July means summer is in full swing, but it also means that there’s some incredible summer reads on their way! From WWII historical fiction, to fantasy, to middle grade reads, here are some of the best July 2020 book releases I’ve read…as well as other books released July 2020 that I’m adding to my to-read list this month!
1. The Good Luck Stone by Heather Bell Adams
Release Date: July 7th, 2020
The Good Luck Stone is an intriguing novel primarily set during World War II in the South Pacific, so if historical fiction is your thing then this is a great book to pick up!
Audrey Thorpe is ninety years old, independent, and determined to keep it that way. But as her health begins to fade, her granddaughter hires a part-time caretaker named Laurel to help out around Audrey’s home. But no one knows that Audrey has a secret—a secret she’s carried with her since her time as a nurse in the Philippines during WWII.
When Audrey suddenly goes missing, will Laurel be able to find out what happened to her? And in the process, will anyone uncover Audrey’s secret and what really happened all those years ago in a war-torn land?
This book was well-written and suspenseful, and does an excellent job placing you firmly in the world of Audrey and her friends during the war as well as placing you in the world of present-day Audrey with her family. It’s a sad but sweet story that’s worth reading if you’re looking for July book releases to enjoy!
I received a copy of this book from Haywire Books and Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Buy The Good Luck Stone now on Bookshop or Amazon!
2. The Invention of Sophie Carter by Samantha Hastings
Release Date: July 14th, 2020
The Invention of Sophie Carter is a YA novel about two sisters in Victorian England. If you’re looking for a light and fun read (and don’t care overmuch about the accuracy of historical etiquette) then this could be an enjoyable book!
Identical twins Sophie and Mariah are orphans and have been passed around to various homes throughout the years, but now their aunt in London has agreed for one of them to come visit and stay with her. But neither twin wants to go without the other, so they decide to both go and take turns pretending to be Sophie. But of course, pretending to be the same person isn’t always as easy as they thought it would be…especially when each twin starts falling in love and the men in love with them don’t know there are actually two of them!
This was a cute story to read with a fun Victorian setting, and I loved how each of the twins were different and had their own interests. Sophie’s love of clocks was particularly fun! However, this novel did feel more like late middle grade or very young YA and stays quite surface level…so don’t go into it expecting something deep! It’s just a fun tale about twins switching places, and everything turning out well with a little good luck and a couple of improbable events.
I received a copy of this book from Swoon Reads and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Buy The Invention of Sophie Carter now on Bookshop or Amazon!
3. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
Release Date: July 21st, 2020
The Book of Lost Names was an incredible read and probably my favorite of the new books July 2020 brings. I’m just going to warn you that it’s sad and will make you think about lost names, lost time, and more lost things—but it’s also beautifully written and a beautiful story!
The year is 2005 and Eva lives in Florida, working as a semi-retired librarian. But one day she comes across a photograph in a magazine—a photograph of her book, The Book of Lost Names! Meant to save the names of the Jewish children too young to remember their life before fleeing to Switzerland, this book was looted by the Nazis during World War II and Eva never thought she’d see it again or find the answer to a question that’s haunted her for years. But now that she’s found it, will she find the answer to the question she spent her life longing to know?
This book is based on the true story of forgers during WWII, and presents fascinating facts about forging during this time period while at the same time delivering a compelling story you won’t want to put down! It’s definitely one of the best book releases July 2020 offers, and well worth a read.
I received a copy of this book from Gallery Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Buy The Book of Lost Names now on Bookshop or Amazon!
4. Fast Girls by Elise Hooper
Release Date: July 7th, 2020
Fast Girls is a work of historical fiction that takes a look at female athletes in pre-war America and during the 1936 summer Olympic games in Berlin. Based on the real-life stories of three women Olympians, this book tells the stories of Betty Robinson, Louise Stokes, and Helen Stephens on their athletic journeys, as they fight for the chance to compete, and as they defy society’s expectations of what women can do.
If you’re looking for a fictionalized work that is based on real people and gives insight into a fascinating time in history, then this is a book you may enjoy reading this July. So far in reading it, I’ve found it to be quite slow-paced (and a little confusing switching between the girls’ stories), but I know many people have been calling it an incredible book so I’m holding out hope that it will catch my attention as I continue reading!
I received a copy of this book from William Morrow Paperbacks and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Buy Fast Girls now on Bookshop or Amazon!
5. Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim
Release Date: July 7th, 2020
Unravel the Dusk is the second book in The Blood of Stars series, and is one of the top books on my TBR for July 2020. I read Spin the Dawn earlier this year and have been waiting patiently (or not so patiently) for months looking forward to this release!
In this book, Maia Tamarin has returned from her journey and has sewn the dresses of the sun, the moon, and the stars…but now everything is falling to ruin. The boy she loves is gone, the kingdom is heading toward war, and now she learns she has to pretend to be the emperor’s bride to try to keep the peace!
But ever since the demon Bandur touched her, she’s slowly been changing and losing control. How long until she loses herself completely? And will she be able to find Edan and protect her family and country before it’s too late?
The first book in this YA fantasy series was epic, and Unravel the Dusk definitely looks like it will live up to the hype. July 7th can’t come soon enough!
Buy Unravel the Dusk now on Bookshop or Amazon!
6. Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland
Release Date: July 7th, 2020
I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about Florence Adler Swims Forever, so if you’re feeling up for tragedy and secrets in your reading this July then this may be a book you’ll enjoy!
The year is 1934, it’s summer, and Esther and Joseph Adler have just rented out their house for the summer and moved back into their old apartment. Florence is home from college and training to swim the English Channel, while Fannie is pregnant and on bed rest. They’re all home and squeezed into a tiny apartment and Esther just wants her family to be safe and happy. But then tragedy strikes—and Esther decides to keep the truth of the tragedy hidden until Fannie’s baby is born…dragging the whole family into a web of lies in the process. When it comes to tragedy and family, what is protecting and what is betrayal?
This book is based on a true story, is ultimately about tragedy and resilience, and sounds like an intriguing read to add to your July book releases list!
Buy Florence Adler Swims Forever now on Bookshop or Amazon!
7. The Unadoptables by Hana Tooke
Release Date: July 21st, 2020
Love stories about orphans? The Unadoptables is a July book release you’ll want to pick up ASAP!
This story is the tale of five babies left outside the Little Tulip Orphanage…one left in a toolbox, one in a coal bucket, one in a sack, one in a picnic basket, and one in a coffin-shaped basket. Their names? Lotta, Egg, Fenna, Sam, and Milou…and they’re soon dubbed “the unadoptables” because, well, they’re quite unadoptable.
Until one day a stranger shows up and is looking to adopt the unadoptables…and these five children decide they must escape from the orphanage and this creepy gentleman. Outside and on their own, will they be able to follow clues to their past to discover where the came from, and, more importantly, will they be able to find a new home?
This middle grade book sounds like an incredible read and is likely the perfect book for fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events and other similar reads. It’s definitely on my to read list as soon as it’s released!
Buy The Unadoptables now on Bookshop or Amazon!
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