June was not only a fantastic reading month for me, but also a great book month in general. Earlier in the month, I attended Book Con 2017, and I recapped my Saturday and Sunday at the convention on the blog. I left Book Con with 18 books (at least I bought another bookcase in advance) and actually came home to more this month! Having read 11 books this month, I’m going to be keeping my thoughts on each book short and sweet. I have full reviews for When Dimple Met Rishi and Eliza and Her Monsters (which I leave links for), and I often write mini reviews on Goodreads.

Leave Me by Gayle Forman | 4/5 Stars

I’m a fan of Gayle Forman’s young-adult duologies,  If I Stay and Just One Day, so I knew I had to pick up her adult novel at some point. While the main character, Maribeth, undergoes a big life change (after having a heart attack she decides to leave her husband and two children), the plot stays pretty mellow as Maribeth tries to figure out life.

Jane Eyre The Graphic Novel by Amy Corzine & Charlotte Bronte | 2/5 Star

I’m reading a Jane Eyre retelling in my English class next semester, so I figured I’d read Jane Eyre beforehand. This graphic novel had the original text and I just wasn’t a huge fan of the artwork and story overall.

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon | 4.5/5 Stars

When Dimple Met Rishi was on my TBR since January (insert jealously of anyone with an ARC here), so I was so happy to pick up the book in June and was not disappointed. I loved how Sandhya Menon interwove Indian culture and tradition, web development, humor, family, and more in this young-adult rom-com. I have a full review for When Dimple Met Rishi here.

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab | 3.5/5 Stars

A Gathering of Shadows is the second book in the Shades of Magic trilogy.  While I appreciated the world building and character development, things were just moving so slowly and didn’t find myself immersed in this story until the 250-page mark. However, I really enjoyed how there was more from Rhy’s perspective in this installment and I loved following the Games.

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen | somewhere between 4 & 5/5 Stars

I was so happy I found out a few months ago that the Queen of YA Contemporary was not only coming out with another book, but a book centered around wedding planning (I’m a Say Yes to the Dress and Four Weddings addict, okay?). Despite Sarah Dessen’s books tend to follow a similar format (troubled girls meets troubled boy, they like each other but won’t admit it, and then they fall in love at the end ), I really enjoyed this story and the side characters really made it for me, specifically William and Jilly.

Alex and Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz | somewhere between 4 & 5/5 Stars

Yes, this Hamilton mega-fangirl finally read Melissa de la Cruz’s Alex and Eliza, a historical retelling of how Elizabeth Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton met. This book relaunched all of my Hamilton feels (even though they are quite non-stop). If you’re any level of a Hamilton fan, I definitely recommend checking this one out.

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia | 5/5 Stars

Eliza and Her Monsters is the book that my Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell soul needed. It incorporated fandom, fan fiction, family, relationships, anxiety and so much more, and it has become one of my all-time favorite reads. I have a full review of Eliza and Her Monsters here.

Warcross by Marie Lu (ARC) 5/5 Stars

I was so beyond fortunate enough this month to receive an ARC copy of Warcross from Marie Lu at Book Con, and I’m so beyond excited to announce that this book was everything I expected and more! Warcross follows teenage bounty hunter Emika Chen, who’s just glitched herself into the International Warcross Championships. The creator of the hit sensation virtual-reality game that is Warcross, Hideo Tanaka, wants Emika to come to Tokyo and participate in the games, in hopes that she’ll solve a security problem for his company. Warcross comes out on September 12^th, and I’ll be posting my full review then!

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia | somewhere between 4 & 5/5 Stars

After reading Eliza and Her Monsters, I knew I needed another Francesca Zappia book in my life. While Made You Up has a different vibe from Eliza and Her Monsters, following a girl with schizophrenia and her journey transferring to a new school her senior year, I devoured this quirky story featuring mental health awareness and relationships (and some lobsters).

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab | 4/5 Stars

The sequel to This Savage Song and the final book in the Monsters of Verity duology, I was quite satisfied to the ending of Our Dark Duet, as it felt realistic to the story (aka a book where not every character is saved after fighting an epic battle). However, this book was a bit slow-moving for me and I felt a bit disconnected from the two main protagonists, August and Kate.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han |5/5 Stars

The final book in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series, Always and Forever, Lara Jean was everything I could have hoped for in this final installment and I can’t get over all of the Hamilton bits! I’ll have a full review up on the blog soon!

What did you read in June? Share in the comments!