June Reading Wrap-Up
A Snapshot of What I Read
June surprised me in the best way. I went into the month without a real plan and somehow ended up finishing series, keeping up with new releases, and falling into a couple author binges that completely took over my brain.
I wrapped up the Roman Republic series, jumped straight into Penelope Sky’s new series, and read both ALCs as soon as they landed in my inbox. I also revisited The Royals by Erin Watt. I had read books one and two last year, but when I went to continue the series I realized I remembered nothing, so I relistened to those two before finally starting book three. I still need to read books four and five, but it felt great to get back into it. On top of that, I fell into a Lauren Rowe binge that made me want to read her entire catalogue. With eleven ARCs and ALCs and a huge wave of Deep Sapphire emotion, June was really awesome.
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Quick Stats
- Books read: 24
- Average rating: 3.87★
- Dominant emotional lane: Deep Sapphire
- Most common genre: Contemporary Romance
- Reading Format: 9 Audiobooks, 5 eBooks, 10 Audiobooks + eBooks
- Total Pages: 8,217
- ARC/ALC Books: 11
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: 4
- 💙Sapphire Angst: 3
- 💎Deep Sapphire: 13
- 🖤Onyx Chaos: 3
- ⚫Obsidian Edge: 1
Top Reads
Paper Princess (The Royals #1) – Erin Watt (5★ | Audible)
This reread hit just as hard as the first time. The pacing is fast, the tension builds beautifully, and Ella’s character stands out with her grit, backstory, and refusal to break under pressure. Catching all the breadcrumbs this time around made the family drama, the Royals’ chaos, and Brooke’s mess even more intense.
Broken Prince (The Royals #2) – Erin Watt (5★ | Audible)
This reread absolutely held its 5‑star rating. The pacing makes it impossible not to binge, and watching the Royals unravel without Ella adds so much angst. Reed’s groveling, the family’s guilt, the unhinged villains, and that wild ending all hit just as hard the second time.
Twisted Palace (The Royals #3) – Erin Watt (4.5★ | Audible)
This book was such a wild, dramatic ride and an amazing finale for Ella and Reed’s story. The slower pacing worked with the trial tension, the chaos around Steve, and all the emotional pressure on Ella and Reed. The twists, the rich‑people drama, and the Royals rallying around Ella made this one of my most exciting reads of the month.
Beautiful Liar (Reed Rivers Trilogy #2) – Lauren Rowe (4.5 ★ | KU + Audible Plus)
Book 1 felt light, but book 2 absolutely crushed me. Georgina and Reed are FIRE, falling deeper while still tangled in secrets and lies, and the tension builds until everything explodes in a completely shocking way. My heart was pounding, and I needed to read book 3 immediately.
By Blade, I Vow (By Blade #2) – Penelope Sky (4.5 ★ | ALC -Available on KU -July 14, 2026)
This series is so binge‑worthy, and book 2 kept me hooked. Frankie is a total powerhouse, Wolfe is loyal, lethal, and impossible not to love, and the fallout from book 1 creates nonstop tension. Fast‑paced action, danger, secrets, and a brutal cliffhanger made this such an exciting read. I can’t wait for book 3 to release.
By Blade, I Protect (By Blade #1) – Penelope Sky (4★ | ALC – Available on KU)
Such a strong start to this mafia series. Wolfe is bold, ruthless, obsessed in the best way, and Frankie is the exact kind of fierce FMC I love. Their forbidden romance is fast, dangerous, and full of action, secrets, and tension. The cliffhanger was perfect, and left me impatient for book 2.
Intense (Beneath the Blaze #3) – Luna Mason (4★ | ALC – Available on KU)
Two broken monsters finding healing in each other made this such a gripping read. Finn and Samantha’s rivalry, obsession, and shared darkness were truly intense, and the trials were fresh, twisted, and perfect for their story. I loved their dynamic, the found‑family vibes, and the morally grey chaos. I’m ready for whatever comes next.
Who’s Your Daddy – Lauren Rowe (4★ | KU + Audible Plus)
I absolutely adored this book. A single‑mom FMC in her 40s and a younger MMC in his 30s made the story feel so fresh, and the spicy‑sweet, comedy‑of‑errors chaos had me smiling the whole way through. Max and Marnie’s chemistry was off the charts, and the tension, humor, and heart made this such a fun read.
Textual Relations – Lauren Rowe (4★ | KU + Audible Plus)
One wrong number turns into one of the sweetest romances I’ve read in a while. Grayson is pure golden‑retriever energy, Selena’s slow thaw is adorable, and the goofy twists had me smiling nonstop. It’s low‑conflict, heart‑warming, and the perfect book when you just want to feel happy.
Reflection & July Preview
June leaned Deep Sapphire for me, full of emotional depth and a reading flow that felt exciting from start to finish. It set a great tone before moving into July’s very full reading plans.
I somehow hit twenty‑four books and my highest ARC and ALC count this year, which is extra funny because I thought June would be slow.
July is already giving me full reading energy. I have up to ten ARCs and ALCs lined up, which is wild for one month, especially with seven requests still pending. This stack leans emotional, trope‑heavy, and full of complicated relationships, and I am ready for all of it.
- (ALC) It’s About Time by Harlow James: a contemporary romance with high‑tension banter and a hate‑to‑love arc I’m excited for.
- (ALC) Tropesick by Lauren Okie: a slow burn with emotional tension and a little magic, plus I love when authors make their characters romance authors.
- (ARC) Whole Together by Nomi J. Avery: a small town romantic suspense with grit, found family, and all the elements I love.
- (ALC request) Ace & Ember by Kate Crew: a high stakes, dark romance, and forbidden romance that’s completely up my alley.
- (ARC request) Toxic Kiss by Brooklyn Cross: a dark rockstar romance packed with toxic desire and childhood enemies tension, and I’m excited because her Bloody Quarter hooked me completely.
- (ARC request) Out For Blood by Krista Turner Clark: I’m so excited for book two because I want to see how the main characters get their revenge.
With my long list of potential ARCs and ALCs for July, I don’t know how many books on my TBR I’ll actually get through, but these are high on my list.
- 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!
- Fallen Heir (The Royals #4) by Erin Watt: I can’t wait to read Easton’s story!
If you want to explore more of the vibes I read this month, here are a few posts that pair well with June’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.