A Summer Reading Reflection
There’s something sacred about the right book at the right time. This summer, I dove into four wildly different reads—each one tugging at a different part of me. From psychological suspense to soulful self-discovery, from old Hollywood glamour to raw real-life resilience, here’s my honest take on The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson.
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The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Read if you love: Plot twists, domestic suspense, and binge-worthy drama
This book is a ride. The Housemaid drops you into the life of Millie, a down-on-her-luck woman who accepts a job too good to be true—and of course, it is. What starts as slow-burning tension quickly escalates into jaw-dropping chaos. You’ll think you know what’s going on… and then you won’t.
What I loved: The pacing is lightning fast. Just when I thought I could set it down, another twist pulled me back in. Millie is imperfect and raw, which makes her feel strangely relatable, even when the plot goes off the rails.
What didn’t work for me: Some of the character decisions felt over-the-top, and the final twist walks the line between brilliant and really? But if you’re in it for the drama, you’ll eat it up.
Overall vibe: Gossip Girl meets Gone Girl—messy, fun, and full of secrets.
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Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
Genre: Personal Development / Spirituality
Read if you love: Mindfulness, life advice with heart, and big-picture thinking
Jay Shetty’s voice is calm, kind, and purposeful—like the best version of your inner voice. In Think Like a Monk, he shares lessons from his time living as a monk and how they apply to the modern world. From managing ego to cultivating gratitude, it’s both inspiring and grounding.
What I loved: The book is rich in practical tools—breathing exercises, journal prompts, mindset shifts. Jay doesn’t just talk about peace; he teaches you how to build it. And it’s not preachy—it’s encouraging.
What didn’t work for me: Some ideas felt familiar if you’ve read a lot in the self-help genre. But his framing makes them feel fresh and personal.
Overall vibe: A deep exhale in book form.
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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance
Read if you love: Complex women, Hollywood nostalgia, and morally grey stories
This book shattered me—in the best way. Evelyn Hugo is a fictional silver-screen icon who sits down with a young journalist to finally share the truth behind her life, loves, and yes—her seven husbands. But it’s not about men. It’s about power, identity, sacrifice, and love in all its tangled forms.
What I loved: The storytelling is masterful. Evelyn is fierce, flawed, and unforgettable. I found myself underlining entire passages just for the wisdom tucked between the drama.
What didn’t work for me: The ending hits hard, and while powerful, it may feel abrupt for some readers.
Overall vibe: Old Hollywood glamour meets soul-searching memoir. Come for the drama, stay for the truth.
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Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson
Genre: Memoir / Mental Health
Read if you love: Authentic storytelling, teenage perspective, and hope through hardship
Written by a teenager who survived multiple suicide attempts, Definitely Better Now is raw, unfiltered, and full of heart. Ava Robinson doesn’t sugarcoat her story—but she also doesn’t drown in it. She offers readers a look inside mental illness from the inside out, with honesty and courage beyond her years.
What I loved: This book doesn’t try to be polished—it’s powerful because it’s messy. Ava’s voice is clear and true, and I found myself rooting for her on every page.
What didn’t work for me: At times, the structure felt more like a stream of thoughts than a formal narrative—but that actually made it feel more real and intimate.
Overall vibe: A brave, necessary story that reminds us healing is nonlinear, and worth it.
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Final Thoughts
These books couldn’t be more different—and that’s exactly what made reading them back-to-back so powerful. The Housemaid kept me guessing. Think Like a Monk helped me slow down. Evelyn Hugo cracked my heart open. And Definitely Better Now reminded me why voices—especially young ones—matter.
If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to hear what you thought. Or if you need a recommendation, you know where to find me.
