August 2025 reading round up

I read 11 books in July, so August was going to have to be pretty good to beat it - sadly it wasn't, as I ended up really poorly and couldn't read much. But I did end up ticking off 7 books over the month, so keep reading for my quickfire reviews and ratings...

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

I've read quite a few Lynn Painter books and was thrilled to get an ARC of her newest (releasing end of September). It didn't disappoint, and might be one of my favourites of hers! It's a fake dating romance, as the title suggests, mixed with hockey and it's YA too. A really easy, enjoyable read that also touches on some tougher topics. The characters are well-rounded and book is brilliantly written. 4 stars!

Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington

I was very into the concept of this, which I got as a NetGalley ARC (it's out in November) - it's a YA thriller following a girl who is grieving the loss of her best friend, a beauty influencer in a small town that is basically run by a make up corporation. Our main character's brother returns home to help her through the grief, and together they go on their own journeys to discover what really happened. It's a great storyline with some good representation, but it felt overly long and the writing drags a bit. I gave this 3.5 stars!

When I Picture You by Sasha Laurens

This one is a sapphic YA romance, and another one I read as a NetGalley ARC - release date is set for September. I really enjoyed this; it's a beautifully crafted childhood friends to lovers plot, with the added drama of the pressures of coming out as an A-list celebrity. Did some parts of it feel a bit far fetched? Sure, but that didn't take away from how good this is. I'd definitely recommend, and I rated it 4 stars - possibly 4.5!

Fix Them Up by Maggie Grant

When I see 'small town romance' I immediately think of them being set in the US; this one, yet another NetGalley ARC (releasing in October and perfect for a cosy autumnal read), is actually British and I adored it. Honestly gorgeous - it follows our main character Kat, in the wake of her dad's death. She returns to his home town to renovate and sell his childhood home, but ends up falling for the local builder and really, the community as a whole. It's beautifully written, emotional and lovely, with a true golden retriever MMC. My first 5 star book of August.

The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden

I finally finished the Housemaid series, and this third instalment was another good one - and I think it rounds off the overall story really well. I listened to this as an audiobook, although I wish I'd read a physical copy instead but we can't have it all. Millie is now married with kids, the drama of the previous two books behind her, excited for a fresh start - but with neighbours who talk too much, hidden rooms and a fierce daughter of her own, nothing is really as it seems. I gave this one 4 stars.

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

I listened to an Alice Feeney audiobook in July and loved it, and there's quite a few of hers available for free on YouTube so I decided to pick another. This one focuses on a woman who's in a coma, but she can hear everything going on around her and she's trying to get to the bottom of what's happened to her - the POV flicks between her current day, the time leading up to the accident, and also some childhood diary entries about her and her best friend. There are many layers to this book and at times I was unsure how they would connect, but they do and the twist is great. A really interesting domestic thriller! 4 stars.

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén

I very rarely read translated fiction, but myself and two friends have formed a mini book club and this was the book chosen for our first read - something completely out of my comfort zone! It's a reflective literary novel following Bo, an elderly man who is slowly losing grip on life as he knows it. His wife is in a home, his beloved dog is under threat of being taken away, and he has carers visiting multiple times a day to help with basic tasks he can no longer do himself. Told through a mix of carer log book entries, Bo's present day thoughts and experiences as well as Bo's memories of his own childhood and adult life, it's a beautifully written tale that explores the vulnerability of being elderly. A very emotional book, and 4 stars from me.

So that's everything I read in August - let me know if you've read any of these and what you thought of them!