Monthly Wrap-Up: July 2021

July started out as a very slow reading month, but in the end, I managed to read five books. Now, this is kind of not true as one was a 15-minute audiobook, but hey a book is a book right?

Work was really intense and stressful for me in July, which has also carried over into August too so that’s just wonderful. Because of this, I didn’t really have an interest in reading, something that has also seemed to carry over into August, but I am very proud of myself for getting through as many books as I have.

These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows #1) by Lexi Ryan

Read: 01/07/21 – 12/07/21

*I was sent a copy of These Hollow Vows in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton and Lexi Ryan.*

It took me a while to get into this book, however, once I did I was absolutely hooked. Now it definitely isn’t the best book I’ve read so far, but it does sit up there with quite a few good ones. I’m a sucker for books about the fae.

This was marketed as a ‘sexy’ must-read for fans of Sarah J. Maas and although it did have one particularly steamy scene, it was lacking in that department otherwise.

Check out my full review of These Hollow Vows here

Goodreads synopsis: “Brie hates the Fae and refuses to have anything to do with them, even if that means starving on the street. But when her sister is sold to the sadistic king of the Unseelie court to pay a debt, she’ll do whatever it takes to get her back—including making a deal with the king himself to steal three magical relics from the Seelie court.

Gaining unfettered access to the Seelie court is easier said than done. Brie’s only choice is to pose as a potential bride for Prince Ronan, and she soon finds herself falling for him. Unwilling to let her heart distract her, she accepts help from a band of Unseelie misfits with their own secret agenda. As Brie spends time with their mysterious leader, Finn, she struggles to resist his seductive charm.

Caught between two dangerous courts, Brie must decide who to trust with her loyalty. And with her heart.”

Magic Julep (Magic & Mixology #7) by Gina LaManna

Read: 14/07/21 – 21/07/21

I really enjoy this series, however, this book felt very lacking to me. The storyline was really interesting but it had little to no impact on the main plot of the series. This book definitely felt like filler, which isn’t really a bad thing as I did enjoy it, but it didn’t really have a purpose.

I would have loved to see more from the other characters of this series, especially Lily’s family as they are interesting and just hilarious. It was a shame that they were not an integral part of this instalment as I think that would have made it a little better.

Goodreads synopsis: “When Lily Locke receives a royal decree summoning her to the Kingdom of Crystalvia, she can hardly turn down the request. However, the invitation doesn’t come without a catch. When the queen begs Lily to crack a curse that has held their village captive for three years, Lily promises to do everything she can to free them. If she doesn’t, the kingdom will eventually languish… and disappear forever.

However, as Lily digs deeper into the mystery behind the endless winter, she finds the truth is a lot more than she bargained for. And when her father becomes involved, the situation turns more dangerous than ever. Still, only one thing is for certain: If Lily can’t fix the curse before the clock runs out, someone will die… and her name is up next.”

True Loaf by L. Austen Johnson

Read: 26/07/21

*I was sent a copy of True Loaf in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to L. Austen Johnson*

As this was a very short audiobook and I have posted an actual review of it, I will just link to that instead of telling you about it again. Check it out here.

Goodreads synopsis: “When a strange man puts in a strange request at the bakery where she works, Riley must go on a mini-adventure to find one unusual ingredient. Along the way, she realizes that things are not always what they seem.”

Eve of Man (Eve of Man #1) by Giovanna & Tom Fletcher

Read: 25/07/21 – 31/07/21

This was on my to be read since well the very first to be read post I did. For some reason, I just kept putting this off month after month, but no more. I decided that July was the time to read it.

I really enjoyed this book and I think the concept of it is really imaginative. I know a lot of people are not happy about the lack of LGBTQ+ representation in this, but honestly, it wasn’t an issue for me. The whole plot was about repopulating the earth and to be honest, there was a part that mentioned men being in relationships together.

The technology side of this was super interesting and played such a huge part in the story. I’m not entirely sure when it is set, maybe it said at the start and I didn’t retain that information. But it was a great dystopian styled story that has left me wanting to read the next instalment – which I already own and hopefully won’t put off for over a year.

Goodreads synopsis: “All her life Eve has been kept away from the opposite sex. Kept from the truth of her past.

But at sixteen it’s time for Eve to face her destiny. Three potential males have been selected for her. The future of humanity is in her hands. She’s always accepted her fate.

Until she meets Bram.

Eve wants control over her life. She wants freedom.

But how do you choose between love and the future of the human race?”

Now I know what you’re thinking “you said you had read five books this month but you’ve only mentioned four”. Well, you are right. The fifth book is actually a seasonal read set at Christmas and I don’t think anyone wants to hear about that right now (don’t worry its a review copy I’m not some weirdo that reads about Christmas in July (well I probably would do that actually))

I’m saving my review of said Christmas book until later this year for my ‘12 books of Christmas series so you’ll have to wait until then to see what I think. Or you could look at my Goodreads I suppose.

Anyway enough rambling from me. Let me know what you read in July and what your favourite book was!