JUNE '24 WRAP-UP

 

  

Time for another wrap up!

Hello everyone! This is a recap of the books I read in June. I read a lot more then I expected in June so this is a little bit of a long one.

Time to talk about the books I read this month.

PHYSICAL BOOKS

 

The first physical book I read was Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas. This is Isabel Canas' second novel, but it is the first book that I have read by her. Vampires of El Norte takes place on the Texas-Mexico border and is categorized as a supernatural western. It's about Nena who is the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, whose home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers. But there's also something more sinister that lurks in the dark near the ranch and that something drains people of their blood and leaves them for dead. One attacked Nena nine years ago. Her childhood best friend, Nestor believes her to be dead and has been on the run from his grief, moving from ranch to ranch to work. However, when the United States attacks Mexico in 1846, the two are brought back together on the road to war where Nena is working as a healer trying to prove her worth to her father so he doesn't marry her off, and Nestor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare. I had such a good time reading this one. I love when books mix historical facts with fiction or in this case the supernatural. I loved the characters and their storyline. I rated it 4 stars. 

The second physical book I read was Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune. This is the second book that I have read from this author. I previously read Every Summer After and did not end up enjoying it. Meet Me at the Lake is about Fern who has thought about Will for too much of her adult life, especially for someone who only spent twenty-four hours with him in her early twenties. They had made a pact to meet one year later but only Fern showed up. Now at age thirty-two. Fern thought her life would look a lot different as she's running her mother's Muskoka lakeside resort instead of living in the city, The place is a mess and her ex-boyfriend is the manager and she doesn't know what to do. When she's trying to figure it all out, Will arrives nine years too late, with an offer. But how can she trust him, when he seems nothing like the man she met long ago. I love second chance romance books however, I wanted a lot more from this book. I didn't love how obsessed she was over a man she knew for only a day. So much so that she pushed aside anyone else's feelings for him. I ended up rating it 3 stars. 

The third physical book I read was At First Spite by Olivia Dade. This is the first book I've read by Olivia Dade but I plan to read some of her backlist. This one follows Athena who's fiance has just ended their engagement. She has to move into Spite House, which she'd bought for him as a wedding present. This house was originally built to annoy their neighbors, and it's only ten feet wide. Also, her ex's home is attached to hers. And on the other side is Dr Matthew Vine III, who is her ex's uptight older brother. Oh and he's the one who convinced his younger brother to break up with her. She decides to be petty and play music and her audio books at top volume with the windows open. However, loathing him proves more difficult then expected, especially as he helps her move and constantly listens to her. This was a fun book. I found all the characters compelling and I ended up rating it 3.5 stars. 

The fourth physical book I read was Happily Never After by Lynn Painter. I have been busy trying to read everything Lynn Painter's read as she's now one of my favorite authors. This one is about Sophie who finds out that she's being cheated on right before getting married but instead of calling the wedding off, she hires a stranger named Max to interrupt the ceremony and confront her fiance for her. A little while later, Max asks if she'll work with him to help others expose their cheating partners and she agrees. When they're hired by a man who is marrying the girl that once broke Max's heart, she thinks Max will be happy but instead it seems as if he still has feelings for his ex. And now Sophie's jealous. I had such a fun time reading this one. The chemistry between the two main characters was perfect and I really liked the plot. I rated this one 4 stars. 

The fifth physical book I read was The Long Game by Elena Armas. This is my third book by Elena Armas and unfortunately it was my least favorite of hers. The Long Game was about Adalyn Reyes who has a perfect daily routine where she works as an executive for a soccer team. However, her routine is disrupted when a video goes viral of her getting into an altercation with the team's mascot. The team's owner, who also happens to be her father, decides to send her to North Carolina, where she's tasked with turning around the struggling local soccer team, instead of firing her. Her plans crumble when she realizes the players are nine year old kids. And what's even worse is a retired soccer star is in town, who she initially thinks she can ask to help her, but their first encounter has him set on running her out of town. This one just felt really long to me, the book dragged on and I did not feel the chemistry between the main character and her love interest. I was disappointed by the book overall and I ended up rating it 4 stars.

 

The sixth book that I read was The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. This one is a super popular book in the book community and was even a nominee for the romance Goodreads Choice Award. I have never read anything by this author but I am glad this was the one I started with. The Bodyguard is about Hannah Brooks who is an elite bodyguard and is hired to protect a superstar actor from his stalker. Jack Stapleton is a Hollywood heartthrob, but when his mom gets sick he returns home to the family's Texas ranch in order to help out. However, he does not want his family to know about his stalker or him having a bodyguard. So, Hannah ends up pretending to be his girlfriend as a cover. This was such a cute romance that I flew through. I had such a good time reading it and getting to know the characters. Also, I love bodyguard romance and add fake dating into that, it makes for such a good romance book. I rated this one 4.5 stars.

The seventh book that I read was The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White. I have owned this book for awhile and haven't read it. I love King Arthur retellings and this one was an interesting one. This is the first book in a fantasy series about Princess Guinevere who has come to Camelot to marry a stranger: King Arthur. The wizard, Merlin, sends Guinevere in to be Arthur's wife in order to protect against magic threatening the kingdom's borders. However, Guinevere isn't actually Guinevere. She's actually a changeling who has given up everything to protect Camelot, and she no longer knows who she really is. In order to keep Arthur safe, she must navigate court and figure out what the magic is that wants to reclaim the land. I haven't had a lot of luck with Kiersten White's books, but I enjoyed this one. It was a sort of feminist spin on the King Arthur and Camelot story which I enjoyed. I rated it 4 stars. 

The eighth book that I read was Twisted Lies by Ana Huang. This was the last book in her Twisted series and I loved this one. This one is a long romance book but I wasn't bored for a second. This is about Stella who dreams of having her own fashion line and is already a fashion influencer. However, to pay the bills she has to work for a magazine and between that and her social media job she has little time for anything else. However, when a threat from her past makes her move into the house of Christian Harper who also happens to be her landlord, she's tempted to let herself feel something for the first time in a long time. I think Stella was my favorite girl from this entire series and I had such a good time reading this one. I rated it 5 stars. 

The ninth book that I read was King of Wrath by Ana Huang. This is the first book in a new Ana Huang series. This follows Vivian Lau who's parents betroth her to Dante Russo, a billionaire CEO who never planned to marry. She is sure this is because marrying a Russo means opening doors that would otherwise remain closed to her new-money family. However, Dante is being threatened with blackmail by Vivian's father which has forced him into this engagement. I had such a good time reading this one. I really liked the development of their relationship over the course of the novel. I rated this one 5 stars. 

The tenth book that I read was A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L Jensen. The cover is what initially drew me into read this one and then I saw so many good reviews so I knew I needed to read this one. This is a Norse inspired fantasy romance about a woman named Freya who dreams of becoming a warrior and escaping her current husband as she's in an unwanted marriage. Her dreams abruptly become a reality when her husband betrays her to the region's jarl which puts her in a fight to the death against his son, Bjorn.To survive, she has to reveal her deepest secret which is that she possesses a drop of a goddess's blood, making her a shield maiden, with magic capable of repelling any attack. A prophecy stated that this magic would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath the one who can control the shield maiden's fate. The jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders Bjorn to protect her from their enemies because he believes he's destined to rule all of Skaland. Freya has to train to fight and learn to control her magic in order to survive. A lot of this book was exposition into the world and the magic that is within it, but I ended up enjoying it immensely. It was so cool to enter a new world and see learn about a new set of characters. I had such a good time reading this one, I can't wait till the next book releases. I rated it 5 stars. 

The eleventh and last physical book that I read was A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal. I have loved anything I have read by this author and I have been heavily anticipating this one for years. A Tempest of Tea is the first book in a new fantasy series about Arthie who is a criminal mastermind on the streets of White Roaring. She has a prestigious tearoom that transforms into an illegal bloodhouse at night which caters to the vampires that are feared by society. When her establishment is threatened, she is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary in order to save it. But she can't do this alone and so she calls on some of the city's most skilled outcasts and hatches a plan to infiltrate the dark and glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. However, not everyone in her crew is on her side and she finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it. I loved this one! The main character became a favorite of mine so quickly and I also loved all the side characters. The book also addresses colonialism and what living in a country and society that colonized your family is like. I rated this one 5 stars.  

AUDIOBOOKS READ

NONE

ARC'S READ

The first ARC that I read was To The Bone by Alena Bruzas. This was a tragic love story that was set in Colonial America during the "Starving Time" in Jamestown. It followed Ellis who had recently arrived from England as an indentured servant to Henry Collins and his wife. This feels like an opportunity to her to have a fresh start in a new world. She's even more hopeful for her future when she falls for Jane who is bold in a way that is completely new to her. However, soon she learns about the horrible realities of her new home. This was such a sad and dark book. I think everyone should read the content warnings before they pick this one up because it is a dark one. I am not sure how to review this one as it wasn't like anything I'd read before. I thought it was such an interesting look into Colonial America though. I rated it 3 stars. 

The second ARC that I read was The Ride of Her Life by Jennifer Dugan. I have enjoyed everything I've read by this author and this was no exception. This follows Molly who inherits a horse farm from her estranged late aunt and clashes with the woman who works on the property as a farrier. Molly has inherited the horse farm but she's dreamed of starting her own wedding planning company as she'sa lways loved weddings. However, she has to work two jobs in order to get by and when she inherits the farm she is so ill-equipped to run it. She doesn't know how to save it even though everyone who loves her aunt says that she will. She instead wants to sell it in order to use the money to help get her wedding planning business off the ground. But the main snag in her plan is the woman who still lives and works on the property, Shani. This was so fun and I liked reading about Shani and Molly who were so funny to read about. I rated this one 4 stars. 

REVIEWS IN JUNE: 

NONE

WEEKLY WRAP-UP:

NONE

DISCUSSIONS/OTHER:

NONE

FAVORITE COVER OF THE MONTH:

 

NEW FICTIONAL MEN: 

Christian from Twisted Lies by Ana Huang 

Dante from King of Wrath by Ana Huang

Bjorn from A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

Jin from A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal 

NEW FAVORITE FEMALES: 

Guinevere from The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White 

Stella from Twisted Lies by Ana Huang 

Vivian from King of Wrath by Ana Huang

Freya from A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

Arthie from A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal 

NEW FAVORITE BOOK RELATIONSHIPS: 

Stella and Christian from Twisted Lies by Ana Huang 

Vivian and Stella from King of Wrath by Ana Huang

Freya and Bjorn from A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

TV SHOWS I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

MOVIES I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

WHAT BOOKS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

There are so many more but these are the main ones! 

NEW BLOG FINDS

NONE

SONGS ON REPEAT

Florida!!! - Taylor Swift ft. Florence and the Machine

The Prophecy - Taylor Swift 

Close to You - Gracie Abrams 

Good Luck Babe! - Taylor Swift 

Please Please Please - Sabrina Carpenter 

THE DINER - Billie Eilish 

The River - Daisy Jones and the Six 

No You Girls - Franz Ferdinand 

Applause - Lady Gaga

LUNCH - Billie Eilish 

All Too Well - Taylor Swift 

Us - Gracie Abrams ft. Taylor Swift 

Read Your Mind - Sabrina Carpenter 

BOOKS I RECENTLY PURCHASED OR ADDED TO MY COLLECTION

NONE

BOOKS I WANT TO READ NEXT MONTH

The graphics at the top belong to me. The background pictures for them, however do not. 

MINI REVIEWS #2 - VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE, RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART, & DONE AND DUSTED

 

I haven't done many reviews on here lately and I am trying to change that so I will be starting off with some mini reviews of a few books that I've read recently. Only one of these was a five star read but I have quite a bit to say on all of them. 

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Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas

★★★★ 

As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters-her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead. Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago. Believing Nena to be dead, Nestor has been on the run from his grief ever since, moving from ranch to ranch working as a vaquero. But no amount of drink can dispel the night terrors of sharp teeth; no woman can erase his childhood sweetheart from his mind. When the United States attacks Mexico in 1846, the two are brought abruptly together on the road to war: Nena as curandera, a healer striving to prove her worth to her father so that he does not marry her off to a stranger, and Nestor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion-and Nena's rage at Nestor for seemingly abandoning her long ago-is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh. And unless Nena and Nestor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn. (Summary from Goodreads)

This was a historical fiction book mixed with horror that was set in historical Mexico, with a commentary on class, gender and race hierarchies. But I think the love story between two people who were working to overcome both societies pressures and expectations as well as the vampires who threaten their home. Nena and Nestor were both such well written characters and their povs gave such an in depth look into them and their feelings. Nena and Nestor are separated for nine long years when Nestor leaves after thinking Nena is dead. But she isn't. Nestor turns to a life of debauchery in an attempt to drown his sorrows, while Nena trains as a healer. After the Anglos bring a full-scale war to Mexico, the two unexpectedly reunite but Nena is furious with him for leaving her and doesn't want to forgive him. 

The book alternates between loving romance and terrifying horror, in a way that is perfectly balanced.  Isabel Canas also draws parallels between the fictional creatures of horror and the real life terrors of war, due to the book taking place during the Mexican-American war. The book was moving and it was especially moving to see the growth of all the characters but especially of Nena who grows into a woman that is determined to stand up to those telling her who she should be. The book was a great introduction for me to Isabel Canas' writing and I can't wait to pick up her first book: The Hacienda, and any other books she writes. 

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Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura 

★★★★★

Archaeologist Dr. Socorro "Corrie" Mejia has a bone to pick. Literally. It's been Corrie's life goal to lead an expedition deep into the Mexican jungle in search of the long-lost remains of her ancestor, Chimalli, an ancient warrior of the Aztec empire. But when she is invited to join an all-expenses-paid dig to do just that, Corrie is sure it's too good to be true...and she's right. As the world-renowed expert on Chimalli, by rights Corrie should be leading the expedition, not sharing the glory with her disgustingly handsome nemesis. But Dr. Ford Matthews has been finding new ways to best her since they were in grad school. Ford certainly isn't thrilled either-with his life in shambles, the last thing he needs is a reminder of their rocky past. But as the dig begins, it becomes clear they'll need to work together when they realize a thief is lurking around their campsite, forcing the pair to keep their discoveries-and lingering attraction-under wraps. With money-hungry artifact smugglers, the Mexican authorities, and the lies between them closing in, there's only one way this all ends-explosively.  (Summary from Goodreads)

Raiders of the Lost Heart is a book that I barely see talked about online. It is a romance book that is such a fun time with two rival archeologists who have been rivals for years. Corrie's life goal was to lead an expedition into the Mexican jungle in search of the long-lost remains of an ancient warrior of the Aztec empire. She is sure it's too good to be true when she is invited to join an all-expenses-paid dig to do just that. And she's definitely right. I definitely did not expect to have such a fun time reading this, between the characters bickering and the adventure, this was such a fun time. 

The author also was very respectful and sensitive to the different cultures and customs of the ancient peoples that were discussed.  The book discuses a lot about how hard Corrie has to work due to her being in an academic field dominated by men, and how she's often not invited to express her opinions on the subject and isn't taken seriously. Despite all of this, Corrie really is a fierce heroine who won't let anything stand in the way of her goals. This book was so fun and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun adventure romance.

 

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Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

★★

She's off-limits, but he's never been good at following the rules. For the first time in her life, Clementine "Emmy"" Ryder has no idea what she's doing. She's accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming; went to college; and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape. Luke Brooks is Meadowlark's most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He's also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy's older brother's best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It's been years since he's seen her, but when she walks into a bar and back into his life, he can't take his eyes off her. Despite his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her. Emmy's got too much on her mind to think about romance. And Luke knows he should stay away from his best friend's younger sister. But what if Luke is just what Emmy needs to get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames? (Summary from Goodreads)

Done and Dusted is a very popular book in the online book community and is many people's favorites. Unfortunately, I did not end up liking this one. I will preface this review by saying that I have enjoyed cowboy romances in the past so this one was just the odd one out for me.  The female main character was the best part about this book. She had ADHD and dealt with panic issues, which is a disability that I don't see often showcased in romance books. I love how Emmy, the main character, was so real and could show she wasn't perfect but was also such a badass. I also really liked the friendship between Emmy and her best friend Teddy. 

My main issue with this book was Emmy and Luke's relationship. For a romance book, there was no chemistry between the two main characters. It was also pretty much insta love which was really boring and didn't make for a good romance. I feel like the author took a lot of inspiration from the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver and tried to make it similar but it fell flat. Overall, I was just expecting a lot more from this book especially with how popular it is.