Ok, first of all, I know that I'm about a month late writing this. I had a very busy reading month in June (9 books!), followed by a major slump in July (2 books), and somehow I just didn't have the wherewithal to write my June roundup until just this very moment. So (hopefully) better late than never, here we go!
All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown - 4 stars
I really, really enjoyed this book, despite its being set in a post-apocalyptic world where most of the population has been decimated by a super flu. This story of Andrew & Jamie navigating the world in the aftermath of said apocalypse was fun, and charming, and suspenseful, and really cleverly written. I definitely recommend this one.
Beyond the Sea by Keira Andrews - 4 stars
Honestly, I know that I'm going to love just about anything that Keira Andrews writes, she is one of my top five authors of queer romance. This book, the saga of pop star Troy being stranded on a desert island with pilot Troy, did not disappoint. Slow burn, strangers to friends to lovers, a remote deserted island - this one had something for everyone. Not my favorite of Ms. Andrews' works (that honor belongs to her Amish series), but very enjoyable, indeed.
Boyfriend Goals by Riley Hart - 3 stars
I'd been seeing a lot about this one on social media, but I struggled to get into it, putting it down several times before I ultimately committed to it. It was pleasant enough - Milo discovers that his grandmother, who he never knew, has died and left him a bookstore on a remote island in Maine. The bookstore comes with an apartment, which comes with a tattooed tenant, Gideon. Naturally, sparks fly. I enjoyed the setting, and I love anything set in a bookstore, but this one was just ok for me.
Egotistical Puckboy by Eden Finley & Saxon James - 4 stars
You guys, something happened to me this month. Something you should know about me is that I don't do sports - I don't play them, don't watch them, don't read about them. So you'll be just as surprised as I was that I found myself absolutely obsessed with the hockey-centric queer romance world that Eden Finley and Saxon James have created. Egotistical Puckboy was my gateway drug, and as you'll see, I quickly moved on to the hard stuff, the CU Hockey series.
Power Plays & Straight A's by Eden Finley & Saxon James - 4 stars
Book one of the above-referenced CU hockey series. Egotistical Puckboy may have drawn me in, but this book was the one that cemented my love of hockey-related romance. Me, who has no idea what the rules of hockey even are! But the story of Zach and Foster left me powerless, and I suspect it will do the same for you.
Face Offs & Cheap Shots by Eden Finley & Saxon James - 4 stars
You see, I wasn't kidding when I said I fell hard. I jumped immediately into book two of the CU hockey series, and I couldn't be more glad I did. I thought I liked Zach and Foster, but it turns out I like Jacobs & Beck even more!
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson - 2 stars
The description of this one (an epic fantasy about a group of childhood friends who are also witches) is right up my alley, but the book itself, unfortunately, not so much. I did appreciate the political and social aspects of this book, but I thought it could have used a lighter touch - the messages ultimately overshadowed the story for me. This is the first book in a trilogy, and it's got a cliffhanger of an ending, but I don't think I'll be sticking around for the next installment.
Book Boyfriend by Kris Ripper - 2 stars
Another one that I've been seeing a lot about on social media, but it just wasn't for me. Honestly, the writing style was a big part of what kept me from enjoying this book. The main character and narrator, PK, has a racing mind that just won't quit, and the writing mirrors this energy. It felt chaotic to me, and the word like was used as a complete sentence multiple times. The premise was cute (struggling writer can't express his feelings to his roommate, so writes a bestselling novel about them instead), but I felt like this book was all PK, and we got so little insight into any of the other characters, especially Art, the roommate in question.
Rivals by Katherine McGee - 4 stars
See, I don't only read queer romance! I also read alternate-reality fantasy where America is a monarchy! This third installment in the American Royals series was just as much fun as the first two, continuing to follow the lives of Queen Beatrice, Princess Samantha, and Prince Jefferson. And McGee somehow managed to get me to like uber-villain Daphne!
So there you have it, my June reading roundup. There was some good, some bad, and some hockey. Have you read any of these? I'd love to hear your thoughts!