Welcome to the bookish joy that is My Favourite Reads. I didn’t get much reading done in June. We had visitors and lots of stuff going on, and that left little time for couch-potatoing or bed-lazing with a book.

The books I did complete were all beauties and, as is so often the case, choosing a favourite proved tricky. In the end, it was the old master who came out on top.

The Outsider by Stephen King

The Outsider is one of the best King books I’ve read for a while, and that’s saying something because I pretty much enjoy all his books (except Duma Key – that one didn’t do it for me).

The suspense of the opening made my heart race, only for a shock plot twist to stop it completely and leave me wondering how the hell he was going to make the book work.

He did, of course. King’s a master storyteller.

Great premise, wonderful characters, plenty of tension and mystery, and a nice amount of icky horror. The pages (and there were a lot) flew by. Loved it.

Defy the Worlds by Claudia Gray

I adored Defy the Stars (which I talked about here) and have been hanging out for the second in the series. Defy the Worlds didn’t disappoint.

I love how Gray keeps raising the stakes. Just when you think our plucky heroine Noemi might catch a break, she’s put in even more peril. And Abel is so cleverly written. I’m amazed I believe in these two when one is basically a robot, but I can’t help it.

Ends on a doozy of a cliffhanger but I kind of expected that. Bring on book three!

Maggie’s Run by Kelly Hunter, Belle’s Secret by Victoria Purman

Of course I’m going to be hugely biased about my Outback Brides buddies’ books, but it’s no lie to say these were terrific reads and you should all go buy the entire series right now.

Maggie’s Run proved a wonderful start to the series. It had all the emotion and snappy dialogue I expect from a Kelly Hunter book and don’t get me started on how sexy our hero Max is. My fingers are still itching to smooth his hair. I’m a terrible sucker for a hero who’s known the heroine for years and always shown protectiveness. It’s so romantic and Kelly pulls this off perfectly. Sighworthy.

Which is what Belle’s Secret was too. I loved the premise of this one – a runaway bride. But not any old runaway bride. Our Isabella just happens to be a marriage celebrant and skipping out on your new husband is not a good look. She has her reasons though. Except she married a special man, and Harry isn’t one to let go easily.

Yep, I have a vested interest but these books have all the feels. Grab your copies today!

What reads have you enjoyed lately?