I am making my way through my fall TBR and I am loving it. Why do I just save these books for fall? I love them all so much. I should read them all year!

First up, In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace.

Ivywood Hollow has a reputation for its calm, restorative atmosphere. This time of year, one could reliably expect upon entering its doors to be greeted with a fire, gently cracking in the hearth, soothing classical music playing in the background and divine scents emanating from the kitchen.”

In the Company of Witches is a perfect read for fall. It is cozy and warm, with atmosphere and quirky characters, witches and ghosts, and that quaint small town feel. I really enjoyed this book about Brynn, her eccentric aunts, and her haiku writing uncle Gideon. Oh and I can’t forget Dog and Faustus. This book feels like the beginning of fall and would be absolutely wonderful paired with a cup of hot chocolate. Just make sure Izzy hasn’t charmed it before drinking it. And the ending was so sweet and made me a little bit teary – and the author herself commented on my Instagram post, saying that it made her a bit teary as well!

“Nora’s garden was a sanctuary. There was no better word to describe it. Even though she had tended to it daily, it had a wild feel, lush and overgrown. It was a the type of place where you wanted to dance in the moonlight, trailing your fingers over flowers, or laze away a hot summer’s day listening to the wind rustle in the trees.”

Next, Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca

“Setting the place on fire anytime was a bad idea, but during a hurricane? That seemed especially negligent.”

Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca was one of my most anticipated reads of the season and it did not disappoint!! This book was fun, funny, adorable, and at times, vulnerable. Sophie and Tristan both run rival ghost tours in the same small town in Florida; Sophie has the hometown advantage, having lived there her whole life and knowing all the stories, yet Tristan is a natural showman with flair. This is definitely going to be my Friday book buy!

This enemies to lovers story is so endearing and I just loved both characters, along with the rest of the characters from the town, including Cassie and Nick from Haunted Ever After. While it takes place in Florida and during some very hot months, the ghost vibes make it perfect for a fall read – especially for where I live, with its unseasonably hot weather right now.

I also sort of love that I finished this on October 1, a very significant date in the book.
This is all small town charm, enemies to lovers, and Tristan is a bit of a cinnamon roll, my favorite. As for spice, there was some, but not super open door explicit. So maybe like a rating of red pepper flakes on pizza?

Definitely read this. Maybe have some red wine on hand, and plan on ordering a pizza!

And last but not least, Play Nice by Rachel Harrison.

“Darling, what other people think of me is none of my business.”

This was my first time reading a book by Rachel Harrison and oh my gosh did I love this book. I could not stop reading it, much like Clio could not stop reading her book, in the book. 😂 Clio is a feisty fireball, all about appearance and being seen, her image, and snarky, quick witted repartee. She is also a bit of a brat. She knows it and owns it. That is until she is up against her past and things she can’t see – or maybe unsee.

I feel like that is a big theme in this book. Appearances, how we are seen, how we are perceived, what it means. I sort of loved how the author explored this idea through Clio’s job, through her mom’s book, through her sisters. It was really well done, especially as the main plot of this book was about a haunted house.

I loved every character in this book despite all of them being flawed, the story, and the look at how women are treated as well, when they may have issues. “The world will drive a woman insane, then point and laugh at them “

This book was funny, scary, and ultimately a five star read. 😈

I am linking up with the monthly book link up I co-host with Lisa at Boondock Ramblings, A Good Book and a Cup of Tea.

I hope that whatever you do today, you do something that makes you smile!