This month was a good freaking month of books for me. So much so that I fear August won’t be able to live up to all the tremendous reads I devoured this month.
There are a few reasons why I think I had so many more hits than misses this month. First, I had that giant Audible Book Haul in which I utilized gift cards and extra credits on my account. Second, the novels I chose came highly recommended by friends who love the same type of books that I do. And, third, I discovered Mariana Zapata. Three of her novels made my favorites list this month and I haven’t even read the last two yet.
Anyway, of the 15 great books I read this month, 7 of them received 5 stars and made my favorites list. (I cheated and added two entire series to this list, even though I didn’t read all the books in the series this month.To my credit, I read ⅔ of the books in both series in July, the other ones I read in the end of June.)
Bree’s July 2017 Favorite Books of the Month
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
Finished July 4
This book was the sports romance I didn’t know I needed in my life. I’m not into sports romances, at least, I didn’t think I was until I read this book. If you like big brooding bullies with soft hearts as your hero, you’ll love this one.
Kulti by Mariana Zapata
Finished July 6
I read Kulti right after Winnipeg, which should’ve been a death wish for this novel. It wasn’t. It was just as satisfying and gloriously butterfly-inducing. Swoony sigh. The main character is a kickass professional soccer player who plays for a team who ends up hiring her childhood crush and idol as a coach. This would be incredible, except that he totally doesn’t want to be there and he’s kind of a jerk. For those of us who had major crushes and idols as pre-teens, this book is like a dream come true.
Lingus by Mariana Zapata
Finished July 7
I keep wanting to say that Lingus is my favorite Mariana Zapata book, but I just don’t know if I can! I mean, I think maybe it is, but I feel like I’m cheating on Winnipeg and Kulti and Locke when I say it. Anyway, the premise of this book is just as good as the book itself. I mean, porn star romance? Yes, please!
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Finished July 15
Oh my gosh, this novel. This freaking novel. I’m still reeling over how in love with this novel I am. The main character, Cather is an extreme introvert who writes extremely popular fanfiction. Her twin sister all but abandons her when they enter college and just when she thinks she is completely alone, it all changes. Two amazing people enter her life: her roommate Reagan and her friend (boyfriend?) Levi. What happens next is woven beautifully with Rainbow Rowell’s signature prose and will leave you wishing the book never ended. At least, that’s what it did to me.
Anna and the French Kiss Series by Stephanie Perkins
Finished July 17
Speaking of incredible characters and friendships, this series was so freaking cute and sweet I can’t even handle it. I loved the relationships and the characters in these books. My favorite of the three was the last one, Isla and the Happily Ever After with Anna and the French Kiss a close second. This series follows a group of friends who attend an American school in Paris both in that city and back in the states. Each book revolves around epic first loves with fair amounts of trials before the Happily Ever After.
My reviews:
Anna and the French Kiss
Lola and the Boy Next Door
Isla and the Happily Ever After
Under Locke by Mariana Zapata
Finished July 26
Under Locke made me fall in love with pet names and motorcycle gangs even though I previously did not particularly like either one. I had all the butterflies and I loved the main character. This story is about a girl named Iris who has a rough past, but somehow managed to push through with a pretty good outlook on life considering. She’s a virgin, but not virginal in that she isn’t clueless about sex. She ends up working at a tattoo parlor and her boss, Dex, is a total asshole to her initially. Keyword: initially. I’m totally into the grumpy guy who only softens for the love of his life trope and this one hit the spot.
The Wrong Series by Jana Aston
Finished July 20
To be fair, I haven’t read book #2.5 yet, but I have read the rest. This series follows a group of friends as they graduate college and each end up meeting guys who will fulfill your every romance-novel fantasy from doctor to successful businessman to FBI agent. What I loved about this series was the humor. It wasn’t over-the-top sacrificing quality for humor, to me, it was hilarious, entertaining, swoon-worthy, and extremely blush-worthy. The best parts, though? How many delightfully uncomfortable situations Jana Aston puts her characters through.
What are your favorites reads this month?
In Love & Words 
Jana Aaron and Mariana Zapata??????? Your month was awesome!!! Love both of them so much ❤️❤️❤️
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Yes!! SUCH a great reading month!
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