Sophie Reads YA

Review: Incarnate (Newsoul #1) by Jodi Meadows

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Incarnate
Series: Newsoul #1
Author: Jodi Meadows
Published January 2nd 2013 by Katherine Tegen

Goodreads Synopsis
New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.
Goodreads

Review
I adored Jodi's Orphan Queen series, but had never read any of her other books, so decided to buy a copy of Incarnate after hearing really good things about it. Ana is strange in this world. She is a new soul, in a world where everyone is reincarnated after death, and her arrival coincides with the permanent disappearance of one of Heart's most beloved citizens. When she appears in the city, she is shunned, as others are afraid of her, and what her being a new soul means. Same is the only one who will help her and stand up for her, and a romance blossoms between them. However, the hatred of a new soul being in the city, especially when it is under attack from dragons and sylph, may lead to them being separated.

This book was strange. I liked the premise, and the world building, but still found something a bit lacking. Ana was very headstrong, and a bit too impulsive at times, but she grew on me, and her and Sam's relationship was sweet. I'm reviewing this over a year after reading it, and being honest, I can't remember too much about the book. I think I have the other books on my shelves somewhere, but am considering whether to offload them, because I don't think I'm invested in the series enough. Disappointing considering how much I love Jodi's other series.

Dates Read:

November 24-25, 2018

Rating
3 Stars

Evie Dunmore

Waiting On Wednesday: Portrait of a Scotsman (A League of Extraordinary Women #3) by Evie Dunmore

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2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Faking Reality by Sara Fujimura

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Faking Reality
Series: None
Author: Sara Fujimura
Published July 13th 2021 by Tor Teen

Goodreads Synopsis
My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets Some Kind of Wonderful meets Kara McDowell's Just for Clicks with diverse characters, perfect for readers looking for feel-good YA romance and those who like "clean teen" reads

Dakota McDonald swore after "The Great Homecoming Disaster" that she'd never allow her romantic life to be a plot line in her parents' HGTV show again. But when the restaurant run by the family of her best friend (and secret crush), Leo, is on the line, Dakota might end up eating her own words.

Leo Matsuda dreams of escaping his small town Arizona life and the suffocating demands of working in his family's restaurant, but the closer he gets to his goal--thanks to the help of his best friend (and secret crush) Dakota--the more reasons there are for him to stay.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

For Dakota McDonald, her entire life has been a reality show - literally. Her parents are the stars of a well loved home refurbishment show, and when they unexpectedly found out they were pregnant during season 4, her entire childhood has played a role in the plot of the show. She's never really minded it, having her privacy at school and at her best friend, Leo's, family restaurant, but when she was pranked by her date at last years homecoming, resulting in a wardrobe malfunction, a viral meme, and even a SNL skit, she's wary for her personal life to be shown on screen. For the final season, and Koty's upcoming 16th birthday, the network want to host a massive Sweet 16 party for her, complete with a handsome date, to model tuxedos from a sponsor. To say Koty is wary would be an understatement, but when her relationship with Leo is put firmly in the Friend Zone, she knows she needs to do this to start to heal. Will she find someone to be happy with, or will her feelings for Leo be too much to overcome? For Leo, he wants to be able to step out from his responsibilities at the family restaurant, as the only son, and be able to go to Japan with Koty and others in the Japanese Culture Club this summer, but money is tight. Can he get over his fear of being in the public spotlight, and let Koty use her fame to help his yakisoba business at the school fair and more?

I will admit, this was a bit of an impulse request on NetGalley, but any book that is compare to My Big Fat Greek Wedding is bound to get my attention and though this wasn't a carbon copy, I can really see what that reference was made. Leo is from a Japanese family, as is Koty's mother, and they are both part of the Japanese Culture Club. Learning the language, watching Japanese shows, and talking about their family histories is really important for them both, and I liked how the book didn't sugar coat everything, and even touched on the topic of Japanese American internment camps during and following the Second World War. There's a trip to Nagoya that the school club is planning on doing this summer, and the city is important to both Koty and Leo, so to go on the trip would be a dream. For Koty, she can easily afford it, but it's more difficult for Leo, and she would do anything to help him get on the trip, even talking about her private life more online and on the show. However, it is awkward after they nearly kissed in the walk in fridge, and Leo firmly placed her in the Friend Zone. So, Koty tries to move on, and finds herself auditioning dates at the restaurant prior to her party - first actors who are arrogant and stuck up, and then Alex, a family friend of one of the production team, and they really hit it off. I liked Alex, and though it was clear that Koty and Leo were endgame, it was nice seeing Koty come out of her shell, try more normal, teenage things, and grow, before they got together.

For anyone who likes watching reality shows like the one depicted in the book, it was a joy to see the behind the scenes of what it is like being a 'star', and especially in today's day and age, when all of your actions are examined and criticised on social media and in the tabloids. Koty is treated as a DIY Princess, thought to be a diva, and some of the coverage about her is downright cruel, but she copes extremely well - though a little guarded. I really disliked the producer, Phil, who wanted his pound of flesh from Koty, and tried to get more and more juicy material for the show, even invading her privacy or causing scenes to be made all for ratings. I felt like Koty dealt with it all so well, though, especially when faced with trolls and others who wanted to pull her down, and the final scenes showed this off perfectly. Such a good YA read, perfect, I'd say, for summer reading!

Dates Read:
February 18, 2020

Rating
4 Stars

2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Always the Rebel (Never the Bride #10) by Emily E.K. Murdoch

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Always the Rebel
Series: Never the Bride #10
Author: Emily E.K. Murdoch
Published January 28th 2021 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
Always the rebel and never the bride - it's down with men for this young lady…

Miss Sophia Worsley never expected to be left at the altar, but two broken engagements was enough. Never again will she allow herself to be that vulnerable. It's time to rebel against all that society expects of her. Though even at three and twenty, she knew wearing breeches at Almack's were probably too much…

If there is one man bored of life, it's Philip Egerton, Earl of Marnmouth. He's seen it all and nothing can surprise him - though the woman laying down a Royal Flush with a grin is certainly new. Ah, a challenge. Finally something for Philip to sink his teeth into - though that's not what he wants to sink into the delectable Miss Sophia Worsley.

He's determined to have her. She's turned her back on men and matrimony. Passions ignite as two challengers circle each other looking for a weakness.

But the rebellious Sophia may just have the upper hand as Philip loses his heart faster than he could have predicted. Will this rebellion end in tears?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After being jilted at the altar twice, Miss Sophia Worsley has had enough. She doesn't care about the marriage mart any more, pleasing others in the ton, or being the perfect debutante. No, she'd rather show that she's over it all, and won't be marrying anyone. Turning up in breeches at her ex-fiancees wedding reception may have been a good start, but continuing to wear them at Almack's, and gambling, may be a step too far. When Philip Egerton, the Earl of Marnmouth, realises he wants more than a mistress, but won't marry until he finds someone who truly surprises him, he doesn't expect to meet that woman at Almack's. But he does, and Sophia is the only woman he can truly imagine being with. Can he convince her to try marriage, with him, and will she be able to trust him enough to go ahead with a wedding?

I honestly wasn't expecting there to be another Never the Bride book. Every time I go onto NetGalley, it seems there's a new one, and I can't help myself from requesting them. This time around, we have Sophia's story, who had quite a big role in the previous story. After trying to blackmail Jacob into going ahead with the marriage, she was publicly left at the altar, and embarrassed beyond belief. She's trying to save face by being so rebellious, and adamantly proclaiming she won't marry. I did feel sorry for her, and especially with her parents who treated her like she was only good enough for the connections she can get them through marriage. Philip was a hero I wasn't overly keen on. He did own the fact he had illegitimate children, and had had many mistresses, but I felt like he was too obsessed with Sophia and being with her. He did improve the further into the story we got, and I was ultimately happy with the conclusion and the progress of their romance. A nice addition to the Never the Bride series.

Dates Read:
January 22, 2021

Rating
3 Stars

July

Stacking the Shelves: July 3rd 2021

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2021 Beat the Backlist challenge

Review: Only Beloved (The Survivors' Club #7) by Mary Balogh

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Only Beloved
Series: The Survivors' Club #7
Author: Mary Balogh
Published May 3rd 2016 by Piatkus

Goodreads Synopsis
From the legendary New York Times bestselling author of Only a Kiss and Only a Promise comes the final book in the rapturous Survivor’s Club series—as the future of one man lies within the heart of a lost but never-forgotten love...

For the first time since the death of his wife, the Duke of Stanbrook is considering remarrying and finally embracing happiness for himself. With that thought comes the treasured image of a woman he met briefly a year ago and never saw again.

Dora Debbins relinquished all hope to marry when a family scandal left her in charge of her younger sister. Earning a modest living as a music teacher, she’s left with only an unfulfilled dream. Then one afternoon, an unexpected visitor makes it come true.

For both George and Dora that brief first encounter was as fleeting as it was unforgettable. Now is the time for a second chance. And while even true love comes with a risk, who are two dreamers to argue with destiny?
Goodreads

Review
In Only Beloved, George, Duke of Stanbrook, and final member of the Survivors' Club, finally gets his happy ending. When he was just 17, he was forced to marry a friend of the family, and his marriage was not a happy one. Losing his son to war, and then his wife to suicide, he found solace in opening his Cornish estate of Penderris as a convalescence house. Now that all his friends have married, he considers doing the same, and the woman he met last year, Miss Dora Debbins, seems to be the perfect choice. For Dora, she gave up her chance of marriage after her mother's betrayal, and instead raised her younger sister, Agnes, before becoming a village music teacher. But meeting George last year has always made her wonder what she missed out on, and when he arrives at her cottage, and proposes, she's completely blown away. Being married at 39 is one thing, but becoming a duchess too, it's almost too much! Will they both be able to find happiness together, or will the demons from George's past come back to haunt them?

I will admit, that going into this book, I was a little apprehensive. I've really enjoyed the others in the series, though the last few were not as good as the first, and the hero/heroine in this one are an older couple. However, as we've met both George and Dora before, I was already invested in their stories - especially George's, to find out the truth about his turbulent marriage. I will say that this book definitely answered all questions we may have had, and even a few we weren't expecting. George's marriage had been bad, and he'd never really been happy, but with Dora, he had the chance to be so, and with the possibility of children - if they were so lucky. Dora, was the same. She expected that at 39, she had no hope of even companionship, but she found love with George, and was able to reconnect with her mother, too, and get the closure she needed from all those years ago. Honestly, this book - and especially the epilogue - rounded up the series perfectly, tying up all loose ends, and ended with all our favourites being happy, and in love! I'm looking forward to reading Balogh's new series, Westcott, as soon as I can get copies of them!

Dates Read:
May 26-June 1, 2021

Rating
3 Stars

books on my radar

July books on my radar

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Half Sick of Shadows
Series: None
Author: Laura Sebastian
July 6th 2021 by Ace
Everyone knows the legend. Of Arthur, destined to be a king. Of the beautiful Guinevere, who will betray him with his most loyal knight, Lancelot. Of the bitter sorceress, Morgana, who will turn against them all. But Elaine alone carries the burden of knowing what is to come--for Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future.
On the mystical isle of Avalon, Elaine runs free and learns of the ancient prophecies surrounding her and her friends--countless possibilities, almost all of them tragic.
When their future comes to claim them, Elaine, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Morgana accompany Arthur to take his throne in stifling Camelot, where magic is outlawed, the rules of society chain them, and enemies are everywhere. Yet the most dangerous threats may come from within their own circle.
As visions are fulfilled and an inevitable fate closes in, Elaine must decide how far she will go to change fate--and what she is willing to sacrifice along the way.
The Lady of Shalott reclaims her story in this bold feminist reimagining of the Arthurian myth from the New York Times bestselling author of Ash Princess.
Goodreads

The Queen Will Betray You
Series: Kingdoms of Sand and Sky #2
Author: Sarah Henning
July 6th 2021 by Tor Teen
After a thousand years of political stability, the realm of The Sand and Sky is up for grabs. Four kingdoms, four rulers vying for the ultimate prize, sovereignty over the entire continent: A ruthless old king spinning webs, whose schemes encompass generations. A widowed queen whose only credo is all kings must die. A runaway queen whose unexpected return upends everyone’s plans. And a prince-in-waiting determined to wait no more.
Standing against them are a dispossessed princess and her stableboy love with a surprising claim of his own. Their only hope in the face of unspeakable betrayals, enemies hidden in the shadows, and insurmountable odds is the power of true love...
Goodreads

Reputation
Series: None
Author: Lex Croucher
July 8th 2021 by Zaffre
The hilarious debut novel from Lex Croucher. A classic romcom with a Regency-era twist, for fans of Mean Girls and/or Jane Austen.
Abandoned by her parents, middle-class Georgiana Ellers has moved to a new town to live with her dreary aunt and uncle. At a particularly dull party, she meets the enigmatic Frances Campbell, a wealthy member of the in-crowd who lives a life Georgiana couldn't have imagined in her wildest dreams.
Lonely and vulnerable, Georgiana falls in with Frances and her unfathomably rich, deeply improper friends. Georgiana is introduced to a new world: drunken debauchery, mysterious young men with strangely arresting hands, and the upper echelons of Regency society.
But the price of entry to high society might just be higher than Georgiana is willing to pay ...
Goodreads

GIRL (In Real Life)
Series: None
Author: Tamsin Winter
July 8th 2021 by Usborne Publishing
What's it like to grow up online and have every tantrum, every spot - even your first period - broadcast to hundreds of thousands of followers?
Most parents try to limit their kids' online exposure. But not Eva's. Her parents run a hugely successful YouTube channel, and Eva is the star of the show. But Eva is getting sick of being made to pose in stupid mum-and-daughter matching outfits for sponsored posts. The freebies aren't worth the teasing at school. And when an intensely humiliating "period party" post goes viral, Eva is outraged. She's going to find a way to stop the channel, even if she has to sabotage it herself.
Goodreads

Faking Reality
Series: None
Author: Sara Fujimura
July 13th 2021 by Tor Teen
My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets Some Kind of Wonderful meets Kara McDowell's Just for Clicks with diverse characters, perfect for readers looking for feel-good YA romance and those who like "clean teen" reads
Dakota McDonald swore after "The Great Homecoming Disaster" that she'd never allow her romantic life to be a plot line in her parents' HGTV show again. But when the restaurant run by the family of her best friend (and secret crush), Leo, is on the line, Dakota might end up eating her own words.
Leo Matsuda dreams of escaping his small town Arizona life and the suffocating demands of working in his family's restaurant, but the closer he gets to his goal--thanks to the help of his best friend (and secret crush) Dakota--the more reasons there are for him to stay.
Goodreads

These Hollow Vows
Series: These Hollow Vows #1
Author: Lexi Ryan
July 20th 2021 by Hodder & Stoughton
From New York Times best-selling author Lexi Ryan, Cruel Prince meets A Court of Thorns and Roses in this sexy, action-packed fantasy about a girl who is caught between two treacherous faerie courts and their dangerously seductive princes.
Brie hates the Fae and refuses to have anything to do with them, even if that means starving on the street. But when her sister is sold to the sadistic king of the Unseelie court to pay a debt, she'll do whatever it takes to get her back—including making a deal with the king himself to steal three magical relics from the Seelie court.
Gaining unfettered access to the Seelie court is easier said than done. Brie's only choice is to pose as a potential bride for Prince Ronan, and she soon finds herself falling for him. Unwilling to let her heart distract her, she accepts help from a band of Unseelie misfits with their own secret agenda. As Brie spends time with their mysterious leader, Finn, she struggles to resist his seductive charm.
Caught between two dangerous courts, Brie must decide who to trust with her loyalty. And with her heart.
Goodreads

Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance
Series: None
Author: Nisha Sharma
July 22nd 2021 by Stripes Publishing
Radha is on the verge of becoming one of the greatest Kathak dancers in the world . . . until a family betrayal costs her the biggest competition of her life. Now, she has left her Chicago home behind to follow her stage mom to New Jersey. At the Princeton Academy of the Arts, Radha is determined to leave performing in her past, and reinvent herself from scratch.
Jai is captain of the Bollywood Beats dance team, ranked first in his class, and an overachiever with no college plans. Tight family funds means medical school is a pipe dream, which is why he wants to make the most out of high school. When Radha enters his life, he realizes she's the exact ingredient he needs for a show-stopping senior year.
With careful choreography, both Radha and Jai will need to face their fears (and their families) if they want a taste of a happily ever after.
Goodreads

The Duke Goes Down
Series: The Duke Hunt #1
Author: Sophie Jordan
July 27th 2021 by Avon
New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan begins the all new Duke Hunt series with the illegitimate son of a duke who meets his match in the daring daughter of a vicar.
The Bastard Rogue...
Peregrine Butler's privileged blue-blooded world is rocked to the core when it is revealed he was born before his parents' marriage and, therefore, is not the legal heir to the dukedom. Facing ruin, Perry must use his charm and good looks to win an heiress—all the while, ignoring his fascination with the one interfering and alluring chit who is intent on sabotaging his efforts.
The Lady Vicar...
Everyone knows Imogen Bates, the virtuous daughter of the senile vicar. She can write a sermon in a day and spot a rogue in a second, so she sees right through Perry's seductive façade. But Imogen's plan to protect the heiresses of her beloved Shropshire from the erstwhile Duke of Penning, the bane of her existence since childhood, soon turns into something altogether unacceptable for the proper lady... who suddenly finds herself longing to keep his heated glances and tempting kisses all to herself.
Goodreads

Devil in Disguise
Series: The Ravenels #7
Author: Lisa Kleypas
July 27th 2021 by Piatkus
New York Times bestseller Lisa Kleypas returns with an enthralling and steaming romance between a widowed lady and a Scot on the run—who may have connections to one of London's most noble families.
“The devil never tries to make people do the wrong thing by scaring them. He does it by tempting them.”
Lady Merritt Sterling, a strong-willed young widow who’s running her late husband’s shipping company, knows London society is dying to catch her in a scandal. So far, she’s been too smart to provide them with one. But then she meets Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller, and all her sensible plans vanish like smoke. They couldn’t be more different, but their attraction is powerful, raw and irresistible.
From the moment Keir MacRae arrives in London, he has two goals. One: don’t fall in love with the dazzling Lady Merritt Sterling. Two: avoid being killed.
So far, neither of those is going well.
Keir doesn’t know why someone wants him dead until fate reveals his secret connection to one of England’s most powerful families. His world is thrown into upheaval, and the only one he trusts is Merritt.
Their passion blazes with an intensity Merritt has never known before, making her long for the one thing she can’t have from Keir MacRae: forever. As danger draws closer, she’ll do whatever it takes to save the man she loves... even knowing he might be the devil in disguise.
Goodreads

Not the Kind of Earl You Marry
Series: The Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair #1
Author: Kate Pembrooke
July 27th 2021 by Forever
Fans of Netflix's Bridgerton series will adore this stunning historical romance debut, where a wary wallflower enters a fake engagement with one of London's most eligible bachelors.
The one woman in London who doesn’t want to marry him is now his fiancée.
William Atherton, Earl of Norwood, is as shocked as the rest of London to discover his betrothal via an announcement in the morning paper. Furious at what appears to be a shrewd marriage trap, William tracks down his alleged fiancée before her plans can affect his campaign for a coveted political post. But then William realizes an engagement, however fake, may benefit them both...
Miss Charlotte Hurst may be a wallflower, but she’s no shrinking violet. She would never attempt such an underhanded scheme, especially not with a man as haughty or sought-after as Norwood. Yet his suggestion to play along with the betrothal has its merits... and the longer they pretend, the more undeniably real their feelings become. But when the true culprit behind their engagement is revealed, can their newfound happiness survive the scandal?
Goodreads

When a Duke Loves a Governess
Series: Unlikely Duchesses #3
Author: Olivia Drake
July 27th 2021 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
A stunning new Regency from beloved author Olivia Drake, When a Duke Loves a Governess...!
Tessa James has worked and planned tirelessly to open her own millinery shop. All she needs now is a loan from the lord who sired and abandoned her. The only problem is, she doesn’t even know his name. What’s a woman to do to find him but enter the aristocratic world by becoming a governess?
Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad to discover that his young daughter Sophy has become a wild-child known for scaring away every governess who's crossed his doorstep. When Tessa James applies for the job, he hires her in desperation despite his misgivings that she’s too bold and beautiful–and that she might be fibbing about her qualifications.
Their blooming attraction leads them on a completely unexpected path to love that neither wants to deny. But when an old enemy threatens Guy's family, their forbidden romance goes up in flames. Can they still learn to love and trust each other as forces try to tear them apart?
Goodreads

The Highlander's Irish Bride
Series: Clan Kendrick #4
Author: Vanessa Kelly
July 27th 2021 by Zebra
Meet the most respectable member of the Kendrick Clan in bestselling author Vanessa Kelly's intoxicating series—and the independent woman who has stolen his heart...
Miss Kathleen Calvert may be the daughter of an Irish aristocrat, but she has no intention of acting like one. All she desires is to return to her family's estate to raise horses and manage her father's magnificent gardens. But when a scandal threatens her reputation, her parents order her to a remote Scottish estate, hoping she will finally learn to behave like a proper lady. To make matters worse, her escort is a handsome Highlander who just happens to be the most boring man in all of Scotland...
After a youth of dangerous and wild escapades, Grant Kendrick surprised his family—and himself—by becoming a successful businessman and the most respectable Kendrick brother. But does that matter, when the beautiful and free-spirited Kathleen deems him a stodgy bore? Luckily, he gets the chance to prove her wrong when their carriage is ambushed by thieves. But it will take all his ingenuity to protect the beautiful lass who has stormed her way into his heart—and to convince her that a life with him will be a love-filled adventure...
Goodreads

The Viscount Made Me Do It
Series: Clandestine Affairs #2
Author: Diana Quincy
July 27th 2021 by Avon
Diana Quincy returns with the second novel in her Clandestine Affairs series featuring a steamy romance between a working class London bonesetter who is dangerously attracted to her mysterious noble client.
A seduction that could ruin everything...
Hanna Zaydan has fought to become London’s finest bonesetter, but her darkly appealing new patient threatens to destroy everything she’s worked so hard for. The daughter of Arab merchants is slowly seduced by the former soldier — even though she’s smart enough to know Griff is after more than he’ll reveal. Whatever it is, the bonesetter’s growing desire for the man just might tempt her to give it to him.
An attraction that cannot be denied...
Rumors that he killed his own parents have followed Thomas Ellis, Viscount Griffin, practically since he was a boy. More than a decade after the tragedy, Griff receives a tip about his parents’ killer… one that takes him straight to a captivating bonesetter. Griff is convinced Hanna is a fraud, but the dark-eyed beauty stirs deep feelings in him that he thought had perished along with his family.
Hanna has a gift for fixing fractured people, but can she also mend a broken heart? More importantly, will Griff let her?
Goodreads

What has caught your eye for July? Have you read any of these? Let me know :)