Which books over the last few months, actually stayed with me and why?
Every few months, I step back and ask this simple question.
In this Q2 edition of Femme Fatales Quarterly, I'm sharing the fantasy, romantasy, and fiction books that shaped my reading journey from April through June. From unforgettable characters and emotionally devastating moments to unexpected disappointments and surprising five-star reads, this episode is about the books, characters and stories that have lingered long after the last page.
This isn't just a quarterly wrap-up. It's a conversation about how reading changes us, how our expectations influence our experiences, and why the right book can arrive exactly when we need it most.
In this episode:
📚 The standout books I read this quarter
⭐ The books that exceeded (or completely missed) my expectations
💭 Why I've been rethinking the way I choose what to read
❤️ The emotional moments and characters I can't stop thinking about
📖 Hidden gems, new favorites, and books you need on your TBR
Whether you're searching for your next obsession, trying to escape a reading slump, or simply love honest conversations about books, this episode is for you.
If you're a reader who loves emotionally charged fantasy, unforgettable characters, morally complex stories, found family, romance with real emotional stakes, and conversations that go beyond ratings, welcome! You've found your people.
👚BRAND HIGHLIGHT: Octopied Mind - CODE: FEMMEFATALE for 15% off
✨ Subscribe for deep dives, spoiler-free reviews, author conversations, and thoughtful discussions celebrating the books that stay with us long after we've closed the cover.
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Read with us on Fable:
Epic Series
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Perfect for fans of:
Fantasy books • Romantasy • Epic fantasy • BookTube • BookTok • Book podcasts • Fantasy book clubs • Fantasy recommendations • Reading wrap-ups • Best fantasy books of 2026 • Emotional fantasy • Character-driven stories • TBR inspiration • Reading vlogs
Books Mentioned:
- Red Rising: Pierce Brown
- Golden Son: Pierce Brown
- Our Perfect Storm: Carley Fortune
- Binding 13: Chloe Walsh
- Rites of the Starling: Devney Perry
- Boring Asian Female: Canwen Xu
- Seek the Traitor’s Son: Veronica Roth
- Motherclown: Harriet Alida Lye
- Voidverse: Damien Ober
- Strangers: Belle Burden
- The Road to Tender Hearts: Annie Hartnett
- Love You More: Emily Griffin
- Theo of Golden: Allen Levi
- The Language of Liars: S.L. Huang
- Throne of Glass: Sarah J. Maas
- Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune: Frank Herbert
- Anathema: Keri Lake
- Eldritch: Keri Lake
- Better than the movies: Lynn Painter
- It’s different this time: Joss Richard
- Text me Maybe: Matilda Madison
- C\old-hearted Rake: Lisa Kleypas
- Rah: Jessica N. Watkins
- The shippers: Catherine Center
- In stormy weather: Chelsea Curto
- Crash into me: Robinne Lee
- Blood Bound: Ellis Hunter
- The Burning Side: Sarah Damoff
- Alan Opts Out: Courtney Maum
- Hamnet: Maggie O'Farrell
- Canon: Paige Lewis
- The New Age of Sexism:Laura Bates
- Pool House: Mary H.K. Choi
- Prince of Swords: Elise Kova
- A Forsaken Prophecy: Stacey McEwan
- Grim Tidings: BK Borison
- The Sweetest Fiend: Raven Kennedy
- Kiss of the Black Flame: Helen B. Scheuerer
- Steelborn: Taylor J. LaRue
- The Wretched Divine: Adalyn Grace
- Big Little Truths: Liane Moriarty
- Umbra: Catalina Matei
- Who hears the Waters call: Sophia St. Germain
- Pink Ink: Avina St. Graves
- You’ll love it here: Natalie Sue
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