Mini Book Reviews: June 2025

Disclaimer: I received ARCs of The River's Daughter, The Other Side of Now, The Compound, and Sunny Side Up from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest reviews. This post contains affiliate links.

I don't know if it was because of my prolific reading month in May, but I struggled to get through my books this month. With the exception of one book, I loved everything I read this month. I think I had too many distractions, and it was hard for me to focus on the pages.

It's hard to pick a favorite, but how can you beat Taylor Jenkins Reid? Her new one, Atmosphere, grabbed me and didn't let me go until I read the last page. I'm still thinking about it! On the other hand, Sunny Side Up was not my cup of tea. It was too shallow and fluffy for this reader. But it was very readable. It would be a great beach read. Just not for me.

Overall, I read 6 books this month, which made me happy. I stuck to my goal of finishing all my NetGalley reads plus I was able to read 2 library holds. It's all about balance! 

But that's the best thing about books-there's something for everyone!

Bridget Crocker grew up in a broken home, in a trailer park along the Snake River in Wyoming. Her childhood was full of trauma, but she drew her resilience from the river. Her teen years were troubled, but she met a man who showed her what it was like to be loved. He also taught her how to be a river guide, leading whitewater rafting tours down the Snake River and eventually to Africa, where she led the rafts down the most treacherous rapids. I loved this coming-of-age memoir, which reads like a novel. It is a story of resilience and perseverance. The river rides were exciting to read about! Be warned, The River's Daughter contains descriptions of sexual and physical abuse as well as substance abuse. 

I do love a good quirky novel, and The Road to Tender Hearts checks all the boxes. A 63 year old man, who has suffered enormous losses in his life and self-medicates with alcohol, wins the lottery. He plans a cross country road trip to propose to his former high school sweetheart, but before he can even pack a suitcase, he learns that he suddenly has gained custody of his brother's 2 children after he and their mother died. Along with his daughter, he packs up the kids and the local cat Pancakes, who has been hanging around the house. Yes, this is a lot to unpack, and the author tells the story of the road trip with sensitivity and humor. This should have been a page turner for me, but for some odd reason, it took me longer to read than I expected. That was a me thing, and don't let that stop you from picking up this very readable book!

"Do you ever get dejà vu?" What would your life be like if you'd taken a different path? That is the premise of this creative and surprisingly enjoyable read. The main character, a famous actress, takes a trip to Ireland, where she had planned to attend college years ago. That plan never came to fruition after the death of her best friend. When she wakes up and looks in the mirror, all the 'improvements' she had made to herself were gone. Even more odd, as she explores the town, everyone greets her by name. She soon learns that her best friend is alive and living in the town. I would have liked a little editing in the middle of the story--it got a little slow--but otherwise The Other Side of Now was such an entertaining read!

The Compound is a setting in the middle of a desert where a reality show takes place. Contestants, 10 men and 10 women, all young and single, live in the large home, while given group and individual tasks to complete for prizes. Initially, the prizes are simple and essential, but become more extravagant as time goes on, with the goal of avoiding elimination from the show. There are cameras everywhere, and the contestants are mostly aware that they are being watched. It took me a few pages to sort out the plot and the characters, but once the book gets going, it's really hard to put it down. I found the story somewhat dystopian; it's also a decent study of human nature. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel--the writing is crisp and the story is so engaging. 

Sunny, newly divorced, is living her best life in NYC in this plus-sized Sex in the City-est novel. She owns her own fashion PR company, and when she's packing for a vacation and can't find a plus-sized bathing suit at Bergdorf Goodman, she starts her own swimsuit brand she names SONNY. She finds herself torn between 2 men, a wealthy hot investor and her sweet, handsome postman. Life is good for Sunny, and I love that for her. What I didn't love is that I didn't find the story realistic. While I like a fun beach read, this was a little too fluffy for me. I love the body positivity in this book, but I would have loved her to dig deeper. Maybe that's ok for most readers--Sunny Side Up is a book you'll read, smile, and move on. Or maybe it will be made into a Netflix series. 3.5 stars rounded up.

This may be my favorite of all of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, and that is saying a lot. Atmosphere is the story of Joan, a brilliant young college professor who decides to take a chance and apply to be one of the first women to join NASA's Space Shuttle program. Once there, Joan has to navigate her personal life with that of an astronaut in training. Set during the early 19080s, Reid subtly reminds the reader of how far we've come as a society in accepting others' differences. Background is important, but for me, it was the descriptions of the test flights and the training that made this book so engaging. Reid did her homework before writing this one, and it shows. What a great read!

What have you been reading lately? Have you read any of these? What is your favorite genre of fiction? 

I'm linking up with Jenn and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics!  I'm also excited to join Farrah for My Month is Booked! Check out the newest link-up: Share Your Shelf with Slices of Life, Memphis Bridges, Overflowing with Thankfulness, and The Other Side of the Road.