I didn't get through many books in July. My time and energy was consumed by re-building the blog. Hoping to pick the pace back up in August! Here's what I read.
📊 Reading Stats
Books Read: 3
Genres:
Fiction: Literary (1) ◦ Thriller (2)
Nonfiction: (0)
Formats: Paperback (1) ◦ eBook (1)
Sources: Library (2) ◦ Owned (1)
Average Rating: 3 stars
Yearly Reading Goal Progress: 39 / 100 books (39%)
📖 Book Reviews
📘 The Arrangement
Author: Kiersten Modglin
Genre: Fiction ◦ Thriller
Publication:
Format & Source: eBook ◦ Kindle Unlimited
Dates Read: June 27 – July 1, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
Ainsley wants to fix her marriage, so she proposes an arrangement: she and her husband Peter can each date other people once a week. They’ll use fake names and identities—and they won’t talk about it. At first, it seems to be working… until one mistake leads to dangerous consequences and a tangled web of secrets.
This book was short but gave me absolute whiplash! It was crazy, ridiculous, and ridiculously entertaining. The twists were wild and completely unexpected—I was genuinely shocked multiple times. The dual narration worked well, and I found myself excited to pick this one up whenever I had a chance. I immediately jumped into the sequel and was thrilled to see it was a series. An absolute blast to read and total brain candy.
⚡Quick Take: Fast-paced, wildly twisty, and totally addictive. The definition of popcorn reading.
📘 Wild Dark Shore
Author: Charlotte McConaghy
Genre: Fiction ◦ Literary
Publication:
Format & Source: Print ◦ Library
Dates Read: July 4 – July 10, 2025
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
On a remote island called Shearwater, Dominic Salt and his children are the last remaining caretakers after rising sea levels drove everyone else away. When a mysterious woman named Rowan washes ashore during a violent storm, her arrival sparks new hope — but also new secrets. As tensions rise and danger builds, everyone must decide who they can trust and what they’re willing to sacrifice to protect each other — and the future.
This book had major hype, and I was excited to get my hands on it. But about a third of the way in, I was already googling: Does Wild Dark Shore pick up pace? I held out hope and kept reading… but it never did.
The writing was incredibly unique—sometimes even beautiful—with lines that stood out and a setting that felt eerie and otherworldly. But the stilted, simplistic style took some getting used to, and the pacing dragged throughout. Worst of all, the romance felt completely forced. There was zero chemistry, and the relationship just didn’t feel believable.
Overall, this was a disappointing read with a few redeeming qualities.
📘 The Amendment
Author: Kiersten Modglin
Genre: Fiction ◦ Thriller
Publication:
Format & Source: eBook ◦ Kindle Unlimited
Dates Read: July 1 – July 30, 2025
Rating: ★★★☆☆
After the explosive fallout from The Arrangement, Peter and Ainsley are left picking up the pieces of their shattered marriage — and dealing with the secrets that came to light. But just when they think the worst is behind them, a new threat from the past resurfaces, putting everything — and everyone — at risk. This time, trusting each other might be the only way to survive… but it could also be the most dangerous thing they do.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Arrangement, and was excited to dive into its sequel. The Amendment was completely twisted and took off in directions I didn’t see coming. Overall, I liked it — but not quite as much as the first. It got a little too far-fetched at times and didn’t feel quite as thrilling. Still, it was a good, fun addition to the series, and I jumped straight into the third and final book as soon as I finished.
⚡Quick Take: Twisty and entertaining, though a bit more over-the-top than the first — still a solid sequel that kept me turning pages.
🎖️ Favorite Book of the Month
The Arrangement by Kiersten Modglin
That’s a wrap on this month’s reads — here’s to another great chapter! 📚
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