My July 2026 Reads
This month was slower month in terms of completing books as I started a book that has to be one of the longest books that I have read to date! Plus, I was with family for most of the month of July (yet, another reason why this blog post is a little delayed). I will share a little bit about the long book with more details to come as well!
Side Note: If you missed the June 2026 recap, check it out!! There were several books that I read including many ARC books. I am so grateful to the authors that selected me to read their books!
Here’s everything I read in July!
📚 By the Numbers
Books Read: 4 books completed; plus one more book that I started at the beginning of July and that took me into August!
Average Rating: 4.75 Stars
Favorite Book of the Month: Hopefully one of the future months, I will be able to land on a single book!! However, for different reasons, I had two favorite books this month and those two books, in no particular order were:
- Vacation Situation by Jenny Alexandra
- Flag on the Play by T.L. Akermann
📖Vacation Situation by Jenny Alexandra
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why I Picked It Up:
I applied to be an ARC reader based on learning about this book on social media. I am so grateful to Jenny Alexandra & team for selecting me!
My Quick Thoughts:
This was a fun read, especially for those that enjoy looking back on different aspects of life and enjoy twists in a book! There were parts of the story where I felt like I was right in the scene; and enjoying time away, on vacation!
I ended up started this book on June 30th but finished the book on July 2nd!!
Would I Recommend It?
Yes! A great rom-com summer book!
📖 Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake #1) by Emily McIntire
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why I Picked It Up:
One of my sisters knew how much time I have been spending reading this year. She thought that this would be a book (part of a series) that I would enjoy. This is the first book out of four books in the Sugarlake series!
My Quick Thoughts:
I was not sure what to expect since she gave me the book to read! Readers discretion is advised by the author of this book! Since I was working to make sure I would finish the book in time before I left Minnesota, I read the book over the course of two days. I did not get a chance to write a review of the book, but I did enjoy it! I would most likely re-read (or pick up the last few chapters of the story) before resuming the Sugarlake Series!
Would I Recommend It?
If you are looking for a series to read, review the content material first. I do recommend the first book though!
📖 Professionally Yours by Kayla Ashlyn
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why I Picked It Up:
I applied to be an ARC reader for this story based on what I read in the initial description. I am grateful to Kayla Ashlyn and Love Notes PR for my ARC!
My Quick Thoughts:
I enjoyed the book and the time and work that Kayla Ashlyn put into it. From having a map of the town (I am a visually learner so this was a fun bonus) to learning about all of the characters, this was a fun read! Some of the content is mature; so this definitely needs to be taken into consideration. The storyline was not exactly what I was expecting, but still enjoyed it!
Would I Recommend It?
Yes for those that enjoy a rom-com and are open to perspectives of starting over from scratch and also a perspective of a family-owned business.
📖 Flag on the Play (Maple Valley University #1) by T.L. Akermann
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why I Picked It Up:
Can you tell there is a theme to a lot of the books I have read and shared? This was another ARC book and I am grateful to T.L. Akermann and The Author Agency for selecting me to read!
My Quick Thoughts:
I could not put this book down! I read it over the course of two days. This book took me back to my college days (even with no football team; which yes, I still can not believe to this day). I enjoyed so many aspects, as a sports fan and as someone who loves a good rom-com.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely yes!! Looking forward to what is to come in the Maple Valley University series!!
📖 Against the Boards (North Lake University #1) by Caitlyn Best
Rating: No Rating for this month as the book was not finished in the month of July.
Why I Picked It Up:
This was a book that I applied to be an ARC reader for. I am grateful to author, Caitlyn Best, for selecting me to be one of her readers.
My Quick Thoughts:
I was quite surprised to see the number of pages that I was going to be reading, based on the format it was sent in (really, it was only 801 pages in ‘true’ format). With that being said, I had trouble getting into this book and the book keeping my attention overall. I will be sharing more about this book in my August review! Stay tuned!
Would I Recommend It?
Stay tuned for my August review!!
📚🗒️What’s Going on Your TBR?
I decided for simplicity sake, this is going to be the question that I ask at the end of each of my monthly updates!! I always love recommendations as well (and based on what I have shared so far, I definitely have a favorite genre)!! 🙂
Which of these books are you adding to your TBR (To Be Read) list?
Or if you have already read one of them, let me know what you thought!
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