June 2026 Reading Wrap-Up: 4 Fantasy and Romantasy Books I Read
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June was a smaller reading month for me, but it still delivered a strong mix of fantasy, romantasy, dark magic, and series continuations. I finished four books this month: The Primal of Blood and Bone, Light Wielder, The Book of Azrael, and The Wolf King.
Even though June was not one of my biggest reading months, it was an important one because it pushed me past the lower end of my original 2026 reading goal. By the end of June, I had read 33 books in 2026, which means I officially surpassed my original goal of reading 30 books, and I am now well on my way toward the upper end of my 30 to 40 book target.
My June 2026 Reading Stats
Books read in June: 4
Books read so far in 2026: 33
Original 2026 reading goal: 30 to 40 books
Main June reading mood: dark fantasy, powerful magic, emotionally intense romance, and immersive fantasy worlds
After reading 4 books in January, 8 in February, 7 in March, 6 in April, and 4 in May, these 4 June books brought my yearly total to 33. That means I officially hit and passed my original minimum goal halfway through the year.
I love when a reading plan actually works.
The 4 Books I Read in June 2026
1. The Primal of Blood and Bone by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I started June with The Primal of Blood and Bone, which brought a big dose of epic fantasy romance energy to the month.
Jennifer L. Armentrout books always feel like an event read, especially when you are already invested in the world and characters. This one gave June an intense, high-stakes opening and fit perfectly into the romantasy-heavy reading year I have been having so far.
This was the kind of read that makes a month feel dramatic right from the beginning, with powerful characters, emotional tension, and the kind of fantasy stakes that keep you fully locked in.
Read this if you enjoy:
- epic romantasy
- powerful heroes and heroines
- high emotional stakes
- fantasy worlds with ongoing lore
- series that are easy to get invested in
2. Light Wielder by Rachel Schneider
Next, I read Light Wielder, which brought me back into Rachel Schneider’s Fire & Metal world after reading Metal Slinger earlier in the year.
I always love when a series shows up again in a later monthly wrap-up, because it gives my reading year a sense of continuity. Instead of every month feeling disconnected, I get to see which books and worlds stay with me enough that I want to keep going.
Light Wielder was one of those reads that felt both familiar and exciting. It carried forward a story I had already started, while still giving June its own unique reading identity.
Continue with this if you enjoy:
- fantasy romance
- sequel momentum
- strong magical elements
- immersive character-driven fantasy
- continuing a series you already loved
3. The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
I also read The Book of Azrael, which added a darker and more intense fantasy feel to the month.
This one brought a more dramatic and powerful energy into my June stack, and it fit beautifully with the overall mood of the month. By this point, it was clear I was leaning into fantasy books with strong emotional tension, darker aesthetics, and larger-than-life stakes.
This is exactly the kind of book that makes a reading month feel rich, immersive, and a little addictive.
Add this to your TBR if you enjoy:
- dark fantasy romance
- powerful magic
- emotionally intense storytelling
- morally complex characters
- books with a dramatic fantasy atmosphere
4. The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman
I finished June with The Wolf King, which was a strong way to close out the month.
This book fit so well with the overall tone of my June reading. It brought another fantasy-forward story into the mix and kept the month grounded in magical worlds, tension, and character-driven stakes. Even though I only read four books in June, they all felt aligned in mood, which made the whole month feel especially cohesive.
There is something very satisfying about a smaller reading month where every book still feels like it belongs together.
Read this if you enjoy:
- fantasy romance
- wolves or animal symbolism in fantasy
- moody, immersive worlds
- high emotional tension
- books that fit a magical, slightly darker reading mood
June’s Reading Theme: Dark Fantasy, Magic, and Series Momentum
Looking back, June had a really clear identity.
My June reading included:
- one major romantasy continuation
- one sequel that connected back to an earlier favorite
- one darker fantasy read
- one fantasy romance with a moody, immersive feel
Compared to April and May, June felt a little more dramatic and fantasy-heavy. It was not a high-volume reading month, but it was a very on-brand one for me: fantasy worlds, emotional stakes, ongoing series, and books that felt immersive from start to finish.
I also love that June continued several reading threads from earlier in the year:
- Light Wielder followed Metal Slinger from January
- The Primal of Blood and Bone continued my ongoing love of big romantasy worlds
- The Book of Azrael and The Wolf King kept me firmly in my fantasy romance era
A Big 2026 Reading Challenge Milestone
One of the biggest takeaways from June is that I officially passed my original 30-book reading goal.
At the start of the year, my goal was to read 30 to 40 books in 2026. Reaching 33 books by the end of June means I have already surpassed the lower end of that goal with half the year still ahead of me.
That also means I now have room to think of 40 as my true target, and maybe even start considering a stretch goal beyond that.
My 2026 Reading Challenge Progress
| Month | Books Read |
|---|---|
| January | 4 |
| February | 8 |
| March | 7 |
| April | 6 |
| May | 4 |
| June | 4 |
| Total | 33 |
To reach 40 books, I now need to read only 7 more books during the remaining six months of the year.
That feels very doable, and honestly, I may end up needing to raise the bar again.
Complete June 2026 Reading List
- The Primal of Blood and Bone by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- Light Wielder by Rachel Schneider
- The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
- The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman
What Did You Read in June?
Did your June reading lean more fantasy, romantasy, or something completely different? And are you more likely to prioritize sequels, or are you always chasing the next new world?
Tell me which of these books you would pick up first, and save this June 2026 reading wrap-up for the next time you need a fantasy or romantasy recommendation.