Things have been weird in JayceeLand the past several months. I’m still trying to find my groove again, and what mojo I do find comes in small snippets that disappear soon after. So rather than force myself to write, I’m taking the summer off to focus on my family, my home, side projects I’ve set aside too long, and OF COURSE, reading. How better to beat the heat? (Or cold, if you’re in the southern hemisphere!)
I’ve been enjoying quite a bit of sweet-and-clean romance and romantic comedy the past few months. It’s been hard to focus on anything of much depth, but there have been a few titles I’ve been delighted to read that have both the lighthearted humor I’ve needed as well as character growth. So while the topics haven’t been exactly hard or complicated, the titles I’m sharing have plenty of substance. And since I adore novellas and shorter titles, I’ll include a few of those as well. Those of you who enjoy longer works can share your suggestions in the comments!
First, though, I owe an apology. I put a giveaway into my post last month and then completely forgot to draw a name and announce a winner. Let me rectify that now. Naomi M is the winner of a copy of Braver With You! I’ve sent you an email with the details for claiming your prize. I’m sorry I neglected to draw and announce last month!
Now, back to our summer reading list. I would love to hear what’s on YOUR summer reading list (or winter for those of you on the other side of the globe)!
A few of the books I’ve read and LOVED this month:
Betsy by Sarah Monzon – A delightful conclusion to a refreshingly different and thoroughly wonderful series!
The Bluff by Emma St. Clair – I literally laughed out loud through the whole book.
Maybe I Will by Melanie Jacobson – This series makes me want to visit New Orleans.
How to Kiss Your Best Friend by Jenny Proctor – My favorite trope, friends-to-more, handled so well!
The Next Worst Thing by Sara Jane Woodley – an unexpected delight!
The Hate Zone by Gigi Blume – I got Messy Love and its related freebie, and now I’m hooked on the whole Precio family!
And ones I’m looking forward to in the next month:
Love at Second Sight by Liwen Y. Ho – I LOVE her Fab Forties series!!
Battleshipped by Savannah Scott – Friendshipped and Courtshipped (a freebie short) were really good!
Complex by Kortney Keisel – Compared was SO STINKING GOOD, I’m excited about this one.
The Billionaire’s Best Friend by Elizabeth Maddrey – I LOVE Beth’s unusual takes on common tropes, so I cannot wait to see how she did a billionaire bestie book!
An Unlikely Alliance by Toni Shiloh – this one came out TODAY! Congrats, T!
To Believe in You by Emily Conrad – I added this just because the cover is so stunning, and now the whole series is on my TBR.
PLEASE be sure to leave your comments with some suggestions for my TBR on can’t miss reads coming out the next month or two or that recently came out. I’m especially looking for books that either aren’t heavy or handle heavy topics with a light and gentle hand, books that are funny but romantic, cute and sweet, silly, fun, and/or short. If they’re in Kindle Unlimited, I’ll be extra appreciative!! Thanks for hanging out with me today on the blog, I can’t wait to see what you’re reading. :) And while I’m taking a break on social media, I’m still blogging here every month and sending newsletters. So if you want to keep in touch, be sure to subscribe at https://jayceeweaver.com/newsletter. See ya soon!
Lover of Jesus, family, books, coffee, music, and crafting (in that order), Jaycee Weaver is perpetually pursuing at least one of her passions. She writes contemporary Christian romance stories featuring realistic characters in everyday situations where God is at work in big ways. She appreciates books where the characters face shortcomings, temptations, and adversity but always get their happy ending, so that’s what she writes.
Thanks for sharing your reading list. I am always looking for different authors. My favorite genre is romantic suspense.
Oh, you really need to read The Songs That Could Have Been, by Amanda Wen. It’s her second book and sooooooooooo good!! Of course, you really need to read Roots of Wood and Stone first, the first book. It was really good, too!!! Both are split time, which I honestly didn’t know if I’d like, but I really did!! You will love Beth’s book, and Liwen’s, as I read ARC of both! The Love In Store series by Autumn MacArthur is great, too, as is her MacLean series, which is in a boxed set now (and in KU!!). Instantly Her Hero by Jo Grafford is good (I love all of her books) and is in KU.
Heirlooms by Sandra Byrd comes out next week. It’s really good!
Welcome and hope your summer is fantastic. On my summer reading list: The Gold Rush Brides series from Linda Shenton Matchett (I only picked up 7 of the books) A Baby for the Minister by Laurel Blount Penelope by Heather Blanton Mind Your Own Murder by Patti Larsen
I do enjoy a good romantic suspense! I have a few more Lisa Phillips on my TBR as well.
I’m sure I’ll get to them eventually. Split time is a genre I have to be in the mood for, which only happens about once a year or so. Lol! But Amanda’s awesome, so I imagine her books are too. 😊 I read the Love in Store series a few years ago. Thanks for commenting!
Nice. I’m not much for split time and prefer light reads, but thanks for the suggestion!
Sounds like you’ll enjoy your summer reading as much as I will. 😊
Thanks for listing, AUA!! <3
Aww yay! Thanks for reading my Fab Forties series!
Of course! Can’t wait to get my copy!
They’re so good!! 😍
I am waiting for the love inspired and harlequin heartwarming books I love those books.
I don’t have a summer reading list, but I’m taking note of these books.
Nice! Then you’ll be getting Toni Shiloh’s Love Inspired that came out today, An Unlikely Alliance!
Awesome! Thanks for stopping to comment. :)
Thanks for including To Believe In You!
Hi Jaycee. I am almost finished with an ARC for Elizabeth Goddard, Critical Alliance. It is a romantic suspense. I also have an ARC that is up next for Sami A. Abrams Twin Murder Mix-up. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
lots of books
I have a lot of books but best especially with kids are Chicken Soup
My pleasure! Looking forward to it.
Nice! They both sound fun.
Always!
Thanks for sharing!
I don’t have a summer reading list since I’m always reading whatever I’m in the mood for….lol! I have LOTS & LOTS of books on my physical shelves I’ve determined to finally get to.
Hi Jaycee! Have you read anything by Bethany Turner? She’s a hoot & her Rom-coms are hilarious. I think you might like her if you are looking for some light reading (and humor to boot).
Some other ones I have waiting on KU: The Promise of Picnics by Emily Dana Botrous (she was on the blog the other day), The Billionaire’s Best Friend by Elizabeth Maddrey (loved the first one), and both Skye and Olive by Heather Gray.
I know I have a great assortment of books to choose from that I look forward to!
I definitely second Love at Second Sight by Liwen Y. Ho! I love her series too. I’d recommend Julie Christianson’s Jill Came Tumbling (freebie through the Sweet and Swoony promo) and the other books in her Apple Valley series. :)
Loved a baby for the Minister. The author’s newsletter is lovely too. I have Carolyn Miler’s hockey series on my TBR.