July Reading Wrap-Up
A Snapshot of What I Read
July Reading Wrap Up time, and this month surprised me in a completely different way than June. I thought I would take it easy with my ARCs and ALCs, but the month ended up being completely shaped by them. Thirteen of the sixteen books I read were ARC or ALC titles, and two were books I needed to read before starting the sequels. I only read one book that was not connected to an ARC or ALC, which still feels a little unreal.
A lot of these were books I was genuinely excited for. I wanted By Blade, I Love because I loved the first two books. I wanted Crown Me Dead and Crown Me Yours so badly that when it looked like I wouldn’t get approved for book one, I actually bought the audiobook so I could start right away. After loving Bloody Quarter, I was thrilled to get Toxic Kiss, and I was completely over the moon when I got the ALC for Chasing the Rush. I love Lauren Rowe’s writing, so that last minute acceptance felt like a total fangirl moment.
Life was busy and everything felt a little chaotic as I tried to balance deadlines with real life responsibilities. Several books were emotional and made me cry, which I loved. It’s funny because June’s intro mentions Penelope Sky and Lauren Rowe, and July ended up being shaped by both of them again, just in a different way.
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Quick Stats
- Books read: 16
- Average rating: 4.03 ★
- Dominant emotional lane: Deep Sapphire
- Most common genre: Contemporary Romance
- Reading Format: 8 Audiobooks, 5 eBooks, 3 Audiobooks + eBooks
- Total Pages: 5,065
- ARC/ALC Books: 13
Note: I’m a hybrid reader, so many of my books count as both an audiobook and an eBook because I read and listen at the same time.
Curious how I rate books? My Rating System breaks down my emotional lanes and star scale, and you can also see my individual reviews for these reads on my Goodreads page.
Emotional Lane Breakdown
- ✨Golden Comfort: 2
- 💙Sapphire Angst: 3
- 💎Deep Sapphire: 8
- 🖤Onyx Chaos: 3
- ⚫Obsidian Edge: 0
Top Reads
Crown Me Dead (Heartstrings Duet #1) – Liv Zander (5★ | Audible – Available on KU)
This book left me unsettled in the best way, shifting from dark, gruesome opening scenes into a palace full of secrets and tension. Elara’s fierce determination and the constant uncertainty around loyalty kept me doubting every character and every motive. The twist and cliffhanger were epic, and I finished feeling like I had to rethink everything I thought I knew.
Crown Me Yours (Heartstrings Duet #2) – Liv Zander (5★ | ALC – Available on KU)
This sequel wrecked me in the most beautiful way, shifting from mystery and gore into a love story about vulnerability, acceptance, and choosing love even when loss is inevitable. Elara’s fight against the rot and Death’s slow, terrified surrender to love hit me so hard that I’m still emotional a week later. The ending gutted me, and this duet has officially moved into all‑time favorite territory!
Mutual Prey (Bullies of Devil College #0.5) – A.V. Blackmoor (5★ | ARC )
Available on KU August 6, 2026
This novella was wild and unhinged and had me snickering and smirking through every page. Cass and Finn are absolute chaos together and their killer banter made the dark moments feel wickedly fun. The twist in Cass’s backstory completely shocked me! I’m fully obsessed with this world and ready for whatever Devil College throws at me next.
Chasing the Rush (Football and Feels #2) – Lauren Rowe (4.75★ | ALC – Available on KU)
This book made me grin like a fool! Chelsea and Luca’s chemistry is instant and addictive, and watching them fall for each other was so sweet and so fun. It’s low angst, warm hearted, and just one of those romances that leaves you in a ridiculously good mood. Plus it’s narrated by Andi Arndt and Corvin King! Win-win!
By Blade, I Love (By Blade #3) – Penelope Sky (4.5 ★ | KU + Audible)
This finale gave Wolfe and Frankie the satisfying ending they deserved. Frankie stepping fully into her strength and Wolfe’s devotion made every moment hit hard. The danger and chaos kept me hooked and the final showdown felt like the perfect ruthless finish to their story.
Toxic Kiss (Wrecked Encore #1) – Brooklyn Cross (Rating 4.5★ | KU)
This book wrecked me with its angst and toxic push and pull, and I cried more than once. Cyrus and Haven are both so damaged in different ways and watching them crash into each other made every moment feel loaded and emotional. The bullying, the forgiveness, and the constant heartbreak kept me hooked and I’m already bracing myself for book two.
Reflection & August Preview
July was a chaotic and rewarding reading month. My overall ratings were the highest of the year and Deep Sapphire dominated almost everything I picked up. ARC and ALC reading shaped the entire month, and even with a busy personal schedule, I still found myself pulled into emotional stories that made me cry in the best way. Contemporary romance carried most of my reading, and the mix of audiobooks and eBooks kept everything moving smoothly. It was a full month, and the emotional payoff was worth every page.
August is looking like it will be another ARC and ALC heavy month unless I decide to slow down. As of now, these are the books already on my schedule, with the possibility of a few more landing later:
- (ALC Request) Dance of Devils by Jagger Cole: I really hope I get this ALC. I’ve been wanting to read a book by Jagger Cole for some time now!
- (ALC Request) In Self Defense by Debra Webb: This is a romantic suspense murder thriller that unfortunately won’t be available on KU.
- (ALC Request) Hunting an Arsonist by Jessica R. Patch: This is a romantic Christian suspense novel.
- (ARC request) Ghost Hunted (Ghost Duet #2) by A.V. Blackmoor: A dark captive revenge romance. We get to see what happened to Piper’s mom and Logan!
- (ARC) Offside by Amy Briggs: This is book 1 of a new Hockey Romance series.
My TBR is never ending, but here are several non ARC and ALC reads I hope to get to in August. A couple of these are books I need to read before I can start the ARC or ALC sequels, and the rest are personal picks I’ve been wanting to reach for.
- In the Crease by Amy Briggs: a prequel to Offside to release in September 2026.
- A Trial of Two Worlds and hopefully A Trial of War: I will get to these! I swear!
- Mother Faker (The Momcoms #1) by Brittanee Nicole: I started this audiobook earlier in the month but had to pause for ARC/ALCs. (As of this post Free on Audible Plus).
- Ghost Marked (Ghost Duet #1) by A.V. Blackmoor: I’ve been looking forward to this release, but my schedule was too crazy.
- Devil Owned and Devil Kept by A.V. Blackmoor: I’m so excited that these are now in audiobooks!
If you want to explore more of the vibes I read this month, here are a few posts that pair well with July’s Deep Sapphire emotion and highlight the books I binged or plan to pick up next.
- 6 Deep Sapphire Romance Books: a curated list of Deep Sapphire romances shaped by internal danger and emotional healing
- A Trial of Fate by J.E. Larson Book Review: a romantasy review centered on elemental magic, political tension, and quiet emotional pressure
- Finding Home by Lauren Rowe Book Review
- Bloody Quarter by Brooklyn Cross Book Review: a psychologically tense, danger‑driven dark romance review that never softens its edges
The Emotional Borrow — A Little About My Approach
I read for the feeling a story leaves behind — the emotional borrow you carry with you after the last page. When I recommend something, it’s because the book delivered on what it promised: the tropes, the tone, the emotional payoff, and the overall experience.
I move through a lot of books across Kindle Unlimited and Audible, which means I’m always paying attention to what the genre is doing right now. I look for stories that land their beats, honor their setup, and make your time feel well spent.
Every pick I share comes from that lens: thoughtful, current, and focused on how the book actually reads, not just how it’s marketed.
Transparency is non-negotiable for me. You can read my full Review Policy for details on how I handle links and honest reviews.