June has come to a close and summer is finally in full swing. I did pretty okay this month reading-wise. With a surprising eight books that I knocked off my tbr, here are my short book reviews for June 2024.
But before we get into that, how was your June reading? Do you have any summer plans this year? Since I went on a fancy trip last year, I’m staying put this summer. I’ll try to make the most of it by going on short road trips around the Montreal area.
Plus, I intend to read some lighter books this season. Although I will throw in the occasional thriller, I want to focus on some chick-lit and rom-coms I have sitting on my shelves. We’ll see how it goes but I’m hopeful. I already read the first one I set my mind to this month, so let’s cross our fingers that the trend will continue!
Now, let me share my June 2024 book reviews.
The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewel
One of the author’s older works, It was very addictive from the first page. Jewel has a way of presenting a story that makes you not want to put it down until you’re finished.
Throughout the first part of the book I wasn’t a fan of Melody, but as the story unfolded with each chapter, she grew on me. It ended on a happy note, so that uplifted the somber mood of the first part of the book.
I will not give you any spoilers, but it was an intricate story about a young woman’s life. After going to a hypnotist show by chance, she discovered many secrets that unfolded in a typical Jewell way. A solid four stars, you will have a hard time setting it aside until you’re done.
Boys Who Hurt by Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir
A typical Nordic Noir book, Boys Who Hurt is the fifth in the Forbidden Iceland series.
Thank you to Orenda Books and the author for my copy to read and review. Opinions strictly my own.
As Elma and Saevar enjoy their family life, their bond is just as strong as before at home and at work. Although Saevar is technically on parental leave, he’s still helping Elma with her current case.
The author tells Thorgeir’s side of the story, which makes for an interesting point of view. Since he’s one of the murder victims, we learn about him a bit through his perspective. But I don’t think knowing his side helped us understand why he was killed.
Religion featured prominently in the book, and it definitely played a part in motivating some of the characters’ actions. But I wouldn’t say it was the only motivation.
The author tried to explore the way people behave in groups and how far they are willing to follow in order to fit in. I think group dynamics played a major role throughout this book.
And finally, the title can be interpreted in two ways: boys who are in pain, or boys who inflict pain. Either way, boys who hurt will hurt in return.
I enjoyed the book overall, more than The Night Shadows, the third installment in this series I read last month.
I still have the fourth novel to read, but I find this one was well thought-out. Another four stars from me on Goodreads.
The Perfect Guest by Ruth Irons
We all encounter one of those people at least once in our lives: the friends who manage to insert themselves into our lives and who overstay their welcome.
Meet Dinah, or Diana Marshall, a forty-two year old woman who’s not really fitting in with her old school mates anymore. They’re all married with children, while she’s still single and struggling to keep a job.
That is, until she stays at a rented villa with them, as a replacement for a group member who canceled at the last minute. While snooping through the house after her friends leave, she becomes obsessed with its owners.
So she sets her claws into the Perfect Couple who lives there, Isaac and Sarah Rivers.
I thought the book was super fast paced and easy to engage with. I finished it in a few days despite my busy schedule.
If you want something to binge while you’re lounging around this summer, this is a great one to consider.
Thank you @compulsivereaders for including me in this blog tour.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
I listened to this on audio, and I think I would’ve enjoyed it more had I read the physical book. I wasn’t crazy about the narration, and the main character got on my nerves.
But the storyline was engaging and I could tell why so many readers enjoy the author’s works. But since the audio didn’t work for me, her next book I’ll read will be in physical or digital format.
If you want more details about the actual synopsis, you can read it by clicking my link below the picture.
Toxic by Helda Flatland
Photo: Orenda Books
I’m grateful whenever a publisher sends me a copy of a book for review, but this one was unfortunately a waste of time. I’m sorry if I offend those of you who enjoyed this book, but it really didn’t work for me.
I don’t understand the high praise this book got, I found nothing special about the writing. I didn’t get the point of this story, and the characters were all insufferable.
Since I don’t like giving negative reviews, I will stop here. But I’d say skip this one if you were on the fence.
Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly
I loved this book! It wasn’t a five star read, but it came close. I’d say 4.5, but since there were a few things that didn’t work for me, I couldn’t round it off to five.
Let me start with the things I did enjoy about this novel. The characters, while flawed, were clever and loyal to each other. Greta is a very tenacious young woman who knows what she wants, while Valdin is sensitive and still looking for external validation.
The siblings share a strong bond, and I like the way their sexuality plays a big part of their identity, but at the same time it doesn’t define them entirely.
The dialogue was just right for my taste, although it could get annoying at times. Some of the cultural references that I didn’t get made me feel confused at times, which was a bit of a negative for me.
All in all, I did like the fact that I learned a bit more about New Zealand throughout the book.
So another solid four and a half stars, rounded off to four.
We Are the Brennans by Tracy Lange
Absolutely loved this one! I read both books by this author, and I must say I loved this one more! Although they are very similar in style, this one spoke to me more for some reason.
The Brennan siblings stick together through thick and thin, like typical Irish families do. While I enjoyed The Connellys of County Down, I fell in love with the way The Brennans connected with each other.
If you’re looking for a great family saga novel that is beautifully narrated and relatable, I definitely recommend either one of Tracy Lange’s books. You will not be disappointed.
This is my five star read of the month, hence, needless to say, it was my favorite book of June 2024.
Hello Summer by Mary Kay Andrews
I finished this one late yesterday evening, making my total to eight books this month.
While I enjoyed the book, especially the last third, there were a few things that irked me. For example, old-fashioned aphorisms like calling a child born outside of marriage a bastard bugged me.
But thankfully, the writing and plot were enough to keep me interested all the way through and quite like it, actually. It’s not my favorite book this month, but I will pick up another work by the author for sure.
The book gives you summer beach vibes for sure. Its small Florida beach town location with all that it has to offer is a favorite part of the book. Plus the main character Sarah, or Conley Hawkins, makes the book stand out. Her sparkling personality and tenacity is inspiring for a fictional character. The seasoned journalist saves her family’s small town paper the Silver Bay Beacon when an unexpected mystery lands in her lap her first week back home.
Well laid-out and narrated with an expert hand, Hello Summer is a great way to start off my summer reading.
Concluding Words
June was a decent reading month, with a total of eight books read. I even had a five star read, which makes for an excellent reading month as far as i’m concerned!
Tell me how your June reading went, and if you had any favorite books. What are you planning to read this summer? Any new books, or mostly like me, you hope to tackle some backlist books you’ve had on your shelves for years?
Let me know in the comment box below, and I’ll catch you next time. Until then, keep reading fellow bookworms.
