firewhiskeyreader

I have six ARCs for the month of September, which after the abundance of ARCs I had for August feels like such a relief. Will I get all of these read during September? That is still a question, but I’m certainly going to try, along with getting through the rest of the August ARCs I still haven’t made it through. Anyway, the six books you’re going to see my first impressions of are Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings, The Decoy Girlfriend by Lillie Vale, The Holiday Trap and The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish, A Merry Little Meet Cute by Sierra Simone and Julie Murphy, and Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin.

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings

First Line: There was no place in the world Lizzie Blake loved more than Philadelphia.

What the Book is About: Apparently, this is a surprise/accidental pregnancy after a one night stand? Which is in the synopsis, but I’m ridiculous and didn’t read the synopsis. I will say, I’ve recently liked an accidental pregnancy book more than I was expecting to, but uh, I’ve also been struggling post-Dobbs so we’ll see where I wind up. (I do have concerns about this based on what I’ve learned from trusted sources, but I’ll attempt to push through regardless.)

Why I Requested this Book: I requested Lizzie Blake for two reasons. One, I really like Mazey Eddings. We’re mutuals on Instagram and I think she’s lovely. Two, Lizzie Blake, the character, has ADHD, and same, so I am looking forward to reading the representation.

My First Impression: So, I feel reading this book the same way I felt reading Stripped by Zoey Castille, which is intense stress for Lizzie. But I really like this line: “Going back for seconds was a recipe for disaster, leaving the door open for people to decide she’s a little too emotional. A little too crass. A little too much.” I hope that I will like this one! Fingers crossed.

The Decoy Girlfriend by Lillie Vale

First Line: With two huge secrets, Freya Lal is the exact opposite of the open book she always considered herself to be.

What the Book is About: So, Freya looks so similar to celebrity Mandi Roy and she’s also suffering from writer’s block. I’m guessing at some point there’s a situation like there is in the Lily Chu book, which I love. I always wanted a twin so I would have someone to change places with when I was a kid.

Why I Requested It: Basically entirely because of how much I loved last year’s The Shaadi Set-Up.

My First Impression: So… Is Freya’s mom dead? She’s clearly going through something with her mom, I just can’t tell if I’m right or if it’s something else. But I’m really looking forward to seeing if Freya can break through her writer’s block! I really like books about writing.

The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish

First Line: Snow fell in fat, picturesque flakes, fairy lights twinkled around the stage, and the hum of excitement and cheer that always attended the Owl Island, Maine, Holiday Fair electrified the town square.

What the Book is About: Essentially, this is a book inspired by The Holiday only it’s Queer and I am so excited. I love The Holiday. I just rewatched it not too terribly long ago and it is just such a good time.

Why I Requested the Book: Well, a, see above, and b, because I really love Roan Parrish’s writing.

My First Impression: I have the audio ARC so maybe it shouldn’t be surprising that I read the first chapter and then kept right on going because I was having a real good time. I’ve already added it to my Goodreads Currently Reading shelf and am looking forward to finishing it up this week.

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

First Line (of the Prologue): “A tusk?” he repeated, just to make sure he’d heard right.

First Line (of Chapter One): “I think six bottles of flavored lube might be overkill,” I told Sunny.

What the Book is About: What I currently know is that it’s about a porn star, Bee, starring in a wholesome Christmas movie and hoping no one connects her with her porn star alter ego. Oh, and I think she’s falling for the male lead.

Why I Requested the Book: Um, Sierra Simone is one of the authors; the two of them called it a “raunch com,” and I am always down for a plus size/fat main character.

First Impression: This is already so much fun, I really just wanted to keep going. Two winter reads at the same time? What a dream.

The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish

First Line: He’d chosen it because of the name: Casper Road. Recently Bram Larkspur had felt like a ghost. At least a friendly one would be an upgrade.

What I Know About the Book: Well, prior to reading the first chapter, all I knew is that it was written by Roan Parrish and was a m/m romance. Now I know that the reason these two are rivals is because there’s a Halloween decorating competition that Zachary always wins and I’m invested.

Why I Requested This Book: I really love Parrish’s writing style and I’ve enjoyed the Garnet Run series, although I am admittedly a book behind at the moment.

First Impression: As I mentioned above, I’m already invested because they introduced a competition right away and I am ready to read this one!

Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin

First Line: Whenever it rained in Freya Grove, New Jersey, Nana Ruth Naomi Caraway, the matriarch witch of the family, said the same proverb to her eldest granddaughter, Lucy.
“You don’t know how deep a puddle is until you step in it.”

What this Book is About: Lucy accidentally turns her wish for more into a spell and then she can’t say no. And there’s some sort of relationship with Alex, her high school crush.

Why I Requested This Book: Well, honestly, I have yet to not request a witchy book that has come across Netgalley. I’m not being approved for all of them, but I am requesting them all. Lol. I’m really loving the resurgence of witches.

First Impression: I’m definitely curious to see where this plot is going. So far though, it hasn’t exactly screamed at me that I need to drop everything and read it.

And there you have it! My six September ARCs! I’m obviously first continuing with The Holiday Trap because I’m already listening to that one as an audiobook, but I fully expect that I will be devouring the rest of these books quickly!

xx