July was an incredibly busy month, but also wound up being a really good reading month. As usual, there's a good mix of ARCs, thrillers, romance novels and more - so without further ado, here's everything I read in July 2025 with my quickfire reviews and ratings...
The Writer's Retreat by Samantha Verant
This was an ARC via NetGalley, and honestly I didn't enjoy it whatsoever. I had high hopes as the premise - a murder goes down at a writing retreat with a cult aspect to it - sounded right up my alley but it felt so flat. It was so complex with all these different POVs and timelines, which didn't flow well at all, and the characters were incredibly insufferable. Just overall felt like a slog to read. 2.5 stars from me.
The Lucky Winners by K L Slater
Another NetGalley thriller ARC, this time centred around a couple who win a stunning Lake District house in one of those crazy raffles - but of course, one half said couple has a past they're desperately trying to run away from, and the publicity doesn't help matters. Their dream home turns into an absolute nightmare. This was well paced and well written, and I really enjoyed it - though the ending was a tiiiiny bit flat. Overall, 4 stars.
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
I read this as an audiobook (for free on youtube) and it was fantastic - such a fascinating concept and a really compelling story, which I genuinely enjoyed listening to. We follow a writer, who's wife has disappeared; in the hopes of finally being able to write a new book, he moves into a writing cabin previously owned by a bestselling author - in the middle of nowhere. What could go wrong?! It's expertly crafted and the twist was pretty mindblowing; the remote Scottish island setting is always a treat, too. Easy 4.5 stars from me.
Real When I'm With You by Lucy Powrie
I read this as a NetGalley ARC, and I knew going into it that it was YA etc; I've read Lucy's books before and, as always, this was really beautifully written and it's a lovely story. It has great neurodiversity and LGBT+ representation, but this could also be its downfall - it honestly felt really forced, rather than being a naturally woven part of the plot. It's a shame but overall I still enjoyed this book, which is a fake-dating romance following an autistic girl and a sweet barista. 3.5 stars but I'm definitely not the target audience here...
Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk
This was one of the books I got for my birthday this year, and my first ever Lindsey Kelk. I have to say I really enjoyed it! Set in LA, it follows a British copywriter who is supposed to be visiting her sister but ends up playing matchmaker for her hot neighbour. It's just a lot of fun, quite a surface level romance but a really nice summer read nevertheless. 4 stars!
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
Still putting myself through Freida audiobooks on my walks and when I'm working - they're easy listening, but they're really not great books. This one is about a messy student and teacher relationship, and what happens when said teacher's wife finds out. It has a pretty good twist at the very end which I didn't see coming, but overall it's not very thrilling. 3 stars.
Rush by Daphne Loveling
This was an indie pub that I picked up on Stuff Your Kindle Day, and I was really expecting a dark romance given that it's a motorcycle club book, but it really wasn't dark at all. It was actually quite sweet, very 'insta love' with some found family and some decent spice. I enjoyed it, and it's a very quick, easy read, though the writing isn't fantastic. 3 stars!
The Situation Ship by Kate Callaghan
This is billed as a murder mystery romance, and that's basically exactly what it is, but it was a really odd blend of the two genres - with added spice. Bonus points for being set on a cruise ship, it follows an A-list celeb in the wake of a family death who then becomes wrapped up in multiple murders happening on board which she investigates with her new bodyguard, a hot detective. I did enjoy this but it just felt like it didn't know what it really wanted to be. 3.5 stars from me.
Body Check by Elle Kennedy
This was another birthday book, and it's actually Elle Kennedy's first ever book (as far as I know). It's a sports romance (loveeeee) based around a girl having a one night stand with a hockey player, who coincidentally plays for the hockey team her (possibly corrupt) father owns. The story navigates their blossoming relationship alongside the pressures of family life and hockey drama. I really enjoyed this and it's only a short one! 4 stars.
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
I actually really enjoy this series - definitely her best work. This is the sequel to The Housemaid, following the same protagonist a few years down the line as she finds herself still trying to be the saviour for women in sketchy DV situations. They're well written, still popcorn thriller-esque but genuinely very good and I'm glad I've continued reading the series. The twist wasn't really that big of a twist but nevertheless, 4 stars from me and another physical read, rather than an audiobook...
The Baby Group by Jade Lee Wright
This was an ARC from NetGalley, and did I enjoy it? I didn't love it, but it was okay; it follows a couple who have moved to the seaside in anticipation of their new baby, and join a parenting class filled with locals. The plot develops as they form friendships (and rivalries) with the other couples, and it builds up into a huge and devastating drama. Honestly the twist just annoyed me because it was one of those that just wouldn't occur, because you'd know certain information about your partner that would make what actually happens completely avoidable. Trying not to include spoilers but yeah, silly twist and overall not a thrilling read. 3 stars.
11 books in July, and August is already off to a great start! Feel free to let me know your latest read in the comments too, as I'm always open to recommendations...
