What I Read in April 2024

Oh April, you were a strange and glorious month. I spent the majority of the month in recovery from surgery and then had to find my way back into a solid routine. I still am very impressed that I read this number of books! I am so ready for Summer reading. I feel like I’ve been saying it since February at this point but this Summer girl is so ready for all the beach reads.

I think my favorite book this month was Ready or Not by Cara Bastone. I loved the pacing of it and it was the first physical book i read in a while. It felt nice to put away technology, even an e-reader and feel a book in my hands. I also really loved my re-read of Happy Place. I loved it last year but I think I loved it even more this year. It’s a book that makes me feel seen. I think it’s interesting how so many people will say something is “unrealistic” in books…there are definitely things that can happen that wouldn’t happen in the real world. But when it comes to characters making choices about their future, I don’t think anything can truly be off the table because you’re not walking in their shoes. But maybe I’m just sensitive. Alas! What was your favorite read from April?

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

This was such a delightful surprise. I wasn’t too sure if this author and I would mesh again, but this book was so good. It’s about a Rom Com writer who is recruited to help a big time film writer revamp his first Rom Com. It’s witty, fun, and full of tension.

Serendipity by Becky Chalsen

While I liked this book, I didn’t love it. It felt like there was too much going on and didn’t fall into the Romance genre in my opinion. Fun setting, but I felt like we were never there.

Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

This book is as delightful as everyone says. It’s the perfect NYC setting and explores so many human emotions. Love, infertility, friendship, second chances. It surprised me! I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop but it didn’t. There was an easy way to write this story but the author didn’t choose the easy way. It’s so worth the read!

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

I needed a book that would hook me quickly and keep me interested. YA thrillers always do that for me! I really liked this book. I am still unsure about the ending. I guess I felt like there wasn’t a real answer to what happened…but maybe that’s the appeal!

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

The hype is real with this book and it will make you swoon and cry. TW for suicide and sibling death.

Savor It by Tarah Dewitt

If you love romance with an emotional edge, I think you’ll really enjoy this book! I loved the banter and thought it was top notch. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry!

Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong

This book was truly so much fun to read. It’s about a woman who wants to publish a book it keeps getting rejected. So after one drunken night, she slaps a male sounding pseudonym on it with an MFA attached and all of a sudden the book is in a bidding war. So she hires an actor to play “her” which quickly spins out of control. It’s a rom com with banter and a dreamy setting and sexy moments but also addresses sexism in the publishing industry.

Happy Place by Emily Henry (reread)

I loved this book even more the second time. I see a lot of criticism on this book being slow or unrealistic, but it’s a story that feels like home to me. I love it.

Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor

This book was cute! I was attracted to the story because it was set at a Shakespeare camp in Connecticut! I worked at the American Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, CT before it was tragically burned down by arsonists. I did the audio and it was a fun, summery read that explored social anxiety, growing up, coming of age, and understanding ourselves.

One Last Summer by Kate Spencer

Quick, fun, emotional, and tender. Loved the idea of a week of adult summer camp!