Sophie Reads YA: September 2026

monthly summary

September Summary

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September

Stacking the Shelves: September 26th 2026

10:00

September

Stacking the Shelves: September 19th 2026

10:00

4 Stars

ARC Review: See You at the Finish Line by Zac Hammett

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See You at the Finish Line
Series: None
Author: Zac Hammett
Published May 8th 2025 by Zaffre/September 2nd 2025 by Slowburn

Goodreads Synopsis
Their only path to victory is each other . . .

George and Lucas can't stand each other - which makes it awkward being on the same Cambridge University rowing team. The uber-charming, womanising George got parachuted into Cambridge from America for his sporting prowess, despite his subpar grades, whereas Lucas worked for everything he's got - which sadly doesn't include a boyfriend. When George is told that this year he'll have to sit his exams fair and square, Lucas agrees to help him study - in exchange for help in wooing his crush, Amir.

Together, they embark on a journey to seduce, cheat, and beat their way to the top. They face rivals within their own squad, cutthroat competitors at Oxford, and their own annoyance with each other. But as they get closer, they find that they actually make a great duo. Will Lucas and George help their rowing team beat their arch rivals in a centuries-old feud? Will George manage to pass his fiendishly hard exams? Will Lucas finally work up the courage to ask Amir out? And what will Lucas and George do when they realise that what they really want is each other - even if that means changing their lives forever.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

George and Lucas are both rowers on for Cambridge University, which should mean they are friends, but they are anything but. Lucas is a working class student, who has had to work for everything he's ever got, whereas George has been parachuted in from America to lead the team, and is failing in his studies. When it becomes clear that their hatred for each other lead to Cambridge losing the annual Boat Race, their positions are soon at risk. If George doesn't pick up his grades, he'll be sent back to America, and will lose all his chances of joining the Olympic team. Agreeing to work with Lucas, in return for giving him the confidence to ask out his crush, Amir, George has one final chance before it all comes crashing down around him.

I read another book where the Boat Race was a major plot line a while ago, and really enjoyed it, so thought I would give See You at the Finish Line a chance. I liked the animosity, and later, banter between George and Lucas. They were quite different characters, and their personalities worked well with each other. I found parts of the plot a little slow and boring, unfortunately, but it definitely had it's strong points which led to me giving the book 4 stars. The romance between Lucas and George was not always plain sailing, and it's the age old problem of lack of communication which was nearly their down fall. The tension was worth it though, and I couldn't put the book down by the end - I just needed to know how they resolved their issues.

Dates Read:
September 6, 2026

Rating
4 Stars

September

Stacking the Shelves: September 12th 2026

10:00

3 Stars

ARC Review: Make Me Hate You by Kandi Steiner

10:00

Make Me Hate You
Series: None
Author: Kandi Steiner
Published October 6th 2026 by Arndell

Goodreads Synopsis
If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

Every sip of air is shallow and burning, because in the arms of my best friend’s brother, I’m the closest I’ve ever been to sin.

His eyes flick to my lips, and I remember the first time I tasted him, seven years ago before I left this town and vowed never to return. His hands grip my waist, and I remember the pain when he rejected me, when my entire world crashed down at his command. His jaw clenches, and my senses come alive with one stinging reminder.

I’m not his to kiss, and he’s not mine.

I tried to stay away from Tyler Wagner, putting an entire country between us. But when his sister’s wedding brings us back to the same town, to the same house, I can’t avoid him, no matter how hard I try.

He’s always there, his dark eyes bewitching, luring me into their depths. The memory of us pulls me under like a rip current, and when he flashes that smile, I lose my breath, along with my will, unable to escape his grip and find the surface.

Now, hours before our plus ones arrive for the wedding, I’m in his arms, begging him to make me hate him, knowing he never could.

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

And I’ll take him down with me.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley & Edelweiss. This in no way impacted on my view.

Jasmine Olsen is nothing without the Wagner family, and the Wagner kids - Morgan and Tyler - are her best friends. On the morning of her 18th birthday, Jasmine receives some news from her estranged mother, and she needs her best friends to get her through it. Morgan's not home, but Tyler is, and they spend an amazing night together. But then Tyler acts like it was nothing, and Jasmine vows to never think of him, or see him again. Now seven years later, and she manages to avoid her home until her invite to Morgan's wedding arrives, and she can't ignore her best friend. She knows that she will have to be brave and see Tyler again, but Jasmine is now in a happy relationship, and her work as an influencer keeps her busy anyway. No matter how hard she prepares herself, it's still different to be in the room with the only person you've ever loved, and who broke your heart.

This was my first book by this author, and I listened to the audiobook when I was travelling in the summer. I wanted to love it so much, but in the end it was a very basic book, in my opinion. The FMC & MMC did have great chemistry with each other, that wasn't the issue. I just didn't like their characters, really, and the added cheating subplot was a definite turn off for me. The stand out character was Morgan, but she wasn't without guilt in all the problems that occurred. I do have some more books by Steiner that I will get around to reading eventually, but I don't think I'll be in much of a rush.

Dates Read:
August 28-30, 2026

Rating
3 Stars