The calendar year may start in January, but September will always feel like the real new year to me. The kids are back in school, the days have a different rhythm, and the weather is cooler. It’s starting to feel like fall — or maybe it’s just a tease before summer makes one last stand. Either way, I love the sense of fresh beginnings this season brings, from new notebooks to new romances waiting to be read. Much like the first day of school, there’s excitement in not knowing what’s ahead, only that something good is about to begin. This month’s reads feel just right for the coming season: filled with possibility, change, and the promise of happily-ever-afters waiting to be fulfilled.

*****

Regina Black’s August Lane (Grand Central Publishing) is a deeply moving second-chance romance that lingers long after the last page.

Once a rising country star, Luke Randall is now washed up and stuck singing the one song that made him famous — a song that isn’t truly his. Written by August Lane, the first girl he ever loved and the daughter of his idol, Black country-music star JoJo Lane, the song represents both his greatest triumph and his deepest betrayal. When Luke is invited back to his Arkansas hometown to perform at JoJo’s Hall of Fame induction, he must face the ghosts of his past — childhood trauma, dysfunctional family relationships, and, most painfully, August herself.

Raised by her grandmother after being abandoned by her famous mother, August has spent her life feeling overlooked and betrayed. She hates Luke for stealing her lyrics and vanishing without a word, and she isn’t interested in forgiveness. But when circumstances force them to collaborate on a new song, the undeniable attraction they still feel for each other shines through. Creating music together while reckoning with the past may offer a path toward healing — if they can get out of their own way.

Black weaves past and present, teenage love and adult heartbreak, into a narrative that’s as haunting as a country ballad. The novel tackles some pretty heavy themes of personal and generational pain, including addiction, abuse, racism, and neglect. Yet in the middle of the despair, there are sparks of tenderness, hope, and redemption. Angsty, atmospheric, and achingly romantic, this is a must-read for fans of country music and slow-burn love stories.

*****

Wondering if it’s too early in the season for zombies and vampires? Olivia Dade is here to tell you: No. No, it’s not. Zomromcom (Berkley) is a sharp, funny, and unexpectedly tender romance set against the chaos of a zombie outbreak.

Edie Brandstrup is more comfortable making and selling her custom soaps than she is leading the charge during a zombie apocalypse. Nonetheless, she rushes to save her clueless neighbor Chad from a ravenous zombie, only to discoverer he’s not a helpless mortal at all: He’s Max Boucher, a centuries-old, brooding vampire who is more than capable of taking care of himself (and he’s determined to take care of her, too).

Thrown together in the middle of the first zombie outbreak in decades, Edie and Max must battle the undead while uncovering the truth behind a sinister conspiracy. Along the way, they collect a ragtag crew of quirky supernatural allies and stumble into moments of laugh-out-loud humor as often as they do into danger. Through it all, sparks fly between the unlikely duo, building a storyline that’s both heartwarming and hilarious.

Dade infuses her zombie romp with impressive worldbuilding while also delivering a realistic, relatable protagonist. What Edie lacks in combat skills she more than makes up for in courage and resilience. We can’t help but root for this snarky, compassionate heroine while falling hard for the grumpy, sword-wielding Max. Fast-paced, clever, and bursting with charm, this standout paranormal romance balances action, humor, and heart with ease.

*****

Ally Carter is back with the second book in the Blonde Identity series, The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold (Avon), and it’s everything I could want in a romantic spy thriller!

Ten years of complicated history come crashing down when CIA operative Alexandra Sterling wakes up handcuffed to Michael “King” Kingsley, her former partner, nemesis, and the man she once loved. Bloody, bruised, and trapped in the dark, Alex and King must figure out who’s behind their abduction while dodging assassins, double-crosses, and the dangerous truths of their past.

Carter masterfully blends propulsive action with simmering romance, alternating between the present-day danger and flashbacks that trace Alex and King’s decade-long connection — from spy school to missions in Las Vegas, Portugal, and Scotland. The backstory reveals not only their undeniable chemistry but also the betrayals, secrets, and sacrifices that ultimately drove them apart.

Alex is a sharp, stubborn heroine whose bravado hides a tender vulnerability, while King is the exasperated partner who has always been able to see right through her. Their clever banter keeps the sparks flying, but beneath the taunts lie unresolved feelings that smolder. Every brush with danger is a reminder that they’re fearless when it comes to risking their lives; it’s their hearts they keep carefully guarded.

Suspenseful and swoon-worthy, The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold is a fast-paced second-chance romance that proves sometimes the only person you can trust is the one who once broke your heart.

Kristina Wright lives in Virginia with her husband, their two sons, two Goldendoodles and a ginger cat. She’s a regular contributor at BookBub and a lifelong fan of romance fiction. Find her on Bluesky at @kristinawright.