MY MAY & JUNE READING WRAP-UP

Eiyo Fadneiras,

Welcome back to my blog. It's been two weeks since I last posted. I took a one-week blogging break to concentrate on my third novel. Anyone miss me? Hehehe ^_^

In this entry, I will share with you my reading wrap-up for July & August 2025. And since time won't wait for us, let's get moving now...

#1 TERMS & CONDITIONS

AUTHOR: Lauren Asher

PUBLISHER: Piatkus

GENRE: New Adult Romance

LANGUAGE: English

PAGES: 477 pages

THE STORY

Declan Kane is the heir to his family's empire. And he is destined to be the CEO of the Kane Company. Being a CEO is Declan's ultimate goal. But his grandfather, the chairman, is not making it easy for him. To claim his throne, Declan must get married and sire an heir first. Marriage and falling in love are the last things on Declan's mind.

Later in the story, Declan's secretary, Iris Landry, volunteers to be his wife. Declan accepts Iris's offer. The deal they set is simple. Get married, move in together, and have a child. Falling in love is not in their deal. Like Declan, Iris also doesn't believe in love due to her past traumas. But what happens when their fake relationship bleeds into a real one? Will Declan and Iris open their hearts to love?

MY REVIEW

So true ... sometimes love enters our lives when our hearts are not fully ready to embrace it. Love is not only comforting. Love also acts as a catalyst to our spiritual growth. Declan's and Iris's relationship is something I can relate to from what I recently learned about love. I like Declan's and Iris's chemistry. It's so intense and electrifying. Their souls do not just complement each other. But they also mirror each other. They are catalysts for each other's growth. 

Iris is another book girlfriend I can strongly relate to. Iris is bullied throughout her school years.  And she is not lucky when it comes to love. These experiences make Iris sensitive and a hard person to please. But Iris is a fighter. 

Terms & Conditions is an enjoyable read indeed. I like the characters, plot, premise, storyline, and the author's writing style. Overall, I'm rating this novel 10/10. I highly recommend it to fellow bookworms who are into the new adult romance genre. This novel is a must-not-miss, guys. But I need to be honest that this novel is not for readers who are under 18. The story has some spicy scenes in it. 

PS: I shared my character analysis of Declan Kane early this month on this blog. Feel free to check it out >> BOOK HEARTTHROB PROFILE: DECLAN KANE FROM TERMS & CONDITIONS.

#2 BEACH READ

AUTHOR: Emily Henry

PUBLISHER: Berkley

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

LANGUAGE: English

PAGES: 358 pages

THE STORY

January Andrews and Augustus Everett are authors of different genres. Augustus is an acclaimed author of literary fiction, while January writes in the romance genre. 

January and Augustus become neighbors. Both of them rent a beach house not far from each other. Both are broke and bogged down with writer's block. January and Augustus strike a deal to force them out of their writer's block. The deal requires Augustus to write a happy story, and January has to craft the next Great American novel. The deal is to get everyone to finish writing their book by the end of summer. And no one will fall in love. But can that be possible?

MY REVIEW

Beach Read is a very relaxing book to read during the summer and vacation. The story is very enjoyable, and it gives you a feel-good vibe. 

Besides the feel-good vibe, I also like January's and Augustus's characters. These two are make-believe characters. I also like their chemistry. It's intense yet sweet. And their relationship is very mature.

Beach Read is the first novel by Emily Henry that I read. So far, I have enjoyed this novel a lot. And now I'm interested in reading her other works. Plus, I like Emily Henry's writing style. It's trendy yet precise. So, any recommendations, guys? Hehehe ^_^

Overall, I rate this novel 9/10. Beach Read is a fun book to read. Insya-Allah, I will read it again in the future. I highly recommend my fellow bookworms who are into the romance genre to check out Beach Read. Trust me, you are going to enjoy it. But like Terms & Conditions, this book also has some spicy lovemaking scenes in it. So Beach Read is not suitable for those who are under 18 :P

#3 ALAK & THE CURSE OF JERANGAU

AUTHOR: Salhan K. Ahmad

PUBLISHER: Arcane Literature & Kinderstories Hub

GENRE: Children's Literature

LANGUAGE: English

PAGES: 116 pages

THE STORY

This book is the sequel to Alak In The Hinterland. Mama tiger, Ledang, and two of her cubs, Machang and Chuchoh, are found dead. Everyone believes a dark spirit named Jerangau killed them. Alak and his friends go on a quest to investigate the murder of Ledang and her cubs. They are also looking for Ledang's husband, Guruh, and youngest cub, Bauk. Guruh and Bauk are missing in action.

Alak and his friends do not know that one creature in their team is actually a traitor. The creature is Petir, the black panther. And Petir has bad intentions for Alak and everyone ...

MY REVIEW

Like the first book, this one is an eye-opener as well. The first book taught me about kindness, integrity, and nature, while this one taught me about the dark side of seeking revenge. Revenge is not sweet, guys. It's bitter, and there's a price to pay for that. In the first book, Petir's family was killed by two humans. The heartbroken panther avenged his family's death by eating the two humans. After succeeding, Petir does not live a peaceful life. He becomes greedy. Petir wants to become the most powerful creature in the Hinterland. And fate is cruel to him in the end. 

Other than moral values, I like the author's writing style for this story. It's simple and precise. The illustrations in this book are simply amazing and stunning. Congrats to the graphic team ^_^

Overall, I rate this book 10/10. Alak & The Curse Of Jerangau is an enjoyable read indeed. I highly recommend kids and adults to check out this amazing book by Salhan K. Ahmad. This Alak series is good for kids to read. These books also make good presents. Plus, the Alak series puts you close to nature. That's why the Alak series is a must-not-miss read.

PS: Check out my review of ALAK IN THE HINTERLAND.

#4 PRIDE & PREJUDICE

AUTHOR: Jane Austen

PUBLISHER: Penguin

GENRE: Classic Literature + Romance

LANGUAGE: English

PAGES: 482 pages

THE STORY

Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy meet at a ball. They despise each other and never get along. But somehow, they seem to keep bumping into each other. And all they do is argue and fight. To Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy is arrogant and has too much pride. But as destiny unfolds, Elizabeth discovers something sweet about Mr. Darcy ....

MY REVIEW

This is my fourth time reading Pride & Prejudice. This evergreen novel still receives 10/10 from me. I just love Pride & Prejudice! This novel will always be my all-time favorite. And reading this novel for the fourth time makes me like it even more. 

I like the family values that Austen shares in the story. Mr. Bennet is the most lovable character in P&P. I like that he prioritizes his daughters' happiness instead of being obsessed with having them married. So true ... people can only marry for love. But never for money and social status. Hahaha!

I always like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship. Their chemistry is always electrifying. Reading this novel for the fourth time makes me understand better why most love experts say Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are a twin flame couple. Their souls mirror and complement each other. Towards the end of the story, they do not just realize that they have fallen in love. But their life has also changed for the better since they met. They learn from each other a lot. That's beautiful ^_^

The love confession and proposal scene is always my favorite part of the story. And this time, I cried tears of joy. The scene touches my heart deeply. In the scene, Mr. Darcy tells Elizabeth how she changed his life and made him a better person. That's so beautiful! And she tells him the same.

I absolutely love P&P and will read it again. I will never get bored with P&P. In fact, I'm planning to re-read all of Jane Austen's books. Hehehe ^_^ And of course, I highly recommend P&P to my fellow bookworms who are literature buffs.

#5 GIRL, GODDESS, QUEEN

AUTHOR: Bae Fitzgerald

PUBLISHER: Penguin

GENRE: YA Romantasy

LANGUAGE: English

PAGES: 474 pages

THE STORY

In this Hades & Persephone retelling, the Goddess of Flowers is not kidnapped. She jumps into the Underworld instead. Persephone is tired of her overcontrolling mother, Demeter, and her bossy father, Zeus.

In the Underworld, she meets Hades. Persephone and Hades do not get along in their early days together. They argue a lot. But as the days go by, they become friends. 

Zeus and Demeter aren't happy. They threaten to harm the Underworld. Hades and Persephone decide to marry each other as friends- they just want to protect and save the Underworld. After the wedding, Persephone is crowned Queen of the Underworld. Together, she and Hades make the Underworld a lively place. And later, they fall in love. Auuuuuw!

But happiness does not last long. Demeter is totally unhappy when she hears her daughter is happy in Hades's arms. Her rage harms the earth. What will Hades & Persephone do to save the earth?

MY REVIEW

This pinkest book in the world is simply an awesome read. I like the way the author portrays Persephone's character. She's a badass and quite rebellious. But she is not nasty. Persephone in this story is very mature, adventurous, and knows what she wants and her worth.

I also like Persephone's relationship with Hades in this story.  I like that the author makes them friends before they become lovers. They even marry as friends. Oh wow! I love slow-burn romance. Their relationship is more than just romance. It's also a partnership. And I like that both of them are quite shy with each other. Teeheee! It's cute ^_^

Besides Persephone, I also like the way the author portrays Hades's character. Who knows, Lord of the Underworld can be such a sweet gentleman. Hades is not nasty at all. He's very respectful of Persephone. I had a crush on Hades while reading this book ^_^

Other than the characters, I like the plot, premise, and storyline of this story. I believe the author is a very creative storyteller. This book is really an enjoyable read, a page-turner, and an eye-opener. This novel is more than just entertainment. I like the moral messages that the author wants us to bring home. This story is about having the freedom to be yourself (raw and unapologetically you) and being with the right person.

Bea Fitzgerald's writing style in this story is awesome, too. It's chic, trendy, and unapologetic. She makes her story and characters alive. Plus, I can feel her passion for writing and Greek Mythology. Overall, I rate this novel 10/10. It's perfect. I highly recommend this novel to romantasy addicts. Trust me, guys, Bea Fitzgerald's work will amaze you.

#6 PETRICHOR

AUTHOR: Nurul Syahida

PUBLISHER: Karangkraf

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

LANGUAGE: Bahasa Malaysia

PAGES: 425 pages

THE STORY

Two broken souls meet, fall in love, and heal each other. Sameera, a 35-year-old marketing executive, is dumped by her boyfriend, Haque Zuhal. They have been dating since they were 17. Haque is now a famous singer and actor. He dumps Sameera for his co-star, Dahlia Everett. Their break-up makes Sameera famous on social media. Anywhere Sameera goes, everyone knows her as Haque Zuhal's ex-girlfriend. This makes Sameera uncomfortable. Will this craziness end?

Jamie, a chef in his late 30s, got divorced from his abusive ex-wife. Jamie's trouble does not end with the divorce. His ex-wife spreads lies about him on social media. Everyone believes his ex-wife is the victim of the case. Poor Jamie! Everywhere he goes, people bad-talk him. Will Jamie's trouble end when Sameera enters his life?

MY REVIEW

I believe Petrichor is the best Bahasa Malaysia romance novel I've read so far. The plot, storyline, moral messages, writing style, and characters are very mature. Kudos to the author! 

First of all, I like the moral messages that Nurul Syahida wants us to bring home. Everything happens for a reason, and the reason is a blessing. Not all bad things that happen to us are punishments. But they are preparations for new blessings. Allah SWT always has better plans for us. So trust this process and surrender.

Secondly, I like Sameera's and Jamie's relationship. Their relationship is based on trust, support, and mutual respect. They heal and lift each other. Together they grow and become strong. They are catalysts for each other's spiritual growth. Plus, their chemistry is electrifying.

Nurul Syahida's writing style is trendy, classy, and mature. I like the way she criticizes social media culture in Petrichor.  What you see on social media is never what you get in reality. This author is also knowledgeable in pop-culture. And she blends her knowledge of pop-culture well with her story. It makes Petrichor a trendy novel to read.

Overall, I rate this novel 10/10. Petrichor is a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend it to fellow bookworms who are looking for a heartwarming romance read.

#7 SALTWATER SOCIETY

AUTHOR: Sri Rahayu Mohd. Yusop

PUBLISHER: Biblio Press

GENRE: Urban Fantasy

LANGUAGE: English

Pages: 67 pages

THE STORY

A lonely, 200-year-old mermaid named Rani befriends a human boy named Tristan. When Tristan was 12, his mother passed away. And not long after that, Tristan and his father moved to England. Rani was left alone.

10 years passed by. Tristan returns to Kuala Selangor. He is now all grown up. Tristan and Rani reunite. Even though Tristan is no longer a boy, his friendship with Rani remains the same. However, evil follows Tristan home. So the coast of Kuala Selangor is no longer safe for Rani. What will they do to protect each other?

MY REVIEW

This book is more than just an urban fantasy read. It's a short novel with deep meaning. The story is about friendship, diversity, nature, environment, and humanity. I believe the author does a great job in blending her moral messages with the story. I like Sri Rahayu's writing style for this story. It's precise yet artsy. It suits the story and genre.

Overall, I rate this novel 9/10. It's a very enjoyable read. Insya-Allah, I will read this book again in the future. I highly recommend Saltwater Society to those who are looking for a light urban fantasy read with mermaids in it ^_^

Okay, so these are the books I read during July and August. Whew! I read too many. I need to slow down for September and October. Hehehe :P

Before I end this post, there are two things I want to share with you guys. Firstly, my first novel, Fail Merah, will be celebrating its third bookversary this Friday, 29th of August. Since this week is Fail Merah week, the novel and three related books (Bukan Kecil Tapi Merah, Komplot Cerpen Penulis Paluan Seni Vol 3, and Saranghaeyo Namsan) are on sale. Click this link to grab them >> FAIL MERAH WEEK.

Secondly, I recently uploaded some pre-loved books to my online store. So, if anyone is looking for pre-loved books, feel free to visit my online store. The link is the same in the paragraph above.

Okay, this is all for now. Thank you ^_^

XoXo,

Fadima Mooneira ^_^

(Authorprenuer, Novelist & Crafter)

#MyJulyAndAugust2025ReadingWrapUp #ReadingWrapUp #Books #BookReviews #TermsAndConditions #LaurenAsher #BeachRead #EmilyHenry #AlakAndTheCurseOfJerangau #SalhanKAhmad #PrideAndPrejudice #JaneAusten #GirlGoddessQueen #BaeFitzgerald #Petrichor #NurulSyahida #SaltwaterSociety #SriRahayuMohdYusop #NewAdultRomance #ContemporaryRomance #ChildrensLiterature #ClassicLiterature #Romantasy #UrbanFantasy #FadimaMooneirasLibrary #Edutainment #FadimaMooneiraDotCom

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