Hi everyone! I took an unintentional break from blogging because I had a busier summer than I expected. I know it’s a few months late, but these are all the books I read in July! This was such a good book month, I read eight books! I started the month with a popular fantasy book, read lots of small town romances, and read one of my favorite books of the year! I hope you enjoy my July Mini Review!
Synopsis: “Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant. She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise. Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret. Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.” (goodreads.com)
OMG this book!! I could not put it down! So, I completely understand why it’s so popular! I read this with a friend, and I’m so glad I did because it was so great to talk about everything and try to figure out the different world-building bits together! I loved the way the author wrote about the dragons and the bonds they form. And Xaden, omg! If you know, you know haha! Anyways, I really enjoyed this book and love that I’m getting back into fantasy!
Playlists listened to on Spotify: fourth wing: xaden & violet and welcome to the fourth wing
Synopsis: “Eileen Merriweather loves to get lost in a good happily-ever-after. The fictional kind, anyway. Because at least imaginary men don’t leave you at the altar. She feels safe in a book. At home. Which might be why she’s so set on going to her annual book club retreat this year—she needs good friends, cheap wine, and grand romantic gestures—no matter what. But when her car unexpectedly breaks down on the way, she finds herself stranded in a quaint town that feels like it’s right out of a novel… Because it is. This place can’t be real, and yet… she’s here, in Eloraton, the town of her favorite romance series, where the candy store’s honey taffy is always sweet, the local bar’s burgers are always a little burnt, and rain always comes in the afternoon. It feels like home. It’s perfect—and perfectly frozen, trapped in the late author’s last unfinished story. Elsy is sure that’s why she must be here: to help bring the town to its storybook ending. Except there is a character in Eloraton that she can’t place—a grumpy bookstore owner with mint-green eyes, an irritatingly sexy mouth and impeccable taste in novels. And he does not want her finishing this book. Which is a problem because Elsy is beginning to think the town’s happily-ever-after might just be intertwined with her own.” (goodreads.com)
This was a cute story! I loved the storyline and wondering what it would be like to find myself in the fictional world of my favorite book! There were parts of the story that I wanted more from, but overall it was a great read! I love Ashley Poston’s magical realism stories!
Playlist listened to on Spotify: a novel love story: elsy and anders
Synopsis: “Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it’s now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They’ll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work. Emma hadn’t planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka. It’s supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma’s toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they’re suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected–including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?” (goodreads.com)
This is one of my most favorite books! It will be in my top reads of 2024!! This is the third book in the Part of Your World “series”, but they aren’t a continuation, so you could read them in any order. The series also includes Yours Truly. I absolutely adored this book! I think Justin is my favorite book-boyfriend! Overall, the story and characters took a hold of my heart and I will recommend this book to everyone!
Playlist listened to on Spotify: just for the summer – abby jimenez
Synopsis: “Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than Willa Grant, and he barely looks her way, even though she’s living in his house for the summer. That is, until she gets him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then, all bets are off—and so are their clothes. Cade is gruff, a little rough around the edges, but broad-shouldered ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl’s kryptonite. So who is she to resist? But it’s in their quietest moments together that he softens. It’s in the unexpected way he takes care of Willa that she realizes his hardened exterior is just a façade. And it’s when she watches him go all sweet with his little boy that she starts to fall for him, whatever the consequences. Someone once convinced Cade that his best wasn’t good enough. But Willa has never felt more cherished than she does in his arms. Her contract says this arrangement is only for two months. But her heart says this is forever.” (barnesandnoble.com)
If you are looking for a small town, age gap, single dad spicy romance, this is the book for you! This is the second book in the Chestnut Springs “series”, the first book is Flawless. This was a re-read for me and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time, but I don’t think it’s one I’ll re-read in the future. Age gaps aren’t a favorite troupe of mine, plus there is another troupe that pops up that is not a favorite either, but overall I enjoyed the romance!
Playlist listened to on Spotify: heartless: willa and cade
Synopsis: “To Jasper Gervais’s fans, he’s the handsome, talented hockey heartthrob on TV. But to Sloane, he’ll always be the lost boy with the sad eyes and a heart of gold. The man she’s loved in secret all her life. So when her life falls apart on the day she’s supposed to marry someone else, it only makes sense that he’s the one to swoop in and save her. And when his world comes crashing down around him, she’s there to return the favor. But the more time they spend alone, the more Jasper isn’t looking at her like a friend anymore. He isn’t touching her like one, either. And after all these years, he’s still everything she’s ever wanted, everything she thought she could never have. Their feelings aren’t straightforward, though. They twist and turn around the pain of Jasper’s past and the reality of Sloane’s present. Jasper Gervais might act like he wants her. But after years of turning her away, he’s going to need to prove it.” (barnesandnoble.com)
If you’re looking for a small town, friends to lovers spicy romance, this is a great choice! This is the third book in the Chestnut Springs “series”. This was also another re-read for me. Overall I loved the storyline and the romance!
I didn’t end up listening to a playlist with this book.
Synopsis: “Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky. Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves. Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules. But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year. Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.” (goodreads.com)
Nobody talk to me for at least 3-5 business days😭 But seriously this series!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would! However, I feel like there were parts that could have been shortened, and then scenes I really wanted more depth! Overall, I would rate this 4.5 or 5 stars, but it depends on the day because I keep going back and forth! I can’t wait to see what happens in book 3!
Playlists listened to on Spotify: fourth wing: xaden & violet and welcome to the fourth wing
Synopsis: “Theo Silva. Rowdy bull rider. Notorious ladies’ man. Winter Hamilton knows exactly what it means when he eyes her like that. But she’s almost free of her toxic marriage and has sworn off men entirely. So all she sees when she looks back at Theo is temptation served up with a heaping side of heartbreak. The man is hard to trust—but, it turns out, even harder to resist. Make that impossible. Because Theo is persistent. And no matter how hard Winter tries to freeze him out, he melts her icy exterior and pulls apart all her defenses. Over a drink in a small-town bar, she finds herself blurting out her deepest, darkest secrets. Then, she spends the singular hottest night of her life with the man she never thought she’d say yes to. He worships her body. He makes her blush. She comes alive beneath his hands. Then she tells him to forget it ever happened. She wants simple, and with him it all feels complicated. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. A secret. But that little plus sign is going to make this secret impossible to keep.” (barnesandnoble.com)
OMG Theo!!!! Another favorite book boyfriend! This is my favorite book in the Chestnut Springs “series”! The romance, the storyline, the spice, just everything about this book I loved! I really enjoyed getting to know Winter more. Plus their dynamic and banter was *chef’s kiss*. If you don’t feel like reading the whole Chestnut Springs series, just read this one!
I didn’t end up listening to a playlist with this book.
Synopsis: “Beau Eaton is the town prince, a handsome military hero with a tortured past. Bailey Jansen is the outcast bartender, a shy girl from the wrong side of the tracks. He’s thirty-five and all man, and she’s twenty-two and all…virgin. He’s also her fiancé. Correction: her fake fiancé. It starts out as a bet, a point for Beau to prove. And it’s a win-win: Beau gets a break from his concerned family’s prying, and Bailey gets a chance to shed her family’s reputation while she saves up to ditch this small town for good. All she has to do is wear his ring, follow his lead, and pretend she can’t keep her hands off of him in public. Easy enough, right? But it’s what happens between them in private that blurs all those carefully drawn lines. It’s what transpires behind closed doors that doesn’t feel like pretending at all. This engagement was supposed to be for show. This agreement? It has an end date. Beau once told Bailey he’d never fall in love. She’s determined to make him change his mind.” (barnesandnoble.com)
I enjoyed this book! It was nice getting to know more about Beau and his backstory. I loved the fake relationship storyline! Plus, I loved Bailey’s growth throughout the book! It was a great ending to this small town spicy romance series!
I didn’t end up listening to a playlist with this book.
I hope you enjoyed my July Mini Review! Leave me a comment below if you’ve read any of these books! How was your summer? What was your favorite read from this month? Check out the Books category on my home page for more book reviews and recommendations. Please give me a follow on Instagram or Facebook to stay updated about when I post! I’ve been making a lot of fun reels on Instagram, so check it out! I’ve loved engaging with the Bookstagram community, so it would be great to have you join! As always, thank you for your continued support!
Take care and stay safe,
Renée