Seems Halloween Was Only Yesterday // September & October 2025

As I come to write up my September and October reads it hit me, how has the majority if November gone already?

I decided to combine the two months of reads as I had lots of spook books. Didn’t get through as many as I’s have liked. And I didn’t complete 31 in 31 for October. Sometimes things just get too busy! Diving into the wrap-up…

September Wrap-Up

The goal was to make a good dent in my spooky books. I read 2 and neither were spooky!

A Sign Of Affection by Suu Morishita

Synopsis: “Yuki is a lively college student who navigates the world with hearing loss, relying on her hearing aid and her close-knit circle of friends. One day on the train, a brief encounter with the kind and charming Itsuomi leaves her flustered and intrigued. As their paths begin to cross more often, Yuki’s world gently expands. But with no shared language beyond gestures and courage, she wonders whether she can truly express how she feels.”

I’ve been a cosy manga girlie for a while, but I’ve been trying to branch out… with mixed results (Do-Over Damsel, I’m still side-eyeing you).

So stumbling across A Sign of Affection was totally unexpected and exactly what I needed.

I’ve always been fascinated by language and communication, especially sign language. I know a little myself and keep promising I’ll take a proper course one day (I really need to sort that!). So the fact that the main character, Yuki, is deaf/hearing impaired immediately grabbed me. I was really curious to see how her world would be portrayed in a manga, and I ended up absolutely loving it.

Getting to know Yuki felt so special. I loved seeing how she navigates friendships and with people who don’t sign. And the tiny moments. like passing other students in the hallway, the story handles so thoughtfully. It also shines a light on the quiet adjustments the deaf community often has to make, which hit close to home for me as someone with lives with a disability / chronic illness.

And then… there’s the romance. Yuki and Itsuomi? Utterly adorable. Sweet, gentle, and so easy to root for. I’ve already ordered volumes two, three, and four, and I’m impatiently waiting for them. 5 Stars.

Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood

Synopsis: “Andromeda “Annie” Wildwood runs a beloved magical bakery in London, striving for perfection in every spell and sweet. But when her coven assigns her to mentor Maeve, a fiery teenage witch, Annie’s carefully ordered world begins to unravel in unexpected and heart-warming ways. Living temporarily in a woodland cottage owned by the gruff Hal, the three form an unlikely bond. As new challenges arise, Annie must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect the magic that truly matters.“

I was ecstatic to get my hands on Uncharmed, especially the Waterstones special edition. The sprayed edges are stunning. But beneath that pretty exterior was yet another Lucy Jane Wood story that somehow had me crying. Again. I don’t know how she does it.

We follow Annie, who becomes the guardian of Maeve, a teenage witch learning to control her magic. They’re whisked away to a secluded cabin in the woods, where we also meet Hal. If someone can please tell me why I immediately pictured Paul Bullion the entire time? Once the image appeared, it never left.

Annie completely stole my heart. She’s the classic eldest-daughter-overachiever (even though she’s an only child) who’s sacrificed everything for perfection. Convinced she’s doing it for herself when really she’s doing it to please everyone else. As she teaches Maeve, she slowly relearns who she actually is and I adored that exploration of identity in your thirties.

You’re not meant to stay the same person forever, and this book really understands that. The way it explores that through Annie’s friendships is so well done, it genuinely felt like revisiting parts of my own past. Which was quite the emotional trip.

And then there’s the banter and will-they-won’t-they tension between Annie and Hal… my heart. Lucy writes atmosphere, chemistry, and world-building so well, and I loved the subtle ties to Rewitched. This is a 6 Star. I cannot recommend it enough.

September’s Reading Stats

Putting all these books into TheStoryGraph app, I found…

I read 2 books!

A total of 612 pages.

100% of the books read were fiction.

Genre-wise we have romance, contemporary, fantasy and manga. Which I still believe should not be listed as a genre but another medium of reading.

My average rating for the month was 5.0.

And I actually dual read one of these books which I could not add here.

I’m starting to love having the audiobook on as I physically read. It keeps me immersed and I find I get through books quicker.

October Wrap-Up

I wanted to partake in 31 in 31. This is a reading challenge Jadey Rae Reads and Steph Loves do twice a year. Where they read 31 books in 31 days. I completely failed this, but found some good reads.

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

Synopsis: “In the summer of 1993, a group of guerrilla filmmakers created Horror Movie, a disturbing art-house project that quickly became legend despite only a few scenes ever being released. Decades later, a glossy Hollywood reboot brings the spotlight back to the film’s lone surviving cast member, known as the Thin Kid. As he’s pulled into interviews, conventions, and production chaos, he confronts long-buried memories and the unsettling truth behind what was captured on camera and what never should have been.”

Where do I even start with Horror Movie? I picked it up after seeing a mix of reviews, which can be a sign of an interesting read. A lot of people said the audiobook (specifically the multicast version) really elevates the story.Unfortunately I could only get hold of the solo narration. So this ended up being a 100% print read for me.

Honestly… what did I read?

This is one of the strangest books I’ve picked up. I don’t think Paul Tremblay’s writing style is for me. It feels more literary, almost non-fiction in tone, but I can absolutely appreciate how clever the story itself is. The psychological layers? Brilliantly done. I loved how each character choice made you second-guess their motives, and the character development was genuinely interesting.

But the ending… I had to reread it twice because it was that weird. Not necessarily bad, just so unusual that my brain needed a moment (or several) to catch up.

Overall, I think Tremblay’s ideas are fantastic, I’d actually love to watch an adaptation of his work rather than read another book. If you enjoy a more experimental, non-fiction-leaning writing style, this might be right up your street.

For me, it’s a 3 Star read, fascinating, but very much not my usual vibe.

Killer On The Road by Stephen Graham Jones

Synopsis: “Sixteen-year-old Harper plans to run away after another explosive fight with her mum, but her best friends, little sister and ex-boyfriend derail the escape by turning it into an unexpected road trip intervention. What none of them realise is that someone dangerous has taken an interest in Harper someone who has stalked the highway for years. As their journey unfolds, the group is drawn into a tense, high-stakes chase where every mile brings new peril and no one is truly safe.

Killer on the Road felt like the perfect shorter entry point into Jones’s work. He’s known for weaving Native American history and culture into his stories. Something I don’t encounter often as a Brit, and that made me curious. But what really hooked me was the storyline following Harper.

I loved getting to know Harper. How she sees herself as a teen on the edge of adulthood, how she understands her Native American ancestry, and how she moves through the world with this mix of uncertainty and sharp self-awareness. Characters that age appear everywhere in fiction, but the way Jones allows her to narrate, question, and articulate her experiences feels so fresh and eloquent. Her dynamic with her sister is another highlight. Tender, messy, and believable. Even the secondary characters feel purposeful, no one exists just to fill space.

Now, onto the villain, Bucket Mouth. The way he’s written is chilling, almost folkloric with very urban legend vibes. He feels like the kind of figure kids whisper about at school, the same energy as Bloody Mary or campfire stories you’re not quite sure are real. Genuinely unnerving.

My one mistake? Listening to the audiobook and reading the physical book together. Jones can get graphic, carved body parts, eaten body parts, and hearing that out loud made me physically gag. But once I stepped back in, the story completely pulled me along. Some twists I saw coming; others absolutely blindsided me. And that cliffhanger? Still living rent-free in my head.

A gripping, dark, atmospheric read, just avoid the audiobook if you’re squeamish. 4 Stars.

The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn by Valerie Bowman

Synopsis: “After being dumped and losing her job in the same day, Ellie Lawson retreats to her parents’ cosy inn on a Long Island orchard, hoping for peace, only to find her attic hideaway already occupied by Aiden, the owner’s stubborn and unexpectedly charming son. Thrown together as roommates and tasked with organising the orchard’s crucial Harvest Festival, they navigate small-town chaos, clashing priorities and growing chemistry. As the festival approaches, both must decide what, and who, is worth fighting for.”

The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn follows Ellie, a fiercely career-driven woman whose life spectacularly unravels in a single day. She’s dumped, then fired after her boyfriend steals her ideas and presents them as his own, and of course her boss believes him. HR was nowhere to be found, clearly.

With her life in pieces, Ellie heads back to her hometown, a place she’s avoided for years after trading rural life for the big city. I really enjoyed how the book doesn’t shy away from her discomfort. She’s embarrassed, defensive, and desperately trying to hide the truth from her parents. And yet her family welcome her with so much warmth and humour that it’s impossible not to love them. Her mum’s constant updates, her dad’s dry jokes… it all felt very familiar in the loveliest way.

Because the family run a B&B, Ellie ends up staying in the loft apartment , and discovers she’s sharing the space with Aidan, her high-school sweetheart, whose house is temporarily out of action. Cue close-proximity tension, brilliant banter, and a slow, gentle rekindling that felt so cosy and believable. I loved that the book lets them address their past honestly, instead of brushing it aside.

This was the perfect autumnal comfort read. I really enjoyed it. 5 Stars.

Ghost Of A Chance by Katherine Garbera

Synopsis: “Kirsty Henson has built her career on pretending she can communicate with ghosts, something she never expected anyone to take seriously. But after a one-night fling brings Jasper Cotton back into her life, she’s faced with a problem she can’t fake: he’s genuinely haunted. Jasper’s late roommate is trapped in an old physics book, and he’s desperate for Kirsty’s help. As they dig into the mystery, the paranormal sparks quickly rival the romantic ones, revealing a connection neither of them saw coming.”

Ghost of a Chance is just under 300 pages, but strangely, it felt much longer. Not in a terrible way, more in a “this could’ve been a brilliant little novella” way. I enjoyed Kirsty and Jasper’s dynamic, but their back-and-forth started to feel repetitive. With the same conversations and feelings resurfacing a few too many times.

That said, Katherine Garbera’s writing style is genuinely enjoyable. She sets up atmosphere beautifully, and the supporting cast is surprisingly well fleshed out for such a short book. I loved the overall concept too. Kirsty, who pretends to communicate with ghosts professionally, suddenly finds herself actually dealing with a haunting, possibly involving Jasper’s old roommate… or possibly not. The book has fun playing with that uncertainty.

I also liked that Kirsty does have a real family connection to the spirit world, even if she downplays it in her personal life. The contrast between her “I talk to ghosts for work!” persona and her avoidance of her real ability was funny and very human. And her accidental connection to Jasper, and the show he works on, gives the story a cute, rom-com coincidence vibe.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with great atmosphere, even if it dragged a touch for me. I’d absolutely pick up more from Katherine Garbera. 3.5 stars.

Love And Lattes At Pumpkin Hollow by Victoria Walters

Synopsis: “Willow Connor has six weeks to pull off the impossible: transform her family’s failing farm into Birchbrook’s first pumpkin patch, despite having no pumpkins to start with. When Dylan Henderson, a confident property consultant, arrives with plans to convince her to sell, Willow challenges him to stay and see what she can achieve. As they work side by side, Willow fights to save the farm while unexpected chemistry grows, leaving them both wondering what happens when the deal, and the season, comes to an end.”

Love & Latte at the Pumpkin Hollow is one of Victoria Walters’ newer releases, and the moment I saw that autumnal cover, it shot straight to the top of my TBR. I loved her Deadly End Mysteries series, so I was really excited to dive into something cosy and seasonal from her, which this absolutely delivered.

We follow Willow Connor, who’s desperately trying to save her family’s farm after losing her mum and watching her dad grow older. She loves her little town and doesn’t want to give it up, so she comes up with the idea of opening a pumpkin patch… despite not having any pumpkins yet. It’s very Hallmark, in the best possible way.

Enter Dylan, who arrives with his own complicated motivations. On the surface he’s confident, a bit brash, and definitely tied up in his family’s development plans. But underneath he’s someone who genuinely wants to do right by people, even when it puts him in impossible situations. I loved how much of his backstory we get, and how he ends up juggling two versions of himself: the man he wants to be, and the man his brother expects him to be. There’s one moment where Willow sees the “wrong” version of him, and it genuinely made my chest ache.

Their chemistry is lovely, the community is warm and supportive, and surprisingly, Victoria has added a little heat here. It was a spicy surprise. Cosy, heartfelt, a little spicy, and perfectly autumnal. 5 stars.

Aria Of The Beech Forest, Volume 3 by Yugiri Aika

Synopsis: Aria is a gentle, shy witch with a knack for cooking, knitting, and growing herbs, but magic? That’s not her strong suit. Living a quiet life in the forests of Ireland, she’s never had a true friend, until the day she meets a talking wolf. Their unlikely bond blossoms into a heartwarming partnership as they navigate cozy days and mysterious happenings in the woods. With a touch of magic, plenty of comfort, and a sprinkle of intrigue, this enchanting tale will charm anyone looking for a story full of friendship and warmth.”

I picked up Aria of the Beech Forest Vol. 3 as part of my 31-in-31 reading push, and I’d been saving it especially for October because the cover gives such gorgeous autumn/Halloween vibes. So finding out it was the final volume was already bittersweet… but finishing it left me feeling genuinely disappointed, which makes me sad to admit.

I adored the first two volumes, I loved the storyline, the atmosphere, and especially the growth we saw in Aria. But this last instalment felt incredibly rushed. For a series with so many threads quietly building in the background, every single one of them was tied up far too fast. And apart from one Halloween party near the end, there was very little of the cosy autumn / Halloween feel the cover promised.

I don’t want to spoil anything, but several plot points that could’ve easily carried a five-volume series were wrapped up in a handful of pages. It left me with a lot of unanswered questions, especially since Aria’s ending hints at the start of something new. Which almost begs for a spin-off. I really hope we get one.

Volumes 1 and 2 were such solid 4.5 and 4 star reads for me, which makes giving this one 3 stars feel extra sad. I’ll miss the series, but I wish it had been given more room to breathe.

Cardcaptor Sakura by CLAMP

Synopsis: “As spring blooms and Sakura enters middle school, life feels brighter than ever, especially with Syaoran back from Hong Kong. But everything shifts after a mysterious dream leaves her Sakura Cards suddenly powerless. Guided by the enigmatic Key of Dreams, Sakura must uncover what’s changed and how to protect her town from looming danger. A new chapter begins as familiar comforts mix with fresh mysteries, challenging her magic and her courage in unexpected ways.”

Cardcaptor Sakura was a total nostalgia buy for me. I adored the anime as a kid/pre-teen, and diving into the manga felt like revisiting that era, but with a lovely surprise. The manga is very LGBTQ+ and I am absolutely here for it. The art style is gorgeous, and the outfits for Sakura definitely awakened something in younger me who just wanted to see all the pretty anime looks.

I loved how the manga differs from the anime while still keeping that familiar storyline and charm. And Kero, how could I forget? His dynamic with Sakura, the sass, the chaotic energy… perfect. The friendships and potential love interests are introduced early, but not in an overwhelming way, so I’m hoping we get a slow burn throughout the series. Overall, I really enjoyed this volume and I’m excited to continue the series. 4 stars.

Witch Hat Atelier Volume 2, 3 & 4 by Kamome Shirahama

Synopsis: “In a world where magic is ordinary, Coco dreams of becoming a witch, though everyone insists magicians are born, not made. Ready to abandon her hopes, Coco’s life changes when she encounters Qifrey, a travelling magician with a secret. What she sees challenges everything she thought she knew about magic, and reveals that her dream might not be impossible after all.”

Volume 2

This really opens up the world of Witch Hat Atelier by bringing the other apprentices into the spotlight. We get to see their personalities, insecurities and strengths begin to take shape, and the relationships between them start to feel much more meaningful. The dynamic between the group brings both warmth and tension, and it was great seeing Coco find her place among them.

The showdown with the Brimmed Cap and the dragon was such a standout moment. It takes all the magic and mystery from Volume 1 and pushes it to an entirely new level. Higher stakes, more danger, and a deeper understanding of the threat Coco is up against. And the introduction of the brush buddy? Adorable. Completely stole my heart.

Later, when the apprentices step in during the disaster, I loved the moral conflict around using magic in public. They know they’re not supposed to, yet people are in danger… and then the Moralis Knights show up. The suspense in that moment was so good. Were they caught? 5 stars.

Volume 3

This picks up right where that tense cliffhanger left us, with the Knights Moralis deciding whether Coco’s memories should be wiped for using magic in public.

The stakes felt incredibly high, and it’s only thanks to Qifrey, through some very careful negotiation, that Coco and the other apprentices are spared.

What becomes clear, though, is that Qifrey has his own motives. He discovers that Coco had been given ink tainted with dark magic, most likely slipped to her by a Brimmed Cap witch, and it adds an unsettling layer to his protectiveness.

The fallout from everything finally hits Coco, and seeing her fall ill from stress, nightmares, and fever was genuinely heartbreaking. When they return to the city, we get to see Tartah again, who steps in to help care for her. This is where the story really shines emotionally. We learn more about Tartah’s struggles with Silverwash Syndrome, meaning he can’t see colour, and how that affects his training. His honesty, vulnerability, and quiet determination were such beautiful additions to the story. I also loved that Tartah seems a little suspicious of Qifrey. I’m very curious to see how that thread develops. 5 stars.

Volume 4

One of the things I’ve loved throughout Witch Hat Atelier is watching Agott grow, especially as she wrestles with her own perfectionism. She’s so desperate to improve, master every spell, and pass every test that you really feel the pressure she puts on herself. That intensity comes to a head with the Sincerity of the Shield test. This time, apprentices must safely guide a group of myrphons back through the Serpentback Cave to their nesting grounds. It’s a dangerous, delicate task, and Agott is determined to succeed.

We also get more of Richeh here, and I loved seeing her very different approach to learning magic. Qifrey signs her up for the test (much to her dismay), but she still rises to the challenge in her own quiet, thoughtful way.

Of course, nothing in this series stays simple, and the Brimmed Cap makes another appearance. The test quickly turns into a true trial, pushing both girls and Euini another test taker, beyond the neat boundaries of their training. It becomes a battle of instinct, courage, and creativity and it’s such a gripping instalment. Another 5 stars.

My Happy Marriage Volume 1, 2, 3 & 4 by Akumi Agitogi

Synopsis: “Miyo Saimori has spent her life overlooked and mistreated, deemed worthless for lacking the supernatural abilities prized by her family. Treated as little more than a servant, she’s eventually cast out and sent to the prestigious Kudo household as a potential bride for its heir, Kyoka Kudo. Rumoured to be cold and unapproachable, Kyoka is feared by many. Yet as Miyo enters this powerful and mysterious home, she begins to wonder whether it might offer more kindness than the family she left behind.”

Volume 1

I picked up My Happy Marriage after watching the anime, so I already knew the story, but the manga still gave me all the feels. Volume 1 introduces Miyo, who has endured years of verbal and physical abuse from her family for lacking magical abilities. When she’s sent to become the wife of Lord Kudo, she arrives fragile, timid and utterly unsure of her place.

Her budding friendship with Yurie, Lord Kudo’s elderly housekeeper and former nursemaid, was the highlight for me. Yurie’s gentle kindness gives Miyo the first sense of safety she’s ever had. And watching Miyo try to learn proper etiquette, simply because she was never taught, was both sweet and heartbreaking.

Kiyoka (Lord Kudo) himself is distant at first, as tensions in his work life feed into the darker plot simmering in the background. But slowly, through small gestures like thoughtful gifts, we see him softening towards Miyo. She can’t quite believe she deserves any of it yet, but the groundwork for their relationship is beautifully laid. A tender, emotional start. 5 stars.

Volume 2

This takes a much heavier turn as we watch Miyo’s mental and physical health decline. Her nightmares worsen, her anxiety spirals, and being the future wife of Lord Kudo feels like an impossible expectation. It’s genuinely painful to see how deeply her past trauma still shapes her.

This is also the volume where Miyo’s heritage and power begin to unfold. She learns she possesses a rare dreamsight ability, one her mother hid to protect her from those who would use it. The reveal that she’s connected to the Yusuba family opens an entirely new layer of the story. Her cousin Arata’s arrival is tense, intriguing, and adds so much to the worldbuilding.

Meanwhile, the villainous subplot around Kiyoka’s work intensifies. There’s real danger threaded through this volume, and the sense of something closing in on them ramps up the emotional stakes.

It’s a darker, more stressful instalment, but it deepens the lore and Miyo’s personal journey beautifully. 4.5 stars.

Volume 3

Volume 3 is by far the hardest to read because it brings Miyo face-to-face with the family who abused her. After everything she endured in childhood, her sister kidnaps her, locks her in the storehouse and demands she annul her engagement so that she can pursue Kiyoka instead. These scenes are emotionally brutal, if familial abuse is a trigger, I’d caution skipping a few chapters.

Despite the darkness, this volume also delivers some of the most powerful emotional payoffs. Kiyoka’s fierce protectiveness, the way he searches for her, and how his actions speak the love he can’t yet verbalise… honestly, my heart.

We also see the final downfall of Miyo’s family. It’s bittersweet: they deserved consequences, but the collapse of the family home, her last link to her mother, is devastating for her. Lord Kudo’s sister is introduced here too, and she does a beautiful job helping Miyo step into the role of future lady of the house.

This volume also gives us more of Miyo’s dreamsight ability, including a deeply emotional moment involving her mother. Tissues required. Painful but brilliant. 5 stars.

Volume 4

Volume 4 shifts the focus to Kiyoka’s family, and it’s another emotional rollercoaster. After slowly gaining confidence across the previous volumes, Miyo’s meeting with his parents, particularly his mother, knocks her right back into the mindset she lived in under her own family. Watching her shrink into old fears was heartbreaking, especially because she’s come so far.

The overarching villain plot also takes a sharper turn here. The antagonist’s past connection to Miyo’s mother is unsettling, and the implication that he now wants Miyo because she resembles her is genuinely creepy. It adds a darker edge to the story, raising the stakes for both her safety and the future she and Kiyoka are trying to build.

What truly carries this volume is Kiyoka’s steady, unwavering devotion. His acts of service, the quiet way he protects Miyo, and the softness he reserves only for her… it’s warming and reassuring, especially in contrast to the danger circling them. Their relationship feels stronger than ever, and I kept thinking, can they just get married already? 4.5 stars.

October’s Reading Stats

Putting all these books into TheStoryGraph app, I found…

I read 14 books!

A total of 3,174 pages.

100% of the books read were fiction, and genre-wise we romance, fantasy, historial and horror. Mange, which again, I still believe should not be listed as a genre but another medium of reading.

My average rating for the month was 4.39. And I actually had 7, 5 star reads in October!

Maybe reading manga is the way to go…

And as always, I read all my books in print

I did not include any of my book hauls in this post as it is already an over 20 minute read. But you can find what I have been hauling over on my Bookstagram account: @AFictionalPlace.

What have you read recently you’re excited to talk about? Comment below!

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As always, thanks for reading…

Hannah Marie x