July 2023 Book Recommendations
Welcome back, everyone. If you’re new here, my name is Susan and I’m a freelance editor, specializing in sci-fi, fantasy, and romance.
As always, there are some phenomenal books coming out this month. Weirdly, three of the four that I’m recommending this month are all out on the 18 th ? So I’m going to hide away from the world that week!
First up is The Housekeepers by Alex Hay. The best way I can think to describe this is an historical heist, Oceans Eight style.
“Mrs. King is no ordinary housekeeper. Born into a world of con artists and thieves, she’s made herself respectable, running the grandest home in Mayfair. The place is packed with treasures, a glittering symbol of wealth and power, but dark secrets lurk in the shadows.
When Mrs. King is suddenly dismissed from her position, she recruits an eclectic group of women to join her in revenge…. They will rob it of its every possession, right under the noses of the distinguished guests and their elusive heiress host. But there’s one thing Mrs. King wants even more than money: the truth. And she’ll run any risk to get it…”
How great does that sound? I’m so intrigued to find out what the secrets are. And the best part is, this book came out on the 4th , so you can go ahead and dive in!
Next is The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei.
I’ve been on a sci-fi thriller kick lately. I’m not sure why, but something about high summer just always makes me want to dive into space novels!
Thankfully, I have great timing because The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei is coming out on the 18th ! The tag line was what caught my eye first —“They left Earth to save humanity. They’ll have to save themselves first.”
A ship carrying humanity’s last hope—eighty elite graduates of a competitive program, who will give birth to a generation of children in deep space—is attacked. An inside job, with now only the crew remaining.
Asuka had finally found her home as a part of the crew on the Phoenix. But now as the only surviving witness, she is the main suspect. Her only hope is to find the bomber before they strike again and destroy the only family she has left.
This thriller sounds like it is going to be tense, action packed, and full of emotion. I can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Next is Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong.
I’m not normally a big fan of retellings, but I love Chloe’s writing style and I’m thrilled she’s departing from YA to dive into writing an adult epic fantasy.
A retelling of Antony and Cleopatra, Immortal Longings is full of action, political intrigue, and romance, which is a mix I just can’t resist. And as I mentioned, this story is also out on the 18th!
Finally, I have mixed feelings on this one, but I have to say I am looking forward to A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Why mixed feelings, you may ask? I’ve enjoyed this series, even with all its ups and downs, so I’m looking forward to seeing where the author takes this next.
But this book feels a bit like a filler for me. While not as popular in fantasy romance as it is in contemporary romance, I’ve always felt like this series could have been told from both Poppy and Cas’s point of views, craftily done not to give away reveals but bringing more of a punch to the romance. So having this story from Cas’s point of view, especially since it sounds like it is going to have a lot of flashbacks to where we’ll get to see their love story origins from his POV, feels almost like a filler episode of a TV show.
BUT will I still read it? Totally. And do I think fans of fantasy romance will enjoy it? Definitely. So on the list it goes.
What are you reading this month? What should I add to my TBR?