Hi everyone! It’s officially time for the seventh monthly wrap up of the year. This month has been a really weird one for me, I’ve had a lot going on at home so I’ve been spending a far bit of my time at home, working on my blog. I’ve also been spending quite a bit of time with my boyfriend, which has been lovely, in addition to getting ready for university. I’ve briefly mentioned this on Twitter but would people be interested in university content from me as well as my usual bookish content?
In terms of reading, I managed to read five books this month, which I think is the best reading month for me from the whole year! I’ve been blitzing through the contemporaries again for summer, and I’ve also discovered some new favourite reads of the year, which has been great. Now let’s get onto them!
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Thoughts: This was absolutely amazing – in fact, it’s up there with my top reads of the year! I know there’s been a lot of hype surrounding this one recently but let me tell you it is so worth it. The characters were really something else in this (I don’t think I’ve ever seen such developed side characters) and Shara and Chloe together own my heart. I also love how much queer positivity there was in this, which is so important – I’m so glad I could start it in June as part of celebrating Pride! Overall I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
Love And Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Rating: ✯✯✯✯
Thoughts: This was a really cute read! I loved the exploration of Italian history and culture, which I think was really well done, and the emphasis on family in this. I found Lina’s mum’s journal really fascinating and I was so invested in finding out what happened. I also enjoyed Lina and Ren’s friendship, which was really great. Despite that, I do have to say that the romance was a little cheesy for me in places and I didn’t understand some of Lina’s choices, but that’s to be expected in YA and I still definitely recommend!
Love And Other Great Expectations by Becky Dean
Rating: ✯✯✯✯
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this! I found both Britt and Luke likeable characters and loved the connection they developed, and I thought the character development was great. Of course, the stand out of this book would have to be the exploration of the UK and its literary history, which was really interesting and enjoyable. I’d definitely recommend picking this one up!
Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter
Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Thoughts: This was another really amazing read – I loved this one so much! The romance in this was absolutely fantastic and the friendships were all really amazing too. I also really loved the rom-com movie quotes at the start of each chapter, which were a lovely touch, as well as Liz and Wes’ playlist. The character development and growth was also really well done, which is always a must for me. I’d definitely recommend picking this one up – it’s perfect for this summer!
Not Here To Be Liked by Michelle Quach
Rating: ✯✯✯
Thoughts: Honestly… I didn’t love this as much as I thought I would, which sucks because I’ve been desperate to read it since it released in September. It took me so long to get into it and I came very close to DNFing, which is really rare for me! I didn’t agree with parts of the feminism Eliza was preaching (I don’t think judging other girls for wearing makeup is very feminist) and I just generally didn’t gel with her character. With that being said, there were some good discussions surrounding feminism and different races, and there was a really strong message in this, which was great to see! Len and Eliza also had their fair share of cute moments, but it was hard to fully support them due to Eliza’s actions – so overall this book was rather disappointing for me.
Have you read any of these? What books did you read during July? And would you be interested in some university content from me? Let me know in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed this post!
Ceri
Read And Review It 
5 books… that’s incredible! I wish I had the concentration to do that. These books all have such amazing front covers which are defiantly very eye catching. These all look and sound amazing, I’ll defiantly be looking into these to read myself! Thank you so much for sharing with us lovely. Happy august xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
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Haha thank you, I surprised myself! I love the covers so much, they’re all so pretty – and they’re such lovely reads too! I hope you enjoy them, thank you so much for reading and commenting. Happy August! xx
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You had such a great month especially with 2- 5 star reads! I hope you have an amazing August!
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Yeah I definitely did, I was really pleased with it! I hope you have a wonderful August too, thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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great list of reads! i still need to read better than the movies. and i’m not sure if i’ll read love and gelato. i watched the movie and it wasn’t that good. but the book could be better.
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Thank you! I really hope you enjoy Better Than The Movies when you get to it. I haven’t watched the film yet but I have heard some really mixed things about it – I know a lot of people preferred the books, so it might be worth the read if you’re interested! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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This looks like a great list of books. I love the covers of all of these books, they are definitely eye catching! It sounds like you’ve had a great month of reading! I hope August is a good month for you.
Lauren x
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Thank you! So do I, they’re all so pretty – covers just seem to be getting better and better! I definitely have, it’s been really great. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I hope you have a wonderful August too x
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Wow! 5 books in one month? That’s awesome! Love and Other Great Expectations sounds like a book I would enjoy. I’m adding it to my TBR. Thanks for sharing your honest reviews! 🙂
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Haha thank you! I was definitely pleased. I really hope you enjoy Love And Other Great Expectations as much as I did, thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂
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Great month for you and some five star reads. Love these covers too – hope August is as successful x
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Oh it definitely was! So do I, they’re all stunning. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I hope you have a wonderful August too x
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I haven’t read any of these but head good things about a selection of them! You read so much in July, well done!
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They’re definitely worth the hype! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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We love your book picks for July! We’ve read most of them and I Kissed Shara Wheeler is our August Book Club pick.
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Thank you! I really hope you enjoy I Kissed Shara Wheeler with your book club. Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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I’m so happy to hear that you had so many great reads for July! It’s too bad that ‘Not Here to Be Liked’ didn’t end up being everything you hoped for. Thank you for sharing your honest review. Can’t wait to see what you have planned for this month!
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Ah thank you! Not Here To Be Liked was definitely a bit of a let down but I’m still glad I could share my thoughts on it! Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I hope you have an amazing month!
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Ooh, I like the sound of all these books! I managed to read 7 books last month which I was really happy with too 🙂 x
Rose | https://flourishwithrose.com/
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I’m so glad to hear that! Seven books is amazing, well done! Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂 x
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Wow, how come I havent heard any of these books? They are all awesome. I’d love to read them too. I have more time to read this summer since it’s our vacation. Looks like you had a blast in July. Keep it up!
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Ahh I’m so glad I could bring them to your attention then, haha! I really hope you enjoy them. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I hope you have a lovely vacation – happy reading!
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I’d be interested in seeing University content too, and I hope all is ok. You got through so many books in July! It’s a shame about that last one, but I get your point. How strange to claim feminism, but yet bash girls who wear makeup; bizarre. All of the others seem like such lovely reads though. I hope you have a fab August xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
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Aw I’m so glad to hear that you’re interested! I’m so glad you agree with that – for me feminism should be about embracing everyone, regardless of your differences. They definitely are, I really recommend the others! Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I hope you have a wonderful August too xx
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What a great selection of books for July ad they all have such eye catching covers too! I shall be adding some to my TBR!
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Thank you! I’m so glad you love the covers too, they’re all so pretty. I really hope you enjoy them, thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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I want to read a few on this list, thanks to your honest reviews!
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I hope you enjoy them! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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I love the sound of all of the books you’ve mentioned. They are those classic summer ones that are just easy reading. I’m definitely adding them to my TBR list. I think it would be a great idea to write a bit about university too.
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I’m so glad to hear that! They truly are, summer reading is my favourite – I really hope you enjoy them all! I’m so glad you’re interested in uni content too. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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Great list of books. Thank you for introducing these lovely books.
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I’m glad I could introduce them to you! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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These aren’t typically the kind of books that I would read, but they look like a lot of people would enjoy them. Great reviews x
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Oh they definitely would, they’re really great reads! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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I’m 100% the type of person who buys books based on their cover and they all appeal to me, although Love and Gelato and Love and other great expectations is going straight on my list for future buys. I’d love to see uni content, I graduated a couple of years ago now but still love reading about what people are up to!! 🙂 x
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Haha same, I’m guilty of that too! I really hope you enjoy them both. I’m so glad you’re interested in uni content too – I have a couple of ideas in the works so hopefully that’ll be going ahead in the next few weeks! Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂 x
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