What I Read in July
This month’s reading round-up is very series-heavy. I started a seven-part series that I absolutely couldn’t put down, and it took me longer to realize than I expected because the chapters were a little long. Fortunately, I am still mostly on track for my 250-book goal for the year, and I really enjoyed the books I read in July. While I only read one cute beach-worthy novel, this collection of books is still worth checking out. True to my mix of thrillers and non-fiction, here’s everything I read in July.
what i read in july
stillhouse lake by rachel caine
4.5/5 stars
I’d been wanting to read Stillhouse Lake for a long time, and mid-summer felt like the perfect time to dive in, though it’d also be great for fall or winter. The premise of a woman starting over after her serial killer ex-husband is sentenced to prison caught my attention right away, and I love when a book has enough layers to really pack a punch. This book has action, suspense, and a healthy dose of family dynamics and character development. The main character is a strong, independent female who is trying to reconcile with her past, and raise her children safely while helping them through their trauma (serial killer dad, making new friends every few months, etc.).
From start to finish, Stillhouse Lake is excellent. It keeps you guessing and I appreciate how the author created a strong sense of suspense without pulling the culprit out of left field. All of the details add up in the end, yet there aren’t too many to keep track of.
My biggest complaint, surprisingly, is the longer chapters. As someone used to turn-and-burn thrillers with 60+ short chapters, this book felt tedious to read at times and took me twice as long to finish as I’m used to. The quality made it 100% worth it, but if you prefer popcorn thrillers, you may struggle to get through this.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
killman creek by rachel caine
4.5/5 stars
This is the second book, following Stillhouse Lake. No spoilers, but I will be breaking the rest of the series down here, so keep scrolling if you don’t want to know how many books are in the series! I will say that I was absolutely obsessed with this series for a good two weeks and could not put it down. I’m very grateful the series was fully written before I started reading, so I was able to finish it without having to wait between releases.
Killman Creek is a little far-fetched, but entertaining. it was nice how the author transitioned into a multi-POV to allow for more character development. I was annoyed by one character’s actions, but found that they were all written accurately (age appropriate and true to their personalities), so you have to give a little bit of grace. The main action felt rushed at the end. As I mentioned, the chapters are longer and there’s more detail, so I expected a little more from that main plotline. In a way, it was action-packed and exciting, yet kind of fizzled out at the same time.
Wolfhunter River (4/5 stars) is where this becomes a true series and the plot feels different from the first book. You have to suspend disbelief in order to enjoy where things are going; from my perspective, if the main character was that concerned, she would go more “stand your ground” than “crime fighter on the offensive.” That said, this third book shines at creating emotional depth and adding new nuances to each character. There’s enough action to move the plot along, but it still felt like it took a long time for things to come full circle back to the prologue. If you are a turn-and-burn reader, this isn’t the series for you.
Bitter Falls (5/5 stars) does a good job of adding to the overall storyline without a wild goose chase or random details. You can see the author’s thoughtfulness with this book; the framework of the first book is referenced and built-upon, but it balances new and layered without being hard to follow. There’s enough detail to be clever, yet it’s not too much to remember. I like how the author included all of the characters in a reasonable way. The plot is really good in this book, so it says something that the author’s craft is what stands out most here.
Heartbreak Bay (4/5 stars) is probably the darkest book out of the series. It’s heavy, violent, and graphic, and while I couldn’t put it down, the series started to feel long at this point. Some of my complaints grow further (suspending disbelief with Gwen’s job), and things seem all over the place at times, but I respect how the author wove all of the different plotlines together. The ending was rushed so I ended up being glad there was another book after this.
Trapper Road (4/5 stars) took away some of my enthusiasm for this series. I appreciate how the author wanted to include conversations around trauma, identity, real-life events, and emotional processing, but those are big topics that require time and detail. The action and mystery still takes precedence here, so they weren’t given enough space to make a true impact with the reader, especially with multiple characters (both of Gwen’s kids). I like that Vee was given more presence in this book, though. The culprits were predictable, but there was one good twist that I didn’t see coming.
Darkwater Lane (4/5 stars) is our series finale, and I loved how things came full circle in more ways than one! At this point, I was very much ready for the series to end; it felt longer than it actually was, but the writing was high-quality enough to keep me committed. Fully written by the second author, the shorter chapters made a big difference in pacing, especially since things felt a little formulaic at this point. I also liked the complete ending, but I hated that you could guess the culprit based on how the past books had played out.
Read Killman Creek here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the problem with wishes by hazel calder
4.5/5 stars
The Problem with Wishes was sent to me as an advanced reader copy by the author. Earlier this year, I obsessed over her first book, Not Like Other Girls, so I was very excited to hear she had a second book coming so soon after the first.
Overall, The Problem with Wishes is such a cute, feel-good read that is perfect for fans of whimsy rom-coms. The “genie and three wishes” premise isn’t new but this takes it in an unexpected, refreshing direction. It’s the perfect balance of humor, heart, and a little magic without being cheesy.
What I loved most about the book is how the author keeps things fun, yet continues to create space for meaningful reflection on the importance of choosing a life that feels authentic to you. Calder has a poignant way of capturing the subtle intricacies of modern womanhood as well as the expectations we’re conditioned to follow without ever feeling preachy or pretentious. Her first book was much more direct; the approach here is softer, which fits the overall lighthearted tone, though it’s still impactful.
If you're looking for an uplifting contemporary novel that balances humor with meaningful reflections on love and life, I'd definitely recommend The Problem With Wishes. A great book to end summer with, this is available for all to read on August 29th.
Favorite quotes:
“Everything feels like a clock when you’re a woman. Work is a clock. Love is a clock. Beauty is a clock. Fertility is a clock. Marriage is a clock. Even pretending not to care about the timing of any of it is still a clock.”
“Perhaps the first luxury is refusing to rush yourself just because everyone else is afraid.”
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
hunting charles manson by lis wiehl
4/5 stars
I don’t know why I’ve been on such a Manson family book kick this year; I think it’s probably because, as a California resident, I have seen parole updates pop up in the news more often. I’m not sure there is much left of the story to tell, but I was recommended Hunting Charles Manson under the premise that it offers a different, more plausible motive than the Helter Skelter ideology.
Hunting Charles Manson does not reinvent the wheel; if you’ve read other books, this won’t introduce a lot of new information. I appreciate how it suggested the alternate motive, though I wish it was built upon more.
The bulk of the new information is of Manson’s later life, as the book introduces his grandson and shares more detail about what life in prison was like before his death. If that interests you, it is worth reading, but other than that, those familiar with the case can skip this.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
not quite dead yet by holly jackson
4.5/5 stars
Put simply, I am OBSESSED with this book, to the point that I wish I could go back and re-read it for the first time again. A true 24-hour read that you won’t want to put down, Not Quite Dead Yet is one of the more unique thrillers I’ve read, yet still has all of the familiar elements we know and love.
The premise is totally fresh; a young woman is attacked in her home and while she survives, she will die of an aneurysm in a week and chooses to use that time to solve her own murder. At its core, it is a “whodunit” thriller from start to finish, but the medical/sci-fi elements make things fresh. There are also hints of romance, family dynamics, and existential reflection, so you have a really well-rounded story, rather than a one-two punch suspense novel.
The twists and turns are good, even if some aren’t particularly jaw-dropping. The dialogue is witty, sharp, and funny; I love rooting for a strong yet flawed female lead.
It’s one of those books where you know how it will end before it starts (no spoilers; it’s literally part of the premise), but by the end, you’d do anything to change things.
Put this on your reading list ASAP; it’s the perfect book to read as we transition from summer to fall.
Read it here.
black girl gone by n’dia rae and cn mabry
4/5 stars
Such a twisty thriller! Black Girl Gone hooks you from the first chapter, and I wish I could have canceled plans in order to finish it all at once.
I did not see some of the twists coming, and I wish I had buddy-read this with a friend in order to discuss. The ending gets a little too wild and far-fetched for my liking, but the entertainment factor is still there.
I do think that the author sacrifices complete narratives and some character development in order to keep things fast-paced. If you want all the answers and for things to wrap up perfectly by the end, you won’t love this. That said, if you are a fan of Freida McFadden and Shari LaPena, Black Girl Gone is a true page-turner thriller that’s enthralling and fun.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
good to great by jim collins
4/5 stars
This is one of my dad’s favorite books, and when I saw it was free to read with Kindle Unlimited, I had to download it. I hate to admit it, but I read e-books MUCH more than hardcovers these days, and for some reason, I am able to move through non-fiction books quicker when I have them downloaded versus a paper copy. That said, I had started this book and then picked up Stillhouse Lake because I usually like to read non-fiction in the morning, then something fun before bed. Sad to say, but I could not put down the Stillhouse series and this book was put on the back burner for close to a month! I just hit a thriller groove and had a hard time switching back over.
Worth the wait, Good to Great is a classic for a reason. It was originally published in 2011, and while the landscape of business has changed so much over the last 15 years, much of the research and principles still works today. It’s easy to read, the graphics are helpful, and the examples provide enough variety to prove how over-reaching the main points of the book are.
This book is best for those who have (or want to have) a leadership role within a company (or hobby group, team sport, etc.); as a solopreneur, I enjoyed the concepts but they aren’t directly applicable to my life.
Favorite quote:
The good-to-great leaders understood three simple truths. First, if you begin with ‘who,’ rather than ‘what,’ you can more easily adapt to a changing world. If people join the bus primarily because of where it is going, what happens if you get ten miles down the road and you need to change direction? You've got a problem. But if people are on the bus because of who else is on the bus, then it's much easier to change direction… Second, if you have the right people on the bus, the problem of how to motivate and manage people largely goes away. The right people don't need to be tightly managed or fired up; they will be self-motivated by the inner drive to produce the best results and to be part of creating something great. Third, if you have the wrong people, it doesn't matter whether you discover the right direction; you still won't have a great company. Great vision without great people is irrelevant.” (p. 41- 42)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
you can tell me by melinda leigh
3.5/5 stars
I’m not sure if it’s because I read this after a slow-burn series, but You Can Tell Me felt SO rushed. I love a turn-and-burn thriller but this had such an intriguing premise that I wanted more from.
The character’s backstory is what drew me in, but it’s barely touched upon, which surprised me. I liked the characters and am excited that this will turn into a series (or at least have a part 2), so that we can have a little more time from them.
I also loved how this was a true 3rd person POV novel; it seems like we get lots of switching-POV perspectives in the thriller world, but the way that the author wrote this from the third person made me appreciate the approach a lot more.
A little bit of a spoiler section here: the rushed aspect comes across in two specific ways pacing and lack of detail. For example, you know the main character loves to dress up, but you never really learn about why, or if it has anything to do with her traumatic past. You Can Tell Me is also built around a podcast to a certain extent, yet there aren’t any clips or flashbacks to build an emotional connection between readers and the missing friend.
Spoiler: the ending is complete, yet there are a few loose ends and plot holes that I am hoping will be addressed in the next book.
If you want a thriller you can finish in a weekend (or less), You Can Tell Me is entertaining, but it’s unfortunately too surface-level to bring to a book club discussion.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
ransom by leslie wolfe
3/5 stars
This was my Amazon First Reads pick of the month; it will be free for everyone to download on August 1st.
Ransom starts out so sharp; it’s instantly hard to put down. With snippets of a murder trial mixed with a con artist plot, the book is fast-paced, engaging, and keeps you guessing.
Unfortunately, this turns into a legal drama around the halfway mark, and the suspense essentially evaporates. My biggest critique is that you have to suspend disbelief; it doesn’t make sense that such a “famous” character can also move through the city anonymously. Different storylines are brought together too quickly, too.
While the main twist surprised me, I didn’t like it and expected more after such a strong start. That said, it does have a fairly high average, so it is worth checking out if you want a breezy read.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
how girls are made by mindy mcginnis
4/5 stars
I read this for a post I’m working on, and I continue to enjoy how thought-provoking and well-rounded YA plots are. How Girls are Made is an emotional, heavy read. Told from alternating POVs, it follows three teenage girls as they face different obstacles but work through them together.
First things first: don’t check the Kindle table of contents prior to reading, as it will spoil part of the ending.
I would not classify this as a thriller; the subject matter is dark and there is a dose of “whodunit,” but overall it’s realistic, contemporary fiction that explores the dark side of social media and a handful of obstacles that young women face in middle/ high school. As such, please check the trigger warnings before reading. I expected the book to be intense and still found myself affected at times; it will be too much for some, but I think parents should read it.
Meant to be thought-provoking, the main critique I have is the pacing and plot development. The author does a good job of juggling different topics, but there were almost too many to give each the proper attention they deserved. If one had been resolved earlier, for example, I think it would have allowed for a richer experience.
Ultimately, it feels wrong to say I enjoyed this book because it isn’t a feel-good read. The ending is jarring and sad, but it’s a gut-punch that makes you think and stays with you long after you finish.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the advocate’s daughter by anthony franze
4/5 stars
I love a good legal thriller, and The Advocate’s Daughter is one of the best I’ve read in recent memory.
What sets this book apart is that it centers around a Supreme Court lawyer, which significantly raises the stakes and adds a hint of politics without making things political, per se. You can tell the author did his research as there are details makes for a more realistic, but the plot doesn’t drown in obscure facts, if that makes sense.
Because the story is set in DC, there’s more of a tangled web and sinister, “things are not what they seem” vibe. The author does not shy away from exploring morally grey areas, but the story is more action-packed than introspective.
If you need a break from domestic or popcorn thrillers but still want a suspenseful story, The Advocate’s Daughter is a solid pick.
Read it here.
circle of strangers by minka kent
3/5 stars
I had read Imaginary Strangers years ago and really enjoyed it; I thought it was a standalone or else I would’ve read Circle of Strangers sooner. Unfortunately, I think it’s best to consider Imaginary Strangers a standalone because this wasn’t really necessary. It’s a quick read, and the twist towards the end was really good, but as a whole, it isn’t as good as the first book.
I liked how the author kept you guessing, and I’m a sucker for a crazy neighborhood setting, but this was much more straightforward than the first book. In Imaginary Strangers, the author seemed to take her time building suspense. Circle of Strangers, on the other hand, is a true popcorn thriller that is more entertaining than engrossing.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
Hidden Strangers (2/5 stars) finishes the trilogy, and I wasn’t a fan. The author creates a few new interesting storylines, but completes some of them in a lazy way, while also leaving others unsolved. The first book was realistic and well-researched; the third is implausible more often than not. No spoilers, but the ending was such a bummer and made things seem like a cash-grab for the author, rather than an expansion on such a vivid literary world.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
21 willow lane by keri beevis
2/5 stars
While I love a good British thriller, I’m surprised this has such rave reviews. The premise of 21 Willow Lane is interesting from the jump, but it becomes rather predictable before the halfway point.
The page count isn’t particularly long (under 300 pages) but by the end, you’ve realized the author wrote in circles to create suspense that ultimately fizzled. There were certain elements that could have made the story more exciting or thrilling, but the ending went the way of cheesy Lifetime movie instead.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the other twin by saline bowland
2.5/5 stars
A good turn-and-burn thriller, this is a Lifetime-eque plot for anyone who needs a palette cleanser between heavier reads.
Cheesy from the get-go, The Other Twin had a good amount of tension and was more entertaining than I thought it would be, even though the ending is predictable. The author creates an element of paranoia within the cat-and-mouse plot that made it hard to put down; luckily it is a quick book you can finish in an evening (or weekend).
If you need a book to have at least one likable character or a plausible plot, you will not enjoy this, and while it likely won’t win any literary awards, it’s still a fun read.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
where is my daughter by l.g. davis
2.5/5 stars
Funnily enough, I was asked to read this by someone who wanted to know if it was worth their while since the reviews are mostly positive. Typically I am recommended books that others love, so this was a interesting change of pace.
Where is My Daughter? is an extremely fast-paced book. It’s just over 300 pages, but feels like a 150-page book because of how quickly the plot moves. The author doesn’t savor suspense; it reads like a “wham, bam” type of storyline. The downside to this, unfortunately, is that the book falls flat as a result. Things happen too swiftly; you as a reader don’t have time to guess, process, or get a feel for things before it’s on to the next.
I love a good popcorn thriller, but this lacks the entertainment factor that makes them so great. No spoilers, but it was as if the author had a bingo card in front of them with all of the thriller tropes, and attempted to include all of them without much connection or depth.
It could have been wonderful, but missed the mark. I would be open to reading something else by this author in the future, but this isn’t one I’d recommend.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).