Another month, another book stack of favorite reads from fellow Frolic contributors. I don’t know about you guys, but putting this list together each month does a real number on my TBR pile; it’s officially a mountain now! This month’s offering has a little something for everyone, I hope you can find something entertaining and new from this list!
Alexandra Somelian
| The Dream Weaver by Reina Luz Alegre
The Dream Weaver is literally a ray of sunshine and literally speaks to my eighth-grade soul. This book accurately depicts the awkwardness of making new friends, trying to fit in, and how hard it is to grow up when everything is changing around you. After reading this book, it filled me with happiness, and it reminded me that it’s important to never lose that spark inside of us that believes the best in people. The Dream Weaver is like a warm blanket that will remind you that dreams are still possible no matter how scary the world gets.
Jess Moro | The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant
This is the first in a series based off of Les Miserable with the main focus on a twist for Eponine. It also reminded me a little of Six of Crows, the same kind of vibe. Of note, I remember nothing from Les Mis except for that one song from the movie, and Hugh Jackman is in it, lol. I was so surprised by my love for this book. The detail to the world-building is rich, this France is dark and twisted, and I couldn’t get enough. The world is different as there’s an underground guild made up of different attributes, each was unique, and I have my personal favorites (cough, the Thieves, cough). Nina is one of my favorite heroines, so much that I want to keep her in a little box so that she and her friends are not taken from me in the next books of the series. It’s angsty, and there’s the promise of a romance, but that’s not the main focus. Nina is our focus and her journey of self-discovery of her own strength. There’s plenty of adventure and edge of your seat thrills, I highly recommend for YA fantasy lovers.
Bree Hill | The Forbidden Lust Series by Aubree Pynn
As We Lay, As We Lust, and As We Lie are the first three books in the Forbidden Lust series. All three are my favorite reads of June. I couldn’t pick just one! Each book is a novella, shorter than 100 pages and incredible, quick reads. The first three in this series all take place during a week-long vacation/prep for an upcoming wedding that no one believes should happen, and in each book, we follow a different couple. At the end of the 3rd book, all three heroines say “screw this” and buy tickets for the bride’s upcoming honeymoon location and bolt! I can’t wait to read the next book to see how Aubree wraps everything up! As We Wade is out now so don’t delay, I won’t!
Aurora Dominguez | The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Following President Snow’s backstory, this novel was a wonderful read that took us back to “The Hunger Games.” Pick it up for nostalgia and edginess. A wonderful book! I highly recommend it to all!
Donna Soluri |Arctic Bite by N.J. Walters
The second book in Walter’s Forgotten Brotherhood series of stand-alone stories, Arctic Bite, tells the story of Alexei Medvedev and Cassie Dobbs. Alexei is a member of the Forgotten Brotherhood, a group of immortal paranormals hired to assassinate other paranormals. Alexei is super hard to kill because he is an odd hybrid mixture of paranormal that I won’t spoil for you; but his origin story is fabulous! Cassie is a reaper gone rogue, and she’s his next target. Cassie used to spend her time gathering souls and ushering them along for Death, until she decided she’d seen enough death and suffering. Against the rules, Cassie left her post, and now there’s a bounty on her head.
Alexei doesn’t take an assignment without investigating the target thoroughly. His investigation of Cassie leads to some serious sexual chemistry and a whopper of a secret neither of them expected. The world-building is detailed but not overwhelming, and the pacing is pitch-perfect. Filled with unexpected twists and jaw-dropping moments of revelation, I can’t wait to read more from this series.
Frolic Manager of Ceative Operations Jillian Davis | Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves by Glory Edim
My favorite book lately has been Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves, an anthology edited by Glory Edim. Each story is beautifully written, deeply personal, and has showed me a group of amazing writers to check out.
