Today’s post covers the second half of the books I read in June 2025. I shared what I read in the first half of the month here. I shared my five star reads here. I did have two additional 5 star reads this month, which you can find below! The Amazon links to the books I’ve read are affiliate links and if you use them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. If you’ve read any of these books or are interested in them, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Title: Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous
Author: Christine Stringer
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Sparkpress, 6/10/25
Source: Booksparks
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 3 Stars
This book is about a Hollywood assistant who is treated like crap and yet sticks it out in the hopes of making it.
“Hollywood, 1997. When Charity Trickett moves to LA to assist the director of the biggest blockbuster film of the year, she quickly realizes that Hollywood isn’t all red carpets and Rodeo Drive. But her determination to become a screenwriter and producer in this glamorous yet cutthroat industry cannot be stifled. Working harder than she ever has before, she impresses the top brass at Canopy Studios and inches herself closer to her dream. But her ambitions and tender heart are threatened by backstabbing coworkers, an evaporating bank account, love gone wrong, a mistake that could cost the studio hundreds of millions of dollars, and an FBI investigation that could land her in jail. Surrounded by fame and money but unsure how to access either one, Charity’s grit and kindness steer her toward devoted friends and hopeful artists. If she can manage to stay out of trouble, maybe she can change bad to good.”
The story was a bit like a journal, depicting Charity’s adventures behind the scenes – which are not so glamorous. I didn’t connect with the love story, but I felt that Charity’s friendship with an actress was a bit more believable.
Title: Camp Frenemies
Author: Liz Montague
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Publisher: Random House Studio, 5/13/25
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 4 Stars
Camp Frenemies by Liz Montague was a cute graphic novel. It was about Bea, who likes to talk to her stuffed animals more than other kids. Her bunk mate Roxy tries to keep the peace between her and Virginia, and the kids learn to support each other.
“Beatrice, Roxy, and Virginia have conquered sixth grade, and now they’re ready for the next big milestone: their first week at sleepaway camp. Beatrice isn’t happy about this. After all, she prefers stuffed animals over people. Roxy doesn’t think camp is so bad. Honestly, she’s just excited to get some peace and quiet—she hasn’t had enough of that at home lately. And Virginia is the most excited for camp out of everyone since ALL the middle school soccer girls are going . . . but then Virginia doesn’t make the soccer team. Further complicating things is the fact that Virginia and Bea do not get along—which makes being cabinmates tricky. But between campfires and canoe rides, can these frenemies call a truce?”
This had cute illustrations and was a nice story overall.
Title: The Wedding People
Author: Alison Espach
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, 7/30/24
Source: Book of the Month
Why I Read It: Chose as Book of the Year
My Rating: 4 Stars
When I realized The Wedding People by Alison Espach was set in Newport, RI, I quickly added it to this month’s stack, as we visited Newport as part of our recent trip. This was my pick from the Book of the Year selections from BOTM.
“It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She’s immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years―she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe’s plan―which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.”
Because it was so popular, I wasn’t sure if I’d love this one. I did end up liking it well enough! It is about Phoebe, who inadvertently crashes a wedding when she checks into a hotel with the intention of killing herself. She meets Lila and her wedding guests and becomes a part of their group. There were some very funny parts and I liked getting to know the characters.
Title: The Passengers on the Hankyu Line
Author: Hiro Arikawa
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Berkley, 6/3/25, originally published in Japanese in 2008
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 3 Stars
This book is translated from the Japanese and is a short book made up of vignettes about the various travelers on the train line who interact with each other and have their own stories as well.
“Between the two beautiful towns of Takarazuka and Nishinomiya, in a stunning mountainous area of Japan, rattles the Hankyu Line train. Passengers step on and off, lost in thought, contemplating the tiny knots of their existence. On the outward journey, we are introduced to the emotional dilemmas of five characters, and on the return journey six months later, we watch them find resolutions. A young man meets the young woman who always happens to borrow a library book just before he can check it out himself, a woman in a white bridal dress boards looking inexplicably sad, a university student heads home after class, a girl prepares to leave her abusive boyfriend, and an old lady discusses adopting a dog with her granddaughter. With stories that crisscross like the railway lines, the Hankyu train trundles on, propelling the lives and loves of its passengers ever forward.”
I liked the variety of people on the train and when the groups interacted. However, I found that whenever I tried to read this book, I fell asleep. So, it took me longer to read than it should have! My favorite story was of the grandma and her granddaughter getting a dog.
Title: Seven Summers
Author: Paige Toon
Genre: Romance
Publisher: GP Putnam’s Sons, 5/21/24
Source: Gift
Why I Read It: Backlist
My Rating: 5 Stars
This book was on my list since last summer when it came out, and I added it to my stack for this month, finally! This is told in flashbacks of the past summers, beginning 7 summers ago when Liv meets Finn, and in the current summer, when she meets Tom. Liv and Finn had a strong connection, made even stronger by a trauma Liv experienced, but their relationship was stuck, as neither wanted to live where the other did. So their relationship took place only over the summers when he was with her. Now, maybe she can find happiness with someone else.
“Liv and Finn meet six summers ago working in a bar on the rugged Cornish coastline, their futures full of promise. When a night of passion ends in devastating tragedy they are bound together inextricably. But Finn’s life is in LA with his band, and Liv’s is in Cornwall with her family – so they make a promise. Finn will return every year, and if they are single they will spend the summer together. This summer Liv crosses paths with Tom – a mysterious new arrival in her hometown. As the wildflowers and heather come into bloom, they find themselves falling for one another. For the first time Liv can imagine a world where her heart isn’t broken every autumn. Now Liv must make an impossible choice. And when she discovers the shocking reason that Tom has left home, she’ll need to trust her heart even more.”
There was a good deal of heartbreak in this book, making it pretty angsty. I really enjoyed the story though, and I like Paige Toon’s writing! I also appreciated that Liv’s brother has Down Syndrome, as that is not a representation I recall seeing in books previously.
Title: This Cookie Will Change Your Life
Author: Ann Dee Ellis
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary
Publisher: Peachtree, 5/13/25
Source: Walker Books Group
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 5 Stars
I mentioned in my favorites post that I read my first 5 star middle grade book of this year – well, I also read my second! This sweet book is about a group of middle schoolers who end up together coincidentally and decide to sell cookies to raise money to go to CA. Each of them has family issues and they bond with one another, forming wonderful friendships.
“It’s the summer after sixth grade when a group of classmates turn up at the library at the same time. They know each other, but they’re not friends. The truth is, they each spend a lot of time alone. Which is why it’s so unexpected when Tilly, Jada, Eleanor, and Mateo create a cookie baking business together. It just kind of happens. The problem is their plans keep falling apart. But each failure only makes them more determined to make something—anything—work. Because what they need more than anything is an escape from the loneliness and anxiety that comes with middle school. They want to be a part of something. And in the end, the one thing that goes right is their decision to count on each other.”
I really enjoyed these kids and learning about their stories. The chapters were from each of their viewpoints and I was able to tell the difference between their individual voices, which is sometimes hard with multi viewpoint stories. I liked how they all ended up supporting each other!
Title: No Ordinary Love
Author: Myah Ariel
Genre: Rom Com
Publisher: Berkley, 4/1/25
Source: Booksparks
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 3.5 Stars, Rounded up to 4
This Mariah Carey inspired romance is about an R&B singer who meets a baseball player while going through a divorce. While a romance, the story was also about Ella’s personal journey to be her own self, separate from her ex husband, in her life and her career.
“Ella Simone’s popstar life is what dreams are made of. Her eight year marriage to renowned music producer, Elliot Majors, has helped garner the hits, awards, and adoring fans to prove it. But when Ella tires of Elliot’s many infidelities, she decides to fight for her independence despite the ironclad prenup that threatens her career. To help her case, Ella is under strict orders to stick to The Plan: no headlines, no rumors, no rocking the boat. But this strategy is thrown a curveball after an awards show wardrobe snafu and quick rescue by Miles Westbrook, MLB’s most eligible player, sends the tabloids into a frenzy. Amid tricky divorce proceedings, Ella’s magnetic connection with the charismatic pitcher might just be her downfall. Now the pressure is on to turn a scandal into an opportunity and give their teams what they want: a picture-perfect performance that will shore up both Ella and Miles’ reputations. But as the lines between reality and PR begin to blur, Ella will either stick to the choreographed life she knows so well, or surrender to a love that could set her free.”
I think I would have liked this book more if it also had included chapters from Miles’s viewpoint, or more about baseball as well as music. I was surprised that this book was not at all spicy. I liked Ella’s story but something was missing to make this a book that I loved.
Title: The Wish Switch
Author: Lynn Painter
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary / Fantasy
Publisher: Hachette Audio, 5/13/25
Source: Audio Publisher
Why I Read It: Enjoy this author
My Rating: 4 Stars
I enjoy Lynn Painter’s books and was excited to check out her middle grade debut. I listened to the audio of this one, narrated by Jesse Vilinsky. It is about Emma, whose grandmother told her about a special wish portal where she can make 4 wishes that may or may not come true. While Emma’s friends seem to get their wishes, Emma seems not to – but it seems that a new neighbor, Jackson, is getting her wishes instead.
“Emma Rockford knows it will take bonafide magic to make middle school everything she wants it to be. Luckily, before Emma’s beloved Nana died, she left detailed instructions on how to access an ancient, secret, magical wishing well. Emma follows each step and plans out every moment…except for the one where the obnoxious new kid, Jackson, tosses in wishes of his own that literally knock her wishes off course. When seventh grade starts, Emma discovers that her wishes are starting to come true, alright. But not for her…for Jackson. Which, the two quickly discover, could have disastrous consequences for both of their families, and cost Emma her best friends. Can they set everything straight in time to prevent full-blown catastrophe?”
This was a fun story with a mix up that leads to an adventure and a first love for Emma. This is also an intro to fantasy, as there is a bit of magic within!
There you have it, the rest of my June reading! This post included 8 of the books I read in June. Seven of these books were in print and 1 was audio. Genres included contemporary, graphic novel, and rom com / romance. Five were adult reads and 3 were middle grade.
Have you read any of these books or do you want to? What have you been reading lately?
