What I Read in October 2025 + My Ratings
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October felt like a quiet turning of the page. It brought about shorter days, softer light (although still unseasonably warm 🥵☀️), and the kind of reading moments that settle into your chest long after the month ends. As I pulled together my October 2025 reading stats, I found myself thinking about the books that surprised me, the ones that challenged me, and the ones I loved enough to whisper “favorite book of the year” into the void.
And although I’m not ranking my reading months just yet (that moment may come in December), I can’t pretend October didn’t test my resolve. This was, without a doubt, one of my most challenging reading wrap months of 2025. Beyond not reading as much as I typically did, I’ve had my fair share of DNFs this year. But October? October took the crown 👑.
Still, in the middle of the chaos (and boy, was there chaos), a handful of books rose above the rest. Here’s what stayed with me (and what I could have lived without) even in a month that didn’t go as planned.
Reading Stats: September at a Glance
- Total Books Read: 14: (down 1 from last month) 10 read, 4 DNF’d
- Total Pages: of completed books: 2,789 (down 31.36% from previous month)
- Genres Explored: 3 Fantasy, 2 Mystery/Thriller, 1 Dark Romance, 5 Romance, 2 Sci-Fi, 1 Horror
- Formats: 2 ARC, 7 eARCs, 3 eBooks, 2 Physical
- Where I Sourced Them: 1 NetGalley, 2 Kindle Unlimited, 1 Candi Kane PR, 3 Sent by Author, 6 Publisher, 1 TBR
✨TL;DR — October 2025 Reading Highlights✨
- The Sleepover– Sierra Simone: depraved, delicious, peak Mark Trevena energy.
- Bitter Burn-Sierra Simone: consumed my whole personality; soul-staining perfection.
- Honey Cut (reread) – Sierra Simone: the comfort I needed before Bitter Burn wrecked me.
- The Dragon’s Bride – Katee Robert: tender monster romance + two-dick logistics I’m still questioning.
- Halloween Monster F*ckers – B.L. Wilde: demons, chaos, five stars, absolutely no notes.
- Four Stars: unnecessary series finale + an eye-opening AI nonfiction novella.
- Three Stars: a saga I should’ve DNF’d + a frustration-filled sci-fi conspiracy.
- Two Stars: a dark comedy that didn’t land.
- DNFs: four books that weren’t right for my October headspace.
My Five 🌟 Star Reads of October 2025
Books that made me pause, breathe, and whisper favoritist book ever into the ether.
The Sleepover by Sierra Simone
Coming off the back of Bitter Burn (don’t worry, we’re getting to it), this novella—though let’s be honest, she’s basically a full novel—swept me into a lustful haze that I don’t regret (nor do I want to escape). When Sierra dropped this in her Facebook group and said, “You probably shouldn’t read this, it’s depraved,” all that did was make me grab my blanket, curl up, and whisper, Try me!
And yes, it’s depraved. Deliciously so. And I’m exactly the right kind of girl for that type of energy. The heat in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet like a teenager with a crush she’s trying (and oh so spectacularly failing) to hide. I loved every single moment of it and still found myself yearning for more.
Mark? I wilt. 🥀 Every single time. Without hesitation.
A quick note: this one lands best after reading the New Camelot and Lyonesse trilogies. (I haven’t read New Camelot yet, but I know enough of the characters and their dynamics that everything clicked.)
The tension, the history, the chemistry. All so glorious and juicy.
This book was messy, hot, indulgent, and absolutely irresistible.
You truly have to read it!
Bitter Burn by Sierra Simone
My Goodreads review said it best: “Hear ye, hear ye. This book, for the foreseeable future, will be my ENTIRE personality.” And nothing about that feels exaggerated now. Walking away from Bitter Burn long enough to sleep or eat felt like pulling teeth. I didn’t want to be without Tristan, Isolde, or—let’s be honest—the obsession that is Mark Trevena for a single second.
Sierra has me in a chokehold once again. This installment of the Lyonesse trilogy consumed me in the best, most deliciously devastating way. It’s the kind of romance that tears something open and then kisses it better, the kind of release that reminds you why Sierra lives rent-free in so many of our souls.
And Mark…
The man.
The myth.
The unhinged devotion.
Watching how this story wrapped up was deeply satisfying, and yet—I WANT MORE. Having his POV felt like icing on a favorite series of the year cake. I LOVE Mark Trevena. And I would do shameful, shameful things for him. If you know, you know.
Bitter Burn isn’t just my favorite book. It is forever imprinted on my soul.
If you’re reading the Lyonesse trilogy…
Prepare your heart♥️.
Prepare your sanity.
And maybe your knees🧎♀️.
(Damn, I really need to reread this book!)
Honorable Mention: Honey Cut by Sierra Simone
The reread that held my hand through October—prepping me like an adoring lover for Bitter Burn. A quick return to the chaos, the heat, the comfort of Tristan, Isolde, and Mark, when I needed something familiar to soften the edges of the month.
The Dragon’s Bride by Katee Robert
The Dragon’s Bride was my first real foray into monster romances (although I do own many and now feel obligated to read), and I walked away from it with…questions. So many questions. Sol is a big lizard. A LIZARD. With two dicks. And logistically speaking (for purely scientific reasons, of course), how does that…work? Like genuinely, I need diagrams. Charts. A room full of researchers. Something.
Once I moved past the biology spiral (and turned the book right side up), this story surprised me. Hidden beneath the claws, scales, and “how is this physically possible?” moments was something unexpectedly sweet and tender. A romance that felt more loving than half the human relationships I’ve read this year (who am I kidding, I read dark romance, those men would burn the world for their women).
Katee knows how to take a woman who finds herself on the auction block, pulled away from her normal (although terrible) life, facing an impossible task and terrifying marriage to save herself, and give her husband—in return—who looks fearsome but loves gently. Sol may be a literal monster, but he reads like a soft-hearted cinnamon roll hiding behind a terrifying exterior.
And now?
Now I need to read this entire series. Immediately.
And no, I will not be taking questions at this time (I have too many of my own.)
Halloween (Monster F*ckers) by B.L. Wilde
Listen. I’m not here to pretend this book is something it isn’t. She’s fucking demons from hell. Literally. And honestly? Five stars🤩. No notes.
Four ⭐Star Reads
Empire of Reckoning and Ruin by Nina Frost
I won’t get too much into what I did and didn’t like in the final installment of the Dragons of Tirene series. You can check out my full spoiler-free review, but I will say this: this book felt completely unnecessary. I enjoyed the entire series (some books definitely more than others), and the way that book four wrapped was the perfect way to tie the story together. This felt like an afterthought on the author’s part. I still had a good time with it, but it wasn’t needed.
Artificial Bodies by Remmelt Ellen
I am not one for AI. Too many artists do their job well to justify employing things like AI. And books like this state the question: What happens when we don’t put checks and balances for AI in place?
With anything, there are levels to the collapse, starting with the disconnection of people and the dehumanization of the workplace, and beyond.
Honestly, I didn’t think that non-fiction novellas were a thing (I don’t know why I didn’t consider it before), but this one opens your eyes (if they weren’t already) to the harm that can be done with the ever-growing use of AI. The disinformation it can spread, the tracking of basic everyday activities, and the lack of connection between us and those around us.
But I pose the same question I started this with. What happens when we don’t put checks and balances for AI in place? Some may say AI is a plus, creating more things than ever before. Others are opposed to this, stating it is bad all around. I’m not here to sway you one way or another. I’m here to say read Artificial Bodies, stand behind this lens, and see where you are. Then leave a comment with your view.
Three 🌟 Star Reads
Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
This book took me almost two months to listen to, and I don’t remember a single thing. What I do remember is that I STAN Orka and I did enjoy it overall. And yes, I hear you asking, so why not DNF it? Because I was invested in seeing how the story came to a head.
But you’re right, though, I should have just DNF’d it and possibly circled back.
If you are deciding whether or not to read The Bloodsworn trilogy, all my thoughts are live in the full review I did on Jackie’s blog, After the Last Page.→
Extremity by Nicholas Binge
Extremity was pure frustration in a well-written package. I’m not going to go into it too much, but it’s definitely worth the read. I broke down all my feelings about this book, so peek inside→
Two⭐ Star Reads
Too Old for This by Samantha Downing
I wanted to love this (truly I did). The premise was great, and you don’t often see elderly serial killers. I think this one relied too heavily on wanting to be funny instead of genuinely being good. It was originally a 3-star for me, but the more I think about it, it needs to be bumped by a star. If you want a deeper dive, the full review lives here→
DNF 😱
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
I wanted to love this, but I couldn’t stand the FMC. I wrote a whole review on this one, read it here→
The Librarians by Sherry Thomas
The Librarians had the makings of every reader’s dream. A library where you could spend countless hours between the shelves, surrounded by a murder mystery. It promised to be cosy and atmospheric, and it just didn’t deliver. You can read my full thoughts here →
Cinder House by Freya Marske
This is a novella, and I got halfway through and put it down because I was so bored. She dies; she is a part of the house. Nothing happens. I will have a full review up soon.
The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Khaw
I couldn’t care less about the characters or the story. The premise was good, but the execution wasn’t there.
Before You Go…Read This Next:
The Must-Read October Book Releases
October TBR: What I Want To Read This Month!
