I enjoyed this romance audiobook which was fabulously narrated bringing the characters and adventures to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy.

Finding Mr. July is a bright, breezy read with a fun premise and characters that are easy to root for. It blends small-town charm, romantic tension, and a few unexpected emotional beats that give it a bit more depth than your average rom-com. There’s humor, heart, and enough flirtation to keep things moving, even if some parts were a little predictable. If you’re craving a feel-good summer escape with a calendar-worthy hero, this one delivers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars
Rated PG-13 for language, sexual content, and suggestive themes.

Finding Mr. July very is funny. I found myself rooting for Holly from the jump. She’s starting over, and not in the cute-glow-up-on-TikTok way—she’s clawing her way through it, facing obstacle after obstacle, and the book doesn’t sugarcoat that. Her arc felt so emotionally honest that even when I wanted to shake her, I was still in her corner.

The premise is classic rom-com: Holly's big fundraising idea (hot guys and dogs, obviously) has her working with the office grump, Jonathan. Their forced collaboration turns steamy fast, and the calendar chaos keeps things moving. The romance takes a backseat at times to Holly’s personal growth, which actually worked for me, until the end rushed it all back together with a handwave and a shrug.

Writing-wise, Collins keeps things brisk and charming. It doesn’t linger too long in any one emotional beat, which helps the humor shine but sometimes underserved the relationship payoff. There’s a lot of "tell" in the resolution and not enough "show."

As for tropes: we’ve got grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and an underdog career redemption story. All solid. But the emotional climax between Holly and Jonathan lacked the communication or accountability that makes those tropes satisfying. He messes up big—like, job-costing big—and instead of apologizing meaningfully, he...gets her the job back and calls it good? I mean sure, but I wanted more accountability.

Character-wise, Holly’s arc is the star. Jonathan’s arc, if it exists, happens off-page. The book skips over the messy, uncomfortable conversations that would make their reunion believable. I wanted more from him—more regret, more vulnerability, more of a reason to forgive him - her words were hurtful, but his accountability was lacking and his sympathy for the stress she was under at that moment was non-existent.

Audiobook note: the narrator (new to me) was fantastic. She gave Holly a vibrant, distinctive voice that brought her optimism and flailing determination to life. I’ll be actively seeking her out in future listens.

Such a cute story!!

Holly is a former lawyer attempting to write a new chapter in her life by entering a nonprofit competition. She is thrown together with Jonathan, a broody photographer. As the two grow closer through their work on the project, both realize that they might have more to offer one another after hours ...

I enjoyed spending some time in Holly's and Jonathan's world ... definitely time well spent.

This book was so much fun to read and listen to. There are puppies, dogs, lots of chemistry and sweet moments.

Holly is starting over after her career as a lawyer didn’t go as planned; she is now working as an unpaid intern at a nature conservation company. This company is having a competition to win a paid position for their company in Scotland; they just have to come up with an idea to raise the most funds. I loved seeing the idea come to play for their project. The slow burn, and slow unraveling of the multi layers of these characters kept me so engaged into the story. It’s a fun heartwarming story.

The audiobook is narrated by Lauren Ezzo. She did a great job voicing the characters. I thought the tone and pacing was great.

Sunshine - Holly (check)
Grump - Jonathan (check)
Rom-Com (check)
Workplace Romance (check)
Animal - dogs (check)
Narration - Lauren Ezzo (check and check)

I loved this book and the vibes that Holly and Jonathan gave out. But no matter how good things got, there had to be a 3rd act break-up (which made me want to slap someone for not getting all the information first) and it resolved itself well. I didn't think that this person would pull their heads out of their... well, you know... long enough for there to be a HEA, but... it happened and I'll say, it was worth the wait.

This is the first (and not the last for sure) of the books I've read by Ms. Collins. I'm so glad that I was given the opportunity to listen to the wonderful voice of Lauren Ezzo by NetGalley and the publisher.

Finding Mr. July by Anna E. Collins is such a sweet, heartwarming read—I absolutely loved it. The story has the perfect mix of slow-burn romance, witty banter, and genuinely touching moments that kept me smiling the whole way through. The writing is smooth and engaging, and the characters are brought to life in a way that feels natural and authentic. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between Holly and Jonathan—it’s both funny and tender, and the emotional growth between them felt so real. Both protagonists' characters have depth, flaws and the interactions between all characters are believable. If you’re looking for a well-written, feel-good romance with a lot of heart (and dogs!), this one’s definitely worth picking up. I'd also definitely recommend the audiobook version, the narrator brings the characters' personalities to life effortlessly and believably. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of the audiobook for me to review.

Intern Holly King enters a nonprofit’s fundraising competition, aiming to win a dream job in Scotland—far from her toxic ex—and pitches a calendar featuring hot men and adorable puppies. The catch? She has to work with grumpy but talented photographer Jonathan Summers, and their chemistry proves distracting. As their professional partnership deepens and unexpected personal chemistry emerges, Holly begins to reassess her priorities, contemplating whether personal fulfilment may extend beyond career advancement.

I had a lovely time listening to this book, the characters are flawed and flawed and do some rather stupid things but in a very relatable, human way. I feel like this is a great summer romance for reading or listening to on holiday when you want something fun and engaging but nothing too deep or life changing. It was sweet and I thought that the calendar project worked really well to create structure and pacing throughout the book.

The audiobook was very well done, the narrator has a smooth voice that was very relaxing to listen to and she did the male voices & accents well. I often struggle with single pov romance books in audio format but really felt that the narrator captured the emotions of Jonathan so well in her tone and delivery of his dialogue.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC.
Finding Mr. July was a cute and fun read! Intern Holly King enters a fundraising competition that could land her a dream job in Scotland—far from her toxic ex and filled with puppies. To win, she must team up with grumpy but talented photographer Jonathan Summers, despite their rocky (and steamy) start. As sparks fly and the project heats up, Holly begins to question if her career goals are the only thing worth chasing.
Listening Speed 2x
Narrator: Lauren Ezzo
Feedback: Her voice is smooth, expressive, and so easy to listen to! I believe this was my first time listening to her narrating a story but hopefully it won't be my last!

Great book. I enjoyed the characters and their vulnerabilities. I will be looking for more from the author..

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the advanced listener copy of Finding Mr. July by Anna E. Collins!

Holly is an intern competing in her non-profit’s fundraising campaign and the winner gets a full-time job at the new office in Scotland. In order to execute her plan, she needs to work with Jonathan who’s the photographer. The plan is to create a calendar with outdoorsy guys and their dogs. Holly and Jonathan are on a tight timeline and their partnership starts to development into something more.

I really enjoyed the narrator of this audiobook - a great selection who did a great job with both MCs. I enjoyed how the book was structured/played out based upon the print deadline. Holly and Jonathan have great chemistry throughout the story which kept me engaged.

If you enjoy a workplace romance, this is one to check out.

Finding Mr July Honest ARC Review:

Right from the start, the banter is everything! The narrator’s do a fantastic job.

Holly is in a competition with other interns at an environmental nonprofit and is in need of a creative mind to help her with her project. Enter Jonathan, the grumpy recluse from work.

As the two work on Hollys project together, they get to know one another and open up about past setbacks. Through vulnerability, the two experience growth and overcome obstacles in a heartwarming and romantic way.

Smokin’ hot chemistry only makes this storyline better. This is definitely one to add to your TBR!

⭐️Grumpy Sunshine
⭐️Office Romance
⭐️ Slow Burn

Oh the love of office romance. Absolutely enjoyed this read. Can't go wrong when you throw in pups and men. Two of my favorite things. Also add competition in the mix and you have me hooked.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

This was such a sweet sweet story. Holly is an intern starting over after her law career goes bust. A competition, strict deadlines, and an ultra grumpy photographer make for an amazing story. There’s a whole cast of characters that make this a well rounded book. There is some spice, well written and appropriately placed. Five stars and would read more from this author

Finding Mr. July by Anna E. Collins is a cute and easy listen that makes for a cozy escape. The story has a sweet charm and you genuinely root for the characters to figure things out and end up together. Their connection feels natural and the pacing keeps things light and enjoyable.

Lauren Ezzo brings great energy to the narration with a warm and engaging tone that fits the story perfectly. Her performance adds depth without overpowering the gentle, romantic feel of the book.

I’d give this audiobook 3.75 out of 5 stars. It’s a feel-good romance that’s easy to enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of the audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

#FindingMrJuly #AnnaECollins #NetGalley #HachetteAudio

This is a fun, entertaining read. I loved the characters – both human and animal. The romance is captivating and enjoyable. I loved the character growth and the family/friends aspects of the story. This book captured my attention from the start and held it until the very end. The story is easy to read and get into

I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What a fun rom com from Anna Collins. She has all the good elements. Can’t wait to read more.

Two people with opposite approaches must work together to earn their dream jobs in this charming contemporary romcom—perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon and Sarah Adams

This was a light, enjoyable romcom. I listened to it as an audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator. I think this would have been a better as a duet but overall I thought the narrator did an excellent job. The chemistry between the two main characters was very evident in the narration and it was easy to follow along. The was not a lot of depth to the plot, but overall it was an easy listen. I would read or listen to more from this author.

Cute romcom with some spice. The story grabbed my interest immediately but dragged on a little at the end. I loved the characters and the world they created.

I absolutely adored this book. I've read a few books from Anna now and I love how she builds her characters and their relationships but this one felt extra special. I loved the characters back stories and how they eventually connected. Trying not to give any spoilers but it felt honest and real. The quirkiness of the calendar plot and doggy photoshoots gave the book that nice rom-com feel without being too cheesy or too emotional. I'm not even a dog person but I love how each owner/dog relationship felt unique to the situation. Even the last adoption felt perfect for the plot.

Jonathan was the perfect brooding, MMC and I love his growth the most. A great book for a cozy, summer weekend.

Thanks so much to Hachette Audio, Anna E Collins and Netgalley for the ALC I attest that I am leaving my review honestly and voluntarily.