I read a lot in July. I really enjoyed most of what I read and hope August is just as sucessful.
Swipe Right by Levi Lusko
There is nothing more powerful on earth than the forces of love, sex, and romance. In fact, relationships are a matter of life-and-death importance. So how you can train today for the relationship you want tomorrow? In Swipe Right, Levi Lusko shares with raw honesty from his own life experiences and God’s Word how to regret-proof your marriage bed and your deathbed resist settling for instant pleasure by discovering what your heart really longs for learn how to avoid and treat sexual scars by careful living today turn the clumsy “sex talk” with your child into dialogue that leads to wise choices transform a stagnant marriage by trading predictable nearness for mind-blowing intimacy God’s dreams for your life are not intended to kill your joy but to enhance it. Whether you’re fed up with dating and hooking up as usual, tired of being single, numb because of porn and casual sex, or curious about how to improve your marriage, this book is for you.
I enjoyed this. It was non-fiction so it did take me a bit to get through all of it. I loved the Christian aspect mixed with dating and relationships.
Drama by Raina Telgmeier
Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school’s production of Moon Over Mississippi, she can’t really sing. Instead she’s the set designer for the drama department stage crew, and this year she’s determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn’t know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen. And when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier!
I liked this. Very fun and I enjoyed the drama club theme. I liked the art style too.
The Summer of No Attachments by Lori Foster
Summer flings with no strings mean nobody gets hurt. At least, that was the plan… After putting the brakes on her dead-end relationship, local veterinarian Ivey Anders is ready to soak up this summer on her own terms. The way she sees it, no dating means no disappointment. Why complicate life with anything long-term? But when she meets Corbin Meyer—and his troubled young son, Justin—Ivey’s no-strings strategy threatens to unravel before she can put it into practice. Trust doesn’t come easy for Ivey’s best friend, Hope Mage, a veterinary-clinic assistant who’s affected by an incident that’s colored every relationship she’s had. Though Hope’s happy for Ivey, she can’t quite open her own heart to the possibility of love. Not just yet… Maybe not ever. Soon, however, she’s faced with a dilemma—Corbin’s older brother, Lang. He’s charming, he’s kind…and he may just be the reason Hope needs to finally tear down her walls. And as the sweet summer months unspool, the two friends discover love won’t give up on them so easily.
This was so good! I loved the romances, the friendships, and the family vibes in here. So sweet.
Underneath the Sycamore Tree by B. Celeste
Time is a luxury we don’t all have… Emery Matterson’s life has been broken for a while. First, she lost her twin sister—the other half of her heart—to an incurable autoimmune disease. Then her father left. Now Emery has been diagnosed with the same disease that killed her sister, and her mother is falling apart. Unable to live under the same roof anymore, the only option for Emery is to move in with a father she hasn’t seen in ten years and try to start over. Enter Kaiden Monroe, the brooding athlete who has baggage of his own. Kaiden makes Emery feel normal. Hated. Cared for. Loathed. And…loved. Somewhere along the way, Emery finds solace in the guy with the sad eyes. But everything happens in stages. And nothing good ever lasts. From fan-favorite author B. Celeste comes a raw, real, and unforgettable story of love and loss between two young people grappling with the harsh reality of invisible disease.
I haven’t cried this much over a book in a long time. This book hurt so much and I couldn’t stop crying over it.
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku Vol. 1 and 2 by Fujita
The awkward, romantic comedy manga about geeks in love that inspired the new anime! Can a professional man who’s secretly a hardcore gamer and a woman who’s secretly a fujoshi date without their hobbies getting in the way, or revealing each other’s secrets?
I loved this so much! So cute, funny and interesting. I want more in this series!
The Undead in My Bed by Katie MacAlister, Molly Harper, and Jessica Sims
In “Shades of Gray” by Katie MacAlister, Noelle is a Guardian: a demon-wrangler, imp-banisher, and all-round secret protector of humans from the Otherworld. While working on the set of a ghost-busting reality show in a haunted castle, she meets a sexy vampire, and together they prevent a Master Demon from killing everyone in the castle. In “Undead Sublet” by Molly Harper, executive chef Tess Maitland is banned from her five-star kitchen in Chicago to recover from “exhaustion.” Choosing a random rental house in Half-Moon Hollow to spend time in, she’s unaware that the house comes with a strange man. Even though Sam Masden’s ex-wife has rented the house out from under him, the divorce settlement allows him access to it for another ninety days. With Tess unable to go anywhere else, and Sam unwilling, a war of epic proportions is declared—and romantic sparks and heavy pots fly. Jessica Sims’s “Out With a Fang” features Ruby Sommers, a lonely were-jaguar who signs up for a blind date through the paranormal dating agency Midnight Liaisons. When she arrives, she finds out that her date, a vampire, was the human she’d been in love with four years ago but was forced to dump.
This was fun and very steamy. I really liked most of the stories in here.
Snow Day by Shannon Stacey, Jennifer Greene, and Barbara Dunlop
Tucker’s Point three-day forecast: stormy with a chance of romance. Prepare to be…HEART OF THE STORM by Shannon Stacey: Brody Rollins is back in tiny Tucker’s Point, Maine, for the first time in five years, and now he can’t escape…from former neighbours, old regrets or maddening glimpses of his ex-fiancée. SEEING RED by Jennifer Greene: Stranded at her grandfather’s seaside cottage, Whitney Carr prepares to face the blizzard alone. But unexpected help soon arrives-in the form of her secret high-school crush. LAND’S END by Barbara Dunlop:Tessa Ambroise is desperate to ditch the charming, infuriating hotelier circling her late aunt’s century home like a vulture. But the snow piling up outside the mansion puts both their plans on hold. When a child goes missing, this perfect storm of cramped quarters and freezing temperatures brings old flames and new acquaintances closer together…but will they go separate ways once the sky clears?
I really enjoyed this. I loved the romances and how all three stories connected,
Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else. But Cordelia’s new life is blown apart when a shocking series of demon attacks devastate London. These monsters are nothing like those Shadowhunters have fought before—these demons walk in daylight, strike down the unwary with incurable poison, and seem impossible to kill. London is immediately quarantined. Trapped in the city, Cordelia’s friends discover that a dark legacy has gifted them with incredible powers—and forced a brutal choice that will reveal the true cruel price of being a hero.
I loved this! So much happens and I can’t wait to continue on in this series.
Potion and Pastries by Bailey Cates
It’s been exactly two years since Katie and her aunt and uncle opened the Honeybee Bakery, where they serve delicious—and bespelled—treats to the good people of Savannah. After a dinner celebrating the bakery’s anniversary, they all take a stroll along the waterfront and meet Aunt Lucy’s friend Orla, a colorful character who has been telling the fortunes of locals and tourists alike for years. The next day, Orla meets with what seems like a terrible accident, but Katie’s witchy intuition tells her it was something more sinister. Together with her trustworthy coven and her firefighter boyfriend, she’ll race to find out what happened to the unfortunate fortune-teller before the piping hot trail goes cold….
I really enjoyed being back with Katie and all her friends and family. Loved how this one ended.
Unfamiliar Vol. 1 by Haley Newsome
Young kitchen witch Planchette gets an incredible deal on a new house in a magical town. Turns out, there’s a reason: it’s haunted! After unsuccessfully attempting to get these unwanted ghosts to leave, she realizes the only thing to do is to help them with their problems. Along the way, she befriends a shy siren who hates being popular, a girl battling a curse, and a magically-challenged witch from a powerful coven.
This was so cute! I can’t wait for volume two to come out. Love the plot and art style.
Happy is the Bride by Lori Wilde, Janet Dailey, Cat Johnson, and Kate Pearce
Opposites attract when a wealthy cattleman and a penniless artist decide to get hitched at a Texas dude ranch in tornado country–and the whirlwind festivities are as filled with surprises as their love . . . especially when the guest list includes: one pretty party crasher on a mission, a sheriff known as the One Night Stand King, and a workaholic event planner who definitely did not plan to fall for a laid back cowboy. Toss in a shocking behind-the-scenes bet, a fateful power outage, and a Man of Honor and a Best Woman determined to see the worst in each other (between hot kisses), plus thrilling lessons in love at first–and second–sight, and the celebrations are going to go all night long!
This was good. I love how all the stories were connected and dealt with a wedding.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
Two best friends fake date to reach their holiday happily ever after in this first romantic comedy in the Lovelight series. A pasture of dead trees. A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams. In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, Stella enters a contest with Instagram-famous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, Stella might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on her application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only…there is no boyfriend. Enter best friend Luka Peters. He just stopped by for some hot chocolate and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process. But fake dating his best friend might be the best Christmas present he’s ever received.
This was so cute! I loved the romance so much and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Love Her Wild by Atticus
In Love Her Wild, Atticus captures what is both raw and relatable about the smallest and the grandest moments in life: the first glimpse of a new love in Paris; skinny dipping on a summer’s night; the irrepressible exuberance of the female spirit; or drinking whiskey in the desert watching the rising sun. With honesty, poignancy, and romantic flair, Atticus distills the most exhilarating highs and the heartbreaking lows of life and love into a few perfectly evocative lines, ensuring that his words will become etched in your mind—and will awaken your sense of adventure.
These were such beautiful poems. I loved them and want to read more from this author.
Cookies and Clairvoyance by Bailey Cates
Hedgewitch Katie Lightfoot is juggling wedding preparations, a visit from her father, and home renovations on top of her long hours at the Honeybee Bakery, where she and her aunt Lucy imbue their yummy cookies and pastries with beneficial magic. But when firefighter Randy Post is accused of murdering a collector of rarities, and his prints are on the statue that was used to kill the man, Katie steps in. Randy is not only Katie’s fiancé’s coworker, but also the boyfriend of fellow spellbook club member and witch Bianca Devereaux. Bianca and Declan are both sure Randy is innocent, and so is Katie. However, to prove it she’ll have to work with ornery detective Peter Quinn again—and this time around he knows she’s more than your everyday baker.
I really enjoyed this. I actually cried in this book. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka “bodyguard”), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker. Jack Stapleton’s a household name—captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid. When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. Even though her ex, like a jerk, says no one will believe it. Hannah hardly believes it, herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak. Because it’s easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done.
I loved this so much! It was so cute and fun and I loved the premise. Definitely will be reading more from this author.
The Bachelor Boss by Judy Baer
Widowed mother Hannah St. James didn’t expect to meet her next employer by crashing into his new Mercedes. But she’s in no financial shape to pass up the position that workaholic businessman Tyler Matthews offers: live-in caregiver to his grandmother. Hannah adores caring for feisty Lily, and her son’s new room is every boy’s dream. But her handsome boss hides his guarded heart behind ledgers and meetings. Underneath Tyler’s tycoon exterior is a tender side that stirs her heart and hopes again. It’ll take Hannah, an adorable little boy and one determined elderly woman to show him that family always provides the best care.
This was very sweet and cute. Loved all the characters and the Christian element.
I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting
Rian Sutter grew up with the finer things in life. Spending summers in The Hamptons was a normal occurrence for her until her parents lost everything years ago. Now Rian and her sister are getting their life, and finances, back on track through real estate. Not only do they buy and sell houses to the rich and famous, but they finally have the capital to flip their very own beachfront property. But when she inadvertently catches the attention of a sexy stranger who snaps up every house from under her, all bets are off… Pierce Whitfield doesn’t normally demo kitchens, install dry wall, or tear apart a beautiful woman’s dreams. He’s just a down-on-his-luck lawyer who needed a break from the city and agreed to help his brother work on a few homes in the Hamptons. When he first meets Rian, the attraction is undeniable. But when they start competing for the same pieces of prime real estate, the early sparks turn into full-blown fireworks. Can these passionate rivals turn up the heat on their budding romance—without burning down the house?
This was so funny and cute. I loved the house flipping element in here.
It Couldn’t Be You by Rebecca Jo Jackson
Emma has feelings for her best friend’s brother, Gabriel, but he is totally off-limits (or at least that’s what she’s always telling herself). This hasn’t been much of a problem for the past couple of years while he’s been living in California and she’s still in the small town in Texas where they grew up together. When Gabe ends up having to extend his visit home, it’s not only the most exciting thing to happen in Emma’s life in a while, it’s also the most confusing. Could she get a second chance at something she might’ve blown years ago? If that wasn’t enough, she’s just been through a messy breakup. Oh, and she lost her job. Emma’s not sure of what to do next when it comes to her career…or her love life. In this small-town romance, can a curly-haired, charismatic adventurer who Emma’s known all her life and Emma an overthinking writer at a crossroad…finally admit what they’ve been wanting all along? (It just couldn’t be each other, right?).
This was so sweet and cute! I loved the build-up and the romances in here.
All I Need by Susane Colasanti
Skye wants to meet the boy who will change her life forever. Seth feels their instant connection the second he sees her. When Seth starts talking to Skye at the last beach party of the summer, it’s obvious to both of them that this is something real. But when Seth leaves for college before they exchange contact info, Skye wonders if he felt the same way she did—and if she will ever see him again. Even if they find their way back to each other, can they make a long-distance relationship work despite trust issues, ex drama, and some serious background differences?
If I would have read this in high school, I would have loved this. Now, it just feels too young even though the characters are older. I loved the 80s music in here though.
Falling for Prince Charming by Sophie-Leigh Robbins
Falling for your best friend’s brother is tricky… unless you’re keeping it a secret. Elle: I never thought I’d be serving hotdogs dressed as an actual hotdog at the local amusement park. Not at twenty-five anyway. I know desperate times call for desperate measures, but come on… Do you know how hard it is to look good when you’re squeezing yourself in between two brown buns every day? That’s right, so hard that I’ll never get Prince Charming’s attention. Not that it matters. He’s my best friend’s brother aka completely off-limits. But the way he looks at me makes me weak in the buns. Colton: All I want is to get through the summer and save up some cash by playing Prince Charming at the local amusement park so I can get out of Summerville Creek before I turn thirty or – even worse – before I turn out exactly like my dad. Falling for my sister’s best friend isn’t part of the plan, though. She’s all red hair and curves, and she’s driving me crazy in that adorable hotdog suit of hers. I try to avoid her as much as I can, but when my boss asks her to play the Princess to my Prince Charming, all bets are off. We’re park royalty now and I want the happily ever after too.
This was so cute and funny. I can’t wait to read more of this series.
10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston
Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation. Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents’ house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That’s when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby. When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she’s started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available. This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever… or is it?
I loved this so much! I loved the family vibes in here and the blind dates were so much fun. I laughed a lot in this book. So cute!
Those are all the books I read in July! Hope you enjoyed. Until next time.