September fiction: 8 of the best books to read this month

August passed in the blink of an eye and the arrival of September brings with it a shift from sunny beach reads to stories with quintessential cosy vibes. But whether you’re ready to embrace the changing seasons or you’re still clinging on to the last vestiges of summer, this month delivers a stellar selection of new books to enjoy as the air turns chilly and the leaves begin to fall. From thrilling debuts to the latest novels from fiction bestsellers Richard Osman and Carissa Broadbent, here’s our pick of September’s best books.

Lights Out by Louise Swanson

A state of emergency has been declared in the UK. At 8pm every night, all electricity cuts out until 7am the next morning. The Government promises the rationing is a temporary measure to avoid a complete blackout. They promise it’s to keep people safe. But for Grace, darkness means danger, because someone is coming into her house at night whilst she lies in bed upstairs, too afraid to sleep. An intruder who knows all about Grace’s past and her fear of the dark. We all understand what it’s like to live with brief power cuts but Louise Swanson takes that fleeting nuisance and magnifies it, adding in some childhood trauma that has us living every moment of Grace’s distress. This is a high-concept thriller that’s all the more chilling because it feels like it’s something that could actually happen. (5 Sept, Hodder & Stoughton)

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb

From the author of last year’s This Spells Love comes another endearing alternative reality romantic comedy with added 90’s nostalgia. Brynn is newly divorced and living with a roommate to afford her mortgage. When a birthday cake turns up on her doorstep, Brynn makes a wish that finds her waking up in the perfect world of beloved 90’s soap Carson’s Cove, and her roommate – Josh – is there too. Except they’re not Brynn and Josh. They’re Sloan and Fletch, the show’s sweetheart and the bad boy. Cue a delightfully self-aware rom-com that offers an entertaining trip down memory lane for 90’s teen drama lovers (Dawson’s Creek fans, this one’s for you). (5 Sept, Penguin)

We’ll Prescribe You A Cat by Syou Ishida

A cat a day keeps the doctor away… or so that’s the inventive idea in Syou Ishida’s We’ll Prescribe You A Cat, which sees a mysterious Clinic for the Soul treating troubled patients with cat prescriptions for their emotional ailments. Amongst the feline companions are Bee, an eight-year-old mixed breed who helps a disheartened businessman as he finds unexpected joy in physical labour, and Koyuki, a pretty white cat who brings closure to a young mother plagued by the memory of the kitten she was forced to abandon. This is a book full of hope, healing and humanity – and some heart-stealing cats too. (5 Sept, Doubleday)

Isolation Island by Louise Minchin

Set within a tense world of hidden cameras and celebrity egos, the debut novel from TV presenter and writer Louise Minchin follows ten celebrities as they compete in the most gruelling reality survival show ever devised. They must spend two weeks alone on a remote Scottish island in the depths of winter but when a brutal storm leaves them isolated with no way to contact the outside world, one of the contestants winds up dead. And soon it’s not just their secrets the celebs are trying to protect but their lives too. Packed with suspense, Isolation Island is at once a fraught reality show thriller and a twisty whodunnit that will have you reading into the early hours. (12 Sept, Headline)

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

With The Thursday Murder Club series currently on hiatus, Richard Osman has turned his attention to a brand new set of crime solving characters. We Solve Murders sees private security officer Amy and her father-in-law Steve – a retired police officer – taking on a deadly enemy who has set their sights on Amy. Throw in a dead body, a bag of money, a hilarious world-famous author and a breakneck race around the world and you’ve got yourself a book that’s pure escapism. You’ll pick it up for the cosy crime but you’ll keep reading for the brilliantly written characters and their entertaining adventures. (12 Sept, Viking)

Fear The Flames by Olivia Rose Darling

If you’re seeking a fantasy book with dragon-bonds, revenge quests, a Daenerys Targaryen-esque heroine and reluctant allies-to-lovers romance, then Olivia Rose Darling’s debut will give you all that and more. It centres on Elowen Atarah, a vengeful princess who must join forces with her father’s greatest enemy – the ruthless yet charismatic Commander Cayden Veles – to free the precious dragons who were stolen from her. With the threat of war looming, Elowen and Cayden must put their trust in each other as they undertake a daring life or death heist. Romantasy readers will absolutely devour this one. (17 Sept, Zaffre)

One On One by Jamie Harrow

Already binged Hannah Grace’s Daydream and looking for your next sizzling sports romance? Jamie Harrow’s One on One is just the book to fill the Maple Hills sized hole in your life. An irresistible enemies-to-lovers workplace romance set in the world of basketball, it follows Annie Radford as she takes a videographer job at the university she fled from years ago. Her ‘arch-nemesis’ Ben is still harbouring a grudge about Annie’s abrupt departure from his life, and now the two of them must find a way to work together to get the team the national championship. Not an easy task with old resentments and new rivalries stirring up complicated feelings for them both. You’ll be rooting for these two from beginning to end. (24 Sept, Quercus)

Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent

Lilith has been dying since the day she was born. She’s made her peace with her own imminent death but with her town slowly withering in the clutches of a mysterious god-cursed illness, she strikes a bargain with vampire Vale, offering him six roses in exchange for six vials of his blood. But as their deal brings them closer together, Lilith soon realises that there’s no such thing as a simple transaction with a vampire. Novellas can be difficult to get right but Carissa Broadbent makes the most of each page of this enthralling Beauty and the Beast retelling, drawing readers into Lilith and Vale’s dark and romantic tale. An absolute must-read for all Crowns of Nyaxia fans. (24 Sept, Tor Bramble)