Everything I Read And Listened To In July 2025

Wow what a month! This past month was a wild one for my reading life – I somehow made it through 22 books (23 if you count the DNF I made it halfway through)! Four of them were five-star reads, one was a DNF, and four (yes, four!) were big fantasy books (like 600+pages), which is funny because fantasy/romantasy really isn’t my thing. I’m much more of a contemporary romance girl, preferably with a sprinkle of spice—not an entire spice cabinet. And yet, somehow I fell headfirst into a dark romance rabbit hole this month, complete with truly over-the-top levels of heat. It was a lot, a little much for me in a few of the books I read… but along the way I stumbled across a few unexpected gems (hello, Lights Out, dirtiest book I’ve ever read but the plot and chemistry was 100%). Thankfully, I also balanced it out with some absolutely wonderful summer romances—These Summer Storms and Summer in the City completely stole my heart and reminded me exactly why I love this season of reading. If you want to check out my past reviews, they’re right here. 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. Don’t forget you get 15 hrs audiobooks with Spotify if you have a membership. Now, let’s dive in!

These Summer Storms 5/5 – These Summer Storms was perfection for me—no notes (okay, one note: I would have loved an epilogue to see them a year later!). This book had everything I crave in a romance. First off, Alice is 33—I will always cheer for an over-30 main character—and her messy family dynamics were so well done. The dad making Sam not talk and use text-to-talk instead of speaking? Darkly funny but also heartbreaking. And Alice hiding in the pantry when Jack walks in? I lol’d – the writing is so charming and quick, I couldn’t stop grinning. And Jack. JACK. When he dove in to the water after her, when he casually (but not casually) says, “When I’m at the helm…” – hottttt. The sleeve rolling? Swoon. Chapter 17 – holy hot – and then chapter 20 hit me in the gut with that big fight. I teared up, only for chapter 21 to deliver Jack’s speech, which was both powerful and sexy. I also loved that his job as a “fixer” felt so unique—something I haven’t read about before. The side characters were just as great. Alice’s friends at the funeral (okay, celebration) cracked me up, and her best friend Gabby—god, I loved her. The way she stood beside Alice during the fight? Ride-or-die energy, and I felt so seen because my own best friend is a lawyer too. From the swoony kisses (“Had anyone ever kissed anyone like this?” SWOON) to the emotional punches, this book gave me everything. These Summer Storms is the kind of romance you finish and just sit there hugging the book. I’m so jealous of anyone getting to experience this for the first time. 10 out of 5 stars lol.

Summer In The City 5/5 – This was sheer perfection. I went to grad school in upstate New York so the setting felt extra special. We drove into the city many times, now I want to go back. The banter in this book was sharp and funny, the kind of dialogue that makes you grin like an idiot while reading. I stayed up LATE reading this on vacation (in fact, I had to go buy another book because I finished it earlier than expected lol). I loved that she had her own money, yes to a heroine who is rich in her own right! And him? God, I loved how rich he was too. And the pizza tour? Someone please take me on one immediately. Also can someone please buy my favorite chain of cafes so I can have my favorite pastry and coffee lol? She def did not appreciate that enough. The romance hit so many good notes. “I didn’t fall in love with a version of you, I fell in love with every you.” Swoon. The book itself was gorgeous too with a beautiful map printed inside the covers (I got my copy at Target). It just felt like an experience to hold it. If I had one tiny comment it is that there was a lot she kept in her head that I wish she would have said out loud to him. I couldn’t help thinking that if she had, he might have understood her better and maybe avoided a few of those “mistakes.” But honestly that is just me nitpicking because this book was a complete joy from start to finish.

Problematic Summer Romance 5/5 – this was hands down my favorite Ali Hazelwood book so far. It had everything I love – brother’s best friend, a touch of slow burn, a little age gap, and so much heat. I don’t know why, but the part about him getting her music notifications absolutely melted me. It was the cutest little detail and made me love him even more. And the ending? So incredibly sweet. The only part that felt a little off was how slow the burn was at first. He was hesitant hesitant hesitant and then suddenly, after one conversation, it was like he flipped a switch and went from cautious to fully obsessed. Still, it worked in the end, and I was rooting for them the whole way. Also, OMG – I knew some of those side characters felt familiar! I just found out this is actually book two, and book one (Not in Love) was one I loved and gave five stars too.

Till Summer Do Us Part 5/5 – this was such a delight to read (I listened to this one on audio). I love when a girl has a traditionally male name or nickname, and Scottie was such a fun one I had never heard before. I was laughing from the very beginning and the first therapy session had me cracking up. Fake dating and close proximity are always great tropes and this book nailed them. The nipple piercings argument had me laughing out loud and the boy girl audio made it even better. The piercing fight was so funny and the nickname he gives her was both cute and hilarious. The romance was really steamy but in a way that felt realistic. I also loved that Wilder was a genuinely good guy right from the start!

Lights Out 4.75/5 – Honestly, I’m embarrassed to admit how much I liked this book, but I really did. It’s the dirtiest book I’ve ever read. Some of the stuff I didn’t know what it was and I certainly didn’t want to google it lol. My bff was reading it at the same time and we said this book would be considered ‘educational’ lol. The list of trigger warnings alone could make you blush, and yet the story itself was so good. There is murder, suspense, and an absolutely filthy level of steam, but the plot kept me hooked the entire time. I loved the way Josh was with Freddie—there’s this protectiveness and tenderness. Totally can see the type about this book and why readers love Josh as a book boyfriend. Like even his stalking was hot. One detail I especially appreciated was Josh saying there were no safe words, just to say “stop” and he’d stop. I have always thought that in a truly scared moment I might forget a safe word, so this felt real and made sense in the context of the story. I might not be into a lot of the things happening in this book, but it was so engaging I couldn’t put it down. If you like dark, twisty, murder-y romances that are also scorching hot, this one is for you!

Caught Up 2/5– This was the sequel to Lights Out. The plot is just bad and weird and the spice I wasn’t into (this was an extremely spicy book) Like I said, the plot was just so bad!!!! Think mob and like the author hasn’t even seen or read anything about the mob so it’s just some bad stereotypical stuff. So unbelievable. I wasn’t buying it, he’s been lusting after her and then decides after 10 years to come out of the shadows? And she’s a cam girl and he’s fine with that? Suuuure. And at the end, the dad with therapy? Not buying it. It lacked all the charm and quirkiness of Lights Out. It was like this was written by a different author than Lights Out…what happened!?

Throttled 4/5 – my husband picked this out for me at Target. He knows I love spy movies and racing movies! Can I just say aesthetically the first page of every chapter on that crinkle paper image was so ugly and distracting! Loved that once they decided to be together there wasn’t a breakup at the end, it’s like they had gotten that over with and I loved that. Loved the second epilogue. Loved the story, v original and I loved that Maya was doing vlogs and content creation, tied in very nicely.

P.S, I Hate You 4/5 – by page 10 I had laughed already!! Really good spice towards the endish of the book, good banter between the characters, really unique story, I didn’t love the drawn out ending, that’s just me, it felt a little corny but it was cute. Maybe I should have given this one a 4.5, it was very cute – a library find for me.

A Court of Mist and Fury 4/5– I did the audio experience for part 1 and they said it was like “a movie for your ears” it was really cool! And I know how to pronounce the names lol. Loved the mental bonds/shields – just like in 4th wing and Quicksilver. The audio, wow, actors and everything! I was never more excited to fold laundry and do dishes. Then I read the second half because my hold at the library became available. I will say it was so much better than a Court of Thorns and Roses but it still felt loooong. This thing is over 650 pages! There were at least a few really great moments and now I understand the memes. Tamlin -Tameltoe or Tampon, I die. The Inn scene, the sensitive wings (cute and hot) and the bonding and paint scene! Now I see it, now I see it. So good, I just have to read the next one. The priestess bit at the end, be still my heart, Rhys is so dreamy.

A Court of Wings and Ruin 3/5– Feyre is a conniving little one at the beginning and I’m here for it! My heart melted when Feyre and Rhysand see each other again, swoon. Why are her sisters so awful, I did not like them the first book or the second and now not either. Even at the end, they still sucked. They’re supposed to grow on you because of their mates and helping but I just was not buying it, they sucked. A little much of the “my mate” language. Omgggggg savage “if you hadn’t stolen my bride away in the night” and she goes “the sun was shining when I left you.” The shield Rhys puts up around him and Feyre and her anger in chapter 46 are hot. So much war stuff, I really didn’t care for it. Some twists at the end, Tamysue actually helps, yay, but I didn’t like the length of this, could have been much shorter, I’m just here for the personal relationships lol.

The Exception to the Rule 4/5 – very short, free on kindle from a few months ago, part of the Improbable Meet Cute collection. Super cute, wanted a little more after they got together! I loved it. Would have loved a little spice and little less emails, but it was really a cute quick read.

High Dive 3.5/5 – listened to this as an audiobook, thanks Libby, what was with the weird chapter transition sounds? And random sound effects? It seemed a little whiney. That letter from Dahnieal – wow I teared up. It seemed short but along drawn out, I mean 10 years for something that wasn’t even that big a deal imo.

Forever Pucked 3/5- This hold became available at the library. I didn’t like all the beaver jokes, just wasn’t funny to me and way too frequently used. I liked that they were in a relationship from the beginning. Maybe a little too much spice if there such a thing lol, it was just a little hard to believe. It was kinda plot light, like nothing really happened so it felt like it dragged a lot.

Pucked Up 3.5/5– This hold became available at the library – I think I had this whole series on hold lol. I enjoyed this one better than the Forever Pucked one, I’m reading these out of order I realized. Just reading them when they release from the library. With this book it’s like I missed how they met? Maybe it was in a different book but I felt like I was missing that part of the story. But it was cute. Loved Millers dyslexia – it made him so relatable and real

I Could Be Yours 3.5/5– The character Flip was so funny. Flip on fajita night- lolz, what a good friend! Some of it was realllly cheesy and not super realistic, like I’m sure ALL these hockey men friends were so open about therapy. Essie really made him work for it at the end, seemed a little backwards. Very cheesy and repetitive towards the end, but an easy read with spice. I just realized this is by the same author as the other two hockey romances I read, go her lol!

Until I Get You 3/5 – ok I don’t quite understand why he was SO mad at her after the 3 years, she was trying to protect him, very clear to see. “ I don’t know if there’s something that goes beyond love…” I really think that that applied here lol. Solid book, it was tough with the bad part, this book comes with trigger warnings, and heed them because omg 😭 this is a dark steamy book.

The Family Way – Jayne Ann Krentz 3/5 – picked up this little romance for $3.50 at a used book store while on vacation after just having finished Summer in the City (a 5/5 for me). It was a cute cheesy romcom but it got a little (ok, a lot) repetitive towards the middle and end. If I had to hear about Laura one more time! Ugh! But a very quick read.

Onyx Storm 3/5 – I didn’t even want to read this one right away, I had just read Forth Wing and Iron Flame and they were so good I gave them 5/5s but they are LONG and I needed a break/aka I needed sleep because I kept staying up to read. But literally I finished Iron Flame in the morning and then at noon I got a notification from the library my hold was available (and I was something like 244 in line when I first placed my hold) so here we are! This one felt a little (a lot) long. And all over the place. And Xaden was a little woest me! It took really long to get to the gooood sexy scene (chapter 48). I love Tairn and Violets relationship. Chapter 53, Andarna! I cried! Omg so many quests. And the ending, seriously wtf was that?!! How do you do that to your readers?! I turned the page expecting more, it just ended!

Quicksilver 2/5– Listened to this as an audiobook, very sexy male narrator! Hottt scene in chapter 20 (I don’t know if it was chapter or track) that and track 28 or 38! Omg this book was soooo long and I didn’t think it needed to be. I ran out of listening hours on Spotify towards the end and am not going back, it was ok, story long, a few hot love scenes so I’m giving it a 2. Fantasy worlds just aren’t my thing. This one was looong. Also the cover is not at all what I picture him looking like, does a total disservice to him.

Know Your Newlywed 2/5 – This was another audio listening experience. Didn’t really like that, too much background noise and side effects. This had been in my Libby que for forever and was finally available. TBH this book was just so cliché and bad. A closed door romance and the love tension wasn’t there, it was kinda boring and her reason for what she did was so stupid, glad it was short otherwise I would have DNF this one. And the ending, so stupid and unrealistic and just bad.

Rich Girl Summer 2/5 – an audible original, it was free (I want a refund it was so bad lol). Nikos voice actor was too old sounding. This was so boring and blah.

Maine Character 2/5 – I found Vivian and Lucy to be very whiney, both of them. And I’m sorry, but the house was left to Vivian so this shouldn’t have been some long drawn out thing!! Kind of boring, nothing really happened, the way she ended sections and chapters kinda jumpy, I hated it. Did not get the hype around this book at all.

What Kind of Paradise (DNF)– I just wasn’t in the right headspace for this book. It had lots of big words and references I didn’t understand for example 1 paragraph had “dendrites” and “Mensa level genius” and referenced a bunch of philosophers that I didn’t know. But it was so well written, I just couldn’t get into it, I don’t know, maybe If I would have listened to this instead of read it? But I DNF’d this one, it just wasn’t for me. There’s so much praise for this book. Like I said, it just wasn’t for me right now.

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

Read anything good lately? Just LMK!!!

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