels have shot up about 978% since then!!

Basically, there are the Barbarians and the Kingdom – two different clans/rulers/sects (not too sure on the division there), but the Princess of the Kingdom’s people distracted the rulers of the Barbarians so they could be killed. Now, the Barbarian Prince is out to get her for vengeance :)

 

New Adult Romances

Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen

[ Goodreads | Amazon ]

Sarina Bowen is an author I discovered and loved last fall with her book in collaboration with Elle Kennedy, Top Secret. It’s a college romance that ended up being one of my favorite books of the year, so I’ve been delving into their backlist for 2020, and have been enjoying the hell out of it!! The Goodbye Paradise duology sounds super good, a bit dark, and it’s also an MM Romance!! ???

It follows two boys who were raised in a cult during an aborted escape attempt, where one manages to get away and the other does not. ?  Josh finds himself alone and homeless in a world that never wanted him, hoping that Caleb can find him. So basically… super angsty and I need it now. 

 

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

[ Goodreads | Amazon (free) | The Chase Review]

Elle Kennedy wrote Top Secretalong with the incredible Sarina Bowen, an MM college romance that ended up being one of my favorite books of 2019. Since then, I’ve read several college romances from both authors, and The Dare kicks off one such series by Elle Kennedy! I know it will be awesome because so many people love it and talk about constantly (it truly is a classic NA book, one of the cornerstones reads for the genre) and I already loved The Chasethe first book in the spinoff from this series! 

New Adult is the weird exception to my obsession with dark/paranormal/urban fantasy reads for autumn. As a college student myself, this season is a time of change, romance, and coziness, all of which are perfectly embodied in most new adult romances! I’ve been wanting to read this one for years, and I finally have the paperback copy to make that happen this season ✨

 

Cover to Cover Book Blog Kat snark reviews discussions book blogger book dragon reading reader recommendations five star reads Mid-Year Book Freakout Book Tag Work in Progress by Staci Hart, Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh, Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic, Raven King by Nora Sakavic, All the King's Men by Nora Sakavic, The Boy Who Steals Houses by Cait @ PaperFury and CG Drews, Stay by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy, Rumor Has it by Jessica Lemmon, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, Ocean Light by Nalini Singh, Lonely Hearts by Heidi Cullinan, Love Lessons by Heidi Cullinan, Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews, the Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young, The Cruel Prince by Holly Black   Cover to Cover Book Blog Kat snark reviews discussions book blogger book dragon reading reader recommendations five star reads Mid-Year Book Freakout Book Tag Work in Progress by Staci Hart, Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh, Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic, Raven King by Nora Sakavic, All the King's Men by Nora Sakavic, The Boy Who Steals Houses by Cait @ PaperFury and CG Drews, Stay by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy, Rumor Has it by Jessica Lemmon, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, Ocean Light by Nalini Singh, Lonely Hearts by Heidi Cullinan, Love Lessons by Heidi Cullinan, Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews, the Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young, The Cruel Prince by Holly Black   Cover to Cover Book Blog Kat snark reviews discussions book blogger book dragon reading reader recommendations five star reads Mid-Year Book Freakout Book Tag Work in Progress by Staci Hart, Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh, Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic, Raven King by Nora Sakavic, All the King's Men by Nora Sakavic, The Boy Who Steals Houses by Cait @ PaperFury and CG Drews, Stay by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy, Rumor Has it by Jessica Lemmon, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, Ocean Light by Nalini Singh, Lonely Hearts by Heidi Cullinan, Love Lessons by Heidi Cullinan, Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews, the Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young, The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic

[ Goodreads | Amazon (free) | Mini-Review]

Hi, favorite book/series of 2019! How are ya? I literally read The Foxhole Court and it’s sequels seven times in 2019. It’s only by sheer force of will (and the discovery of my favorite book of 2020: Wolfsong by TJ Klune) that’s kept me from going down the rabbit hole again. I fully intend to read it again this fall, however, because this series is the ultimate comfort food for me ?

It’s technically a sports “romance” set in college and follows a soft but aggressive(ly loyal) Exy (a fictional sport that’s AMAZING) team. It’s all soft and orange and fall vibes and cozy and one of my most favorite things ever!!

 

Mysteries

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

[ Goodreads | Amazon ]

I used my last BOTM credit (before cancellation) to get this book. It’s a mystery everyone has been raving about – more specifically, Meg @ Megwithbooks on YouTube – comparing it to Agatha Christy’s And Then There Were None, and I have to admit, they do sound comparable.

In Foley’s story, there’s a murder at a wedding on an… island?? They know one of the Guests perpetrated the crime, but can’t figure out who. Then more bodies pile up…. HECK YES. After watching Knives Out (available on Amazon Prime) this summer, I’m ready for the mystery *cracks knuckles*

 

Watch the video…

I also filmed a TBR/autumnal recommendations video!! Click the image below to see me completely lose my mind over some of my favorite series ?

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Other posts you may enjoy…

Kate a Dreamer Book Blog Kat Snark kateadreamer.com Book Blogger Book blog reader reading bookending autumn cozy reads sweater weather shifter romances   Cover to Cover Book Blog Kat Snark covertocoverlit Book Blogger Book blog reader reading Fall Reading Book Tag  

What books are you looking forward to this fall? Does your reading change depending on the weather/season? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you!


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