Books – June 2022

I have had a good reading month. Coming at you with my most recent book reviews. I recommend all of these, except the DNF at the end. Have you read any of these? What has been your favorite book so far this summer?

The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich

Gabriela Rose reminds me of a more capable Stephanie Plum. I enjoyed the wacky cast of characters in this one, and the fun ride we went on in search of the Ring of Solomon. Rafer was fun, and I hope to get more of him in future books from this series.

Bottom Line: If you are a fan of Stephanie Plum or cozy mysteries, check this out!

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory

This is supposed to be a Beauty and the Beast retelling, sign me up! I will say, that a lot of the ties to Beauty and the Beast were lame. Like calling the hired help “Kettle,” the yellow sundress coming down the stairs (sounds more like a danger with it trailing behind her), the feeling of the furniture being magical and giving you hugs. Lame. Anyways. This was a little slow for me. I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between the characters. If I am being completely honest, Izzy got on my nerves a little. I feel like she didn’t grow in the book near as much as Beau did. I did enjoy the general plot, with her helping Beau write his book. Overall, I liked the book and I am glad I read it. It just wasn’t my favorite from Jasmine Guillory.

Bottom Line: If you are a Guillory fan or a fairytale retelling fan, read it. I did enjoy it, it just wasn’t my favorite from this author.

**I received a copy of By the Book from NETGALLEY in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland

I enjoyed this one, it was full of family drama. The Golden Hotel is located in the Catskills and there was mentions of Dirty Dancing, and has lots of nostalgia of the “good old days.” We deal with a lot of issues in this one; opioids, cheating, miscarriage, dementia, loss, disordered eating, coming out, etc. Even with all of this, the book felt light. I loved the layers of family complications and the way they were there for each other.

I did this on audio and Julia Whelen is one of my favorite narrators.

Bottom Line: Read it

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

Man, this book was intense! I couldn’t stop. I had to know what was going on!!! I had a few theories, and I was wrong. I tried to connect everything but was mind blown when it all played out. What a roller coaster! I think I am going to need some fluffy reads for awhile. I am spent. Definitely enjoyed this one, probably the fastest I read a book in awhile.

Bottom Line: Read it!!!

When in Rome by Sarah Adams

This was so cute and such a fun slow burn. The writing reminded me of RS Grey, and you all know how much I love her. This is my first from this author, and I am going to be binging anything else she has wrote in my near future. I just know it. This modern take on the Hepburn classic, Roman Holiday. Amelia and Noah were so fun. I loved Noah’s sisters and the town they live in. It was heartwarming and sweet and I hate that I rushed through it, because I miss them! One of my favorite things, is at the end we didn’t have some huge miscommunication issue that most romcom authors turn to. It was so refreshing to see the book play out differently.

Bottom Line: Read it!!!

**I received a copy of When in Rome from NETGALLEY in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

The Sizzle Paradox by Lily Menon

This one was so cute! It went by pretty quickly for me. I love a good friends to lovers romcom. Add in the fact that Lyric and Kian are science-nerds, even better. I enjoyed all the side characters in this one as well. It reminded me a little of “Love Hypothesis,” but I liked that one more. I will say, that Lyric was a little immature for her age? Maybe? I am trying to remember what I was like in my late twenties. Either way, I enjoyed this one.

I received an audio version of The Sizzle Paradox and I really enjoyed both the male and female narrators. They kept me interested and engaged through the whole book.

Bottom Line: Read it.

**I received a copy of The Sizzle Paradox from NETGALLEY in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson

I love Joshilyn Jackson, she is always a solid read for me. This one does not disappoint! I could not put it down. This is a suspenseful, twisty story about a son that goes missing. I was immediately hooked and found the investigation process very interesting. All the characters and details were so very well fleshed out. I am not 100% sure that is was completely believable how everything was connected, but I was here for it. The pacing of the book was interesting, as things happen and you keep thinking oh this is wrapping up, but then it goes on.

I have mixed feelings about the revenge of the villain. Without giving too much away, she is hurting innocent people. I understand that she wants to make certain people hurt the most…but uses innocent people to do that. It just doesn’t make sense. Especially as a mother. There was a theme running through the book of how an act that may have meant very little to us at the time may have been life-changing for another. It makes you think about things differently. This book also makes you think about the choices you would make if you were in Bre’s position in this book.

Bottom Line: Read it!!!

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon

I absolutely loved this one! I couldn’t stop once I started. I loved Russell and Ari so much. The fun banter about their horrible bosses, their plotting, and watching them grow close. It was such a fun premise and I loved every moment. Ari is a TV  meteorologist, and that was just a fun aspect of the book as well. Bring on the science nerds! I felt like the author did a good job writing a character that dealt with depression. I also appreciated Russell and his past. Definitely one of my favorites recent reads.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub

I am not sure what is wrong, if it was me or the book….but I just couldn’t get into this. I was bored from the beginning and gave up pretty early. I hesitate to give it a bad rating since I didn’t really give it a try. Have you read it? Should I try it again later?

Currently Reading

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle