Hey everyone! I hope you all are doing well. Also, a big thank you to everyone who has been constantly keeping up with my blog and reading my posts. I really, really appreciate it and it makes my day.
Sit tight because I read some truly amazing books this month, and there's something for every genre. Read on till the end to know more!
1) Any Way The Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell (Simon Snow #3)-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is easily the best book so far I've read this month. I would give it 10 out of 5 stars if I could. This was one of the best conclusions to a series I have ever read.
If you don't know, the Simon snow trilogy is one of my all-time favorite series, I adore it to the ends of the world. And I had been desperately counting down the days to when it would come out, and I am so happy to say that every second was worth it.
Even with my precious Sheperd (that's his name) and all the classic Rainbow Rowell snark and sass, the whole book was absolutely devastating.
The only thing I will say now is there was quite a bit of sobbing from the character's side as well as the readers. I am NOT gonna be shutting up about this book anytime soon.
2) Atlas Six by Olivia Blake (The Atlas #1)-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟.✨
This book had been really popular on bookstagram this month and I finally caved and picked it up after seeing how Jayati @ Just A Coffee Addicted Bibliophile loved it.
Well, she wasn't kidding. this book is freakin' crazy!
It's dark, it's wicked, it's a heady rush of power and ambition.
It's a very very character-driven story, with six different POVs. Every single character is so complex, so wonderfully flawed, and interesting. If you love ruthless, ambitious, and power-hungry characters, but you still want to root for them, this is the perfect read for you.
I loved every second of it and I think it deserves all the hype that it gets.
3) The Beautiful + The Damned (The Beautiful #2) by Renee Ahdieh-
RATING-🌟🌟🌟.✨
I've never been too lucky with the vampire trope. Despite all the hype, Twilight was a really bad experience for me, and that turned me off from all vampire-centric novels for the longest time. And while The Beautiful was an exponentially better read, it still didn't hit all the right spots I wanted it to.
It's a dark, Gothic-style paranormal romance set in 1872, New Orleans with a dash of mystery to keep the story going.
This timeline really doesn't contribute anything to the plot. Personally, I think that the story would have worked just as well it would have been set in the modern world.
The chemistry between the two main characters, Celine and Bastien, is really well-done, and they are (mostly) likable and easy to root for. Except for maybe those times when I got really annoyed by Celine constantly referring to Bastien as the devil almost a hundred times throughout the book, even though to me, he just seemed like a perfectly normal guy who just likes to smirk a lot.
4) Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My best buddy (find her @spillingtheink) made me read this with all her glowing praises for this, and now I’ll be hyping up this book until you guys read it.
I loved Act Your Age, Eve Brown in the same series and I highly recommend reading the rest of the books in this series.
The story was amazing and so heart-felt I almost cried happy tears. The characters are so real. They had their relationship obstacles, an external conflict, and their personal hells to get through.
It was so refreshing to also see a POC with a chronic disability represented in a mainstream romance. This book made me so, so happy!
5) Shipped by Meredith Tate-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟(3)
This book gave me a lot of The Hating Game vibes, which I absolutely love, but unfortunately, it was nowhere near as fun.
It follows the story of two rival employees who seem to hate each other, but forced proximity on a work trip together brings to the surface undeniable feelings. All in all, it had an interesting premise and some fun and tender moments, and I’d still recommend it to people, but it didn’t fulfill all the high expectations I had for it. Which, come to think of it, is a little bit my fault.
6) Second First Impressions by Sally Throne-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟(4)
Speaking of Sally Thorne, I was very excited to read this book after how much I loved The Hating Game and I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I tried to not compare it to The Hating Game in my mind, but I wasn’t too successful. I genuinely really, really loved this book. The characters had incredible chemistry and I always appreciate it when stories focus on character growth rather than just romance. The protagonists we’re also really adorable and so couldn’t get enough of them smiling.
7) The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. Villoso-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟(4)
This was another recommendation by Elliot Brooks, my favorite BookTuber and I swear by her recs, so you should definitely check her out.
Anyways, this is a political fantasy trilogy following the journey of Queen Talyien, who has the responsibility to save a crumbling empire. It has a lot of political intrigues and scheming, plus a heavy sense of mystery.
It's told in the first person, which makes us a lot more closer to the main character. And she is a middle-aged woman, with a young son, and she is the epitome of cool and badass. I had a really fun time reading this.
8) You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(5)
One of the best books I read this month, also with a POC main character and a heart-warming romance, The story follows Jasmine Rodriguez, a soap opera darling whose messy break-up has been splashed in the tabloids, and she gets the chance to lead in a bilingual rom-com for the No. 1 streaming service in the country to give the media something new to talk about it. Until she meets Ashton Suarez, the handsome Spanish telenovela actor who will be playing opposite her, and things heat up pretty quick behind the scenes.
But secrets, families, and careers are at stake, and it is not going to be easy.
No need to read anything next. Just read this, please. It was so,so good.
9) Secret of the Dartwood Manor by Nicole Triptow-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟(4)
I participated in a Book Tour for this book, where I have an exclusive playlist and Q/A with the author if you’d like to check that out.
I won’t say too much. It’s a dark, gothic mystery inspired by a Jane Austen novel, but with murder. A devour-in-one-sitting type of book that will keep you hooked through every page.
10) Like a Love Song by - Another romance in the spotlight, I got the chance to participate in a Book Tour posted by TBRBeyondTours, but you'll have to wait till August for my tour stop to know more of my thoughts. Make sure to stay tuned for that post.
11) The Flatshare by Beth O Leary-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4)
Another romance story (and this is not the last one) that absolutely melted my heart and gave me a heady rush of endorphins. This book, with its little notes and quips and such pure relationships, had my heart. Admittedly quite slow, and a little toned down with its action and pace, but goddamn it, I devour the angst and yearning.
If any kind of trope like forced proximity, there's-only-one-bed, or even friends-to-lovers, then I think you will really love this book.
12) Out of Character by Annabeth Albert-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4)
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a YA, LGBT romance that follows two boys, Milo and Jasper. Even though you might pick it up for romance, you can learn a lot from it. It discusses many things like the microaggressions against the queer community, bullying, forgiveness, and learning from your past mistakes. It is the story of a kid who once upon a time let someone bully his best friend and moved away when he came out, but a few years later he needs that friend's help after he makes a mistake. It's about giving people a second chance and becoming a better version of yourself while rectifying your past mistakes.
Definitely give this debut a chance.
13) The Captive Prince Trilogy by C. S. Pacat-
RATING - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I can't believe I'm saying this, but this just might be one of the best series I've read this year.
Political intrigue, backstabbing, morally grey characters, nations at war, plus a queer romance at the center stage- what more could I want?
Admittedly, I didn't like the first book too much. I only gave it 3 stars, but I was curious enough to continue. From there on, the stakes, the yearning, and the tension just keep getting bigger and better.
This series is so underrated. Everyone needs to read this.
14) Bonds of brass by Emily Struksie-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(5)
FULL REVIEW to come this week. Stay tuned!
15)The Boy With Fire by Aparna Verma-
RATING- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(5)
No words. Just breathless (happy) shock. First book by an Indian origin author that I have loved this much. Click here for complete review.
August TBR
War of Dragons by Jessica Cluess-
The Disturbed Girl's Dictionary
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern-
Down to Earth
Jade City by Fonda Lee
Time to Chat!
Woah, that was a long post. Anyways, I hope you liked it. Thank you so much for reading. Don't forget to tell me in the comments some of your best reads this month. How was your July? Have you read any of the books on this list.
Until then,
Bye!
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