April was a good reading month in quantity and a bit of a mix in what I enjoyed. I completed ten books and there were two that knocked it out of the park. The rest I mostly liked but fell short to push them into the “loved-it” range. I continue to be a moodier reader and I am sure that has a lot to do with what I am enjoying (or not enjoying) the most of. As I finally finish writing this post here at the 3rd week of May, it seems unfathomable that I read 10 books in April as May has been nothing like that. April had lots of sitting – in cars, on planes, at gates and elsewhere. I just finished my first book of May, it will be a very short write up this month.
Here is what I read in April.
Start at the End – Emma Grey
This is my 3rd Emma Grey novel and probably my favorite. Although Pictures of You is up there. In her latest release, Audrey and Fraser meet and fall deeply in love. And I am not saying anything else as I want it to unfold as blindly for you as it did for me. There is a point where my brain almost exploded. 🤯🫣
You are going to see themes of love, friendship, grief & loss, survival and hope. I would warn against reading too many summaries of this one, you will have a much richer reading experience if you don’t know too much. If you have ever pondered the What Ifs in life, this one is for you.
Grey has grown as a writer over the course of her three novels and her strengths at compelling plot twists, strong character development and a knack for making a story unputdownable have only gotten better over time.
🍷🍷🍷🍷1/2
Dolly All the Time – Annabel Monaghan
Annabel Monaghan doesn’t disappoint. I have been the moodiest of all moody readers this year and she just provided the most fun I have had with a book in quite some time. Her sharp, witty banter is combined with endearing characters that feel like a best friend and her latest is no exception. Dolly will do just about anything to help her family, and that is exactly what happens when a solution appears to a very big problem for her. Is everything in this book just a tad not plausible and a tiny bit absurd? Yes, 100%. But that is what my soul needs right now and Monaghan delivers. Pop the popcorn and get ready to fall in love with Stewart and Dolly as they will not disappoint.
🍷🍷🍷🍷1/2
How to be Okay When Nothing is Okay – Jenny Lawson
I am not sure what I was expecting with this one, but this wasn’t quite it. Nevertheless I still felt like Lawson hit it out of the park with her stark humor and relatable anecdotes and wit while tackling difficult topics such as depression and more.
🍷🍷🍷🍷
The Last Love Note – Emma Grey
This was my 2nd Emma Grey novel and I believe it was her debut. Now that I have completed all 3, I can say it was probably my least favorite but it certainly was still a good book. I think reading them a bit out of order as to when published illustrates to me how far her writing has evolved and what a talented writer she has become. Here we meet Kate, a still grieving window of two years that has a chance on a business trip, free of distractions, to see what is truly important to her.
🍷🍷🍷1/2
Good Joy, Bad Joy – Mikki Brammer
Joy is 89 and finally coming into her own as she decides to see what actually will happen if she stops following all the rules and breaks them here and there. Coupled with her old friend Hazel, this is a journey of a deep friendship and a reflection of life. I did switch back and forth between print and audio and did enjoy the narration quite a bit.
🍷🍷🍷1/2
Go Gentle – Maria Semple
This one was so far out there and all over the place. I was somewhat entertained, I liked it, but I didn’t love it.
🍷🍷🍷1/2
Mad Mabel – Sally Hepworth
Definitely felt different than past Hepworth books, I love when authors branch out a bit. This is a sharp, dark comedic mystery/suspense that will keep you turning the pages. I went back and forth on audio and digital and enjoyed them both.
🍷🍷🍷1/2
How to Write a Love Story – Catherine Walsh
3.5 Cute slow-ish burn romance as Sam is sent to help Ciara get the last book in her late father’s series published. Felt believable enough, was cute and charming.
🍷🍷🍷1/2
Crash Into Me – Robinne Lee
Dual timeline that is very different than the author’s first book. The is much more of a look at cultural norms and issues and overall it was just ok for me. I had both the digital ARC and audio for Crash Into Me and I have to say that while I appreciate the sentiment of the author wanting to narrate her own book, I think it would have been a better choice to have someone else do it. The audio narration didn’t work for me at all, it was rough and distracting and I had to switch to reading the digital.
🍷🍷🍷
The Shippers – Katherine Center
Again, I had both the audio and copy of this ARC and switched back and forth. I’ve been a big Katherine Center fan and this was a highly anticipated title of the year for me. I was quickly drawn in as Jojo walks away from the alter in the first pages. After that, it was just ok for me. I enjoyed it but really did expect more. I found our MC silly and immature and completely unrealistic. I did think the audio narration was good and it did add to the story.
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