Summer is a busy time work-wise, but I finally got a chance to get this month's books read, reviewed, and out to you! There's romance, enemies-to-lovers, ethics in journalism, and a story of political intrigue straight out of a summer movie.

Be sure to check these books out - all of them are available now!

BETTER MUST COME
by Desmond Hall
Available now

Deja lives in Jamaica. Her mother lives in New York and sends her children barrels of food and clothes. While Deja's friends consider her lucky to be a "barrel girl," things aren't easy for her family. At first, it was just a matter of missing her mother and wishing her brother and sister could grow up with their real mom. But now she's gotten word that her mother was mugged, and there's no barrel coming.

Just as things are looking grim, the impossible happens: Deja finds a wounded man, who gives her a briefcase of $500,000 US and a name to deliver it to. There's no way she can just make off with it—the wounded man is a DEA and the bills are allegedly marked. But if she could get a reward out of it, she could change everything for her family. There's just one problem: Gabriel, the cute boy she met the other night, is after the same briefcase. And for far less ethical reasons.

Besides its intriguing plot, Better Must Come is an educational look at life in Jamaica. Deja's journey to be rid of the half-mil is also a crash course in the country's social structure, lifestyle, geography, and economy. Chapters alternate between Deja and Gabriel, two characters both desperate for the money at the center of this caper in very different ways, both equally in love with their home and inhibited by their respective circumstances. The whole book is full of characters with depth and motivation, from a gang member-turned-priest to Deja's little brother.

LOVE, OFF THE RECORD
by Samantha Markum
Available now

Éowyn Evans (Wyn for short) doesn't mind her parents' obsession with all things Tolkien, Ren Faire, and otherwise nerdy. But she much prefers journalism. In fact, she's already kicked off her freshman year by aiming for a coveted position on the university newspaper's Campus Life section. But she's not the only one: Three (also not his real name) is aiming for the spot, too. And as far as she's concerned, the two are deadly rivals. If it weren't for all the hate, she might just have a crush on him.

Fortunately, Wyn's got Hayes to talk to. The anonymous confidant, whom she matched with on a campus-wide hookup app, seems perfect. And she's pretty sure that Hayes is actually Lincoln, a cute RA who has shown at least some interest in her. But in the midst of the rivalry and romance, something bigger drops: a drug scandal involving someone close to Wyn. Now, she and Three are together to crack a case bigger than both of them. And more secrets may fall out along the way...

If you are not a fan of enemies-to-lovers romances, Love, Off the Record will probably not change your mind. But if you are a fan, this book is made for you. Even if that's not your style, it's intriguing to see that both Wyn and Three's antagonistic ways stem from deeper-seated psychological issues that are addressed. And addressed well. I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer degree of investigative reporting woven through the story, too. Overall, a fun read with a positive ending.

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Available now

Especially for younger protagonists, many romance novels have a happily-for-now ending. The new lovebirds finally connect, start making plans for college, and things will probably be fine. That was how Today, Tonight, Tomorrow ended: with overachieving rivals Rowan Roth and Neil McNair realizing their feelings for each other over the course of a 24-hour graduation game. But, to quote Mystery Science Theater 3000, "College is gonna change everything."

Vowing to beat the odds and keep their long-distance relationship strong, Rowan and Neil set off for college at Emerson and NYU, respectively. But while their breaks together are a whirlwind of romance, everything else is a mess. Neil is second-guessing his major while also dealing with his imprisoned father wanting to come back into his life. Meanwhile, Rowan's dream of becoming a romance author seems to falter when nothing she writes pleases her creative writing professor—who also happens to be one of her favorite writers. Not having each other at hand to work through their problems with is hard enough. But as Neil's mental health slowly breaks down, even their time together begins to suffer.

Past, Present, Future is a shockingly accurate look at What's Next. As much as it addresses the changes that college brings, it doesn't necessarily destroy any hope that young couples might have. It's a story that champions communication, honesty, and grace... especially to oneself. Fellow writers of all levels will also appreciate Rowan's story arc as she battles perfect and lets herself simply write.