Just Made It In Time // June Wrap-Up

This is the month I just made it in time for book club! With 4 minutes spare! But did I enjoy the book? Getting into the reviews…

Green Rider by Kristen Britain

Genre: High Fantasy
Tropes: Reluctant Hero, Coming of Age and Race Against Time.
Pages: 592
Spice: None
Format: Paperback & Audio (Dual Read)

Book Synopsis:

“After being expelled from school, Karigan G’ladheon encounters a dying Green Rider. One of the king’s legendary messengers. With his final breath, he entrusts her with a secret message for King Zachary and warns her to “beware the shadow man.”

Honouring her promise, Karigan sets out on a perilous journey. Guided by the messenger’s horse, pursued by a mysterious assassin and haunted by the ghost of the fallen Rider. As she travels through a land filled with magic, danger, and political intrigue, she discovers that delivering a single message could change the fate of the kingdom. And her own. Soon, Karigan must race against time to survive and embrace a destiny far greater than she ever imagined.”

Spoiler-Free Review

I thoroughly enjoyed Green Rider! Although I’m not usually the biggest high fantasy reader, as I tend to lean more towards fantasy with romance or historical elements. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story.

One thing I particularly appreciated was the world-building. It was detailed enough to draw me in; however, it never felt overwhelming or like it overshadowed the characters and plot. Instead, it allowed the story to develop naturally as I became more familiar with the world and terminology.

I read this incredibly quickly, as I only had a couple of hours before my book club discussion. And finished it with minutes to spare! The pacing was really well done, and even during the quieter moments, I remained invested in Karigan’s journey.

Overall, this was a great introduction to a high fantasy world, and I’m definitely interested in continuing the series. 4 Stars.

Spoiler Review

Click here to read

• Karigan was a fantastic protagonist. I loved watching her go from a reluctant messenger to someone beginning to understand what being a Green Rider truly means. She was stubborn, brave, and flawed in a way that made her easy to root for.

• The bond between the Green Riders and their horses was one of my favourite parts. The magical elements felt unique and added something special to the story without becoming too complicated.

• I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the message Karigan has to deliver and the hints of the larger threats facing the kingdom. It made the story feel like the beginning of something much bigger.

• The slower pace worked well for me because it allowed time to explore the world, the characters, and the growing sense of danger.

7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! Vol. 1 by Touko Amekawa

Genre: Fantasy / Romance
Tropes: Time Loop, Arranged Marriage and Enemies to Lovers
Pages: 180
Spice: None
Format: Manga (Kindle)

Book Synopsis:

“Being reborn once may sound impressive. But Rishe is already on her seventh time around! She has had all kinds of excitement in her previous lives. From peddling goods as a merchant to locking blades as a knight. Now she’s determined to kick back and enjoy. But to savour the high life, she first has to marry the handsome prince. You know, the same one who murdered her in her last life! It will take six-plus lifetimes of experience and skills for Rishe to break the time loop and make her extravagant dreams come true!”

Spoiler-Free Review

I picked up 7th Time Loop on Kindle Unlimited after seeing the trailer for the anime adaptation. Like many readers, I’m always interested in experiencing the manga or book first. Especially when it features a Regency-inspired fantasy setting. Additionally, the romance and enemies-to-lovers elements were a definite bonus!

I read this on my Kindle Colour and was pleasantly surprised that I could still appreciate the vibrant artwork and illustrations despite it being digital. The artwork really enhanced the reading experience.

This was such a fun read! After loving Green Rider, I was already having a brilliant start to the month, and this continued that streak. I loved the concept, the world-building, and especially Rishe as the female main character. She has so much personality, confidence, and determination, and I really enjoyed seeing how her previous lives shaped the person she is today.

Overall, I’ll definitely be continuing with the manga and catching up with the series. 4.5 Stars.

Spoiler Review

Click here to read

• I loved getting glimpses into Rishe’s previous six lives and seeing how each one gave her different skills, experiences, and perspectives. It makes her such a fascinating heroine because she’s not starting over, she’s bringing everything she has learned with her.

• Rishe’s attitude is honestly one of my favourite things about her. When she discovers her engagement has been broken off the second time, and she’s labelled the villainess, she doesn’t fall apart, she’s basically like, “Right, I’m going to live my life now.”

• The moment where she discovers who she is marrying had me laughing because her reaction is so realistic. She isn’t swept away by status or power; she’s more interested in having the freedom to do what she wants.

• I really enjoyed the dynamic between Rishe and Arnold. There’s already so much tension and curiosity between them, and I’m excited to see how their relationship develops.

Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Brothers’ Best Friend and Found Family
Pages: 384
Spice: Moderate
Format: Paperback & Audio (Deal-Read)

Book Synopsis:

“The scowl should’ve been my first sign to stay away from Anson Hunt. The sexy smirk and the fact that he’s my brother’s best friend? Reasons two and three.

Anson is my opposite in every way: grumpy, rude, and loves his solitude. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to kill him with kindness; the man simply won’t crack.

When my world falls apart, Anson catches me. So-called “accidents” put my life in danger, and he steps in to keep me safe. But Anson has secrets with a price. And when they’re revealed, neither of us will escape unscathed. . .”

Spoiler-Free Review

Catherine Cowles is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me, so I was incredibly excited to pick up Fragile Sanctuary. Thankfully, it absolutely lived up to my expectations. One of my favourite things about her books is how effortlessly she blends romantic suspense with found family, and this story was no exception.

However, if you’ve read several of Catherine’s books, you may notice some familiar tropes and themes throughout her stories. Therefore, I would recommend spacing them out if you prefer more variety in your reading. That being said, they are tropes I personally love, so it wasn’t an issue for me.

Rho and Anson were such a great pairing. With brother’s best friend, grumpy x sunshine, small-town romance, and plenty of emotional tension, they ticked all the boxes. Furthermore, I loved how well the romance and suspense balanced each other, keeping me hooked from beginning to end. 4 Stars.

Spoiler Review

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• I genuinely didn’t guess who the killer was! I was convinced it was either Roan’s ex-partner or even her boss at the garden centre, so the reveal completely caught me off guard.

• Finding out that Silas was behind everything, being the serial killer Anson was after and had been involved since the fire that killed Roan’s first family, was such a shocking twist. I never saw it coming.

• I loved watching Anson slowly let his guard down. Once you learn why he’s so guarded, his grumpy personality makes perfect sense.

• Roan’s optimism despite everything she’d endured was inspiring. She never let her past define her, and I really admired her resilience.

All The Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers and True Crime Podcast
Pages: 402
Spice: Moderate
Format: Kindle

Book Synopsis:

“Ridley Sawyer travels the country investigating unsolved disappearances for her true crime podcast. Driven by the unresolved loss of her own twin sister. Wanting to bring justice to other families, she arrives in a small town to uncover the truth behind another cold case.

Sheriff Colter Brooks is determined to keep the investigation under control. He isn’t thrilled by Ridley’s presence. When the case takes a dangerous turn and Ridley becomes a target, Colt is forced to protect her. As they work together, their initial clash gives way to trust… and undeniable attraction. Secrets buried deep and danger closing in, Ridley and Colt must uncover the truth…before the killer strikes again.”

Spoiler-Free Review

After finishing Fragile Sanctuary, I was firmly on the Catherine Cowles train. When I came across All the Missing Pieces on Kindle Unlimited, I knew I had to pick it up. Between the two books, I preferred this story; however, my advice from my previous review still stands: it’s worth spacing her books out, as they do share some familiar tropes and themes.

Ridley and Sheriff Colter were my favourite part of the story. Their stubborn personalities created some brilliant banter, and I loved how their arguments often revealed the emotions beneath the surface. Additionally, the combination of grumpy x sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, and small-town romance tropes worked incredibly well throughout the storyline, making their relationship development feel natural and entertaining.

I loved the true crime podcast angle. The investigation was engaging from start to finish, and the balance between the romance and suspense kept me turning the pages. 4.5 Stars.

Spoiler Review

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• I was completely convinced Ridley’s sister’s disappearance was connected to someone at the college party. So I never saw the reveal involving her podcast colleague coming. That twist genuinely surprised me.

• I loved how the investigation uncovered links between multiple missing women who all shared similar characteristics. It felt believable and reflected how cases can remain unsolved when different jurisdictions fail to connect the dots.

• The reveal that Anson’s sister had escaped the same killer was a brilliant way to tie the story together and added an emotional layer to the investigation.

• The supporting cast, especially Trey and the small-town community, felt well developed and made the world feel lived in.

• Although I’d love more stories in this world, Ridley’s journey feels satisfyingly complete by the end.

A Cat From Our World And The Forgotten Witch Volume 5 by Hiro Kashiwaba

Genre: Fantasy
Tropes: Animal Companion, Forgotten Hero and Older Female Protagonist
Pages: 200
Spice: None
Format: Manga

Book Synopsis:

“Long ago, Jeanne was a legendary witch who defeated the Demon King and saved the world. Now, her heroics are forgotten, and she lives alone in a quiet forest, her powerful magic a distant memory. Seeking companionship, Jeanne summons a cat from Earth, only for the once-ordinary feline to arrive as a towering giant! As the oversized kitty adjusts to its strange new world, it bonds with Jeanne through shared meals, cosy moments, and a steady supply of head pats. Together, they begin to heal the solitude of a forgotten hero and rediscover the magic of companionship.“

Spoiler-Free Review

I can’t believe this is the final volume of A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch! I’ve had such a lovely time with this series, and it was bittersweet reaching the end.

Overall, the story wraps up well and answers the major plot points, giving the characters a satisfying conclusion. However, I did feel that the ending was slightly rushed. In my opinion, the story could have easily continued for another volume or two. If they did, there would have been more time to explore Jeanne’s character in that moment. And allow some of the more emotional moments the space they deserved to fully breathe.

One of my favourite parts throughout the series has been the relationship between Jeanne and Mew. Their bond is incredibly wholesome and heartwarming, while Mew remains such a wonderfully unconventional guardian. The epilogue was a lovely touch and left the series on a hopeful and satisfying note. 4 Stars.

Spoiler Review

Click here to read

• I was absolutely heartbroken when the dragon died. I genuinely wasn’t expecting it, and I wish the story had spent a little more time letting the characters, and the readers, grieve before moving on.

• Jeanne and Mew remained my favourite part of the series. Their bond was just as sweet in this final volume, and Mew continued to be the most lovable (and unusual!) guardian.

• I really appreciated the epilogue. After everything the characters endured, it was nice to get one final goodbye and see them receive the happy ending they deserved.

• And Flad finally got to pet Mew!!!

June’s Reading Stats

As always, putting everything into TheStoryGraph App, I found…

I read 5 books.

A total of 1,758 pages.

100% of the books read were fiction.

Genre-wise, we have romance, fantasy, contemporary, and mystery. I don’t count manga as a genre. To me, Manga is more of a format.

My average rating for the month was 4.2. I feel I had a pretty good month!

I read 40% in digital and 60% in print. Some were dual-read with the audiobook. I have mentioned which ones above.

Over The Past 3 Months: The Books That Have Joined My Shelves

My rules went out the window. Well and truly. The majority of these I have bought. I did use Waterstones points, birthday vouchers and birthday money.

Manga

I have been on a manga binge recently. Finding lots of cute Regency-inspired or magical storylines.

• A Cat From Our World And The Forgotten Witch Volume 5 by Hiro Kashiwaba
• The Summer Hikaru Died Volume 1 by Mokumokuren
• Always A Catch Volume 1 by Mayo Momoyo
• Witch Hat Atelier Volume 5, 6, & 7 by Kamome Shirahama
• A Sign of Affection Volume 2 & 3 by Su Morishita
• Betrothed To My Sisters Ex Volume 1 by Tobirano
• Frieren Volume 1 by Kanehito Yamada

Pre-Orders

Some of these were featured in my Reading Plans for 2026 blog post. Others were added as announcements came out.

• Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker
• The Family Friend by Claire Douglas
• The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore
• The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez
• The Witch and The Wolf by Lindsey Kelk
• The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer
• The Ballad Of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker
• How To Cheat Your Own Death by Kristen Perrin
• Fever Dream by Elsie Silver
• You Should Have Been Nicer To My Mom by Vincent Tirado

HarperCollins Sale

HarperCollins are known to do these crazy 50% off sales for members. I thoroughly took advantage of this and built up my Agatha Christie collection.

• Appointment with Death by Agatha Christie
• Black Coffee by Agatha Christie
• Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie
• Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie
• Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
• Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie
• Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
• Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie
• Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie
• Murder in the Mews by Agatha Christie
• Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
• Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie
• The Big Four by Agatha Christie
• The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
• The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie
• The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
• The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
• The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
• Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie

Birthday Treats

• The Magical Matcha Teashop by Natasha Bache
• The Tiny Magic Bookshop by August Bloom
• Big Apple Farm by Megan Clawson
• End of Watch by Stephen King
• Finders Keepers by Stephen King
• If It Bleeds by Stephen King
• IT by Stephen King
• Misery by Stephen King
• Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
• Pet Sematary by Stephen King
• The Institute by Stephen King
• A Home In The Sun by Sue Moorcroft
• The Astral Library by H.G. Parry

Supermarket & TikTok Shop Finds

I always forget how good a supermarket can be for books. I also recommend checking out The Write Bookshop on the TikTok Shop!

• In Your Dream by Sarah Adams
• You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
• The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore (Special Edition)
• Clean Girl Spring by Willow Hurst
• Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter
• Nothing Like The Movies by Lynn Painter
• Unnatural by Mia Sheridan
• Unwanted by Mia Sheridan
• The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop by Mary Simses
• Walking On Sunshine by Heidi Swain

The Works

Although I am not a fan of The Works being in-store only. I did pick a few up when I made trips into town.

• You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
• And Now, Back To You by B.K. Borison (Special Edition)
• Holiday Read by Taylor Cole
• Across The Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles
• No Place Left To Hide by Megan Lally
• That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally
• Polo Fever by Katherine Reilly
• Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider
• The Light Wielder by Rachel Schneider
• Silvercloak by L. K. Steven
• Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhan

Waterstones

A lot of these were because I am weak or cannot say no to a recommendation.

• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
• Meet Me At The Seaside Cottage by Jenny Colgan
• Stay For A Spell by Amy Coombe
• The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst
• Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
• Broken Dove by Dani Francis
• The Victors by Wren James
• Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher
• Meet Me At The Convenience Store By The Sea by Sonoko Machida
• Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan
• Intercepts by T. J. Payne
• The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego
• In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

Wrapping Up The Wrap-Up

And that was my June reading wrap-up and my huge haul over the last 3 months. Honestly, I am a little disgusted with myself looking at that list. It doesn’t even include my Kindle orders!! I really wanted to curb my spending on books this year, and although it could have been A LOT worse… I still need to be mindful. Especially as I am now living on a building site with the house being extended.

But at least I just made it in time for book club.

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As always, thanks for reading…

Hannah Marie