June 2022 Wrap Up

The theme for my reading picks this month can best be summed up as unexpected. I’ve mentioned before that I’m a mood reader through and through and this month found me in the mood to be sad, suspenseful, and nostalgic. Not exactly what I had planned when I started the month, but love where it took me! I was able to squeeze in 10 books with a couple of those being audiobooks. Several of these weren’t on my TBR, but I’m certainly glad they found their way into my hands :).

Here’s a quick wrap-up of this month’s reads (click the links for a more detailed review).

My least favorite book of the month was Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson. Bookish reads are usually my jam, but this one just wasn’t it. Intriguing premise that could’ve been executed a lot better. For a romance novel, this one didn’t get “romantical” until the last quarter of the book. A definite slow burn that was endearing and sweet, but not as good as I had hoped. Enjoyable overall, but paled in comparison to the other books I read this month. 3.5/5 stars.

The spiciest, most dark & twisted book I read this month was Verity by Colleen Hoover. So many people have recommended this book to me over the past couple of years and I’m clearly late to the party on this one. That said, I really wish I would’ve read it before all the hype. My expectations going in were impossibly high. There were a few things that I didn’t enjoy and I felt like I wanted more at the end, but overall really enjoyed it (in a sick and twisted way). I can definitely see what everyone’s been talking about now. Pay attention to the trigger warnings on this one…definitely rated R! 4/5 stars.

The most thought provoking book I read this month was Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry. This one wasn’t on my TBR, but as soon as I read the blurb I knew I needed to grab a copy. This is a story that feels like it was ripped from the headlines. From the characters to the storyline it was all so realistic. Definitely uncomfortable to read in parts, but tastefully written and not graphic (which I really appreciated due to the subject matter!) If you’re a parent, this one will leave you asking yourself, “what would I do?” An absolute gut punch. 4.3/5 stars.

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid was the one book of the month that lived up to the hype. I’m devouring all the TJR books I can read and now I can add this one to the growing list of her titles that I LOVE. This was such an impossibly great story. Heartbreaking and hopeful in the same breath. An absolute rollercoaster of emotions while reading. I loved the characters. I loved the premise. I loved absolutely everything about it. Beautifully written and definitely one you should read if you haven’t already…especially if you’re a fan of her writing! Bravo, Ms. Reid! 4.8/5 stars.

The book that didn’t end the way I expected and took me on a wild ride was Hidden Pictures, by Jason Rekulak. This one had been on my TBR for a while and I was expecting something totally different, but was pleasantly surprised with what I got. This won’t be a story that appeals to everyone, especially if you’re not a fan of a “supernatural” element in a storyline, but it was right up my alley. Not too much to make it outlandish, but just enough to keep me invested. I really enjoyed the characters and how the story played out and the way it all wrapped up caught me by surprise. Overall a really enjoyable read. If you enjoy a somewhat unbelievable suspense, you might enjoy this one! 4/5 stars.

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub was my impulse buy for June. Saw it in a bookshop, loved the cover, and hooked by the idea of time traveling back to the 90’s. I’m a sucker for books with magical realism woven into the storyline and this one was beautifully done. The father/daughter relationship was especially touching and the nostalgia factor had me smiling all the way through. There were a few parts that dragged a bit for me, but overall an enjoyable read. 3.8/5 stars.

My favorite psychological thriller this month was Then She Was Gone, by Lisa Jewell. I listened to this one on Audible (free until July 31, 2022) and am so glad I did! This one was a fast paced read/listen. Hooked me from chapter one and had me listening at every opportunity I could get. Then missing child/grieving mother trope has been written a million different ways and I really enjoyed this spin on it…unique and clever. This doesn’t focus so much on the what as it does the why and there are definitely predictable moments, but all-in-all this was definitely a great read! If you love a psychological thriller, you’ll enjoy this one. 4/5 stars.

The most heartwarming story I read this month was The One Hundred Years of Lenni & Margot, by Marianne Cronin. This debut novel reads anything but novice. It’s a beautifully tender story about unexpected friendships and the impact they have on our lives. Lots of laugh out loud moments (the characters are a trip!) mixed with heartfelt scenes to really balance it all out. You’ll need the tissues close by for this one. It definitely tugs at the heartstrings. I also listened to this one on Audible and highly recommend…the narrators add a rich layer to the story and the Scottish accents are chef’s kiss. HIGHLY recommend! 4.5/ 5 stars.

The most surprisingly enjoyable read this month goes to My Best Friend’s Exorcism, by Grady Hendrix. Truth be told, I couldn’t have been less interested when it was recommended to me by a dear friend who just finished her copy. But because she always comes through with stellar suggestions (and she knows my taste so well), I figured I’d give it a shot. And I’m so glad I did! This definitely won’t appeal to everyone’s reading palate, but it was just right for mine. I absolutely adored the 80’s pop culture references…a nostalgic trip through time. And while a story about an exorcism isn’t one I’d normally choose, that tiny part of the story pales in comparison to the bigger one about friendship. Goodness it was so much better than I could have imagined! Definitely unbelievable and wild, but such a fun read! If you’re an 80’s baby or you appreciate the cheesy 80’s horror flicks (that were so much more funny than they were scary) you’ll love this one! 4/5 stars.

My favorite book of the month, hands down, was Pack Up the Moon, by Kristan Higgins. Oh my word I DEVOURED this book. The most heartbreaking love story. Let me just tell you right off the bat that I was in the mood to cry. And cry I did. Started around chapter two and the tears kept flowing until the last page (and chapter 35 broke me). It was so much more than a cry fest though…impossibly beautiful. From the characters to their storylines and just the way the story unfolded….IMPECCABLE. And I refuse to hear anything different. LOL. I would read this over and over again….especially when I need a good cry. 5/5 resounding stars.

Can’t wait to see what July has in store for me. Bring on the books!