It’s JULY! But I’ve made a large stride toward my reading goal that doesn’t pay me enough (at all). 😂

I’ve got a mix of goods today so you could say it’s a salad or maybe a buffet. Literally take your pick.

I did have some REALLY great reads this month which is both good and bad for you and your reading lists perhaps.

Let’s jump right in…

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The Billionaire’s Destined Bride by Mandi Blake

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I loved this book! I guess it might have been a novella, but it’s hard to tell. I read her full length books just as fast 😂

Yeah, sure, it’s bordering on unbelievable, but doesn’t that make the best stories?

Cole, a billionaire whose family owns a company that partners with Sophia’s dad’s company, offers to marry her when she faces a challenge ahead. He already had the start of feelings for her anyway so why not.

I loved the slow burn of this and how they chose take things slow (as they could) before the official proposal and wedding – so she’d choose him for him and not the arrangement. Could it get any better???

Not to mention their faith throughout it all. So well done. Again, haven’t met a Mandi Blake book I haven’t enjoyed or loved.

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We Go Together by Ellie Hall

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

SUPER quick read I would have read in one evening had I not needed sleep desperately.

It’s a cute second-chance romance. Literally so short it’s not much, but enough. A great beach read. 🙂

Part of SoCal Summer Kisses romance series. Standalone, but the characters pop up in each.

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Home Run Heart by Hailey Gardiner

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

UGH, this is the last book by Hailey Gardiner. 😭

It ended on a high note though and that’s what matters.

Nora and her high school sweetheart, Brooks, reunite right in the diner she works at. With the help of meddling diner employees and Brooks sisters, they reconnect for real. I loved this story of second chances and moving on from traumatic/toxic relationships.

Notes:

• Baseball player MMC
• Single mom, diner manager FMC
• Cheating (past)
• Toxic parent relationship
• Therapy sessions
• Baseball teammate shenanigans
• Pottery

Some almost swears, talk of needing to stop swearing and cursing under breath.

Brooks drives a Tesla and I almost made this a 4 star because of it. 😂 juuuuust kidding, I’m just disappointed.

Quotes:

You keep me grounded. You remind me that it’s okay if things aren’t perfect. I don’t want to lose this momentum that you’ve helped me create. For the first time, I feel like I’m on the right path for the right reasons, and I want you to walk it with me.

Let me take care of you.

This is book two in the Kitt’s Harbor series.

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Love On The Run by Mandi Blake

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Nothing like getting a book delivered after lunch on a Sunday afternoon and having it finished before bed. ❤️

Another amazing read by Mandi Blake! What in the WORLD. So good.

This was a paperback read because I couldn’t wait for the ebook to hit my kindle app and the paperback was available on Amazon way before release date, and then they delivered it days earlier than expected. So I was dedicated to the cause: reading this as soon as possible.

Why do I do this though? 😂

Here we have a 28yo lawyer boss babe FMC and a 32yo auto shop owner. Sparks are flying in and out of that shop!

Hooked from the first page of this book. Anna and Beau were perfect compliments of each other. 🫶🏻

Notes:

• Faithful, solid man of God – not just a “Christian guy” 🥰
• The bookstore moment
• The dancing 💃
• One bed
• He takes care of her 🫶🏻
• Controlling parents
• Mysterious friend appearances
• Loving friendships

Quotes:

He wasn’t interested in “hanging out.”

He didn’t care to “date.”

“Getting to know someone” wasn’t for him.

He needed a wife like he needed a toe fungus.

Cars could break him, speed could kill him, but Anna would consume him.

This is book five in the Love in Blackwater series. Book SIX coming in the future, which is exciting.

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Hide Away With You by Judy Corry

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

3.5 rounded up.

So I enjoyed this one. It definitely kept me flipping the pages, especially the second half when Evan legitimately was in the picture and in present day.

Had some issues with the book for my reading tastes (some topics below to make your own decisions), and even though the ending was really rushed in my opinion, I did like the HEA and the sneak peek into Ian’s story.

Topics in this book:

• Crushes between 17-21yr olds recounted in journal entries
• Mafia bosses
• Murders (past, recounted)
• Running away from problems, changing identities
• Talk of sex/sleeping together before marriage but nothing happens on page, all closed door
• Lusty
• Catholic background but no real hold on faith

No swearing in this which I appreciated.

While I didn’t completely love this book, I do want to give the author a chance and maybe I should have picked a different book/series to introduce myself to her writing. Sometimes we don’t make good choices here 😂

Continuation from Eden Falls Academy series that I didn’t read. I’d recommend reading that series before this, but not necessary. The story just brought up Eden Falls Academy and other character stories quite a bit.

This is book one in the Kings of Eden Falls series.

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London, Love, & A Little Something Irish by Nataly Jennings

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I really enjoyed that this was based on the true story of the author’s real love story. At the same time, that was partially what contributed to me not loving it, I think.

I found this one online somehow and was immediately intrigued. I didn’t love it, but it was still enjoyable and portrayed the real and relatable struggles of a young adult in the Christian dating world.

When you invest your heart in someone – even someone who doesn’t deserve it – it hurts when they walk away.

I’ve had a bit of a hard time understanding God’s grace throughout my life. The more time has passed, I’ve grasped it better. But the perfectionist in me still crops up a lot.

Full of faith and values, this story delivers on authenticity and heart.

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The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

What a lovely story! So many things in this short story. A quick one day read.

It’s not the candle, but the Giver of the candle that provides the miracles. I loved this whole story. I wasn’t sure at first because of the belief in these candles like a superstition, but I loved the talks between the congregation and their new cynical reverend and their backstories. How God listens to prayers in His timing and through other people was marvelous.

Quotes:

Richmond began reviewing the facts, counting them with his fingers. “The angel comes once every twenty-five years?”

Edward nodded.

“He touches one candle?”

“So far.”

“And that candle has power?”

“No, God has the power. The candle is just the … Bea, what did you call it?”

“The vessel.”

“I can’t encourage false hope. I want no

part of disappointing people.”

“And the candle disappoints people?”

“How can it not? One candle. A village of needs. God would not single out one person and ignore the others. It’s not fair.”

Emily replied with measured words. “Perhaps he singles out one person to show the others what he can do.”

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Emma Jane’s Guide to Matchmaking the Mayor by Drew Taylor

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Based loosely off of Emma by Jane Austen, this story is a modern retelling.

I haven’t read Emma, but I know the gist. I think this story did its job and the ending was great. Guess who didn’t have any notes typed up except that there’s a 13y age gap. 🙂

At times the dialogue felt choppy, but I don’t know if that was the writing or just simply trying to play up the Jane Austen vibe.

Notes:

• 13y age gap

Quotes:

Life is simply not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about Jesus, plain and simple. All that we do, we do it for Him. Living for yourself only brings heartache and unreachable expectations. Living for Him brings freedom from faultlessness.”

This is one of maybe two books I’ve read of Drew Taylor and this is one of the stand alone novels in the multi-author Love on the Ballot series.

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Justice by Emily Conrad

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I was gifted this book when I first got introduced to Emily Conrad books so I was excited to give her debut novel a read finally!

Emily Conrad handles Christian struggles so well. I just can’t imagine writing some of these things, but I’m glad God provided this gift to others like her. The world needs more humans like this.

Notes:

• Childhood friends
• Men take care of the women in their lives
• Faith in action, mistakes made along the way
• “Leave being God to God”
• Sexual abuse
• Strong man of faith
• He pursues, respects and waits for her
• Addresses the questions:
  • Why do things happen that are evil, hurtful?
  • Revenge vs Justice

Forgiving isn’t ignoring. It’s leaving it to God.

This is a standalone novel.

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The Overdue Kiss by Callie Thomas

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

One of my favorites from this series!!

The absolute pursuit and patience along the way. ❤️ I’m a goner for this one. Maya and Desmond were the cutest thing since I discovered piglets! I loved the ending on top of such a sweet book.

Notes:

• Shes working on her masters & being a librarian
• He’s working on not falling for her & being a math teacher

“You’re going to be alright, Des. You just have a big heart, and big hearts bruise the easiest.”

This is book four in the Give a Bookish Girl a Biker multi-author series. Don’t have to read in order, but they are in order and are woven together.

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The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

*here lies Summer in a puddle*

I loved this one so much. Can we get this in movie form? I know, I know, it’ll ruin it, but seriously, this could be a movie!!!

Micah and Raegan were sweet for each other from the moment they met and the chemistry was sizzling off the page in the best ways imaginable. I loved the journey they both took along the way, even when it was difficult for them.

Notes:

• Subtle and sweet humor
• Micah is the MAN 🔥 (can you say, hot therapist 😂)
• Raegan is so sweet and a people pleaser
• I loved all the “don’t be a therapist to me” moments 😂
  • He was like, I’m unemployed so 😂

Hate speaks to what’s in our heart, more than his.

This is the second book in the Fog Harbor Romance series. These are stand alones because I didn’t see any hint at the first book. I’m excited to read the third soon!!

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The Perfect Love Song by Patti Callahan Henry

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Well I didn’t realize I had started this in 2024 😂

It’s been in my stack of “started books” and I thought I had started it earlier this year. Nope.

It was an okay read, not a favorite. The story follows brothers Jack and Jimmy and their loves, Kara and Charlotte respectively. Jimmy and Charlotte write a song together that really becomes famous, but the world wants Jimmy so he goes on this tour close to Christmas. Jack and Kara are getting married in Ireland ON CHRISTMAS MORNING and so everyone’s having a cow because Jimmy is off singing instead of being there for the people he loves.

This is a story about redemption, forgiveness and love.

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A Winter by the Sea by Julie Klassen

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

One of my favorites by Julie Klassen! ❤️

An excellent read full of heart and the love of family between a mother and her daughters, all working together to stay together and serve their community.

Notes:

• James was 🔥
• Searching for hairpins 😂
  • Emily encountering Mr. Thomson in the hallway
• The DRAMA with their eldest sister and these other males in the mix. We slowly learn what came of their oldest sister since it wasn’t detailed in the first book.
• Faith and heart
• Sarah and the chef 👀
  • Loved their interactions!
• Slow burn romance at its best

This is book two in the On Devonshire Shores series. Best read in order for sure.

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It Is Well: Walking Away From Anxiety & Into God’s Word

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I’m so glad I picked this out years ago… and picked it up when I was actually feeling the anxiety of life. I don’t even know why I got it years ago, but blessed because of it regardless.

This study highlights some verses and then there’s reading to do within this book, ending with questions. I enjoyed this whole study and received so much insight just from reading the scripture and digging into His Word. The study is rich in truth and pointing us back to Him & His Word.

Highly recommend and I’d go through this again for sure.

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Selling Out by Martha Keyes

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I love Martha Keyes books and it has been a while. The backlist is huge.

I also loved this story even though it was heavy on the kissing and hiccups. 😂

4.5 ✨

I didn’t love the alluding to sleeping with people a few times (not about the main characters I don’t think), but it didn’t fit my vibe.

The Sheppards are my jam. Mia and the connection to the Falling for Summer series was definitely my jam! I didn’t realize Gemma was connected until toward the end of the book when she talked about going to Sunset Harbor! I was like, WHAT! Very fun.

Austin Sheppard was 🔥 no further comment.

Guaranteed HEA and I don’t normally love a story about “celebrities” and the contracts and complications, but this one was so well done for me.

This is book three in the Sheppards in Love series.

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Hail Marry by Martha Keyes

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I loved this one so much more than I thought I would!!!!

So I was already in love with the book based on the synopsis, but then I read said book, and melted. I’m a puddle for at least the second time this month.

Notes:

• THE MEET CUTE 😂
• Grumpy x sunshine
• Tori is 25yo, idk how old Luca is exactly
• He takes care of her ❤️
• She wears his jersey 🥰
• Saying the characters swear a few times without saying the words
• Football romcom
• VISA issues, danger of deportation

“I get it now. You’re like an emotional mullet.”

“Huh?”

“Business on the outside. Party on the inside.”

That draws an actual smile, and now I feel like I just won a big game.

Luca’s gaze is fixed on me, searching my face. “I think you lucked out.”

My brows pull together.

“You don’t belong with someone like him-someone who’s trying to change you. It sounds like the problem wasn’t that you weren’t enough; it was that he couldn’t handle everything you have to offer. Him and his boring twenty-year plan.” He smiles a little and meets my eyes squarely, becoming more serious again. “I’m sorry he hurt you. But I’m grateful he didn’t succeed in changing you.”

She went from stranger to the centerpiece of my life.

The thought of getting those hopes up only to have them crushed again has been too much for me to even consider. But hope doesn’t play by the rules. It doesn’t knock or ask permission to come in. It slips in through the crevices and cracks and starts expanding. Before you realize it, it’s wrestling your fears.

“Is that weird to you? I’d take physical pain over emotional pain any day.”

She’s quiet as her eyes search mine. “And you think I’m going to cause you emotional pain?”

I force myself to meet her eyes, but it takes me what fels like a full minute to say, “You have the power to break me, Tori.”

I’ve officially read all of Martha Keyes modern day set books, but I’ve barely made a dent in any of her regency reads. That’s on my list!!

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Okay, so obviously I ended on a high note! I TRIED to finish at least one more book for month end wrap-up because I know no bounds and I have no chill, but I must report that I did not succeed.

I have some sick reads coming this next month and though I’m going to finish up a few reads leftover from who knows when, I’m going to shoot for some Christmas in July for ya! So we’ll see how many Christmas reads I can knock out in the middle of this OKLAHOMA HEAT THAT I CAN’T EVEN WITH RIGHT NOW.

I’m fine. 🙂

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Books read this month: 16

Books read this year: 93

Goal for the year: 100

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I added quite a few books online for sale this month. You can check out my bookstore here:

https://pangobooks.com/bookstore/notyourseason

Follow me on GoodReads here:

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/131896341

Follow my little Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/notyourseason?igsh=MW5kMnltOXJocTEyOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

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If you stuck around to this point in the post, THANKS.

Feel free to comment what you read during June!!