This blog post is all about the books I read in June.
June was a great month in terms of quantity, but quite a mixed bag in terms of quality.
The long-awaited new release from Taylor Jenkins Reid was most definitely worth waiting for, I read some new releases from new Irish authors and also got my hands on Freida McFadden’s latest book.
With a lot of newness, there were also some classics added in and a continuation of a series that I’m reading.
Here are the ratings and reviews of the books I read last month, in June!
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This blog post is all about the books I read in June.
Reviews of the 8 Books I Read in June 2025
Below are the ratings and reviews of all 8 books I read in June 2025. There’s quite a mix of great and not-so-great books this month!
1. Evenings and Weekends by Oisin McKenna
Evenings and Weekends by Oisín McKenna is a sharply written debut set during a sweltering London weekend. As a group of friends gather for one last party, tensions rise, secrets unravel, and life-changing decisions loom. It’s a heartfelt and darkly funny look at love, identity, and growing up in a city that doesn’t make it easy.
My Rating: ★★★★
A debut novel for this Irish writer, I had to wait about three months to get this from my library so it’s definitely a popular book right now! It felt very coming of age and ‘real life’, which is quite the theme among Irish writers (Sally Rooney, Naoise Dolan etc.). A collection of very interesting characters asking questions about life in London and life in general, with a quirky bit-part about a beached whale in the Thames. Highly enjoyed.
2. The Tenant by Freida McFadden
The Tenant by Freida McFadden is a chilling psychological thriller about Blake Porter, who, after losing his job, rents out a room in his brownstone to the seemingly perfect Whitney. But as unsettling things begin happening—strange smells, eerie noises, and paranoid neighbours—Blake starts to suspect his new tenant knows more than she should. And danger might be closer than he ever imagined.
My Rating: ★★★★
Freida McFadden is so back with her newest release, The Tenant. The storyline was definitely reminiscent of The Housemaid, which made it even more of a page-turner for me. It was also full of Freida’s usual twists and turns and I was eating up every page. One of her best!
RELATED blog post to read: The Best Freida McFadden Books You Need to Read Immediately
3. Thirst Trap by Grainne O’Hare
Thirst Trap by Gráinne O’Hare follows Belfast housemates Maggie, Harley, and Róise as they navigate grief, growing pains, and the cracks in their once-tight friendship after the tragic loss of their friend Lydia. Raw, funny, and heartfelt, it’s a story about the messy chaos of your twenties and the friendships that hold us together—until they don’t.
My Rating: ★★★★
I requested this on NetGalley due to it being an Irish author and the book being set in Belfast. Imagine my surprise when on page 5, my hometown was mentioned! The writing reminded me of Sally Rooney and Michelle Gallen and transported me to the streets of Belfast, especially with its mentions of places that I’ve been and heard of myself. Grainne O’Hare is definitely an author I’ll be reading more of.
RELATED blog post to read: The Best Books Set in Ireland You Must Read
4. Dream Girl Drama (#3) by Tessa Bailey
Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey is a sizzling rom-com about a professional hockey player, Sig, who shares an unforgettable kiss with the quirky Chloe—only to discover she’s about to become his stepsister. Determined to keep things platonic, Sig offers to help Chloe gain her independence, but their undeniable chemistry and tangled family ties make staying “just friends” anything but easy.
My Rating: ★★★
The third instalment in the Hot Shots series, I unfortunately didn’t love this as much as the first two books in the series. The chemistry wasn’t as strong as the previous two books, plus it was a lot of prolonged tension building and I’m actually looking forward to the next book in the series, focusing on another couple.
RELATED blog post to read: The Best Tessa Bailey Books You Need to Read in 2025
5. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler is a warm, witty, and emotionally rich novel about Gail, a socially awkward mother of the bride whose life unravels in the lead-up to her daughter’s wedding. After unexpectedly quitting her job and dealing with the sudden arrival of her ex-husband, Gail faces even more chaos when her daughter reveals a shocking secret about her fiancé. With sharp humour and heartfelt insight, Anne Tyler explores love, family, and second chances over one life-changing weekend.
My Rating: ★★★
I picked this short story up in the library since it was the month of June and I thought it would make for a nice Sunday afternoon read. It was exactly that. A funny story that would make for a nice Sunday afternoon midweek movie.
6. The Maid’s Secret (#3) by Nita Prose
The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose follows Molly Gray, now a hotel manager and bride-to-be, whose life is turned upside down when a priceless heirloom she submits to a reality TV show is stolen. As media frenzy grows and threats close in, Molly uncovers long-buried family secrets and must solve the mystery before it’s too late. A charming whodunnit with heart, history, and high stakes.
My Rating: ★★★
Since I’m up to date with this series, I thought I would read the latest instalment, even though I don’t particularly love it. The drama isn’t high-stakes and again, it’s another light, pleasant read with wholesome characters. The kind of book series you’d imagine a local book club to read and discuss.
7. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman is a haunting dystopian tale narrated by the youngest of thirty-nine women imprisoned underground, with no memory of the world before. As she grows, she must discover what it means to be human—longing, love, and identity—without any guidance, in a stark world stripped of history, freedom, and touch.
My Rating: ★★★★
I’ve been waiting months for this book to become available in my local library, so I had very high hopes going in. I don’t think I would have enjoyed or understood the book if there hadn’t been the introduction at the beginning. Once you know the author’s background, you can start to piece together the hidden meanings in the book. I will say I had hoped for more at the end, but incredibly written all the same.
8. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Set in the 1980s space shuttle program, Atmosphere follows astrophysics professor Joan Goodwin as she trains to become an astronaut alongside a group of talented candidates. Amid the excitement and challenges of space exploration, Joan discovers unexpected passion and love that make her question her place in the universe. But everything changes during a pivotal 1984 mission, leading to a gripping story about ambition, love, and the human spirit reaching beyond limits.
My Rating: ★★★★★
What a book. Ughhhh Taylor Jenkins Reid can literally do no wrong. Without a doubt, one of her best that’s up there with Evelyn Hugo. How does she make a book about astronauts and NASA so addictive?! I will happily wait five years between books from TJR if they’re this good. She already had the top spot of my all-time favourite authors, but now even more so.
RELATED blog post to read: Taylor Jenkins Reid: Every Book You Need to Read
RELATED book blog posts to read:
- Reviews of the 8 Books I Read in May 2025
- Reviews of the 8 Books I Read in April 2025
- Looking for Books Like Fourth Wing? Here Are 26 New Books to Read
- Reviews of the 8 Books I Read in March 2025
- Reviews of the 7 Books I Read in February 2025
By Orlagh Shanks
Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and move to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.
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