July TBR and June Review | Kait’s Library
Desperation calls for desperate measures. This is a little trial I’m running for myself to hopefully encourage my reading. I’ll post monthly, the books I’m planning on reading, as well as a review on what I read the previous month. If you ever want to purchase any books I have featured, I have an Amazon storefront with a list called “Kait’s Library” (hence the title). This has and will continue to have, every single book I own physical copies of as well as a few TBR.
July TBR
Flawless by Elsie Silver
Elsie Silver books are becoming a new trend for the steamy romance and country-based settings. I’m not usually a big fan of romance but the country-based setting has me interested!! I do have a slight fear that this may be like a Colleen Hoover book in which case I will not continue the series. Trending romance books are just always 50/50 and you won’t catch me on Hoovers side. Most reviews I’ve read do say you have to get through the first 1 or 2 in this series before it gets really good, but even then… the first ones still have to be good enough to get through if I’m gonna read the last ones.
Book Summary
Flawless by Elsie Silver is a contemporary romance set in the small town of Chestnut Springs. The story follows Rhett Eaton, a rebellious professional bull rider whose career is jeopardized by a scandal, and Summer Hamilton, the daughter of his PR agent, who is assigned to help manage his public image. As they navigate their professional relationship, their growing attraction leads to a complicated enemies-to-lovers romance, forcing them to confront their fears and desires. The book blends humor, heart, and relatable struggles, setting the stage for future installments in the series.
The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller
THE heart shattering, life changing book. Tragic love story and Greek mythology. I don’t know much about this book besides that, and I don’t really care to learn more. Even if it didn’t live up to expectations, I am yet to hear someone say they didn’t enjoy reading it. Plus, who doesn’t love good heartbreaking book.
Book Summary
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a modern retelling of the Greek myth, focusing on the deep bond between Achilles and Patroclus. The story begins with Patroclus, who is exiled to the court of King Peleus, where he meets the legendary Achilles. As they grow up together, their friendship blossoms into a romantic relationship, set against the backdrop of the Trojan War. The narrative explores themes of love, honor, and the inevitability of fate, culminating in the tragic events surrounding Achilles' glory and Patroclus' fate.
June Review
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Romance/Fiction
Reading Time: Estimated About 4-5 Hours
Yeah. I only read one book this month. I’m a busy gal folks.
Taylor Jenkins Reid is my all-time favorite author. There is not a single book of hers I haven’t enjoyed reading. She’s very well known for The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and The Six. While those were both really good, my favorites (and arguably her best) are Malibu Rising and Carrie Soto Is Back. I may or may not die on that hill. She writes so well, they’re easier reads, and most importantly her stories are incredibly interesting. Plus, I love me a fiction book that’s realistic. After I Do is the first more underground book of hers that I’ve read and it’s safe to say I was not disappointed.
This book is about marriage and although I’ve never been married (I’m nineteen y’all) I still found it highly relatable. If you’ve ever had a breakup with someone when you both still loved each other but knew it was for the better, then this book is for you. If you’ve ever even been in a relationship, because we all know there are ups and downs, this book is for you.
Taylor did a great job capturing emotions from both perspectives even while mainly focusing on Lauren (the main character). Her portrayal of the ups and downs to a relationship really pulled me in. You don’t have to be or have to have been married to see eye to eye or relate to these characters in any way. She had me second guessing so many things. By the time I got halfway through, I couldn’t put it down. I wasn’t sure what I expected from this book, but I was most definitely surprised how much it hit my feels.
Book Summary
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s ‘After I Do’ is a contemporary romance novel that traces the devolution and evolution of Lauren Spencer’s relationship with her husband, Ryan Cooper, focusing on Lauren’s internal experience as she and Ryan try to navigate a year-long separation. The novel uses this premise to examine the impact of marital separation on personal identity, the evolution of love and intimacy, and the search for freedom and personal growth.
WARNING: POTENTIAL SPOILERS
PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Underlinings From ‘After I Do’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“Ryan and I are two people who used to be in love. What a beautiful thing to have been. What a sad thing to be.”
“Maybe it doesn’t matter if you need someone during the everyday moments of your life. Maybe what matters is that when you need someone, they’re the one you need. Maybe needing someone isn’t about not being able to do it without them. Maybe needing someone is about it being easier if they are by your side.”
“Why do we do this? Why do we undervalue things when we have them? Why is it only on the verge of losing something that we see how much we need it?”
“We are a family of people going through all the things people go through every day. We are not special.”
“It’s all so perfectly, wonderfully, amazingly, beautifully hilarious, isn’t it? When did life get so fucking funny?”
“Look at the things we are capable of in the name of the people we love.”
