Happy Canada Day! It feels especially appropriate that half of the books I read in June—two of which I read twice—are by fellow Canadian Carley Fortune. 

To put in perspective how unprecedented ten books a month is for me, I read fifteen books last year. In full disclosure, I would not have been able to read this much if it were not for the fact my husband was away for half the month, we do not have living children, and most importantly, my job is part-time through the summer.  That left me with plenty of time to dig into some amazing books! June also marked my first foray into “women’s fiction” and romance genres.

Since this is my first reading recap post, I think it is fair to mention that my preference is for books that are not spicy.  However, I would also rather skip spicy scenes and read amazing writing with an engaging plot and realistic characters than read a subpar squeaky-clean book. Does that make sense?

Top Shelf

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Date Finished: June 3
Format: Spotify audiobook, then, as soon as Indigo had a copy in stock, it was mine.
Content Warnings: Some infrequent strong language.  Chapter 25 has a cracked-door scene.

I have not read a review of Dolly All the Time that isn’t glowing.  This book 100 percent deserves that.  I started listening to it on Spotify, then had to stop because I just wanted to be able to hold the ending in my hands.  It was a very impatient wait until Indigo finally restocked. 

As a former special education teacher, I loved how Dolly’s brother Christopher, who is living with a traumatic brain injury, was portrayed as a full character.  The way Stewart treated Dolly’s son was another highlight.  Dolly All the Time was my first foray into women’s fiction, and I am grateful to it for opening a whole new world of reading to me.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

Dates Finished: June 5 and June 12
Format: I read my personal copy the first time around and listened to the audiobook on Spotify for much of my reread.
Content Warnings: For a closed-door experience, skip chapters 41 and 44.  Strong language and sexual references throughout.

Without a doubt, Our Perfect Storm was my favourite book of the month.  It might even be one of my favourite books, period.  On paper, this is the kind of book I would have historically avoided out of subject matter fear.  I am so happy I didn’t!  I read the first five chapters on Libby, then went out the next day to pick up a copy at Indigo because I could not handle Libby’s several months wait. 

Carley Fortune’s writing is lush.  George and Frankie’s relationship feels earned.  Vancouver Island is one of my favourite places in the world, so I was also immediately in love with the Tofino setting as well.  I cried at the ending each time I read it. I will be reading it a third time at some point.

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Dates Finished: June 6 and June 23
Format: I read a public library copy the first time and listened to the audiobook on Spotify and read my own personal copy for much of my reread.
Content Warnings: As far as close-door modifications go, there is a little bit of skipping to be done.  I didn’t keep track of the chapters for this book.  However, the scenes come with enough warning to make that easy to do.  Infrequent strong language.

Maybe I have a weakness for purple-pink Carley Fortune book covers.  I am okay with that. 

Seeing the way both Fern and Will had changed between their one day together in their early twenties and meeting again a decade later shaped the whole book for me.  After reading the ending, I was desperate to go back and reread it with that information in mind.  It did not disappoint on a second reading.  While Fern and Will made relationship choices that don’t match my personal worldview, their relationship felt earned. 

Future ReRead

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Date Finished: June 13
Format: Public library copy
Content warnings: For a closed-door experience, skip chapters 37 and 45.  Strong language and sexual references throughout.

Where my teenage experience was night-and-day different from that of Sam and Percy in Every Summer After, I related much more to Alice.  Her relationship not just with Charlie, but with her family and rediscovering her own creative voice made the book for me.  I did feel like I was skipping a lot of spicy bits, but the plot and prose made up for it.

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

Date Finished: June 14
Format: Public library copy
Content warnings: Out of the entire Carley Fortune catalogue, this one is probably the spiciest.  But the scenes don’t come out of nowhere and they are easy to skip.  Frequent strong language throughout.

When I was in grade two, my great-grandmother gave me a box set of the first three Anne of Green Gables books for Christmas.  Until I was in middle school, I read L.M. Montgomery books almost exclusively.  So, a novel set on Prince Edward Island, with a female main character named Lucy who falls in love with Felix? I had to read it.   I also loved the sheer Canadiana of this book.  The plot took me a bit to get into, but once it did, I was hooked. It is worth noting I bought a copy of this book after I finished it.

Glad I Read It

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

Date Finished: June 11
Format: Public library copy
Content Warnings: A couple cracked-door scenes.  Infrequent strong language.

After Dolly All the Time, I was eager to read another Annabel Monaghan book.  It’s a Love Story has an engaging plot, well-written characters, and it held my interest.  I absolutely recommend this book for summer—or anytime—reading.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Date Finished: June 12
Format: Personal copy
Content Warnings: For closed-door modifications, watch out for chapters 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16.  Frequent strong language.

I am not sure if Every Summer After will be a future reread or not.  It is well-written and I did finish it in one sitting, which is saying something. There is a reason it is at the top of most Carley Fortune book rankings I’ve seen.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Date Finished: June 20
Format: Audible audiobook and library copy
Content Warnings: For a closed-door experience, skip chapters 24, 26, and 33.  Some strong language.

As an autistic person, what I liked most about this book was how neurodivergent-coded both main characters were.

The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh

Date Finished: June 28
Format: Public library copy
Content Warnings: none

The Summer of Yes is a great example of a book by a Christian author that prioritizes a good plot and honest characters over being explicitly faith-based.  I did appreciate that it was a romance written from a Christian worldview, but it is also funny, engaging, and a book I think any romance reader would enjoy.  I have Courtney Walsh’s Better Than Before on my Libby TBR and am very much looking forward to reading it. The Summer of Yes might be one I come back to reread one day.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Date Finished: June 30
Format: Public library copy
Content Warnings: To make it closed-door, skip parts of chapters 18, 24, 26, and 30. Infrequent strong language.

The format of the story-within-a-story intrigued me.  I’ve read a few reviews that say this book leans more women’s fiction and less towards romance.  I agree with that. I did not see the plot twist at the end coming.

The DNF List

Rave reviews, but they just weren’t for me right now:

• Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
• Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
• The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
• The Rule Book by Sarah Adams
• Designated Date by Drew Taylor
• Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens
• Everything’s Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh

Did we have any reading in common last month? Recommendations for my ever-growing TBR list? I would love to hear from you!

Happy July reading!