July 2024 Reads

July is over? Time flies. I'd say we're deep into beach reading season, but my true beach reading season if there is one is August and September as July is the month of the year I'm at the shore the least.

TL, DR:

Engrossing Reads

The Boy (Broussard and Fourcade #2) by Tami Hoag - The series settles into itself here, and this was a quick few hour read. OCNJ library hardcover

We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnston - Hard to put this one down.Set in Waco with multiple points of view and a cult storyline, this simultaneously felt familiar and entirely new to me. I loved the characters, especially the Sheriff and his wife. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore - I can say with confidence this will be in my top five of favorite reads of the year. This is a big mama and I devoured it all in a few hours. Love Moore's writing and I really enjoyed this story. OCNJ library hardcover

A Clean Kill (Garrett Mann #1) by Steven Konkoly - I liked this, really liked the cast of characters and hope #2 follows quickly. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen - This one was stressful and I mean that in a complimentary way LOL. Super quick read. I enjoy Pekkanen's solo novels a lot. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 8/6

Passed the Time Just Fine

Till Death Do Us Part by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn - There's a LOT going on here. A lot. Which helped keep the book on a brisk pace, and I can never argue with that. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes 8/13

Wild Failure: Stories by Zoe Whittall - A good collection of shorts focused on women of all types with some dark humor thrown in for good measure. Super quick read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Strange Folk by Alli Dyer - This hits two of my sweet spots: set in Appalachia and a little mystical magic. It also features one of my detractions: a willful youth character who fucks things up. Good pacing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes 8/6

The Truth You Told (Raisa Susanto #2) by Brianna Labuskes -  A good sophomore effort in this series - I hope there are more, with more involvement from Raisa's sisters as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes 9/10

The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman - Based on the cover art, I definitely thought this was more along the lines of the lighter with a dip of serious themes Fannie Flag books but this was definitely heavier than I expected. A good reminder not to judge a book by its cover. I enjoyed the book I ended up reading, which is what matters. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes 9/3

A Thin Dark Line (Broussard and Fourcade #1) by Tami Hoag - It took me a bit to sink into this world, and the blatant sexism and misogyny in the work place was fucking frustrating to read through, but I liked it. OCNJ library paperback

No Road Home by John Fram - A good quick read full of nutters. Just what the doctor ordered for summer evenings reading in one sitting. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Teacher by Freida McFadden - This woman is wild and keeps getting away with it because we keep reading them LOL. Paperback copy, passed on to me, I passed on

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown - This kept my attention and I could not really tell who was good and who was bad, which I enjoy. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The Bookstore Wedding (Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories #2) by Alice Hoffman - I mean if you're going to write two related short stories why not write six or eight or 10 and give us a novella? Come on, Alice. Amazon first reads free book per month

Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer  - I think this is being pushed as a romance? Loved the friendship trio in this book. Some parts of the story did not jive together but it was a quick and fine read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 8/6

Not For Me

Memories of the Lost by Barbara O'Neal - My least favorite of hers due to it reading more like a fairy tale, which is not my jam. Still a well written book I was happy to finish. Definitely a good for you, not for me book - many people will enjoy this and I look forward to the next Barbara O'Neal. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day - Not an easy read - it felt choppy and never found its rhythm. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell - The miscommunication trope is not for me. This will be for many people. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

Don't Tell a Soul by Jessica Huntley - book publishes 8/4, free advanced copy from Netgalley

The Bitter End by Alexa Donne - book publishes 10/15, free advanced copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?