Welcome to our favourite reads for July. Each month some of ARRA’s members will tell you a little bit about one of the books they’ve recently read and loved.
These are not full reviews of the books, just honest opinions on why they enjoyed the book so much. Hopefully one of these will strike a chord with you.
So, we asked our members to tell us about some of their favourite reads for July …
The Birthday List by Devney Perry (Maysen Jar #1) (contemporary romance) (audiobook)
After listening to the first chapter of this book, I didn’t think I was going to finish this one. I was just too sad. But I’m so glad that I persevered. The grief the characters feel in this story is heart stopping, but as Poppy’s restaurant goes from strength to strength and she works on the birthday list, with Cole’s help the story just gets better and better. So many wonderful characters in this story from family, old friends, new friends, it’s great! Book 2, Letters to Molly, is also a great read! [Linda, WA]
Cover of Night by Linda Howard (romantic suspense)
I remember reading this book when it was originally published (2006!), and the storyline’s lingered ever since. I thought it might be worth a re-read, as Linda Howard novels rarely disappoint, and it truly was worth it. Technology might have moved on and made the story a little less believable, but back in the day it was a pretty excellent story with that incredible hero, the shy, quiet Cal. It’s still good. Dangerous men and adventurous women and all that—a terrific vacation read for me. [Malvina, NSW]
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Empyrean #1) (fantasy romance)
For all of you who loved ACOTAR you need to read this book—you will not be disappointed. While it is a fantasy novel it has all the elements I love from a romance reader’s perspective, including enemies to lovers, strong friendships, family drama and adventure. Violet, who has trained to be a scribe all her life, is instead thrust into navigating the elite war college for dragon riders, where failure results in death. Once there she must work out who she can and cannot trust, gain a coveted dragon and succeed against almost impossible odds. [Cora, ACT]
The Station, Volume One by Mel A Rowe (rural romance)
I know when I pick up a Mel A Rowe book that I am going to be taken on a fabulous journey to the Northern Territory and that I will meet some fabulous characters that I will love and be cheering on and this book was no exception. I loved it from the first word, the book was so hard to put down as I got to know Sienna and Jake and the awesome characters who live at The Station. This is a must-read book. I loved my trip to the Northern Territory, and of course the characters that make this story rock. [Helen, NSW]
Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews (Kinsmen Universe #2) (urban fantasy)
This story features an ex-military heroine and a powerful kinsman. They are both ‘psychers’, having the ability to overpower and kill others on a psychic plane called the bionet. The hero is known and feared for his abilities, but the heroine must hide hers because of her use of them during the war on the planet from which she is a refugee. He hires her to be his admin, and things transpire from there mostly the way you would expect, but the journey is fun, with good banter, dangerous situations and satisfying romance. [Deb, NSW]
Take it Off the Menu by Christina Hovland (Mile High Matched #3) (contemporary romance)
Heiress Marlee Medford is dumped two days before her wedding. Her gal pals and chef Eli Howard (a brother to one of her BFFs) rally around and take her to Vegas to commiserate. But what happened in Vegas didn’t stay there and Marlee finds herself homeless, jobless and cut off by her parents. She’s not the type of person to let that hold her back and with friends like Eli she doesn’t need to. Marlee was such a sunshine-y girl and great fun and Eli was a total cinnamon roll. I loved how strong their friendship was. [Debbie, ACT]
Someone Else’s Shoes by JoJo Moyes (women’s fiction)
OMG this book was brilliant—such a great twist and so compelling. You think you know what’s going to happen, but it goes left when you went right. When you finish this book you will have a big smile on your face. I have been telling everyone to read this one. [Simone, NSW]
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