My Top Picks
July’s over already? This month flew by, but I managed to get my hands on some five-star reads this month. Throughout the month of July, I read a total of 9 books including some great YA novels, thrillers, and of course romances. Here are some of my top picks from the bunch.
1. Play Along (Windy City #4) by Liz Tomforde
- Summary: This highly anticipated series continuation features the adored “he fell first, she fell faster” trope. The MMC (male main character) has been vying for the FMC’s (female main character) attention for years and finally gets his chance to woo her in this novel. Liz Tomforde knows how to write some of the most entertaining romances I’ve ever read and this book was no different.
- Why I Loved It: I will always love a feel-good romance and this was just that. This book was well-written, easy to digest, and just a fun read overall. It had everything I look for in a good romance story and I’m looking forward to the next book in the Windy City series.
- Perfect For: Self-proclaimed romance experts looking to add another series to their collection.
2. The Naturals series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- Summary: This series follows an extraordinary group of teenagers with innate abilities that are perfect for solving crimes. In the first book, we are introduced to the FMC and her journey that led her to be the newest recruit to the Naturals program in the FBI. In this series, we follow along as the Naturals find themselves, family, and the answers to unsolved crimes.
- Why I Loved It: This series feels like Criminal Minds in book form. As a puzzler myself, I loved feeling like I was solving mysteries with the characters.
- Perfect For: Anyone who loves crime fiction and solving puzzles in their spare time.
3. The Friend Zone series by Abby Jimenez
- Summary: This romance series follows interconnected characters through their journeys of finding friendship, love, and purpose throughout tragedy. While the books in this series are interconnected, each book could be read as a standalone, but I would suggest reading them in order. Abby Jimenez made it easy to relate to all of the characters in this series, which led to an engaging, entertaining read through the entire series. The series starts off strong with The Friend Zone, which I rated 5 stars, and is followed by The Happy Ever After Playlist and Life’s Too Short, which both received 3-star ratings from me.
- Why I Loved It: This series had a little more to the plots than your typical romance, which made it easier to connect with the characters. Overall, an enjoyable, easy-to-read series is always fulfilling to me.
- Perfect For: Romance lovers looking for a little more depth in their romance choices.
Honorable Mentions
- Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
- Dust Storm by Maggie C. Gates
The two novels in my Honorable Mentions were enjoyable reads, but didn’t make my favorites list for this month.
Overall, I was very satisfied with my reading choices in July. Not only did I get to spend some time delving into the crime scenes with the Naturals series, but I also got to witness some truly swoon-worthy romance scenes with my romance picks this month. I have high hopes for my reading choices in August.
Until then, feel free to share some of your favorite reads from July!
Off to start another book,
