I haven't bothered with these monthly wrap-up posts in recent months because I've got so little reading done and with moving my account, it just got lost in the shuffle.

So anyway, four books finished in June. Only one fiction that I chose to read and it was pretty good. Three non-fiction from Netgalley. I seem to have a backlog of those all of a sudden. Some of them are a bit woo but I do take an interest in all sorts of things.

I'm reading several books at once so I may have more books done by the end of July. I'm still getting back to normal reading after the end of the world in march so I'm just glad to be reading again!

Zach Garrett is home from war, haunted by PTSD, trying to fit in to what has become an alien world. With the holidays fast approaching, his uncle Big Jim Garrett offers him a place on the family ranch. Zach isn't sure he's up for a noisy, boisterous Garrett Christmas...until he meets beautiful Stephanie Gale, and all his protests go up in flames. Firefighter and EMT Stephanie Gale is ready for anything. She's got her life under control...until she locks eyes with Zack and realizes her heart's in a whole new kind of danger. But with a little help from Zack's long-lost army dog, maybe he and Stephanie will be able to make this a Christmas of new beginnings after all.

This was a cute holiday story about two people who have put their lives on the line for the greater good. It had a good pace and just warms your heart. I recommend. 

**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Dark Horse Cowboys #4, I am so glad the series didn't end with the Garrett Brothers it has now expanded to Zach Garrett their cousin who has been away in the Army. Like with his cousins when Zach meets the woman that was meant for him he's practically 100% all in from the start. It is an easy romance with very few bumps. Zach spent two tours in the military and during his second his dad died and his mom wasn't able to maintain the ranch so when Zach came home he came to his uncle's house not his mother's new home in Ft. Worth. Big Jim welcomed his nephew with open arms. Zach is dealing with a bit of PTSD and feeling like he doesn't fit in with the family any more, but then there is Stephanie.

Stephanie Gale, we met in one of the previous books, is a firefighter/EMT who specializes in confined space retrieval. She recently was called on to a scene where two young children witnessed their step father murder their mother. She was first on the scene and was the one who took the kids to the hospital. Stephanie and the kids formed an attachment and if the social worker wasn't such a *clears throat* wasn't so old fashion Stephanie would have adopted them weeks ago. Unfortunately right before Christmas the step father managed to escape police custody with help of his two brothers. Stephanie worries about the kids but she should be worried about herself too. After her first official date with Zach he bring her home to a destroyed apartment and a couple hours later she's attacked by one of the brothers. Zach's protectiveness amps up he may not have a lot to offer Stephanie but he can protect her until she's no longer in danger.

Stephanie falls for Zach quickly she wants to help him even if that means tracking down Jewel and bringing her here. Trying to track down Zach's dog from overseas took many phone calls being put on hold and transferred a bunch of times, but being a bit sneaky but it payed off. Big Jim has such a big heart he wants what's best for those poor kids so he offers to bring them to his home for Christmas and since Stephanie will be spending the holiday at his house too, well, two birds one stone everyone is happy. That is until Stephanie goes missing.

Overall, great book. It can be read as a standalone even though Leah (from book one of the series) and her pregnancy have a big chunk of this book just about her. It did distract a little from the other storyline but it was nice to see Tyler, Leah and Gracie I just wish it didn't take up so much of the book. I don't want the series to end I kind of want to see Dex, the deputy, get a book.   

He’s come home from war, haunted by PTSD and trying to fit in to what has become an alien world so Zach isn’t sure he’s up for a noisy, boisterous Garrett Christmas. Stephanie Gale is a firefighter and EMT, who got her life under control…until she locks eyes with Zach and realizes her heart is in a whole new kind of danger.

This holiday romance warms the heart while tugging at every heart string a readers has and there is absolutely no one could not fall far this solider cowboy. The emotional turmoil in this story flows with eager abandon from every page and puts readers though the gauntlet of them all as Stephanie and the Garrett family give Zach back some of what he lost. The characters are strong, compelling, and believable, easily drawing readers into their story while the romance sizzles with lots of chemistry and the holiday makes a perfect backdrop and time for such new beginning for such a wonderful couple.

Surprising twist captivates readers while the hero steals readers’ hearts and the fierce heroine fits perfectly with Zach and readers just know that the couple will definitely have a forever ever after. The steady pace along with all the happenings with family and friends, celebrations, adoptions and births adds such wonderful and delightfully warm feelings that readers can’t help but sigh in happiness and envy as the this romance fills them full of holiday spirit.

I read 28 books in June with an average score of 3.89. I read 15 YA books and 7 graphic novels. My most-read genres were contemporary, fantasy, and romance.

My favorite book was Red, White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston. My least favorite was The Magicians - Lev Grossman.

5 Stars

4.5 Stars

4 Stars

3.5 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

Books by author gender:

• Male: 3
• Female: 23
• Genderqueer: 1
• Male/Female Mix: 1

Books by format:

• Physical: 13
• Audio: 15

Apartment Update:

I'm back in my apartment! After it was flooded at the very end of last month, it took a week to get everything all cleaned up and get moved back in. I haven't had any problems since then