Reviews of the 6 Books I Read in September 2025

1. Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow spans three generations of a Southern Black family, beginning with ten-year-old Joan fleeing her father’s temper to her mother’s ancestral home.

As she grows, Joan finds solace in painting and learns from her neighbour Miss Dawn about the strength and sacrifices of the women before her. Moving across seventy years, Memphis is a poignant story of family, legacy, and the power of hope and resilience.

My Rating: ★★★★

Memphis is a beautifully written, multigenerational story about three women whose lives are shaped by love, trauma, and resilience. Set in Tennessee, it moves between past and present, showing how family history lingers through time.

I loved the author’s lyrical writing and the way she captures both heartbreak and hope so vividly. The family bonds felt raw and real, and there are moments in this book that really stay with you afterwards.

Some parts felt a little slow, but overall it’s an emotional, powerful read that’s worth picking up.

2. Time of Your Life by Jessa Hastings

Time of Your Life by Jessa Hastings is a messy, addictive ride of fame, love, and heartbreak. Set in 1995, it follows Ysolde, the unforgettable face of a generation, and Joah Harrigan, the brash frontman of the world’s biggest band. Their connection is instant, intense, and completely uncontrollable—too fast, too consuming, and impossible to escape.

As their passion collides with fame, jealousy, and power struggles, it becomes clear that some loves aren’t meant to last—they’re meant to burn you alive. It’s dramatic, emotional, and perfect for anyone who loves a chaotic, all-consuming romance.

My Rating: ★★★★

As you likely already know, I adore the Magnolia Parks series, so I had to read this new release from Jessa Hastings.

Yes, it’s basically Oasis fanfiction, but yes, I still ate it up. And it was the perfect time for me to read it, right before seeing Oasis live in Los Angeles.

The drama, the angst, the messy relationships… all peak Jessa Hastings. That said, the book definitely felt rushed (she even admits she wrote it in a month), and there were a lot of typos and em-dashes galore.

There’s been some chatter online about her using AI, and honestly, I can see why people are suspicious. Still, flaws aside, I had fun with it, so 4/5 from me.

3. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry follows Alice, a hopeful writer chasing her big break, and Hayden, a brooding Pulitzer Prize–winner, as they compete to pen the biography of Margaret Ives—a reclusive former heiress with a scandalous past.

Invited to spend a month on Little Crescent Island, they must win Margaret’s trust while navigating strict NDAs, half-told stories, and a simmering tension that feels as unpredictable as Margaret’s own tale. Sweeping, witty, and full of intrigue, it’s a story about truth, rivalry, and the blurred line between competition and connection.

My Rating: ★★★

I was quite apprehensive going into this due to the mixed reviews I’d seen online beforehand. However, since I’ve read every book by Emily Henry, I couldn’t not read it. Plus, I rated her most recent release prior to this, Happy Place, five stars, so I still had high hopes.

I felt there were similar themes in Great Big Beautiful Life that we see in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, where the writing of a memoir is involved.

Even though Great Big Beautiful Life was incredibly slow and a lot longer than I felt it needed to be, it was still highly enjoyable. I would have liked more insight into the celebrity Margaret Ives’s story (and maybe a family tree diagram) and less focus on the small town and romance as it was a very slow burn, but again, I did really enjoy it and would highly recommend reading it.

4. Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover is a moving story about the strained relationship between Morgan and her teenage daughter, Clara.

With very different personalities and clashing goals, the two can barely get along—until a sudden tragedy upends their lives and forces them to face grief, secrets, and betrayal. As Morgan unexpectedly finds comfort in someone new and Clara turns to a boy she’s not supposed to see, their fractured bond is tested in heartbreaking ways.

Emotional and raw, it’s a tale of love, loss, and whether a mother and daughter can find their way back to each other.

My Rating: ★★★★

I picked this up quickly on my Kindle before the movie adaptation comes out in October, and I’m glad I did. It’s classic Colleen Hoover: emotional, dramatic, and a little messy in the best way.

What really stood out for me was the dual perspective of mother and daughter; it added so much heart to the story. It’s not my absolute favourite from Colleen Hoover, but I really enjoyed the ride.

5. The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin tells the story of a grieving bookstore owner whose life has unraveled after the loss of his wife, dwindling sales, and the theft of his most prized possession.

Isolated from his small island community and finding little joy even in the books he once loved, A.J.’s world shifts when a mysterious package arrives at his shop, sparking unexpected connections, healing, and second chances.

Heartfelt, witty, and full of literary charm, this novel is a moving reminder of the transformative power of books, love, and human connection.

My Rating: ★★★★★

After loving Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, I knew I had to read more Gabrielle Zevin, and AJ Fikry didn’t disappoint.

This is one of those heartwarming, bookish stories that reminds me of Fredrik Backman: quirky but full of heart. I was hooked from start to finish, and it was an easy 5/5 for me.

Gabrielle Zevin is quickly becoming a favourite author, and I can’t wait to dive into more of her books.

6. The Man of My Dreams by Curtis Sittenfeld

The Man of My Dreams by Curtis Sittenfeld follows Hannah Gavener from her teenage years in the early ’90s into adulthood, as she navigates family dysfunction, complicated relationships, and the messy search for love.

Moving from Philadelphia to Boston to Albuquerque, Hannah wrestles with questions of identity, heartbreak, and whether settling is the same as giving up. Both funny and sharply observant, this coming-of-age novel explores how childhood scars and personal choices shape who we become—and what it really takes to go after the life we want.

My Rating: ★★★

I usually love Curtis Sittenfeld, so I’ve been working through her earlier books. Unfortunately, this one didn’t land for me.

It felt slow and lacked the sharpness I’ve enjoyed in her more recent novels. Maybe it’s just a case of me preferring her later work, but this one was a bit of a slog.