Book of the Month is a subscription box in which members choose up to 5 hardcover books to receive each month.
You can sign up here to get your first book for $5.
This month, Book of the Month (BOTM) chose 5 main selections and 7 initial add-ons.
Main Picks | Add-Ons | Predictions | My Choices
Main Picks
Honey
Isabel Banta
Rock and roll with this story about the rise of a pop star with a voice like honey that everybody wants a piece of.
Contemporary Fiction | Debut | Early Release
The Lion Women of Tehran
Marjan Kamali
A rapidly transforming Iran plays backdrop to this drama about the evolution of a complex friendship between two girls.
Historical Fiction | Early Release
A Talent for Murder
Peter Swanson
If you began to suspect the spouse you recently married might be a murderer, what would you do? Asking for a friend.
Thriller | Repeat Author
One-Star Romance
Laura Hankin
Fun, hijinks, and chemistry abound when a struggling artist and stern academic butt heads over a one-star book review.
Romance | Repeat Author
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Rufi Thorpe
Affairs, pro wrestlers, NSFW internet content, oh my! Follow the rollicking journey of a young mother making ends meet.
Literary Fiction | Repeat Author
Add Ons
Leather & Lark
Brynne Weaver
Bloody, sexy, and exhilarating—this dark romance between a singer and a contract killer will have your heart racing.
Romance | Repeat Author
Not In Love
Ali Hazelwood
A forbidden romance between rival food scientists takes center stage in Ali Hazelwood’s latest hot and steamy dish.
Romance | Repeat Author
Swan Song
Elin Hilderbrand
In her final Nantucket novel, Elin Hilderbrand follows a retiring police chief as he tries to solve a mysterious fire.
Contemporary Fiction | Repeat Author
The Rom-Commers
Katherine Center
Calling all rom-com mega fans, get in formation! This swoony story is a beautiful ode to love, lovers, and love stories.
Romance | Repeat Author
Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life
Helen Fisher
In this heartwarming story, a neurodivergent young man learns how to build community and carve his own path in life.
Contemporary Fiction
Shelterwood
Lisa Wingate
An epic excavation of the forgotten history of women pioneers who shielded children from land baron greed and violence.
Historical Fiction | Repeat Author*
*When I looked at the site earlier this week, I swear there was a past Lisa Wingate book; however, I can no longer find it.
Jackpot Summer
Elyssa Friedland
Turns out sometimes winning the lottery isn’t so lucky, especially if you’re part of an acrimonious Jersey Shore clan.
Contemporary Fiction | Repeat Author
Predictions & Thoughts
There are five main and seven initial add-on Book of the Month (BOTM) selections for June, including one debut, two early releases, and nine books by repeat authors. If you remember last July, the selections were completely repeat authors, and we are seeing similar releases this month with 75% of the selections by past BOTM authors. One of the early releases will be published in July; the other is a late June release.
This month was one of my worst predictions in the last few years. I partially chalk this up to wishful thinking. I predicted 7 out of 12 books correctly for the June selections. For me, the most surprising selection was The Lion Women of Tehran. The second app hint this month was for A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson, who has not had a BOTM selection since March 2019, which I think was a surprise for many. I also believe Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life for life was not on many people’s radars prior to appearing on the app.
In my predictions, I decided to exclude certain repeat authors that I thought may be finished with BOTM. This included Ali Hazelwood, whose last novel was an Aardvark selection; Laura Hankin, whose debut was a selection but no her next 2 books;
Let’s talk about what books were not among the picks. I did not think Same As It Ever Was would be a selection but included it in my predictions anyway. I am happy to see that I was correct (partially because I DNF’ed her last book). I really loved The Change by Kirsten Miller and thought there was a slight chance we would see Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books among the picks. I think the likely reason it is not a pick is because it is satirical of a somewhat sensitive subject (for a minority of people) that some see as political. In my opinion, BOTM always stays away from anything political in the least since their goal is to singularly make a profit. I thought that there was a decent change Swift River or The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye would be June picks. I am pleasantly surprised by the selection of The Lion Women of Tehran and pleased to see no titles focused on WWII. Sadly, BOTM has decided to drop another series by forgoing Isabel and the Rogue. My apologies to anyone who also must have matching books. I have often felt your pain. While I am personally delighted to not see a Lucy Foley pick posted this month, I would not be surprised if it is a mid-month add on along with Riley Sager’s newest. (I think Middle of the Night could also be among July’s add-ons.) Lastly, I was a little bummed not to see Malas as a selection, but I am also aware of the general BOTM subscriber demographics.
If there are any takeaways from this the June selections, it is the reinforcement of BOTM’s allegiance to repeat authors and their bottomline.
My Choices
June is another month in which I did not have difficulty narrowing down my choices. It was immediately pretty clear which books I would add to my box.
I knew from the app hints that Honey and Margo’s Got Money Troubles would be June selections… and that I am not particularly interested in them. I am personally super tired of reading about fictional and real celebrities, singers, etc. (TJR is largely to blame.) I also do not feel up to reading about anyone struggling financially when I see everyone IRL doing the same (while there is zero political will to address it). In addition, it seems like every other book marketed to women is about being a mother, which is not an experience I share. If I hear wonderful things about Margo, there is a chance I may add it to a future box.
Even though I own and have not read The Stationary Box, I added The Lion Women of Tehran to my box. I have been trying not to buy any author’s new book until I read their past titles that I own. However, I want to show BOTM my support of picking books by BIPOC authors and non-WWII historical fiction. And can I just note that cover is gorgeous?
One Star Romance and A Talent for Murder are two books by popular authors that I have yet to read. While I do want to read Peter Swanson at some point, I am kind of a completest and do not want to start a series at the third book, even if they can be read as stand alones. I would prefer to start with one of his most beloved titles. As for One Star Romance, I have heard great things about Laura Hankin (and she is adorable and hilarious on social media). By far my favorite romance trope is enemies-to-loves, so I quickly added One Star Romance to my box.
Regarding the add-ons, these were also pretty straightforward choices for me. I have already read and loved The Rom-Commers. I will be ordering a finished final copy through BOTM. When Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life appeared, I was super excited to see a selection with a neurodivergent character, not to mention a heartwarming novel. They really are too few and far between. I added this novel to my blue box before the rest of the June books even dropped.
I am forgoing the other add-ons. I read Butcher and Blackbird to satisfy my curiosity after all the hype. While entertaining, I thought it lacked plot and character development. I am tempted to read Leather and Lark for shits and giggles, but I am going to hold off when there are so many quality books I would rather read. If you read my predictions, I think I made my feelings clear about Elin Hilderbrand. I am hesitant to read another Ali Hazelwood book for fear it will be essential the same as her other books, although my interest is piqued by a story about food scientists. I find that Lisa Wingate seems to write a similar story in each of her novels, focusing on children. I have one of her previous books on my TBR shelf, so I will skip Shelterwood. Finally, I have yet to read any of Elyssa Friedland’s novels despite hearing generally good things. Jackpot Summer does sound like a fun book focused on the fantasy of winning the lottery. It is a book I will be keeping on my radar and potentially getting in the future based upon reviews.
What books did you choose for your June BOTM selections? Let me know in the comments!
