Today I’m sharing the books I read in July, and wow there are quite a few! Hey I’m really getting into the hang of posting these wraps ups huh? I started the month off in Spain which is where I got most of my reading done.

I wrote about the books I was planning on reading here if you fancy comparing that with how I got on! Keep reading for my spoiler free thoughts.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
With a fake marriage trope, enemies to lovers and more depth than I was expecting, this really was the perfect hilarious poolside read. I definitely need to read more from these authors now. 4/5 stars.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Since coming across this book a few months ago it has sat on my highly anticipated reads list ever since. I luckily received an ARC of the book from the publishers (thank you Harper360!) and couldn’t wait to delve in. A fast paced fantasy read about a witch and witch-hunter who are reluctantly paired together, full of witty one liners and a hard hitting plot. I can’t wait to read more from this world! 4.5/5 stars.
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey
I saw that my library app (BorrowBox) had this available and reserved it ready for my holiday. I didn’t expect too much but I was pleasantly surprised! A forbidden love sort of story, it was definitely way more smutty than I had anticipated but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Like The Hating Game I did find a few things slightly problematic so this was 3/5 stars for me.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
I don’t know why I’d put off picking it up for so long if I’m honest but I’m so glad that I finally did. One of my favourite tropes is enemies to lovers so I knew I was going to have a good time. However, I enjoyed this story way more than I was expecting! It was funny, it was smutty, it was super cute; I loved it. I found a couple of aspects a little problematic which is why I couldn’t give it the full five stars but it’s definitely a favourite read of the year so far. 4.5/5 stars.

If You Could Go Anywhere by Paige Toon
Paige Toon has become basically a staple holiday author for me. I really enjoyed the story but it just didn’t grip me unfortunately. It was a great poolside read and I read it in a day but not something I would pick up again. 3.5/5 stars.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
I’m not sure where to start with this one! Firstly this was a gift from my Amazon wishlist from the lovely Imi so I feel awful for what I’m about to say. I just don’t get the hype. This is an award winning read that everyone seems to love but I was just… bored? Maybe I totally missed the point but I felt I could only rate this book 2.5/5 stars.
Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer
I picked this up on a whim in the airport, flew through this book on my last day and loved it. It covered some really important topics like trust, honesty, morals, poverty, teenage pregnancy and it was hard hitting in places. I really liked the friendships between the main characters and the romance was just the perfect intensity for the story.
This is the second book I’ve read by Brigid and after loving A Curse So Dark and Lonely I definitely need to read-more from this author! 4/5 stars.
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

Ok WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO READ THIS BOOK! It was everything I wanted it to be and more. Although it dealt with some serious topics which you should definitely check out the trigger warnings for, I just couldn’t get enough of the story. I read it in a number of days and can’t wait to pick up the sequel which I was lucky enough to grab an ARC of at YALC! Full review to come but this was 5/5 stars for me!
Heartstopper Volume Two by Alice Oseman
This graphic novel is just the. purest. I loved volume one and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second instalment. It was just as lovely and sweet as the first! While I can’t comment on the representation it dealt with topics such as coming out and dealing with your sexuality. I flew through the story and I just love the artwork. 4/5 stars.
Mooncakes by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker
Recently I’ve been getting more in to graphic novels so when Lauren recommended this to me as a ‘read now’ on Netgalley I couldn’t resist. A super cute witchy graphic novel filled with lots of representation with cute moments bad bad jokes. The illustrations were just as lovely as the story itself and I NEED a room full of magical books too! 3.5/5 stars.
And that’s all of the books I read in July. I actually felt like I’d read a lot less than that so I’m happy with the total. I’m taking part in ARC August this year so I’m excited to see where this month takes me!
What was the best thing you read this month?
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I’ve been seeing Alice Oseman’s books everywhere recently! I really need to read one ASAP 🙂
I highly recommend!
Call it What You Want was one of my favourite books that I ended up reading in June! I love Brigid Kemmerers’ contemporaries because they always explore more than just the romance. You should definitely check out her others ones if you haven’t alread – Letters to the Lost is my favourite!
Oooh thank you for the recommendation I’ll definitely check it out!
I’m really intrigued by Serpent & Dove! You had a great reading month. Lovely covers 😊
It was a fab read! 🙂
I LOVED The Hating Game and The Unhoneymooners too. I really want to get to Fix Her Up but I’m apprehensive, I think I’m likely to have the same rating as you since I’ve agreed on others.
I’ve really been into contemporary reads lately! Yeah there was just a few things about Fix Her Up that just didn’t sit well with me.
Yeah I have heard some ~things~ 👎🏻 I’d still like to give it a go myself I think, but I’m weary!
I’m not usually a fantasy reader but I loved Serpent & Sove so much!
I really enjoyed it too!
I’m so glad you enjoyed Call It What You Want!
Thank you – and from your recommendation too!
You’ve got to read quite some great books!
It was a great reading month!
Okay so, I feel the same about Eleanor Oliphant. I didn’t get it at all but felt embarrassed to say anything as so many people loved it!
I NEED to read Mooncakes, Heartstopper and Girls is Paper and Fire.
Also, a book about a witch and witch hunter being paired up – yes PLEASE!
What a great wrap up!
Ooh yes!! I hardly see people with this opinion so it’s good to see I’m not alone haha. Thank you Lauren <3
super glad you loved mooncakes 🙂 its so soft and lovely!!!!
definitely agree with what you said about Girls too, gonna have to take our word for it next time haha
YES I need to listen to you more!
Glad you read so many books you enjoyed in July and I’m obviously really happy that you got around to reading GOPAF! I’m really excited for Serpent and Dove!
I’m SO GLAD I finally read it!!!!!
Serpent & Dove sounds so good! I’m excited to read it.
I read Elenor Oliphant before I even knew it was hyped – and cried and cried whilst reading it! But understand if you’ve gone in thinking it was hyped up and then it’s just kind of ‘normal’ every day events through out which could be boring if you’re not in the mood!
Yes I definitely think that over-hyped books can be more of a disappointment in the long run 🙁
I love your reviews and I really need to bump Serpent and Dove up my TBR!
You read some amazing books in July. I’m so glad you enjoyed Girls of Paper and Fire after looking forward to it for so long.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk
There’s so much here on my TBR or that I’ve loved so this wrap up is ace! And don’t worry about Eleanor Oliphant, everyone is different 🤷
I am so jealous that you have read Serpent & Dove! I have been wanting to read that forever! And I am equally glad that you enjoyed it so much!