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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Anna E. Collins, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Finding Mr. July is a heartwarming, summery romcom packed with charm, humour, and just the right amount of swoon. After a tough divorce, the last thing our heroine expects is to find herself organising a charity calendar full of shirtless firemen. But fate (and one very attractive Mr. July) have other plans.
This book gave me everything I was hoping for:
- Firefighters;
- Second chances;
- Emotional depth, mixed with sunshiney joy.
The chemistry between the main characters sizzled right off the page, and the emotional payoff was chef’s kiss. It’s sweet, sexy, and hopeful. Like a summer breeze that carries the scent of new beginnings.
It left me with tears in my eyes, but happy ones. Joyful ones. Definitely the kind of romcom I’d recommend if you’re looking for a little pick-me-up and a whole lot of heart.
This was such a fun and quintessential rom-com!
Our FMC, Holly, is working as an unpaid intern at an environmental nonprofit after a scandal at the law firm where she was an attorney left her jobless with no references, single, and maybe just a little jaded. Now nearing the end of the internship, Holly and the five other interns will compete to host the most profitable fundraiser, determining which of them will secure the job as program liaison at the company's new office in Scotland. Holly decides to make a calendar featuring nature, men, and their dogs. Even though she only has a few weeks to find 12 attractive and willing models, her most daunting task is getting Jonathan, the office recluse, to help her with the project. But once she has him on board, the irony is, the closer she gets to pulling off the fundraiser, the more reasons Jonathan is giving her to stay.
I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was super cute and had such a fun premise. I loved all of the photoshoot scenes and how each of the models and their dogs had different personalities. It added a lot of levity to the story. I also loved Holly and Jonathan's relationship! The attraction was clearly there from the beginning, but the way they slowly opened up to each other and realized how similar their stories were was so precious to me.
A third-act break-up is never going to be my favorite trope, but I weirdly felt like it actually fit this story. There are a lot of themes of starting over, and not being afraid to take risks, and so it made sense to me that Holly and Jonathan couldn't really start their relationship until they were both ready to take that risk.
I would recommend this book if you are a fan of workplace romances, bad first impressions, and, of course, hot men and their dogs!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Our FMC, Holly, is working as an unpaid intern at an environmental nonprofit after a scandal at the law firm where she was an attorney left her jobless with no references, single, and maybe just a little jaded. Now nearing the end of the internship, Holly and the five other interns will compete to host the most profitable fundraiser, determining which of them will secure the job as program liaison at the company's new office in Scotland. Holly decides to make a calendar featuring nature, men, and their dogs. Even though she only has a few weeks to find 12 attractive and willing models, her most daunting task is getting Jonathan, the office recluse, to help her with the project. But once she has him on board, the irony is, the closer she gets to pulling off the fundraiser, the more reasons Jonathan is giving her to stay.
I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was super cute and had such a fun premise. I loved all of the photoshoot scenes and how each of the models and their dogs had different personalities. It added a lot of levity to the story. I also loved Holly and Jonathan's relationship! The attraction was clearly there from the beginning, but the way they slowly opened up to each other and realized how similar their stories were was so precious to me.
A third-act break-up is never going to be my favorite trope, but I weirdly felt like it actually fit this story. There are a lot of themes of starting over, and not being afraid to take risks, and so it made sense to me that Holly and Jonathan couldn't really start their relationship until they were both ready to take that risk.
I would recommend this book if you are a fan of workplace romances, bad first impressions, and, of course, hot men and their dogs!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A fun, quick read.
Does what it says on the tin - workplace romance, grumpy collegue, forced to work together on a project. check, check, check.
cute puppies and a calendar fundraising project. check, check.
that's what worked for me.
everything else - Holly's reasons for leaving her old job, her need for the promotion, the way she kept going about trying to find models, heck even the way she approached Jonathan to ask him for favors (twice, might I add) - were just annoying to me.
And that third act breakup just straight pissed me off. what was the reason.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Does what it says on the tin - workplace romance, grumpy collegue, forced to work together on a project. check, check, check.
cute puppies and a calendar fundraising project. check, check.
that's what worked for me.
everything else - Holly's reasons for leaving her old job, her need for the promotion, the way she kept going about trying to find models, heck even the way she approached Jonathan to ask him for favors (twice, might I add) - were just annoying to me.
And that third act breakup just straight pissed me off. what was the reason.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own
lighthearted
This was an entertaining, lighthearted book! Some spicy scenes, but not overdone. I liked how the relationship between the characters developed, and I think the epilogue was the right "update" for the characters. Overall, a very fun and quick read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC!
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a super sweet rom-com with great side characters, cute main characters, and so many dogs!!!
It was really cool to read about the photographs. The descriptions were very visually written and I could visualize what each month looked like.
It was a predictable (I was cool with that), quick read that was a great palate cleanser.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
It was really cool to read about the photographs. The descriptions were very visually written and I could visualize what each month looked like.
It was a predictable (I was cool with that), quick read that was a great palate cleanser.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Mr. July by Anna E. Collins (a new-to-me author) had a promising setup that initially pulled me in. The main characters are a bit older than the usual romance leads, which I appreciated—especially since both are at a bit of a crossroads in life. Their connection through a workplace competition added a fun twist and some charming chemistry. The stakes were clear: fall in love or win the job (and a one-way ticket to Scotland). Intriguing, right?
While the premise had heart, the execution was just okay for me. The pacing lagged in parts, and I didn’t feel as emotionally invested in the romance as I’d hoped to be. Still, the story had its sweet moments and a few smiles along the way.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Lauren Ezzo. I’m not usually a fan of solo narration, especially in dual-POV romance, but Ezzo did a solid job—particularly with the male voices, which is no easy feat. I’d definitely listen to more of her work in the future.
Overall, this wasn’t a standout read for me, but it was enjoyable enough. I’d be curious to see what Anna E. Collins writes next!
ALC provided by Hachette Audio Forever and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to listen!
This was an adorable book! Holly is an intern at a non-profit (but she’s in her 30s because she’s switching careers). She is competing against the other interns for a job in the Scotland office. Unfortunately, the only person left to help her in the competition is grumpy photographer Jonathan Summers.
Holly and Jonathan had great chemistry and easy banter right from the beginning. I loved watching their relationship progress. I also appreciated that both main characters had thorough backstories and great character development. The competition aspect made the story exciting and fast-paced, and the romance was so sweet.
The audiobook is narrated by Lauren Ezzo. I loved her voice for Holly. I thought the male characters’ voices were hard to tell apart, but it didn’t distract from the story. The narration was easy to listen to and engaging.
Thank you to Anna E. Collins, Forever, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for this e-ARC and ALC; opinions are my own. I read this with a combination of e-book and audiobook, and I recommend both options for this sweet and summery story!
Read if you like:
💕 Grumpy x sunshine
💕 Workplace romance
💕 Adorable puppies
💕 Photography
Holly and Jonathan had great chemistry and easy banter right from the beginning. I loved watching their relationship progress. I also appreciated that both main characters had thorough backstories and great character development. The competition aspect made the story exciting and fast-paced, and the romance was so sweet.
The audiobook is narrated by Lauren Ezzo. I loved her voice for Holly. I thought the male characters’ voices were hard to tell apart, but it didn’t distract from the story. The narration was easy to listen to and engaging.
Thank you to Anna E. Collins, Forever, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for this e-ARC and ALC; opinions are my own. I read this with a combination of e-book and audiobook, and I recommend both options for this sweet and summery story!
Read if you like:
💕 Grumpy x sunshine
💕 Workplace romance
💕 Adorable puppies
💕 Photography
This was a great popcorn romance perfect for summer time reading. I will say that the FMC isn’t very likable from the start but she sort of grows on you over the course of the book. I’m sure many will be able to see themselves in her in today’s work place environment. While the book can seem to have a slight political edge beneath everything it’s simply reflecting real life.
I consumed the audiobook and narrator Lauren Ezzo did a fine job. She spoke at a good pace for the 1x speed and was emotive but not overboard. However, I think k this particular book would have been much better served with dual narration. It needed a male actor to balance it a bit more.
If you’re looking for a quick read with a complicated FMC this may be the book for you. It comes out on July 1, 2025
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from Hachette Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
I consumed the audiobook and narrator Lauren Ezzo did a fine job. She spoke at a good pace for the 1x speed and was emotive but not overboard. However, I think k this particular book would have been much better served with dual narration. It needed a male actor to balance it a bit more.
If you’re looking for a quick read with a complicated FMC this may be the book for you. It comes out on July 1, 2025
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from Hachette Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Holly King has had a rough go of it, but she won't let her past get in the way of her dream job in her newly dreamt up future. All she has to do is secure the win in a fundraising competition among the interns to seal the deal, escape her horrible ex, and make a new life for herself in Scotland. The onlyyyyy thing that might pose an obstacle in pulling this thing off is having to pair up with the office grump, Jonathan Summers.
It's an adorable rom-com that had me giggling. The characters were cute and loveable and I was rooting for them all the way. The audiobook was really well-read, annunciated exactly as I would have pictured it in my head.
Told from Holly's POV, each chapter opens with a countdown to her deadline, which builds tension and suspense.
I personally had a few issues re: the believability of Holly's fundraising campaign having worked a bit in non-profit myself, and the 3rd act conflict gave me a bit of the ick. But that might just be a me thing. All-in-all, Finding Mr. July was a great light-hearted rom-com with spice and it was a fun audiobook listen. I would LOVE to get a follow-up story following Rachel and Jude's story!
𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓲𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮:
🐶grumpy x sunshine
🐶workplace romance
🐶puppies!
Available Now!
Thank you to @HachetteAudio and @netgalley for my complimentary advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author, Hachette audio & NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a warm, witty summer treat that had me smiling, giggling, and kicking my feet in delight. Between the grumpy-but-swoon-worthy photographer, the chaotic (in the best way) heroine, and an overload of puppy content, this book fully delivered on the feel-good vibes.
It’s a workplace romance with real chemistry, actual character growth, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Hollys life pivot from lawyer to unpaid intern was…bold (maybe a little too bold?), but I admired her determination to start over. And Jonathan? Grump turned softie, total calendar-worthy material.
It dragged slightly in the middle and got a bit repetitive at times, But honestly? If you're into hot men, dogs, banter, and photography,
this one's for you.
This was a warm, witty summer treat that had me smiling, giggling, and kicking my feet in delight. Between the grumpy-but-swoon-worthy photographer, the chaotic (in the best way) heroine, and an overload of puppy content, this book fully delivered on the feel-good vibes.
It’s a workplace romance with real chemistry, actual character growth, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Hollys life pivot from lawyer to unpaid intern was…bold (maybe a little too bold?), but I admired her determination to start over. And Jonathan? Grump turned softie, total calendar-worthy material.
It dragged slightly in the middle and got a bit repetitive at times, But honestly? If you're into hot men, dogs, banter, and photography,
this one's for you.