My June Reading Wrap-Up!
- Gabby Womack
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
June was a slow month for me, in regards to reading, thanks to an increase in my workload and a couple of successful Pride Month outings.
Many times, I had struggled to get into the books I was reading because my mood shifted frequently and the news updates were weighing on me. I'm super happy that I at least got to finish reading the following books:
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron
It was so cool to dive into this sapphic historical fiction novel with a multiracial Black pirate based on folklore! Jacquotte Delahaye lives in Yáquimo, Saint-Domingue (modern-day Jacmel, Haiti) until her childhood friend betrays her and takes over the area. She flees with her brother, her crew, and the former governor’s wife Teresa. In their haste, they end up in servitude to a brutal pirate named Blackhand. This story is fascinating! Although the pacing seemed to slow sometimes, I still enjoyed the plot & Cameron’s attention to detail. If you’re looking for adventure with themes of found family and anti-colonialism, this book is a great choice.
All Superheroes Need PR (Supers In the City #1) by Elizabeth Stephens
I love how original and clever this book is. Roland aka the Pyro is a superhuman with a bad rep who wants to sign on with Vanessa’s firm for a hero makeover. Is he for real or is this a sinister plot? Vanessa and Roland are explosive together! I’ll admit, Vanessa’s clumsiness annoyed me in the beginning, but I warmed up to her quickly because she’s funny and sweet. The banter between all of the characters was *chef’s kiss* and made this a really fun read.
All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells
I read this book a few years ago but decided to pick it back up in a plot to get my husband back on audiobooks. (We’ve been watching the series adaptation of the Murderbot diaries, which is pretty faithful to All Systems Red with some exceptions.)
SecUnit aka “MurderBot” is a really entertaining and relatable narrator. Technically, its job is to protect the survey team in their mission on planet exploration, but it hacked its governor module. All it wants to do now is watch media like The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon but the crew needs more support than anyone expected. This is an awesome series with quick reads! There are also dramatized versions of the audiobook available.
When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa
*squeal* The newest Mia Sosa book is finally here!!! If you've never read one of her books, you're in for a treat because they are always deliciously satisfying, in my humble opinion.
This latest novel is about a couple of long-term besties who have been pining for one another since college. Mari is everything Javi wants in a partner so he's been working hard to improve himself and be worthy of her love. Unfortunately, he may have taken too long because Mari, tired of waiting for him to profess his love for her, has moved on. She's about to get married to a hella tall hottie and Javi doesn't have much time to stop it!
This book is sweet, hella funny, and sexy. There's a dual timeline, so we get to follow this explosive duo through college as well as present-day. When Javi Dumped Mari had me giggling with all of the hilarious banter (and thoughts, to be honest)! The build-up of their friendship was so real but heart-warming. It's a beautiful reminder that sometimes we meet the right person at the wrong time & sometimes we are lucky enough to find a way back to them. Mari & Javi felt inevitable in the best way. One of the things I loved the most about them is that they knew when to match each other’s chaotic & dramatic energy.
I also love that we have two Afro-Latinx leads, one Puerto Rican and one Brazilian. It's the rep we deserve, baby!
This is a must-read for rom-com lovers. Add this book to your TBR immediately!
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