Mini-Reviews of Recent Reads – June 2023
June 2023 reviews of new books With My Little Eye, The Secret Book of Flora Lea, This Bird has Flown, Love Theoretically, and more.
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June was a full month of reading for me, and looking back, the ten books I read felt like a little too much.
While there were a couple of standouts that I really enjoyed, many of the books I read felt very mediocre.
None were really bad (they’ll all find their readers!), but they just didn’t capture and rivet me.
And that’s why ten felt like too many: it was too many books I wasn’t loving that I didn’t put down for something else.
I’ve gotten better at putting down books I’m not enjoying, but it’s still very easy to just keep going when I’m moderately interested in finding out what happens. But more often than not, those books end up feeling a little like a chore.
So my personal challenge for the rest of this summer–and for always, really–is to acknowledge when I just need to move on and hope that I’ll love the next book.
Life’s too short and reading time is too limited to spend it with books we don’t love.
Here’s what I’ve been reading:
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Print and E-Books
With My Little Eye
Author: Joshilyn Jackson
Publish Date: April 25, 2023
Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers
Meribel’s fame has attracted numerous unhinged fans, but her most recent stalker is different and more threatening. When she and her daughter move across the country to escape, it seems he may have followed. Now all of the men in her life are suspects, but she can’t keep herself and her daughter safe until she figures out who this person actually is.
I always love Joshilyn Jackson’s books–she has this sly, witty voice that always draws me in, and now that she’s gone into thriller territory, she’s become a master of misdirection and surprises. I was a bit dissatisfied by the overall ending of this, just because it ended abruptly and I wanted a few more answers. But on the whole, I was hooked and loved this dark thriller.
The Secret Book of Flora Lea
Author: Patti Callahan Henry
Publish Date: May 2, 2023
Source: Atria Books via Netgalley
Genres: Historical Fiction
This historical fiction novel, set in dual time periods, takes us to England during World War II and 20 years later in London. In 1960, we meet Hazel, who works in a rare bookshop and opens a package to find a story–but it’s not just any story. It’s one about a fantastical land that she made up as a teen for her 5-year-old sister, Flora, 20 years ago. No one else ever knew about it.
In 1939, she and Flora were evacuated from London to the countryside, where they would escape to Hazel’s made-up land of Whisperwood. One day on the banks of the Thames, Flora disappeared, and Hazel has been wracked with guilt and longing ever since. Could the existence of this book mean Flora is still alive?
While I don’t read many WWII books anymore, this mystery was interesting. It did drag in the middle, though and I was impatient for the resolution–which then felt like it came too abruptly, so it was an odd mix of pacing. I didn’t always love the style of prose (overly flowery, in places), but I loved many of the characters and their relationships. On the whole, a very uneven read for me.
This Bird Has Flown
Author: Susanna Hoffs
Publish Date: April 4, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Fiction
This was also one of my most anticipated books of spring, mostly because I was curious to check out a book by the lead singer of the Bangles. Jane is a singer who years ago had a breakout hit when she covered a song by a superstar singer. She’s still struggling to get back on top, when she meets an Oxford professor named Tom on a flight to London. They are instantly enamored of one another, but she starts to think things aren’t quite as they seem.
I was obviously hopeful about this one, but it just didn’t deliver. The instant love story didn’t quite work for me–I didn’t feel their connection, or why Jane was so fixated on Tom. Jane was hard to pinpoint, with her lack of confidence and what felt like overdramatic reactions to many things. Kind of a disappointment, and one I maybe should have put down.
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Audiobooks
Everything’s Still There
Author: Kalyn Fogarty
Publish Date: May 2, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Fiction
Brynn is a new mom who is struggling. The perfect Instagram moms make her feel inferior, and postpartum depression is taking hold. She pushes away her old friends and husband, and she daydreams about being part of the trendy mommy groups she sees online and around town. One sleepless morning, she sees a flashing light and follows it to the home of an elderly neighbor woman. They soon fall into a friendship that just might save them both–if they can be truthful with one another and themselves.
I appreciate how a lot of authors are now exploring post-partum depression and the struggles of new motherhood. This depicts that foggy, tedious, and often frustrating time so well. A good read for anyone who has experienced motherhood or who is considering it–it’s raw and real and doesn’t sugarcoat the hardships.
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It Was an Ugly Couch Anyway
Author: Elizabeth Passarella
Publish Date: May 2, 2023
Source: Libro.fm ALC
Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir
This collection of personal essays from Southern Living columnist Elizabeth Passarella has one common theme: change. Whether it’s moving, getting rid of sentimental furniture, or dealing with a health crisis, the stories are familiar to anyone, even if the specifics are different. Passarella has a charming, likable voice and reading this felt like hanging out with a friend.
I loved how she spaced out a series of stories on her struggles to buy an apartment from her neighbor in New York–I was thoroughly hooked and needed to know how it ended. The audio version included an interview with that neighbor, which was a delightful addition. This isn’t a groundbreaking memoir, but I thoroughly enjoyed the listen.
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The Rachel Experiment
Author: Lisa Lin
Publish Date: May 16, 2023
Source: Libro.fm ALC
Genres: Romance
Rachel is a financial analyst who is not good with people. When she gets a promotion to lead a team in San Francisco, her boss makes it clear that she has to succeed. She pledges to improve her social skills and goes out to a bar on her first night in town. She ends up having a one-night stand with Luke. They’re both surprised when they see each other again, but they realize they can help each other: he can help with her social skills and she can consult on his new business.
They pledge to keep it professional, but this is a rom-com, so there is chemistry and complications. Overall, this was a cute and entertaining romance but not a standout.
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Before She Finds Me
Author: Heather Chavez
Publish Date: June 27, 2023
Source: Libro.fm ALC
Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers
Julia is a mother who saves her daughter when there is a shooting on move-in day on her college campus. Her quick actions don’t go unnoticed, especially by Ren, the assassin who wasn’t there, but her husband was. She is fascinated by Julia’s response, and she suspects her husband isn’t telling her something about the job.
As both women search for answers and ways to protect their families, they get closer to one another and to the shocking explanation of what happened. This thriller had me hooked for a while, but I found some of the characters’ motivations unclear and the storyline got pretty convoluted toward the end, which kept it from having a satisfying ending.
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Famous for a Living
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Publish Date: May 1, 2023
Source: Libro.fm ALC
Genres: Romance
Cat is a famous influencer who loves her life, but when a partnership with an app goes wrong, she is quickly canceled and humiliated. She needs to get away from the spotlight while the legal wheels turn, so her Uncle Terry offers her a position at the small Montana national park where he is a ranger. She is a fish out of water, but she soon grows to love the park and the people, even if ranger Zaiah despises the social media that is her livelihood. But they are attracted to one another–if only they can bridge the gaps in their differences.
I loved the national park setting and many of the side characters were great. There was a romance here, but it wasn’t the focus, so don’t go in expecting a chemistry-filled story. I didn’t quite buy this opposites-attract story, and it felt a little preachy about social media. This had its charms, but it didn’t fully gel for me.
All the Gold Stars
Author: Rainesford Stauffer
Publish Date: June 6, 2023
Source: Libro.fm ALC
Genres: Nonfiction
This book examines ambition: what it means, its origins in our lives, how it affects us, and whether we are striving for the wrong things. Stauffer looks at how our ambition can feel like it’s taking us to a destination and a time when we can finally rest, only to reach our goals and be rewarded with more work.
This is an excellent combination of anecdote and research, which adds credibility and human interest. Stauffer encourages a reframing of ambition–toward our families, friendships, and contentment, rather than achievement. I love that she offers this alternative, because the burnout epidemic feels so bleak and hopeless.
I can’t say she gets fully beyond the hopelessness of hustle culture–there’s a lot about the world that feels bleak right now, and striving is just about surviving right now, for so many people. But as someone who has always been on the achievement train and now has made a side business out of my reading hobby, this gave me a lot of food for thought.
Love, Theoretically
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Publish Date: June 13, 2023
Source: Libro.fm ALC
Genres: Romance
Elsie earned her Ph.D. in physics a year ago. Since then, she’s been struggling, working as an adjunct at three universities in Boston, with no health insurance to manage her diabetes and no time to work on her ground-breaking research. To make ends meet, she works as a fake girlfriend, showing up in any way that people need her to, to convince friends and family they’re in a relationship
It’s perfect for this admitted people pleaser, who can adjust to meet anyone’s needs at a whim. When she’s tapped for a tenure-track position at MIT, she is shocked to find that the brother of one of her fake GF clients is on the committee. What’s worse, he’s renowned for almost destroying her beloved field of theoretical physics. Her guard is up, but he seems to see right through her–through her people-pleasing and her struggles, and he’s an open book about how he feels.
I’ve been reading a lot more romance than usual this year, and this is one of my favorites. I love the academic setting and tensions, as well as the theme of pushing past people-pleasing tendencies to authenticity and truth. I definitely plan to read more Ali Hazelwood.
I’m also not a huge romance reader, but I love Ali Hazelwood. I’ve already ordered Love, Theoretically, so I can’t wait for it to arrive.
I also have The Love Hypothesis sitting on my shelf–I may need to bump it up the queue!
I think you would really enjoy The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff.
Ooh, I’ve heard of this one but hadn’t really looked at it. It sounds fun–thanks for the recommendation!
My favorite books this year were Remarkably Bright Creatures;
A Quiet Teacher; and
Weyward.
I’m currently listening to Caste. Literally life-changing.
Loved Remarkably Bright Creatures–the audiobook was amazing! I have Weyward and Caste sitting on my shelves and definitely need to get to them. I haven’t heard of A Quiet Teacher–thanks for the recommendation!
Hello Allison, just been on holiday (thank heavens) and read more the past two weeks than the past year (I am exaggerating). Also had a few iffy reads, but some great ones. My reviews:
1) The truants, Kate Weinberg – started brilliantly, but lost the plot I think (a factual inaccuracy also threw me).
2) Homecoming, Kate Morton – back to her best; loved this
3) Hello beautiful, Ann Napolitano – couldn’t finish this, became too depressing – think I was in a bad place, because my Mom raves about it
4) Book lovers, Emily Henry – nice relaxed happy read
5) A separate peace, John Knowles – brilliant, but did not enjoy it
6) Outback Patricia Wolf – good, not sure if I will read #2
7) I have some questions for you, Rebecca Makkai – sorry Allison, I thought this dragged
And a few more – the hit was Homecoming.
Thanks for all the reviews. Love your site,
Jo