What I Read in June
Happy almost July! Summer is always prime reading season and there’s nothing better than a good beach read. Kindle had a big book sale, so I bought more books than I typically do. I finish books so quickly that I try to only buy books I think I’ll reread, and Kindle makes it really easy to access your library and previously bought books.
Overall, I read a few more non-fiction books than I normally do, but they were all hard to put down and thought-provoking. You’ll also find my typical plethora of thrillers, plus a “beach read” or two to truly usher in summer. For everything I read in June, keep reading.
PS: I officially upped my 2026 reading goal to 250 books! This is a big reach for me, so add me on GoodReads to see if I’m able to stick to it :)
what i read in june
this is me: a reckoning by hayden panettiere
5/5 stars
My most anticipated new release for June, I grew up watching movies that Hayden Panettiere starred in, so I was especially excited to read about her life in her own words.
This memoir is authentic and honest without being a tell-all; it recaps her life and sheds light on her behind-the-scenes struggles without anything salacious or gossipy. It reads as very grown-up and mature, and I admired her ability to share the good, bad, and ugly as a storyteller rather than an entertainer.
Themes include addiction, motherhood, domestic violence, and complicated family relationships, which may be sensitive topics for some.
One thing worth noting: this memoir had a deliberately abrupt ending. It makes sense, yet leaves a good amount of her story untold. There’s room for a second book, for sure, but I do wish she had included a few more chapters as that seemed to cover the most transformative part of her journey thus far.
Favorite quotes:
“Self-loathing is one of the most dangerous human emotions, and when you're down, you keep doing things to confirm where you've landed. You decide that instead of disappointing yourself by not getting back to the top, it's easier to keep ruining your life before anyone else has the chance to.” (p. 260)
“I'm proud of myself. How strange it is to feel proud when you're fighting for your life against the person you love.” (p. 270)
Read it here.
the quarry girls by jess lourey
3.5/5 stars
I’d seen so many people rave about this book, and the author wrote one of the most engrossing trilogies I’ve ever read (start with The Taken Ones), so I had high hopes with this book. I’m not typically one for historical fiction and I’m not even sure this would qualify, but it’s set in the 1970s. The decade removes cell phones and technology and makes the book much more “in the moment” yet it doesn’t feel dated or out of touch.
The writing is atmospheric and eerie; the author does an incredible job describing the tunnels/ underground setting, which adds to the creepiness and makes the novel that much more vivid in your head.
A slow burn that’s hard to put down at the time, I liked this more than I thought I would but not as much as other readers have. It was good but I saw the ending coming, yet I think if you don’t read a ton of thrillers you’ll find it enjoyable. The book has a little bit of everything - mystery, coming of age, tight-knit community with lots of secrets - making it an excellent summer beach read for the months ahead!
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
kill for me, kill for you by steve cavanaugh
4.5/5 stars
All I can say is wow, this book was incredible. One of the best thrillers I’ve read over the last few years, Kill for Me, Kill for You was clever and unpredictable until the very end. I love when the author creates different storylines that connect at the end; it’s hard to do well but the Cavanaugh knocked it out of the park. This book also utilizes different POVs, but it’s easy to follow along.
A true vigilante thriller that blurs the line between legal vs moral, this can be a little implausible at times but it’s so well-crafted that it’s worth it. It does start a little slow, but by the halfway mark, it was impossible to put down and I finished it in less than 24 hours.
I wouldn’t describe it as a popcorn thriller because there’s more detail and nuance to the storyline and character development, but it’s truly entertaining and something you will want to talk about in book club!
And while this has been a part of Kindle Unlimited in the past, it isn’t anymore but is worth paying for separately. I already know I want to re-read it again in the future so I can enjoy how it all plays out, instead of trying to guess what comes next.
Read it here.
buy yourself the f*cking lilies: and other rituals to fix your life, from someone who's been there by tara schuster
4/5 stars
I’m a sucker for a good self-help/ memoir hybrid, so this book had naturally been on my reading list for a while. I waited for it to go on sale before ordering because I knew I’d finish it quickly and probably wouldn’t re-read it later on.
This is a fun, lighthearted self-improvement book for millennials; I mention the age group specifically because there is a lot of trendy verbiage and acronyms (ex: v v v v v excited!) that not everyone will gravitate towards. Even as a millennial, I found it a little overdone at times and think the book will date itself as time goes on.
As far as substance goes, this would’ve been better as a memoir because the author has led such an interesting life and her storytelling is incredible. The humor translates, and there’s the perfect mix of honesty and humor. Each chapter revolves around a self-help practice (ex: exercise, relationship patterns, etc.) with practices or steps to take on your own.
I appreciate how realistic her advice was; many of the advice is broken down to the simplest steps, so if you feel like you are starting at ground zero, this is gentle encouragement that talks to you, not at you. It’s also not so serious, making it a great option for summer reading (ex: start a gratitude journal, but also book the trip to Paris).
As a whole, this book doesn’t reinvent the wheel of self-help, but if you are a perfectionist or in the process of reparenting yourself, it’s worth checking out. I know the author has written a follow-up, but like I mentioned, I would really like to see a true memoir or collection of essays next.
Favorite quotes and takeaways:
“Life is not always a list of problems to be solved; sometimes it's actually made up of fun and ease and beauty and laughter.” (p. 52)
“Finding a physical balm to soothe an emotional sting is one of the healthiest, most resilience-building practices you can bring into your life. Every single time you meet hurt with loving action, you train your body and your mind to think more highly of yourself.” (p. 135)
“By keeping my home Dinner-Party Ready, I guarantee that I am living in a way that brings me zero shame. When I look around, I feel proud of where I live and the world I have created for myself. It might not be perfect, but there's nothing to hide… I treat myself, on a daily basis, with the same consideration I would treat a guest. If you are anything like me, you will treat a visitor a million times nicer than you will treat yourself. How backward is that? How odd to extend so much graciousness and consideration to someone else but deny yourself the basic hospitality of a clean space?” (p. 171)
“You can't govern how people treat you or the things they say, but you can absolutely decide what you will do with the gospel that nothing is personal and people are limited.” (p. 289)
Read it here.
girls our age by phoebe thompson
4/5 stars
I saw a few friends on Instagram posting about this book, and decided it would be a nice change from all of the thrillers. Girls Our Age follows 3 friends who met in college as they navigate new challenges in their 30s. Each character has something they’re working through; check the TWs as they may be hard to read about.
While this is an easy, cute, read, there’s still some depth. I wish there was more of an emotional punch, but for a summer read, you can’t ask for much more.
This isn’t my new favorite book, but I’d like to see a sequel. The final section was so rushed that even with a somewhat complete ending, I wanted more.
Favorite quotes:
“What was the point of surrounding yourself with people who knew you if they didn't hold you to standards better than the ones to which you could hold yourself?” (p. 268-269)
“Most of life was awkward and hard. But then there were glimmers… when everything kind of made sense.” (p. 332)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
house rules by rachel sontag
5/5 stars
What a memoir. House Rules truly compelling book explores emotional abuse and family dysfunction in such an acutely specific way; it’ll either read like a gut punch or seem borderline dystopian.
It’s heavy; check TWs before. That said, I love how the author resists wrapping its story in a tidy lesson or redemptive ending. Some things just are, and the lack of redemption keeps this memoir jarringly real.
I do wish that the author explored the evolution of her relationship with her sister more, but I can see how that would warrant a completely different book. I also hoped for an epilogue or note on how things stand with her family today. Estrangement is still an ever-changing, fluid, situation, and as someone who saw parts of my extended family in this book, I was so invested.
Favorite quotes:
“Whatever it was that Dad saw in me, it was something he struggled with, and I hated him for seeing me like that, and I hated myself for being whatever it was he saw.” (p. 142)
“Once I could see Mom for who she was, and not the mother she had failed to be, I'd be able to forgive her. She was her own person, not just my mother, and it was this person I was forging a relationship with.” (p. 244)
“Neglected children felt invisible, as if their presence had no bearing on anyone or anything. Abused children felt all too visible, as if they were the center of everyone's world, because they had been the center of someone's world the recipients of an abnormal amount of attention.” (p. 246)
“There is always a conversation being had over and under the ones we actually have.” (p. 260)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
when i was you by minka kent
3.5/5 stars
I’m a general fan of Minka Kent; I read her book Imaginary Strangers a few years ago and absolutely loved it, but her other books have been hit-or-miss since. I picked up When I was You to see if it would be a good recommendation for a post I’m working on, and it’s a quick turn-and-burn you can finish in a weekend (289 pages).
A true domestic thriller with lots of gaslighting to build suspense, this was twisty! I didn’t see a few of them coming, which was nice since I read so many thrillers. And while it has a shorter page count, the alternating POV adds depth to the story, yet doesn’t drag things out unnecessarily.
My biggest complaint is that the plot was a bit overdramatic at times; you do have to suspend disbelief or it’ll take you out of the story. Had I known it leaned into the “off the rails” vibes prior to reading, I probably would’ve enjoyed it more.
That said, this is worth reading if you like popcorn thrillers with complete endings.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the widow by valerie keough
2.5/5 stars
I really wanted to love The Widow, especially since it had such a high (4.2) rating average.
Without spoiling anything, I think this book does too much and that’s where it ultimately fell short for me. The twists are good, but the author tries to add emotional depth and it’s too short of a page count to really land.
The pacing is quick and makes it a breezy beach read that’s hard to put down, but the ending was too abrupt. And though I love (and prefer) a complete ending, this was too neat of an ending to make sense given the character development (and their backstories).
Ultimately, if you are a fan of Freida McFadden and like her novels more often than not, you will probably enjoy this! It’s a quick thriller with short chapters and enough action to keep you engaged. But if you are someone who wants the book you are reading to make complete sense, skip this.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
know my name: a memoir by chanel miller
5/5 stars
It always feels strange to “review” memoirs and it’s especially true with this one. Know My Name is a memoir about resilience and trauma. It peels back the layers of headlines you may be familiar with, and even if you’ve read her victim impact statement, this covers so much more and is truly worth reading.
At its core, this memoir is about healing and finding (and using) your voice. I was astonished at how the author was completely honest down to the details, yet measured. Everything she said was expressed with such clarity and control; her voice is so necessary in a world of over-sensationalized journalism.
This gives a first-person account into some of the major flaws of the justice system, as well as how society addresses assault, victims, and perpetrators. More than that, though, this is a story of moving through and moving on. The headlines of the case may draw you into Miller’s book, but she is so much more than what happened to her, and I recommend this book to everyone.
Favorite quotes:
“The friendly guy who helps you move and assists senior citizens in the pool is the same guy who assaulted me. One person can be capable of both. Society often fails to wrap its head around the fact that these truths often coexist, they are not mutually exclusive. Bad qualities can hide inside a good person. That's the terrifying part.” (p. 194)
“Victims exist in a society that tells us our purpose is to be an inspiring story. But sometimes the best we can do is tell you we're still here, and that should be enough. Denying darkness does not bring anyone closer to the light. When you hear a story about rape, all the graphic and unsettling details, resist the instinct to turn away; instead look closer, because beneath the gore and the police reports is a whole, beautiful person, looking for ways to be in the world again.” (p. 311)
“Do not become the ones who hurt you. Stay tender with your power. Never fight to injure, fight to uplift. Fight because you know that in this life, you deserve safety, joy, and freedom. Fight because it is your life. Not anyone else's. I did it, I am here. Looking back, all the ones who doubted or hurt or nearly conquered me faded away, and I am the only one standing. So now, the time has come. I dust myself off, and go on.” (p. 328)
Read it here.
we’ll never tell by kayla perrin
3/5 stars
The author’s book What’s Done in Darkness initially caught my eye, but when I saw that it was considered a sequel, I went back to read We’ll Never Tell first.
We’ll Never Tell is a college thriller that mixes sorority drama, an accidental death, and a bit of spice/ romance. I love a book centered around young adults and think this book fills a much-needed gap; thrillers tend to focus on high school kids or married with kids, less the in-between.
This a good girly book for a weekend in, but it didn’t wow me. If you hate it when characters make dumb decisions, this is not the book for you. There’s a good amount of doubt and suspense to keep you guessing, but I wasn’t wow-ed by the ending.
What’s Done in Darkness (2/5 stars) is considered to be the sequel, but I’d consider it to be a sister novel instead. There’s continuation with one character, but none of the main characters are central here. You could honestly skip the first book and jump into this without missing much.
I’m glad I read the first book, though, because this was a bummer read. The characters still aren’t wise, and the plot is more of a reach, so it reads more Lifetime than thriller. I’d like to read something else by this author in the future, but these books just weren’t my favorite.
Read it here.
cease to exist by charles “tex” watson
3/5 stars
As a Californian, every now and then I get sucked back into the Manson family lure. I had read Susan Atkins’ memoir earlier this year, and this popped up as another Kindle Unlimited recommendation.
What’s interesting is that as time goes on, the “Helter Skelter” motive is questioned more and more. One of the results of that is that Charles “Tex” Watson is seen as more culpable than before. I went into this book skeptical; you want to have an open mind but it’s not overreaching to question the intent of writing said book.
Watson’s memoir ultimately came off as disingenuous. It’s crazy to realize how short the timeline is between him joining the cult to the murders, and he does go into detail about the crimes.
Watson takes ownership of his actions, but doesn’t seem remorseful. His voice, not just as an author but also as a human, wasn’t connected to what he was saying. Towards the end he talks about being born again and turning his life over to Christ, but it reads like a parole application more than a humble submission.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the myth of helter skelter by susan atkins-whitehouse
3.5/5 stars
Another suggested Kindle Unlimited read, I was surprised by this book. Atkins wrote it specifically to break down the “Helter Skelter” motive and offer an alternative. This book is purely for the skeptics and those who wonder about how Manson brainwashed so many people. If you know Atkins is guilty and don’t care about the motive, this won’t interest you. Put succinctly, it doesn’t refute what happens, but challenges the why.
On one hand, the book does its job of offering some logical arguments that make you question the prosecutor’s perspective (and cites Bugliosi’s book 200+ times throughout), but ultimately, the author is still untrustworthy. Atkins compares herself to Linda Kasabian in a way that paints her as the victim, but I think if Atkins was truly remorseful, she would stop all finger-pointing.
In a way, she wants to dumb-down Manson by pushing forward an unsophisticated motive. This book is her way of saying Manson was manipulative, but not clever. Yet that leaves us (and Atkins) with the new question: were you so brainwashed that you should not be held fully responsible, or was the motive so obvious that you clearly and willingly played along?
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the thrashers by julie soto
4/5 stars
Anytime I pick up a YA book, I’m pleasantly surprised by its depth. You’d think they’d be over-simplistic with their high school storylines, but it seems like they convey deeper characterization and richer, more layered plots than some of the adult fiction books I read.
The Thrashers is a suspenseful book, but I wouldn’t call it a thriller. It keeps you guessing, but isn’t a nail-biter. I appreciate how the author explored grief, addiction, and the complexities of friendship alongside the main “whodunit” plot to create a well-rounded novel.
No spoilers, but I will say there is a tease of “is this person gone or not?” that plays into the supernatural realm without being a fantasy novel. I tend to dislike that sort of thing, but it’s well-written and not cheesy.
Critically, there are a few plot holes and inconsistencies that you have to overlook, but The Thrashers is meant to be entertaining more so than thought-provoking. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would!
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
everybody ain’t your friend by tanisha stewart
2/5 stars
Everybody Ain’t Your Friend is a really quick read; I finished it in about an hour and a half. While it’s marketed as an urban romance thriller, I’d describe it exclusively as a romance with drama. There’s a little suspense, but if you are reading it for the thriller elements, you’ll be disappointed (like I was).
The story itself is entertaining and ideal for a mindless summer read, but the pacing is choppy and moves quickly with quite a few time jumps to move the story along. There’s tons of drama, and the ending is so predictable. At the risk of a spoiler, it should’ve had a different title to keep at least some element of surprise for the reader.
Sadly, this is not a book I’d recommend unless you want to live vicariously through someone else’s relationship drama.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
what have you done? by shari lapena
4/5 stars
After a few dud thrillers, I turned to my tried-and-true Shari LaPena, and was excited to see that this book was part of the $2 Kindle sale. What I love most about LaPena’s books is that you get a true “fly on the wall” experience within a small town, as the POV alternates between 3-6 characters throughout each chapter. As confusing as that sounds, her books are still easy to follow and making trying to guess the suspect SO fun.
What Have You Done? is a thrilling read from start to finish. The subject matter of this book can be dark so check the TWs before.
I did see the ending coming, but that may be because I know LaPena doesn’t give things away too early. It’s also worth mentioning that there are a few sections that are written from the perspective of the victim without being too supernatural, so I recommend it for fans of The Lovely Bones.
Read it here.
nothing ever happens here by seraphina nova glass
4/5 stars
What a fun thriller! If you’re looking for a twisty book that keeps you engaged but you can still put down and go live your life (haha) this is a great option.
Set in a small town in Minnesota, I wish I had read this in the winter so I could fully lean into the snowy vibe. I do recommend setting time aside to read at least a few chapters back-to-back so you can get acquainted with all of the characters. The book switches between three POVs and there’s a handful of supporting characters, so giving yourself time to get to know everyone keeps things from getting confusing.
The story itself is clever and has just enough humor to keep things light without being cheesy, and the podcast element is sprinkled in purposefully. If you want a breezy thriller that still keeps you guessing, I recommend Nothing Ever Happens Here.
Read it here.
don’t say a word by nicola sanders
3.5/5 stars
One of the new Kindle Unlimited thrillers released this month, Nicola Sanders is similar to Freida McFadden in that they both write twisty popcorn thrillers that are hard to put down.
Don’t Say a Word is a true domestic thriller. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t bore the reader with predictability, either. A simple story that keeps you guessing, I found this to be a stressful, high-stakes book (as I do with most domestic thrillers). The manipulation and gaslighting is top-tier and while it veers slightly into “over-the-top” territory towards the end, most will find this enjoyable and easy to finish.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
monday’s not coming by tiffany d. jackson
4/5 stars
I picked up Monday’s Not Coming for a new Kindle Unlimited series I’m working on; the target reader is much younger than me but as I mentioned, YA books bring more depth than you’d expect.
Genuinely well-written, Monday’s Not Coming keeps you guessing and then makes you think. The mystery has layers to it, so it’s more nuanced than the typical “whodunit” suspense book. While I thought the book became a little repetitive around the 60% mark, the ending brought everything together and I understand why the author mapped the plot as she did.
The book is emotionally heavier than you’d expect, and touches on socioeconomic privileges, but appropriate for younger audiences. and I think all ages 14+ will connect with this in some way, and it will stick with me for a while.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the lodger by valerie keough
2.5/5 stars
The Lodger felt longer than it was; I read quickly and this has a shorter page count, but it was a tedious read for me. The plots intertwine well, but they’re too unbelievable to enjoy. Events within the story were also more reactive than proactive, if that makes sense. Deeper character development could’ve taken this to the next level, but it’s hard to balance that with a shorter page count, and the “popcorn thriller” aspect takes precedence in this case.
Truthfully, I’ve realized this author just isn’t for me. Her books are so highly rated and raved about that I wanted to love them, but I just can’t connect with them.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
midnight calling: a memoir of a drug smuggler’s daughter by lynn walker
4/5 stars
While Kindle Unlimited fiction books can be hit or miss, I find their memoir selection to be top-tier. This is a wonderful book I may not have found had it not been for Kindle Unlimited, so I’m grateful.
This explores a woman’s life from childhood through early adulthood; two major themes are addiction and her relationship with her parents. The author is honest but doesn’t sensationalize things; the book is a recollection rather than a source of entertainment, if that makes sense.
The timeline was confusing at times, but I do believe this book is impactful and will help others. If you are struggling with absent parents or addiction, Midnight Calling will resonate with you.
Favorite quote: “Having been numb for so long, I had no skills for coping with the emotions that kept knocking me on my ass - shame and pain and embarrassment and sadness about my past. But deep inside me, in my core, I knew if I kept myself numb, I would never feel any joy or happiness either.” (p. 264-265)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the millionaire fast lane: crack the code to wealth and live rich for a lifetime by m.j. demarco
3/5 stars
Cheesy title, but I’m always curious when I come across these books and think that there’s a little nugget or gem that make them worth reading. I’d never heard of this author before, so I was even more curious.
Truthfully, this book has a few good perspective shifts, but it’s not worth reading. The tone is elitist and preachy at times, so it’s not for everyone.
A true “take what you like, leave the rest” book, I wouldn’t go back to re-read it and wish I hadn’t spent the money on it. It made me think, but weeks later, doesn’t have the staying power that other business books have.
Favorite quotes and takeaways:
Read it here.
you belong here by megan miranda
3/5 stars
One of my comfort authors, I’ve been reading Megan Miranda’s books for close to 10 years now - long before I had a Kindle! Some of her books are my absolute favorites, but I haven’t loved her releases over the last few years. When I saw You Belong Here on sale for $3, I had to pick it up.
A small town thriller where you don’t know who to trust, the pacing is steady, and the chapters are short, making it an option for summer vacation if you want a breezy thriller that isn’t too scary or hard to put down.
As a whole, You Belong Here kept guessing and was stronger than her last 2 or 3 releases, but isn’t very memorable or a book I’d go back to. The middle twist was good, but the ending fizzled out. l’m lukewarm about this novel, but if you are new to her books, you may find it enjoyable! I just have higher expectations after loving some of her past work.
Read it here.