June has been a stressful month to say the least. Thankfully, I had zero DNFs which is a big win for me right now. The overall quality of last month’s reads was actually pretty high and it’s definitely reignited my love for reading again.
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Read: 29/5/24 – 2/6/24
This sat on my to be read for years so I was worried I’d hyped it up too much, but it was great. I loved the characters, the plot was interesting and I’m definitely going to check out the sequel.
Book Review: Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Synopsis: There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.
Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map―the key to a legendary treasure trove―seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.
More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
Read: 2/6/24 – 3/6/24
I sat and binged about 80% of this book in one day, I couldn’t get enough of it. Yes, some parts made me cringe, but overall it was a fun and entertaining read.
Book Review: The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
Synopsis: Mackenzie hasn’t had a successful date in months. She’s only a year out of residency, and her grandmother’s obsession with finding the perfect mate threatens to drive her barking mad, so it should be a small thing when she lies about meeting someone . . . until she blurts out the name of the last man she would ever Noah ‘The Big Bad Wolf of Denver General’ Taylor.
Noah, interventional cardiologist and all-round grump, has spent his entire life hiding what he is – an unmated alpha. But when an anonymous tip brings everything to light, he’s left with to come clean to the board and risk his career or find himself a mate. So, when the chatty, overly friendly ER doctor asks him to be her fake boyfriend the same day he’s called to meet the board, it must be kismet, right?
Mackenzie gets her grandmother off her back, and Noah gets the chance to prove he can continue to work without a real mate – it’s a mutually beneficial business transaction. But when the fake-mate act turns to a very real friends-with-benefits arrangement, lines start to blur, and they quickly realise love is a whole different kind of animal.
The Mortal Instruments: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 2 by Cassandra Clare & Cassandra Jean
Read: 3/6/24
Reading these graphic novels has made me want to re-read the entire books series. The only one I’ve actually re-read is City of Bones. Maybe that will be one of my next re-read reviews?
Graphic Novel Review: The Mortal Instruments Vol. 2 by Cassandra Clare & Cassandra Jean
Synopsis: In the world of shadows, battling vampires and fending off wolves at knifepoint no longer frightens Clary. If it means finding her mother, she can deal with that much. But when a trusted ally betrays the Shadowhunters and Jace is nowhere to be found, she might have to face a truth too unsettling to bear…
Girl (In Real Life) by Tamsin Winter
Read: 3/6/24 – 4/6/24
Books about influencers are one of my favourite niches. I don’t know why I enjoy them so much. Maybe because their lives are so different to my own? I don’t know, but this one is an interesting take on the topic.
Book Review: Girl (In Real Life) by Tamsin Winter
Synopsis: What’s it like to grow up online and have every tantrum, every spot – even your first period – broadcast to hundreds of thousands of followers?
Most parents try to limit their kids’ online exposure. But not Eva’s. Her parents run a hugely successful YouTube channel, and Eva is the star of the show. But Eva is getting sick of being made to pose in stupid mum-and-daughter matching outfits for sponsored posts. The freebies aren’t worth the teasing at school. And when an intensely humiliating “period party” post goes viral, Eva is outraged. She’s going to find a way to stop the channel, even if she has to sabotage it herself.
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
Read: 4/6/24 – 11/6/24
I was hoping and expecting to really like this book, but I found it so difficult to get through. I don’t know if I’m just having trouble with fantasy books at the moment or if I just didn’t vibe with this quite as much as I’d hoped.
Book Review: Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
Synopsis: Kissen’s family were killed by zealots of a fire god. Now, she makes a living killing gods, and enjoys it. That is until she finds a god she cannot kill: Skedi, a god of white lies, has somehow bound himself to a young noble, and they are both on the run from unknown assassins.
Joined by a disillusioned knight on a secret quest, they must travel to the ruined city of Blenraden, where the last of the wild gods reside, to each beg a favour.
Pursued by demons, and in the midst of burgeoning civil war, they will all face a reckoning – something is rotting at the heart of their world, and only they can be the ones to stop it.
Your Place or Mine by Portia MacIntosh
Read: 12/6/24 – 13/6/24
If you want a super easy, low stakes romcom, you should definitely check out Portia MacIntosh. They aren’t the most amazingly written books you’ll ever read, but they are funny and a great source of entertainment. I could do without the weird male love interest names though, that seems to be a common theme.
Book Review: Your Place or Mine? by Portia MacIntosh
Synopsis: When Serena is kicked out of her flat, an offer from her friend, Taylor, to house sit for her while she and her husband go travelling could not be better timing. But unfortunately for Serena she’s not the only one to have received this offer…
Enter arrogant, messy (and annoyingly handsome) musician, and friend of Taylor’s husband. Living with him is far from ideal, especially when he claims the best room, has loud parties – and the least said about his kitchen manner the better…
There’s just one solution for Serena – drive him out of the house by being twice as difficult to live with than he is! But Ziggy knows Serena’s game and as war ensues between them, being forced together under one roof may result in some unexpected consequences…
Virtually Yours by Jeremy Holt & Elizabeth Beals
Read: 14/6/24
This was a fun graphic novel with an interesting theme. I really enjoyed the art style and I liked the characters so much I wish there was a sequel. Sadly, I don’t think there is or will ever be one.
Graphic Novel Review: Virtually Yours by Jeremy Holt & Elizabeth Beals
Synopsis: Shouldn’t finding a life partner be more challenging than ordering a pizza? Welcome to Virtually Yours, a virtual dating app that provides all the proof of being in a relationship without actually being in one. With her career front of mind, Eva Estrella joins Virtually Yours, after a nudge from her sister, to alleviate some family pressure as she continues to look for her dream job in journalism. While Max Kittridge, a former child star in the middle of a divorce, takes a gig at Virtually Yours servicing multiple clients as a fake boyfriend. As they navigate their current circumstances, both Eva and Max find that sometimes what you’re looking for is right in front of you.
Young Gothic by M.A. Bennett
Read: 13/6/24 – 18/6/24
*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I had high hopes for this book and thankfully they were met. The creepy atmosphere, diverse cast of characters and intense plotline made for a read that left me on the edge of my seat. I’d highly recommend checking this out.
ARC Review: Young Gothic by M.A. Bennett
Synopsis: Filled with deadly secrets and the monsters you thought only existed in your mind …
You’ve heard of Frankenstein’s monster, you’ve heard of Dracula, but have you heard of the Villa Diodati? Eve, Griffin, Hal and Ren embark on a summer they’ll never forget at the birthplace of all things Gothic.
The summer is beset by mysterious happenings, as the monsters they create begin to clamber out of their minds. Events rise to a horrible climax when, on a dark and stormy night, one of the villa’s guests is found dead and each of our foursome becomes a suspect in a gruesome murder.
It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime. But when the stuff of nightmares becomes their reality, will they make it out alive?
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Read: 17/6/24 – 19/6/24
I never read this series as a kid and I’m pretty much regretting reading it now. While I liked Mia’s narrative tone, I didn’t like how problematic this book actually is. The film is a huge source of comfort for me so imagine my surprise when the book is not even remotely similar other than Mia being a princess.
Synopsis: ‘You’re not Mia Thermopolis any more, honey,’ Dad said. ‘You’re Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo. Princess of Genovia.’ A PRINCESS?? ME??? Yeah. Right. One minute Mia’s a totally normal Manhattan fourteen-year-old. Next minute she’s heir to the throne of Genovia, being trailed by a bodyguard, taking princess lessons with her uncontrollable old grandmere, and having a makeover with someone called Paolo. Well, her dad can lecture her till he’s royal blue in the face, but no way is Mia going to turn herself into a style-queen. And they think she’s moving to Genovia? Er, hello
The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic
Read: 19/6/24 – 23/6/24
I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book but it’s not what I got. After seeing people talk online I thought this would a be a fun sports romance, oh no, this is super intense. Like people trying to kill each other. I’m intrigued though so I’ll probably continue the series.
Synopsis: Neil Josten is the newest addition to the Palmetto State University Exy team. He’s short, he’s fast, he’s got a ton of potential—and he’s the runaway son of the murderous crime lord known as The Butcher.
Signing a contract with the PSU Foxes is the last thing a guy like Neil should do. The team is high profile and he doesn’t need sports crews broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation. His lies will hold up only so long under this kind of scrutiny and the truth will get him killed.
But Neil’s not the only one with secrets on the team. One of Neil’s new teammates is a friend from his old life, and Neil can’t walk away from him a second time. Neil has survived the last eight years by running. Maybe he’s finally found someone and something worth fighting for.
Asking for a Friend by Kara H.L. Chen
Read: 24/6/24 – 26/6/24
*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I don’t think I would call this a romcom (which is what its marketed at) but it was a pretty good read. There’s a tiny amount of romance and not really a whole lot of comedy. This book focuses heavily on familial bonds and responsibility and some of the topics are a little intense. I did like the sense of community within Old Taipei though, that was sweet.
Synopsis: Juliana Zhao is absolutely certain of a few things:
1. She is the world’s foremost expert on love.
2. She is going to win the nationally renowned Asian Americans in Business Competition.
When Juliana is unceremoniously dropped by her partner and she’s forced to pair with her nonconformist and annoying frenemy, Garrett Tsai, everything seems less clear. Their joint dating advice column must be good enough to win and secure bragging rights within her small Taiwanese American community, where her family’s reputation has been in the pits since her older sister was disowned a few years prior. Juliana always thought prestige mattered above all else. But as she argues with Garrett over how to best solve everyone else’s love problems and faces failure for the first time, she starts to see fractures in this privileged, sheltered worldview. With the competition heating up, Juliana must reckon with the sacrifices she’s made to be a perfect daughter—and whether winning is something she even wants anymore.
A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey
Read: 28/6/24 – 30/6/24
This was exactly what I needed to round off a very stressful month. I already knew I’d like this as I read the second book (they’re basically standalones) last year. I’ve definitely rated it much higher than the average but it made me all warm and fuzzy inside and that’s what matters most.
Synopsis: For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. The plan was 1) take over her abuela’s role as head baker at their panadería, 2) move in with her best friend after graduation, and 3) live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then the Trifecta happened, and everything—including Lila herself—fell apart.
Worried about Lila’s mental health, her parents make a new plan for her: spend three months with family friends in Winchester, England, to relax and reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila…until she meets Orion Maxwell.
A teashop clerk with troubles of his own, Orion is determined to help Lila out of her funk, and appoints himself as her personal tour guide. From Winchester’s drama-filled music scene to the sweeping English countryside, it isn’t long before Lila is not only charmed by Orion, but England itself. Soon a new future is beginning to form in Lila’s mind—one that would mean leaving everything she ever planned behind.
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Like this post? Why not read this one too: Graphic Novel Review: Virtually Yours by Jeremy Holt & Elizabeth Beals
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