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Finding Mr. July
She’s ready to do whatever it takes to get the job of her dreams, even if it means working with a pile of adorably unruly pups—and the office grump—in this charming contemporary rom-com perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon and Sarah Adams.
Intern Holly King knows there are pros and cons to everything, including competing in her nonprofit’s big fundraising competition.
The Winning means a full-time job at the new office in Scotland Scotland is thousands of miles away from her toxic ex-boyfriend Her pitch includes PUPPIES! Lots of ‘em!
The only con? Working with Jonathan Summers. But if Holly wants her calendar of hot, outdoorsy guys and their dogs to win against everyone else’s fundraising ideas, she’ll need Jonathan’s undeniable talent as a photographer ... even if he is a buzzkill.
When their collaboration accidentally gets off to a steamy start, Holly vows she won’t be distracted again. But as they scramble to shoot a year’s worth of hunks and pups in just a couple of weeks, the spark between Holly and Jonathan can’t be ignored.
With Holly’s career dreams finally coming into focus, whatever’s developing with Jonathan makes her wonder—could she be missing the bigger picture?
Intern Holly King knows there are pros and cons to everything, including competing in her nonprofit’s big fundraising competition.
The Winning means a full-time job at the new office in Scotland Scotland is thousands of miles away from her toxic ex-boyfriend Her pitch includes PUPPIES! Lots of ‘em!
The only con? Working with Jonathan Summers. But if Holly wants her calendar of hot, outdoorsy guys and their dogs to win against everyone else’s fundraising ideas, she’ll need Jonathan’s undeniable talent as a photographer ... even if he is a buzzkill.
When their collaboration accidentally gets off to a steamy start, Holly vows she won’t be distracted again. But as they scramble to shoot a year’s worth of hunks and pups in just a couple of weeks, the spark between Holly and Jonathan can’t be ignored.
With Holly’s career dreams finally coming into focus, whatever’s developing with Jonathan makes her wonder—could she be missing the bigger picture?
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Published July 1, 2025
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About the author
Anna E. Collins
10 books419 followersANNA E. COLLINS is a Seattle-area author who writes stories about the lives and loves of women. Once upon a time she was a teacher with a master’s degree in educational psychology. Nowadays, plotting fiction and raising humans are her main pursuits. Find her (and her canine sidekick) on Instagram, @aeccreates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 350 reviews
June 26, 2025
"💝🌷If you love someone, you set them free💝🌷". Finding Mr. July written by Anna E. Collins is literally the most perfect book to kick off your summer reading goals and challenges. If you love hot men, nature, photography, and puppies then you need to read this book as soon as possible. I know it's still June, but this book is set to release on July 1st, so of course I had to read it in the middle of June even though it's called Finding Mr. July. This book was so cute and fun to read, I smiled, I giggled, I swooned, and I kicked my feet up in the air giggling non stop. When I first saw that beautiful cover, I knew I had to get my hands on this book quickly, and I'm so glad I got blessed with a gifted ARC because it was such a perfect summer read. Okay, I know I said this book was perfect because it is, but I knocked off a star because it was a bit repetitive at times. I have never read a book by this author before this one, but after she made my smile so much, I will definitely have to read anything else she writes. As a dog lover, this book truly melted my heart, all of the puppy overload truly made me so happy, I couldn't stop saying "awwhhh, look at that precious baby". I honestly can't recommend this book enough, if you are looking for a fun summer read full of puppy love, then you need to mark your calendars for July 1st, 2025 because you won't want to miss out on Finding Mr. July written by Anna E. Collins. If you have a fur baby, this book will make you want to hold your babies a little tighter. 🐕CALLING ALL ANIMAL LOVERS, THIS BOOK IS JUST FOR YOU🐕.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND FOREVER GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!!
"💯💅Confidence is half the battle💯💅".
"🐶🐾Your purr-fect match awaits🐶🐾".
"💯Faking it till you make it is an underestimated method for success💯".
"🎶Sometimes I find it easier to express myself through music. It makes whatever goes on here"- he touches his temple- "more tangible🎶".
"💗😭How do you tell someone they are rocking your very existence and then leave the country?💗😭"
Holly King is a literal ray of sunshine, her personality is so contagious. Holly is an intern at Global Conservation League which is unpaid internship in Seattle, Washington. Holly has been there for nine months and she's hoping to be promoted to program liaison. Even though Holly is thirty-four years old, she is the mom of the intern group that consists of five members that have yet to turn twenty-five years old. Global Conservation League is an environmental nonprofit. Before this nonprofit organization, Holly was an attorney at the law firm of Heckles and Romer, but now she is recently broken hearted after her ex-boyfriend took credit for Holly's work to make partner at the law firm. My heart absolutely shattered for Holly, she worked her ass off and then her ex-boyfriend decides to take credit for the work that she did- CRAZY. In order to make program liaison, the group of interns have one final challenge to do, they have six weeks to plan and execute a fundraiser, all proceeds go to a rain forest conservation of their choice, and the winner will get to go to Glasgow, Scotland to get their work off the ground. Holly comes up with a calendar idea- cute dogs, hot shirtless men, and nature. Holly got inspiration for this idea when she saw shirtless men playing volleyball with a cute dog hot on their heels.
Jonathan Summers is a hot grumpy, but a total softie at heart. At Global Conservation League, Jonathan is nicknamed "The Shadow" because he stays in the periphery and he's always dressed in black. Jonathan is a grumpy web designer at Global Conservation League after he lost his last job because he got drunk on an airplane and tried to fly it, he used alcohol as self medication before boarding his flight. Jonathan is hot, mysterious, and claustrophobic. In a way his claustrophobia got him fired from his last job and was placed on a no fly list. Jonathan also plays the piano in a Blues band but only occasionally. Let me also mention that Jonathan is also an award winning photographer, he feels at home behind a camera. He's a photographer at heart in the outdoors that beautiful Mother Nature has created. Also, this grumpy softie has a big heart for dogs. Jonathan is also monosyllabic and a people repellent man. Despite being so broody and grumpy, Jonathan was so lovable and such an angel. Jonathan's dad has glaucoma and can't drive anymore, so now Jonathan is his chauffeur, and his mom left for a new family when he was just ten years old- absolutely heart breaking for such a young child to go through. After losing his last job, Jonathan's wife left him and now he's been divorced for five years.
Holly and Jonathan gave off the best energy and they were absolutely hilarious. After getting word about their final challenge, Holly needs a photographer to capture the pictures for her calendar, so a night out at the bar, Holly asks Jonathan if he would help her, Jonathan blatantly refused to help Holly, so she comes up with a drinking contest, if Holly caves first- Jonathan is off the hook, he doesn't have to help her, but if Holly out drinks him, he has to help her win the challenge. After a bottle of tequila- kisses get spicy and the flames are flaming- sneak peak- Holly wins. As Holly and Jonathan work together, things don't go as planned right away, there are obstacles in their way, but of course they work through them. Holly wants the calendar to be as perfect as possible, so she uses Jonathan for the photography portion. Along the way, Jonathan and Holly hit heartbreak highway, feelings are caught, but in the real world there is no obvious future together because Holly plans to leave Washington and Jonathan has no reason to leave Washington behind. Despite their heart breaks, the emotional growth between Holly and Jonathan was truly beautiful and awe inspiring. I absolutely loved watching these two work together, they were so funny, their witty banter and spice made for the perfect combination. I just can't wait for everyone to meet Jonathan and Holly.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND FOREVER GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!!
"💯💅Confidence is half the battle💯💅".
"🐶🐾Your purr-fect match awaits🐶🐾".
"💯Faking it till you make it is an underestimated method for success💯".
"🎶Sometimes I find it easier to express myself through music. It makes whatever goes on here"- he touches his temple- "more tangible🎶".
"💗😭How do you tell someone they are rocking your very existence and then leave the country?💗😭"
Holly King is a literal ray of sunshine, her personality is so contagious. Holly is an intern at Global Conservation League which is unpaid internship in Seattle, Washington. Holly has been there for nine months and she's hoping to be promoted to program liaison. Even though Holly is thirty-four years old, she is the mom of the intern group that consists of five members that have yet to turn twenty-five years old. Global Conservation League is an environmental nonprofit. Before this nonprofit organization, Holly was an attorney at the law firm of Heckles and Romer, but now she is recently broken hearted after her ex-boyfriend took credit for Holly's work to make partner at the law firm. My heart absolutely shattered for Holly, she worked her ass off and then her ex-boyfriend decides to take credit for the work that she did- CRAZY. In order to make program liaison, the group of interns have one final challenge to do, they have six weeks to plan and execute a fundraiser, all proceeds go to a rain forest conservation of their choice, and the winner will get to go to Glasgow, Scotland to get their work off the ground. Holly comes up with a calendar idea- cute dogs, hot shirtless men, and nature. Holly got inspiration for this idea when she saw shirtless men playing volleyball with a cute dog hot on their heels.
Jonathan Summers is a hot grumpy, but a total softie at heart. At Global Conservation League, Jonathan is nicknamed "The Shadow" because he stays in the periphery and he's always dressed in black. Jonathan is a grumpy web designer at Global Conservation League after he lost his last job because he got drunk on an airplane and tried to fly it, he used alcohol as self medication before boarding his flight. Jonathan is hot, mysterious, and claustrophobic. In a way his claustrophobia got him fired from his last job and was placed on a no fly list. Jonathan also plays the piano in a Blues band but only occasionally. Let me also mention that Jonathan is also an award winning photographer, he feels at home behind a camera. He's a photographer at heart in the outdoors that beautiful Mother Nature has created. Also, this grumpy softie has a big heart for dogs. Jonathan is also monosyllabic and a people repellent man. Despite being so broody and grumpy, Jonathan was so lovable and such an angel. Jonathan's dad has glaucoma and can't drive anymore, so now Jonathan is his chauffeur, and his mom left for a new family when he was just ten years old- absolutely heart breaking for such a young child to go through. After losing his last job, Jonathan's wife left him and now he's been divorced for five years.
Holly and Jonathan gave off the best energy and they were absolutely hilarious. After getting word about their final challenge, Holly needs a photographer to capture the pictures for her calendar, so a night out at the bar, Holly asks Jonathan if he would help her, Jonathan blatantly refused to help Holly, so she comes up with a drinking contest, if Holly caves first- Jonathan is off the hook, he doesn't have to help her, but if Holly out drinks him, he has to help her win the challenge. After a bottle of tequila- kisses get spicy and the flames are flaming- sneak peak- Holly wins. As Holly and Jonathan work together, things don't go as planned right away, there are obstacles in their way, but of course they work through them. Holly wants the calendar to be as perfect as possible, so she uses Jonathan for the photography portion. Along the way, Jonathan and Holly hit heartbreak highway, feelings are caught, but in the real world there is no obvious future together because Holly plans to leave Washington and Jonathan has no reason to leave Washington behind. Despite their heart breaks, the emotional growth between Holly and Jonathan was truly beautiful and awe inspiring. I absolutely loved watching these two work together, they were so funny, their witty banter and spice made for the perfect combination. I just can't wait for everyone to meet Jonathan and Holly.
August 21, 2025
જ⁀➴ 2 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Anna E. Collins, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Finding Mr. July is out now!
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I don't think I could've rolled my eyes any harder than when I read about Holly, our FMC, in Finding Mr. July.
Former lawyer turned intern Holly King has the opportunity of a lifetime. Her nonprofit company announces a competition to see which intern can raise the most money, and they get to design a campaign that's all their own, pitch it, and whoever raises the most money gets to live in Scotland for a year. Holly's plan? A pinup calendar filled with men and their dogs. The only con? Working with Jonathan Summers, the known office grump with a mysterious past. Will they be able to put aside their differences and work together, or will Holly's fundraising campaign be a complete bust?
Initially, what drew me into the story were two things: dogs, and a good office romance with a grumpy X sunshine dynamic between the two main characters. I LOVE dogs, so the fact that I got to read a romance book with adorable dogs in it was so much fun! I also feel like I don't read a whole ton of books with the grumpy X sunshine trope. That's not on purpose or anything, but I do feel like sometimes the "grumpy" person in this trope tiptoes the line between simply having a pessimistic view on life vs. being a complete a-hole to the people around them, which is a huge turnoff to me especially if they're an a-hole to their main love interest. Luckily, Jonathan never gave me those vibes throughout the story, which is a huge plus in my book!
Unfortunately, the two things I mentioned above are the only things I liked about the book. I found Holly to be extremely immature for a person who's supposed to be in her thirties. She was honestly fine at first, and I didn't have any issues with her until the last 15-20% of the book! I felt like her character development went extremely downhill once she started to wrap up all of her planning and photography shoots for her fundraiser. She was selfish and flat-out rude to Jonathan for no reason. It was as if the grumpy (Jonathan) X sunshine (Holly) flipped, and Holly became the grumpy person in the trope.
Also, as one of my BIGGEST gripes with the book, for someone who's a former lawyer and has tons of courtroom experience under her belt, her planning and organization skills were absolutely HORRENDOUS for her entire campaign. I know some of those things were out of her control, but the way she went about trying to find models for her pinup calendar was just....so weird to me. I can't go into further detail without spoiling a major part of the book and storyline, but it completely rubbed me the wrong way, and I feel like her trying to find literally ANY other way to get models for her photoshoot would've been so much better (and her dignity would probably stay intact, too.)
As for her organization skills...like, I'm no lawyer, so someone please correct me if I'm wrong here, but I'd imagine a LOT of research goes into building cases for your client before the courtroom date comes around, right? So if that's the case, then how and why did it feel like Holly was just going with the flow and didn't seem to have any real sense of urgency at the beginning of the fundraising campaign when she was trying to secure a plan and get contracts and all of that? I felt like she WASN'T moving fast enough for a fundraising campaign that would literally send her to live overseas in Scotland for a year. She was talking so much about how she wants to win so she can move there, already started looking at apartments to rent, and all that other stuff, yet she was moving at a snail's pace trying to find models for her photoshoot? Girl, you gotta do the work to get there first!
As for the side characters...ugh. Rachel, Holly's best friend, irritated me to no end. I felt like she was way too nosy and wanted to know way too much about Holly's love life. I get it, she's her best friend and wants to know all the tea, but there are moments where you need to read the room and figure out that now's not the best time to say or do certain things. (Also, can we talk about the fact that Rachel would be casually dating one dude but constantly ogling other guys, and she justifies it by saying that her current man wouldn't care that she was checking someone else out? Like....yikes.)
As for Jude, Holly's brother, and his teenage daughter, Ava, I felt like their storyline was honestly more interesting than Holly and Jonathan's at times, and it's only supposed to be a sideplot! I will admit that there were times where I would be reading and would say to myself, "I don't really know why we should care about Jude and Ava's plotline so much when it contributes nothing to the story," but at the same time I wanted to read more about them and their dynamic as a father and daughter! I have mixed feelings about it, but that was something I thought was worth mentioning.
Overall, if you want a quick, office romance with LOTS of dogs, this might be the book for you! I wasn't the biggest fan of it, but I didn't mind the writing, and I would still honestly try another one of the author's books to see if I would like one of them better.
(P.S. It's also super cool that the title is called Finding Mr. July and the book was published in July. I'm sure that was intentional, but something I still wanted to point out.)
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Trigger/content warnings: death of a loved one, absent parent in childhood
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: confession: I actually started reading this eARC a while ago, but then I forgot about it and also never actually added it to my Goodreads when I started it because I got distracted by my other ARCs last month😭 I'll be speed reading to finish this now, considering the book's been out for over a month at this point! It seems like a cute read AND THERE'S CUTE DOGS. The book had me at cute dogs.
Thank you to NetGalley, Anna E. Collins, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Finding Mr. July is out now!
"I take him in fully, this complex man who's both been through the wringer and seen me through mine. Who's not perfect, but perfect for me."
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I don't think I could've rolled my eyes any harder than when I read about Holly, our FMC, in Finding Mr. July.
Former lawyer turned intern Holly King has the opportunity of a lifetime. Her nonprofit company announces a competition to see which intern can raise the most money, and they get to design a campaign that's all their own, pitch it, and whoever raises the most money gets to live in Scotland for a year. Holly's plan? A pinup calendar filled with men and their dogs. The only con? Working with Jonathan Summers, the known office grump with a mysterious past. Will they be able to put aside their differences and work together, or will Holly's fundraising campaign be a complete bust?
Initially, what drew me into the story were two things: dogs, and a good office romance with a grumpy X sunshine dynamic between the two main characters. I LOVE dogs, so the fact that I got to read a romance book with adorable dogs in it was so much fun! I also feel like I don't read a whole ton of books with the grumpy X sunshine trope. That's not on purpose or anything, but I do feel like sometimes the "grumpy" person in this trope tiptoes the line between simply having a pessimistic view on life vs. being a complete a-hole to the people around them, which is a huge turnoff to me especially if they're an a-hole to their main love interest. Luckily, Jonathan never gave me those vibes throughout the story, which is a huge plus in my book!
Unfortunately, the two things I mentioned above are the only things I liked about the book. I found Holly to be extremely immature for a person who's supposed to be in her thirties. She was honestly fine at first, and I didn't have any issues with her until the last 15-20% of the book! I felt like her character development went extremely downhill once she started to wrap up all of her planning and photography shoots for her fundraiser. She was selfish and flat-out rude to Jonathan for no reason. It was as if the grumpy (Jonathan) X sunshine (Holly) flipped, and Holly became the grumpy person in the trope.
Also, as one of my BIGGEST gripes with the book, for someone who's a former lawyer and has tons of courtroom experience under her belt, her planning and organization skills were absolutely HORRENDOUS for her entire campaign. I know some of those things were out of her control, but the way she went about trying to find models for her pinup calendar was just....so weird to me. I can't go into further detail without spoiling a major part of the book and storyline, but it completely rubbed me the wrong way, and I feel like her trying to find literally ANY other way to get models for her photoshoot would've been so much better (and her dignity would probably stay intact, too.)
As for her organization skills...like, I'm no lawyer, so someone please correct me if I'm wrong here, but I'd imagine a LOT of research goes into building cases for your client before the courtroom date comes around, right? So if that's the case, then how and why did it feel like Holly was just going with the flow and didn't seem to have any real sense of urgency at the beginning of the fundraising campaign when she was trying to secure a plan and get contracts and all of that? I felt like she WASN'T moving fast enough for a fundraising campaign that would literally send her to live overseas in Scotland for a year. She was talking so much about how she wants to win so she can move there, already started looking at apartments to rent, and all that other stuff, yet she was moving at a snail's pace trying to find models for her photoshoot? Girl, you gotta do the work to get there first!
As for the side characters...ugh. Rachel, Holly's best friend, irritated me to no end. I felt like she was way too nosy and wanted to know way too much about Holly's love life. I get it, she's her best friend and wants to know all the tea, but there are moments where you need to read the room and figure out that now's not the best time to say or do certain things. (Also, can we talk about the fact that Rachel would be casually dating one dude but constantly ogling other guys, and she justifies it by saying that her current man wouldn't care that she was checking someone else out? Like....yikes.)
As for Jude, Holly's brother, and his teenage daughter, Ava, I felt like their storyline was honestly more interesting than Holly and Jonathan's at times, and it's only supposed to be a sideplot! I will admit that there were times where I would be reading and would say to myself, "I don't really know why we should care about Jude and Ava's plotline so much when it contributes nothing to the story," but at the same time I wanted to read more about them and their dynamic as a father and daughter! I have mixed feelings about it, but that was something I thought was worth mentioning.
Overall, if you want a quick, office romance with LOTS of dogs, this might be the book for you! I wasn't the biggest fan of it, but I didn't mind the writing, and I would still honestly try another one of the author's books to see if I would like one of them better.
(P.S. It's also super cool that the title is called Finding Mr. July and the book was published in July. I'm sure that was intentional, but something I still wanted to point out.)
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Trigger/content warnings: death of a loved one, absent parent in childhood
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: confession: I actually started reading this eARC a while ago, but then I forgot about it and also never actually added it to my Goodreads when I started it because I got distracted by my other ARCs last month😭 I'll be speed reading to finish this now, considering the book's been out for over a month at this point! It seems like a cute read AND THERE'S CUTE DOGS. The book had me at cute dogs.
July 1, 2025
UPDATE: NOW AVAILABLE
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
Finding Mr July by Anne E Collins
Publication date: July 1st 2025
Thoughts
This was such an adorable work place romance, the FMC is unhinged in the best way possible and the MMC? Grumpy but a softie which as we all know I'm a sucker for 🫣 I mean come on let's be honest the best romance plots come from complicated MMCs 😂 another reason that made want to pick this up is the "fans of Sarah Adams" detail and boy am I happy to confirm if you love her books you'll love this just as much -- Sarah Adams is one of my absolute favourite authors so I didn't take this lightly. If you're looking for a summer read this year be sure to make space for this one! Hot men, puppies and photography❤️🔥🤌🏻 the banter alongside the cosy romance was so cute honestly I loved them together from their first encounter with each other so naturally I was rooting for them too. This was my first reading experience with this author and it won't be the last
Tropes
▪︎ Grumpy x sunshine
▪︎ Workplace romance
▪︎ Banter
▪︎ Forced proximity
▪︎ Career vs love
▪︎ Opposites attract
Plot Summary
Holly King, an intern at a nonprofit, is determined to win a major fundraising competition—the prize is a dream job in Scotland, far from her toxic ex. Her idea? A calendar featuring attractive men and adorable puppies. The catch? She has to team up with Jonathan Summers, the grumpy but talented office photographer. Despite a rocky (and unexpectedly flirty) start, the two race to complete the calendar in just weeks. As sparks fly and her career goals come into reach, Holly starts to wonder if something even more important is developing behind the camera.
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ALC
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
Finding Mr July by Anne E Collins
Publication date: July 1st 2025
Thoughts
This was such an adorable work place romance, the FMC is unhinged in the best way possible and the MMC? Grumpy but a softie which as we all know I'm a sucker for 🫣 I mean come on let's be honest the best romance plots come from complicated MMCs 😂 another reason that made want to pick this up is the "fans of Sarah Adams" detail and boy am I happy to confirm if you love her books you'll love this just as much -- Sarah Adams is one of my absolute favourite authors so I didn't take this lightly. If you're looking for a summer read this year be sure to make space for this one! Hot men, puppies and photography❤️🔥🤌🏻 the banter alongside the cosy romance was so cute honestly I loved them together from their first encounter with each other so naturally I was rooting for them too. This was my first reading experience with this author and it won't be the last
Tropes
▪︎ Grumpy x sunshine
▪︎ Workplace romance
▪︎ Banter
▪︎ Forced proximity
▪︎ Career vs love
▪︎ Opposites attract
Plot Summary
Holly King, an intern at a nonprofit, is determined to win a major fundraising competition—the prize is a dream job in Scotland, far from her toxic ex. Her idea? A calendar featuring attractive men and adorable puppies. The catch? She has to team up with Jonathan Summers, the grumpy but talented office photographer. Despite a rocky (and unexpectedly flirty) start, the two race to complete the calendar in just weeks. As sparks fly and her career goals come into reach, Holly starts to wonder if something even more important is developing behind the camera.
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ALC
July 22, 2025
2.75 stars
At this point, I’m not sure if I’m the problem here, but I once again disliked the heroine of the book. Am I hallucinating, or are there more annoying characters as of late?
Look, I really tried to like Holly. But we didn’t click, like at all. And here’s why: She just thought she was so smart and special when actually, she was annoying, entitled and incompetent. Like I’m sorry, but it wasn’t all that hard to pull off the calendar thing, and she still didn’t manage it, blaming anyone but herself.
And then there was her behaviour trying to find models. So weird, if not borderline creepy. If this was a man trying to find models for his calendar fundraiser thing this way, no one would be okay with it and for good reason.
Take this as an example: Holly just casually decided to catfish guys on a dating app, chatting with them for a while pretending to be interested so they’d agree to go on a date with her, only to then spring her calendar thing on them at said date. She thought it wasn’t ideal but ultimately fine to waste their time and get their hopes up because she needed models and there’s obviously no other way to get them (there were other attempts to get models, like her chasing this one guy… I don’t want to talk about it). Her attitude really rubbed me the wrong way, she acted so blasé about it like they should be thanking her for having been given the opportunity to be part of her work project and on top of that happily volunteer their time for free. Delusional.
And sure, it wasn’t all bad. The audiobook narration was well done, it was easy to listen to and entertaining at times, but overall, Holly just pissed me off too much to actually enjoy the romance or the story as a whole.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
___
Starting my summer tbr ✨🤸♀️🌺
At this point, I’m not sure if I’m the problem here, but I once again disliked the heroine of the book. Am I hallucinating, or are there more annoying characters as of late?
Look, I really tried to like Holly. But we didn’t click, like at all. And here’s why: She just thought she was so smart and special when actually, she was annoying, entitled and incompetent. Like I’m sorry, but it wasn’t all that hard to pull off the calendar thing, and she still didn’t manage it, blaming anyone but herself.
And then there was her behaviour trying to find models. So weird, if not borderline creepy. If this was a man trying to find models for his calendar fundraiser thing this way, no one would be okay with it and for good reason.
Take this as an example: Holly just casually decided to catfish guys on a dating app, chatting with them for a while pretending to be interested so they’d agree to go on a date with her, only to then spring her calendar thing on them at said date. She thought it wasn’t ideal but ultimately fine to waste their time and get their hopes up because she needed models and there’s obviously no other way to get them (there were other attempts to get models, like her chasing this one guy… I don’t want to talk about it). Her attitude really rubbed me the wrong way, she acted so blasé about it like they should be thanking her for having been given the opportunity to be part of her work project and on top of that happily volunteer their time for free. Delusional.
And sure, it wasn’t all bad. The audiobook narration was well done, it was easy to listen to and entertaining at times, but overall, Holly just pissed me off too much to actually enjoy the romance or the story as a whole.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
___
Starting my summer tbr ✨🤸♀️🌺
November 15, 2025
This started out great, the banter is wonderful and the opposites attract was a lot of fun. The MMC grows and changes and I did enjoy his character. Around the halfway point this took a dive. It’s a fine book but definitely didn’t live up to my expectations.
What’s to love…
- Grumpy - Sunshine
- FMC staring over in a new career
- great banter
- single POV
- hot guys with dogs calendar concept was fun
What I didn’t love…
- Are MCs were older, yet their actions (esp Holly’s) felt so immature
- The most unnecessary 3rd act conflict. What even was that?
- Everything revolves around this calendar and its so important and Holly is smart and accomplished and a great planer and yet… Plans this calendar SO poorly - and then her poor planning causes an “emergency” - this was NOT it.
Audio Performance: 4/5 Solid performance. Needed to speed it up quite a bit - the pacing was rather slow.
🌶️- a few mildly explicit scenes.
3.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you NetGalley and Forever & Hachette Audio for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
What’s to love…
- Grumpy - Sunshine
- FMC staring over in a new career
- great banter
- single POV
- hot guys with dogs calendar concept was fun
What I didn’t love…
- Are MCs were older, yet their actions (esp Holly’s) felt so immature
- The most unnecessary 3rd act conflict. What even was that?
- Everything revolves around this calendar and its so important and Holly is smart and accomplished and a great planer and yet… Plans this calendar SO poorly - and then her poor planning causes an “emergency” - this was NOT it.
Audio Performance: 4/5 Solid performance. Needed to speed it up quite a bit - the pacing was rather slow.
🌶️- a few mildly explicit scenes.
3.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you NetGalley and Forever & Hachette Audio for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
April 28, 2025
Releases July 2025 - thank you NetGalley for the sneak peak!
Sunshine-Grumpy, Workplace romance. Men with dogs - need I say more? A cozy romance with heart and humour.
Holly is starting over, after leaving her lawyer days behind after a scandal left her blacklisted, she now works for an environmental non-profit as an unpaid intern. With the internship coming to an end, there is one final challenge between her and a new job and fresh start abroad for a year. Holly and 4 other interns need to compete by having fundraisers - highest profit wins the job. When all the interns pair off with other coworkers quickly - Holly is left scrambling to find someone creative to help her with her calendar idea. With no one else available, she asks the broody, grumpy web designer Jonathan to help her. With some convincing, and some tequila - and being volun-told by his boss - he’s in. But what follows is a series of ups and downs, unwanted chemistry and discovering that life is more than just having the right job, it’s about being happy.
Sunshine-Grumpy, Workplace romance. Men with dogs - need I say more? A cozy romance with heart and humour.
Holly is starting over, after leaving her lawyer days behind after a scandal left her blacklisted, she now works for an environmental non-profit as an unpaid intern. With the internship coming to an end, there is one final challenge between her and a new job and fresh start abroad for a year. Holly and 4 other interns need to compete by having fundraisers - highest profit wins the job. When all the interns pair off with other coworkers quickly - Holly is left scrambling to find someone creative to help her with her calendar idea. With no one else available, she asks the broody, grumpy web designer Jonathan to help her. With some convincing, and some tequila - and being volun-told by his boss - he’s in. But what follows is a series of ups and downs, unwanted chemistry and discovering that life is more than just having the right job, it’s about being happy.
July 3, 2025
Finding Mr July by Anne E Collins
Contemporary romance.
After a bad experience at a law firm, Holly King changes direction and takes an unpaid intern job at a nonprofit. Hoping to win a coveted job in Scotland, Holly joins a fundraising contest. She needs to partner with a photographer to be a success, but the only person left at the firm is grumpy Jonathan Summers. She convinces him to help with her pitch of hot men and their dogs on a calendar and the steamy photo shoots lead to a growing attraction between Holly and Jonathan. If she wins, she’ll go to Scotland. Which means leaving Jonathan. Is that still what she wants?
🎧 I alternated between an ecopy and an audiobook narrated by Lauren Ezzo. The performance is filled with discernible angst, passion and uncomfortable tension as the two work their way through the relationship, all of which is clearly heard and felt in the performance. There are distinct voices for the two main characters and the audiobook helps make clear their emotional journey. I did speed up the playback to 1.5 and slightly higher to be able to read along with the ecopy.
I didn’t understand her walking away from her career as a lawyer. Why not sue the law firm for defamation? But that would be a different story. Not a fan of some of the unfortunate arguments and spoken words that can’t be taken back. Forgiveness is inherent in a romance so they figure it out, but it was a bit angsty there at the end.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio.
3.5
Contemporary romance.
After a bad experience at a law firm, Holly King changes direction and takes an unpaid intern job at a nonprofit. Hoping to win a coveted job in Scotland, Holly joins a fundraising contest. She needs to partner with a photographer to be a success, but the only person left at the firm is grumpy Jonathan Summers. She convinces him to help with her pitch of hot men and their dogs on a calendar and the steamy photo shoots lead to a growing attraction between Holly and Jonathan. If she wins, she’ll go to Scotland. Which means leaving Jonathan. Is that still what she wants?
🎧 I alternated between an ecopy and an audiobook narrated by Lauren Ezzo. The performance is filled with discernible angst, passion and uncomfortable tension as the two work their way through the relationship, all of which is clearly heard and felt in the performance. There are distinct voices for the two main characters and the audiobook helps make clear their emotional journey. I did speed up the playback to 1.5 and slightly higher to be able to read along with the ecopy.
I didn’t understand her walking away from her career as a lawyer. Why not sue the law firm for defamation? But that would be a different story. Not a fan of some of the unfortunate arguments and spoken words that can’t be taken back. Forgiveness is inherent in a romance so they figure it out, but it was a bit angsty there at the end.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio.
3.5
June 25, 2025
i love me a book that features dogs!!!! this was such an adorable read. the two main characters had great banter and chemistry. i also enjoyed the career growth aspect as someone who is at the beginning of their career over here. i will say the middle slowed down a bit and had me struggling a little bit but still a fun read! i do think dual pov would have made this even better because who doesn’t love a grumpy male who’s lowkey not as grumpy as he appears lol.
holly works as an intern at a nonprofit who has to compete with her grumpy coworker jonathan in a fundraising competition. the winner will get a job offer in scotland (dream job for them both). early on, the two of them have a brief, accidental encounter which creates tension as they work together to create a calendar that features puppies for the fundraiser on a tight deadline. sparks soon begin to fly and feelings develop deeper.
audio: i enjoyed the narrator; the pacing was a bit slow so i did have to speed it up a bit. after doing so, it was great! i do prefer dual narration for both parts but overall enjoyed!
tropes: workplace romance, opposites attract, forced proximity, starting over after 30, ex photographer mmc, ex lawyer fmc, accidental sleepover, single pov
thank you to the publisher for an e-arc and alc
🐶🐾📆💋📷
holly works as an intern at a nonprofit who has to compete with her grumpy coworker jonathan in a fundraising competition. the winner will get a job offer in scotland (dream job for them both). early on, the two of them have a brief, accidental encounter which creates tension as they work together to create a calendar that features puppies for the fundraiser on a tight deadline. sparks soon begin to fly and feelings develop deeper.
audio: i enjoyed the narrator; the pacing was a bit slow so i did have to speed it up a bit. after doing so, it was great! i do prefer dual narration for both parts but overall enjoyed!
tropes: workplace romance, opposites attract, forced proximity, starting over after 30, ex photographer mmc, ex lawyer fmc, accidental sleepover, single pov
thank you to the publisher for an e-arc and alc
🐶🐾📆💋📷
July 26, 2025
As basic as a rom com could get… not in a bad way. I still very much enjoyed the book and characters. Because I would also love to run away to Glasgow with the love of my life.
July 2, 2025
I was looking forward to a cozy summer audiobook but this did not deliver. The FMC was insufferable and the MMC wasn’t much better. I was hoping to get lost in an upbeat, lighthearted, romance but unfortunately the author decided to put more focus on personal politics than her storytelling.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Finding Mr. July by Anna E. Collins.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Finding Mr. July by Anna E. Collins.
June 26, 2025
I would give this book a 3.5, it was a light and easy romance. Holly and Jonathan were both very likable and relatable characters and I really enjoyed their relationship development. The story line with the photo shoot was cute, but Holly starting over and being an intern was maybe too much of a life change. Going from a successful attorney to an unpaid intern just rubbed me the wrong way. If Holly had so much drive, why did she just give up and not fight for herself? I did get some good chuckles out of Holly's misfortunes while looking for guys with dogs. Jonathan's transition from Mr.Grumpy to totally smitten was pretty cute, but I wanted to learn more about him, his first marriage and his life as a photographer.
*Workplace Romance
*Grumpy/Sunshine
Format: audiobook, Lauren Ezzo did a great job with the narration!
Thank you to NetGalley, Anna E. Collins, and Hachette Audio for the advanced audiobook!
I'm assuming there will be a second book featuring Jude...?
*Workplace Romance
*Grumpy/Sunshine
Format: audiobook, Lauren Ezzo did a great job with the narration!
Thank you to NetGalley, Anna E. Collins, and Hachette Audio for the advanced audiobook!
I'm assuming there will be a second book featuring Jude...?
July 7, 2025
2.5 stars
Storyline was ok, thought it could have had a little more umph but it was good. I really didn’t connect with FMC and found her rude and annoying. She claims to be such a put together organized person but she fumbled this project time and time again. Found both MC pretty immature at times.
Storyline was ok, thought it could have had a little more umph but it was good. I really didn’t connect with FMC and found her rude and annoying. She claims to be such a put together organized person but she fumbled this project time and time again. Found both MC pretty immature at times.
May 26, 2025
Last year I had the pleasure of reading Anna E. Collins' Worst in Show. I found it so earnest, so sweet, so romantic, and just so moving. Needless to say, I instantly became a fan of Collins, so I have been eager to read Finding Mr. July and I am happy to report it fabulously lived up to all expectations! Finding Mr. July is a truly heartwarming, swoony, and a total delight of a read!
Protagonist Holly is looking for a fresh start, one that will fly her across the ocean to Scotland. In order to get there she first needs to prove herself in the company she interns for by winning a competition in which the best fundraising project will see one competing intern secure a full time job in Glasgow. Her idea? A calendar featuring shirtless men with their dogs. The problem? She needs a photographer. Enter her coworker who seems more shadow than person with how reclusive he is, Jonathan. But paired with Holly? A grumpy x sunshine trope you will relish!
Right off the bat Holly and Jonathan have a fun yet beguiling encounter at their work where he helps free from from a small room she accidentally gets stuck in. The next day Jonathan responds to her thanks in a sullen, distracting manner. From the start he is distant which makes needing his help an awkward matter for Holly. Nevertheless she trudges on and is able to secure his help (with some light blackmailing). All this does a wonderful job at framing their opposing personalities, ones which feel different and yet are so complementary. It makes their initial proximity really fun to witness. I was giggling and kicking my feet like crazy at the start! There were so many little details that really caught my attention, such as the way Jonathan was so clearly paying attention to Holly when she muttered things under her breath, or how tuned in he was when a quick expression on her face gave away her true feelings...he caught those moments each and every time and baah! I swoooooned! I swooned! I so love it when the love interest becomes so perceptive of the object of their affection (especially when they try their best to pretend they feel anything but affection).
The swoony, light-hearted connection develops over the course of the narrative at a wonderful pace so when it turns hot and heavy you are 100% invested in seeing them through to happily ever after. But it won't be smooth sailing. Without giving anything away, Holly is determined to win the competition and make a home in Scotland, and Jonathan has a certain situation that may not see him eager to follow. Hurdles ensue, with communication a certain factor to overcome. Communication plays a part in their relationship both building and crumbling their connection, but all of it felt very realistic. Even when I wanted to bang my head on the wall in frustration, at the same time I absolutely understood every reaction of out both Holly and Jonathan. It's quite the test Holly and Jonathan face in the final act, but its result is well earned thanks to a beautifully paced plot that carefully sets the strong foundation to a poignant romance.
I had such a joyous time reading this charming and realistic love story!
Thank you so kindly to NetGalley and Forever for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily! 4.5
Protagonist Holly is looking for a fresh start, one that will fly her across the ocean to Scotland. In order to get there she first needs to prove herself in the company she interns for by winning a competition in which the best fundraising project will see one competing intern secure a full time job in Glasgow. Her idea? A calendar featuring shirtless men with their dogs. The problem? She needs a photographer. Enter her coworker who seems more shadow than person with how reclusive he is, Jonathan. But paired with Holly? A grumpy x sunshine trope you will relish!
Right off the bat Holly and Jonathan have a fun yet beguiling encounter at their work where he helps free from from a small room she accidentally gets stuck in. The next day Jonathan responds to her thanks in a sullen, distracting manner. From the start he is distant which makes needing his help an awkward matter for Holly. Nevertheless she trudges on and is able to secure his help (with some light blackmailing). All this does a wonderful job at framing their opposing personalities, ones which feel different and yet are so complementary. It makes their initial proximity really fun to witness. I was giggling and kicking my feet like crazy at the start! There were so many little details that really caught my attention, such as the way Jonathan was so clearly paying attention to Holly when she muttered things under her breath, or how tuned in he was when a quick expression on her face gave away her true feelings...he caught those moments each and every time and baah! I swoooooned! I swooned! I so love it when the love interest becomes so perceptive of the object of their affection (especially when they try their best to pretend they feel anything but affection).
The swoony, light-hearted connection develops over the course of the narrative at a wonderful pace so when it turns hot and heavy you are 100% invested in seeing them through to happily ever after. But it won't be smooth sailing. Without giving anything away, Holly is determined to win the competition and make a home in Scotland, and Jonathan has a certain situation that may not see him eager to follow. Hurdles ensue, with communication a certain factor to overcome. Communication plays a part in their relationship both building and crumbling their connection, but all of it felt very realistic. Even when I wanted to bang my head on the wall in frustration, at the same time I absolutely understood every reaction of out both Holly and Jonathan. It's quite the test Holly and Jonathan face in the final act, but its result is well earned thanks to a beautifully paced plot that carefully sets the strong foundation to a poignant romance.
I had such a joyous time reading this charming and realistic love story!
Thank you so kindly to NetGalley and Forever for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily! 4.5
May 28, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
3.75 stars
Spice: 2/5 🌶️
Would recommend if you like:
🎥 “Must Love Dogs” 🐕
💼 Workplace romance
✍️ Katherine Center
👩❤️👨 Grumpy/Sunshine
Holly is a thirty-four-year old who is trying to pave the way for herself in a new career path. She has decided to do an occupation 180, & leave her legal career behind to pursue her dreams of becoming an environmentalist. Jonathan is also reinventing himself, while also learning how to heal from his past.
This is such a cozy, workplace romance. Don’t let that fool you though! There is still a lot of character development & personal growth that is exhibited from the main & side characters. The competition between Holly & her other coworkers really keeps the plot moving/interesting.
What I liked: 🫡
-The plot didn’t feel repetitive, & the scenery changes worked really well for me
-Bingeable read
-You slowly get to see the main characters let down their walls/open up to each other
-The humor is very natural, & plays into the different character’s personalities
-DOGGIES🐕😍
What I didn’t like: 🫢
-I wish I felt more chemistry between the characters.
-I typically like closed-door romances so I’m not the best judge of smut, but it just felt very mechanical to me (at times).
Thank you so much to Netgalley & to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the e-arc! ୨୧
3.75 stars
Spice: 2/5 🌶️
Would recommend if you like:
🎥 “Must Love Dogs” 🐕
💼 Workplace romance
✍️ Katherine Center
👩❤️👨 Grumpy/Sunshine
Holly is a thirty-four-year old who is trying to pave the way for herself in a new career path. She has decided to do an occupation 180, & leave her legal career behind to pursue her dreams of becoming an environmentalist. Jonathan is also reinventing himself, while also learning how to heal from his past.
This is such a cozy, workplace romance. Don’t let that fool you though! There is still a lot of character development & personal growth that is exhibited from the main & side characters. The competition between Holly & her other coworkers really keeps the plot moving/interesting.
What I liked: 🫡
-The plot didn’t feel repetitive, & the scenery changes worked really well for me
-Bingeable read
-You slowly get to see the main characters let down their walls/open up to each other
-The humor is very natural, & plays into the different character’s personalities
-DOGGIES🐕😍
What I didn’t like: 🫢
-I wish I felt more chemistry between the characters.
-I typically like closed-door romances so I’m not the best judge of smut, but it just felt very mechanical to me (at times).
Thank you so much to Netgalley & to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the e-arc! ୨୧
July 20, 2025
Holly is starting over in her life after ditching her lawyer job and her double-crossing boyfriend. Now, she's killing it at an internship and competing for a full-time position. The only problem is she has to rely on the help of Jonathan Summers, the office grump.
This was such a cute romcom! Here's what I loved:
Holly: I really loved Holly. She is working on herself and trying to find who she wants to be even though she's a little older. I also adored the relationship with her brother. It's such a real sibling relationship. They aren't perfect and they bicker all the time. But at the end of the day, they are always there for each other.
Jonathan: He's the perfect grumpy character. He's been dealt a really bad hand in life and is just kind of coasting. It takes Holly to really make him come alive again. This is a slow burn but I think that really helps with who he is as a character.
The spice and the humor: These were my two favorite things in this. The spice was a perfect amount. With that, this book has so many funny moments. Holly is working towards getting a charity calendar together and some of the situations with the men are just so funny.
All in all, this is such a good romcom!
Thank you to Forever Publishing for the gifted copy!
This was such a cute romcom! Here's what I loved:
Holly: I really loved Holly. She is working on herself and trying to find who she wants to be even though she's a little older. I also adored the relationship with her brother. It's such a real sibling relationship. They aren't perfect and they bicker all the time. But at the end of the day, they are always there for each other.
Jonathan: He's the perfect grumpy character. He's been dealt a really bad hand in life and is just kind of coasting. It takes Holly to really make him come alive again. This is a slow burn but I think that really helps with who he is as a character.
The spice and the humor: These were my two favorite things in this. The spice was a perfect amount. With that, this book has so many funny moments. Holly is working towards getting a charity calendar together and some of the situations with the men are just so funny.
All in all, this is such a good romcom!
Thank you to Forever Publishing for the gifted copy!
July 7, 2025
This is a cute office romance. Holly needs a new start, her ex used her to get her position, she doesn't have her own apartment, her love life is non existent, she currently is an intern but everything finally seems to be going her way. She just needs to win this last competition and she will get a position in Scotland - a completely new beginning. The story is funny, cute and full of hot guys and adorable puppies.
I listened to the audiobook and that was perfect. The narrator was exceptional good at transporting the emotions. She is really good at working with her voice.
I listened to the audiobook and that was perfect. The narrator was exceptional good at transporting the emotions. She is really good at working with her voice.
July 21, 2025
This was such a cute read and a great listen! I loved the concept, and men with dogs? Who can resist? I really enjoyed this second chance, coming-of-age type of story, with the second chance coming in the form of Holly starting fresh in a new career and figuring out what truly lights her up. The calendar project was such a fun setup, and her dynamic with Jonathan was everything I love in a grumpy and sunshine pairing. He’s quiet and broody, but from the moment he helps her out of that locked room, there’s this slow burn connection that had me hooked. I absolutely swooned over how tuned in he was to her, catching every little expression and muttered thought like he couldn’t help but pay attention. Their chemistry built at just the right pace, and when things turned up the heat, it felt earned and so satisfying.
Lauren Ezzo was a great narrator and really took on the character of Holly in an authentic way.
Lauren Ezzo was a great narrator and really took on the character of Holly in an authentic way.
June 27, 2025
⭐️Releases July 1st⭐️ ARC from Net Galley
Finding Mr. July by Anna E. Collins was a 3.5 Star read for me. It had the perfect romance formula with so two of my favorite tropes: Office Romance & Grumpy/Sunshine! Plus a super honorable mention to all the doggos!🤩
Finding Mr. July follows Holly, an ex corporate lawyer turned environmental non-profit intern, as she is competing in the intern fundraising competition for the coveted full time position in Scotland. When Holly decides a steamy nature calendar featuring hunky men and adorable doggos is the route she wants to take in this competition she realizes she needs to partner up with the office grump, Jonathan. And it’s safe to assume that the calendar isn’t the only thing that steams up in this book. 😉
I had such a fun time reading this book! In a romance world full of recycled plot points, Finding Mr. July’s plot was unique and original. The characters were all so richly developed, even the minor ones! And the writing style was very easy to read.
I think it can be really easy to write a formulaic romance especially in today’s book world, but Anna really took the time to delve deeper into these characters to give us a book that encapsulates what it feels like to have to unexpectedly start over and how that might not necessarily be a bad thing.
This book is perfect for a light fun read. I think people who read Sarah Adams, Abby Jimenez, or Katherine Center would eat this up. And if you love dogs then just pick it up asap bc the doggos in this book are adorable. 🥹🐶
Finding Mr. July by Anna E. Collins was a 3.5 Star read for me. It had the perfect romance formula with so two of my favorite tropes: Office Romance & Grumpy/Sunshine! Plus a super honorable mention to all the doggos!🤩
Finding Mr. July follows Holly, an ex corporate lawyer turned environmental non-profit intern, as she is competing in the intern fundraising competition for the coveted full time position in Scotland. When Holly decides a steamy nature calendar featuring hunky men and adorable doggos is the route she wants to take in this competition she realizes she needs to partner up with the office grump, Jonathan. And it’s safe to assume that the calendar isn’t the only thing that steams up in this book. 😉
I had such a fun time reading this book! In a romance world full of recycled plot points, Finding Mr. July’s plot was unique and original. The characters were all so richly developed, even the minor ones! And the writing style was very easy to read.
I think it can be really easy to write a formulaic romance especially in today’s book world, but Anna really took the time to delve deeper into these characters to give us a book that encapsulates what it feels like to have to unexpectedly start over and how that might not necessarily be a bad thing.
This book is perfect for a light fun read. I think people who read Sarah Adams, Abby Jimenez, or Katherine Center would eat this up. And if you love dogs then just pick it up asap bc the doggos in this book are adorable. 🥹🐶
July 11, 2025
Book Review ✨🧨💙
Thank you so much @readforeverpub for the gifted copy!
Finding Mr. July
by Anna E. Collins
About the book 👇🏽
Intern Holly King knows there are pros and cons to everything, including competing in her nonprofit’s big fundraising competition.
The Pros:
* Winning means a full-time job at the new office in Scotland
* Scotland is thousands of miles away from her toxic ex-boyfriend
* Her pitch includes PUPPIES! Lots of ‘em!
The only con? Working with Jonathan Summers. But if Holly wants her calendar of hot, outdoorsy guys and their dogs to win against everyone else’s fundraising ideas, she’ll need Jonathan’s undeniable talent as a photographer…even if he is the office grump.
🧨 My thoughts:
This was such a fun story! The whole calendar (hot) men plus dogs has to be the most fun summer book idea ever! I absolutely loved Worst in Show last year and had no doubt I would feel the same way about this one. And I did. My favorite part of this story though, has to be the message that it’s never too late to restart. Things don’t change, if things don’t change. Sometimes the direction you took no longer serve you and it’s up to you to find the things that do now! At the end of the day, at the end of this life, can you say that you are fulfilled? PLUS life is better when there’s dogs around! If you enjoy a light grumpy x sunshine, workplace romance, and adorable dogs, you should definitely read this. Oh, and I’d prioritize reading it this month because… it’s July!
Happy reading 📖🧨✨💙
Thank you so much @readforeverpub for the gifted copy!
Finding Mr. July
by Anna E. Collins
About the book 👇🏽
Intern Holly King knows there are pros and cons to everything, including competing in her nonprofit’s big fundraising competition.
The Pros:
* Winning means a full-time job at the new office in Scotland
* Scotland is thousands of miles away from her toxic ex-boyfriend
* Her pitch includes PUPPIES! Lots of ‘em!
The only con? Working with Jonathan Summers. But if Holly wants her calendar of hot, outdoorsy guys and their dogs to win against everyone else’s fundraising ideas, she’ll need Jonathan’s undeniable talent as a photographer…even if he is the office grump.
🧨 My thoughts:
This was such a fun story! The whole calendar (hot) men plus dogs has to be the most fun summer book idea ever! I absolutely loved Worst in Show last year and had no doubt I would feel the same way about this one. And I did. My favorite part of this story though, has to be the message that it’s never too late to restart. Things don’t change, if things don’t change. Sometimes the direction you took no longer serve you and it’s up to you to find the things that do now! At the end of the day, at the end of this life, can you say that you are fulfilled? PLUS life is better when there’s dogs around! If you enjoy a light grumpy x sunshine, workplace romance, and adorable dogs, you should definitely read this. Oh, and I’d prioritize reading it this month because… it’s July!
Happy reading 📖🧨✨💙
August 5, 2025
Good overall...Too much spice for me.
🌷The story overall was nice. I enjoyed the main characters and their personalities.
🌷It was funny in a sarcastic way in most cases and the minor characters around out well and genuinely added to the story.
🌷My biggest thing was the spice it felt unnecessary and once the first scene occurred it became a huge focus for them and I felt that it took away from the main plot.
🌷Spice: 4: Open door: Chap to skip: 22 23, and 33.
🌷Language: 4: Frequent useGood overall...Too much spice for me.
🌷The story overall was nice. I enjoyed the main characters and their personalities.
🌷It was funny in a sarcastic way in most cases and the minor characters were well-rounded and genuinely added to the story.
🌷My biggest thing was the spice it felt unnecessary and once the first scene occurred it became a huge focus for them and I felt that it took away from the main plot.
🌷Spice: 4: Open door: Chap to skip: 22 23, and 33.
🌷Language: 4: Frequent use
🌷The story overall was nice. I enjoyed the main characters and their personalities.
🌷It was funny in a sarcastic way in most cases and the minor characters around out well and genuinely added to the story.
🌷My biggest thing was the spice it felt unnecessary and once the first scene occurred it became a huge focus for them and I felt that it took away from the main plot.
🌷Spice: 4: Open door: Chap to skip: 22 23, and 33.
🌷Language: 4: Frequent useGood overall...Too much spice for me.
🌷The story overall was nice. I enjoyed the main characters and their personalities.
🌷It was funny in a sarcastic way in most cases and the minor characters were well-rounded and genuinely added to the story.
🌷My biggest thing was the spice it felt unnecessary and once the first scene occurred it became a huge focus for them and I felt that it took away from the main plot.
🌷Spice: 4: Open door: Chap to skip: 22 23, and 33.
🌷Language: 4: Frequent use
July 6, 2025
Two colleagues both trying to prove themselves are forced to work together on a charity project that could mean winning a workplace exchange in Scotland for a year. I really loved the premise of this grumpy x sunshine romance that starts off with a one night stand, then has co-workers Holly and Jonathan becoming friends and more as they track down candidates for a outdoor men and their dogs calendar. I enjoyed this way more than I was expecting and thought it made for a fun light hearted read. The PNW/Seattle vibes were strong, the men and their dogs were varied and cute and the relationship between Holly and her brother was heartwarming. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Rachel Lynn Solomon. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 8, 2025
What is not to love with this romantic comedy about a lawyer starting over, a brooding photographer who needs a fresh start, and an environmental nonprofit contest that leads them together in a photo shoot between men and their dogs. I love the internal conflict about career success over happiness and how our families are important, but we can’t allow ourselves to lose sight of who we are in the process. Love the workplace drama, strong foils, and women supporting women throughout it all. If you love a happy ending that involves dogs, workplace drama, and second chance happiness, this is your book!
April 17, 2025
At 34, Holly is in the middle of a huge career change. After working as a lawyer with long hours and lots of stress she’s now switching to the nonprofit arena. Currently in competition with four other interns for an exciting opportunity in Scotland, Holly has to come up with a fundraiser idea that will make the most money. She’s forced to work with silent, grumpy and brooding Jonathan. But the more she gets to know him the less grumpy he seems. As they grow closer the Scotland job becomes a point of contention. What will they do if Holly wins?
This books was so fun! Filled with adorable dogs, hot men, and cozy characters. Jonathan was so sweet once you got past his grumpy exterior. And I appreciated that Holly was brave enough to try something new at 34. It’s never too late to do something that fills your soul. I absolutely adore all of Anna’s books so you should read them! Her writing is captivating and it truly transports you into the world of her characters.
Shirtless men
Cute dogs
Office romance
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This books was so fun! Filled with adorable dogs, hot men, and cozy characters. Jonathan was so sweet once you got past his grumpy exterior. And I appreciated that Holly was brave enough to try something new at 34. It’s never too late to do something that fills your soul. I absolutely adore all of Anna’s books so you should read them! Her writing is captivating and it truly transports you into the world of her characters.
Shirtless men
Cute dogs
Office romance
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2025
First of all thank you to Anna E. Collins, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me early access to this audiobook! All opinions in this review are my own.
I ate this shit UPPP.
Its about Holly, a bad ass lawyer who was forced to leave her firm. To find a new challenge she join a nonprofit for a fundraiser. To make a chance at a move to Scotland!
She wants to make a calendar with sexy men and adorable puppies. BUTT she needs a photographer and a creative designer. That’s where the divorced Jonathan comes in.
The office grump who gets pulled out of his shell by holly her bright and bubbly persona.
What will happen when she falls inlove with Mr July a potential move in the future?
THIS BOOK HAS A 3RD ACT BREAKUPPP
I loved this. Its just so damn cute with the puppies and the men of course. I also loved Jonathan his claustrophobia representation. This was such a great book and such a cosy read. I wish I could have read this in the fall.
I ate this shit UPPP.
Its about Holly, a bad ass lawyer who was forced to leave her firm. To find a new challenge she join a nonprofit for a fundraiser. To make a chance at a move to Scotland!
She wants to make a calendar with sexy men and adorable puppies. BUTT she needs a photographer and a creative designer. That’s where the divorced Jonathan comes in.
The office grump who gets pulled out of his shell by holly her bright and bubbly persona.
What will happen when she falls inlove with Mr July a potential move in the future?
THIS BOOK HAS A 3RD ACT BREAKUPPP
I loved this. Its just so damn cute with the puppies and the men of course. I also loved Jonathan his claustrophobia representation. This was such a great book and such a cosy read. I wish I could have read this in the fall.
June 30, 2025
Fun, cutesy, summery. Exactly what you want to read this time of year. Nothing too serious, just sweet with a little spice. Loved it! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audio copy of this book!
July 20, 2025
4.5⭐️
Overall the premise of this book was so cute, I mean who doesn’t love cute guys with even cuter puppies. I did at some points find the fmc a little annoying, but she did have redeeming traits. This was definitely a fun summer read!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Forever for giving me this ALC in exchange for my 100% honest review!
Overall the premise of this book was so cute, I mean who doesn’t love cute guys with even cuter puppies. I did at some points find the fmc a little annoying, but she did have redeeming traits. This was definitely a fun summer read!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Forever for giving me this ALC in exchange for my 100% honest review!
July 5, 2025
First off, Johnathan you freaking suck. I don’t care if Holly could get over it because I personally could never.
I really struggled to get through this audiobook, for me it was frustrating all the way through. The constant dates with men are perfect examples of why I hate men, and Johnathan only added to that!!!!!!! I wish there was less conflict with finding models, that part of the plot felt annoying and retold too many times. I didn’t really feel the chemistry between them other than maybe just needing to release some sexual tension. Because at the end of the story, I truly don’t understand how they got together. He really let ME down as the reader.
The audiobook narration was a bit hard for me to get into. The way the story is told and the speed had me confused at times where we were in the story.
Thank you Hachette Audio for the free copy!!!
I really struggled to get through this audiobook, for me it was frustrating all the way through. The constant dates with men are perfect examples of why I hate men, and Johnathan only added to that!!!!!!! I wish there was less conflict with finding models, that part of the plot felt annoying and retold too many times. I didn’t really feel the chemistry between them other than maybe just needing to release some sexual tension. Because at the end of the story, I truly don’t understand how they got together. He really let ME down as the reader.
The audiobook narration was a bit hard for me to get into. The way the story is told and the speed had me confused at times where we were in the story.
Thank you Hachette Audio for the free copy!!!
May 31, 2025
Finding Mr. July is about Holly, a 34 year old intern who has recently chosen a new career path after being somewhat forced out of her previous career as a lawyer. Competing for a coveted position in Galway in a fundraising competition at her company--and thus a chance to start over--she finds she must team up with Jonathan, a taciturn coworker who she accidentally hooked up with at a company party when the contest for the Galway position was announced. Holly and Jonathan work together to create a fundraising calendar of handsome men with their dogs.
The writing is very engaging, and I found myself blowing through this book quickly. It is on par with other contemporary romances out there, with funny quirks sprinkled throughout.
Without spoiling what happens, my biggest issues are that Holly and Jonathan are extremely unlikeable. I was intrigued that Holly was around the same age as me, but she acted like a child any time she did not get what she wanted. She frequently lied to men, by creating a profile on a dating website in order to recruit them to pose for the calendar. She also essentially uses Jonathan for the first 40% of the book as a photographer for her calendar despite him obviously starting to develop feelings for her. Additionally, I detested how the two of them agreed on a "no strings attached" fling, but when push came to shove, she basically coerced Jonathan into a corner to pose for the calendar in an honestly icky way to get what she wanted.
Jonathan, unfortunately, isn't much better. He is endearing at the beginning as a man who is also looking for a career change as a disgraced photographer. However his "grand gesture" to Holly at the end just demonstrates that the two are as graceless as two people can be when they don't get what they want.
Finally, it seemed like there was an underlying theme hinting at voyeurism/reversing gender roles/gender equality in this book. Jonathan made a comment about "what women have to go through on dates," and Ava, Holly's niece, was very angry at the prospect of being relocated to a state which she likened to Gilead. I found these comments off-putting in the context of Holly's pursuit of the calendar, in which she often asked men to take their shirts off, not to mention lying on her dating profile as a recruiting method for the calendar. I am all for discussing these themes in books. They are important, but after the stunt with Jonathan posing in the calendar, I felt that the theme was explored inadequately and inconsistently.
Overall, this book showed promise, but my issues with the characters really impacted my enjoyment of it.
Thanks to Forever Publishing for letting me read this early as an arc.
The writing is very engaging, and I found myself blowing through this book quickly. It is on par with other contemporary romances out there, with funny quirks sprinkled throughout.
Without spoiling what happens, my biggest issues are that Holly and Jonathan are extremely unlikeable. I was intrigued that Holly was around the same age as me, but she acted like a child any time she did not get what she wanted. She frequently lied to men, by creating a profile on a dating website in order to recruit them to pose for the calendar. She also essentially uses Jonathan for the first 40% of the book as a photographer for her calendar despite him obviously starting to develop feelings for her. Additionally, I detested how the two of them agreed on a "no strings attached" fling, but when push came to shove, she basically coerced Jonathan into a corner to pose for the calendar in an honestly icky way to get what she wanted.
Jonathan, unfortunately, isn't much better. He is endearing at the beginning as a man who is also looking for a career change as a disgraced photographer. However his "grand gesture" to Holly at the end just demonstrates that the two are as graceless as two people can be when they don't get what they want.
Finally, it seemed like there was an underlying theme hinting at voyeurism/reversing gender roles/gender equality in this book. Jonathan made a comment about "what women have to go through on dates," and Ava, Holly's niece, was very angry at the prospect of being relocated to a state which she likened to Gilead. I found these comments off-putting in the context of Holly's pursuit of the calendar, in which she often asked men to take their shirts off, not to mention lying on her dating profile as a recruiting method for the calendar. I am all for discussing these themes in books. They are important, but after the stunt with Jonathan posing in the calendar, I felt that the theme was explored inadequately and inconsistently.
Overall, this book showed promise, but my issues with the characters really impacted my enjoyment of it.
Thanks to Forever Publishing for letting me read this early as an arc.
May 3, 2025
This book started out really strong. I found the premise really interesting - having a "disgraced" lawyer finding her new way with a new career, and then finding out the main male character had a similar "fall from grace". For about the first 40% of the book I was all in. I loved the banter between Holly and Jonathan, I thought his character was compelling, I loved Holly's relationship with her family and Rachel.
Where it started to fall off a little for me was the hot guy calendar. I realize that it makes me sound like early Jonathan, but I felt like the emphasis on finding "hot guys" was just over done. My biggest issue overall was the 3rd act conflict felt really immature and easily avoidable. Overreactions happened, some of the dialogue felt out of character on both ends and it really just felt forced. I also didn't love that Holly basically insinuated through most of the book that she didn't have a ton of respect for Jonathan unless he was his prolific photographer self. Instead of feeling supportive, it felt like a condition? I just wish there had been a bit of a deeper dive in their relationship.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Where it started to fall off a little for me was the hot guy calendar. I realize that it makes me sound like early Jonathan, but I felt like the emphasis on finding "hot guys" was just over done. My biggest issue overall was the 3rd act conflict felt really immature and easily avoidable. Overreactions happened, some of the dialogue felt out of character on both ends and it really just felt forced. I also didn't love that Holly basically insinuated through most of the book that she didn't have a ton of respect for Jonathan unless he was his prolific photographer self. Instead of feeling supportive, it felt like a condition? I just wish there had been a bit of a deeper dive in their relationship.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 30, 2025
This started out great. I loved that both characters were really starting over.
I enjoyed the relationship between the FMC, her brother, and her niece. It felt like a genuine and heartfelt relationship. I was also more interested in the chemistry with the brother and another character.
As the story went on, it felt like the FMC was taking advantage of the MMC a lot throughout the story. She often pressured him into doing the things she wanted. She was so desperate to leave and start over, I wonder if she really cared about the job.
I also felt that there were some major and obvious ideas that were never considered. Why not team up with a dog shelter to take the photos of adoptable dogs and "hot guy" volunteers? Especially when they struggled to find doggy & dad duos. I dislike the idea of the fundraiser competition being the thing that determined who got the job. Didn't their internship mean anything? What happens if someone who wasn't suited for the job was able to raise the most money?
I couldn't stop thinking of these hurdles and I couldn't get over them.
The narrator was good. I did have to listen at a faster speed. I enjoyed listening to the story and enjoyed the emotion that was out behind the narration.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC.
I enjoyed the relationship between the FMC, her brother, and her niece. It felt like a genuine and heartfelt relationship. I was also more interested in the chemistry with the brother and another character.
As the story went on, it felt like the FMC was taking advantage of the MMC a lot throughout the story. She often pressured him into doing the things she wanted. She was so desperate to leave and start over, I wonder if she really cared about the job.
I also felt that there were some major and obvious ideas that were never considered. Why not team up with a dog shelter to take the photos of adoptable dogs and "hot guy" volunteers? Especially when they struggled to find doggy & dad duos. I dislike the idea of the fundraiser competition being the thing that determined who got the job. Didn't their internship mean anything? What happens if someone who wasn't suited for the job was able to raise the most money?
I couldn't stop thinking of these hurdles and I couldn't get over them.
The narrator was good. I did have to listen at a faster speed. I enjoyed listening to the story and enjoyed the emotion that was out behind the narration.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC.
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