With the attention span of a squirrel at the moment, it’s a miracle I made it through four books last month (but not all the ones that I hoped to get to). What I read in June 2020 was four stars across the board, although most didn’t do much for me. So let’s jump into some reviews!
What I read in June 2020
THE KNOCKOUT QUEEN by Rufi Thorpe
My rating & review: 4 stars. I really struggled with my feelings about this book. Did I like it? Hate it? Somewhere in between? I’m still not entirely sure. It was a slow read that was heavily character-driven opposed to a strong plot. Michael’s friendship with Bunny was beyond complicated, but it was unique. I did adore Michael and how he was beyond his years, even though my heart broke for him multiple times. The writing is beautiful, and I think the story as a whole is a testament to how friendships/relationships/life circumstances can make or break you.
SOMEONE LIKE YOU (Oxford #3) by Lauren Layne
My rating & review: 4 stars. I haven’t read this series in order – I started with book four and then jumped to this. That said, it’s pretty easy to put all the pieces together and figure out the different characters/couples, etc. I enjoyed this a lot more than the other book I read. Very much a slow burn romance that I was getting antsy to resolve itself by the end. There was more character development and backstory than I expected, even though some felt overly-familiar and like it had been done before.
I FOUND YOU by Lisa Jewell
My rating & review: 4 stars. It had been so long since I picked up a Lisa Jewell book, so this felt like coming home. One of my favorite thriller/mystery writers, and this book further proves why. A little slow at first, but then next thing I knew I was up until 2 a.m. because I had to know what happened next. Definitely a page-turner that would make for a great beach read.
TAKE A HINT, DANI BROWN by Talia Hibbert
*ARC received from NetGalley.
My rating & review: 4 stars. I was anxious to read this after thoroughly enjoying Chloe Brown, and it didn’t disappoint. This was just as good and stands on it’s own – you don’t need to read the first in the series to know what’s happening. Dani and Zaf were adorable together. I appreciated that the author gave us an elevated version of the typical fake-dating-turns-real plot. Both characters were well flushed out with plenty of context, depth and insight. Always refreshing to read a contemporary romance with real, relatable characters and life situations.
Currently reading: Normal People by Sally Rooney
What are you reading?
Let’s connect on Goodreads! You also can keep up with all my reading in the archives.
Oh yay! I loved Dani Brown too. Will be VERY curious about your thoughts on Normal People. lol. I also really enjoy Lisa Jewell and The Oxford series.
Sounds like a decent reading month 🙂 I think I got Knockout Queen as an Amazon First Reads, but still haven’t read it. It’s on the list! Thanks for sharing.
Hope you enjoy it!
I just returned Knockout Queen to the library and didn’t get a chance to read it. I haven’t heard much positive about it lately so it may just stay.
I can’t argue with you – it was pretty hit/miss for me, so I would say get to other books first!
I loved I Found You. One of her best.
Agreed, so good!
I hope you love Normal People! I thought it was really special.
I absolutely loved it! Definitely a unique book.
Someone else reviewed The Knockout Queen and gave it a solid review, but I don’t know how I’d handle reading a book with a character named Bunny. I feel like it would get on my nerves, even in the context of a good story.
Ha! It’s so true.
Lisa Jewell is usually a solid read for me.
Same! I know I always can count on her books.
I like Lauren Layne and Lisa Jewel, so I will have to check those out. I have Dani Brown on the TBR.
Hope that you enjoy them all!
i read the oxford series in order so you get a lot of lincoln build up, but i felt the same as you, like it’d been done before so i was a wee bit disappointed after the build up, but still liked it. glad you liked dani brown! i think i own that lisa jewell book so will have to get to it soon.
Loved Dani Brown! Such a good read. I think you’d like the Lisa Jewell book – she hardly ever disappoints for me.
I really enjoyed I found you! Lisa Jewell is one of my faves for sure!
Same here!
Thanks for the honest information! Always love to see what others are reading!
Thanks for stopping by!
I still need to read Chloe Brown, and The Knockout Queen is on my TBR, too. Hoping to read more of Jewell’s backlog as she is a new fave author of mine, so happy to see another positive review of her work. Curious to hear your thoughts on Normal People- it was quite a polarizing read!
Jewell is one of my favorite authors – always a go-to when I’m in a slump, so I hope that you enjoy more from her. Loved Normal People!
I hear you. I haven’t been reading much since the outbreak and isn’t because I don’t want to. It’s because I cannot sit down long enough to get through a few pages – my little guy needs to be moving all the time if you know what I mean. I Found You sounds like my type of book. Looking forward to getting my hands on it!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
It has been a super distracting time for everybody! Hope you enjoy the Lisa Jewell book if you get to it.
Glad you enjoyed these! I ordered Get A Life, Chloe Brown so I’m hoping that will come sooner than later.
-Lauren
That was such a good one, happy reading!
It’s always interesting to see what you’ve been reading, I’m still trying to find the time to finish The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo!
You need to finish it one of these days, lol!
Thank you for the reading inspo girl x
Lisa | lisaautumn.com
Always, thanks for stopping by!
I love Lauren Layne and really enjoyed that series!! I am reading two books simultaneously right now – one on my kindle and one actual book LOL! xo, Biana BlovedBoston
I always admire those of you that can read two books at once – I wish I could, but my mind is too much of a jumble these days! Ha!