June 2021 Novel Ideas: 25 Quick Book Reviews

Haven Point by Virginia Hume

This book has so much to offer from the multigenerational story to the characters who each have secrets that slowly unfold at the family home in the wasps coastal town.

More than a beach read, this book is an emotional portrayal of three generations of women and their love for each other and those around them.

I absolutely loved this book. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own

All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle

This contemporary fiction book was my surprise star of the summer so far. I had not heard of the book and thought it sounded great. I loved every minute of it.

Hubert Bird is a widower who has weekly conversations with his daughter in Australia. He tells her amazing stories about how he spends his time. The problem? It is all made up.

With his daughter coming to visit, Hubert must find friends and a life to show his daughter.

Hubert gets a second chance at love and friendship but the book dives deeper into Hubert’s past as well. The depth and sincerity in this book are wonderful and I cannot say enough good things about this feel-good book from our list of books like A Man Called Ove.

Spells Trouble by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast

Hunter and Mercy Goode are twins who are about the celebrate their birthday and learn what it means to be the gatekeepers.

They are witches. When trees start dying, the gates start opening and people start dying, the twins are not prepared for what they must do do save the town and themselves.

This is the first book in a trilogy and although I enjoyed it, there were a few things that disappointed me. I also think that the plot twist could have been less obvious. Also, It was clear that this is the first book because the story ends rather abruptly and leaves you hanging (a huge pet peeve). Now I have to wait until April of 2022 to know what happens next! Ugh!

Thank you Macmillian Audio for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Once Upon a Royal Summer by Teri Wilson

Sometimes you need a book that you know will make you smile. This book is exactly what I needed. It is a delightful, feel-good PG romance that will leave you with a smile. Does this end with a happily ever after? Of course! This information is not a spoiler. But who does not love a perfect Cinderella story?

Thank you NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing. All opinions are my own

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Nina Riva is having her annual summer party that is famous for its epic scale and exclusivity. But this year, the party will end with devastation.

Nina and her siblings are famous children of one of the biggest rock stars of all time and they each have their secrets.

I have loved the last two books by Taylor Jenkins Reid so much that I often recommend them to friends for their universal appeal. I had high hopes for this book but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I enjoyed the book but I felt that it was a little drawn out at times.

Thank you Libro.fm for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own

Blush by Jamie Brenner

This newest book from Jamie Brenner is a departure from her previous books that have all been set in coastal towns. This story takes place on a vineyard!

Three generations of women must come together to save the family home and livelihood by having the failing vineyard. This would not be an easy task on any day but, they are also fighting against sexism and the belief that a women’s role is elsewhere.

Vivian, Leah and Sadie must each confront their pasts and their own demons in order to come together.

Thank you Putnam for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Therapist by B.A Paris

I listened to the book and I have to say that I think it added so much to the suspense! I love the way the narrators added to the story.

Alice and Leo move into a house on “The Circle”, an exclusive gated community. When Alice finds out a secret about the house, she wants to find out more about the therapist who lived there before.

As Alice tried to uncover secrets, she is met with lies and confusion until she is not sure what is true.

Thank you Macmillian Audio for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own

And Now You’re Back by Jill Mansell

Didi met her first love when she 17 years old. After one magical night in Venice with Shay, Didi was in love until Shay disappeared. Seventeen years later, Shay turns up to fulfill the wishes of his dying father.

I started this book and did not put it down until I was done. It was such a feel good book- it was exactly what I was looking for.

Dial A for Aunties by Jessie Q Sutano

I heard great things about this romantic comedy/ murder mystery mashup. It sounds like the weirdest combo, right? This book had me laughing out loud.

Meddelin Chen has an amazing, meddling Chinese-Indonesian family. Meddelin and her four Aunts run a wedding business together. When Meddelin accidentally kills her date and he ends up in a cooler at a wedding with two thousand people, what can go wrong?

This comedy of errors is being adapted by Netflix and if it is anything like the book, it will be amazing too.

Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie

Let me start by saying that this is a beautifully written book that follows Noriko Kamiza from the time she is dropped off at her grandparents house and through her life. The story examines Japanese culture in a world after WWII.

Nothing good happens in this book. Nothing. If I had known this before I read it, I may have liked it more. This Saga follows Nori through hardship and loss. It is a beautiful book but it left me miserable.

Shoulder Season by Christina Claney

Sherri Taylor is 19 years old when she becomes the newest bunny in the hutch at the playboy resort. After her parents die in a short period of time. Sherri quickly settles into a life of sex, drugs and rock and roll.

As she navigates life, love and friendship, she learns what sisterhood really is.

This book is unlike anything that I have read before.

Thank you Macmillian Audio for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Little Teashop in Tokyo

This book was so much fun to read. Fiona is a travel blogger who wins a competition and finds herself in Tokyo on an all expense paid trip.

When her mentor is unexpectedly changed to the man who broke her heart years ago, Fiona is embarrassed and needs to pretend nothing is amiss.

This book is adorable and fun and took me on a virtual trip to Japan

A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe

I was interested to read this book about a housewife turned female informant for the FBI. I went in interested to learn about the government’s efforts to root out Communism in the 50s but stayed to understand Katharina’s story.

I can’t imagine being a wife in the 50s. The ideals that society put on women were just too much. Too many constraints, too many rules, and far too much judgement. If you are looking for books like Lessons in Chemistry, this is the choice for you.

I loved seeing Katharina find herself through her undercover work, but sometimes those scenes of her life at home were hard to read about because I came to despise her husband.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

What a ride! Jean Hanff Korelitz’s thriller is quite something. It’s one I just adored even if I did figure the big twist out early on. It’s the journey with this book.

Jacob is a formerly successful writer who is struggling to write his next great novel. His student Evan dies without having published his own incredible story, so Jacob decides to write it himself to great critical acclaim.

But then someone starts threatening to expose him for the theft of the story, launching him into the truth behind the tale he wrote about. This is the perfect story for our list of books about thieves!

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Wow. I’m still processing this genre-defying novel. It’s a social commentary and a thriller all in one. It makes me want to sit down and discuss it with everyone.

Nella is the only black girl at her publishing house until Hazel is hired. Thinking she’s found an ally, instead she begins to wonder if Hazel might be an enemy instead.

As Hazel’s career soars, Nella is left questioning her identity, her ideals, and what it means to be a black woman in the business world, while trying to uncover who is behind the scary notes she keeps receiving.

Thanks to Atria for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews

Can you believe this was my first Mary Kay Andrews story? What a story it was!

After Letty discovered her sister murdered, she whisks her niece, Maya, down to Florida so they can go into hiding. While Letty tries to untangle her sister’s web of secrets at The Surf motel, Joe, the owner’s son, tries to untangle his growing feeling for Letty.

Part mystery, part suspense, part romance, but pure delight, this won’t be my last Mary Kay Andrews novel. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

Once Upon A Royal Summer by Teri Wilson

Lacey is a princess by trade at a theme park that seems awfully similar to Disneyland. She adores her job and meeting all the guests, especially Henry who happens to be an actual prince of a small country.

Very G-rated hijinks ensue and it was simply adorable. I hope Hallmark ends up making it into a movie.

Under a Siena Sun by T.A. Williams

Ever since I read Juliet by Anne Fortier, which appears in my favorite books post, I have been obsessed with Siena, Italy.

I knew I had to read this one as soon as I read the description. It’s a romance set in the shadows of an ancient castle ruin and it just made me smile. Doctor Lucy was such a good foil for tennis superstar, David.

It was the escape I needed at the end of a long week. Thanks to Canelo Escape for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue by Karina Yan Glaser

Those Vanderbeekers are at it again in the latest installment of this middle-grade series about a bi-racial family of 7 from Harlem.

This time, they accidentally got Mama’s baking license revoked and someone keeps leaving stray pets at their brownstone. Can the Vanderbeeker kids make everything right in their neighborhood once again?

You know they will, but the journey is quite a ride!

Tokyo Ueno Station by Miri Yū

This book was incredibly well-written, utterly captivating, and rather depressing. Kazu is dead, but he can’t find peace in the afterlife so he haunts Tokyo’s Ueno Station.

We learn about his life, his family, and how they faired during some of Japan’s most important moments in modern history from the Tokyo Olympics to the recent tsunami.

Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan

After learning of his sister’s brutal murder, Ren heads to a small town outside Tokyo to wrap up his sisters affairs.

Instead, he ends up taking over her job and her apartment as he tries to piece together what was happening with his sister in the years leading up to her death. In the process, he finds himself.

The Hunting Wives by May Cobb

Ugh. This was so disappointing. I just couldn’t find any sympathy for the lead character in this mommy thriller.

When Sophie moves to Texas she falls in with a group of clique moms that are a bad influence. After a girl connected to her inner circle goes missing, she learns just how deadly the group of women can be.

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

Wow. This was one of the realistic fiction audiobooks for tweens I listened to with my own kids and we all just adored it.

It’s a coming-of-age story about a deaf girl who is struggling to connect with her community and a whale named Blue 52 who can’t find his ocean community either. She sets out to connect with Blue 52 and along the way she finds her inner strength in a beautiful way.

This middle grade book for 10-year-olds is delightful for adults too!

While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

Who knew that Stacey Abrams could write a thriller while campaigning during an election year?

Well her debut thriller kept me on the edge of my seat. I had no idea I would find a legal thriller so engaging, but I really did enjoy this one.

I had no idea that when Supreme Court Justices get sick, they are still required to work.

Tokyo Every After by Emiko Jean

This is like the Princess Diaries meets What A Girl Wants but set in Japan…and Ya’ll know I LOVED it.

I’m hoping this is the first in a new series about the Japanese royal family. I adored learning about the Imperial family and the customs surrounding them.

I’m so thrilled that Reese chose it as a YA pick. It’s a perfect summer read.