What in the actual July reading wrap up!!
First of all, where did July go? And second of all why was this month all over the place, as far genres? Don’t get me wrong, there were some excellent reads and one absolute DUD. Keep reading to find out which one made me 😡.
Genre overview:
2 contemporary-romance
2 domestic thrillers
1 psychological thriller
The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker | Psychological Thriller
Wow, this one was one of the sickest and most twisted books I’ve ever read… I loved it! If you like a good cat and mouse game between a detective and a serial killer then you would like this one! The killer leaves the detective his diary, which explains his disturbing childhood (in detail) and leaves you with your jaw dropped and heart pounding.
5/5 stars
A Place Without You by Jewel E.Ann | contemporary romance
I am quickly becoming a super fan of Jewel E. Ann. She writes the sweetest characters that always have my heart! Bodhi and Henna are true love! Although complicated, forbidden and super sexy this one will make you feel all the feels! Ann’s writing is mesmerizing, she truly captivates you with her charming writing. I highly recommend this one.
5/5 stars
Can’t Look Away – Carola Lovering | domestic thriller
Don’t let the cover fool you; this one was more domestic/drama than mystery/thriller. Even so, the synopsis grabbed hold of me and I was intrigued from the first page.
Throughout this book, you get the perspective of Molly, Jake, and Sabrina over the course of 10 years. So it was a little confusing and lengthy at times. After about 100 pages of a “slow build”, I was kind of ready to put it down, because of the multiple timelines and multiple povs. I’m glad I stuck it out; not because I loved it but because I had to see how it would end. The last few chapters wrapped it up nicely, it really brought everything together. All in all, it was fine.
3/5 stars
The House Across The Lake – Riley Sager | domestic thriller
I can’t. I just can’t.
This one was a 4-star until the end. The BIG twist was crap. That’s it.
2/5 stars (1 for character building and 1 for the fact that even though I hated it, I still wanted to finish it).
Lease on Love by Falon Ballard | Contemporary Romance
I can’t believe I enjoyed this sort of cringy book as much as I did. 🙈 I usually hate rom/coms that are basic and cheesy. But maybe I was just in the mood for something simple, noncomplex, and lighthearted. So if you find yourself in need of this same vibe then check out this one!
This story begins with a girl named Sadie, who is sort of a hot mess and a workaholic at the same time. After all her efforts did not pay off and she didn’t receive the promotion she was expecting, she kinda loses her s**t and ends up getting fired. As she drowns herself if sorry, self-pity and alcohol Sadie matches with a guy on a dating app named Jack.
This rom-com was spot on! It made me smile throughout this slow-burn and the meet-cute was just darling! I absolutely ADORED the group of friends, especially Gemma. They were so well-written and brought a sense of dimension to the MC. The tone remains light for most of the story, although deep topics are within, including mental health and grief.
I would recommend this one for a getaway if you don’t want to overthink and just relax with a cute book.
4/5 stars
