book reviews

Everything I Read in June 2026

1. Junie

This took a bit to get into and at parts it dragged on, but in the end I absolutely loved it. Junie has spent her entire life enslaved on a plantation in Alabama. She has been the attendant to the daughter of the home, Violet and they have both grown up together. Now in their late teens, Junie faces the inevitable truth that once Violet goes off to get married, Junie must follow her. That means leaving her family and all she has ever known. In her desperation for freedom and to stay with her loved ones, Junie commits various acts to hopefully derail Violet’s plans. Throughout all this, Junie becomes aware of some devastating truths about the whereabouts of her own birth mother and what really happened to cause the death of her beloved older sister. Rating: 8

2. Too Close To Home

An easy thriller that will keep you engaged from the beginning! Residents of a wealthy lakefront community are faced with tragedy when a car explodes killing one person during the annual Labor Day party. It was Regan’s car but she let a friend use it during the party to go pick up more supplies. Was the bomb meant for her? And if so, why? As Regan looks into the possible motive behind the bombing, she discovers dark secrets from those in her inner circle which makes her wonder if she ever knew her friends. So many secrets but the truth has to come out at some point but at what cost?! This was one of my favorite kind of thrillers to read because the story is easy to follow with tons of twists that keep me guessing the whole time. Rating: 9

3. Caller Unknown

I kept wanting this book to get better but it never really did. I finished it because I wanted to know how it would end. But the story dragged on slowly for being a mystery/thriller. Simone is flying from London to spend some time with her daughter Lucy, who is currently spending time at a camp in Texas before she begins university. But on the first morning of their vacation, Simone wakes to find Lucy kidnapped. Forcefully taken in the middle of the night with no idea of who could have taken her. Shortly after, Simone is contacted by the kidnappers with ransom instructions. Simone’s husband urges her to call the police instead of trying to get Lucy back herself, but Simone feels that will put Lucy in more danger. Though the premise of the book had potential, there was too much detail that bogged down the story. Rating: 7

4. Dead Girls Book Club

The ending of this book will have your jaw on the floor! A true twist like no other. Amelia’s husband is a detective hunting down a serial killer. He’s always working leaving Amelia alone with no family or friends to talk to. While visiting a local coffee shop, Amelia meets a few other women who invite her to join their book club. Excited to make some new friends, Amelia arrives to the book club only to find out it’s not what she imagined. These women are bonded in a way that makes Amelia hesitant but decides that she will take the chance in getting to know them. As her husband’s case heats up, Amelia realizes that these women may know more about the killer than the police do.

All I can say is that wherever you think this book is going, it takes a sharp turn at the end! Ha! Rating: 8.5

5. The Briar Club

I never wanted this book to end! I would only allow myself to listen to a few chapters at a time because I wanted the story to last forever. And the story was told from so many different points of view but it all came together beautifully!

It takes place in Washington D.C. during the 1950’s following the lives of the women living at the Briarwood House, a female boardinghouse in the nation’s capitol. This group of women come from all walks of life, each with their own story of what led them to live at Briarwood. While they all start out as strangers, bonds form that allow the women to create a community of support in a tumultuous time in history. After a murder occurs on Thanksgiving, authorities come to investigate only to find out that some of the women have been keeping secrets that will shock everyone. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year! Rating: 9.5

6. The Wrong Daughter

I enjoyed 3/4 of this book until things began to unravel in the end. The plot got a bit too weird and dramatic which ruined it a bit for me. But the majority of the book had me completely perplexed (in the best way!). Caitlin and Olivia were finally old enough to stay home alone so they thought they would have a fun night enjoying a bit of freedom. When their parents arrive back at home, they are horrified to find Olivia’s room empty and Caitlin in shock. Someone had come into the home and kidnapped Olivia while Caitlin watched the whole thing in horror. He wore a mask but her memory of that night has haunted her for her entire life.

Now 16 years later, Caitlin gets a call from her parents saying Olivia has shown back up and escaped her captor. The family is elated that Olivia is still alive and come back to them, but Caitlin is unsure about the story Olivia shares with them about where she has been these past 16 years. Things begin to fracture within the family when Caitlin questions if Olivia is even who she says she is. Even though the ending is rushed and ridiculous, the majority of the book is a wild ride and entertaining. Rating: 8.5

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If you are in need of a new book to read on your summer vacation, here are some great beach read recommendations:

12 Best Beach Reads

1. Just For the Summer

This is a really fun beach read though it got a bit more deep than I anticipated. LOL Justin posted on a Reddit thread how every girl that he dates breaks up with him and then finds her soul mate right after. He is convinced that it’s a curse and doesn’t know how to break it. Emma reads the thread and realizes that she faces the same issue. So Emma DM’s Justin on a whim to laugh about the fact that she has the “curse” too. They begin talking and both decide to try and break the curse with each other. It’s a light hearted fun read that does get deep at times but overall I really enjoyed it.

2. The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti

I am more of a fan of mysteries and thrillers, but I do love a feel good book from time to time. Priscilla, Devon and Bailey are sisters mourning the recent loss of their mother. And while settling her estate, they discover that she had a home on the Amalfi Coast that they never knew about. Along with the ownership papers, the sisters find a love letter from a complete stranger that seemed to have a relationship with their mother years ago. Though the 3 sisters have grown apart, they decide to travel to Italy to settle their mother’s estate and get answers about her past. They discover things about their mother that they never knew and a romance that shaped the course of their mother’s life. A tad emotional from time to time, but it’s a cozy read that gives you a nice boost of serotonin.  

3. Remarkably Bright Creatures

ALL THE WARM FUZZIES! I loved this book and it made me feel all the feelings. Tova is a retired widower who works at the local aquarium helping maintain the exhibits and surrounding areas. One of the exhibits that is especially appealing to her is the octopus who she realizes is sneaking out every night trying to escape. Tova forms an unusual bond with Marcellus, the Octopus. And their “friendship” brings so much unexpected joy and love into Tova’s life.

From the unexplained disappearance of her son many years ago to the loss of her husband, Tova has been through unimaginable trauma. But when a new employee begins at the aquarium, Tova is tasked with training him and showing him the ropes. Tova and the new young man bond over so many things, one of them being their fascination with Marcellus. So many lives are woven together in this book and it’s beautiful to watch them come together. And I fell in love with Marcellus and his beautiful soul.

4. Nora Goes Off Script

One of those feel good cheesy romance books that you need to read every once in a while to make you feel hopeful about the world, amiright?!

Nora is a single mom of two and opening her home up to a Hollywood movie crew to shoot the film adaptation of the book she wrote. She wrote the story of the demise of her marriage and how she found solace in the small tea house at the back of her property that the former home owners built. The book became a bestseller and quickly attracted a film adaptation. And the person playing her ex husband is the uber famous and ultra handsome actor Leo Vance. Once the movie wraps, Nora is happy to get her home back and resume normal life. But Leo Vance is not yet ready to leave. He shows up and asks to stay for the next week to get a break from the public. Nora allows him to stay never thinking anything could happen with this a-list megastar. But of course it does and that’s why we love reading books like this! Ha!

5. Every Summer After

One of those feel good romantic beach reads that you need to read after a slew of terrifying thrillers. That is this book. LOL A palette cleanser of sorts. Persephone’s parents buy a lake house to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life in Toronto. She isn’t thrilled to spend her summers in this sleepy town but meets Sam on her first day there and they become fast friends. Sam is a local and works at his mom’s local restaurant and has dreams of becoming a cardiologist some day. Percy and Sam spend their summers playing, laughing and bonding and feelings begin to develop between the two. But something happens between the two of them that causes their relationship to fall apart. Nearly a decade later, Percy gets a call that Sam’s mother has passed and she comes back to attend the funeral. She wonders if she made the biggest mistake by leaving Sam and longs for the possibility of a reconciliation.

6. Book Lovers

A predictable rom-com type book that is an easy read but won’t be your favorite book of the year. Something easy to read on vacation. Nora lives a fabulous life in NYC as successful literary agent navigating the demanding publishing world and trying to fight for her author clients. When her sister, Libby, suggests they take a vacation together to a small town in North Carolina to get away for some quality sister time, Nora agrees. When she gets there, she feels like she is living in one of her client’s novels – a stereotypical big city gal comes to a small town narrative. While there, Nora runs into an editor who she worked with in NYC though she was never his biggest fan. It’s inevitable that they will have to cross paths in this small town. And Nora needs to figure out how to coexist with this man whom she does not like. The ending is predictable but leaves you feeling good which is always nice.

7. The Soulmate Equation

This was not my favorite Christina Lauren book but I did really enjoy it. All of her books have a similar feel to them and they are comforting to read. Jess and her best friend frequent a coffee shop every day and see the same gorgeous man come in every morning for his coffee. Her best friend initiates a conversation with him one day only to find out his name is Dr. River Pena and runs a DNA-based matchmaking company. He invites both Jess and her friend to come to their corporate headquarters and try the service. When Jess takes the test, she finds out she is nearly perfectly compatible with Dr. Pena himself! The company asks Jess if she will be willing to see if the matchmaking service is accurate and get to know Dr. Pena. She agrees though hesitantly because Dr. Pena is not the most engaging nor warm person. However what develops is surprising to them both and may just indicate that the matchmaking algorithm is correct.

8. The Hotel Nantucket

I enjoy Elin Hildebrand’s books and this one was a light and easy feel good read. A newly renovated Hotel Nantucket hires Lizbet as its general manager. A London billionaire bought the hotel and wanted to turn it into one of the east coast’s most luxurious and well renowned resorts. However, Lizbet must start from scratch in hiring all the staff and with that comes a ton of different personalities and experiences. Hopefully Lizbet and her newly appointed staff can bring the hotel to the level of charm and sophistication it once was years ago. And it is said that a ghost haunts the hotel which could either be a draw or deterrent for guests. It can be a tad confusing at times because the story flip flops between all the characters but eventually I was able to follow along.

9. Summer of ’69

I really enjoy Elin Hilderbrand books and this one was no exception. The story is told from the various perspectives of the Levin family, a wealthy family from Boston living in Nantucket for the summer in 1969. The struggles, family secrets and massive change that the country was going through really shaped their lives and who they were becoming. 4 siblings all at different stages of their life are grappling with personal issues. And trying to figure out how to navigate their life apart from their wealthy upbringing.

10. Funny Story

A light hearted easy read that was really enjoyable. Daphne and her fiance Peter moved back to Peter’s home town to get married and start their life together. But after the night of Peter’s bachelor party, Peter comes home and tells Daphne he has fallen in love with his female best friend Petra and is leaving. Daphne has no choice but to move out and into an apartment with Petra’s now ex-boyfriend Miles. Daphne and Miles become jilted lovers and must live together until they find new arrangements for each of them. A friendship grows between them and they become vital to each other’s post breakup recovery. Could it evolve into more? I’m sure you can guess what happens next but regardless, it’s such a cute heartwarming story.

11. The Night We Met

I am a huge Abby Jimenez fan, so I had to read her newest book. It’s similar to most of her other stories so if you love her books, then you will enjoy this one. Larissa meets Mike at a concert one night and falls for him immediately. But dating Mike means that you will have to get along with his very close group of guy friends. When Mike is unable to help Larissa drive her mom to the hospital for a scheduled surgery, he enlists his friend Chris to help her.

Chris is responsible, kind and the complete opposite of Mike. After a few times of Mike cancelling on Larissa for different reasons, Chris often steps in to help or meet her in place of Mike. It’s inevitable that feelings develop between Larissa and Chris which they both realize could devastate a lifelong friendship. Even though Abby Jimenez’s books follow the same type of storyline with the same level of predictability, I still LOVE them so much!!

12. These Summer Storms

I love a messy wealthy family story so this book was an immediate yes when I read the synopsis. Alice Storm has been apart from her family for the past 5 years after a devastating argument with her father where he told her to leave and never come back. But after a tragic accident takes the Storm patriarch’s life, Alice must return to her family home for his funeral. Time with her family is not something Alice enjoys. And the relationships she has with her mother and siblings are all strained due to years of complicated and dysfunctional family dynamics.

Her father’s immense wealth and status guarantees that his funeral will be a worldwide news event which adds only more stress to the brittle family bonds. Throw in a “game” of sorts that her father imparts upon them in his will which requires all her siblings and mother to complete a set of tasks in 7 days in order to receive their inheritance. Tempers flair, old grudges resurface and secrets buried for decades come to light which threaten to destroy everyone in the Storm family.