I read quite a lot this month, but overall, I found it to be a very ho-hum month in terms of what I actually loved. For some reason, maybe I was just in a mood, most of these books were just ok for me. I read 12 books, and only four of them made it to a four-star ranking for me. A number of these books are free on Amazon Unlimited right now, so you should take advantage and give them a try! I will start with my favorites.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown was a very thought-provoking book. Jane is brought up in isolation in a remote cabin in Montana by her technophobic father. All she knows is the world he has allowed her to experience, which is extremely limited. We follow Jane's childhood, her teenage years, and then her ultimate escape into the real world as her father's activities become increasingly dangerous. This book will get you considering the benefits and dangers of technology, questions of loyalty, and if we can escape our parents' choices. 4.5 stars

Heartwood by Amity Gage is a book I listened to in audio format. The narration was very good, with a full cast. The heart of the story is Valerie Gillis, a woman who is hiking the Appalachian Trail and becomes lost. The plot focuses on the rescue mission and goes back and forth between Valerie's experience of trying to survive in the wilderness, the female Maine State Game Range who is heading the rescue mission, and Lena, a septagenarian living in a Connecticut care facility who may have clues to Valerie's whereabouts. The book had the makings of a 5 star read, but I found that it bogged down when the plot switched to the point of view of Lena. 4 stars

It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan wasn't my favorite by this author, but still a good story. Monaghan wrote Nora Goes Off Script, which was so good. It's a Love Story concerns Jane Jackson, a former child TV star who is now a struggling screenwriter in Hollywood. To get her project greenlit, she fibs that she has connections to one of her former co-stars, who is now a famous musician. She ends up having to turn to her rival, cinematographer Dan Finnigan, for help, and as you must expect, an enemies-to-lovers romance ensues. This book was cute and entertaining, and a great choice for a summer read. 4 stars

The Manor House by Gilly MacMillan is a book I really got into. I listened to this one on Audio and enjoyed the full cast narration. Nicole and Tom are an ordinary couple whose lives are changed when they win a massive lottery. They move into a custom built state of the art glass mansion called The Barn, which is located on the large estate of Lancaut Manor in Gloucestershire. The couple thinks their dreams have come true, and then Tom ends up dead in the swimming pool. The seemingly nice young couple who live in the nearby Manor, their creepy housekeeper, and an old "friend" of Tom's all turn up to "help" Nicole get through her experience. They all stink like three-day-old fish, and I couldn't wait to find out how they were involved in Tom's death. Free on Kindle Unlimited 4 stars.

Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess will be a hit with so many of you who enjoy a cozy mystery. When 34-year-old Cath loses her mother, she discovers her mom had purchased tickets for the two of them to attend a murder simulation week in a quaint English village. Since she and her mom weren't particularly close, Cath is mystified. She decides not to waste the trip, however, and goes on her own. She teams up with her "cottage mates" to solve the "mystery" and discovers all sorts of hidden truths about her mother along the way. It was a fun cozy, but I found myself wanting a bit more from it. 3 stars

Food Person by Adam Roberts. Our main character, Isabella, is a "food person" who has just lost her job at a digital food magazine and needs to find employment pronto. She jumps at the offer to ghostwrite a cookbook for celebrity actress Molly Babcock. Unfortunately, getting Molly pinned down to participate at any level is just not happening. Molly is scatter-brained, usually hungover, and not at all interested in food. Isabella is determined to work her way into Molly's affections and stomach. Will she succeed or will this project and Isabella's career go up in flames? The story was kind of cute but ultimately forgettable. 3 stars

Among Friends by Hal Ebbott. Sigh. I pretty much hated this hyped up book. Two long-time friends' families are gathered at a country home to celebrate the birthday of the host. Something unspeakable happens. "Accusations, denials, and shattered illusions follow," and these thoroughly detestable characters find their friendship in tatters. The writing is pretentious as well as confusing, the characters loathsome, and the plot made me extremely uncomfortable. I advise you to skip this one. No stars

Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch. I can't say I have read a book that was narrated from the point of view of a curmudgeonly pony before, but there is a first time for everything. Our grumpy main character, Pony, must save the only human he has ever loved, Penny,  when he learns she has been falsely accused of murder. What follows is a wildly improbable cross-country escapade where Pony is guided by good guesses and other helpful animals on his mission to get to Penny. The book is saved from cuteness by Pony's cranky observations, the cynicism of his friend Goat, and insights into the unfairness of the criminal justice system. Many of you will love this one. Hardcover is only $13.50 on Amazon 3.5 stars

One Click by Andrea Mara. While on vacation, amateur photographer Lauren takes a picture of a strange woman on the beach and posts it online. When she starts getting weird messages from strangers, she confesses to the woman what she has done and deletes the photo. Too late, now things are in motion, and cracks begin to appear in many aspects of Lauren's life. The book is set in Dublin, which was fun for me, as many familiar locations were referred to. It seems that someone is out to get Lauren, her family, and the woman she photographed. This story was a compelling mystery and I did enjoy it. I had some issues with the main character, which knocked my rating down.  Free on Kindle Unlimited 3 stars

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean, is a super popular book this summer. Alice Storm is the black sheep of the ultra-wealthy Storm family, estranged from them all for 5 years. When her father suddenly dies, she goes home to the magnificent family home, which is located on a private island off of Rhode Island. She is determined to attend the funeral, keep her mouth shut, and leave as soon as she can. Her manipulative father had other plans, however. In order for each of the siblings to receive their inheritance, they must participate in a weird game, which pits each of them against the other. People are saying it is a great family drama, but I found myself bored. It took me ages to finish because I couldn't seem to make myself pick it up. 2.5 stars

All Our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianne MacLean. This book has a super high rating on Goodreads, and people seem to love it. Emma lives on remote Sable Island, off of Nova Scotia, and now that WW2 has ended, she can't wait to get off the island and move on with her life. However, when a handsome British sea captain is rescued offshore, her destiny is changed forever. Emma falls in love with handsome Oliver Harris, but it seems their romance is not to be, as lies, catastrophic events, and betrayals keep them apart. "A shining thread of hope illuminates this epic tale of lost love and fallen dreams, set in the remote splendor of Nova Scotia and spanning decades.". This was a really good historical romance and I think so many of you will adore it. I've thought of it a lot since I finished it. It's free on Amazon Kindle, so you should definitely get it. 3.75 stars

The Couple at Number 9 by Claire Douglas. This is a thriller about a couple in England who inherit what they think is their dream home, until something terrible is found in the backyard. The story spans 30 years and has plenty of twists and turns you won't see coming. The only person with the answers is a 70-year-old woman with dementia… If you enjoy a psychological thriller, you will really dig this one. I found it a bit dragged out. Again, free on Kindle Unlimited, so why not borrow it? 3 stars

Hope you enjoyed these reviews. Let me know if you have read any of them and what you think. Also, do you take advantage of Kindle Unlimited to borrow free books? I think it's worth it.