Bookish Quest: Discovering New Reads in June
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Reading has always been my escape from reality, a way to dive into new worlds filled with adventures. Last month, I explored five new reads: three psychological thrillers/mysteries and two romances (yes friends, you should be shocked!). I’m excited to share my book reviews from recent reads with you and hope you’ll find a few to add to your TBR list
Psychological Thriller/Mystery
The Guilty Girl: Ruth Harrow
Ruth Harrow had me glued from the start with The Guilty Girl. A psychological thriller full of twists and turns. I read this in one day and wish I had read it as soon as I got it. Chloe lives with her father in a small cottage where she can never leave the house. He has locked her away from the outside world to “protect her” —no school, no friends, and zero connections since she was four years old.. Now, at 16, Chloe’s curiosity about the outside world grows stronger and stronger. When a new neighbor around her age moves in next door, Chloe begins to question her father’s motives. Secrets slowly begin to unwind revealing the real reason why she’s been locked away for years. Prepare for the unexpected twist.
Watching You
If you’ve read anything by Lisa Jewell, then you know her writing style is full of twists and turns that you don’t expect. Watching You opens with the foreshadowing of a murder in Melville Heights, a Desperate Housewives-like neighborhood where everyone has secrets. The story, told from multiple perspectives follows Tom Fitzwilliam (seen as charming by some and shady by others), his son Freddie, and their observant neighbors. Despite a slow start, you’ll soon get hooked trying to predict where the story is going.
The Housemaid is Watching
The Housemaid is Watching is the third book (and hopefully the last) in the Housemaid series. Millie has left her housekeeping days behind and is now a social worker living with her family in a strange neighborhood where she struggles to fit in and understand the neighbors. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed reading this one. I pre-ordered the book expecting the same exciting thriller ride that Fredia McFadden delivered in the previous two books in The Housemaid series. The majority of the book was backstory filler with minimal action. Yes, there is a plot twist, but it failed to impress me. I was just like “oh.. I didn’t see that coming, but okay”.
I will forever recommend the first 2 books in the series, The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secrets, but this one you can do without.
Romance
Dangerously Loyalty
I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC (advanced reader copy) of Dangerously Loyalty courtesy of the author.
As some of you know, romance isn’t my go-to-genre, so I kept delaying reading this book. However, once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I’m here for a romance mixed with lots of action. Kendall, a defense attorney working for a money-laundering family in Sawtooth, Arizona, faces new challenges when her client retires, leaving the business to his nephew, Alvaro. Initially, sparks don’t fly between the two, but Kendall doesn’t let it affect her commitment to protecting the family. As tensions and mutual attractions rise, both struggle with their growing feelings amidst the dangers surrounding them. I felt some parts of the plot were rushed but overall I enjoyed it. It gave me vibes similar to the TV show, Queen of the South.
The Partner Plot
Again, I’m not a romance girl but Kristina Forest has a way of keeping things sweet and simple for me, I listened to the audiobook of The Partner Plot and her previous book, The Neighbor Favor The narrators do a great job at keeping me engaged and entertained.
So, The Partner Plot starts super cute but I had to give a huge side-eye the moment Violet and Xavier decide to go along with their Vegas wedding idea. It was quite delusional to me. If I were reading the physical copy, I would’ve thrown the book down and called it quits. Other than that, the remainder of the storyline was real and relatable as the two navigated communication struggles, career struggles, and family dynamics.
I would recommend reading the Partner Plot first but it’s not required as it’s a standalone within the same universe.
From psychological thrillers to romances, June’s was a great reading month for me. My TBR list is forever growing, but for July my goal is to finish at least three books. There’s one romance on the list that’s a book club pick so we shall see how that goes. What’s on your reading list for July? I’d love to hear about it.
