What a good reading month, wow, in May I made it through 17 books (read and listened). Three were 5-stars, and one was a DNF (because life’s too short for boring books) which I didn’t include in the total. One of my favorite authors – Carley Fortune – released a new book. I re-read the precursor and that one was already a 5/5 and then the new one was also a 5/5. It was SO.GOOD. There was a surprising audio one my sister in law recommended that was the other 5/5. Overall it was a fun reading month and some really good contemporary romances. I read so much because a lot of holds at the library and Libby became available. My mother in law picked up my holds and said she was going to start having a weight limit because the pile was so heavy lol. I read so much because I always have a book in bag, so if I’m waiting outside of soccer practice, I get an hr of reading time, and then when the younger 3 go to bed at 7:30 I read for an hr with Ben and then usually I’ll read instead of watching TV or when I’m folding laundry (endless) I listen to an audiobook. If you want to check out my past reviews, they’re right here. Oh, and I finally joined Goodreads in December and loaded in all my books—let’s be bookish besties! Here’s my profile. My rating system is at the bottom. Now, let’s dive in!
The One 5/5– I listed to this as an audiobook, could not stop listening to this story that just sucks you in and makes you ask yourself what would you do?! Gah! Would you have done the test? So good! So crazy! Definitely a surprising 5 star one for me. I hear they’re making it into a TV show.
Every Summer After 5/5– the way she writes it’s like palpable chemistry between the characters!! I loved this book when I first listened to it as an audiobook, and now years later, I give it the same 5/5 rating when I’m reading the paperback, it’s so good.
One Golden Summer 5/5– transports you to the lake! Transports you to summer! Loooved it. Swoony. Loved the older characters!! And loved hearing where Sam and Percy were now.
Flawless 4/5 -a really cute and original story, her stories are always really good, and I love a main character male who is really into the female lead character. But the story! And they had cute banter, some spicy stuff towards the end. I loved her relationship with her father. There was a sale on her books so I bought a few-be prepared for next month lol. “The rules were simple: keep his hands off his agent’s daughter and stay out of trouble. But now he’s stuck with her. There’s only one bed. And well, rules are made to be broken.”
Reel 4/5 – very long but doesn’t seem long. Very spicy, but in a realistic/classy way, loved the main male character and how he always wanted her to be seen as talented in and of herself, not because of him. Sexy voice for male narration!! “Reel by Kennedy Ryan is a sweeping contemporary romance that follows Broadway understudy Neevah Saint, whose breakout performance captures the attention of acclaimed film director Canon Holt, leading to a passionate and challenging journey as she stars in his Harlem Renaissance biopic while they navigate the complexities of love, ambition, and personal struggles.”
The Right Move 4/5- I died laughing when she’s telling him about her book boyfriends and asks if he can growl or darken his eyes. Just dead laughing. Loved the story, it was a little long but it was ok, the story flowed. Loved the twins’ sibling relationship and Stevie’s relationship to her friend Indy. Loved that they read together and that she was so opposite of him! Great chemistry and spice. “The Right Move by Liz Tomforde is a slow-burn, sports romance that follows NBA captain Ryan Shay and his sister’s best friend, Indy Ivers, as they enter a fake dating arrangement to improve Ryan’s public image and help Indy face her ex at a wedding. Living together, their pretend relationship blurs into real feelings, leading them to confront personal insecurities and past traumas while discovering a quiet, profound love.
She’s Not Sorry 4/5– what a good thriller, twisty, just good!! “She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica is a psychological thriller that follows Meghan Michaels, a single mother and ICU nurse in Chicago, whose life spirals into chaos after she becomes entangled in the mysterious case of a comatose patient named Caitlin Beckett. As Meghan delves deeper into Caitlin’s past, she uncovers unsettling secrets and a web of deception that threatens her own safety and that of her daughter, leading to a suspenseful and gripping narrative.”
Bossman: A Sizzling Office Romance 4/5 – very cute romcom with great banter and a bit of spice, really enjoyed it, Nick got it for me from Target! “Bossman by Vi Keeland is a steamy, witty office romance that follows Reese Annesley, a sharp and ambitious woman who, during a disastrous blind date, has an unexpected encounter with the charming and confident Chase Parker. Their paths cross again when Reese starts her new job, only to discover that Chase is her new boss. As their professional relationship develops, so does a slow-burning attraction, leading them to navigate the complexities of workplace boundaries, personal insecurities, and past traumas. With a blend of humor, heartfelt moments, and sizzling chemistry, Bossman offers a captivating tale of unexpected love and personal growth.”
The Missing Half 3.5/5– good, waited a long time for the twist, but it was really good. Like a small onion. Can’t believe the ending. Wish there would have been an epilogue like a few years later! “The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers is a gripping psychological thriller that follows Nic Monroe and Jenna Connor, two women bound by the unsolved disappearances of their sisters, Kasey and Jules. As they join forces to uncover the truth, their investigation reveals unsettling secrets, challenging their perceptions and forcing them to confront the complexities of love, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to protect family.”
Sandwich 3.5/5 – so well written, but overall it kinda didn’t go anywhere, the story was just a look inside a family for a week with some flashbacks. “Set during a week-long family vacation on Cape Cod, the story follows Rocky, a woman in her fifties navigating the challenges of being “sandwiched” between caring for her aging parents and her grown children. As the family gathers in their familiar beach cottage, Rocky grapples with the physical and emotional upheavals of menopause, the nostalgia of motherhood, and long-held secrets that resurface, prompting reflections on love, loss, and the passage of time.”
Anatomy Of Us: A Love Story 3.5/5– a cute love story- audible original – free- it was cute and then got dark and sad- and then just when it was starting to get good again it abruptly ended!! Could have used like another hour or so. But the accents were so great!
Blackbird and Butcher 3/5 – cute but daaaark and gross, but the banter is so good. If you’re squeamish don’t read this. There’s cannibalism! God I want to go vomit just thinking about it. So glad I read Scythe and Sparrow first – that’s book 3 in this series and this is book 1, I never would have read book 3 if I would have read book 1 first lol, I enjoyed Scythe and Sparrow more. “Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver is a dark romantic comedy that follows Sloane and Rowan, two vigilante serial killers who form an unlikely bond through an annual competition to eliminate other murderers. As their twisted game unfolds across the country, their friendship deepens into a slow-burn romance filled with sharp banter, sizzling chemistry, and a blend of humor and horror. This genre-bending novel combines elements of thriller, romance, and dark comedy, offering a unique and engaging reading experience.”
The Drowning Woman 3/5 – a thriller book. I don’t know why I wasn’t expecting a thriller, but I was definitely super surprised when the first major twist came up! It was ehhh ok. I don’t know, still seemed unfair that she/ they had to start over and not the husband. “The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the unlikely bond between two women from vastly different worlds. Lee Gulliver, once a successful chef, finds herself homeless and living in her car after her restaurant fails and debts mount. One morning, she rescues Hazel Laval, a wealthy woman attempting to drown herself to escape an abusive marriage. Hazel, feeling trapped in a controlling relationship, sees Lee as a means to start anew and asks for her help to disappear. As their friendship deepens, Lee becomes entangled in Hazel’s complex web of secrets, leading to unexpected twists and revelations that challenge perceptions of trust and survival.”
I Might Be In Trouble 3/5– some of the main character lamenting was repetitive. I listened to this and the narrator was good except for when he did female voices with a NY accent (Stacey) and then it was just straight up bad. The story was interesting, but if you’re moving a body whose feet don’t move I’d suspect people to say something? It just didn’t make sense if you thought about it. “I Might Be in Trouble by Daniel Aleman is a darkly funny thriller about a struggling writer who wakes up next to a dead body and teams up with his agent to cover it up—maybe even turn it into his next bestseller.”
Wild and Wrangled 3/5 – this was the last in the series, maybe the others were a little better? I felt like the main characters went from zero to sixty after so many years apart, and then there were some big unsatisfying gaps, like what happened with her parents? But it was a cute story. “Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage is the fourth and final installment in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, offering a heartfelt second-chance romance set in the small town of Meadowlark, Wyoming. The story centers on Camille Ashwood, a single mother whose plans unravel when she’s left at the altar, leading her to move into her dream house—right next door to her first love, Dusty Tucker. As neighbors, Cam and Dusty navigate unresolved feelings, past wounds, and the complexities of rekindled love, all while surrounded by a supportive found family. This novel weaves themes of personal growth, family dynamics, and enduring affection, providing a satisfying conclusion to the series.”
Off To The Races 3/5– was just ok. I love horses and stories involving races so I liked it more than I would have without it. “Off to the Races by Elsie Silver is a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance set on a horse ranch, where a grumpy owner and a fiery horse trainer clash and spark as they work to rehab a troubled racehorse—and maybe each other.”
Summer Fridays 2/5– this one was a looong 416 pages. The part where 2 years go by and she couldn’t email him and explain? Not buying that or that weak story she told Nick about their breakup? And one line about what happened with Kendra but 400 pages about speculation. Eye roll. And I get whatever circumstances but I just can’t get behind cheaters, and really, when it comes down to it that’s what she was. The story was meh and the ending was just deeply unsatisfying for me. “Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell is a nostalgic, slow-burn romance set in 1999 New York City. It follows Sawyer, a young editorial assistant engaged to her college sweetheart, who suspects he’s growing too close to a female colleague. When she connects with Nick—her fiancé’s coworker’s boyfriend—their shared suspicions spark an unexpected friendship that blossoms into something deeper during their weekly explorations of the city. Blending Y2K-era charm with emotional complexity, this novel captures the thrill of new beginnings and the bittersweet choices that come with growing up.”
Shark Heart DNF – just couldn’t get into it after he starts turning into a shark (right at the beginning of the book lol). I had read The Pisces last month, I just couldn’t do another human/fish weird fantasy type story.
My rating system
- 5 stars – I loved this book and would recommend it to someone looking for their next book to read. This is a book I would re-read and am slightly jealous of anyone who gets to experience it for the first time
- 4 stars – I really liked and enjoyed this book, it was solid. Glad I read it.
- 3 stars – I liked this book enough to finish it, but wish there would have been something more – and probably wishing it had changes
- 2 stars – It was hard to finish, but I made it to the end. I don’t understand why people liked this
- 1 star – Really annoyed I finished this book, did not like it
- DNF – Did not finish, just couldn’t do it
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