Unfortunately, June wasn’t the reading month that I was hoping for. I did still get quite a bit read, but no where near as much as I planned to. Hopefully July is better!
It’s In His Kiss by Julia Quinn
Gareth St. Clair is in a bind. His father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance. Gareth’s sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past… and the key to his future. The problem is—it’s written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word. All the ton agreed: there was no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She’s fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there’s something about her—something charming and vexing—that grabs him and won’t quite let go… Or don’t. But rest assured, he’s spinning in his grave when Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual—and annually discordant—Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth’s every word seems a dare, and she offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other… and that there is nothing as simple—or as complicated—as a single, perfect kiss.
I really enjoyed this! I loved the banter and the romance in here.
Hunted By Wolves and Shadow by Jo Holloway
Emi has visited Grandma’s cottage often before, but this time the Mist is thicker, the beasts are too close . . . And the handsome stranger who answers her frantic knock is definitely NOT her Grandma Ruby. Wolf had one job. Kill the witch and end the curse plaguing his found family. Instead, the forest feels more menacing than ever when a fiery redhead comes screaming out of the Mist. Trapped together by the dangers outside the door, Emi and Wolf find unexpected chemistry sparking between them. But when explosive secrets come out, their bond shatters. While Emi struggles to face her family’s sordid truth, Wolf fights to keep his protective instincts under control. He needs to figure out what went wrong, not deal with this fiesty new problem who gets under his skin. Neither trusts the other, but if they hope to break free from the Mist, they’ll have to learn to trust their hearts. Because the fate of every lost soul in these cursed woods depends on it…
This was so good! I loved the romance and the magic system in here!
Demon Love Spell Vol. 1 and 2 by Mayu Shinjo
Miko is a shrine maiden who has never had much success at seeing or banishing spirits. Then she meets Kagura, a sexy demon who feeds off women’s feelings of passion and love. Kagura’s insatiable appetite has left many girls at school brokenhearted, so Miko casts a spell to seal his powers. Surprisingly the spell works—sort of—but now Kagura is after her!
This is such a fun series and I can’t wait to continue on in it!
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister, Ami, is an eternal champion . . . she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas. Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. Suddenly there’s a free honeymoon up for grabs, and Olive will be damned if Ethan gets to enjoy paradise solo. Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss are worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is . . . Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be.
This was hilarious! I loved the banter, the romance, the characters, all of it. I flew through this book and could not put it down.
Brews and Clues by A. N. Payton
Trouble is brewing in Hallow’s Promise… Rae wants to steep in the success of her magic potion wagon, BREW-TEA-FUL, and sell drinks that help the residents of Hallow’s Promise. She certainly doesn’t want to assist the town’s investigator in solving another murder. Except this crime has a personal link to her own the victim came from the same place she’d once escaped. Rae agrees to help with the case on one it’s her last one. But her “last” case simmers with danger, dark connections to her past, and a delicious man with a really big…sword. While dodging increasing threats, juggling a creature that keeps trying to eat (dead) people, Rae eventually faces her greatest challenge of determining if the life she’s built in Hallow’s Promise is worth risking everything.
This was so much fun! I adore Bubbles. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
What The Hex by Alexis Daria
When Catalina Cartagena returns home for her older sister’s wedding, she’s shocked to discover that her soon-to-be brother in law is possessed by a demon. To make matters worse, everyone else seems to be under the demon’s spell—except for Diego Paz, younger brother of the groom and Cat’s childhood rival. With only three days until the wedding, Cat must join forces with her sexy nemesis to break the spell and defeat the demon. If they fail, demonic forces will control two of the most powerful witch families on Isla Bruja.
I loved this! So fun and funny. I loved the romance in here.
Broken Desires by R.G. Angel
Vanessa I am the embodiment of chaos—a free spirit recently liberated from the weight of an overbearing family. Spontaneity is my mantra; I revel in the unpredictable whirlwind of life. Then there’s Liam—Mr. Order himself. His life is meticulously planned and ruled by discipline, making him the epitome of structure and control. Yet beneath his composed exterior lies Silverbrook’s most enigmatic figure, a man whose actions defy the very rules he lives by. In his most daring act, he captures the one thing I never expected to surrender—my heart. Liam I have spent my years in Silverbrook avoiding any entanglements, never allowed to lose focus, always waiting for the moment when my freedom will be swept away along with my dreams of normalcy. I live by rules, order, and structures—things that prevent me from growing attached. That was until I met Vanessa, the goth princess who cursed me with just one look. In a world of rules, she became the ultimate rebel by stealing the one thing never meant to be hers—my heart.
I really enjoyed this! So sweet and cute. I loved Liam and Vanessa’s relationship so much.
Nevermore Bookstore by Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin
Cadence “Cady” Bloomquist knows two things for sure: First, shelving books at her shop, Nevermore Bookstore, totally counts as cardio. Second, staying late every Thursday night to take a certain mysterious customer’s order is not the same as waiting by the phone for some man. Until the calls with the man who identifies himself only as “Fox” last for hours, and become the highlight of her week. Which leaves her to wonder, if his jagged velvet voice can kindle her fire over the phone, what sort of alchemy might it inspire if they met in person? There’s nothing Roman Fawkes wants more than the brilliant, beautiful bookstore owner, but Roman Fawkes knows it can never happen. Secreted in his mountain hideaway high above sleepy little Townsend Harbor, his hermit’s existence shields him–and those around him–from the pain of his past. Until one of their weekly calls is interrupted by a break-in, and Fawkes is powerless to protect the woman who has become his one link to the world. Orchestrating a trap for the fool who dared harm her, Fawkes finds himself not just ensnared, but beguiled by her. Now so close to Cady, he discovers she’s fallen for “Fox”, and yet he’s unable to reveal her heart’s desire is closer than she thinks. Can Fawkes resist the temptation to get between Cady’s covers, knowing they’ll never have a happily ever after?
I really enjoyed this. It had great characters and some funny moments. I loved the ending.
When You Give A Rogue A Rebel by Jane Ashford
In The Repentant Rebel, things are looking up for Diana Gresham and her new love, Captain Wilson, until they’re challenged by a scandal from the past. And, in Meddlesome Miranda, Miss Miranda Dennison’s improper appetite for adventure lands her in a maze of romance and intrigue when she meets the mysterious Alan Creighton on an isolated estate straight out of a gothic novel…
This was okay. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters or their stories.
Not You Ex’s Hexes by April Asher
For her entire life, Rose Maxwell trained to become the next Prima on the Supernatural Council. Now that she’s stepped down, it’s time for this witch to focus on herself. And not think about her impulsive one-night stand with Damian Adams, a half-Demon Veterinarian who she can’t get out of her head. Neither of them is looking for a relationship. But when Rose is sentenced to community service at Damian’s animal sanctuary it becomes impossible for them to ignore their sparking attraction. A friends-with-benefits, no feelings, no strings arrangement works perfectly for them both. After a sequence of dead-end jobs, it’s not until Rose tangos with two snarly demons that she thinks she’s finally found her path. However, this puts Damian back on the periphery of a world he thought he left behind. He doesn’t approve of Rose becoming a Hunter, but if there’s one thing he’s learned about the stubborn witch, it was telling her not to do something was one sure-fire way to make sure she did. Working—and sleeping—together awakens feelings Damian never knew he had…and shouldn’t have. Because thanks to his ex’s hex, if he falls in love, he’ll not only lose his heart—but his humanity.
I loved this! So funny and the romance and characters were amazing! I can’t wait to get to the next book.
Tower of Tempest by Tee Harlowe
I might be sheltered, but I’m smart enough to know that I can’t fall for the playboy prince—or his charms. I’ve spent my life locked in a tower with nothing but books and my gran to keep me company. Until the day she disappears. Despite Gran’s warnings about never leaving, I’ve finally discovered a way out, and I’m going to find her. At least that’s the plan. Until some idiot decides to rescue me. Instead, he almost gets us both killed. Worse, I discover he’s Lochlan Aster, the famous playboy prince, one of the most eligible bachelors on the continent and a shameless flirt. I don’t trust him, but his offer to help find my gran is too tempting. I know nothing about this magical—and dangerous—world around me, nothing about myself. As Lochlan and I work together, pieces of my past click together, and I learn more about who put me in that tower—and why. Yet the biggest danger might be the prince’s reason for helping me—a secret that won’t just break the trust I’m finally learning to build, but my heart along with it.
This may be my favorite of the series now! So good and I adore these characters so much.
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
Riley Rhodes finally has the chance to turn her family’s knack for the supernatural into a legitimate business when she’s hired to break the curse on an infamous Scottish castle. Used to working alone in her alienating occupation, she’s pleasantly surprised to meet a handsome stranger upon arrival—until he tries to get her fired. Fresh off a professional scandal, Clark Edgeware can’t allow a self-proclaimed “curse breaker” to threaten his last chance for redemption. After he fails to get Riley kicked off his survey site, he vows to avoid her. Unfortunately for him, she vows to get even. Riley expects the curse to do her dirty work by driving Clark away, but instead, they keep finding themselves in close proximity. Too close. Turns out, the only thing they do better than fight is fool around. If they’re not careful, by the end of all this, more than the castle will end up in ruins.
I loved this! Such great banter. I loved the romance and these characters. It was a lot spicier than I expected.
The Sundae Girl by Cassidy Berg
In the heart of Star Valley, Wyoming, Emma Harper’s love for literature and ice cream collide. “The Milky Way” is not just a struggling dairy and ice cream store; it’s a testament to Emma’s creativity and dedication as she crafts unique, book-inspired ice cream flavors that have become the talk of the town. When famous romance novelist Liam Callahan arrives in Star Valley, seeking inspiration for his next book, he finds himself drawn to more than just Emma’s literary knowledge and charm. As the two bond over their shared love of books and ice cream, they must navigate the challenges of a small town in crisis and the uncertainties of their own hearts.
This was so sweet and heartwarming. The ice cream flavors sounded amazing.
The Trouble With Paradise by Jill Shalvis
One phone call has turned Dorie’s dead-end life into an adventure: she’s won a trip on a singles cruise to Fiji. With her cutest outfits packed and the Love Boat theme in her head, Dorie boards—and soon meets two irresistible men: a pro baseball player with an irresistible Texas drawl, and the ship’s dark and mysterious French doctor, Dr. Christian Montague. She’s sure to fall head-over-heels in no time. She just never expected to do it so quickly, or so literally, tripping over her luggage. With her foot twisted and her ego deflated, Dorie’s dream vacation is about to take the biggest detour yet. A violent storm has wrecked the ship and cast everyone ashore. A deserted island would be the perfect setting for a steamy romance, if something sinister wasn’t lurking. Whose alluring arms will Dorie run to? Being stuck never felt so…liberating.
I really enjoyed this! So much fun and filled with humor, romance, and a bit of mystery.
Magic, Mystery, and the Multiverse: The Marvelous Multiverse App by Aurora Winter
When Ana, an aspiring teen actress from Los Angeles, and her brother, Zackary, activate the Marvelous Multiverse app, they find themselves suddenly transported into a parallel universe. Their experimental vehicle lands on the evil Emerald Censor, earning them instant friends—and enemies. Ana gets her wish for the role of a lifetime as she encounters a wild and wonderful cast of characters and begins to unravel the Multiverse mystery and the mystery of her family. But everything goes terribly wrong when the cruel Queen kidnaps Zackary. Ana must rescue him while facing the forces of evil that want to destroy her before she claims her magical birthright and fulfills the Prophecy.
Not my usual type of read but this was fast paced and kept me interested. I loved Veto!
Those are all the books I read in June! Thank you for reading. Until next time.