The air is crisp, the pumpkin spice is flowing, and our TBR piles are threatening to topple over — it can only mean one thing: September is officially in the books! Here at Bookstr headquarters, the changing seasons always bring a rush of incredible new reads, and this month was no exception.
We locked ourselves away, emerging only for emergency coffee runs and spirited debates, to narrow down the best titles that landed on our desks. From tear-jerking Romance that made us believe in soulmates to a biting Satire that skewered modern life, and from epic Fantasy battles to pulse-pounding Thriller twists, our team covered the gamut. We’ve got chilling Mysteries that kept us up until 3 AM and deep, compelling General Fiction that stuck with us long after the final page.
Ready to see which books stole our hearts, kept us guessing, and were our absolute favorite reads of September 2025? Dive in to find your next obsession!
Romance
Into The Parallel Omegaverse by Jane Handler
I love omegaverse romances; there is something absolutely wonderful about them. Maybe it’s that there are designations with specific characteristics, and quite often the protagonists are those who are outliers and still find their HEAs or the idea of normalized polyamory relationships in society. Still, I cannot get enough of them. Handler’s parallel universe series is not only an omegaverse, but it also features stimulating sci-fi elements, as our FMC portals through worlds and is a mathematician. I couldn’t put this book down, and I was a bit sad that I had to wait for book 2. Luckily, I only had to wait a week. Book three isn’t out yet, but I cannot wait until I can find out the conclusion to Grace and the Thanukos packs’ HEA.
Disoriented, bruised, and battered, and with no memory, Dr. Grace Ellington awakens on a park bench in a world that is not her own. In a strange turn of events, she finds herself in a parallel world similar to our Earth, where people are divided biologically by ABO+ designations. It just so happens that this is the same world she dreamt of years ago and fell in love with a young alpha, but was forced to believe it wasn’t real. Healing and trying to recover her memory, she struggles to acclimate to her new surroundings, finds the love she thought she had lost forever, and potentially encounters new people to love, all while knowing something isn’t right and someone may be after her.
- Kristi Eskew, Executive Editor
Fall I Want by Lyra Parish
This small-town romantic comedy is the first spicy read I’ve devoured in months and brought me out of a reading slump. It follows the story of a broken-hearted billionaire who visits a quaint, cozy small town to heal. He soon runs into Autumn, a local barista, and they push and pull at each other until they finally agree to fake date. Soon, the lines are blurry, and they fall headfirst for each other. It’s the perfect cozy fall romance to cuddle up with on a rainy day.
- Melissa Mittendorff, Outreach & Editorial
The New Guy by Sarina Bowen
I’m currently working my way through Sarina Bowen’s bibliography. This month, I read The New Guy. It follows the love story of professional hockey player Hudson and single dad Gavin. Both men are having difficulty adjusting to their new lives in Brooklyn. Hudson was recently traded for the nth time and is absolutely not looking for love; unfortunately for him, he meets Gavin, the new athletic trainer, who he finds exceedingly attractive. What ensues is a heartfelt love story with some spicy scenes as an added bonus. It was an overall delightful read with excellent pacing, and I’d definitely recommend it if you want to read a standalone story with an inclusive cast of characters.
- Allison McDaniel, Social
Fly Back To Me by Drea Scott
I actually received this book as an advanced reader so that it wouldn’t be released until October 1st. But this is a romance book, which is my guilty pleasure. It’s about two people who are tied to the invisible string theory. The guy ended up leaving later than he had planned to attend one day and was able to help the girl get out of a difficult situation. They never exchange names, nor do they see each other’s faces. A week later, they meet again as two strangers who end up bumping into each other. It’s a lot of run-ins and then finally figuring out who they each were to each other. The book delves deeper into the theme of star-crossed lovers and the bond that keeps drawing them together. I enjoyed it, and if you love romance books, this would be a good read when it releases.
- Keiandra Ross, Social Media
Rules For Fake Girlfriends by Raegan Revord
Originally read this as an ARC back in July, but reread it after the release day, and it’s genuinely one of my favorite books of the year. Avery Blackwell agrees to fake-date Charlie to help her get an ex back, in exchange for help solving a scavenger hunt her late mother left in England, only for their fake relationship to feel real while uncovering old secrets! Definitely an excellent read for those who love a fake dating trope, cause I certainly loved it!
- Ally Ziola, Social
Play With Me by Becka Mack
This book was an incredible friends-to-lovers novel. It follows Garrett, a hockey player, and Jennie, a dancer, who are in the same friend group as Jennie is Garrett’s best friend’s little sister. The chemistry between the two is evident from the very first page, and as their story goes on, you see them try to fight what they are feeling, but of course, wind up failing. What I loved most about this read is that both characters had their own separate lives. We saw growth from them individually, rather than being wrapped up in one another. This allowed me to truly appreciate their moments together even more, as I saw how much they had both grown from their first interaction to where they ultimately ended up. Their story is so beautiful, I wish I could reread it for the first time.
- Nicole Vecchia, Social
Mystery
Murder, She Edited by Kaitlyn Dunnett
Mikki, a retired teacher and freelance editor, has received a letter inviting her to a farmhouse to receive an inheritance from an old family friend. When she gets there, she learns that there’s a pretty big catch. She has one month to find, edit, and publish handwritten diaries that have been left in this house since its abandonment in the 1950s. Her task quickly turns sleuthy when she discovers clues hidden in the memoirs and activity in the barn, suggesting it hasn’t been abandoned all these years. Murder, She Edited is the perfect cozy mystery to kick off spooky season. I didn’t realize it when I picked my copy off the library shelf, but this is number four in the Deady Edit Series by Kaitlyn Dunnett, so now I have to find the others.
- Cassandra Fushia, Editorial
The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder by C. L. Miller
After her former mentor dies mysteriously, ex–antique hunter Freya Lockwood is drawn back into the world she left behind. With her eccentric aunt at her side, she must unravel hidden clues at a country manor full of secrets, fakes, and suspects — before the killer strikes again.
First, I fell in love with the book cover, and once I read the first page, I knew I wasn’t going to leave the bookstore without it. My love for thrifting, as well as murder mysteries, is an obvious new favorite. And finding out there was a second after finishing the first… I was ecstatic and ran to B&N as fast as I could. A strong female protagonist and a mysterious detective? Can’t get any better than that!
- Alexis Canitz, Graphics
Fantasy
Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas
I was actually really unexcited to read this based on the cliffhanger from the last book and switched POV, but I absolutely loved it!! The book follows Chaol and Nesryn’s adventure to the southern continent to heal Chaol’s paralyzed legs and rally troops to join the war in the northern continent. Filled with action, love, and magic, this book was just as amazing as the rest of the series! I loved the character development for both characters as they discovered what truly makes them happy, and the addition of a whole new set of characters.
- Erin Garvey, Editorial
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
The book follows the story of Fitz, the bastard son of the King-in-Waiting, and how he gradually becomes a vital asset to the crown. It is a very well-written and engaging book, with a great magic system and setting. What I loved about it is the way in which it makes the readers feel like they are living the same betrayals and intrigue that Fitz is, making it a very captivating book. Being the first in a completed series is also very compelling when you start it.
- Elena Leodori, Social
The Raven Scholar (Eternal Path Trilogy #1) by Antonia Hodgson
The Raven Scholar is an enchanting fantasy that involves trials, ruthless gods, and a murder mystery. It follows Neema, the main protagonist and the Emperor’s most trusted high scholar, who is thrust into the trials when one of the seven contenders who will take the place of Emperor Bersun, who has ruled for the past twenty-four years in peace, is suddenly murdered. Neema must figure out who the murderer is, participate in the trials, and, in doing so, unpack decades’ worth of secrets and lies.
Hodgson is an absolute genius who has created an unparalleled world and memorable, lively characters. The idea of “trial” has been done many times before, but Hodgson adds unique twists that don’t make it feel repetitive. The integration of animals as sacred gods also represents eight different monasatries within the Empire, which include the Fox, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, Hound, Dragon, and, of course, the Raven, who may or may not be communicating with Neema throughout the story. It’s witty, hilarious, and brilliant, easily the best fantasy I’ve read thus far!
- Kristabel Alvarez, Editorial
Horror/Thriller
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
This novel tells the story of Eve’s descent into madness after she lets a strange family into her home. It starts off with Charlie and Eve believing they have a great deal on a house, yet they soon find out that not everything is as it seems. Inexplicable things start happening not long after that, which leads you to feel just as Eve does throughout it all. There are twists at every corner, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is easily one of the best horror novels I have read in recent years, and I cannot wait for Kliewer’s next novel. It had me looking over my shoulder and being paranoid about what could be in the dark corners of my house. I read it in one sitting because I was so engrossed in the story and what Eve was experiencing. The ending left me reeling with an emotion that any good book can evoke in you: anger. I recommend this story to anyone who will listen since it left me feeling unsettled, something that is necessary in a horror novel.
- Alyssa Clark, Marketing & Outreach
General Fiction
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
This book follows Hai, a young Vietnamese boy who is struggling with his mental health and feeling lost in life. He meets Grazina, an elderly woman living alone and struggling with dementia. Hai and Grazina agree to help each other out, and in the process, they develop a beautiful relationship. This book is incredibly well-written, and I loved how it touches on complex and often overlooked topics, such as elderly care and addiction, while also telling a lovely story about the importance of found family.
- Riley Harker, Editorial
Satire
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
The best way to describe Yellowface is a plagiarism drama. The tragic – and to be honest, bizarrely random – death of rising-star Athena Liu is really only the inciting incident of the novel. The story follows writer June’s ensuing decisions and ethical dilemmas (to steal or not to steal?), a series of tests which she repeatedly fails. At first, her stolen masterpiece skyrockets her to literary fame. But, of course, the truth always comes out in the end. And when it does, June becomes the media’s newest target for scrutiny and threats. Kuang’s satirical commentary through Yellowface is complex, multi-faceted, and intriguing. June, a white writer stealing and profiting from her Asian-American friend’s novel on Chinese history and injustice, is the villain here. But so is the vicious cancel culture she finds herself in, to which Kuang deals an equal measure of irony.
- Natalie Gliddon, Editorial
There you have it, bookish besties, our favorite reads from this past month. Be sure to hop onto our socials and let us know what your favorite read of September 2025 was!
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You can find these books and more on the Bookstr Team Recommendations bookshelf on Bookshop.
