Books read and reviewed in June 2023
I can’t believe at halfway through the year I’ve managed to read 100 books. I do spend a lot of time reading and I really want to reduce my to read pile as it’s a bit out of control. Here’s a selection of the books I read and reviewed in June.
You can find my Goodreads profile if you want to see what other books I’ve been reading and recommend.
Books read in June 2023 – 12
The Broker – John Grisham
It always takes me a bit of time to get into reading John Grisham books, because they go back and forth with all the legal jargon and complexities. In the Broker, the outgoing president hands out a surprising pardon to Joel Blackman, a former lobbyist lawyer languishing in prison.
The CIA take him on board, evidently to keep him safe, but hoping he gets killed by one of many countries who would have reason for him to be dead. Joel needs to keep safe, and wants to clear his name and live free. But who’s after him, why and will he get through without someone else capturing him.
As well as the legal aspects, there’s also political ins and outs of the government and different agencies to get your head round. Like all Grisham books, it’s still an easy fast paced read, with you wanting to believe in Joel and how he can escape who or what he doesn’t really know is out there.
The Golden Couple – Greer Hendricks
Marissa and Matthew Bishop start an altnerative therapy series of sessions with unconventional Avery , with Marissa admitting her having slept with another man. But who’s stalking her, who is Polly her shop assistant, and why is Matthew so accepting of Avery’s unusual methods.
Avery’s 10 step plan involves find out everything about the Bishops and the people in their lives. How can she help them fix their marriage.
Who’s the guilty party, and how can Marissa stay safe.
I enjoyed The Golden Couple, there are some twists in it, but nothing too complicated. It feels like you’re always waiting to find out what Avery’s been up to, what in the back of her story that’s made her like she is. And what’s Marissa going to do to find the people she can trust.
The Last Library – Freya Sampson
June is a book loving librarian who’s caught in a rut, hiding away, and not speaking up. Until the library she works at is under threat of closure. Not wanting to risk her job, June finds a way to help the FOCL protest group along with her friends and users of the library. And alongside finds her voice and the strength to make changes in her life, including opening up to the idea of love.
The Last Library has a few touching moments, a scandal, romance, grief, some comedy and books. There’s also some sadness but June emerges into the person she should be. Thankfully – I don’t know how people can live hiding away so much like she does.
There’s nothing spectacular about this book, we can all guess how the story ends. But it’s a good enough read to spend time on.
No Way Back – JB Turner
NYPD internal affairs ‘follow the rule book’ cop Jack becomes the suspect in the disappearance of his estranged wife Caroline, a journalist. Then the Secret Service turns up and starts Jack’s mind whirring. Caroline would never have left, let alone when there’s a story to be discovered and written.
Despite his misgivings about going rogue and trying to find out what really happened, and why the secret service have him in their sights, Jack and his cop brother Peter, decide to chase down the truth about Caroline’s disappearance and what she was going to reveal. But will he move outside the rules, and get away with it.
This is a classic good cop vs bad fast moving crime novel. Jack has his own emotional back story with solid family backing him up, and if you like that type of US book (or tv show as you could imaging this being made into one), then it’s worth checking out. I’m sure I’ll be looking for more in the Jack McNeal series.
The Night She Disappeared – Lisa Jewell
Teenage mum Tallulah and devoted boyfriend Zach leave their baby son home with her mum while they go out for a quiet drink in a local pub. But what happens that night after they end up going to rich girl Scarlett’s home for a pool party that makes them not come home to their son.
The unsolved case only gets opened again when London detective book author Sophie moves to the area with her boyfriend headteacher Shaun. Finding a ‘dig here’ sign in their garden, she does, and finds herself getting caught up in the goings on of that fateful night to help Kim and the police find answers. Is it tied into the school, did Tallulah know Scarlett before that night, and will they find the young parents after over a year has passed.
Apart from Kim and Sophie, I didn’t take to many of the characters. But from the stories of the past and present, from different people’s points of view, the book keeps you interested in wanting to find out what went on and who was really involved. It was very far fetched, but a good read. Like all the Lisa Jewell books I’ve read, it’s made me want to read more.
Other books fell in the romance genre, chick lit and crime/thriller.
What have you been reading recently?