July Reads {2021}

I can’t believe that it’s August already. Summer is halfway through and I don’t feel like I did everything I wanted to! Sadly, my reading hasn’t been great this summer.  I feel like I’ve read a lot more in past summers than I have this one.  Here are my July reads:

3 stars:

The Kindred Spirits Club by Amy E. Reichert (contemporary romance/paranormal, April 2021). Sabrina is jobless and has to move back home, working for her childhood enemy. She and the women in her family can see and talk to spirits, which has always made her feel like a freak. Then she meets Ray, owner of a local restaurant. The two realize that they can help each other out….but will it turn out to be more? This was my first Reichert book. I wasn’t sure about the paranormal aspect of the book, but it somehow came together.  I’m not sure if all of her books have a fantasy aspect, but I may give some of her others a try.

The Other Wife by Claire McGowan – (Thriller, October 2019) Suzi is pregnant, living with her husband in a cottage in the middle of nowhere. She’s very excited when new neighbor, Nora, moves in next door. Then there’s Elle, who pretends to have a perfect life but feels like a prisoner in her home. But they all have their secrets and their stories end up intertwining. The book is told from the perspective of these three women and I found it a bit confusing to keep track of their stories. The storyline was a bit unbelievable to me and overall I was just underwhelmed with this book.

You Knew Me When by Emily Liebert – (Fiction, September 2013) Two childhood best friends are reunited when their beloved former neighbor passes away, leaving them both an inheritance with stipulations.  The book alternates between the past and present, showing how the friends became estranged. This was an okay book about female friendship.

4 stars:

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry – (contemporary romance, May 2021 ) Poppy and Alex met in college. Although complete opposites, the two formed a a fast friendship. Even though the two live busy, separate lives, for over a decade, they have taken an annual week long vacation together. But then two years ago something happened that ruined their friendship. Now Poppy is adamant about trying to fix their friendship. This was a fun, light summer read!

Too Good To Be True by Carola Lovering – (Suspense, March 2021) I went into this book, not knowing anything about it, as is recommended by many reviewers. So, I won’t get into too much detail here. However, this thriller kept me interested in reading! The story is told from three different POVs and you don’t know who to believe. Throw in some plot twists and you have decent thriller.

5 stars:

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed – (graphic novel/middle grade non-fiction/, April 2020) This graphic novel is about two brothers growing up in a refugee camp in Kenya.  It’s an informative, inspiring and fairly depressing read, as I had no idea that refugee camps are like this.  The story is based on co-author Omar’s actual experiences. The book gives readers an insight into the struggles going on in the world. I learned about this book from a previous linkup and am glad I gave this a read!

Sharing with Steph and Jana’s monthly Show Us Your Books!