November was a pretty good reading month for me, despite a couple of books I started and put aside quickly. Here are the books I enjoyed last month:
The Devil She Knows by Alexandria Bellefleur (F/F paranormal romance): After Samantha's girlfriend breaks up with her (after a proposal gone wrong), she makes a deal with a demon—six wishes she can use to get her ex back in exchange for her soul. Samantha never intends to use all six wishes (and have to hand over her soul) while Daphne the demon is determined she will, as Samantha's is the last soul she needs to collect to free herself from her demonic pact. With each wish Samantha makes, she's shown a possible future with her (awful) ex that inevitably goes wrong, and at the same time she and Daphne begin to grow closer. Lots of fun!
Sixteen Souls by Rosie Talbot (YA cis M/trans M paranormal romance): Charlie is sixteen year old who has been able to see and communicate with ghosts since he lost his legs and nearly his life to meningitis as a child. And he's been trying to avoid most ghosts ever since (not easy in the most haunted city in England). But now the ghosts of York are vanishing, and Sam, a new seer in town, wants Charlie's help in stopping it. Charlie is determined to stay out of it, but the danger keeps getting closer and closer until he has no choice. The friend group Charlie forms—both ghost and living—is a delight, as is the start of a romance between Charlie and Sam, and I loved the atmospheric mystery as well. Perfect for spooky season (or any time you want a spooky book!).
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace (M/F fantasy romance): I've had this book on my TBR for quite a while, and now I wish I had read it sooner—or perhaps not, since it was just what I was in the mood for. Signa was orphaned as a baby and has been passed around since to a series of guardians, most of whom are only interested in the fortune she will inherit—a series because they keep dying. Signa, however, is unable to die, but she can see ghosts and Death himself. Now, a few months from inheriting, she is taken in by the Hawthornes. But everything is not well at Thorn Grove. The daughter of the house is gravely ill of the same thing that recently killed her mother, but Signa finds out from her ghost that she was actually poisoned. Signa is determined to solve this mystery and save her cousin, and she calls on Death for help to do it. I loved the Gothic atmosphere of this book, as well and the mystery, Signa's growing magic, and the romance between Signa and Death. I dove immediately into the second book in the series.
Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris (F/F historical fantasy romance): I was obviously in the mood for books with Gothic vibes in November. In this one, which brings together the world of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, we're taken to Paris in 1903. Samantha Harker, daughter of Dracula's killer, is a researcher at the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena and jumps at the chance to join Dr. Helena Moriarity, daughter of Sherlock Holmes's nemesis, in Paris to investigate a series of paranormal murders (despite Helena's previous partners ending up dead). The story is fast paced, taking us through the streets and catacombs of Paris as the two women put together clues and chase down monsters. All the while, they learn to trust each other and build a working relationship, while a slow burn attraction simmers underneath.
Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti (F/F historical romance): This is the third book in a series, but I haven't read the first two (yet!) and it worked just fine for me. Georgiana is a successful Gothic novelist who has found that her rival's books have striking similarities to hers, and she is convinced that someone is stealing her ideas. When she goes in search of the identity of the other novelist, she finds Cat, the daughter of the butler at Georgiana's family estate (who her awful father fired years ago). The two end up at a dilapidated and possibly haunted manor house together and the romance develops from there as they are thrown together. The story is framed as enemies to lovers, but that element isn't too strong and I didn't mind it, though the rivalry was fun. The romance is warm and sweet, and the biggest obstacle to it really is Georgiana's traumatic backstory.
Facade by Sam Burns (M/M urban fantasy/romance): Facade is the second Knight & Daywalker book, and you should read the first book before this one as plot elements carry over. And you should absolutely read both because they are an absolute delight. I love the characters, including (especially?) Susie the sloth and Twist the kitten, and the family element. The paranormal and mystery elements are also lots of fun. The romance isn't at the forefront here, but it's still present. I'm very much looking forward to the next book, though also sad that it will be the last in the series.
What have you read and loved lately?
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