Another month being over means new books, but it also means books being read. So today we want to share our July wrap up! What did we read? Did we find any new favorites? Keep on reading to find out!
Candyce
In July I read 16 books (6 paperbacks, 3 eARCs, 3 audiobooks, 2 eBooks, and 2 on Kindle Unlimited). This was actually my worst reading month of the year, but life is still lifing. I’m working on stuff and really hoping I get my reading mojo completely back soon. All that matters is I’m still reading. The rest will come back eventually!
Fake Skating – Lynn Painter
I’ve been excited about reading Fake Skating since it released in September 2025. Lynn Painter is one of my favorite authors and it’s the only book I had left before being completely caught up with her books. Fake Skating had everything I loved: fake dating, new friends, family, and figuring out what you want. I can’t wait for Lynn Painter’s next book releasing in just a couple of months.
Bromantasy – Máire Roche
Bromantasy is a cozy fantasy that felt like one big hug! Our main characters are best friends and end up on a quest when Juniper actually volunteers them to go. We get laugh out loud moments with some really fun puns. Besides that there are quite a few heart-warming moments that leave you smiling. Juniper and Mo meant more to each other than they realized and this quest really proved that. The star of the show was definitely Bear. I really hope this author gives us more cozy fantasy books like this.
Into the Fading Twilight – Catherine Cowles
After reading Into the Fading Twilight, I think it’s safe to say that this is going to become a favorite series of mine. Nova and Kol’s romance was amazing and sweet. The suspense side of this story kept me on my toes and Kol’s brothers really stole the show. I’ll be counting down the days until I can get my hands on the third book.
Yesteryear – Caro Claire Burke
Yesteryear is a book that seems to be everywhere since it released. It’s definitely one you seem to love or not. After reading it, I definitely can get both sides, but I also see what the author was trying to do with this story and its take on trad wives. I jumped in not knowing much and I think that worked best for me with this story. The ending is one I never could’ve predicted. I do know that it’s one I won’t forget anytime soon.
The Long Game – Rachel Reid
I binged the first five books of this series really quickly, but then I kind of kept putting off The Long Game. I think it’s because I knew the book after this has been postponed and I was having a great time. It was finally time though and I’m so happy I read the second book about Shane & Ilya. I’m not going to lie, Shane annoyed me quite a bit during the first half of the book, but everything came together and it just hit me in all the feels! I definitely see myself rereading this whole series.
The Hero of Ages – Brandon Sanderson
After starting this trilogy in 2020, I finally finished the final book in July. It was a wild ride, but I loved how everything came together. There were some twists I never saw coming and I am happy with how it all played out. Sanderson isn’t careful with his characters but it makes for an amazing story.
Dearly Departed – Chip Pons
Dearly Departed hit me in all the feels and I was not expecting to be crying while reading about Hades not being a god anymore and trying to find his way. Not only did we see that part of the story, but Dearly Departed was filled with love, spice, dealing with grief, letting people in, family, and opening yourself up to a life you didn’t have in mind. I really hope Chip Pons writes books about Hades’ brothers.
How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle – Alissa DeRogatis
I got a head start on this August release and I had such a fun time. When we get a main character who is an author, I’m always happy and Ainsley was an interesting character to read about. I loved how she tries to find her own meet cute to get her spark for writing back. Love was closer than she thought and I finished this book with a smile on my face.
The Final Score – Lana Ferguson
I’m always here for a sports romance and The Final Score was everything I love in these books. We get best friend’s brother, forced proximity, mental health rep, banter, and so much more. Both of our main characters are dealing with things but really find what they need in the other person. The little things really made this book work and Lana Ferguson knows how to write a spicy scene!
Crown Me Dead & Crown Me Yours – Liv Zander
When I started Crown Me Dead and was very glad I wasn’t eating while reading, I would’ve laughed at you if you told me the tears would be streaming down my face at the end of Crown Me Yours. This duology is a rollercoaster of emotions and twists. The two main characters are definitely each other’s match and trying to defeat a curse became very interesting. I need to read more by Liv Zander now!
Whiskey Chaser – Lucy Score & Claire Kingsley
I love small town romances and the grumpy/sunshine trope, so it was time for me to give Whiskey Chaser a try. Scarlett is such a feisty FMC and our “grump” Devlin never saw her coming. I loved how he really saw her and wanted to protect her and she saw that he wasn’t happy where he was. She brought out a different side in him. The only thing is I could’ve done without the keeping secrets and lack of communication. That really annoyed me. I am continuing the series, because the mystery we’re introduced to in this one left me with lots of questions.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? – Philip K. Dick
This older sci-fi was my book club read for July and I wasn’t a fan. I do enjoy seeing how authors thought the world would be in the future, but other than that this book made no sense to me. Things needed a lot more depth for me, because I just really didn’t get the point of this one.
Before I Forget – Tory Henwood Hoen
While we have had family members with Alzheimer’s Disease, I haven’t experienced it with a loved one myself. Losing my grandmother to brain cancer, did have some of those symptoms and I know how hard it is seeing our loved ones become someone else. Before I Forget is beautiful in the sense that our main character spends the final time with her father and letting him live it in his own way. Getting glimpses of the past were interesting and added to the story. It wasn’t five stars for me mostly because of the magical realism aspect. For me it went just a tad too far to feel fitting for this story. I will definitely read more by this author.
Anywhere With You – Ellie Palmer
Our main character Charley’s life is flipped upside down when it seems that her husband is asking for divorce out of the blue. So when she hears her sister wants to get married rather quickly, she panics and thinks she needs to talk her out of it. This leads to a road trip with her former childhood best friend who maybe felt like a little bit more. Their forced proximity and trip down memory lane was very special. These two finding each other again was a great time.
Cubs & Campfires – Dylan Drakes
I listened to the audiobook of Cubs & Campfires and it’s a cozy MM romance. Both of these characters are adorable and I appreciated the sex and body positivity the author added to this book. The slow burn was written so well and this author knows how to write some spicy scenes! I definitely want to read other books by Dylan Drakes.
Isabelle
I finished only 4 books in July. The end of the school year is always super busy, but now that I have time off I am reading some awesome books that I’m close to finishing. I am happy with the books I did manage to finish in July though!
Queens of Shadows & Empire of Storms – Sarah J. Maas
Whenever I have trouble sleeping or I’m too much in my head, I start listening to the Throne of Glass series. By now I’m once again so invested that’s almost all I listen to haha. So I have finished Queen of Shadows and Empire of Storms. I’m also pretty close to finishing Tower of Dawn!
Mile High – Liz Tomforde
I’ve heard great things about this series and I’m slowly turning into a romance girly haha. With these books getting adapted I figured it was time to dive in. I definitely enjoyed this one and I’m currently reading the second book. One of my reader friends also started reading these, so now I have someone to talk to about these haha.
The Secrets We Hide – Karin Slaughter
Karin Slaughter is one of my forever favorite authors, I love her mystery/thrillers and I’m always looking forward to her newest releases. So of course I had to read it as soon as possible! I listened to this one and finished it in no time, no I just have to wait another year for the next release.
So that’s our July wrap up! Have you read any of these? Did you read any new favorites in July? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!
