Mini Book Reviews – September 2026
Mini Book Reviews – September 2026: What To Read & What To Skip
Welcome to my regular round up of mini book reviews of what I’ve read this past month! This month was packed with audiobooks! I’ve been addicted to listening while working on my jigsaw puzzles – the perfect combo. I have a couple great thrillers to share and a few other hits and misses.
In my list of mini book reviews, I include everything I’ve read recently that I finished. I like to share both my five star reads and any misses to help you get a better idea of what you should read or might want to skip.
As always, I love to hear if you agree or disagree with my ratings! Let me know in the comments what you thought of my September 2026 mini book reviews.
*Disclosure – I earn a small commission for any items purchased through the links below at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my book blog!!
Mini Book Reviews – September 2026
Physical Books:
Phone Swap by Lia Louis
This started as a unique meet cute involving swapped phones but turned into a tension filled almost enemies to lovers romance! Allie is a scientist who just wants to continue her beloved research, but gets thrown for a loop by the movie star who accidentally grabbed her phone on a plane. They agree to stay in touch until they can meet and exchange them. What starts as a practical arrangement quickly turns into long conversations and a genuine connection despite living in completely different worlds.
Except the day they plan to meet to exchange phones never happens after a public disaster. | 4 Stars | Buy From Amazon
AudioBooks:
** Audible Deal – Check Your Discount!– If you don’t feel like waiting on hold for audiobooks through Libby or Hoopla, Audible is offering some members $.99 / month for 3 months! Sign up here and start listening immediately!! **
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
I’m continually impressed by McAllister’s well plotted and fascinating thrillers! This is another total hit from her! Normally I’m not a fan of “time loop” style novels, but her unique take on this concept made it utterly compelling. It asks the question, how far would you go as a mother to exonerate your son who’s apparently committed murder.
Jen is waiting up for her 19 year old when she sees the unimaginable happen outside her home. She can’t fathom that her son is capable of such a heinous act…and wakes up the next morning to discover it hasn’t happened yet. As she uncovers more and more details about what led up to that fateful night, she realizes there’s so much more going on than she expected. 5 Stars | Buy From Amazon
Getting Away With Murder by Shari Lapena
This book was completely unhinged but incredibly entertaining! It boils down to a fairly simple plot: a wealthy couple desperately want to keep their NYC brownstone and the life they’ve become accustomed to so they decide to murder the brother to inherit his money…
Obviously though, nothing is as simple as it seems! The people in this book are both incredibly entitled and ridiculous yet also somehow you’re kind of rooting for them?? It was wildly fun to see it all play out and the resulting mess they got themselves into. 4.5 Stars | Buy From Amazon
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
This charming historical fiction series continues to absolutely delight! I finished volumes 4 and 5 this past month and I’m loving each book more than the last! If you haven’t tried these yet, I IMPLORE you to give them a chance, even if you don’t normally read the historical genre. It’s like Gilmore Girls, just set in the late 1800’s London!
Emma M. Lion is a young lady who’s returned to the house she inherited in the London neighborhood of St Crispin’s, but her horrible cousin has gambled away her money and refuses to leave the house. As she attempts to earn enough to keep her house, she takes on a tenant and wrangles her cousin under control. Along the way we meet a full cast of enchanting side characters, a few love interests, and encounter a whole lot of charming albeit quirky situations. | 5 Stars | Buy From Amazon
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas
Since everyone is saying the Crescent City series is a must-read before the next A Court of Thorns and Roses book comes out in October, I finally bit the bullet and decided to dive in. I struggled mightily through the first 2/3 of the book trying to understand the world building and all the characters. I will admit I was hooked by the end, though! It’s part mystery, part romance, part fantasy all set in a modern style world just with fantasy beings. 4 Stars | Buy From Amazon
eBooks:
Fever Dream by Elsie Silver
Another cowboy romance worth reading from Elsie Silver. This is the start of a new series and it has a fun reality show twist. If you like a steamy cowboy romance you’ll enjoy this one too!
Emmett desperately needs money to save his family’s ranch, and an opportunity presents itself by way of Romance Ranch, a new reality dating show. He’s planning to fake his way through, but it all gets a little too real when location consultant, Julia, walks on set. Not only is she part of the crew, she’s also the little sister of his biggest rival. An enemies to lovers trope that gets all sorts of complicated since he’s supposed to be looking for love among the ACTUAL contestants! | 4 Stars | Buy From Amazon
Things I’m Loving Lately:
Mini Bookshelf Lantern – A super cute addition to any bookshelf for fall! You can choose from a lantern or a ghost light that hangs from a metal insert to give a soft cozy glow to your books!
Advent Calendars for Adults – Admittedly I purchased my first advent calendar already! It may seem crazy early but some of these will sell out and I recently updated my list of the best advent calendars for adults with 20+ options in a variety of categories like beauty, food and drinks, and books. If you see one you like, grab it before it sells out!
Hello Mello Pajamas – These are the softest shorts I’ve ever had for bedtime! I am obsessed with the cozy lounge wear and pajamas from this brand. Super cute prints and truly comfy styles.
For more mini book reviews, check out What I Read in August 2026!