What I Read in June 2024
June Book Reviews
I texted a reading buddy when I finished Beach Read last week and said “60 books this year. Time to put a fork in it.” and I mean it. I’ve averaged 10 books a month this year and while most of them are audiobooks, it still almost feels like too much. I read so many books this month and it’s time to slow down and embrace the natural pace of summer. If you want to skip the rest of this newsletter, my top recs for every romance reader are The Irish Goodbye, Love on the Brain, Elizabeth of East Hampton (expected July 30, 2024), and Beach Read. I hope you’ll read the full reviews below for any cover that catches your eye!
Psst… if you find your next great read in this newsletter, consider supporting my work and keeping me caffeinated while I write.
Errands & Espionage by Sam Tschida
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 352
Format Read: Kindle (expected on August 6, 2024)
Gabby Greene is recently divorced and in desperate need of a job to get her life back on track. Her life changes in an instant when a secret government agency recruits her to go undercover to bring down a mob boss simply because she looks like an agent that was just killed doing the same job. Errands & Espionage takes readers on a wild ride as Gabby juggles keeping her kids safe, bringing home the bacon, trying not to fall for her hot co-worker, and bringing down an infamous Russian money launderer. You have to suspend disbelief while reading this action-packed mystery but the fast-paced story kept me entertained! I loved Gabby’s feisty grandmother and reliable best friend the most. While a lot of contemporary romances rely on spicy scenes, the romance in this book was closed door and not the main focus of the action. I could’ve done without it but I’m curious to see if it grows into a book two! I think fans of the movies/TV shows Only Murders in the Building, Get Smart, and Argylle will love this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
Genre: Romance
Pages: 352
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: Win McNulty, who is fiercely independent despite her limb difference, has a one-night stand with a charming stranger named Bo, resulting in unexpected consequences. While Bo is eager to be an involved co-parent, Win is uncertain about handling their new challenges. They agree to get to know each other as friends, but life doesn't always go as planned.
My Thoughts: This book was really sweet, just not what I expected going into it. The entire book centers around a surprise pregnancy. I do think people need to read positive stories about unexpected parenthood and this had the added bonus of giving representation to people with limb differences. Both Win and Bo grew exponentially as people and as a couple in this book. It was refreshing to read a romance where the couple excelled at communication. I think the author's writing was heartfelt and she was able to craft realistic characters. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work even though this specific trope wasn't my favorite.
Night Shift by Annie Crown
Genre: Romance
Pages: 283
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: Kendall Holiday spends her Friday nights exactly where she wants to be: with her head buried in a spicy romance novel while she works the graveyard shift at her university's library. She knows she could join her friends for a weekend of drunken debauchery and college parties, but she likes her alone time, so she tells herself she isn't hiding when she gets lost in the pages of fictional love stories.
But that all changes when Vincent Knight, captain of the basketball team, turns up with an injured wrist, a sour mood, and a pressing need for poetry recommendations for a class he hates. Vincent is tall, smart-mouthed, and challenges Kendall like no one has before. Suddenly, she's falling headfirst into her very own romance novel—but it takes a lot more truth than tropes to get to a happy ever after in real life.
My Thoughts: If you need a cute, quick, smutty read, I had a lot of fun with this one! I enjoyed the campus library setting and good girl/bad boy vibes (although he's really a softy). Kendall is a romance reader and brainiac who works PT at her university's library during the weekend graveyard shift. Vincent is a popular basketball player who comes to her for help with a poetry assignment. It's lust at first sight when these two make out within minutes of meeting. I think anyone who's ever had the first time jitters at the beginning of a relationship will feel seen in this book. Kendall and Vincent work through their insecurities together and it's so sweet.
The Irish Goodbye by Amy Ewing
Genre: Romance
Pages: 336
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: Cordelia James was once at the top of her game—a renowned street photographer with a massive social media following, gallery showings in Chelsea, and a lucrative book deal. But after the sudden death of her father, Cordelia can barely force herself to leave her apartment. That is, until she sees an ad for a summer gig at a cozy cottage on Ireland’s picturesque Inishmore island. Cordelia is on a plane before she can talk herself out of it.
The moment she steps off the boat, she crashes—literally—into Niall O’Connor, a grumpy local who’s just returned home to Inishmore from Dublin. Niall is nursing a broken heart and trying to patch up a broken life, and he has no time for posh American tourists. The more Cordelia’s and Niall’s paths cross, the more they make each other’s lives hell. But as with all rivalries, their hatred is about to reach a tipping point—and it’s going to heat up their cool coastal nights.
My Thoughts: Cordelia is grieving the loss of her dad and moves from NYC to Ireland for the summer to try to find her passion for photography again. She bumps into Niall, a stunning Irishman, who is fresh off a breakup that destroyed his dreams of owning his own restaurant. Both MCs are healing from different types of losses. Once they give in to their attraction, they're able find comfort in each other and rekindle their respective loves for photography and cooking. This was an enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romance with a vivid portrayal of the quaint island town of Inishmore, Ireland. The well-crafted secondary characters added depth to the narrative with their interference in the couple’s budding relationship. Roisin was so quirky and quickly became one of my favorite characters in the story. The passion doesn’t really heat up until the last 1/4 of the book but it was worth the wait. There was a 3rd act breakup that I don’t usually like but I think it made a lot of sense to use the trope in this particular love story. This was one of my most anticipated summer romances and I’m thrilled my library had the audiobook on release day!
Daisy Haites by Jessa Hastings
Genre: Romance
Pages: 436
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: Daisy has been raised by her gang lord brother since their parents' murder. She falls for Christian, who is hopelessly in love with his best friend's girlfriend. As their entangled romance grows, they all learn that life's most worthwhile pursuits often come at a high cost.
My Thoughts: I’ve had a hold on this audiobook ever since I finished reading the first book back in February and was relieved that it came in during our trip to the beach. I loved Daisy and Christian's story even more than BJ and Magnolia. It had a lot more grit due to the duo's mob boss dealings. There were so many scenes that absolutely destroyed me. This book is toxic and none of it is romantic but I still can't quit the Magnolia Parks Universe and I'm rooting for these characters to come out on top. Daisy is so smart and I love that she's studying to be a doctor while also being really into art history. We love a well-rounded woman! Jessa Hastings explores emotional trauma and complicated family dynamics again in this story. Even though you know plot twists are coming they'll still have you clutching your chest. I'll eventually read the rest of the books in this series as I can access the audio because the narrators were hot and I can't not know what happens next.
Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding
Genre: Romance
Pages: 384
Format Read: Kindle
Synopsis: The story follows Lizzy Bennet in the Hamptons, tired of the summer influx of Manhattanites. She puts her dreams on hold to save her family's bakery. Lizzy meets the aloof and wealthy Will Darcy through her sister Jane’s romance with his friend, Charlie. Despite initial misunderstandings, they form a connection amid challenges like family issues and sacrificing dreams for loved ones. Love blossoms as they navigate gossip, lies, and self-discovery, realizing that sometimes falling in love is necessary for survival.
My Thoughts: Aubrey Bellezza and Emily Harding knocked this retelling of Pride & Prejudice out of the park! Lizzie is the glue holding her family and their bakery in the Hamptons together. After a family emergency puts her dreams of going to grad school at Columbia on hold, she’s feeling the burden of keeping it all together. When Will, a wealthy businessman from NYC, comes to town, sparks fly from their first interaction at the bakery. This enemies-to-lovers romance is filled with plenty of swoon-worthy scenes. Will is always a gentleman despite the way the two antagonize each other. The authors effortlessly updated all of the classic characters into roles that felt realistic for the modern-day beach setting. I loved Will’s attachment to his family home and the fact that Will and Lizzy really bonded over surfing. The similarities they discovered in each other were endearing. This book primarily focuses on the love story between Jane and Charlie (Bingley) and Lizzy and Will (Mr. Darcy). I’m hopeful we’ll get many more of these Jane Austen retellings!
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
Genre: Romance
Pages: 320
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: Lucy is a tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. She meets Felix, who shows her a great time, but she doesn't realize he's her best friend's younger brother. Their chemistry is undeniable, but they know they should stay away from each other. Despite their pact, they keep being drawn to each other every year when Lucy visits PEI. When Lucy's best friend faces a crisis before her wedding, Lucy rushes to the island to help her, trying to resist her attraction to Felix. However, Felix seems different now, and Lucy starts to question their secret.
My Thoughts: This wasn't my favorite Carley Fortune book but the summer vibes and the small seaside town setting of PEI delivered. I thought Lucy's friendship with Bridget was a distraction from some of the more tender romantic moments with Felix. I always love an alternating timeline and in this case, I think it added so much to this story in the way that it built some tension between Lucy and Felix. Even though they had plenty of passionate moments, this was still a slow burn. The two took their time building a relationship rooted in friendship. I think the Canadian girlies will love the oyster shucking and Anne of Green Gables references and end up dreaming up plans of their own cut flower farm.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Genre: Romance
Pages: 368
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: In this STEMinist rom-com, a neuroscientist is forced to work on a NASA project with her grad school nemesis. When her equipment is missing and the staff is ignoring her, Bee finds her floundering career in jeopardy before the project even launches. Bee thinks she can see Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas and devouring her with those green eyes. The possibilities have all her neurons firing but she’s anxious to make the same mistakes she did with her ex.
My Thoughts: Ali Hazelwood books are so much fun on audio! I love the enemies-to-lovers trope so I'm not surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. Even the miscommunication didn't bother me because Bee and Levi weren't intentionally withholding information from each other. I thought the pacing was excellent. There was just enough tension to make their relationship feel believable. Some of the side characters like Rocio and the cats led to some pretty funny moments. Love on the Brain followed the same formula as The Love Hypothesis so I think I'd give the first book an edge. Ali Hazelwood does a good job of showcasing some of the struggles that women in STEM face and I can't get over a brooding MMC. What can I say? We have the same type. Some other reviewers have commented that the ending felt far-fetched. The author included a lot of details leading you to believe that there would be a big reveal of one of the conflicts in Bee and Levi's experiment and I thought it made sense for the storyline even if it wouldn't happen in real life. This is a great pick if you're looking for a steamy romance with a lot of intellect.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Genre: Romance
Pages: 400
Format Read: Audiobook
Synopsis: Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. They’re polar opposites. The only thing they appear to have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block. Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult.
My Thoughts: I first read this book back in 2020 on the beach and my initial review holds up! I wanted to reread this book (this time on audio) to compare it with Funny Story and decide which EmHen romance gets the #1 spot. I honestly cannot decide. I think Beach Read has a more memorable plot but I loved Miles as a book boyfriend in Funny Story.
My 2020 review: I devoured this enemies-to-lovers romance story. It may just be my new go-to contemporary romance recommendation. Gus and January had tons of great chemistry and I thought it was so cute that they were both authors. There were some pretty cheesy moments that easily could have been pulled from a Taylor Swift music video but overall it felt very real and relatable. The characters had lots of real-life issues they were dealing with (work deadlines, cancer, divorce, etc.) and it was nice to see them work through their struggles together. They honestly reminded me a lot of my husband and myself. Total opposites but somehow we make it work with our mutual love of adventure and a little flirty banter thrown in. I didn't want this book to end. I need to know what's next for the couple!
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Genre: Magical Realism/Historical Fiction
Pages: 387
Format Read: Kindle
Synopsis: Luzia Cotado, a scullion in Madrid, discovers she has a talent for small miracles. As her notoriety grows, she garners the attention of a king's secretary, Antonio Pérez. To improve her fortunes, Luzia delves into a world of magic and deceit, but risks facing the wrath of the Inquisition due to her Jewish heritage. She enlists the help of Guillén Santangel, an embittered immortal familiar, in her quest for survival.
My Thoughts: This was one of my most anticipated books of the summer and now that I’ve read it, I’m glad I was able to borrow it from the library. The formal writing style in this book enhanced the historical and magical elements, giving it a fairytale-like feel, particularly during the competition in the first half. The world-building was impressive, vividly bringing Spain to life. I wish the magic system had been explained more thoroughly. I often felt unsure about the magic's origins, especially as different characters displayed unique abilities. The main characters, Luiza and Santangel, were well-developed, but I found it difficult to distinguish the side characters. The narrative included a touch of believable slow-burn romance amidst the characters' mysterious backgrounds. The Familiar uses several compelling tropes such as the “chosen one”, fate, a curse to break, and magic in the shadows. Overall, the story lacked the spark I found in the Alex Stern series. Overall, it was a reasonably well-written novel but it did not fully engage me.
The Rereading Project Update
In January, I challenged myself to reread 12 books from my childhood that made a significant impact on my life as a reader. You can see my full list in the post linked below!
The Rereading Project
I briefly mentioned in my last newsletter that I’m embarking on a personal rereading project. I’m finally ready to share more about it with you today. I’ve been a little nervous to put this out into the world because I know it means I’m opening myself up to a bit of accountability to commit to it and finish.
Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 276
Format Read: Physical Copy
Summary: With only a yellowing photograph in hand, a young man -- also named Jonathan Safran Foer -- sets out to find the woman who may or may not have saved his grandfather from the Nazis. Accompanied by an old man haunted by memories of the war; an amorous dog named Sammy Davis, Junior, Junior; and the unforgettable Alex, a young Ukrainian translator who speaks in butchered English, Jonathan is led on a quixotic journey over a devastated landscape and into an unexpected past.
My thoughts: Everything is Illuminated is told through three perspectives: the 18th-century residents of a Jewish shtetl, a metafiction version of Jonathan Safran Foer himself, and a tour guide and translator named Alex that he corresponds with in the Ukraine. I was probably too young to read this book the first time I read it in high school but even then I could appreciate what Jonathan Safran Foer was doing with all the literary gimmicks. The writing is beautiful when not confusing because of the way the perspectives are fragmented. The stories jump around in time and the glimpses into the past and future are almost dream-like. It’s as if Foer has created a faux historical world that belongs in the genre of magical realism, although this book defies genres. By the last 100 or so pages, the events of the novel do tie up nicely. What sticks with me in this story is JSF’s desire to know his family through their complicated history and Alex’s unwavering love for his brother and grandfather, despite their flaws. There’s a unique wit and humor to this story weaved into threads of tragedy and grief. I appreciate the commentary on post-Soviet culture and how difficult it is for Americans to grapple with a history so removed from our own.
What’s up next in July:
Two more eARCs: Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams and Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer.
My library holds for When Among Crows by Veronica Roth and the audiobook Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov is my next rereading project selection. I’m going to try to make time for it but I’m also considering
’s suggestion to make this a multiyear project so I don’t get burnt out.
You can keep up with my reading journey in real time on Goodreads or The Storygraph!
Tell me, what was your favorite book this month? Are you actually able to read on vacation with kids?
Happy reading,
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Agreed on This Summer will be Different. Honestly too many oysters for me. 😂
Must add Elizabeth of East Hampton to my TBR, a P&P retelling, say no more!