JUNE WRAP UP
Disclaimer I read books based on preferences which take into account my faith and personal convictions. Please check any of my recommendations against your own convictions and read responsibly.
Listen up, reader friends—June was a book lover’s dream. I went all in on the romance reads to kick off the first month of summer, and let me tell you... it did not disappoint! After wrapping up May on a high note with Love Haters, the momentum kept my reading high going strong. This month brought not just one, but TWO five-star reads, and I even discovered a new favorite author along the way. Let’s check out my June stats!
My most-read genre in June was—no surprise here—Contemporary Romance. While I didn’t get through as many books as I usually do, this month was all about quality over quantity, and honestly, that shift was so needed. I found myself picking up stories that reminded me why I love reading in the first place—the kind of books that fill you with joy even after you’ve finished. And let’s be honest, there’s something extra magical about a summer love story set on a lake. So let’s swoon a little and talk about some of my favorite reads to date!
RATING: 3.25 ⭐️
VIOLENCE: LIGHT 🔪
SPICE: MILD ❤️🔥❤️🔥
Nothing says summertime like a good old-fashioned block party—especially one packed with rich, secretive families and a whole lot of drama.
This story follows the well-to-do families of Alton Road. One summer, a new family moves in. By the next? Someone ends up dead. Told through multiple POVs, the book unravels the events that unfold between those two summers, slowly building toward the explosive block party where all the secrets finally come to light.
This was a fast-paced, low-stakes thriller that made for a quick and entertaining read. I really appreciated the way the story came full circle, with revenge as a recurring theme woven through the different characters’ situations and perspectives—it gave the plot a cohesive thread to follow. That said, I did struggle a bit with the sheer number of characters. With so many POVs and couples, it was easy to lose track of who was who. And while the story had its twists, a few of the major reveals were pretty predictable by the halfway point, which made the ending feel a little anticlimactic.
In the end, I was hoping for more shock value than I got. But if you’re in the mood for a quick, low-risk thriller, this one might be a good pick for your next weekend read!
AGE RECOMMENTDATION: 21+
RATING: 3.75 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
SPICE: MILD ❤️🔥❤️🔥
I love a good summer romance, and this one brought the feels. The story follows our female main character, Jane, who’s determined to shed her former child star image and earn respect as a studio executive. In her quest for a big career breakthrough, she’s unexpectedly forced to team up with an unlikely rival, Dan, our male main character.
That said, I have to admit—I struggled with the first 37% of this book. The pacing felt slow, and I had a hard time connecting with both the characters and the storyline. I especially found it tough to relate to Jane’s character and, truthfully, didn’t love her from the start.
But the second half? Totally different story.
Once Jane started letting down her guard and falling for Dan, the book really came alive. Their relationship dynamic took off, and the small, intimate moments between them were beautifully written. The heart of the book lies in their love story (no pun intended)—and in Jane’s journey to realizing that she is, in fact, lovable. The ending still left me a little conflicted about Jane as a character, but the author’s descriptive, heartfelt writing more than made up for it. I especially appreciated the deeper themes around shame, false narratives, and what it means to feel “enough.”
If you’re looking for a quick, light summer read with a surprisingly heartfelt core, this one is definitely worth picking up!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 18+
RATING: 4.5 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
SPICE: STRONG ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
This book was peak enemies-to-lovers in all the best ways. We follow our female main character, Elle, who lands an incredible opportunity to write a big-name romance movie set in NYC. Enter our male main character, billionaire Parker Warren, who’s in need of a fake relationship to boost his public image. Despite a cringeworthy past encounter—and the fact that Elle can’t stand him—she reluctantly agrees to play along, hoping the experience will spark the inspiration she needs for her screenplay. What follows is everything the best rom-coms are made of.
This one started off a little slow for me, but it quickly turned into a romance I was fully invested in. One of the standout elements was the imagery of NYC in the summer—it made me want to book a trip back ASAP. The fake dating trope was handled really well, especially paired with the thoughtful exploration of how money and privilege can impact love and relationships. The chemistry and dialogue between the characters brought the romance to life, and I especially loved the “he falls first” dynamic in their relationship—it’s a refreshing twist on what we usually see.
Parker really grew on me as a MMC. He wasn’t just a “rich guy”—there was real emotional depth to his character. And Elle’s journey from someone who wanted to be invisible to being someone truly seen was such a beautiful part of the story. Her growth felt authentic, and it added a lot of heart and nuance to her character.
My main drawback? The level of spice. While I get that the fake dating was meant to build anticipation, once things heated up, the spice felt overdone and out of sync with the tone of the rest of the story. It started to overshadow the emotional growth and characters I was loving. Honestly, this could’ve been a 5-star read for me if the steamy scenes had been scaled back just a bit.
That said, I still recommend this book—just proceed with caution if you're not a fan of extra spice. It’s a fun, flirty summer romance that totally channels the best vibes of early 2000s rom-coms!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 21+
RATING: 5 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
Craig Groeschel rarely misses, and this book was no exception. As a longtime fan of his leadership podcast, I was excited to finally dive into one of his books—and I’m so glad I did.
This one tackles some of the biggest, most commonly asked questions around God, faith, and Christianity. Questions I’ve definitely wrestled with myself as I’ve grown older and faced more of life head-on.
What I appreciated most is how this book brought clarity to some of the things I’ve personally grappled with in my faith. But even beyond that, it gave me language to explain and discuss these topics with others—especially in a culture where doubt is so prevalent and faith is often questioned.
Groeschel does an amazing job of normalizing that doubt isn’t something to hide from. At some point, everyone experiences it—no matter how long you’ve walked with God. And instead of shying away from that reality, this book leans into it and offers real, biblically grounded answers.
Whether you’re personally looking for clarity or just want to be better equipped to have these conversations with others, I highly recommend this book to every Christian. It’s honest, practical, and full of truth.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 16+
RATING: 4.75 ⭐️
SPICE: STRONG ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
This book literally transports you to the lake. If you’re not having the time of your life while reading it… check your pulse.
We follow female main character, Percy, and male main character, Sam through a swoony childhood sweethearts journey that unfolds over six glorious summers. It’s second chance romance done near perfection. The past-to-present structure is seamless, never choppy, and actually elevates the story, giving depth to both their summer memories and the moments in between. Simply put—it’s beautifully written, emotionally rich, and packed with characters you can’t help but root for.
What I really appreciated about this book is that it didn’t just linger in the joy of being in love—it also leaned into the ache. The distress, the vulnerability, the heartbreak. That emotional depth brought real weight to the story, and yes… maybe a tear or two at the end. There’s nothing quite like a book that moves you like that. It’s rare. And it’s beautiful when it happens.
10/10 recommend! I completely fell in love with Carley Fortune’s writing—and as you’ll see in my future reads… she does not miss.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 21+
RATING: 3.75 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
I have mixed feelings about this one. I listened to it on audio, and that format definitely shaped my experience—for better and worse. On the upside, the narration was incredibly well done. It followed a cohesive timeline through her life and gymnastics career, which kept me engaged. But here’s the catch: it wasn’t narrated by her. I didn’t realize this until the very end, and honestly, it threw me. The narration had been one of my favorite parts, so learning it wasn’t actually her voice added a layer of disconnect I didn’t expect.
That said, it was still powerful to witness her journey as a gymnast and everything it took to get to the Paris Olympics. I especially appreciated the behind-the-scenes look at the mindset and day-to-day life of an elite gymnast—both in the lead-up to the Games and in the midst of competition. Her vulnerability in sharing not just the highs, but also the challenges and heartbreaks, added real weight to her story—making the stripping of her bronze medal all the more heartbreaking.
At times, I did find myself wanting more depth—particularly when it came to the broader issues within the sport. Many of the topics she touched on have existed for decades, and I believe they deserve more space and conversation.
Still, this was an excellent memoir that offered a well-rounded look at her personal and professional journey. I definitely recommend it if you’re a fan of Jordan or have a love for the sport of gymnastics.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 16+
RATING: 5 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
SPICE: STRONG ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Good things happen at the lake—need I say more?
This, my friends, is the perfect summer romance. We get to follow our female main character, Alice, as she returns to the lake house where she once spent an unforgettable summer as a teen. During her stay, she meets Charlie—our male main character and the charming brother of Sam from Every Summer After. (Yes, you definitely want to read Every Summer After first for the full emotional payoff.) Alice and Charlie spend the summer soaking up everything lakeside living has to offer—including a romance that sneaks up on them in the best way.
These are easily some of the most lovable characters I’ve encountered so far in 2025. Their banter? Perfect. The romantic tension? Thick and delicious in all the right ways. This book makes you feel like you’re right there at the lake—letting go, unwinding, and falling in love right alongside them. There’s this carefree, sun-soaked tone that’s impossible not to absorb as a reader. Carley Fortune’s writing is, once again, stunning. Her descriptive style pulls you into the story and makes everything feel viscerally real. Literal perfection.
What really sets this book apart is the depth of Alice’s journey—watching her gain confidence, step into her voice, and fully embrace who she is. And the romance? Depicts one of the best MMCs I’ve read—genuinely kind, emotionally mature, and grounded in all the ways that matter. Plus, the supporting characters are full of wit and realism, and somehow Fortune nails tropes that often go sideways (friends with benefits, terminal illness, miscommunication) and makes them work beautifully.
Do yourself a favor and read this book. If you're not smiling, crying, laughing, and immediately looking up lake house rentals by the end—I’ll personally refund your money (kidding… but also, not really). This story gave me all the feels in the very best way. It’s a 10/10 and absolutely in the running for my favorite book of the year!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 21+
