The summer is coming to a close, and I creep ever closer to my goal of fifty books for the year. For August’s reading wrap-up, I got into a dark romance splurge that I won’t be fully sharing here because of the content.
It included three novellas and three novels, all sapphic of course. One of which was the novel Haven by C.L. Smoke, an entertaining story with writing that wasn’t as cleaned up as I like but still four stars (I’m including a shout-out because it was an ARC). This month included another ARC I loved, but it’s a little too risqué for me to be comfortable mentioning. I also finished A Little Sin by Rawnie Sabor that I started three months prior, got 60% of the way through, and then took a romance break.
Basically all that to say, I was reading a lot in August, but it won’t be reflected in this wrap-up. So while there are only two books below, my actual total was eight and a half.
2. Decay and Devour by G.E. Masters
Published June 14, 2026
Rating: 4.25-4.5 stars
Genres: Horror, Zombies, Fantasy, Dark Romance, LGBTQ+, Sapphic, Lesbian, Adult
Summary: On this small island, it has been five years since an outbreak began turning people into zombies. Kate lives in a “safe zone” that is working on a vaccine, and possibly, a cure. It is the only hope she has left. When she volunteers to go out on patrol and is ambushed, she runs and is unceremoniously tackled by an infected. Fearing it is the end, she’s surprised to find herself as prisoner of the infected instead. Jordan is the infected, though recently regained control of her facilities. Though the “beast” still rages inside her, it seems to be tamed. Now, Kate and Jordan travel together to get Kate back. On the way, they both fall deeper into each other and slowly discover the secrets surrounding the infection.
This book was really good. I began devouring (pun intended) it from the first page, and only took breaks when the emotions got too intense. Kate and Jordan have a fun dynamic that blossoms into something safe and deep. Forced proximity and beastly urges are always a great mix for dark romance. As for the world building, I thought it was done well. For a shorter book, it felt fleshed out enough to connect to. My biggest gripes are that some of the aspects of the world were rushed, like the mountain “problem” and shadow stalkers. That might’ve been better to focus on more. I also didn’t feel like it was very zombie-focused at all. The danger was minimal throughout (fine for me since I cared more about our couple, but I did wish for a little more.. horror?). This definitely is a book that could’ve been tightened up around the edges. The way Jordan was portrayed almost made it seem like the zombie variant virus she had was closer to a vampire. Truthfully, that concept is worth exploring. They have similarities in lore; undead, strong, craving for humans. I wish the book might’ve leaned into that more with Jordan. Still, it made it into my “Favorites” on Goodreads!
1. Pact by Moira Darling
Published August 4, 2026
Rating: 5 stars
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Second Chance, LGBTQ+, Sapphic, Lesbian
Summary: The second book in Moira Darling’s Halo Hearts series continues to follow the journey of the Kpop group Midnight Halo. The story focuses on the chaotic group member Jules, who begins missing her steps and seeing something off about her body. The solution from Eon comes in a magical contract and a public marriage front with Camille Hart, PR fixer and major Ice Queen. Though they seem to hate each other, the more time Camille and Jules spend together though, the more secrets get uncovered and control begins to slip.
I am endlessly thankful to continue to be an ARC reader for Moira Darling. I began devouring this book so quickly it made my heart speed up. For me, this was a step up from Halo. The world building continues to keep me entertained and intrigued. The lore being built up through the series is perfect. Darling reveals enough to keep people engaged, while not giving too much away to bring them back. I continue to love new characters as they’re introduced. Camille is a perfect ice queen. Jules was one of my favorites from the first book, so I’m ecstatic to get her POV in Pact. Ice Queen versus chronic flirt is, apparently, one of my new favorite tropes. Their romance could’ve been built a little bit more (more alone or intimacy scenes that tugged them closer), but I’m happy it wasn’t insta-love. Darling also has a tendency to have some repetitive language, but it was less in this book than usual so that’s a big improvement for my enjoyment factor. Pact also made it into my elusive “Favorites” folder on Goodreads.
Special shout-out to my continued audiobook journey with the Warriors books! I finished Fire and Ice this month and loved it even more than the first one. Macleod Andrews is PEAK.
Hopefully next month, I can share a little more for my reading wrap-up!
2026 monthly wrap-ups: January, February, March, April, May, June, July
2025 monthly wrap-ups: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
