June – July 2024 Reads
I enjoyed the 5 books that I’ve read for the months June and July. So much so that I rated each book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. While they are not earth shattering stories, they moved me in some way, kept me up at night, and felt emotionally invested in. Plus, through the years I’ve gotten very generous when rating novels. I consider the authors’ work, creativity, imagination, and perseverence in getting published. So when I don’t like a book, I still try to give it 3 or 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐. I’ve refrained from giving less than 3 because I recognize and respect the hustle these fiction writers have gone through to get an editor and then get published. KWIM! Anyway, how’s your reading list this year?
Eight Years Gone by Cate Beauman 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jagger Tennyson never had it easy, but that all changes when Dr. Steven Evans knocks on his front door. Leaving poverty and hopelessness behind, Jagger creates a life he’s been too afraid to dream of. But tragedy strikes late one night, and everything falls apart. Jagger is forced to walk away, leaving the woman he loves.
Grace Evans grew up with wealth and privilege, but she’s no stranger to loss and pain. When she meets the gorgeous boy from the wrong side of the tracks, everything changes for the better. Grace has never loved anyone the way she loves Jagger. But he vanishes on the night that nearly destroys her. (SOURCE: GOODREADS)
Silent Child by Sarah A. Denzil: 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In the summer of 2006, Emma Price watched helplessly as her six-year-old son’s red coat was fished out of the River Ouse. It was the tragic story of the year – a little boy, Aiden, wandered away from school during a terrible flood, fell into the river, and drowned.
His body was never recovered.
Ten years later, Emma has finally rediscovered the joy in life. She’s married, pregnant, and in control again…
… until Aiden returns.
Too traumatized to speak, he raises endless questions and answers none. Only his body tells the story of his decade-long disappearance. The historic broken bones and injuries cast a mere glimpse into the horrors Aiden has experienced. Aiden never drowned. Aiden was taken.
As Emma attempts to reconnect with her now teenage son, she must unmask the monster who took him away from her. But who, in their tiny village, could be capable of such a crime? (SOURCE: GOODREADS)
On His Way Back To Me by Brittany Bacinski: 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jade and Paul fall for each other hard as teenagers in their small town of Tiffin, Ohio. They seem to be made for one another until one day, it all unravels.
Later, Jade meets Sam, an affluent real estate mogul from Chicago who promises to give her the life she could never have in Tiffin. Life is never as it seems, with Paul resurfacing before her upcoming nuptials, begging her to change her mind. When Paul suddenly passes away, Jade is overcome with regret and spirals into a mind-bending quest through the Appalachian Mountains in an attempt to reach him again.
In the foggy mountains, Jade must decide once and for all – will she risk her life to be with Paul again, or will she choose instead to remain in a place she’s no longer meant to be? (SOURCE: GOODREADS)
My First My Last My Only by Denise Carbo: 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A second chance at love or heartbreak…
Socially awkward and prone to accidents, Franny Dawson has a brand new project—herself. Owning the local bakery, The Sweet Spot, has taken all her time and energy and she’s neglected the social aspects of her life. The small lakeside town of Granite Cove, New Hampshire is full of quirky residents eager to help and hinder her new plan.
Mitch Atwater, her first love, returns to town. He has an agenda of his own and is wreaking havoc with her goals and her heart.
Can Franny outwit her nemesis, overcome her perfect sister’s surprise return, and escape the cocoon of her own insecurities to take a chance on love and get her very own happily ever after?(SOURCE: GOODREADS)
Remembering Passion by Aleatha Romig: 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Damien Sinclair is a force of nature—the beauty of a sunset over the ocean yet capable of devastating hurricane-strength winds. At one time, he’d held my heart in his hands. That was, until the day I walked away.
I didn’t leave him because I didn’t love him. It was that loving him was too much, an all-encompassing affair. In his presence, I ceased to exist.
For two years, I worked to build a life free from Damien’s irresistible pull. I succeeded until one fate-filled afternoon I found myself seated by his side for a long flight. Unbelievably, we were headed to the same destination. His sinfully charming smile, charisma, and devilish smirk reminded me of all we’d shared. (SOURCE: GOODREADS)
