July was a rare month in which I didn’t have a five-star read. I read a number of books that I quite enjoyed and do recommend (see ratings and reviews below!) but there wasn’t one that stood above the rest. This month’s book reviews are full of popular beach reads and some great historical fiction. I hope you find your next read from the list below.

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Great (4 Stars)

Daughter of No Worlds

Published Date: January 2020

Genre: Fantasy

How I Read: Audio

This fantasy felt unique and fresh. I am definitely interested in reading book two in the series.

Tisaanah is a slave until one day she acquires enough money to finally buy her freedom. When her master refuses to let her go and abuses her, her magic kills him. Tisaanah escapes to join the Orders. She wants to help other slaves return to their homes.

In order to join the Orders, she must train. Tisaanah is assigned to Max, a recluse who seems to hate the Orders. Over time, they form a mentorship, then friendship, and eventually something more. The leaders of the Orders see something in Tisaanah and want to use her for their benefit but she has requests of her own.

There is a lot of magic and fighting. I liked the banter. I would not describe this as a romantasy.

Atmosphere

Published Date: June 2025

Genre: Historical Fiction

How I Read: Paper

I’m glad I read this book and I would absolutely recommend it but it is not my favorite by this author (she has so many great books).

Joan is accepted as one of NASA’s first women scientists into the 1980 space shuttle program. She loves her job. Joan can’t wait to go up in space on a mission. She is also an amazing aunt to her niece in contrast to her shitty, selfish sister.

Joan has never been in love before and doesn’t see herself happily married with kids in the future. She’s not like other women. But then another astronaut opens her eyes to who she truly is.

This story is about love, space, friendship, and family. It’s about women fighting for their rightful place in the space program and the secrets we keep or games we play to keep our male-dominated jobs.

Professional Troublemaker

Published Date: March 2021

Genre: Self-Help

How I Read: Audio

I highly recommend the audio version! I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book considering I am currently not a professional anything.

Luvvie gives advice for how to ask for raises, how to establish boundaries, deal with confrontation, and how to be more honest. The information is easily consumable. Interlaced throughout the book are fun Nigerian references and applicable anecdotes from her life. Much of the book contains references to her strong Nigerian grandmother.

Luvvie is a great writer and storyteller. A few things became redundant at times but overall I think the book is great. I believe women in college and in their early 20s should read this one. A lot of the advice can be applied to your personal life as well.

The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club

Published Date: May 2025

Genre: Historical Fiction

How I Read: Paper

A family lives on a farm on Martha’s Vineyard. There are two sisters, a brother, and a grandmother. It’s set during WWII. The brother is being shipped out as a ranger and his girlfriend lives with the family as well.

The girls start a book club and want to make books accessible to the troops. The youngest sister is known as “Briar the Liar”, often calling in tips about U-boat sightings. An event happens to convince her that there is a Nazi spy on their island and she makes it her mission to find out who it is.

The dual timeline story contains a small amount of romance and some mystery. It’s a nice, predictable historical fiction book with interesting female characters. It’s not too scary or depressing. I also appreciated that it wasn’t set in an active war zone (I’m a little burnt out after The Bronze Horseman).

These Summer Storms

Published Date: July 2025

Genre: Fiction

How I Read: Kindle

I couldn’t put this one down.

A billionaire just died and his four adult children are reconvening on their family’s private island. They learn he is continuing to manipulate their lives with an inheritance game. Each must complete their task(s) or no one receives his/her inheritance (whatever that might be).

One sister has been exiled from the family for the last five years and if she doesn’t stay on the island for a few days, everyone loses. Meanwhile, the mother is throwing a big, elaborate “celebration” (not funeral). The wealthy elite will descend upon their island in the midst of all the chaos.

Many family secrets get revealed. There’s tons of drama and fighting plus a bit of a sexy relationship. The father’s games from the grave could heal the family or be everyone’s final straw. It’s ridiculous and you know how I feel about unrealistic relationship timelines but if you can get past that, it’s quite entertaining.

The Summer That Changed Everything

Published Date: June 2025

Genre: Mystery

How I Read: Paper

When Lucy was 17, her father was arrested for the murder of three people. Now, 15 years later, she is back at the beach to prove that he didn’t murder the teenage girl.

Coincidentally, Ford, her boyfriend at that time, is also back for the summer focusing on getting his family’s house ready to sell.

Townspeople are mad Lucy is back and digging up the past. Everyone is convinced her father was correctly convicted but new confessions and evidence come to light.

The story is not scary, it’s a little predictable but still keeps you guessing how things will play out. You actually know who the murderer is fairly quickly in the book which is unique and I liked that aspect and viewpoint. There’s a little romance but that is not the focus of the book. It’s an easy, solid summer mystery.

Good (3.5 Stars)

The Summer of Songbirds

Published Date: July 2023

Genre: Fiction

How I Read: Kindle

I thought this book had so much potential (romance, friendship, SUMMER CAMP!) but I was let down. The story didn’t flow for me. I wasn’t invested in any of the romantic relationships.

Daphne’s aunt June runs a beloved summer camp that she attended every summer with her two best friends. Now it’s on the verge of closure due to financial reasons – can they save it?

Two of the women are having drama in their relationships with men and each other because of issues from the past. Trigger warning – substance abuse. Mostly a story about female friendship.

My Oxford Year

Published Date: April 2018

Genre: Romance

How I Read: Audio

Ella earns a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford for one year. Her teacher ends up being a person she had an embarrassing and annoying situation with during her first day in England.

She makes some fun friends, then quickly jumps into a teacher-with-benefits relationship with Jamie. When he unexpectedly tells her he needs a one-month break, she flips and finds out the secret he’s been hiding.

This story was a little too in the feelings for me. The relationship jumped ahead too quickly. Parts were fun – especially her English friends. I liked her job in politics back in the States. But I got a little bored. The ending was fine. I honestly think I will like the movie more.

The Love Haters

Published Date: May 2025

Genre: Romance

How I Read: Paper

I think I can officially now say that Katherine Center is just not the author for me. I understand the appeal – predictable, fun romances. But for me, the cheese, the immaturity of characters for their ages, and the unbelievable circumstances are too much.

Katie is a video producer and to hopefully save her job, agrees to go on assignment to film a coast guard rescue swimmer recruitment video. The problem – she can’t swim. The rescue swimmer being featured in the video is expecting Katie’s co-worker (his brother) to be the one to film the job.

Katie has a famous ex-boyfriend and lingering body issues. The rescue swimmer has beef with his brother. The cutest old lady gang rallies around Katie as soon as she arrives in Key West. In the story, there are hurricanes, fist fights, but most importantly, a lovable Great Dane.

Mansion Beach

Published Date: May 2025

Genre: Fiction

How I Read: Paper

This adaptation of The Great Gatsby was slow. I say skip it.

Nicola just left her long-term boyfriend and career as a lawyer to move to Block Island for the summer. Her favorite cousin married an extremely wealthy woman who is developing real estate on the island and she’s letting Nicola live in a cottage.

Next to the cottage lives Juliana, the founder of a fashion-tech company and she’s preparing for the company to go public. She’s using her new house on Block to throw extravagant parties that garner a lot of press. Juliana and Nicola’s cousin have a past and there’s a reason she chose Block Island as a home.

There’s a mysterious death, cheating, wealth, prestige, and possible scandals. You already know the basics of the story. The parties sound exhausting instead of fun and the adults are more embarrassing in their behavior than anything.

Lights Out

Published Date: February 2024

Genre: Dark Romance

How I Read: Audio

Despite the content warnings, this was not gross or scary to me at all. It was also not a turn-on, but that’s okay. The book was fine, but I don’t see myself reading book two.

Aly is a trauma nurse who is obsessed with the sexy online videos of one creator who wears a mask. Josh is that creator and happens to be the roommate of Aly’s former hookup. He finds out she is a fan of his content and stalks her down.

There are hidden cameras, breaking and entering, voice modulation, handcuffs, but all somewhat within consent. Deep down, Josh is a good person and nothing like his serial killer father. There is accidental murder and mob involvement but dare I say it’s kind of a cute story? I get why it’s popular.

The content warnings made me think it was going to be another Butcher and Blackbird but this is WAY more tame.

The Bronze Horseman

Published Date: 2000

Genre: Historical Fiction

How I Read: Kindle

I am so confused about this one. It took me F O R E V E R to get through. The majority of the book I didn’t like. It was so depressing. Also, it felt like three different books. Yet, I think I want to read book two in the trilogy because I want to find out what happens.

It’s WWII and Tatiana lives in Leningrad trying to survive the German blockade with her family while being in love with her sister’s boyfriend. There is constant death for the first third of the book.

The second part is all about the romance with her soldier (who is actually an American, his parents brought him over as a child). In the last part, he’s fighting, she’s a nurse, and it’s more exciting. I appreciated that the pace picked up a bit.

This book is long and I felt angry reading it for numerous reasons.

Want to check out more of my favorite books? Take a look at my June Book Reviews and Ratings!