What I Read in June

I’ve decided to make these monthly reading recaps (hopefully!) kind of like a living document- I’ll add to them as I read each month. I’ve been fortunate to start receiving some Advanced Reader Copies of books via NetGalley, so this will serve as a way to get those reviews up in a timely manner. PLUS it will make it less daunting to write 1-2 reviews at a time, rather than the 8+ I’ve been reading a month lately.

Here is what I read in June:

Home is Where the Bodies Are: This is my second book by Jeneva Rose and I’ve learned she is not an author for me. *To me* her books are super predictable and not very well written. For example in this book, the chapters alternated between characters and were written in first person, but there were SO many “philosophical” quotes added in. You know I’m all for a good quote, but they just didn’t fit with the characters’ inner dialogues. It felt like she was trying to make the book more “literary”, but it just came off as inauthentic to me. Her books are well loved, so this could very well be a me thing. However, I can’t personally recommend this one. 2/5 stars

The Guncle: This book was cute! It tells the story of “GUP” (Gay Uncle Patrick) who ends up unexpectedly taking care of his niece and nephew after their mother passes away and of the adventures they have that summer. Much of the book is lighthearted and funny, but it also frequently discusses heavier topics such as loss, grief, belonging and purpose. 3.5/5 stars

The Night We Lost Him: I was one of the few who didn’t love Dave’s previous, best seller, but I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this one much more! Knowing her writing style, I went into it without expecting a typical “popcorn thriller”, because it’s not- it is much more of a family drama with some romance undertones and a few good twists! I loved the dual timelines through which the story was told and overall I thought the story was well written with good character development. There were a lot of characters to keep straight but they kept me guessing! I also wanted to read more about Jack and Nora’s relationship & I am left with a few questions about the father’s relationships-they were such a pivotal part of the story, I’d love to know more of the “why” behind them. Overall, I really enjoyed it and was surprised by the ending, I was just left wanting a little more, after enjoying the story! 3.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element for providing a digital ARC of the book to read and review.

The Girl with All the Gifts: This book is a post apocalyptic thriller that certainly will not be for everyone, but I really liked it! It’s hard to share too much, without revealing spoilers, but at the beginning you meet children who are being kept in cells by scientists and from then you learn how the fit into the post apocalyptic world. This won’t be for you if you are at all squeamish or easily scared. But if you can handle it, I do recommend! It of course seems far fetched in places given the plot, but at the same time, seems eerily plausible. I liked the inclusion of the children as it brought a complexity into the story by adding in ethics and the question of what it means to be a human. 4.5/5 stars

Forgotten on Sunday: I’m not sure what to make of this book- it is a book in translation, originally written in French and I listened to it on audio, which may have been part of the issue. All of the French names and words were pronounced correctly in French (as they should be!) but it made it hard for me to follow at times. Not to mention the book tells the story of Justine and her family’s secret history AND the love story of one of the residents at the retirement home where she works. The stories are told in small snippets in alternating timelines and points of view. With all that being said, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more, had I read a physical copy. There were also a few parts of the story with questionable ethics that didn’t seem to be that big of a deal to the characters in the story- I’m not sure if that was a cultural difference or what, but it rubbed me the wrong way for sure. Despite not loving this book, I would like to give another of her books a try (in print!) because I know she is a beloved author! 2/5 stars

The Authenticity Project: I adored this heartwarming, feel good read! If you know me, you’ll know how up my alley the premise of “The Authenticity Project” is- a notebook where strangers share their authentic selves and secrets. I loved the found family troupe and how relatable all the characters were. Despite being so different, there was something I could relate to about all of them. I love that I thought this would be a predictable book, but there were a few good twists. Overall, just really good if you’re looking for a feel good, easy and life affirming read. 5/5 stars

The Family Experiment: This book was SO unique and readable. John Marrs does such a great job with speculative fiction and this was no exception. It was set in the same world as The One and The Passengers (you don’t have to read them first, but it’s fun if you do, because there are lots of connections!) and grappled with the ethics of AI in our future. Specifically- what would it be like if people had AI children? It gave me a lot think about while being fast paced and entertaining. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a plot driven, speculative fiction thriller. 4.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing a digital ARC of the book to read and review.

The Summer of Yes: If you’re looking for a lighthearted, wholesome, uplifting read- then this is the book for you!

“The Summer of Yes” tells the story of two women who end up meeting by chance when assigned to the same hospital room. Despite their age differences, both women share a sense of missing out on life because they have been so focused on their careers. This is the story of them going against their natures and choosing to say “yes” to what the summer brings their way.

There are some heavier themes such as: living with regrets, finding forgiveness, taking risks, and finding your purpose, yet Courtney Walsh manages to write in a way that ultimately still feels lighthearted.

I listened to the audio book and both narrators did a great job portraying the characters.

I did find it to be extremely predictable, but if you’re looking for a feel good, easy summer read, then I’d highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a digital ARC of the book to read and review.

The Nature of Disappearing: I love reading Kimi Cunningham Grant’s books because they are so well written. I love her descriptions of nature and how well the characters are developed. In The Nature of Disappearing I especially enjoyed and related to Emlyn’s character and enjoyed the nuance that Tyler’s character brought.

While I loved the writing style and characters, I was left wanting more from the plot. With no spoilers, the problem/climax of the story didn’t feel authentic or believable to me. And while the ending of the book was ultimately satisfying, I was left wanting just a little bit more! More explanation, more details on the relationships, more of what happened next!

Overall, I still really enjoyed reading it and will continue to read all of Grant’s future work (These Silent Woods was a favorite!). 3.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing a digital ARC of the book to read and review.

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow: This book is SO sad, but SO good. It tells the story of 18 year old Salama who is desperately trying to escape Syria during times of revolution, before her SIL, Layla gives birth. The book is full of tragedy, but still has an underlying theme of hope. The story was compelling enough that it kept me turning the pages, despite the heavy content and is one that I think I will never forget. 5/5 stars