Discover the Must-Read Books and Audiobooks of October 2024 with The Word Nerd Reviews' Top Picks!
- The Word Nerd Reviews
- Nov 5, 2024
- 6 min read
The Books:
(in no particular order)
These Dark Hours ~ Lyra Haven
These Dark Hours is a beautiful experience. Lyra Haven has penned a novel that is not quickly forgotten and imminently re-readable, this was a world and characters I didn’t want to leave. If you read one book this year, make it this one. You won’t be disappointed.
Full Review: https://www.wordnerdreviews.com/post/thesedarkhours
These Dark Hours is available on Amazon here.
When Stars Align ~ Denver Shaw
When the Stars Align is truly a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-written romance with depth and heart. Denver Shaw has truly outdone herself with this one, delivering a story that is both touching and unforgettable.
Full Review: https://www.wordnerdreviews.com/post/whenstarsalign
When Stars Align is available on Amazon here.
The Jaguar's Knife (Within the Walls No. 3) ~ Holly Day
Holly Day’s The Jaguar’s Knife is a spellbinding journey that masterfully intertwines the realms of the paranormal and romance.
The Jaguar’s Knife is book three in the Within the Walls series, and I would strongly recommend that you read book one Vampire Food, and book two Easy Kitten, first before attempting this book. The story begins almost immediately after the events of Easy Kitten, and although there is some background provided, the story does rely on prior knowledge. It would be impossible to understand the nuances of the world building, it characters, and their relationships, without books one and two. They are also both amazing, so it’s certainly not a hardship to start from the beginning!
The Jaguar's Knife is available in ebook
On Davis Row ~ N.R. Walker
A compelling story that follows CJ Davis, a man trying to rebuild his life after a suspended jail sentence, and Noah Huxley, a new parole officer who believes in second chances and who is determined to help CJ see beyond his family’s reputation and his own mistakes.
The novel beautifully explores themes of redemption, love, and the impact of one’s past on their present and future. It’s a story about finding hope and love in the most unexpected places and learning to trust and believe in oneself and others.
On Davis Row is available in ebook, paperback, and audio (narrated by Joel Leslie)
Virgin Skin (Ink Slingers No. 2) ~ K.M. Neuhold
KM Neuhold’s Virgin Skin is a beautifully crafted story that delves deep into the themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the transformative power of love.
Virgin Skin is a must-read for anyone looking for a touching, well-written romance that goes beyond the surface to explore deeper emotional truths. K.M. Neuhold has once again proven their talent for creating stories that resonate with readers long after the last page is turned.
Part of a series, but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
Full Review: https://www.wordnerdreviews.com/post/virginskin
Virgin Skin is available in ebook
The Audios:
(in no particular order)
The Endgame ~ Riley Hart, Narrated by Iggy Toma
A story about a man who thought he had to forgo love to keep his sport. But this isn't just a story about a sports star in the closet. It's about two men who are damaged in different ways, but finding the path to healing with each other.
This isn't a sports novel, it's a story that contains sport, but at its heart it is so much more than that. It's a beautiful romance that is complicated by time, distance, and two professional lives. It's about finding strength in each other and loving each other, no matter what.
I had previously read this one, but Iggy Toma's narration made it seem like I was experiencing it again for the first time. Every time Weston called Anson 'bashful' it just turned me to mush! In audio or in book form, it's highly recommended!
The Endgame is available in ebook, paperback, and audio (narrated by Iggy Toma)
The Nerd & The Ex-Con (Ex's & No's no. 1) ~ Sage Abbot
Narrated by Shannon Gunn and Iggy Toma
Sage Abbott’s The Nerd & The Ex Con is a compelling story that beautifully intertwines themes of redemption, love, and the power of second chances.
The Nerd & The Ex Con is a must-read for anyone looking for a touching, well-written romance that delves into deeper emotional truths. Sage Abbott has crafted a story that resonates with readers long after the last page is turned, proving that love can indeed conquer all.
The Nerd & The Ex Con is powerfully narrated by a 'new to me' narrator, Shannon Gunn and Iggy Toma. For the first third of the book I was impressed by Shannon's low growly tones, but the first smexy scene he narrated .... holy smokes! The steam was thick in the air, it was quite an experience! The fact that I was driving at the time was probably not good timing, but it sure made that drive fly by! Iggy Toma was of course his usual brilliant self, voicing the POV of the sometimes confident and sometimes insecure Scott. Shannon Gunn and Iggy Toma were a great combination.
Full Review:
The Nerd & The Ex-Con is available in ebook, paperback, and audio (narrated by Shannon Gunn & Iggy Toma)
Dock Tease (Swallow Cove no. 1) ~ D.J. Jamison
Narrated by Alexander Cendese and Iggy Toma
Wow, I sure had an Iggy month! Honestly though, as soon as I saw the dream duo of Alexander Cendese and Iggy Toma were narrating this one, I just had to listen to it. Alexander and Iggy play off each other so well, and their voices mesh so each character is distinct, but the change of narrator isn't jarring. Their playful style matched this book perfectly.
Dock Tease is a delightful mix of humour, romance, and a touch of drama. The story centres around Fisher, a young man who has been in love with Hudson Nash for years. Despite the significant age gap and the animosity between Hudson and Fisher’s father, Fisher is determined to win Hudson’s heart. Full of witty dialogue and the electric chemistry between Fisher and Hudson, it is definitely worth a read or a listen!
Dock Tease is available in ebook, paperback, and audio (narrated by Alexander Cendese & Iggy Toma)
The Problem (Single Dad Support Group no. 1) ~ Piper Scott
Narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo
The Problem is the first book in the Single Dad Support Group series, a unique blend of romance, drama, and omegaverse elements. The story revolves around Laurence, a single dad who isn’t looking for love but finds himself irresistibly drawn to Alex, a much younger man with a complicated past.
The story explores themes of love, trust, and the complexities of unconventional relationships. It delves into the struggles of balancing personal desires with parental responsibilities and the courage it takes to embrace vulnerability. The Single Dad Support Group chats introduce us to the other dads who will eventually tell their stories, and let me tell you, they are amazing characters!
Michael Ferraiuolo, as usual, did a marvellous job of bringing these crazy characters to life. Each member of the Support Group (and the supporting characters) has a unique voice and personality that will carry over into their own books. The Problem was a lot of fun with as much laughter as there were more serious and emotional moments. I can’t wait to continue on with this series.
The Problem is available in ebook, paperback, and audio (narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo)
Defying Logic (Valor and Doyle no. 5) ~ Nicky James
Narrated by Nick J Russo
Defying Logic is the fifth instalment in the Valor and Doyle series, and it continues to deliver a compelling mix of romance, suspense, and character development. The story picks up two months after a traumatic incident that left Aslan deeply scarred and struggling with his mental health and sobriety. While Quaid is supportive and helping Aslan navigate his emotional turmoil, he is dealing with his own challenges at work. Assigned a new partner, Jordyn Frawley, their dynamic adds an interesting layer to the story as they work on a perplexing missing persons case.
Nicky James skilfully portrays the struggles of mental health, the importance of support systems, and the resilience required to overcome personal demons. Overall, Defying Logic is a gripping read, but the series should be read in order as the overall story arc continues throughout the series and there is minimal replay of previous events.
By now, Nick J Russo is Valor and Doyle. His voices and inflections are such a core component of the audio version of this series. He captures the very different personalities of Quaid and Aslan, adding extra snark, but also insecurity, to Quaid that is mellowed by Aslan’s sass. Aslan the only person that finds Quaid’s scowl sexy. This is a series that has made me cry, but also laugh. Highly recommended.
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