We’re 1/3 of the way through summer, so I figured it was a good time to give an update on my summer reading list. Spoiler alert, I am not 1/3 of the way through the list. I took quite a few detours this month and while I read a lot, I didn’t read many on my original summer reading list. I did, however, read one of those books so I’ll review that below. I’ve listed them in chronological order. If you’re interested in other book reviews, you can check out some of my additional posts. My summer reading list is here and you can read my top thriller recommendations to read here.
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
I was perusing through every aisle in Target, as one does, and was stopped by this book. We were a couple weeks out from heading on a trip to Italy, so I had to get it. I read the back and it seemed “okay” to me. I wasn’t dying to read it, but it fit the vibe. I’m glad I gave it a chance because I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Katy and her mom are planning to take a trip to Positano, similar to the one her mom took when she was in her 20s. After her mom passes away, Katy is distraught and unsure of who she is anymore. She decides to take the trip to Positano by herself hoping to figure it all out. Once she gets to Positano, she feels her mom’s presence in everything she does. AND THEN, she sees her mom, but a younger version of her mom. Is her mom really there or is she going crazy? This book about finding yourself is so touching. The restaurants and main setting of the book, Poseidon Hotel, are real places in Positano. That was such a sweet addition to the story. I’d give this a solid 4/5 stars.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
The Guncle is one of the books on my Summer 2022 reading list and it did not disappoint. This was probably the my favorite book for June. I cried, I laughed, and then I laughed even harder. It was such a fun book to read. I will recommend this to everyone I can.
Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP) lives in Palm Springs, secluded from everyone and everything. He has his own demons to work through and prefers to do it alone. However, after his best friend and sister-in-law passes away and his brother becomes unable to care for their children, Guncle Patrick steps in to take care of them for the summer. In the process, they help each other through their grief and Patrick learns a few things about himself. I give this a solid 5/5. I really loved it. Apparently this book is being turned into a movie or a series so I’m excited for that!
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Okay, full disclaimer: I was not excited to read this book. You may be confused. Why would I read a book that I don’t want to read? Because FOMO. Literally everyone and their cousin has read this book. I had to see what the hype was about. I put a hold on it at my local library probably last fall and stayed on the wait list for months. You’d think everything was pointing towards this book being amazing and I’d normally agree. However, I thought a lot of people enjoyed Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid and I just didn’t. By the end, I was basically skimming it just to see what happens. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was not the same. IT WAS AMAZING. I completely understand why everyone loves it.
Evelyn Hugo is a huge celebrity known not just for her movie roles, but also her 7 infamous husbands. She hires writer, Monique Grant, to tell the story behind each of her husbands and all the details in between. I couldn’t put this book down. Evelyn is a complex women and her stories are no different. This is another 5/5 for me with an extra point for promoting LGBTQIA+ voices. A great pride book for Pride Month.
The Good Lie by A.R Torre
I found this book on Goodreads at some point and ended up putting a hold on it for the library. This book was fine, but it wouldn’t be the first book I recommend to someone. It was 3.5 out of 5 stars. However, I did love that this book had similar vibes to Criminal Minds. The book follows psychiatrist, Dr. Gwen Moore, ,who specializes in clients with violent tendencies. Think: urge to kill someone. The Bloody Heart Killer is arrested after his latest victim escapes. A father of one the victims is convinced the BH Killer didn’t do it and steps up to defend him. He hires Gwen to profile the serial killer and prove that the person in custody doesn’t fit the profile.
I love Criminal Minds so I loved being in the inner workings of a profile, but that’s about it. I thought the story lacked the feeling of suspense when I’m reading a thriller.
Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier
Little Secrets in another Goodreads find for me and it did not disappoint. Wow, I loved it. I loved it so much that I took it in the car with me so I could finish reading it on the way to dinner.
Celebrity hairstylist, Marin Machado, is completely destroyed inside after her son, Sebastian, is kidnapped a few days before Christmas. It’s been 1.5 years and she is just going through the motions to get through each day. The PI she secretly hired turns up with some news though. However, it’s not the news she was hoping to hear. She finds that her husband has been having an affair with a younger woman. Marin has already lost everything. She’s not about to lose her husband too. People will go to great lengths to hold onto the things they love. This book had me on my toes the entire time. It’s told in third person across two different characters – Marin and McKenzie, the mistress. I love a good POV story so that was great. This was another 5 out of 5 star rating for me.
Well, those are the books I read this month! Overall I’m pretty happy with the books I chose. It was a good mixture of fun and suspense. Next up, I currently have The Other Black Girl and As Good As Dead checked out from the library. I’ve just started The Other Black Girl, which is on my summer reading list, and I’m really excited for it. I have high hopes. As Good As Dead is the final book in the The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series so I am excited to wrap that up as well.
Let me know what you’re reading in the comments below!