Yesterday was all about the books we got in June, so today it’s time to talk about what we’ve read. Was June a good reading month? Or did we find any new favorites? Keep on reading our June wrap up to find out!

Candyce

In June I read 25 books (8 paperbacks, 6 ARCs, 4 ebooks, 4 Kindle Unlimited, 2 hardcovers, and 1 graphic novel). June started off slowly for me because I was studying the first week of the month. After that I had some time to get more reading done, and that I did! Out of the 25 books, I actually read 3 books that were over 500 pages. Also, 8 of these books were backlist books. All in all, June was a good month.

The Ex Vows – Jessica Joyce

After loving You, with a View, I’m not sure why it took me so long to read The Ex Vows. This second chance romance was emotional, spicy, and very heartwarming. It was the perfect mix of romance and friendship. I really hope Jessica Joyce announces her next book soon.

The Temptation of Magic – Megan Scott

The Temptation of Magic was Fairyloot’s YA book in May 2024 and I finally sat down to read this beautiful edition. Unfortunately, this one ended up being a book I didn’t love. I feel like it took me forever to read and it’s not even 400 pages. Also, we get a lot of information, but not the information I feel we needed. At the end of the book I still didn’t completely understand what the main character is. I don’t think I’ll be continuing this series.

The League of Gentlewomen Witches – India Holton

The League of Gentlewomen Witches is the second book in the Dangerous Damsels trilogy and it was so much fun. This fantastical historical romance pulls you right in and the humor is amazing. I read the first book in 2023, and I’m mad at myself for not continuing this trilogy a lot sooner.

Till Summer Do Us Part – Meghan Quinn

Meghan Quinn is one of my favorite authors, so I had to read Till Summer Do Us Part. I read this book in one day and laughed out loud so many times. This marriage of convenience romance was everything I wanted and more. Everyone deserves a Wilder, haha.

Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing – Jessa Hastings

I’ve been loving the Magnolia Parks Universe, so I’m happy to say I finally read the fourth book in this series. We get another book about Daisy and it’s full of drama again, but I can’t get enough. That ending left me needing more. I’m sad I only have one more book to go to be caught up.

Woven by Gold – Elizabeth Helen

After loving Bonded by Thorns last month, I was really excited to read the next book in this series. Woven by Gold started off where the first book ended and I got invested in this one. We had politics, friendships, family, war, and a couple of betrayals? This sequel also gets a lot more steamy than the first book. I read this 563 page book almost in one sitting. It was that addicting!

Forged by Malice – Elizabeth Helen

The ending of Woven by Gold left me wanting more. I normally don’t binge series, but this is going to be an exception I think. Forged by Malice is 672 pages and I still don’t feel like I had enough. Rosie and her princes go through so much. There are so many twists and turns. Betrayals and more! I also appreciate that we’re slowly getting to know all of the princes. The fourth book is already on its way to me.

Drunk on Love – Jasmine Guillory

I really enjoyed By the Book by this author recently, so I decided I should read the other romance I have written by her. Drunk on Love is a romance that starts off with a one night stand, but it turns out he was hired to work at her place of business. It started off fun, but it started getting repetitive pretty quickly. Also, a lot of drama in this story could’ve been solved if these two characters just talked to each other. It just didn’t work for me.

The Darkness Within Us – Tricia Levenseller

A few years ago I read and loved The Shadows Between Us, so it was rather exciting when the author announced The Darkness Within Us. It’s been out for a bit, but I finally sat down and read this book. Chrysantha is an interesting character who just wants to fight for something of her own. Eryx was also a very intriguing MMC. I wish we would’ve had some chapters from his POV, but I really enjoyed myself reading this book.

Sleeping Giants – Sylvain Neuvel

Sleeping Giants starts when a little girl sneaks out to ride her bike and falls in a deep pit. A huge hand is found and that leads to the start of trying to solve one of the biggest mysteries ever. This book is told through interviews and diary entries and I loved it. Once I started reading this, I really couldn’t stop. I definitely want the second book to see how this continues.

Paper Girls, Volume 1 – Brian K. Vaughan

When I recently did a bookshelf check in on the blog, I came across Paper Girls, Volume 1. This has been on my shelves since September 2017. I actually read it the same day I wrote that post. The art style was pretty, but I don’t think this story line is for me.

All Your Twisted Secrets – Diana Urban

I’ve been curious about this YA thriller since it released in 2024, and I finally got around to reading this one. The story started off really interesting and I loved the back and forth between the group being locked in the room and what led up to them being there. I also understand what the author was trying to do, but in the end it didn’t work for me? The twist just didn’t feel right if that makes sense and I guessed it before the big reveal.

Caught Up – Navessa Allen

Lights Out was a book I ended up loving, and I was surprised because it was very hyped. So Caught Up was a book I had to read right after it released. Junior and Lauren’s story is a lot different than our first book. I still enjoyed Caught Up, but I just didn’t love it as much as the first book. Maybe I was expecting more humor? Lauren’s best friend Taylor honestly stole the show for that aspect of the book. I don’t know, this was just a bit of a let down.

Swept Away – Beth O’Leary

Can you imagine being lost at sea with your one night stand? That sounds like an extra nightmare. Swept Away was a fast read, but there were some elements at the end that I could’ve done without. It felt like extra drama was added when our main characters already went through a lot. I enjoyed reading about our characters getting to know each other more and just trying to survive.

The Gilded Cage – Lynette Noni

The Gilded Cage is the second book in The Prison Healer trilogy and what a ride this was! Once again, I was hooked from the start. I will say the main character annoyed me a little bit time to time, but so much happened that I wasn’t expecting at all. I’m so excited to read the third and final book to see how this wraps up.

Kiss Me at Christmas – Jenny Bayliss

I’ve been working on some Christmas in July content, so I read Kiss Me at Christmas during my commute to work this month. I’ve enjoyed previous books by this author, so Kiss Me at Christmas was added to my need to read list. This heartwarming story was all about our main character learning a lot about herself during the first Christmas she would spend alone since her daughter was born. The romance and found family vibes made this a good holiday read.

Knives, Seasoning, & A Dash of Love – Katrina Kwan

This workplace grumpy/sunshine romance was a lot of fun to read. I was quite surprised that this one got pretty emotional. Eden and Alexander worked well together in the kitchen and their chemistry was interesting! I loved the friendships that were formed and that they both started letting their walls down as they got closer. I was surprised that food didn’t play a bigger part in this story. I would definitely read more by this author.

Built to Last – Erin Hahn

I’m trying to get through some of my older eARCs on Netgalley and Built to Last caught my eye. I really enjoy home renovation shows and second chance romances, so this sounded like a lot of fun. Shelby and Cameron getting to know each other was really heartwarming. Their banter was fun and this book had some amazing side characters. I’ll definitely be reading more by Erin Hahn.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned – Jacqueline Firkins

Sometimes you just need a fast and fun read, and Marlowe Banks, Redesigned was one of them. While this is a romance, I don’t feel like that is the main plot point. I really enjoyed the fact that our main character is really trying to figure out what she wants in life. It’s always great seeing a character grow.

The Stars Between Us – Cristin Terrill

Books that take place in space and on other planets, so I was interested to see what The Stars Between Us was all about. I got this as an eARC when it was Read Now in 2022. For me, the world was the most interesting part of the story. The classes and how the people were divided was something the author had me curious about. Vika was called to a different planet when she’s left in the will of a rich person who dies under suspicious circumstances. We have some mystery, politics, and even a romance. While The Stars Between Us didn’t become a favorite book of mine, I was very entertained. I would definitely read more in this world.

The Bones Beneath My Skin – TJ Klune

The House in the Cerulean Sea is still one of my favorite books and since then I’ve been wanting to read everything by this author. The Bones Beneath My Skin is a bit different than what I’ve read by TJ Klune before but it still hit me in all the feels. Art will definitely be on my list of favorite characters from now on.

Bourbon & Proof – Victoria Wilder

Bourbon & Proof is the final book in The Bourbon Boys trilogy and Ace’s story was very worth the wait. Hadley and Ace had such a great slow burn and marriage of convenience. I couldn’t have asked for a better book to end this trilogy. I can’t wait for the author’s next series.

Prince of the Arena – Elizabeth Helen

As you can see, I’ve really been enjoying the Beasts of Briar series this month. Prince of the Arena is a novella that just released this month and it was good. We got a glimpse of Dayton and Farron before the events of Bonded by Thorns. I love these two characters and I honestly would’ve read a 500 page book about these two.

Dungeon Crawler Carl – Matt Dinniman

I’ve been seeing Dungeon Crawler Carl everywhere recently and I wanted to read it. This book ended up being my in person book club read in June and I loved it. Even though I’m not a gamer myself, I enjoyed seeing Carl and Princess Donut try and get through the level. For me, the audiobook made this book even better. The narrator really brought this story to life. I’m excited to continue with this series.

Comeback – Rebecca Jenshak

A sports romance is something I always enjoy, and I’ve been seeing this series everywhere. Comeback is the third book and I normally try and read them in order, but my Discord book club read this one. I loved the brother’s best friend trope and I also appreciated sign language being a part of this story. This was my first book by Rebecca Jenshak and it won’t be my last.

 

Isabelle

June has been an insanely busy month and I only managed to read 4 books. Two of those were rereads and 2 were new ones. I am really happy with the books I read, even though it isn’t as much as I hoped I would read.

King of Scars & Rule of Wolves – Leigh Bardugo

After my reread of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, I obviously had to continue the ‘series’ with a reread of King of Scars and Rule of Wolves. I love these books so much, the characters are amazing and I truly hope we get another book in this series.

Hell Bent – Leigh Bardugo

Earlier this year I finally read Ninth House and I really enjoyed it. It took me awhile to dive into this one as it had really mixed reviews and I was afraid to read a Leigh Bardugo book that I wouldn’t like. But after reading it I really wanted to read the sequel as well! It was another great book and now I have to wait with the rest of you for the third book.

Julie Tudor is not a Psychopath – Jennifer Holdich

This was an eARC and I really enjoyed it. You might’ve read my review last week. This was a book like nothing I’ve read before and I would for sure recommend this one. It’s about a very delusional lady and it was so interesting being in her head.

So that’s our June wrap up! Have you read any of these? Or did you find any new favorites? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!