Here are some new books releasing in July 2026 that I’m most excited for…and yes, I have preordered!
The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
Daybreak by Autumn Woods
Spellcast by Sophie Jordan
Will you be getting any of these?
Title: One Small Echo
Series: Shadowsong #1
Author: Jane Washington
Genre: Dark Romantasy
Year of publication: 2026
Something is wrong inside her.
It’s changing her.
She chased her loved ones into the dark, and they stumbled out with monsters beneath their skin. Now they are less than they were, but destined for so much more.
If they survive training.
And if her new commander doesn’t kill her first.
The boy-prince she saved as a child is now the unforgiving, terrifying man in charge of her future. They are bound in a way neither can escape: two forces as opposite as sunrise and shadow, drawn together as inevitably as the dawn collides with the sky.
But don’t misunderstand.
This is not a love story.
The king has already decided that she will be married to one of his other sons—regardless of her opinion on the matter.
So let this be a story of war instead.
She will wage war on the magic awakening beneath her skin. On the power-ravenous king who would do anything to control her. On the many hands that seek to mould her, shape her, and shackle her.
But most of all … she will wage war on him. Prince Chasin. Her commander. Her tormentor.
Let this story end with a dagger in his treacherous heart.
Let her carve his influence from her soul.
Let her make him suffer as she has suffered.
Let her have this one, small thing.
I have to admit, it was a very slow start for me, but after Ironside Academy, in Jane we trust!
And then? I was completely hooked. Honestly, I felt addicted to the story.
The dance.
The poison.
The claiming.
The training.
The signing on her back.
The whispers.
And yes — even the choking!!
Chasin, the man, the god. I officially have a new book boyfriend, and nobody can tell me otherwise.
But…the woman he wants is married to his brother. The next book is going to be so good.
“Eiko chose death.”
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Sound like something you’d like?
Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Topic: Books with Handwriting on the Cover
Ok. I am not good at this topic and most of these aren’t handwriting but it is what it is!!!!
Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains
Not in Love
Ruthless Vows (typewriter keys!)
Unmaking of June Farrow
Spanish Love Deception
Secretly Yours
Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Under the Whispering Door
Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
Until the Sun Falls From the Sky
What book would you pick?
The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.
Hope you’ve had a good week!
Just been work and more exams for my son this week but at least that horrible hot weather has disappeared!
We booked a holiday! We’re off to Lake Garda at the end of June to celebrate my son finishing his GCSE’s!
I also finished a book! Who am I?!
Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
See my review soon!
Calendar – Hello June
Feature – May reading stats
Unboxing – Illumicrate – May 2026
Book Review – One Small Echo by Jane Washington
Feature – Books I Want In July
What have you read lately?
May 2026
Theme = Fatal Fortunes
Fortune favours the brave and the bold, but some fortunes may be fatal for all those involved.
Items inspired by The Knight and the Moth, Immortal Consequences, The Raven Scholar, and the monthly book.
💛 Divine Omens Book Jacket – inspired by Knight and the Moth with artwork from @marymetzgr
💛 Stuck Behind the Gates Sticker Book – artwork by @rosdottir inspired by Immortal Consequences
💛 Favoured Contenders Keyring – inspired by Raven Scholar with artwork from @thebitterseason
💛 Bound by Blood Sticker Set – artwork from @artbysarahmason
Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter
✨ An exclusive redesigned cover (art by @yasu.art.studio, design by @chattynora)
✨ Full colour artwork on the hardback with foil details (art by @mad_brake)
✨ Digitally printed fore-edge (by @isvoc) with block-sprayed top & bottom edges
✨ Illustrated endpapers—different front and back—and artwork on the reverse of the endpapers (by @palinlineart)
✨ Bonus content
✨ Bound-in author letter with a digital signature
You duel or you die.
Astrid has always known she is destined to die. She is the last Nachstern witch and heir to the Queendom of Arturea, cursed by a centuries-old covenant to duel the heir to the Kingdom of Vatra for the source of all magic: the Heart. And now Astrid’s time is up. She is heading into enemy territory to face Prince Zryan, the most powerful dragon rider in eons, with only her familiar, her potions, and her wits to aid her. She is going to die, and any chance her queendom has of curing the Blight that’s ravaging the lands and killing her people will die with her.
Meanwhile, deep in dragon country, Skylar and her travelling troupe arrive in Vatra’s capital, ready to profit off the legions of spectators swarming to the city ahead of the duel. She despises the royals and all they stand for, especially as the King’s guard murdered her mother. But when her best friend disappears, suspected to have been taken in the conscription, her search takes her closer to the royals than she ever could have imagined.
As the duel looms over the kingdom, Skylar and Astrid’s fates intertwine. They must battle a growing rebellion, their inner demons, and ultimately, those they love most, to determine if together they will save—or doom—their world.
I always keep track of my books read in the year but, for 2026, I decided to keep track of my monthly reading stats as they help me understand my reading habits and to try and help me stay motivated.
May was an average reading month for me! I still feel a little slumpy but now I’ve got all my arcs out the way so it’s mood reading from here on out!
• Books read: 4
• Pages read: 1,390
• Average rating: 4.5/5
• Type: 75% audiobook
• Average time to finish a book: 5 days
• Most read genre: Fantasy romance (shock!)
It’s always satisfying when you’ve read 4 books and 3 of them have 4.5 ratings!
Lets see what I can do in June!
How many books did you read in May?
Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Topic: Books I Can’t Believe I’ve Never Read
I was thinking about this…years ago I read classics, The Brontes, Jane Austen some Agatha Christie but not Mary Shelley because the story of Frankenstein honestly just scared me!
So I’ve gone for more recent-ish books rather than the classics!
Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward
I read the first 4 books and then didn’t carry on (this was mostly about the cost – back in 2012 these kindle books were £10 when most at that time were no more than £4!)
Hocus Pocus
I LOVE the film. I’ve watched it every year since my son was about 7. I own the book. But have never read it.
Lore Olympus
I bought it because of the fomo. I read at least 2 pages. Then closed it. And have never picked it back up!
Iron Flame/Onyx Storm
I know. Gasp. One day I’ll get to them. Because I love Xaden Riorson.
The next books I bought because my book friends said I simply must read them. So I bought them. And still haven’t read them!!
What the River Knows
Powerless
Butcher and Blackbird
Dragonfall
Silvercloak
Quicksilver
What are yours?
‘Far up in the deep blue sky, Great white clouds are floating by; All the world is dressed in green; Many happy birds are seen, Roses bright and sunshine clear Show that lovely June is here.’ ~ F. G. Sanders
‘In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.’ ~ John Steinbeck
Have a great month!
The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.
Hope you’ve had a good week!
We had a heatwave, it was absolute hell! Luckily I had a week off work and managed to escape into shops with air-conditioning most days!
It was my birthday yesterday so celebrated with a lemon meringue cake – it was delish!
What I haven’t done this week, is read much. I’ve slowly been working my way through an anticipated sequel so will have an update on that next week!
Books I Bought
Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken
Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen
Bullet Proof by KM Moronova
Broken Dove by Dani Francis
Verity Guild by Mai Corland
Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter
Advanced Reader Copies
Ravenous by Kresley Cole
Book Review – The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst
Unboxing – Fairyloot Romantasy: May 26
Calendar – Hello June
Feature – May reading stats
Unboxing – Illumicrate – May 2026
What have you read lately?
CJRTB Books 