June was a much stronger reading month, with seven books finished and an impressive 2,954 pages read. It felt good to get back into a steadier reading rhythm after a slower May, and I managed to tick off a real mix of genres along the way.
From cosy crime and contemporary romance to literary fiction, historical mystery and epic fantasy, there was plenty of variety this month. I also discovered my standout read of the month — Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, which easily earned a well-deserved five stars.
Here’s everything I read in June, along with the main tropes.
Off to the Races – Elsie Silver
Billie arrives at Gold Rush Ranch hoping for a fresh start, but working alongside the grumpy, guarded Vaughn Harding proves to be anything but straightforward. As sparks begin to fly, the pair must learn to put their differences aside while navigating life, horses and an undeniable attraction.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- Small-town romance
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Workplace romance
- Slow-burn romance
- Found family
My thoughts: 4/5 Stars
As with Elsie’s Chestnut Springs series, this was a super easy and quick read. Cowboy based romance with nothing to complicated in the story line, perfect for a holiday read. I think I rathered her Chestnut Springs characters but I still want to continue reading this series.
Birnam Wood – Eleanor Catton
An idealistic gardening collective sees an opportunity when they begin cultivating an abandoned farm, but the arrival of a wealthy American billionaire soon complicates their plans. As ambitions collide, the story becomes an increasingly tense exploration of power, morality and survival.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- Moral ambiguity
- Hidden agendas
- Multiple POVs
- Survival
- Psychological suspense
My thoughts: 4/5 Stars
This felt quite different to anything else I have read before, and took a much darker turn than I was expecting. The ending really did come as a bit of a shock, but I love that in a book! I had the audio book and really enjoyed the production and the fast pace. I would definitely read another book by Eleanor
The Greatest Story Ever Told – Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls retells the story of the Bible in an accessible and engaging way, bringing familiar events to life through vivid storytelling. From Creation through to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, it offers a fresh perspective on one of history’s most influential stories.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- Faith journey
- Good vs evil
- Hope & redemption
- Courage under pressure
- Historical retelling
My thoughts: 3/5 Stars
Now this was a tough one for me to review, the story itself is obviously great, and something that the majority of us know, but I have only given it a 3 star. I understand that it is meant to be a retelling of Jesus’s life in an easy and accessible way for everyone to be able to read. But I really feel like it was written as a YA novel. The language used is very basic and in some places it felt like it simply didn’t fit. For example the turns of phrases sometimes used by the Disciples sounded like teenagers and not grown men. For me it just didn’t work as an adult book.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil – V. E. Schwab
Spanning centuries and continents, this dark fantasy follows three women whose lives become intertwined through immortality, hunger and revenge. Atmospheric, beautifully written and deeply emotional, it’s a story about love, power, grief and what it truly means to survive.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- Immortality
- LGBTQ+ romance
- Multiple timelines
- Revenge
- Gothic fantasy
My thoughts: 5/5 Stars
I think I can safely say this is my favourite book of the year so far! The blurb for this book doesn’t give away what I would say is the main storyline, which I think is pretty clever. I hadn’t read any of the reviews on Goodreads either so hadn’t picked up any info just dark fantasy. I thought it was so well written, I loved the move across timelines, I found the characters intriguing and interesting, the storyline would jump in directions I didn’t expect, some moments were shocking, I just loved it all, and have recommend it to numerous people already. There are some spicy scenes but they don’t take over the book and simply add to the development of the characters and their respective personalities.
The Secret Collector – Abigail Johnson
Alfred is an elderly widower whose home is overflowing with antiques and collectibles, each one holding precious memories of the life he shared with his late wife. Kian is a troubled teenager who’s been let down by the care system. When an act of vandalism brings the two together through a restorative justice programme, an unlikely friendship begins to form, proving that healing, hope and second chances can be found in the most unexpected places.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- Unlikely friendship
- Found family
- Healing journey
- Intergenerational relationship
- Second chances
My thoughts: 4/5 Stars
This was a book club pick, and not really my usual vibe. I found it a little slow to get into at the start but I grew to love the characters and how their friendship grew. Seeing the characters grow and change their feelings and opinions towards each other and different things was heartwarming. I loved the ending so much too!
Marble Hall Murders – Anthony Horowitz
Editor Susan Ryeland returns to investigate another literary mystery when fiction and reality begin to blur once again. Full of clever twists and classic detective fiction, this is another intricately plotted mystery from Anthony Horowitz.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- Murder mystery
- Book within a book
- Amateur sleuth
- Hidden clues
- Twist ending
My thoughts: 4/5 Stars
I’ve never read and Anthony Horowitz before but chose this as it was a Goodreads challenge read. I had the audio and really enjoyed the production of that first off. I like a good cozy crime and this felt very much like a day time murder mystery storyline. It had a similar vibe to the Thursday Murder Club, so if you like them this would be a great read. The story gave lots of twists, some I had worked out but others I hadn’t. I think it may have been easier if I had ready the first in the series, but the murder mystery part stands independent so you dont need to have read them to understand it.
Death Comes to Marlow – Robert Thorogood
When a respected local resident is found dead, the Marlow Murder Club reunites to uncover the truth. With plenty of wit, charming characters and classic detective work, this cosy mystery is another enjoyable instalment in the series.
Find it here
Main tropes:
- Cosy mystery
- Amateur sleuths
- Small-town setting
- Murder investigation
- Found friendship
My thoughts: 3/5 Stars
Honestly this was a strong 4 until the end of the book when I just didn’t like how the murder was meant to have actually happened, it all seemed a little silly in the end. I think it probably didn’t help that I read Marble Hall Murders right before it, as I did find myself comparing the 2, and this one just came up weaker in storyline. I did love the murder club characters though, and would try another in the series in the hope of it having a better ending.