June Book Review: My Top Reads for June 2025

June was a wild ride. JFC someone remove that month from my memory. I'd love to say it was a magical reading month but the truth is I was flattened by the flu, the kids were home on school holidays, and my brain resembled lukewarm porridge for at least half of it. So no, I was not thriving.

Despite the chaos, I somehow read 36 books ... mind you I use the term "read" very loosely because there were a few that I DNF'd because I simply did not have the mental capacity to deal with anything mediocre. I was sick and depressed and if a book didn’t grab me by the throat in chapter one, I threw it into the abyss (aka gently archived it).

June started off strong with a couple of solid reads but then I hit a weird patch. Nothing was hitting, nothing was sticking and I was dangerously close to throwing my Kindle out the window.

BUT ... there were still a few 5 star reads that broke through the fog and made it all worth it. Books that gave me life, even when I looked like a swamp creature under three layers of blankets.

So here they are - my June five star favourites. The stories that survived the sick couch, the school holiday madness and my extremely low tolerance for bullshit.

Be sure to follow me over on Goodreads to see what else I read, and connect with me so I can follow you too!

A Snapshot of My Top June 2025 Books

• A Requiem for Fallen Stars by Hazel S. Wilkes

• Heir of Illusion by Madeline Taylor

• Heir of Stardust and Secrets by CC Hartly

• Of Earth and Flame by Elayna R. Gallea

• Ruin by Gillian Eliza West

• Slap Shot Surprise by Melanie Harlow

• The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson

• Tiny Precious Secrets by Samantha Christy

• Unbound by Penelope Bloom

  
  

Let’s take a closer look at the stories that grabbed my attention:

A Requiem for Fallen Stars by Hazel S.Wilkes

Lyra Izacalli doesn’t bend. Not for kings, not for grief, not for the ghosts of her past. When a blood bargain offers her a shot at freedom, she enters the deadly trials of a noble-run academy, where power is currency and survival means keeping your heart locked tight. But the past has claws, the present is lethal, and one dangerously compelling mentor might shatter her defences for good.

This book had me in a chokehold. The world-building is rich, the stakes are brutal, and Lyra is one of the strongest, most emotionally complex heroines I’ve read in a long time. I was fully obsessed. Found family, slow-burn tension, actual plot (bless), and side characters who felt real ... Gray especially stole my heart.

Draven? That man is the reason I believe in fictional love again. And the final chapters? Absolutely wild ... I was yelling. 5/5 would recommend. Bring on book two.

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Heir of Illusion by Madeline Taylor

Collared and controlled by a cruel king, illusion-wielding Ivy Pomeroy has spent her life surviving behind masks. But when a reaper with secrets of his own arrives hunting the same weapon she needs to win her freedom, Ivy is forced into a fragile alliance that blurs every line. Power, trust, and desire collide as the beast they tried to break begins to rise.

This book wrecked me in the best way. I went in expecting fantasy spice and came out emotionally shredded. Ivy is such a raw, anxious, fiercely determined FMC, and I loved her instantly. And Thorne? The scythe-wielding, brooding, morally complex reaper? Chef’s kiss.

The grief, the twists, the sword plotline ... every part of this hit hard. I was gasping, sobbing, and furiously whispering “what the actual fuck” at 2am.

That ending was absolutely savage though. If you want a slow-burn romance with bite, emotional wreckage, and high-stakes chaos, Heir of Illusion belongs on your TBR.

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Heir of Stardust and Secrets by CC Hartly

Nyleeria never asked for power, let alone the kind that could turn the tide of a war. But when ancient magic awakens in her blood and a human king with secrets of his own takes interest, she’s pulled into a centuries-old conflict between humans and fae ... where love might be the most dangerous weapon of all.

This one caught me off guard in the best way. I went in blind and got completely swept up in the slow burn of Nyleeria’s magic, grief, and inner strength. She’s kind and brave and far too selfless, but she’s also fierce when it counts ... and honestly I loved her for it.

Thaddeus is complex, cold, and impossible not to obsess over. The romantic tension is on point. The worldbuilding was layered and vivid, and the side characters (Tarrin, Nevander, Endymion ... please tell me he’s coming back) added so much depth.

This book had heartache, danger, slow-burning romance and magic. A stunning read that physically hurt at times but left me completely obsessed. Bring on book two, CC Hartley. I’m yours.

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Of Earth and Flame by Elayna R. Gallea

Aileana has spent her life locked away in a tower, destined to marry a prince she doesn’t want. When the moment finally comes, she escapes with daggers, defiance, and no intention of being anyone’s pet. Xander is a loner with secrets of his own and definitely doesn’t want a mate. But fate apparently has other plans.

This Rapunzel inspired fantasy was such a fun way to close out June. Aileana’s fiery attitude and deep need for freedom totally worked for me - she’s been through hell and still keeps swinging. And Xander? Look he had his grumpy and inexplicably rude moments but once I pictured him as Geralt from The Witcher, I was all in.

The book wasn’t perfect and I weirdly learned more about Xander’s backstory from Goodreads than the actual pages, but honestly I didn’t care. The world, the banter, the slow burn ... it all worked and I’m definitely continuing the series.

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Ruin by Gillian Eliza West

Cursed by a deadly touch, Oralia Solis has spent over two centuries isolated for the sake of her kingdom. But when her powers spiral out of control, she flees ... only to fall into the hands of Renwick, the feared king of the dead. As war brews between Aethera and Infernis, Oralia must master her magic, uncover the truth of her origins and decide where her loyalty truly lies.

This book had me. Oralia is soft but powerful, gentle but dangerous ... and I loved that about her. The Aethera vs Infernis setup gave the whole story this dreamy, mythological vibe I was completely obsessed with.

Renwick took a little time to win me over but by the end, he was exactly the steady presence Oralia needed. Their connection had just the right amount of tension and the found family dynamic in Infernis really sealed it for me. I also adored the side characters.

I do wish we got a bit more depth on Renwick and the kingdom’s lore. A few things felt surface level when I was craving more world building. But overall???? Magical, romantic, slightly dark and filled with longing. Definitely reading the sequel.

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Slap Shot Surprise by Melanie Harlow

One mid-air panic, one hot hockey player and one night that changes everything. When bookish Mabel has a total meltdown on a flight, she never expects the stranger she confesses all to will turn out to be a pro athlete ... and a groomsman at the wedding she’s about to attend. What follows is a one-night stand, two pink lines and a whole lot of feelings neither of them planned for.

This book was such a gem. Mabel was sweet and relatable, and Joe? Ugh Joe ... torn between career and unexpected responsibility, he had moments where I wanted to shake him ... but his heart is solid gold. His quiet, unwavering loyalty to Mabel was everything. The emotional tension felt real, the romance felt earned, and the ending had me smiling like an idiot.

Please ignore the book cover. I nearly skipped it because of that man’s face haha ... but don’t. The story is miles better than the photo suggests; I adored it.

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The Serpent and the Wolf by Rebecca Robinson

Vaasa Kozár has been trained to survive, not to love ... especially not in a marriage arranged to kill her. Betrayed by her brother and bound to a foreign king with his own motives, Vaasa strikes a dangerous deal: help Reid of Mireh win power and she can earn her freedom. But as political games turn personal, and dark magic threatens everything, survival might mean risking her heart too.

This book had me immediately. No slow build, no fluff ... just straight into the drama and I was obsessed. Vaasa is the kind of heroine I root for hard: fierce, wounded and full of quiet strength. And Reid is powerfully soft. Their slow burn, enemies to lovers arc was everything.

Political tension, magic, emotional weight ... it delivered on all fronts.

If you’re into arranged marriages, dangerous bargains, and chemistry so thick you could bottle it, then this is one for the list. Bring on book two.

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Tiny Precious Secrets by Samantha Christy

Allie and Asher have kept things light, long distance, and uncomplicated ... until a surprise pregnancy and life’s curveballs force them to face what “together” really means. With a teenage daughter in the mix, small town baggage and emotions running high, Allie must decide if love is worth the risk when everything feels so fragile.

This book broke me but in the best and worst ways. I haven’t felt this emotionally connected to a story in ages. Allie’s journey shattered me and the writing captured her pain and resilience with such raw honesty that I cried through huge chunks of it.

I’ll be honest though, I really struggled with Asher’s daughter. Yes I know teens are complicated, and yes there was growth but some of her behaviour grated on me and I didn’t always feel like she was held accountable.

I’d still recommend this book in a heartbeat and although it’s heavy, it is just so beautifully written. Definitely check the trigger warnings though but if you’re after an emotional, heartfelt single dad romance that lingers long after the last page, this is it.

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Unbound by Penelope Bloom

Nessa Thorne expected death when she volunteered for the Empire’s selection. Instead, she’s sent to Confluence Academy, which is a brutal training ground where elemental magic and deadly beast bonds decide who survives. But when Nessa is marked with a forbidden power thought long extinct, she becomes a threat the Empire can’t ignorre ... and in a castle full of secrets, and loads of action, one fire-wielding rival may be her greatest danger or her only ally.

I devoured this beast of a book (750+ pages holy smokes) and loved every second. The pacing never dragged, the world was vivid and easy to follow and I was hooked from the moment Nessa stepped into that academy with her grief, guilt and dangerous secret.

The elemental trials were intense, the friendships gave me all the found family feels, and Typhon (the absolutly hilarious menace of a water dragon) stole every scene. The slow burn romance with Raith was tender, electric and so worth the wait.

The ending of course ripped my heart out. I saw a twist coming but not that one. I’m obsessed. Book two now please.

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Final Thoughts

And that’s a wrap on my June 5 star reads ...whilst it was a horrible month of sickness, school holidays and mental mush, I somehow still managed to get through some absolute gems. There were a lot more misses than I felt usual though but these top books really made it worth it.

If you’re into slow burn tension, emotional gut punches, magical mayhem or characters who claw their way into your heart and refuse to leave, these are the ones to add to your TBR immediately.

Want to know which books didn’t survive my flu-fuelled reading tolerance? You can scroll through my READ list on Goodreads ...