I managed to read a total of six books in June this year. Not as great as May with nine books, but a good number of books all the same.
A standout would have to be The Deal by Elle Kennedy, one of my favourite romances of this year, along with Ward D by Freida McFadden with all its twists and turns.
I’m interested to see how many books I get through next month in July as I’ll be based in Bangkok for most of the month and getting into a solid working routine. I’ll have to make sure I add reading time into my schedule, otherwise I can see myself falling behind.
If you’re wondering why I’ll be in Bangkok for most of the month, I recently quit my job and am travelling Asia with my boyfriend. You can follow along with my travels in my backpacking diaries, or over on Instagram or YouTube.
If you want to keep up with my reading in realtime, you can follow my Goodreads profile here.
Reviews of the 6 Books I Read in June 2024
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre is taken to a magical land by a faerie named Tamlin as retribution for killing a wolf, only to find her feelings for him evolving from hatred to passion. As an ancient evil threatens the faerie realm, Feyre must uncover the truth to save Tamlin and his world from doom.
My rating: ★★★★
I finally succumbed to the pressure of reading ACOTAR. Well, no one was putting pressure on me, but I felt like everyone else had read this series, so it was about time I hopped on it too. I’ve been enjoying fantasy books recently (like Caraval and Fourth Wing), but this one was a slow burn to get into. I’ll give the second book a try because I’ve heard it’s meant to be better, but I won’t be rushing to read it.
2. The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Hannah Wells, burdened by insecurities about sex and seduction, agrees to tutor the cocky hockey team captain, Garrett Graham, in exchange for a fake date to attract her crush. However, when their pretend relationship leads to genuine passion, Garrett must persuade Hannah that he is the one she truly desires.
My rating: ★★★★★
I read my first hockey romance back in March after seeing Icebreaker by Hannah Grace all over TikTok. I didn’t have high hopes for The Deal as it seemed like it was going to be exactly the same. However, I was very surprised at the chemistry between the two main characters and how well the story was written. I loved it. I’m eyeing up the rest of the series if it appears on the Kindle Deals page.
3. The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
Solène Marchand, a 39-year-old art gallery owner, unexpectedly falls for 20-year-old Hayes Campbell, a member of her daughter’s favourite boy band, leading to a passionate and genuine romance. As their relationship becomes public, Solène must navigate the challenges of media scrutiny and its impact on her family.
My rating: ★★★
I wanted to read this before I watched the movie on Prime Video. I hadn’t actually heard of this book before, even though I recognized the original cover from my local library, but it had never intrigued me enough to pick it up. If I had known all along what this book was about… The story had me cringing and scoffing the whole way through.
It was so obviously about Harry Styles and One Direction that I don’t know why the author bothered to change the names (obviously for legal reasons but come on, it couldn’t have been closer). I think the book angered me more than anything. If my own mother had done the same thing as Solène, there would be no way on this earth I’d forgive her. Taking all of that aside, it was an enjoyable read in the way that the story is told. I’ll be watching the movie eventually.
4. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
Twenty-five-year-old Takako, nursing a broken heart, moves into her family’s bookshop in Tokyo, run by her eccentric uncle Satoru. Despite her initial disinterest in reading, she discovers solace and new perspectives within the books, leading to a deeper connection with her uncle and the healing power of literature.
My rating: ★★★
I’ve been enjoying Japanese literature and have seen this quite a lot in bookshops when I’ve been browsing recently. Since I’m going to Japan in a few months, I want to read a few books to get excited. I’m so glad I read this to discover the area where this book is set as it really exists. I’d say that I didn’t fall in love with the writing style, but this may be due to the translation. It was a pleasant read, but not life-changing.
5. Ward D by Freida McFadden
Medical student Amy Brenner reluctantly spends a night on the psychiatric Ward D, harbouring secret reasons for her dread. As patients and staff mysteriously disappear, Amy realizes that something sinister is happening, putting everyone, including herself, in grave danger.
My rating: ★★★★
This is my sixth Freida McFadden book and I just can’t get enough. After reading The Housemaid in August last year, I’ve been addicted to Freida’s writing. I’m so glad she has an extensive catalogue of books that I can make my way through because I’m obsessed. Ward D was just as gripping as her other stories with so many twists and turns that I didn’t expect.
6. Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Single mom and bestselling erotica writer Eva Mercy unexpectedly reunites with reclusive literary author Shane Hall, whom she had a passionate week-long romance with twenty years earlier. As they reconnect over seven steamy days in Brooklyn, old traumas and undeniable chemistry resurface, leaving Eva to grapple with trusting Shane and confronting unanswered questions from their past.
My rating: ★★★★
Firstly, I loved that this book was set in New York and described real places that I’ve been to myself. Secondly, I loved the depth of the two main characters, Eva and Shane. Learning about their pasts and how they ended up where they are today. Plus, Eva’s literary career was something I was not expecting but added humour to an otherwise dark theme. Highly recommend!
Leave a Reply