Thank you to Forever and Anna Collins for this ARC.

As a dog mom, I adore that Anna Collins always includes dogs in her novels; it seriously speaks to my soul. Finding Mr. July is a cute, fun, and heartwarming story, with the perfect blend of grumpy and sunny energy, and mid-30s workplace romance vibes.

The banter is top-notch, and I absolutely loved the MMC. He actually communicated (like, full sentences and emotions), and it made the chemistry sizzle even more. The single POV kept things tight and character-driven, and the pacing never dragged.

The one downside? The third-act conflict felt forced, and the resolution a bit off. But honestly, the sweet, satisfying ending made up for it.

📚 What to expect:
🐶 Hot guys with dogs
🌞 Grumpy x sunshine
💼 Workplace romance
❤️ Real communication
👀 Single POV

If you're into cozy, chemistry-filled reads with heart (and dogs), this one's for you.

The perfect book to kick off your summer reading. The banter is wonderful and has a great opposites attract trope. The MMC shows growth and changes for the better throughout the book and I enjoyed his character.

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 must team up with Jonathan, a taciturn coworker who she accidentally hooks up with at a company party when the contest for the position is announced. Holly and Jonathan work together to create a fundraising calendar of handsome men with their dogs.

The writing is very engaging, and I read this book quickly. It is consistent with other contemporary romances out there, with funny jokes and quirks sprinkled throughout.

Without spoiling what happens, my biggest issues are Holly and Jonathan as characters. I was intrigued that Holly was around the same age as me, but it bothered me how Holly treats Jonathan for the first 40% of the book, seeming to use him for his photography skills despite him obviously starting to develop feelings for her. I also felt conflicted about the way Holly treats Johnathan once the calendar's deadline is compromised, as well as what Johnathan does to resolve the issue.

As a character, Jonathan 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 is not victimless, which sends the wrong message given the fundraising purposes of their calendar and competition in the first place.

Finally, I got the sense that there is an underlying theme hinting at the way that American society treats men vs. women in this book. Both Johnathan and Ava, Holly's niece, make comments that highlight issues that women face in American society. I found these comments a little bit off-putting in the context of Holly's pursuit of the calendar, in which she often asks 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 themes about gender and equality in books. I applaud the author for taking this on in a unique way and by reversing the male gaze. These issues are important to bring up in an accessible and marketable way. However, after the way Johnathan "resolves" the calendar deadline issue--particularly at Holly's behest, I felt that the theme was explored inconsistently to make the impact that might have been intended.

Overall, this book showed promise, but my issues with the characters impacted my enjoyment of it. I recognize this might be a personal preference issue, and with the right reader, this book would check all the boxes.

Thanks to Forever Publishing for letting me read this early as an arc.

Okay, this was too cute!
A young woman trying to find her way at a new company. A grumpy sunshine trope...who could resist?
Great characters, a cute, engaging story.
A fun July read!

What a great summer read! Holly is a former lawyer working at GCL, a nonprofit, after leaving her law firm in disgrace. She is so grateful to her friend for helping her land this job, and feels like this is her one shot at redemption. So when the opportunity comes up for a fundraising competition between the interns to get a promotion she is all in. Things get complicated when the person she needs to work with to succeed is a grumpy creative type who she drunkenly hooked up with at work once. Holly isn’t going to let that stop her as she pushes to try to achieve her goal. Except as she gets to know Jonathan, the appeal of getting promoted and moving to another country starts to feel less appealing. A quick fun read, with so much heart! I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

This was such an adorable book! The writing was great, I could visualize things that were happening so well, which is rare for me when I read! Grumpy coworker, fresh start, workplace competition, such a fun story!

I absolutely loved *Finding Mr. July* by Anna E. Collins! It’s the perfect summer read—fun, heartfelt, and full of charm. This story has all the ingredients of a great romance: a grumpy, swoon-worthy guy, a woman on a journey of self-discovery, and—of course—adorable dogs!

I especially loved watching Jonathan open up to Holly. The way they supported and challenged each other made their relationship feel authentic and meaningful. There was just the right amount of steam, too—enough to keep things spicy without overpowering the story.

This book is ideal for tossing in your beach or pool bag and getting completely swept away. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this delightful story!

Doesn't everyone love a calendar with puppies? Well, maybe not everyone but you get the idea. But do you know how hard it is to create that calendar? Holly sure didn't when she proposed it as the fundraiser she hopes will get her the job overseas. She starting over, having left her job as an attorney, as an unpaid intern (this is a tad implausible) and she's struggling a bit. Enter Jonathan, the web wiz who reluctantly agrees to help her. This is a sunshine (Holly) grumpy (Jonathan) workplace rom com with good banter and a heart. Of course there is a third act problem but fans of the genre know that's just a speed bump. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A light fun read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and alc.

If you loved Worst in Show by Anna E. Collins, or are even a new fan of hers, I highly recommend Finding Mr. July! The best part? There are even more adorable dogs (and men!) featured in this book! Furthermore, Lauren Ezzo dazzles as the sole audiobook narrator, and her voice is truly mesmerizing. If you are looking for a swoon-worthy book to read this summer, look no further than this book!

Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - May 24, 2025
Publication Date - July 1, 2025

*I received an E-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @aeccreates, @readforeverpub and @netgalley!

Finding Mr. July is one of those books with a great first line! Anna Collins is the queen of making me laugh on page one. This is a fun rom-com that was perfect to read after a bunch of romantasy books. I liked seeing how Holly brought out a different side of sweet and grumpy Jonathan. Finding Mr. July has scenes that feel like a comfort rom-com movie you watch over and over! Anna, I have to know, where can I get this calendar? Better yet, where can I get some of the men and their dogs from the calendar? If you love romance, dogs and workplace competitions, you should try this book!

Get excited to read Finding Mr. July, available July 1! 🎉

*Please check trigger warnings*

Holly needs a fresh start.

Her job and relationship imploded, and now she's hoping this internship will mark the beginning of her next phase of life. If she can win the big fundraiser and get a job in Glasgow, then she knows everything will be all right.

Anna E. Collins creates a fully realized woman in Holly. It's nice to see because not all rom-coms allow their main characters to be so actualized. Holly is open and honest about everything and an open book as she meets new people.

Those traits are extra confounding for Jonathan, the office grump, when she sets her sights on him to work with her on said fundraiser.

I loved how Collins gave Holly and Jonathan their own 'dark' pasts to overcome and found ways to make them both open, yet flawed in their approach to sharing and evolving.

It's a really fun read, and the humorous moments peppered in through the photo shoots are also fun.

"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.

Holly, in her thirties, is rebuilding her life and chasing a new career in environmentalism after ending her time in law. Starting fresh as an intern, she crosses paths with Jonathan, who’s also navigating a new chapter and facing old wounds. They’re forced to work together on a project and forced proximity and witty banter ensue.

This is a warm, workplace rom-com with a classic grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic. The story offers meaningful character growth and personal journeys for everyone involved.

4.5 stars rounded up. Exactly the adorable, lighthearted read I needed right now. Twelve months’ worth of dog photoshoots and a broody, pining photographer? Sign me up. It’s a fun spin on the workplace romance, and just the right blend of Hallmark hijinks mixed with real-world problems and emotions. I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Forever and Hachette Book Group for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing the ARC.

This book was a fun, cute read that works if you're not looking for anything too serious.

The story itself is not bad, although there are several moments where I felt like it dragged. There is a lot of time dedicated to finding people to pose for the calendar, and despite the book being called Finding Mr. July, which I felt like speaks to being a larger piece of the plot, there is little mention of it and any issues are resolved quickly.

My biggest issue was actually with Holly's characterization. She comes across as very immature in her interactions with people despite her age and her previous career. A lot of the time I felt like it was necessary to skim over some of the scenes with her because she was a hard character to read about and a lot of her actions physically made me cringe.

Not a bad book per se. It's still an enjoyable read, even with the aforementioned issues. But I think it could have been better with a strong editing and revision process.

4 stars

This was fun! I really enjoyed seeing the MMC come out of his grumpiness and I loved the storyline of the FMC leaving behind law and starting from scratch as an intern. The early steam to then working together to falling in love while simultaneously finding/rediscovering their passions and tackling their fears was a good progression and felt relatable. My only qualm is they never mentioned the concern about dating in the workplace from an HR standpoint and from the obvious power imbalance with her being an intern. And I wish we learned more about the MMC's first marriage.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

As a dog lover, I can't resist a book with dogs. Holly is an elder intern as she is starting a new career. As an intern there is a challenge that she must compete to earn a spot in Glasgow. She ends up asking help from the office grump, Jonathan. Office romances are a lot of fun and they had great banter.

The story sort of lost my interest when they started looking for models. I am not sure why they didn't use a message board or go to a dog park for potential models. I felt that they both acted a bit immature for people in their 30s.

The 3rd act breakup felt over the top and made me dislike Holly. Despite some things I didn't enjoy, the dogs added a cute aspect. I really liked Sir Leonard.

Lauren Enzo did a good job with the narration with different voice for the male parts.

Thank you @reasforeverpub @hachetteaudio for a copy of this.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

A romance with dogs, that’s an auto yes for me! I loved Anna’s last book and this one was just as great. As a PNW girlie myself, I loved all the local vibes this book has. It’s so fun when books are based near you. I really enjoyed the relationship dynamics of all the characters in this book, just felt like you’re hanging out with friends. Loved the concept and so fun watching Holly trying to convince 12 hot guys and their dogs to join her cause.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Holly is starting over after an incident with an ex ends her career as a lawyer. She has found passion and loves working for an environmental nonprofit, there is an opportunity to be a program liaison for the Glasgow office. If she gets this job she’ll be working on preservation of the Celtic rainforest and leaving the Seattle office behind.

But before she gets the job she has to win the office competition, she’s facing off against four others. Holly has 6 weeks to plan and execute a fundraiser. She gets a limited budget and can team up with one creative from the office. The only problem is her competition took all the good creatives and she’s stuck working with the office grump, Jonathan.

Holly comes up with the idea of a calendar featuring a dog and a guy each month. Now she has to get 12 guys to commit to being featured and the pictures to the printer in 18 days. Thankfully Jonathan has a messy job past of his own and is secretly an amazing photographer. They are the perfect duo and if anyone can pull this off it’s them. But as they spend more and more time together the chemistry between them flares and lines are crossed. But time is ticking the printer deadline is near and Holly will be moving to Glasgow.

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Fundraiser Competition For Dream Job
* Ex Lawyer FMC - Starting Over
* Ex Photographer MMC - Office Grump
* All the Dogs! 🐾
* Claustrophobia Rep
* Forced Proximity - Work Calendar Project
* Opposites Attract
* Seattle, WA - PNW Vibes
* Slow Burn w/ Spice
* Single POV

🐾📸🗓️💕 🐾📸🗓️💕 🐾📸🗓️💕🐾

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.

tropes: workplace romance, opposites attract, forced proximity, starting over after 30, ex photographer mmc, ex lawyer fmc, accidental sleepover, single pov

Finding Mr July is a really cute grumpy sunshine, workplace romcom with plenty of hot men, cute dogs, witty banter and steamy romance. I am a mood reader and this is perfect for those times you just want to read something fun and easy. It’s a quick read that, despite the title and July 1 pub date, is not holiday specific. I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters Holly and Johnathan but I also loved their friends Jude and Rachel and I hope we get a book with their story.
I enjoyed this book as an immersive read thanks to Hachette Audio and Forever Pub.