June ‘25 Reading Roundup
Romance and thrillers were on the docket for this month I guess! I discovered Carley Fortune’s work, reread one of my favorite romance novels, and tore through a book in 6 hours.
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune *june book club pick
This was my second time reading this book (I actually finished it on June 3rd, exactly one year after finishing it the first time) and I found even more beauty in it the second time around. I am always shocked by Klune’s ability to make even the most unlikeable/ateful characters have a beautiful arc towards goodness. Asks the question ”what happens when we die” and takes us on the heartaching journey to find out.
Happy Place by Emily Henry *reread
Emily Henry is a marvel. She takes her time in her writing and never rushes to the end or rushes to intimacy or blow outs or to closure. This book came to me at a time when I was going through something very similar to the main character, and it truly felt like Henry had written it for me. The friendships and relationships and connections to the setting are all deep profound and thorough. I ache for these characters and their troubles and I was rooting for them the whole time. I love this book.
Every Summer After by Carley Simon
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! More thoughts on Carley’s work below, but I was completely connected to the characters and the story and I love a friends to lovers trope. I would love to have more racial and sexual orientation diversity in her books and I would love more depth in the friendships beyond the romance. Can’t wait to read more.
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Simon
I have found myself really enjoying Carley Fortune’s work. Her stories are rich with detail, the settings are alive and vibrant, her characters are well rounded and flawed, and the romances are realistic with understandable conflicts and completely believable endings. I can see why these characters fall for one another and why they make the difficult decisions hey do. I have yet to sneer at the cheesiness or roll my eyes at plot holes which is rare for a summer romance in my experience.
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio
I truly did not want to get to the climax of this book because I was just enjoying living in the world and the minds of these young actors. They move through the world poetically and speak Shakespeare’s words in their daily lives, as the author states, like a second language. They use it as a way to express themselves when their own words cannot. This book was everything I wanted from The Secret History by Donna Tart. It was high stakes and I cared about the characters even with their flaws and there were moments when I was so in awe of the storytelling, I was reading it slack jawed.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
The writing of this book is sharp and quick like a paper cut with just as much sting. The short blunt chapters and hyperbolic writing makes you stuff yourself full with the story. It is told through the childlike fog that comes from being incredibly privileged, sheltered, and traumatized. I subconsciously felt where the story was going, but was in no way prepared for where it went. I read this in one 6 hour sitting.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Wow I really did not enjoy this book. The characters were one dimensional with no arc or growth, the dialogue and writing were surface level and rudimentary, and unfortunately the main character was unbearable. I guessed the ending 25% of the way through, which doesn’t automatically mean I hate a book, but in this case it was like “well duh”. Sad to end the month on a snoozer.
Feel free to discuss your June reads in the comments, I’d love to hear what people are reading.
