Summer reading is here, and June was a wild month for me! Between moving to my first apartment and continuing to live a quarantined life, I somehow managed to read 9 books. I spent a lot of time in June reading thrillers, especially some by Peter Swanson, one of my new favorite authors. Read on for my June book wrap-up. As always, you can find all my reviews + more on my Goodreads account.
Whisper Network – ★ ★ ★ ★
“If only you had listened to us,” they tell us on page one of Chandler Baker’s Whisper Network, “none of this would have happened.”
This Reese’s Book Club pick tells the story of four women who speak up about sexual harassment in corporate America. It’s witty and a little bit dark, and it was definitely a page turner for me. I loved the different perspectives and the shared secrets.
The Last Time I Saw You – ★ ★ ½
Because I loved The Last Mrs. Parrish, I really wanted to love this one. Unfortunately this novel by Liv Constantine (aka sisters Lynne and Valerie) was confusing, boring and predictable.
The story follows the aftermath of the murder of a high-society woman, and the shocking secrets between her family & their close-knit neighborhood. I liked reading about the perks & problems of the rich, but this novel was too slow for me.
American Royals – ★ ★ ★ ★
What if America had a royal family?
This YA follows the Washingtons, America’s royal family (still royal 2.5 centuries after George Washington was the first king) and the eccentricities that come with royalty. It’s been a while since I picked up a YA novel, and I loved this one! The sequel, Majesty, comes out in September and I am itching to get my hands on an ARC. American Royals was a cute, fast-paced book with fun characters.
The Kind Worth Killing – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was my second Peter Swanson book (after Eight Perfect Murders), and immediately after this I binged his others. I honestly thought it was that good. In Swanson’s novels, normal people are murderers. Are murderers normal people…?
I loved how chilling & suspenseful this one was. If you’re into stories that are both mysteries and thrillers, this one is definitely for you.
Before She Knew Him – ★ ★ ★ ★
Forgive me, I’m back on the Peter Swanson train. I read this immediately after The Kind Worth Killing and I also loved this one. There were some great twists and turns that I didn’t expect, and I’ve definitely read my fair share of twisted thrillers.
If you’re into serial killers, check out Before She Knew Him and follow along with protagonist Hen as she begins to realize that her innocent-looking neighbor might just have a murderous side to him.
Her Every Fear – ★ ★ ★ ★
Another successful story by Peter Swanson, who is definitely now an auto-buy author for me. Her Every Fear follows anxious Kate, who recently moved to Boston from London through an apartment swap with her cousin.
When Kate discovers her neighbor was murdered, she unravels a string of chaotic actions that only mastermind author Peter Swanson can develop. I loved how chilling and psychologically creepy this was.
Then She Was Gone – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Then She Was Gone has been on my TBR for ages, ever since I saw the synopsis in a bookstore. I’m fascinated by Lisa Jewell’s thrillers, and this five-star read was heartbreakingly creepy. Check out the mini synopsis below 👇
15-year-old Ellie is the golden girl who disappeared. When her mother meets a charming man whose 9-year-old daughter looks just like Ellie, all the unanswered questions come flooding back.
The Jetsetters – ★ ★ ★
I had high hopes for this summery Reese’s Book Club pick, but I was honestly a bit bored by it. The characters were original and quirky, but up until the end, I had a hard time feeling interested enough to really follow the story.
Goodreads says the book shows “the courage it takes to reveal our true selves, the pleasures & perils of family, and how we navigate the seas of adulthood to cruise—we can only hope—toward joy.”
The First Mistake – ★ ★ ★ ½
The First Mistake is written by Sandie Jones, the author of The Other Woman, a Reese’s Book Club pick I binged in one night. This one was still a little creepy and fast paced, but I didn’t think it was as memorable as her other bestseller.
The First Mistake is more domestic suspense than thriller, but it still has some surprising elements that made me eager to get to the end. If you’re into white collar crime and family secrets, check this one out.
Let me know what you read in June, or if you’ve read any of these picks! I definitely recommend The Kind Worth Killing and Then She Was Gone. For more reviews and book thoughts, visit my Bookstagram.
