While May and part of June were a very slow period of reading for me, I sure did pick things up in July. I guess I needed to keep busy and not have too much mindless thinking time, so I kept a book in my hands. I also spent 5 days in a very relaxing mountain cabin reading pretty much non stop while my husband went fishing. This much devoted reading time surely helps. With all of the books I finished this month (finished 14 and had 3 DNFs) I loved or strongly liked about half. The other half were just ok. I did read many ARCs, most of which I was very behind on and were already published. But I am finally getting a bit closer to catching up with those early releases (which I love receiving!) so eventually I will get back to my 2026 Goals list and all the other great books I want to get to.
Here is what I read in July.
The One Day You Were My Husband – Rosie Walsh
Engaging book that I was drawn into quickly and stayed rapidly flipping the pages. I loved the double time line. I am still not completely sure how I feel about how it wrapped up but overall a great read. I will definitely check out her other books. Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for an early release copy in exchange for my honest opinion. The One Day You Were My Husband is now available.
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The Road to Tender Hearts – Annie Hartnett
This was my first Hartnett novel, and likely won’t be my last. Here we have a cast of quirky characters – almost all possessing characteristics that could make them unlikeable but somehow it doesn’t. Their quirkiness shines through and becomes almost endearing. I think it’s best to go in blind, but I will say my favorite character may have been the cat.
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The Calamity Club – Kathryn Stockett
My goodness, what a chonker of a book. Over 600 pages and there is so much going on. At times I was a tad overwhelmed, and even had to reference a few things back and honestly I was here for it. There is so much to be said about the bonds we form through family, choice and circumstances. Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. The Calamity Club is now available.
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The Anniversary – Alex Finlay
Entertaining – more suspense than thriller for the most part. I did figure out the big reveal very early on but we have red herrings galore and there were still some surprises in store here & there. A fun summer poolside read. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for the digital and audio ARCs in exchange for my honest opinion. The Anniversary is now available.
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My Dear You – Rachel Khong
A few of these were a bit strange but overall an entertain collection of short stories from Khong. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. My Dear You is now available.
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Love You More – Emily Giffin
I have to admit that as this one got going, I really thought it was headed in a different direction. Pretty typical Giffin story – easy reading page turner with a dose of love with obstacles partnered with deep friendships and drama. I enjoyed it but will be forgettable in no time. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for an early release copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Love You More is now available.
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The Encore – Juliet Izon
Very interesting debut, great writing and was a unique story. It never moved into the “love” area for me, but I am interested to see what Izon puts out next. Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. The Encore is now available.
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Kin – Tayari Jones
This was a tough read for me. I felt very disconnected from everything in the book and honestly it was a big struggle. I even jumped to audio to give that a try and that didn’t help engage me further either. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Kin is now available.
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Enormous Wings – Laurie Frankel
Very interesting premise but it was so far out there that I just couldn’t connect. I kept going even though I almost DNFed several times but ultimately I sort of wished I had. I read both digital and audio. Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company and MacMillian Audio for advance copies in exchange for my honest opinion. Enormous Wings is now available.
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Served Him Right – Lisa Unger
I have enjoyed other books by Unger, this latest was just ok for me. It kept me turning the pages but overall, it didn’t engage me quite enough. Throughout the beginning there were so many characters to follow and was a tad confusing – this could have been the biggest issue on really getting into it. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Served Him Right is now available.
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The Fire Agent – David Baerwald
Very involved, long story that was a bit too much for my normal reading experience. While interesting, it was difficult for me to stay engaged. If spy novels are your #1 preference to read, you will likely love this more than I did. Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for an early release copy in exchange for my honest opinion. The Fire Agent is now available.
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Mercy Hill – Hannah Thurman
Overall, quite slow and boring and really far out there as far as what these kids were up to at such a young age. Pretty anticlimactic as well. Thank you to NetGalley and DoubleDay Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Mercy Hill is now available.
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No Matter What – Cara Backstone
Very slow burn that was a tad too slow for me. As for the role that miscommunication played, it is generally my least favorite trope (if you want to call it that) and really made me want to toss my kindle across the room at times. It made me dislike both characters and the story enough that I just couldn’t enjoy the book very much. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. No Matter What is now available.
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Caller Unknown – Gillian McAllister
After a very strong start, much like the McAllister I have grown to love – this one took a nose dive for me into territory of completely unbelievable and absurd. I also went back and forth between print and audio and the audio didn’t do it for me. The narrator was fine but she had no depth or emotion whatsoever and I kept falling asleep. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Caller Unknown is now available.
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