My TBR Pile: August 2018

Last month, I started this feature where I put together a list of books that I planned on reading and I wanted to see how close I could get to reading all of them. I got pretty close to reading all of the books on my list but I didn’t quite take the entire cake as I fell one book short. Better luck next time, right???

Here’s what I plan on reading in the month of August.

The Other Side of Lost by Jessi Kirby
Releases on August 7, 2018
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Girl Online meets Wild in this emotionally charged story of girl who takes to the wilderness to rediscover herself and escape the superficial persona she created on social media.

Mari Turner’s life is perfect. That is, at least to her thousands of followers who have helped her become an internet starlet. But when she breaks down and posts a video confessing she’s been living a lie—that she isn’t the happy, in-love, inspirational online personality she’s been trying so hard to portray—it goes viral and she receives major backlash. To get away from it all, she makes an impulsive decision: to hike the entire John Muir trail. Mari and her late cousin, Bri, were supposed to do it together, to celebrate their shared eighteenth birthday. But that was before Mari got so wrapped up in her online world that she shut anyone out who questioned its worth—like Bri.

With Bri’s boots and trail diary, a heart full of regret, and a group of strangers that she meets along the way, Mari tries to navigate the difficult terrain of the hike. But the true challenge lies within, as she searches for the way back to the girl she fears may be too lost to find: herself.

Jessi Kirby has written some great contemporary YA’s and I’m really excited about her new one. Girl Online meets Wild? Yeah, count me in.

Down with Love (Laws of Attraction #1) by Kate Meader
Releases on August 7, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Sparks fly when the hot-shot divorce lawyer meets the high-powered wedding planner. The only question is, what kind?

If you ever get married, remember my name: Max Henderson. In my line of work, you acquire a certain perspective on supposedly everlasting unions. . . .

1. Pre-nups are your friend.
2. The person you married is not the person you’re divorcing.
3. And I hope you didn’t spend much on the wedding because that was one helluva waste of hard-earned cash, wasn’t it?

But some guys are willing to take a chance. Like my brother, who thinks he’s going to ride off into the sunset with the woman of his dreams in a haze of glitter on unicorns. And the wedding planner—the green-eyed beauty who makes a living convincing suckers to shell out thousands of dollars on centerpieces—is raking it in on this matrimonial monstrosity.

The thing is, Charlie Love is not unlike me. We’re both cogs in the wedding-industrial complex. As the best man, I know her game—and I can play it better than her. But after one scorching, unexpected kiss, I’m thinking I might just want to get played.

Kate Meader has clawed her way onto my auto-buy list and I’m pretty stoked about her new series. I will miss the Chicago Rebels folks but I have faith that Kate Meader will bring it with this new book. I’m definitely planning on reading this one early on in the month.

When a Duke Loves a Woman (Sins for All Seasons #2) by Lorraine Heath
Releases on August 21, 2018
Genres: Historical, Romance

Gillie Trewlove knows what a stranger’s kindness can mean, having been abandoned on a doorstep as a baby and raised by the woman who found her there. So, when suddenly faced with a soul in need at her door—or the alleyway by her tavern—Gillie doesn’t hesitate. But he’s no infant. He’s a grievously injured, distractingly handsome gentleman who doesn’t belong in Whitechapel, much less recuperating in Gillie’s bed.

Being left at the altar is humiliating; being rescued from thugs by a woman—albeit a brave and beautiful one—is the pièce de résistance to the Duke of Thornley’s extraordinarily bad day. After nursing him back from the brink, Gillie agrees to help him comb London’s darker corners for his wayward bride. But every moment together is edged with desire and has Thorne rethinking his choice of wife. Yet Gillie knows the aristocracy would never accept a duchess born in sin. Thorne, however, is determined to prove to her that no obstacle is insurmountable when a duke loves a woman.

Ahh, I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since I finished the first book in this series. I can’t wait to get to know the sister that owns a pub and saves a Duke. Bring on the Trewlove siblings please!!!

Under Control (Boston Fire #5) by Shannon Stacey
Releases on August 28, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance

When faced with the opportunity to change shifts while staying in the same house, veteran firefighter Derek Gilman jumps at the chance. His new schedule means not working Saturdays, which means more time to spend with his two kids. His divorce may have been amicable, but being a firefighter and a single dad is a lot to juggle. And when fate brings a gorgeous, wealthy woman into his life, he’s pretty sure he can’t handle more than he already is.

Olivia McGovern loves plans. She planned to start her own business and planned its growth. It’s earning her seven figures now, but her personal life simply doesn’t exist. Getting trapped in a broken elevator figures in exactly nowhere, and freaking out in front of a sexy firefighter definitely isn’t on the agenda. Especially not one with two kids and an ex.

What would have been a random incident with an attractive stranger becomes something more when a charity event brings them back together. They’re from different sides of the tracks, literally—with friends, family and careers to consider. But as Derek and Olivia are discovering, chemistry doesn’t allow for plans, and love doesn’t bother with logistics.

I have been steady in reading every single book that comes out in this series. I can’t help myself. Apparently, I have a thing for firefighters who live in Boston even though I’m a huge Lakers fan and don’t even like Boston. I seem to forget that every time Shannon Stacey releases a book in this series. I blame the covers. They’re too sexy, how can I resist? Also? I’ve enjoyed all of the other books so there’s that as well. Can’t wait to dig into this one.

The Governess Game (Girl Meets Duke #2) by Tessa Dare
Releases on August 28, 2018
Genres: Historical, Romance

He’s been a bad, bad rake—and it takes a governess to teach him a lesson

The accidental governess.

After her livelihood slips through her fingers, Alexandra Mountbatten takes on an impossible post: transforming a pair of wild orphans into proper young ladies. However, the girls don’t need discipline. They need a loving home. Try telling that to their guardian, Chase Reynaud: duke’s heir in the streets and devil in the sheets. The ladies of London have tried—and failed—to make him settle down. Somehow, Alexandra must reach his heart… without risking her own.

The infamous rake.

Like any self-respecting libertine, Chase lives by one rule: no attachments. When a stubborn little governess tries to reform him, he decides to give her an education—in pleasure. That should prove he can’t be tamed. But Alexandra is more than he bargained for: clever, perceptive, passionate. She refuses to see him as a lost cause. Soon the walls around Chase’s heart are crumbling… and he’s in danger of falling, hard.

Tessa Dare writes fantastic historical romances and is one of those authors that I never browse. I read every single word of every single book that she puts out because she’s that good for me. I have every faith that this book will be as good as I’m hoping because some of my favorite bloggers have already read and loved this book so I have such high hopes. I can’t wait to read this one.

Are there any books coming out in August that you’re looking forward to? How about books that you just want to read in August? Share your TBR lists in the comments!