June was a rough reading month for me. I only finished 10 books, which is well below my usual 15–16 books per month.

Between reader fatigue, a couple of disappointing reads, and simply feeling exhausted, I found myself slipping into a reading slump more than once. Even so, there were some incredible standouts that made the month worthwhile.

So let’s get into everything I read this month 📖✨

The Flame and the Frost

This ARC pleasantly surprised me. Blending a Jack Frost retelling with Norse mythology, fae courts, and a slow-burn romance, it offered a unique fantasy world that kept me engaged from beginning to end. I loved the characterization, world-building, and relationship dynamics. While the inclusion of the fated mates trope wasn’t my favorite, the strong character work and emotional investment more than made up for it.

Cardcaptor Sakura, Vol. 9

Reading this with my daughter made the experience even more special. Volume 9 concludes the original storyline, and we had so much fun sharing the adventure together at bedtime. Revisiting Sakura’s journey reminded me why this series remains such a beloved classic.

The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake

This was my favorite Mara Rutherford novel to date. The premise—where innovation literally summons demons into existence—is incredibly creative, and I loved the humor and livelier character dynamics compared to some of her previous works. The ending left me absolutely desperate for the sequel, and that cliffhanger was downright cruel in the best possible way.

The Tower of Swallows

Unfortunately, this was one of the books that contributed to my reading slump. While I still enjoyed the world-building and characters, the pacing felt sluggish, and the constant side quests left me wanting the story to move forward more directly. It wasn’t a bad book, but it lacked the magic that made the earlier Witcher installments so memorable for me.

The Lady of the Lake

I enjoyed this more than The Tower of Swallows, largely because the major storylines finally began converging. However, I still struggled with the pacing and never became as invested as I hoped I would. While the conclusion offered satisfying moments, it ultimately landed as a solid but unremarkable read for me.

The Escape Game

This was an absolute blast. Marissa Meyer proved she can excel outside of fairy tale retellings with this fast-paced mystery. The escape room setting was immersive, the puzzles were engaging, and the plot twists genuinely surprised me. I found myself trying to solve clues alongside the characters, which made the reading experience even more enjoyable.

Of Flame and Fury

My June read-along selection turned out to be a fantastic read. I loved the phoenix racing, conservation themes, and unique fantasy setting. While I wished the friendship between Kel and Coop had been developed more before the romance took center stage, the emotional twists, strong pacing, and heartbreaking ending made for a memorable experience.

Every Exquisite Thing

This was one of my favorite books of the month. Laura Steven’s sapphic dark academia retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray is powerful, emotional, and deeply relevant. The themes of identity, beauty, self-worth, and belonging are explored with incredible nuance. I was completely captivated and can’t recommend this one highly enough.

Local Heavens

A cyberpunk retelling of The Great Gatsby should not have worked as well as it did, but this novel absolutely nailed it. The author captured the heart of Fitzgerald’s classic while transforming it into something entirely fresh and modern. The world-building was excellent, the emotional impact was devastating, and the reinterpretation of the original characters felt both respectful and innovative.

Ballad of Falling Dragons

While I didn’t love this quite as much as When the Moon Hatched, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The first half leaned heavily into romance, which occasionally slowed things down for me, but once the story shifted back toward fantasy, the pacing became relentless. The revelations, multiple perspectives, and shocking cliffhanger ending left me eager for the next installment.

Despite reading fewer books than usual, June still delivered several standout reads. Every Exquisite Thing, Local Heavens, The Escape Game, The Demonic Inventions of Orly Blake, and Of Flame and Fury were easily the highlights of the month. While a couple of books pushed me into a reading slump, I finished June excited about the stories ahead and ready to tackle a fresh stack of books in July.

Don’t forget to follow Cyn’s Workshop on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads | LinkedIn to stay tuned for more like this.

Become a Supporter