June Reading Round-Up

Some suspenseful summer reads, a lot of bad characters, and a fresh take on an American classic.

June brought 9 new reads and an attempt to slightly mix up the summer lineup. Instead of reaching only for the usual modern romances, I leaned into a few darker, more suspenseful picks: some books with secrets, tension, and a little more bite. It was a nice shift from the breezy love stories I tend to favor this time of year, and a reminder that summer reading doesn't have to mean light.

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

When Dani’s PR career crumbles after a workplace romance goes public, she flees to Amsterdam for a fresh start. There, she literally crashes into Wouter, her high school ex and the former Dutch exchange student her family hosted years ago. When her new job falls through and Wouter needs a marriage to claim his family home, they strike a mutually beneficial arrangement that might just turn real.

This book was a lucky library find and exactly the kind of book you want to kick off June reading. I adore Amsterdam, but I realized I hadn’t read many (or any?) novels set there. What I appreciated most was how Solomon, who’s lived in the Netherlands herself, captured both the charm and challenges of expat life. Yes, there were some over-romanticized moments: finding the perfect flat and an instant friend group felt a little convenient, but I loved the details (the Van Gogh Museum, stroopwafels, navigating foreign grocery stores). While some side characters grated on me and the spicy scenes were a bit on the cringy side, this second-chance romance felt refreshing and sincere.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Told through three interwoven timelines, this novel follows an 18th-century apothecary who aids women in getting revenge on the men who’ve wronged them, a young girl who becomes entangled in one of her schemes, and a modern-day woman named Caroline who uncovers their story while on a solo trip to London.

I really liked this one. The concept was refreshingly different from anything I’d read lately, and I loved the “women helping women” theme that spanned centuries. I was especially drawn to Caroline and Eliza’s POVs, more so than Nella’s, which was a shame since she’s the titular apothecary. The historical bits were fascinating, but I found myself wanting more time with Caroline as she went investigating and researching. I understood why the husband storyline was necessary to mirror the past and offer closure, but I wanted her to explore more and dig deeper. Still, this felt like a creative, atmospheric read that I recommend to others. It would be especially fun during October/Halloween time.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Two people (both good characters) fall hard and fast, but the real obstacles are timing, circumstances, and logistics. Abby Jimenez offers another romance with her signature mix of warmth, chemistry, and emotional stakes.

It’s clear Abby has a formula that she enjoys: an endearing guy who is nearly perfect, great banter, and one big life/logistical hurdle. This one didn’t hit quite as hard for me as Just for the Summer, but it was still cute and heartfelt. I liked that they didn’t do the usual third-act breakup and stuck it out for once. The side characters, especially the old man at the end, added warmth, even if the ending felt a little too fairytale. Overall, a sweet read that’s good for fans of low-drama romance.

Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum

Set in a wealthy beach community, this mystery unfolds through the eyes of gossipy, backstabbing summer residents. Everyone has secrets, and no one is innocent. This was a messy, sharp-tongued summer read. None of the characters are likable…but that’s basically the point. I mostly enjoyed the way the author played with multiple POVs and how the mystery slowly unraveled. However a few of the chapter/subplots felt unnecessary and it started to drag for me near the end. Overall, it offered a fresh spin on the typical beach read. Think less romance and more dysfunction. If you liked White Lotus and/or The Perfect Couple, you might enjoy this one.

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Ten years after a life-changing day spent together, Will and Fern cross paths again under very different circumstances. This one surprised me by how lukewarm I felt about it. I loved the lakeside setting and the idea of a ten-year reconnection, but I couldn’t fully get behind the characters. I found the male lead frustrating at times and the romance that lingered regardless of the large gap in time a bit hard to buy into. Maybe it's just that these weren’t my kind of people? I've noticed if I don't see myself in the lead and if the romantic interested isn't my type of guy, I can have a harder time connecting to the love story. It had all the ingredients, and there were parts I really enjoyed, but I just didn't love this one, which surprised me because I adored This Summer Will Be Different.

Wander Woman by Beth Santos

Part travel memoir, part guidebook, and part feminist manifesto, Wander Woman explores what it means to travel solo as a woman in today’s world. Beth Santos, founder of Wanderful, blends personal experiences with a larger conversation around identity, safety, and reclaiming space.

I ordered this the moment I saw it…how could I not? It’s a book written for solo female travelers, something I care deeply about. Some sections were definitely geared toward beginners, but I still found it incredibly affirming. Santos doesn't gloss over the harder parts. She talks openly about safety, race, queerness, and body size, and it felt inclusive in a way that many travel narratives aren’t. Her reflections mirrored so much of what I believe and write about. I especially loved the idea of treating yourself to a solo photo shoot while abroad (an idea I just wrote about!).

The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh

In The Lemon Grove, Jenn and her husband Greg return to their usual Mallorca escape, only for Greg’s teenage daughter Emma and her 17-year-old boyfriend Nathan to crash. Jenn, caught between her maternal role and a hunger she didn’t expect, finds herself drawn into a morally tangled, intensely charged affair that transforms her trip. I was intrigued by this one, initially. It promised a setting I wanted to read more about and a story that wasn’t your typical summer romance. I appreciated that Walsh took risks and didn’t shy away from writing morally complex characters.

A lot of reviews didn’t like the book because the characters are bad and unlikable, and because the main character had relations with a minor, which is understandably one of the most difficult plot points to sit with. But I disagree with the notion that a book has to feature likable characters to be considered good. It’s not a fair or realistic metric. There can be exceptional books about people doing bad things: books where the writing is so good and the character development so layered that you still appreciate the work. The Reader, for example, explores a somewhat similar subject with such nuance and emotional depth.

James by Percival Everett

I finally got around to reading James by Percival Everett, and it completely floored me. The novel reimagines The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man who accompanies Huck down the Mississippi River. Through Jim’s voice (now James) we get a layered, powerful retelling that blends biting satire, historical realism, symbolism, and philosophical reflection. Everett reshapes the narrative into something bold, haunting, and deeply human.

It’s easily one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. As someone who loved Twain’s original as a child, I was initially nervous about how Everett would approach the material...especially Huck's character. But even after decades away from the source text, I was immediately pulled back into that familiar world, this time with a sharper, more critical lens. Everett gives voice to a character long pushed to the margins, doing so with brilliance, empathy, and wit. The novel is rich in realism and heavy with symbolism, and it constantly challenges the reader to reflect on language, race, and power.

One of the most striking elements for me was the way Everett handled code-switching, both literally and figuratively. James’s ability to navigate between dialects and personas is both a survival strategy and a powerful form of resistance. The conversations he has about authorship, language, and ownership of stories are some of the most thought-provoking I’ve read.

My Summer Darlings by May Cobb

Three wealthy women in a small Texas town become obsessed with the same mysterious man who has just moved to town, and let's just say…things quickly spiral.

This was my last read of the month and a solid poolside pick. It was want you want in a summer read: fast-paced, spicy, and just unhinged enough to keep you flipping pages. Like Bad Summer People, it leaned into the genre of rich people behaving badly. However, this one had a quicker tempo, a more satisfying arc, and a few more likeable characters. I finished it in two days. While I still enjoyed the ride overall, I do have to say it fell a little flat in the final chapters when everything came to a head. The writing almost felt like it shifted. Some of the dialogue and action lost the sophistication that had carried the earlier parts of the book. It felt a bit clunky, like a different writer had stepped in. That said, I’d still recommend it if you’re in the mood for a juicy, suspenseful summer read that moves quickly.

How has your summer reading been going? Have you read any of these? Anything you recommend. Make sure to comment below!