Happy BOOK DAY, friends!
(Who doesn’t love a Book Day?!)
I hope you had a great weekend. We had such a good time with our friends and now, we’re gearing up for all the July 4th fun around here. What better way to wrap up June than with an EPIC book review?
This month, I read SIX BOOKS…and several of them should be on your “to read” list in July.
Grab your iced coffee and settle in.
I have some really good book recs for your Tuesday 🙂 .
First up…
Book #1 this month was:
…Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey.
As many of you know, this was our JUNE BOOK CLUB pick! If you have read this book, please head to THIS POST to discuss. If you haven’t read this book, let me give you a few deets and also encourage you NOT to read the Book Club post as it does contain spoilers.
Curious about this one? Here is my review (without spoilers):
Well, boo. I didn’t love this one. I typically LOVE Kristy Woodson Harvey novels. They’re light, they’re sweet, they’re happy chick lit…this book was all of that buuuuut it was also way too “soap opera-y” for me.
In a nutshell, a newborn baby is found behind a high school in a dumpster by the baseball coach and a player. After they rush it to the hospital, he meets a beautiful “new in town” nurse and of course, she falls for the coach and this precious bundle of joy.
As the novel unfolds, you get to know his eclectic family, her birth mom, the baby’s birth parents…and a whole lot of shenanigans in this small town.
I don’t know? I just found this one too unrealistic, cheesy and overly dramatic (with very little substance). I do highly recommend some of this author’s other books if you want something light and cute to read. Try A Happier Life or The Summer of Songbirds or The Wedding Veil instead.
This next novel was the most recommended book from you ladies in our May Book Review blog post…
Book #2:
Into the Blue by Emma Brodie
I should have made THIS BOOK our June Book Club read. Holy. Cow.
Where should I even begin?
One day, I was on a walk with Lauren, and we were chatting about books. I told her I was reading this one based on your recommendation. I told her that something must be about to happen in the story because up until the point where I was, it was boring.
And then something happened.
And then I immediately “got it”.
When the book was all said and done, I texted two other friends to see if they had read it yet because I was dying to discuss it with someone. Did I love it or did I hate it? I don’t know?! My feelings are so complicated and mixed about the whole book.
What I do know is that I could not put it down, and I will be thinking about it the rest of the year.
This is the fictional story of a famous movie star and his childhood friend who is a writer for Saturday Night Live. The story toggles back and forth between their high school/young adult years and present day. In full transparency, this story goes into a lot of depth about their love of improv. A lot of depth. The first half of the book about wore me about with all the improv talk…but then there is a pivotal moment in the story and BAM, the story changes.
I am so happy you suggested I read this one because it was incredibly thought provoking. I won’t say why because I don’t want there to be spoilers, but this plot does give you a lot to think about. Disclaimer, disclaimer, disclaimer though…this book is very Rated R. Reader beware as it does contain a lot of adult content.
I will read a lot of forgettable books this year…this will not be one of them.
Alrighty, next up…
Book #3:
Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan
Well, this was my favorite book of the month 🙂 .
I just always love Annabel Monaghan’s novels and her latest one did not disappoint.
This novel is as cute and charming and happy and sweet as one would expect for a summer beach book.
This is the story of a single mom from Boston who takes her son back to her hometown in Rhode Island for the summer to help out her dad who owns the local fish shop (See? Charming!). She’s a kindergarten teacher with a lot on her plate, so needless to say, she’s surprised when the handsome, wealthy man in town needs her to pretend like she’s his girlfriend. This is very Pretty Woman but PG.
Light, happy, sweet…you’ll read it quickly and love every page.
Book #4:
And She Got Up by Courtney Pray Duke
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard about Courtney Pray Duke. I had two toddlers, and we were at the cafe at the gym and someone had her Instagram pulled up to show me the beautiful 29 year old mother of three from Georgia whose music minister husband was just killed in a biking accident. I immediately stated following her on IG and have be wowed, blown away, and blessed by how she handled that situation and all the years that followed.
She truly is a shining light for Jesus on the internet, and it has blessed me so much to follow her story from afar.
Needless to say, when her memoir was released this month, I immediately purchased it. You guys, her storytelling is the living, breathing reality of what it’s like to truly follow Jesus. Whether you have a personal relationship with Him or not, let me promise you, you will have chills reading her story. It’s raw and real and vulnerable and absolutely a testimony to walking with the Lord. I cried twice reading the book. It’s wonderful. I have thought so much about it in the days following. Two big, big thumbs up.
Okay, I feel like everyone is talking about this next one…
Book #5:
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
So many of my friends told me slightly negative things about this book that I opened it with the lowest bar possible and…I LOVED IT!
Bahahaha!
Erika was shocked.
I should really go into allllllll books thinking I won’t like them.
Alrighty, this novel is twisty, y’all. Just when you think you know where the story is going (and thinking it’s super farfetched), there’s a twist. And then a turn. I had no idea what was happening or what exactly I was reading, but I was fascinated and highly entertained.
This is the story of an influencer in Idaho who lives on a farm with her family and well, everything isn’t as it appears.
I won’t give away any spoilers, but nothing is at face value. No one is really likable, it’s highly outlandish but somehow, the story still works. I mean, it’s crazy unrealistic, but it’s a book I’ll remember long after this year. I have a feeling many of you will too.
This novel has strong language, so buyer beware if that’s not something you like to read.
Perhaps you need to go into it with a low bar too? It really helped me 😉 .
And finally…
Book #6:
The Shippers by Katherine Center
One can always count on Katherine Center for sweet, wholesome, funny, adorable, happily ever after chick lit. I always love her novels, and this one here was no exception. This is the cute story of a woman who goes from runaway bride to bridesmaid on her sister’s wedding cruise. She’s there to figure out why she can’t commit…along with both her best friend from her youth (a man who has been living in London) and the neighborhood crush from her youth.
Sweet and so easy to read.
Is it a little predictable? Yes. Did I love every page? Absolutely! After a few heavier/meatier books this month, wrapping up with this light and happy book was the perfect icing on the cake.
That’s my JUNE BOOK REVIEW!
Don’t forget…
To see the complete list of books I read in 2015 (all 63 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2016 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2017 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2018 (all 61 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2019 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2020 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2021 (all 59 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2022 (all 60 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2023 (all 51 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2024 (all 58 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2025 (all 58 of them), click here.
If you want to stay current on all of the books I’m reading in 2026, THIS PAGE HERE is where I keep the books, authors and reviews each month.
We would love, love to have you join us in July for our BOOK CLUB!
Next month, we are reading…
…The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett and discussing it on July 22nd.
Happy happy Book Day!
Let’s chat all things books in the comment section (no spoilers though!). xx
Kristen Thompson says
I was a few days behind on the book club book this month and I read that post yesterday! You mentioned that some of the heavier topics felt glossed over but I just wanted to mention that Parker and Amelia’s story ( and big George and the twins) were a whole other book by the same author! It was a lot heavier than most of her reads but it did cover those topics more thoroughly and was soooo good! 😊
Jill Berry says
Ohhhh what’s the title of their story?
Laura says
I was SO excited when I saw the email graphic yesterday because I read two of these books also this month! Dolly and Yesteryear! I am glad you loved them also! My friend works for the publisher of Dolly (so cool!) and a group of friends and I can NOT stop talking about Yesteryear- how it intersects with faith and sin and the internet and Biblical values (or not) and also just all the crazy drama of the book. This also would be such a fun book club book! I am super curious your thoughts on the influencing side (although I know it would be hard to sum up in one comment!).
Mix and Match Mama says
My thoughts on the influencing side is that I don’t personally know any influencers like that. I’m sure there are (where their whole life is like a TV show set, basically), but that’s not my speed. It reminded me of when I would watch Joanna Gaines on HGTV back in the day (not negative, just a production in one’s home).
Laura says
That makes sense. My friend group talked about how she was like a Christian without the love of Jesus (a clanging symbol). Someone like Joanna Gaines (or you!) certainly has the love of Jesus in them and isn’t like that!
Tasha says
From what I have seen this book was *inspired* by the influencer Hannah Neeleman aka Ballerina Farm!
Dani R. says
Yay! I’m so happy you read Yesteryear and didn’t listen to the negative comments! It really was one of my favorites from this year. I loved that I didn’t love the characters and I have to agree, it totally worked haha. I’ll be recommending this one to many friends. Cannot wait to read Calamity Club!
Jami Romano says
Great choices!
Jessica says
Yay for book review day. I started Into the Blue and couldn’t get past the boring first half. Maybe I should try it again. I read and LOVED Dolly All The Time. I also ready several murder mystery books this month – You Deserve to Know, Long Time Gone, Guess Again, and Listen for the Lie. I enjoyed them all. I’m in the middle of Road Trip by Mary Kate Andrews and loving it!
Mix and Match Mama says
The first half was ROUGH.
Susan Jeffries says
I read Yesteryear and basically forced my book club to read it last month. It was so well written and I would not stop listening! I also enjoyed Dolly All the Time. Sweet summer read. I had the same feelings about Summer State of Mind – all over the place and not believable. I am adding Into the Blue to my TBR, along with a few autobiographies to change things up. Although The Help was one of my favorite books (and movies, I felt The Calamity Club was disappointing. It felt all over the place for me – too many words if that makes sense(; I hope you enjoy it though! Summer reading is so much fun!!
Elspeth Mizner says
I felt the same way about yesteryear too!! Such a good twist! Looking forward to next month’s Picks!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Kristen says
I read Into the Blue last month and immediately wanted to talk it through with everyone . I just came across a best seller that I missed years ago called Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow that reminded me of Into the blue … it’s a must read too! Has anyone read it ? Curious on thoughts!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Erika and I were talking about just yesterday. We can’t stop! I’m so mad it wasn’t June’s Book Club pick. I haven’t read the Tomorrow one yet.
Laura says
I’m reading Tomorrow now and am about half way through. I really didn’t like it at first but I always give a book 100 pages before letting go. I’m now invested. I look forward to reading it every night.
Kristen says
Stick with it ! I ended up loving it . It’s going to be made into a movie this yr.
Leticia says
I just got Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow at a book sale! Haven’t started it yet, but now I’m motivated to get into it.
Lisa D says
I really liked Tomorrow!
Bridget Wright says
Thanks for all the great recs! Adding many to my TBR list. Happy reading!
Katie Compton says
Hooray for book day! I absolutely loved Dolly All the Time, and I’m glad you did too. I love how Monighan helps you get to know all the characters, not just the main ones. One of my favorite things about her writing!!
I just finished The Group Trip by Audrey Ingram and loved it! A sweet story of college friends then and now. Highly recommend!
https://a.co/d/0b6hRg8d
Mix and Match Mama says
That is such an accurate observation about her storytelling. YES!
Irene Kelly says
Have you read “Finding Freedom” by Erin French ? Great book about how Erin climbed her way to the top and now owns one of the most doughty after dinner reservations in all of New England at her restaurant The Lost Kitchen ! I really would love to go there but she runs a lottery system so very difficult to get a seat at her table ! ! Good Reading ! Irene Kelly
Mix and Match Mama says
I have not! Thank you for the rec!
C Whit says
I second this post! Her books inspired our family trip to Maine last summer.
Kristin McWilliams says
Yes I third this book! Was so good
Jessica says
I’m so glad you decided to read Yesteryear as I think you had commented on last month’s post that so many people you knew didn’t like it. I really loved it! It was so unique & the writing was great. I’ve been saving Dolly All the Time for my beach trip this weekend — I cannot wait to read it!! I just finished the Calamity Club and can’t wait to see your thoughts.
Kelly Bonner says
I just bought Dolly All The Time so I’m glad to hear you loved it! I also keep seeing Courtney Pray Duke all over my IG, I’ll have to pick up her book.
Margaret says
I love the club day and I am in the middle of the audio of the calamity club and I am telling everyone you must listen to it on audio. The voices are amazing and I have never listened to an audiobook because I am such a huge reader and hold the book type a gal, but I decided to try it and I’m telling you I am loving every second …I can barely put it down.
I could not get into out of the blue,so boring for me in the beginning so I stopped. And now I don’t know what to think about yesteryear if I should read it or not, I had read so many bad reviews.
Have a happy Fourth of July. God bless America.
Katie T says
So many good ones! I can’t wait to read the book about Courtney Pray Duke!
C Whit says
I love your book posts! Last month’s got me to read “this book made me think of you.” So good! I’m reading Dolly All the Time right now. And a middle grade novel called “A Duet for Home.” I bet your younger girls would like it. It’s about some kids and teens at a homeless shelter in NYC.
I didn’t like Yesteryear at all. While it was a quick, captivating read, it just felt icky. Maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood for it and didn’t appreciate the irony and humor like I expected I would.
I’m excited to read Calamity Club!
Irene Kelly says
Shay, Please get the June/July issue of Country Living magazine. You will love the story on P 58 about a couple who bought a home on Nantucket ! Enjoy ! And let me know what you think ? ?
Arika says
Your Into the Blue was spot on. I could not put it down. I got a little lost in all the show/improv stuff, but you don’t really need to connect with that to follow the book. I mean, I think I loved it, but wow, it was just different than anything I’ve read. I can’t stop thinking about it either. I was planning on boycotting Yesteryear until all the hype dies down, but maybe I should just cave in and pick it up!
sandi says
I started Diane Keaton’s book Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty and wanted to like it because, Diane Keaton, but I read about six chapters and returned it to the library. The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester was 4 stars. From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey Stein was 2 stars… I started this thinking it was fiction and realized by chapter 3 this was a memoir. Queen Bee by Dorothea Benton Frank was pretty good and much different than a normal beach read.
Two books loaded on my kindle are The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham and Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies by JB West.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh boo, I hate that you didn’t even bother finishing Diane’s book. I haven’t read it, but I sure loved her.
steph says
I totally agree with all your takes! Dolly was the sweetest, perfect summer read. I LOVED yesteryear. If you can make me like a book while disliking every character, bravo for you. I thought it was interesting how different the book would have been if told from any different character. So interesting! Also, I LOVED Calamity Club and can’t wait to see what other people thought! Happy 4th of July week!
Erin H says
I read Yesteryear a couple of months ago and am still thinking about it. I get so bummed when someone doesn’t like it! I will admit it’s weird loving a book that has basically NO ONE to root for but it just really hooked me. Mainly because I could not figure out what was happening or how the author was going to wrap it up!
I read 8 books this month (thank you evening camps for some free time. ha!)! Probably my favorite of the 8 was The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff. I’m finishing I’m Glad My Mother Died today and it’s SO good. I’ve listened to it (my favorite way to consume memoirs) and haven’t been able to listen to anything else. My daughter is now into iCarly so it is fascinating to learn what was going on with her while she was filming that show.
Mix and Match Mama says
I read I’m Glad My Mother Died last year. That book has a lot to unpack.
samantha carroll says
Looking forward to diving in to some of these!! I would like to recommend “Unbreakable” by Dr. Vonda Wright if you haven’t read yet. I just finished it, and although it touches on some concepts we already know, it’s a great guide book to aging our absolute best.
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve listened to her interviewed on various podcasts, but I haven’t read any of her books. Thank you so much for the rec!
Dawn McCormick says
Yay! Love book review day! You have now pushed me to read Into the Blue. I also LOVED Dolly all the Time!
Shay, have you heard of Upward Bound? It has a fascinating backstory because the author has a severe form of autism and is basically mute. But, he wrote this book about special needs adults at an adult daycare. It was such a unique reading experience and opens your eyes to a completely different world!
Mix and Match Mama says
No, I am looking that book up right now. Than you for the rec!
Dena says
I don’t know what’s worse: trying to hype myself up to read a book on my TBR pile that lots of people say they didn’t like OR reading a hyped book, getting 1/2 way through and not sure I can finish it. I miss the good ole days of Elin Hilderbrand where you could just rely on a good entertaining book lol. I always get lots of good suggestions from this post every month and I just ordered a new Kindle on Prime Days so looking forward to more reading!
Mary Jane McNeill says
My niece summers at Martha’s Vineyard, and her next-door neighbor is Jenna Bush Hager. Yesterday Jenna told her that she has started a publishing house to encourage debut authors and one of the first books she helped publish was Into The Blue. She was hosting an event to have a discussion about it soon…day trip maybe?
Mix and Match Mama says
No way?! There is just so much to unpack in this one blog comment!
kristen says
Book Day is my FAVORITE!! I’m reading Dolly right now, and Calamity Club is on my Kindle next. I’ve never read a book club book during the month you were doing it, so I’ll be excited to join in that discussion next month. Thanks for all the great recommendations!
Sarah says
A couple of romances I read recently by authors I hadn’t read before that stayed with me were Never Over by Clare Gilmore and Hard to Love by Stacy Williams. I typically don’t like second chance romances so I liked that it felt really well done in Never Over. Hard to Love definitely covers some heavier themes – it’s not the most lighthearted romance but it is really beautiful and sweet.
I couldn’t get invested enough in Into the Blue and when I figured out where it was headed I decided it wasn’t the right book at the right time for me so I never finished it. Maybe I’ll get back to it someday!
Cris says
I finally just read The France Dance, and it hit at the perfect time for me! I’ve been pondering self-care without selfishness, and Lauren wrote so well about that. Thanks for the rec!
Mix and Match Mama says
Isn’t she a beautiful author? The perfect summer read!
Sara says
Thank you for continuing to share your book recommendations! I just finished Jackie’s Girl by Kathy McKeon and think you would enjoy it. The book is a memoir written by Jackie Kennedy’s personal assistant. She describes her life as an Irish immigrant coming to work for the Kennedys following JFK’s assassination. Very interesting to hear her perspective of the Kennedy family.
Christine says
I just started a book that I think is perfect for you… Joyspan by Dr Kerry Burnight.
It’s about 2 of your favorite things – health/wellness and JOY in life! I’m only a couple chapters into it, but I already love it. 🙂
Kristin says
I reallllllly didn’t like Yesteryear. I couldn’t stand the narrator and it made me feel so icky when it was over. But it’s made for fantastic discussion!
Dolly all the Time was so good!
Have you read “This Book Made Me Think of You” by Libby Page? It’s soooo good!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have and I LOVED it!!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
My book club read The Shippers in June after we went to Katherine Center’s book signing and I hate to say it, but I didn’t love The Shippers. I thought The Love Haters was sooo much better! She explained that she started writing The Shippers in 2019 and shelved it when the pandemic hit.
If you want to read a historical fiction that isn’t depressing, you’ve got to read The Indigo Girl!!! I’ve told all of my friends they have to read it–and then I didn’t realize it was based on a true story (and explains South Carolina’s state flag) until I read the author’s note at the end! And if you read it, you have to text me your thoughts!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
YOLANDA MCLEAN says
Oh my goodness! I just returned Into the Blue to the library yesterday unfinished! I wish I had read this post sooner – I might have made it when it change to not boring. Maybe I’ll give it another try knowing that it picks up. I read through all these comments and I have a list of books to explore! I love your book review posts.
Jillian says
I heard rave reviews about Yesteryear so I had really high expectations. I think if I went in with lower expectations I would have appreciated it more.