What I Read: April Reads, Ratings, and Book Reviews
Welcome to my very first book review of the year: April reads, ratings, and reviews. In case you missed it … I decided to do an end of year recap of my favorites instead of my usual report for November and December of last year. I did this to minimize efforts going into the holiday season (particularly because my corporate job was requiring me a little bit more than usual).
My Q1 2024 Reading Update
Q1 2024 was a bit of chaos for me getting back into a routine. I only read two books. That said, in April life started making a bit more sense. I had a new, organized home, work started aligning a bit more, and after getting my library organized (an article on that coming soon!) I was so happy to get back into reading!
My 2024 Reading Goals
I’m looking forward to reading in 2024, but, unlike last year, I am going into it without a particular number of books goal in mind. Last year, I worked HARD to get to 52 books in 52 weeks (as inspired by this group I had found online)! I was proud to make it, but I will admit it ended up causing me to read because I had to rather than for it to be an outlet, which I hated.
This year I am focusing on things I enjoy and ignoring my Capricorn urge to make everything into a competition. Sooo … no reading goal, but that doesn’t mean I won’t share my books and reviews with you!
April Reads by the Numbers
In April, I read a total of 4 books:
Book formats:
- Paperback: 3
- Hardback: 1
- Kindle: 0
Types of books:
- Romcom: 2
- Unclassified Fiction: 2
All The Books I Read in April 2024
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
5 Stars | Romcom
While I do recommend reading Part of Your World before (you can see my review here!), this book can be read and enjoyed on its own. You just may not pick up on some of the fabulous eggs scattered throughout.
Emma and Justin have something in common – every person they date ends up meeting their PERSON right after dating them. Could dating one another break the curse?
This book was perfect and got me out of my multi-month reading slump. If you need a spicy, laugh out loud summer read, this is the perfect book for you.
Magnolia Parks by Jesse Hastings
3 stars | RomRa (Romance Drama)
For Fans of: Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, The Clique series
This book was one trainwreck I couldn’t look away from … and immediately purchased the second in the series when finished. The relationships are toxic, the writing is mediocre … but you’ll instantly become obsessed with this British version of Gossip Girl.
Daisy Haites by Jesse Hastings
3.5 stars | RomRa (Romance Drama)
If you are rating based on writing style, you may severely disagree with my rating of this novel. That said, Daisy >>>>> Magnolia when it comes to MC action, and she’s a total badass which hooked me from the start. It’s so rare that readers like the second MC more than the first this much … I’m bummed I have to go read another Magnolia book before I can go back to Daisy!
Daisy is the younger sister of a famous crime lord in England (they call her the “princess of London’s most notorious family”). All she wants is to live a normal life … but she can’t do that without leaving the country.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
4.5 Stars | RomCom
When Daphne’s fiance decides to call off their engagement to start dating his childhood best friend, Petra, Daphne has nowhere to go … and ends up moving in with Petra’s ex boyfriend, Miles. When the two of them get invited to Petra and Peter’s wedding (right after moving in together) Daphne decides to make a scene … and convince their exes that she and Miles are now an item.
This book is half fake dating, half forced proximity gold, and while it involved one of my LEAST favorite romcom themes (bad communication … like just send a text!!) it still managed to win my heart. The spice scenes may be my fav of any EmHen to date!!!! While this book was fabulous, my favs still remain Book Lovers followed by Beach Read.
