Absolutely. Based on the categories and books in your graphic, I’d keep the July post fairly concise, especially since several books were installments in the Emma M. Lion series.
July was a bit of a mixed reading month for me. I read nine books, although four of those were installments in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, so the number is a little misleading. Still, I had some definite standouts—and a couple of books that I wouldn’t recommend.
The biggest surprise of the month was Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. I had been looking forward to this one, and it absolutely lived up to the premise. It follows a tradwife influencer who wakes up in 1855 and suddenly has to live the harsh pioneer life she has only been romanticizing online. It’s an entertaining satire, but there is also plenty to think about underneath the humor. Definitely a recommendation from me.
I also continued my journey through The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower, listening to four more installments this month. These continue to be charming, entertaining, and very easy to listen to. They are definitely more on the light and whimsical side of historical fiction, which is why I’ve kept them in my “Yes” category for enjoyment, while acknowledging that they may not appeal to readers looking for serious historical fiction.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker was another favorite. This is a dark, atmospheric fantasy with a complicated relationship at its center, and it pulled me in completely. I’m definitely interested in continuing the series.
There were two books that landed in my “Maybe” category. The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard had an intriguing premise and some elements I enjoyed, but ultimately didn’t quite work for me enough to become a favorite. Kirkyards & Kindness by Kelley Armstrong was entertaining, but again, I wasn’t particularly wowed by it.
And then there was Between These Broken Hearts by Lexi Ryan, which landed firmly in the “No” category. The verdict on the graphic pretty much says it all: read this one only if you’ve already made it through the first three books in the series. Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend starting here.
Overall, July had some definite winners, particularly Yesteryear and To Bleed a Crystal Bloom, along with another four enjoyable visits to the world of Emma M. Lion. Not every book was a winner, but that’s part of the fun of reading—there’s always another one waiting on the TBR.
