I had a great reading month in June! As usual, I focused on Pride month reads, and towards the end of the month started vacation reading during my trip to Bali. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 10

Pride month reads: 8

Contemporary romance: 5

Book of the Month: 1

Dinner on Monster Island by Tania de Rosario (4.5 stars) – I picked up this memoir in essays at a local bookstore focusing on LGBTQIA+ reads during Indie Bookstore Day, and was really impressed by the gorgeous writing. It was also really interesting to learn more about Singapore through reading about the author’s struggles with racism and homophobia. Highly recommend.

Playing for Keeps by Alexandria Bellefleur (4.5 stars) – This was really the ideal book for a bisexual Swiftie, and I loved the heck out of it. The central romance is between two publicists, one feared and more experienced, and one younger and trying to prove herself, as they try to manage their Taylor and Travis-esque clients’ relationship while simultaneously falling for each other. The romance was really sweet, but it had excellently written spicy scenes, and the emotional depth that the two main characters had deepened their connection. I’ve loved Alexandria Bellefleur’s books for years, so my expectations for this one were high, but this might be my new favorite of hers.

I received an eARC of Playing for Keeps from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I also bought myself a physical copy since I loved it so much.

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings (4 stars) – This podcast-centered romance was an unexpected hit! Second chance romance can be a risky trope for me, but the male main character’s redemption story was very well done, and I love an “unlikable” heroine. There also aren’t a lot of bi4bi romances floating around, so it was nice to find another one that really hit for me. I received a free copy of Well, Actually in a sample book box from Aardvark.

For the Bride by Becca Grischow (4 stars) – I really loved this Sapphic opposites-attract contemporary romance between two bridesmaids over the course of their friend’s wedding and lead-up events; it was a perfect summer read and vacation read, and great on audio.

A Good Person by Kirsten King (4 stars) – This was an interesting Book of the Month pick that involves being in the mind of an obsessed and “unlikable” heroine that was really interesting and entertaining to read about.

Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson (4 stars) – I read this “eat the rich” horror novel on the beach, and despite the contrast between being on vacation and reading about bloody revenge, I was totally sucked into this suspenseful story. I’m looking forward to her upcoming release this year as well.

S’More of You by Tessa Bailey (4 stars) – This was a cute contemporary summer romance novella between two camp counselors; it had the sweetness and spice that I expect from Tessa Bailey. It was the perfect quick read for a plane ride.

Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality by Julia Shaw (3.5 stars) – I thought this was an apt title for a bi person to pick up during Pride, and although parts were interesting, I also would have liked more depth and range.

Rose/House by Arkady Martine (3 stars) – I was underwhelmed by this scifi novella that I found in a bookshop in South Africa; I really wanted more from the cool concept of a murdered body in a sentient house.

Make Room for Love by Darcy Liao (3 stars) – This Sapphic romance set against the backdrop of higher education and unions was sweet and cute, but I unfortunately just didn’t love it.