The total books read this month was 19 books. That brings me to 138. I was feeling a little slumpy AGAIN this month so I reread a few books, they didn’t really help if I’m honest. Still feeling weird. I hope it passes soon.

I’m still at 17 books on the ✨TwentyOffMyShelf 2025✨challenge and I only read one prompt for this quarters Romanceopoly 2025 Challenge. I started another prompt but I really wasn’t feeling it so it became a rare for me DNF.

I read book number seven in my own Non-fiction reading 2025 challenge. It was another really tough non-fiction pick, and I think I’m going to blame it for my slumpy feeling. I need to have a good think about what Augusts book will be.

Avenging Angels: Tenderfoot (Avenging Angel #3) by Kristen Ashley — 3.25⭐

This was nice, I’m enjoying the Angels, I mean some of the stuff is a little cringe but it’s also total escapism so it works for me.

Javi was wonderful and I have to say I adored him. I could really have done without him using Lolita as a pet name though. It was also cringe. 😂

Harlow was adorable. Totally cutsie and I loved that for her and Javi. I also like the storyline of her going no contact with her family. I think it’s super important to have storylines like this in books to show people that there are ways to deal with super toxic family instead of just putting up with them because they are ‘family’. I was super proud of Harlow for setting her boundaries! 

So Harlow and Javi were sweet, their story was nice but it wasn’t super exciting. The secondary story was good and we are introduced to more Angels and there is mention of Landon, Shy’s, from The Chaos Brothers, brother. I’ve been waiting for him to get a HEA! 

I really need KA to stop shoving as many Rock Chicks into these books though. It’s getting tiresome and is no unnecessary! 

Miss Wonderful (Carsington Brothers #1) — 4.5⭐, Mr. Impossible (Carsington Brothers #2) — 4.75⭐, Lord Perfect (Carsington Brothers #3) — 4⭐, Not Quite a Lady (Carsington Brothers #4) — 4⭐ & Last Night’s Scandal (Carsington Brothers #5) — 4⭐ by Loretta Chase

Miss Wonderful (Carsington Brothers #1) by Loretta Chase was my first prompt for Summer (Sunset Bay) in the Romanceopoly 2025 reading challenge.

Thus began my Loretta Chase binge! This woman had a chokehold on me for this entire month. I just had the best time with the Carsington Brothers and the incredible women they fell in love with. These books are probably the most unrealistic historical romance books I’ve ever read and I care not at all. They were highly entertaining and I like to look at them as being how I wish women in the 1800’s were able to behave while still being Victorian England. Just a bunch of badass women!

The Other Family by Loretta Nyhan — 3⭐

I think that this might be a little too outside of my preferred genre. It was perfectly fine but I did find it very frustrating and all the characters (besides Kylie) annoyed me at one point or another.

Matt was the worst offender though and even though this story really did a good job at highlighting a healthy and amicable separation he was worse than useless in my opinion. His resistance to Kylie’s treatment plan was totally understandable but how he communicated those feelings was utterly childish. Ally came across as immature at times but at least she was actively trying to find a way to help their daughter. Matt just complained about treatment costs and how hard it was on HIM to see Kylie sick. Like seriously??!!! Throw the whole man away!!!

I also found the conflict with Ally’s mother a bit over the top, her feelings were valid but given the circumstances I just found her reaction to Ally looking for answers by tracking down some biological family to be a little selfish. Ally did lie to her though so I can understand her being upset about that.

Overall this is a perfectly good book, and if you’re looking for found family and positive chronic illness outcomes I think it’s perfect. The treatment plan they pursued felt a little out there for me BUT I don’t have a sick kid. I imagine, like Ally, you’d do anything to help your kid if they are chronically ill! 

A Duke in Shining Armor (Difficult Dukes #1) — 3.75⭐, Ten Things I Hate about the Duke (Difficult Dukes #2) — 3.75⭐ & My Inconvenient Duke (Difficult Dukes #3) — 3.25⭐by Loretta Chase

This series was even more over the top than The Carsington Brothers, and that’s saying something. I didn’t love this series as much though as The Carsington’s but it was still fun, Cassandra from book two was my favourite, especially given how much Ashmont needed to redeem himself. Only Cassandra could help sort him out!

The Lion’s Daughter (Scoundrels #1) — 3⭐, Captives of the Night (Scoundrels #2) — 4⭐, Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels #3) — 4.5⭐ & The Last Hellion (Scoundrels #4) — 4.5⭐by Loretta Chase

I was a bit worried about this series after book one, The Lion’s Daughter was very dated, given that it was written in 1992 that’s not a surprise, the relationship setup and age gap was just a bit too much for me. Thankfully romance has evolved a lot since the early 90’s.

Lord of Scoundrels and The Last Hellion were my favourites of the four, the characters were the best, especially the women, but Bertie has well and truly stollen my heart and I’m so glad he got his own HEA.

Sommersgate House (Ghosts and Reincarnation #1) — 4⭐& Lacybourne Manor (Ghosts and Reincarnation #2) — 4⭐by Kristen Ashley

I was feeling out of sorts at the end of the month and decided to do a little KA reread, unfortunately these didn’t help me at all. I do like this series but I think Loretta Chase has me in such a chokehold that nothing is satisfying the historical romance itch.

Atonement Sky (Psy-Changeling Trinity #9) by Nalini Singh — 5⭐

I say this about every book in this universe but this one is my favourite!

What was particularly nice about this one was that it could actually sit as a standalone in the series. This was much more like a mystery set in the Psy/Changeling world. 

One of my favourites in this series was Bonds of Justice, where we met J Psy, Sophie. The J Psys fascinated me, they are forced to witness these awful crimes and expected not to show how traumatic that is. Eleri and her friends show us just how vulnerable J Psys are and it was heartbreaking to read. 

I adored Adam and loved finding out more about WindHaven, and the community of Raintree. 

Adam and Eleri deserved their hard won HEA, and I love that Bram and Dahlia got one as well. 

I wouldn’t hate a few more books in the series that aren’t solely focused on the problems in the Net. 

The Duke and I & The 2nd Epilogue (Bridgerton #1) — 4⭐by Julia Quinn

As with my KA reread, I tried to sate my historical romance hunger with a Bridgerton reread, unfortunately it just didn’t hit right. I think I’ll likely continue this reread at some stage this year but I think I need a little time away from Loretta Chase before I start that.

A time for truth by Sarah Corbett Lynch — 5⭐

A time for truth by Sarah Corbett Lynch was book number seven in my non-fiction 2025 challenge.

DNF:

Big Chicas Don’t Cry by Annette Chavez Macias

DNF 30%

I’m feeling very slumpy and this just isn’t doing anything to help that.

I’m finding it really difficult to get past Erica confronting a stranger in a cafe about taking the last raspberry streusel bar, and then having the audacity to behave like a victim about it. Honestly, if that’s how I was first introduced to someone I would also be a total bitch to them, and I’d not feel the least bit guilty about it. She was horrid.

I’m just too caught up on Erica to feel any particular way about the other cousins. It does have potential and maybe I’ll pick it up again when I’m feeling less cranky!!