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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Finding Mr July” by Anne E Collins was a book I was really excited to read. It’s got a really interesting plot about Holly, an ex Lawyer turned unpaid intern at an environmental non profit, that needs to win a fundraising competition to land a job abroad. Jonathon works for the company as a creative associate and is the resident director five grump. After a drunken romantic encounter she manages to coerce him into helping with her calendar project and discovers he was a photographer. She helps him rekindle his passion while he helps her try to win the competition. But are they working on borrowed time and will their growing feelings get in the way of the end goal?
There are many parts of this book that I really liked. The plot was original and I loved all the different photoshoots. The secondary characters were really fun and helped enhance the storyline. The chemistry between Holly and Jonathan was great but what I struggled with was how temporary their relationship always felt and how much they struggled to trust each other. I get that this is because they had both been hurt in the past but it made it hard to believe that they might be ready to move across the ocean together in the end. The final conflict also felt very drawn out. The way the conflict was resolved was good and overall it was an okay read but I found I had to force myself to read on at times.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was just so boring???
At this point, I’m not sure if I’m the problem here, but I once again disliked the heroine of the book. Am I hallucinating, or are there more annoying characters as of late?
Look, I really tried to like Holly. But we didn’t click, like at all. And here’s why: She just thought she was so smart and special when actually, she was annoying, entitled and incompetent. Like I’m sorry, but it wasn’t all that hard to pull off the calendar thing, and she still didn’t manage it, blaming anyone but herself.
And then there was her behaviour trying to find models. So weird, if not borderline creepy. If this was a man trying to find models for his calendar fundraiser thing this way, no one would be okay with it and for good reason.
Take this as an example: Holly just casually decided to catfish guys on a dating app, chatting with them for a while pretending to be interested so they’d agree to go on a date with her, only to then spring her calendar thing on them at said date. She thought it wasn’t ideal but ultimately fine to waste their time and get their hopes up because she needed models and there’s obviously no other way to get them (there were other attempts to get models, like her chasing this one guy… I don’t want to talk about it). Her attitude really rubbed me the wrong way, she acted so blasé about it like they should be thanking her for having been given the opportunity to be part of her work project and on top of that happily volunteer their time for free. Delusional.
And sure, it wasn’t all bad. The audiobook narration was well done, it was easy to listen to and entertaining at times, but overall, Holly just pissed me off too much to actually enjoy the romance or the story as a whole.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Look, I really tried to like Holly. But we didn’t click, like at all. And here’s why: She just thought she was so smart and special when actually, she was annoying, entitled and incompetent. Like I’m sorry, but it wasn’t all that hard to pull off the calendar thing, and she still didn’t manage it, blaming anyone but herself.
And then there was her behaviour trying to find models. So weird, if not borderline creepy. If this was a man trying to find models for his calendar fundraiser thing this way, no one would be okay with it and for good reason.
Take this as an example: Holly just casually decided to catfish guys on a dating app, chatting with them for a while pretending to be interested so they’d agree to go on a date with her, only to then spring her calendar thing on them at said date. She thought it wasn’t ideal but ultimately fine to waste their time and get their hopes up because she needed models and there’s obviously no other way to get them (there were other attempts to get models, like her chasing this one guy… I don’t want to talk about it). Her attitude really rubbed me the wrong way, she acted so blasé about it like they should be thanking her for having been given the opportunity to be part of her work project and on top of that happily volunteer their time for free. Delusional.
And sure, it wasn’t all bad. The audiobook narration was well done, it was easy to listen to and entertaining at times, but overall, Holly just pissed me off too much to actually enjoy the romance or the story as a whole.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was a good read summer read. I really loved that this book is centered on environmental nonprofits and hot guys with dogs—I mean who can say no to that.
For characters who are supposedly older they are a bit immature. but it is still undeniable that Holly was very likable and somewhat relatable.
This wasn't just a romcom summer read but also a book about finding one's true passion. I really loved that part about the book and something to keep in mind next time I think about my career.
As for the audiobook production, it was good! My only qualm was that I hope the narration was a bit faster.
Thank you so much to Hachette Audio, NetGalley, and Author Anna E. Collins for granting me this ARC.
For characters who are supposedly older they are a bit immature. but it is still undeniable that Holly was very likable and somewhat relatable.
This wasn't just a romcom summer read but also a book about finding one's true passion. I really loved that part about the book and something to keep in mind next time I think about my career.
As for the audiobook production, it was good! My only qualm was that I hope the narration was a bit faster.
Thank you so much to Hachette Audio, NetGalley, and Author Anna E. Collins for granting me this ARC.
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was a fun read and the banter between the main characters was funny. I enjoyed the sense of place and looked up all the different places the photos for the calendar were taken. The side characters’ romance was sweet as well.
If you love workplace romance and grumpy/sunshine tropes, add this book to your TBR.
Thanks to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the advanced reader copy.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this book so much!! Romance and pups? YES PLEASE.
This was such a fun and heartfelt romcom. It had workplace romance and grumpy/sunshine vibes. Holly and Jonathan’s witty banter was so much fun to read. They had me giggling out loud. Plus I really loved how they both grew personally in their own relationships while also being able to work on things they’d been avoiding for quite some time. Things between them were a bit spicy so I give it 2 🌶️ out of 5.
The whole situation of the pup calendar for Holly’s work competition was so cute! I loved seeing who the models would end up being and the pups that joined them. I do feel like the ending of that specific plot went on a little long but overall, didn’t take away from my enjoyment of reading the book.
Some favorite moments: the model search, the beagles, the photoshoot moment on the rooftop.
Thank you so much NetGalley, Forever and Anna E. Collins for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This was such a fun and heartfelt romcom. It had workplace romance and grumpy/sunshine vibes. Holly and Jonathan’s witty banter was so much fun to read. They had me giggling out loud. Plus I really loved how they both grew personally in their own relationships while also being able to work on things they’d been avoiding for quite some time. Things between them were a bit spicy so I give it 2 🌶️ out of 5.
The whole situation of the pup calendar for Holly’s work competition was so cute! I loved seeing who the models would end up being and the pups that joined them. I do feel like the ending of that specific plot went on a little long but overall, didn’t take away from my enjoyment of reading the book.
Some favorite moments: the model search, the beagles, the photoshoot moment on the rooftop.
Thank you so much NetGalley, Forever and Anna E. Collins for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, Forever, and Anna E. Collins for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is such a cute workplace/forced proximity romance. Both Holly and Jonathan's career and personal lives were at a pivotal moment and that was used as a great tool to show growth.
The premise of working on a fundraiser calendar featuring hot guys and dogs definitely got my attention! The way Jonathan's photos were described- I wished I could see them... especially his...
Narration was very well done. I would absolutely seek out books narrated by Lauren Ezzo again!