My July 2024 Reading Roundup – A Book Review
This past month has been filled with writing! I’m taking a break from my next manuscript and instead focusing on writing a script, Treating Miss V, that my husband wants to direct. Treating Miss V is a teenage vampire story. I’m in the middle of putting the finishing touches on version 2 of it, including his notes and mine. We both just wanted more. More action, more suspense, just more.
I’ll let you know if there’s to be a version 3 soon. Though I’m itching to get to writing my next book (the book version of Treating Miss V), I do want the script to be the best it can be, so I’m in it for the long haul if necessary.
Deciding to switch gears from writing Book 2 of The Secrets We Keep series next, to instead writing Treating Miss V, was a tough one for me because I know my readers on Wattpad are itching for book 2. I’ve even outlined it already. But I’m hoping they’ll enjoy this little pivot to a YA vampire story. As long as I promise to get back to William and his adventures asap. 😉
As always, even though I write like crazy now, I also read like crazy. I read 7 books this past month to study structure, to get inspired and really for my own enjoyment. Without further adieu, here’s the reading roundup for July!
Until You (Book 1.5 of Fall Away Series) by Penelope Douglas
I listened to this one on audible. It’s currently included with an audible membership. This is a continuation of the Fall Away series. You can read my review for book 1 here.
The author promised at the beginning in her note to the readers that this wasn’t a rehash of book 1, but it totally was. It filled in the blanks of what Jared did while he wasn’t in Tate’s presence, but it didn’t add much. I felt it was completely unnecessary. And it didn’t make me like him more hearing it from his POV. I like this author, but I felt the writing was lazy. And he sounded immature at times but I guess he was 17-18 years old, so… You can skip this one.
2/5 stars
Rival (Book 2 of Fall Away Series) by Penelope Douglas
Also listened on audible. Best book in the series so far. I liked Fallon and Madoc together. It was taboo, the step siblings thing. But no one really batted that heavy of an eye. Her getting pregnant and forced to abort it by her parents was sad. And when he found out about it, he got over it pretty quickly, which was like, huh? That’s it? Fallon dancing with that guy at the college club and then Madoc being like nope, beat it. Love that.
Anyway, I enjoyed the happy ending and how they were meant to be.
3.75 / 5 stars
Falling Away (Book 3 of Fall Away Series) by Penelope Douglas
Listened to this one on audible. And nope, this one was better than the last one. Best book of the series. Really enjoyed Juliette and Jax together. The I always wanted you and just you thing they had? Swoon.
I got emotional at the end when he did some questionable things to make her jealous. I was disappointed in him. But I suppose considering his messed up, abusive, upbringing, not thinking he’s worthy of her love makes sense. There’s an intense scene between the two of them when she tells him she loves him for the first time. I could feel that. So good. So perfect for each other.
4.5/5 stars
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
I read the hard copy from my library. This author I think has written 3 books so far and now, I’ve read them all. And sadly, they keep getting worse for me. I may be done with this author. I don’t know. I’ll check reviews on amazon and make a decision. You can read my reviews for her other two books here and here.
Felix and Lucy. And that island. So many damn details. Too many damn details. Slow, slow, slow. A chore to read and surprisingly not much sex in it or at least not much hot sex. Oh the characters had sex, but not detailed. It was fade to black. Or a couple sentences.
The reason her friend was so distraught that Lucy had to fly to the island to comfort her? Oh my God, what? It was not a good enough reason for a freak out that had to be drawn out for the vast majority of the book.
And then the lack of communication, especially after that last time when he made love to her, forehead to forehead? Of course that was love and then she pushed him away because of her friend. And then he shut down for a year. And then they’re back in each other’s lives and finally talk! 5 slow years later. And then they date long distance and take it slow AF.
Everything about this book was slow. I was never excited to read it. Just wanted it to be over. Least favorite by this author. Saccharine ending. Not enough conflict. No real stakes. You can skip this one too.
2/5 stars
Aflame (Book 3.5 of Fall Away Series) by Penelope Douglas
Listened to this on audible. Jared and Tate unnecessarily break up and get back together. An unnecessary story, but a breezy way to spend the afternoon. No real stakes. Bringing in Jared’s ex in the strip club? Whatever. Barely an inconvenience. You’d have to be a hard core fan to need to read this one. Super predictable and saccharine sweet.
3/5 stars
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Listened to this one through my library’s audiobook system. This is my favorite Emily Henry book. It made me laugh. Made me happy. I loved Daphne and Miles together.
Daphne thinking no one wanted to be around her and having issues with her dad and never being able to count on him, made her more real. And her telling her dad off at the end. It needed to happen. And Miles not being close to his parents who were crazy, telling him when he was a kid to not be an inconvenience to them ever. Wow.
Her telling him that she feels bad for people who don’t get to love him. I loved the speech at the end. They were perfect for each other. An enjoyable read!
4.5/5 stars
Next to Never (Book 4.5 of Fall Away Series) by Penelope Douglas
Listened to this on audible. I thought it was gonna be Quinn and Lucas’s story, but it was Quinn’s mother and Madoc’s father’s story within a story. I didn’t like it. The sex was too quick and I just didn’t care. The only good thing about it was that it was short. This can definitely be skipped. I still love Penelope Douglas though. This just wasn’t her best.
1/5 stars
Thanks for reading!
