July Reading Wrap-up and Mini-Reviews

1. A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison (Adult Cozy Fantasy Mystery) (323 pages) (4.5⭐️)

This is the sequel to A Spell for Trouble and follows Alex who is gifted with water magic due to being descended from mermaids. In this book she's trying to solve a murder to save her friend Celeste who has been accused. I really like the characters in this series though Alex's romance falls flat. The mystery went in ways I didn't expect.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6632868615

2. At First Spite by Olivia Dade (Adult Romance) (384 pages) (4.25⭐️)

After Athena's fiance leaves her just months before their wedding at the urging of his brother she finds herself living in the house sandwiched between the brothers. Surprisingly, she and her ex-fiance's brother, Matthew, grow close. Matthew is what I've seen girls my age refer to as a golden retriever boyfriend. The novel has good representation for depression and parentification.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6595362711

3. The Color of a Lie By Kim Johnson (YA Historical Fiction) (318 page) (4.75⭐️)

Calvin and his family move into a new community where they pass as white. After a black girl, Lily, integrates at his white school they join with other allies to change their community. This is a book that elicited a lot of emotions out of me - I was saddened, I was enraged, and I was in awe. White readers like myself should be seeking out books like these to educate ourselves on the dark realities of our country's past.

Full Review: https://www.haleysbookhaven.com/post/the-color-of-a-lie-by-kim-johnson-book-review

4. The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley (Adult Thriller) (350 pages) (4.75⭐️)

Francesca opens up a luxury hotel in her grandparents' old manor house. Years ago the house was the scene of a crime, and a reckoning is coming during opening weekend. This is my favorite Foley thriller so far! You really feel the oppressive heat of the setting and the characters were all well written (especially Francesca even if she was my least favorite). Some twists you see coming, but others are more shocking.

Full Review: https://www.haleysbookhaven.com/post/i-ranked-lucy-foley-s-thrillers-the-hunting-party-the-guest-list-the-paris-apartment

5. The Wren in the Holly Library by K. A. Linde (Adult Fantasy) (381 pages) (3.5⭐️)

The novel takes place in a world where humans and monsters live side by side following a vicious war. It follows a thief (Kierse) and a warlock (Graves) as they attempt to steal a magical spear. The world is a mix of dystopian and fantasy and features a spicy romance. Kierse shines in her protagonist role, but some side characters are underdeveloped.

Full Review: Coming soon to the blog!

TOTAL PAGES READ (JAN-JUN): 17,756

AVG. BOOK LENGTH (JAN-JUN): 362.34 pages

AVG. BOOK RATING (JAN-JUN): 186/235⭐️ (3.80⭐️)

AUDIOBOOKS (JAN-JUN): 12/49 (24.45%)

PHYSICAL READS (JAN-JUN): 37/49 (75.51%)

BORROWED FROM THE LIBRARY (JAN-JUN): 26/49 (53.06%)

DNFs (JAN-JUN): 13

REREADS (JAN-JUN): 6/49 (12.24%)