Christine Kelly Reads and Writes

June was a great reading months. I could chalk it up to a few things, which sound like they wouldn’t be conducive to good reading….but it worked!

First, I had covid. It sucked. 10/10 don’t recommend. BUT, my mind couldn’t focus on edits, or providing feedback sing my brain didn’t have gears that was clicking. But I needed to escape from my reality so I did through books.

Also, I realized that audiobooks are my friends. It’s hard for me to read physical books without having my brain resort to editing. So, audio books gives me the freedom to listen and enjoy without having my brain do *work*.

Lastly, my kids required that I sleep with them (unless we did a 2 hours bedtime which after one night I said NO THANKS). My husband was gone, so we all slept in one bed and I read on my kindle while they slept since it was way earlier than I felt tired. That did help me also start to catch up on my own editing.

Without further ado- here are my June 2024 reads:

Honeymoon Crashers by Christina Lauren was a audio novella which was so much fun! It was a quick read with a delightful cast of characters. I really enjoyed how they did the narration!

I’ve been dying to get my hands on a Hannah Bonam Young book, and finally, I did with Next of Kin. I really enjoyed Hannah’s characters and voice. Especially giving spotlight to kids in foster care. I really enjoy the MMC & LI having some anger that he learns to deal with. It’s realistic and so well done. I am very eager to get my hands on Out On a Limb– my eyes are peeled at every bookstore!

I read Truly, Madly, Deeply, by Alexandria Bellefluer next. I’m going to have to re-read this, espeically the first 50% to really get down how Bellefluer does angst and pining. It’s so well done. And how she gets it through text?! Genius. This was so much fun and swoony. Love, love, loved it!

Meanwhile, while my eyes were delighted with angst, my ears were held in suspense as I listened to First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. I’m getting more and more into suspense and trying to learn more about Thrillers/Domestic Suspense to be able to represent them. I really enjoyed this one, especially with the heavy romance element. I highly recommend because it is a master class is continuing to up the tension, especially in the middle, where the tension can be lost.

Because I had a Bridgerton hangover and saw that there was a hot air balloon scene in the book, I picked up Isabel and The Rogue by Liana De La Rosa– and yes, there is a hot air balloon scene. Yes there is angst and pining and sexy fun. This was a great second novel to the first- I recommend you read both!

My last read of the month was one I hope to use as a comp for my current WIP. I love the internal conflict and the banter is A++. I will say, this has a sex scene that goes at least two chapters and someday I strive to do that. Chloe always does the MOST and I love it! Better Hate Than Never does such a good job really having two people that dislike each other (or think they do) and give proper, good reasons for it. Along with having a third act conflict resolution that is mature and aspiring. I’m really excited for book 3!