This blog post is all about the books I read in August 2025.
August was an ok reading month for me as I spent half of the month travelling around the West Coast of America and not doing much reading.
I managed to pick up a mix of romance, thrillers, and some heavier contemporary fiction, which kept things really balanced and interesting.
I love when my reading month has a little bit of everything—some cozy comfort reads, some fast-paced thrillers, and a book or two that completely takes me by surprise.
Here’s a look at the books I read in August, along with my thoughts on each one.
And if you’d like to keep up with my reading in realtime, you can follow me on Goodreads here!
RELATED book blog posts to read:
- Reviews of the 9 Books I Read in July 2025
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- Best 100 Books of the 21st Century: How Many Have You Read?
- Reviews of the 8 Books I Read in May 2025
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This blog post is all about the books I read in August 2025
Reviews of the Books I Read in August 2025
Below are the ratings and reviews of the six books I read in August.
1. He Would Never by Holly Wainwright
He Would Never by Holly Wainwright is a gripping, tense story about a close-knit mothers’ group whose annual camping trip goes terrifyingly wrong. When one man breaks the rules, long-held trust is tested and chaos erupts, making this a thrilling, page-turning read about friendship, family, and the dark side of human nature.
My Rating: ★★★
I went into this book thinking it would be similar to The Perfect Couple by Lianne Moriarty. I haven’t read it, but I’ve seen the TV show and the storyline was great. He Would Never however, wasn’t. It almost felt like a short story that was dragged out way too long and made into a novel. The book takes place over one weekend with flashbacks to earlier years to see how the group’s friendship develops over time. It was a bit of a drag to read, and I wouldn’t race to recommend it.
RELATED blog post to read: The 3 Best Liane Moriarty Books to Read: In Order
2. The Mistake (#2) by Elle Kennedy
The Mistake by Elle Kennedy is a fun, steamy college romance about hockey star John Logan trying to win back freshman Grace Ivers after a “thoughtless mistake” drives them apart. With plenty of banter, flirtation, and playful tension, Grace takes the lead this time, making Logan work for her affection in this binge-worthy, swoony read.
My Rating: ★★★
I flew through this one because Elle Kennedy books are just so easy to devour, but The Mistake didn’t hit quite as hard as the first in the series for me. I liked Logan and Grace as characters, and it was fun to be back in the Off-Campus world, but the storyline felt a little predictable and didn’t leave as strong an impression. Still, if you’re in the mood for a light, sports-romance read with plenty of banter, it’s a solid pick.
3. Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld
Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld is a clever, heartfelt collection of short stories about marriage, friendship, fame, and creative ambition. From revisiting beloved characters like Lee Fiora from Prep to exploring middle-aged dilemmas with humour and insight, each story is sharp, relatable, and full of Sittenfeld’s signature wit and warmth.
My Rating: ★★★★
I really enjoyed this one! It’s smart, sharp, and gives such a great inside look at the world of creative writing programs and workshops. Curtis Sittenfeld has such an observant, witty way of writing about ambition, competition, and all the messy relationships that happen when you throw a group of creative people together. It’s not a plot-heavy read, but if you like character-driven stories with clever writing, this is a gem.
4. The Locked Door by Freida McFadden
The Locked Door by Freida McFadden is a gripping psychological thriller about surgeon Nora Davis, whose father was a notorious serial killer. When a young patient is murdered in the same shocking way, Nora becomes a target in a deadly game of suspicion and secrets. Full of twists, tension, and suspense, this one will keep you on the edge of your seat.
My Rating: ★★★★
This was my 12th Freida McFadden book, so I’m pretty much a Freida McFadden veteran by now. It’s fast-paced, twisty, and had me turning the pages way past bedtime. The premise—about the daughter of a serial killer who’s now a surgeon—is creepy and compelling, and while some of the twists were a bit over the top, it was just so addictive to read. If you love a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing, this is a fun one.
RELATED blog post to read: The 11 Best Freida McFadden Books You Need to Read Immediately
5. When in Rome by Sarah Adams
When in Rome by Sarah Adams is a cozy, small-town romance where burned-out pop star Amelia Rose breaks down in Rome, Kentucky, and ends up staying with grumpy baker Noah Walker. What starts as a temporary arrangement turns into a sweet opposites-attract love story full of charm, banter, and plenty of heart.
My Rating: ★★★★★
This was such a cozy, feel-good romance. Inspired by the whole Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday vibe, it’s about a pop star hiding out in a small town and falling for the grumpy but sweet local baker who takes her in. It’s charming, funny, and swoony in the best way. I loved the small-town setting, the baking scenes, and the banter between the characters. Honestly, it gave me exactly what I wanted—a wholesome, heartwarming romcom that felt like a hug in book form.
6. Beartown (#1) by Fredrik Backman
Beartown by Fredrik Backman is a powerful, emotional story about a small town obsessed with its junior ice hockey team. When a violent act shocks the community, long-held secrets come to light, testing friendships, loyalties, and courage. Full of heart and humanity, it’s a story about the hopes, struggles, and resilience of an entire town—and how one moment can change everything.
My Rating: ★★★★★
Wow. This book was incredible. Fredrik Backman has such a gift for writing about community, people, and all the complicated emotions that come with small-town life. On the surface, it’s about hockey, but it’s really about loyalty, secrets, and how a town deals with trauma. It’s emotional, heavy at times, but written so beautifully that you just get swept up in the story. Easily one of the best books I’ve read all year, and one that will stick with me for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, August gave me a great variety of stories—some lighthearted and swoony, some dark and twisty, and one that completely broke me in the best way (Beartown).
My standout favourites were When in Rome for the ultimate cozy romance vibes, and Beartown for its emotional depth and storytelling.
Even the ones that didn’t quite land as perfectly (The Mistake) were still fun and quick to get through, which is always a win.
I’m really happy with how this month’s reading turned out, and I can’t wait to see where my September TBR takes me!
RELATED book blog posts to read:
- Reviews of the 9 Books I Read in July 2025
- Reviews of the 8 Books I Read in June 2025
- Best Taylor Jenkins Reid Books: Her 9 Books in Order
- Reviews of the 8 Books I Read in May 2025
- Reviews of the 8 Books I Read in April 2025
- The 7 Best Harlan Coben Books You Need to Read: In Order
- Reviews of the 8 Books I Read in March 2025
By Orlagh Shanks
Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.
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