Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Holly works for an environmental non-profit as an intern. At the end of her internship there's one final challenge that could get her a new job in Scotland. So she and 4 other interns need to compete by having fundraisers. Her idea is to create a calendar with men and puppies.
This started out great, the banter is wonderful and the opposites attract was a lot of fun. I love office romances so I was expecting this to be a new hit. I really liked Jonathan, how he grows and changes through the novel. However, around the halfway point this took a dive, things started to get weird and the characters lost their charm a bit, it didn't help at all that we had a third act conflict which was super unnecessary.
I didn't really like Holly, she was alright in the beginning but some things about her irked me, like how she is so good at her job, so perfectionist and such a good planner. And yet she plans her project badly, forget deadlines, reading important articles....
The romance was cute but I would have taken out some of the conflict parts, since there was already the potential of her having to move away to create tension. It’s a good book but definitely didn’t live up to my expectations.
Read this if you like:
- Grumpy - Sunshine
- FMC staring over in a new career
- Great banter
- Workplace Romance
Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC. All opinions are my own. This book comes out on July 1st.
This started out great, the banter is wonderful and the opposites attract was a lot of fun. I love office romances so I was expecting this to be a new hit. I really liked Jonathan, how he grows and changes through the novel. However, around the halfway point this took a dive, things started to get weird and the characters lost their charm a bit, it didn't help at all that we had a third act conflict which was super unnecessary.
I didn't really like Holly, she was alright in the beginning but some things about her irked me, like how she is so good at her job, so perfectionist and such a good planner. And yet she plans her project badly, forget deadlines, reading important articles....
The romance was cute but I would have taken out some of the conflict parts, since there was already the potential of her having to move away to create tension. It’s a good book but definitely didn’t live up to my expectations.
Read this if you like:
- Grumpy - Sunshine
- FMC staring over in a new career
- Great banter
- Workplace Romance
Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC. All opinions are my own. This book comes out on July 1st.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Firstly Thank NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ALC of this book. Please note this gift has not affected the way in which I have reviewed this book.
“Don’t make me bake muffins. You know I’m unreliable with ovens!”
FindingMrJuly by AnnaECollins is a 4.7 ⭐️ read.
The Audiobook is out on the 01st July 2025
Two people with opposite approaches must work together to earn their dream jobs!
Holly King is ready to do whatever it takes to get the job of her dreams, even if it means working with a pile of adorably unruly pups, and the office grump.
The office Intern Holly knows there are pros and cons to everything, including competing in her nonprofit’s big fundraising competition.
But will Jonathan Summers the office grump make this an easy of difficult task?
—:—:—:—:—
Well…. Where does one even begin?
This book was written for ME! (Or at least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!) 😘
It was filled with laugh out loud moments I keep reliving as I sit here writing this review. The story was so well written that I found myself transported into the world seeing life from Holly’s POV.
The funny parts done subtract from the leaning journey of our main characters, and when the emotional connection between them hits that sweet spot, tears are going to flow.
This is a MUST READ for this summer! And listening to Lauren Ezzo being the world alive is chefs kiss!
Favourite Quote: “We have security cameras, and I happen to know. The man who runs them, really likes muffins!”
Spicy Level - 🌶️🌶️
Note: Please read and review all trigger warnings before reading any recommended book. We love to read for our pleasure, so keep your mind, and emotions safe!
Audio Book Available
Publisher: HachetteAudio
Narrator: Lauren Ezzo
Publication date: 01st JUL 2025
This book completely blew me away with its incredible character development. Holly starts off in such a low place—she’s lost her dream job, is newly single, stuck living with her brother and niece, and working an internship she’s way overqualified for. She’s frustrated, flailing, and desperate for change.
Enter the strange, awkward coworker she’s now forced to team up with. From the beginning, their dynamic is prickly and full of tension, but that initial standoffishness quickly morphs into something more—something magnetic. The slow shift in their relationship was so well done and kept me hooked the entire time.
What really sets this book apart is the depth. It’s layered and emotional, and yet still manages to deliver unexpected twists, laugh-out-loud moments, and a third-act breakup that didn’t wreck me (a rare and welcome surprise).
This has easily become one of my favorite reads of the year. If you're looking for something that goes beyond the surface of a typical workplace romance and delivers real growth, heart, and a swoony slow burn, this is it.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an ALC!
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an ALC!
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC!
This was a fun ride. It’s been a minute since I read a “photographer and subject” romance and this was an interesting take on the trope. I enjoyed the grumpy sunshine dynamic, although I don’t think either protagonist fully embodied either side. The dogs were adorable!
This was a fun ride. It’s been a minute since I read a “photographer and subject” romance and this was an interesting take on the trope. I enjoyed the grumpy sunshine dynamic, although I don’t think either protagonist fully embodied either side. The dogs were adorable!
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After a high-powered legal career meltdown, a recovering overachiever throws herself into an internship at a dog-loving nonprofit—only to end up stuck shooting a calendar of hot men and rescue pups with the office grump, where unexpected sparks and her dream job in Scotland force her to rethink everything she thought she wanted.
Finding Mr. July very is funny. I found myself rooting for Holly from the jump. She’s starting over, and not in the cute-glow-up-on-TikTok way—she’s clawing her way through it, facing obstacle after obstacle, and the book doesn’t sugarcoat that. Her arc felt so emotionally honest that even when I wanted to shake her, I was still in her corner.
The premise is classic rom-com: Holly's big fundraising idea (hot guys and dogs, obviously) has her working with the office grump, Jonathan. Their forced collaboration turns steamy fast, and the calendar chaos keeps things moving. The romance takes a backseat at times to Holly’s personal growth, which actually worked for me, until the end rushed it all back together with a handwave and a shrug.
Finding Mr. July very is funny. I found myself rooting for Holly from the jump. She’s starting over, and not in the cute-glow-up-on-TikTok way—she’s clawing her way through it, facing obstacle after obstacle, and the book doesn’t sugarcoat that. Her arc felt so emotionally honest that even when I wanted to shake her, I was still in her corner.
The premise is classic rom-com: Holly's big fundraising idea (hot guys and dogs, obviously) has her working with the office grump, Jonathan. Their forced collaboration turns steamy fast, and the calendar chaos keeps things moving. The romance takes a backseat at times to Holly’s personal growth, which actually worked for me, until the end rushed it all back together with a handwave and a shrug.
Thank you to Hachette Audio for the advanced listener copy of Finding Mr. July by Anna E. Collins!
Holly is an intern competing in her non-profit’s fundraising campaign and the winner gets a full-time job at the new office in Scotland. In order to execute her plan, she needs to work with Jonathan who’s the photographer. The plan is to create a calendar with outdoorsy guys and their dogs. Holly and Jonathan are on a tight timeline and their partnership starts to development into something more.
I really enjoyed the narrator of this audiobook - a great selection who did a great job with both MCs. I enjoyed how the book was structured/played out based upon the print deadline. Holly and Jonathan have great chemistry throughout the story which kept me engaged.
If you enjoy a workplace romance, this is one to check out.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC.
Finding Mr. July was a cute and fun read! Intern Holly King enters a fundraising competition that could land her a dream job in Scotland—far from her toxic ex and filled with puppies. To win, she must team up with grumpy but talented photographer Jonathan Summers, despite their rocky (and steamy) start. As sparks fly and the project heats up, Holly begins to question if her career goals are the only thing worth chasing.
Listening Speed 2x
Narrator: Lauren Ezzo
Feedback: Her voice is smooth, expressive, and so easy to listen to! I believe this was my first time listening to her narrating a story but hopefully it won't be my last!
Finding Mr. July was a cute and fun read! Intern Holly King enters a fundraising competition that could land her a dream job in Scotland—far from her toxic ex and filled with puppies. To win, she must team up with grumpy but talented photographer Jonathan Summers, despite their rocky (and steamy) start. As sparks fly and the project heats up, Holly begins to question if her career goals are the only thing worth chasing.
Listening Speed 2x
Narrator: Lauren Ezzo
Feedback: Her voice is smooth, expressive, and so easy to listen to! I believe this was my first time listening to her narrating a story but hopefully it won't be my last!
hopeful
reflective
This is a fun, entertaining read. I loved the characters – both human and animal. The romance is captivating and enjoyable. I loved the character growth and the family/friends aspects of the story. This book captured my attention from the start and held it until the very end. The story is easy to read and get into
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
inspiring
medium-paced
Finding Mr. July was such a fun read and I really enjoyed reading it! Holly and Jonathan were great characters with lots of depth and it really made me want to root for them. I also loved the competition, how it was handled, and how it incorporated so many dogs. It was such a swoony summer read and I definitely would recommend reading it!
I was given an advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.
Finding Mr. July releases on July 1, 2025.
I was given an advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.
Finding Mr. July releases on July 1, 2025.