April 2025 Reads
Somehow, April came and went in a blink and honestly, I’m still trying to figure out where those 30 days went.
Thankfully, spring is finally here. This time of year always fills me with a fresh sense of hope: for summer, for life in general, and for everything my winter brain had been quietly suppressing for the past several months.
One bookish highlight from the month: I had the chance to attend the Midwest Literary Walk in Chelsea, where Shelby Van Pelt, author of Remarkably Bright Creatures, hosted a Q&A. It was really cool hearing her talk about her writing process, the inspiration behind the story, and all the fun facts she learned about octopuses along the way. If you haven’t picked up her book yet, I highly recommend it!
Otherwise, there’s some pretty exciting news I’m not quite ready to share yet, but definitely will in next month’s reading round-up. So stay tuned!
Now, let’s dive into everything I read in April.
*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG by Julie Soto
Rating: 5/5 stars
Summary: Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne are both musical prodigies, but each has had very different paths to success. Xander was born into classical music royalty, while Gwen had a natural ear for music that was nurtured by a kind shop owner. After Gwen performs at his friend’s wedding, she’s mortified when she realizes Xander has no clue who she is—despite having worked together for a year at the Pops Orchestra. But she’s more furious that he arrogantly critiques her performance. When Gwen is offered the role of First Chair of the orchestra, something Xander had secretly coveted for years, their existing hostility goes up a notch. But their respect for each other's music is undeniable, and their onstage chemistry off the scale. As they begin to explore their feelings for one another, suddenly they're box office dynamite and the fragile romance that's growing between them is in danger of being crushed beneath a publicity stunt...
My Thoughts: After a March filled with non-fiction, thrillers, and a couple of chunky fantasies, the romance reader in me was STARVING, and this book ATE. It was fresh, electric, and completely unlike anything I’ve read in the genre lately. Gwen Jackson is a brilliant violinist with an unconventional background - no fancy training, just raw talent and lessons from the owner of a small local music shop. Now performing with the city orchestra, she’s doing everything by the book… until Xander Thorne enters her life. He’s a musical prodigy and the bassist of one of Gwen’s favorite bands, and from the moment they meet, everything changes. The tension between these two? Absolutely PALPABLE. Every interaction crackles, not just with words but with music. Their connection when they play together had me SCREAMING. The chemistry was unreal, and I could not get enough of watching Xander be so fuckin gone over this woman. This is easily one of the best enemies-to-lovers arcs I’ve read in a hot minute. Even if you’re not musically inclined (I’m not), the way the author conveys emotion through their performances is breathtaking. You feel the music, the longing, the passion in every scene. If you’re a music lover or just want a romance that feels totally different from the usual, this one is a must-read. I loved Julie Soto’s Forget Me Not, but I was salivating over this one.
Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken
SILVER IN THE BONE by Alexandra Bracken
Rating: 3.75/5 stars
Summary: Born without a trace of magic, Tamsin Lark is no match for the sorceresses and Hollowers who populate the magical underground of Boston. But when the only parent she’s ever known disappears without so much as a goodbye, she has no choice but to join in their cutthroat pursuit of enchanted relics to keep herself—and her brother, Cabell—alive. Ten years later, rumors are swirling that her guardian found a powerful ring from Arthurian legend just before he vanished. A run-in with her rival Emrys ignites Tamsin’s hope that the ring could free Cabell from a curse that threatens both of them. But they aren’t the only ones who covet the ring. As word spreads, greedy Hollowers start circling, and many would kill to have it for themselves. While Emrys is the last person Tamsin would choose to partner with, she needs all the help she can get to edge out her competitors in the race for the ring. Together, they dive headfirst into a vipers’ nest of dark magic, exposing a deadly secret with the power to awaken ghosts of the past and shatter her last hope of saving her brother. . . .
My Thoughts: Okay, I won’t lie. My expectations for this book weren’t super high since I grabbed it for like $4 at an Ollie’s Bargain Outlet in my hometown lol. But once I started the audiobook, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly it pulled me in. Tamsin and her brother Cabell have only ever known life as Hollowers—magical treasure hunters who retrieve powerful, often cursed artifacts hidden in ancient places. Though most Hollowers are magic-wielders, Tamsin wasn’t gifted with the Sight. Still, her guardian Nash raised her as a Hollower-in-training. Ten years after Nash mysteriously disappears, Tamsin learns he was hunting down a legendary enchanted ring tied to King Arthur lore. That discovery kicks off a dangerous race between her and her rival Emrys to find the ring—a relic that could be the key to breaking a curse threatening her and Cabelll. This book is jam packed with magical constructs—from Arthurian legends to present-day Hollowers and sorceresses—so you have to pay close attention to keep track of everyone’s role. The first third of this story had me hooked. I loved getting to know the characters, watching their dynamics unfold, and tracking the different stages of their treacherous quest. Once the group entered Avalon, though, the pacing dipped for me. There were still battle scenes, some scheming, and solid character development, but I found myself getting a little bored. Thankfully, the final third picked the pace back up with a strong dose of action and emotional turmoil—I may or may not have gotten a little misty-eyed whilst listening in the car lol. Overall, this book felt like a refreshing addition to the fantasy genre. It bounced between a 3.5 and 4-star read for me the whole way through (so let’s call it a 3.75). That ending definitely left me wanting more, and I’m excited to see what the next book brings.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
LISTEN FOR THE LIE by Amy Tintera
Rating: 5/5 stars
Summary: What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter? Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all and, if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. But after Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life. But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast Listen for the Lie and its too-good looking host, Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one who did it. The truth is out there, if we just listen.
My Thoughts: If you’re even remotely into audiobooks, do yourself a favor and listen to Listen for the Lie in that format. It is absolutely ADDICTING. Lucy hasn’t set foot in her hometown since rumors started spreading that she was the one who murdered her best friend, Savvy. The case was never solved, but now it’s being picked up by a wildly popular true crime podcast, thrusting Lucy’s name back into the spotlight. As if that wasn’t enough, her grandmother guilt-trips her into coming home for her 80th birthday celebration. Returning to Plumpton, Texas is the last thing Lucy wants, but when the podcast’s host, Ben Owens, reaches out, something shifts. Instead of avoiding the media storm, she agrees to an interview and decides it might finally be time to dig into what really happened that night. Maybe even recover the memories she’s blocked out. This story is unputdownable. The narrative seamlessly switches between Lucy’s present-day perspective, flashbacks from the past, and transcripts from Ben’s podcast episodes. The tension builds beautifully - I never knew who to trust, and the mystery surrounding Savvy’s death kept me hooked until the very end. You also get a deeper look into Lucy and Savvy’s friendship, which adds so much emotional depth. There’s also a light romantic subplot that adds just the right amount of warmth, but I won’t give away any spoilers lol. If you're a fan of true crime podcasts, twisty thrillers, or stories that will live rent-free in your brain, Listen for the Lie is an absolute must-read.
Wild Love by Elsie Silver
WILD LOVE by Elsie Silver (Rose Hill #1)
Rating: 4/5 stars
Summary: The kind of wild that comes with wanting your best friend's little sister and knowing you can't have her. Forbes may have labeled Ford Grant the World's Hottest Billionaire, but all he cares about is escaping the press and opening a recording studio in gorgeous small town Rose Hill. Something that comes to a screeching halt when he ends up face-to-face with a young girl who claims he's her biological father. Now, he spends his days balancing business with parenting a sullen twelve-year-old, all while trying desperately to keep his hands the hell off his best friend's sister, Rosie Belmont. After living in the city, Rosie came blasting back into town like a storm. Beautiful, messy, and chaotic. And one wide-eyed, desperate plea for a job is all it takes for Ford to hire her. He vows to keep her at arm's length. Tries to stick to scowls and grumpy one-liners. But with her, verbal sparring is a type of foreplay―friction that soon turns to blistering heat. Ford knows damn well he shouldn't cross this line. But shouldn't and can't are two very different things. And the only thing he truly can't do is resist her.
My thoughts: Elsie Silver really knows how to write a swoon-worthy country boy romance. If you've been cowboy curious but aren’t quite ready to go full YEEHAW, this book strikes the perfect Goldilocks balance. At the center of it all is Ford Grant, a billionaire music producer retreating from the spotlight to build a recording studio in the quiet, remote town of Rose Hill. He’s not exactly a grump, but he is all business and tough to crack until his world gets turned upside down. First, a 12-year-old goth girl shows up claiming to be his biological daughter. Then, Rosie Belmont, his childhood crush and the woman he’s been secretly pining for, returns to town after more than a decade away. Suddenly, Ford’s juggling a surprise daughter, his booming business, and unresolved feelings for Rosie, who’s also navigating major life changes of her own. She’s just ended a long-term relationship and is unsure of her next steps, both professionally and personally. Watching Ford and Rosie reconnect was so freaking lovely. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their opposite personalities played perfectly off each other. Rosie’s vibrant, impulsive energy against Ford’s calm, controlled demeanor makes for a compelling and often hilarious dynamic. The spice level? Muy caliente. And Ford’s emo daughter provides top-tier comedic relief throughout. If you're in the mood for a romance with small-town charm, emotional depth, and just a touch of cowboy flavor, this book is a perfect pick.
Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver
WILD EYES by Elsie Silver (Rose Hill, #2)
Rating: 3.75/5 stars
Summary: A rugged mountain town seemed like the perfect escape from a life in shambles. But on day one I ran full tilt into the world’s hottest single dad and now all my plans are ruined. As a chart-topping country singer with a recent streak of bad press, it’s hard to find any peace. But I find it in Rose Hill. With a little boy and a little girl who steal my heart just as thoroughly as their dad. Weston Belmont. The man is a shameless flirt. He oozes confidence and masculinity in a way that’s downright distracting. And in bed? He’s addictive. Everything with him is wild and impulsive and I’m desperate to regain some control. But no one has supported me like West does. And no one has ever made me feel as loved as he does either. So, while my brain says settling down with a small-town horse trainer is impossible… my heart says I’m right where I belong. Still, my life as a celebrity haunts me. It has the power to pull us apart. I can see in his eyes that wants me to stay. And I want that too. But I know better than anyone that we don’t always get what we want.
My Thoughts: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m picky about the single-dad trope. It can either be heart-melting perfection or way too cheesy. This book landed somewhere in between, but in the best way possible. Weston Belmont is the golden retriever of the series. He’s always smiling, endlessly energetic, and beloved by everyone in town. So when country pop star Skylar Stone escapes her high-profile life and ends up in the quiet town of Rose Hill, it’s no surprise that Weston is the first person she meets. While Weston has his own inner struggles, the heart of this story really belongs to Skylar. Having grown up in the spotlight, she’s never had the space to figure out who she is outside of her fame. This book is as much about her self-discovery and confidence-building as it is about the romance. Weston’s two kids completely stole the show for me though. His six-year-old daughter is lovingly referred to as “feral,” and she is pure, tiny chaos in the most enjoyable way. His son, the quiet bookworm, is her complete opposite, and together they bring both sweetness and laugh-out-loud moments that balance out the emotional depth of the story. If you love a good single-dad romance or have a soft spot for horse trainers and country charm, Elsie Silver delivers big time with this one.
Wild Side by Elsie Silver
WILD SIDE by Elsie Silver (Rose Hill, #3)
Rating: 4/5 stars
Summary: I’d always dreamed of my wedding day. But not like this. Not looking into the eyes of the man who betrayed me. But when my nephew’s guardianship is contested, I decide I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him in Rose Hill. Even if it means marrying the enemy. Rhys Dupris. A man who is secretive, broody, and completely infuriating. A man whose work takes him away for weeks on end and brings him back covered in mysterious bruises—ones he won’t talk about. In fact, we barely talk at all. Which would be fine, except when he’s not talking, he’s staring. And the way he looks at me is borderline indecent. The tension between us has always been palpable. But living under the same roof is a dangerous temptation. I swore I would never forgive him. But that was before I knew the man behind the mask. The one who’s fierce and protective. The one who’s gentle and patient. The one who shows up for us when we need him most. He’s not at all who I thought he was. And that makes hating my husband so much harder… and loving him just a little too easy.
My Thoughts: Okay LOL. This book was wildly unexpected in the best way and so imaginative that at times I wasn’t sure if I was fully on board with what it was doing, but in the end, it won me over. The romance between Tabby, the fiery, no-nonsense local restaurant owner, and Rhys Dupris, the broody but tender-hearted gentle giant, absolutely delivered. It features some of my favorite tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, fake dating, and he-falls-first, and balances heat, humor, and heart with real vulnerability from both characters. I especially appreciated how their emotional walls came down together, making their trust feel mutual and earned instead of one person "fixing" the other. If you're in the mood for a romance that's off the beaten path (or if you happen to love WWE lol) you should definitely give this one a shot.
James by Percival Everett
JAMES by Percival Everett
Rating: 4/5 stars
Summary: When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.
My Thoughts: This book was SO clever. It’s a powerful retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim’s point of view. After overhearing that he’s about to be separated from his family and sold to another plantation, Jim escapes, setting off a tense and emotional journey. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, rooting for his survival and hoping he’d make it back to his loved ones. The story closely follows many of the original’s major events but strays where necessary to fully depict the brutal, dehumanizing reality of slavery - something the original, told through the lens of a naive white child, didn’t fully capture. One of the most compelling aspects was Jim’s transformation into James. Initially forced to play the ignorant fool in front of white people as a survival tactic, he gradually reveals himself as a deeply intelligent, self-possessed man and a true leader among his community. The pacing slowed for me in the final third, mostly because the direction of James’s story became a bit unclear. Still, the impact of this novel is undeniable. It’s a thought-provoking read that I highly recommend if you haven’t picked it up yet.
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo
Rating: 4/5 stars
Summary: Even though she doesn't come from a prestigious background or have a family to support her financially or emotionally, Katarina Shaw has always known she was destined to become an Olympic skating star. When she meets Heath Rocha, a quiet, solitary orphan, the two instantly form a deep connection that makes them a formidable pair—both on the ice and in life. Clinging to skating as a way to escape their troubled lives and rewrite their futures, Kat and Heath quickly rise from promising newcomers to unstoppable champions in ice dance. Beautiful, bold, and unafraid to show their passion even on the ice, the duo wins over audiences with their electric chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship. But everything comes crashing down when a shocking incident at the Sochi Olympics suddenly ends their story. As the tenth anniversary of their final performance approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public’s obsession with Kat and Heath, promising to reveal what really happened between them. Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary—but she also can’t stand the idea of someone else defining her truth. So, after a decade of silence, she decides to tell her side of the story—from the childhood tragedies that forged her all-consuming bond with Heath, to the conflicts and misunderstandings that eventually drove them apart. What are we willing to sacrifice in pursuit of a dream?
My Thoughts: Two words: THE DRAMA. I did not expect this much suspense from a romance centered on ice dancers—and I was hooked. Listening to the audiobook was absolutely the right call; the format felt like a true-crime documentary unfolding in real time, with the careers and personal lives of Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha at the center. Told through a mix of interviews with people who witnessed the chaos firsthand and flashbacks from both Katarina’s and Heath’s POVs, the story slowly reveals how this unbeatable duo fell apart, became estranged, then came back together years later. I was so invested, even though, honestly, none of the characters are particularly likable. That’s why the writing was so freaking good though. The author leans fully into the drama without turning these very flawed young people into flat-out villains. Their messy, self-sabotaging choices are frustrating, but you still keep wanting more. There are a couple of absolute PEARL CLUTCHING moments, but by the end, they make sense. If you're looking for a book packed with twists, emotional tension, and just enough softness to balance the angst, this is it. It wasn’t at all what I expected, but I’m so glad I picked it up.
A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
A HISTORY OF WILD PLACES by Shea Ernshaw
Rating: 4/5 stars
Summary: Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people. Hired by families as a last resort, he requires only a single object to find the person who has vanished. When he takes on the case of Maggie St. James—a well-known author of dark, macabre children’s books—he’s led to a place many believed to be only a legend. Called "Pastoral," this reclusive community was founded in the 1970s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. By all accounts, the commune shouldn’t exist anymore and soon after Travis stumbles upon it… he disappears. Just like Maggie St. James. Years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’s abandoned truck beyond the border of the community. No one is allowed in or out, not when there’s a risk of bringing a disease—rot—into Pastoral. Unraveling the mystery of what happened reveals secrets that Theo, his wife, Calla, and her sister, Bee, keep from one another. Secrets that prove their perfect, isolated world isn’t as safe as they believed—and that darkness takes many forms.
My Thoughts: This book has been sitting on my shelf for a while and I finally decided to grab the audiobook on Libby. It did not go the way I expected it to. At first, I thought it’d follow this famous investigator, Travis Wren, as he looks for a missing woman named Maggie St. James. His search leads him to a remote community called Pastoral. The reclusive co-op has become somewhat of an urban legend to the locals over the years since it was originally settled by some hippies in the 1970s. The book then switches the POVs of three characters, Theo, Calla, and Bee two years later. Theo is curious as to what’s outside of Pastoral. Calla is terrified to cross the border of Pastoral and catch “the pox,” and Bee has a dark secret she’s had to keep for years from the entire community. I can’t say I wasn’t hooked on the big mystery of where Maggie St. James and Travis Wren went after they entered Pastoral. The plot twist hit like 0.2 seconds after I realized what it was going to be, but I loved that there was still so much more to explore before the book came to an end. If you like mysteries, but not necessarily thrillers, this would be a great book. It does have a couple of gross scenes, but nothing that will haunt your dreams or anything lol.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
GOOD MATERIAL by DOLLY ALDERTON
Rating: 3/5 stars
Summary: Andy loves Jen. Jen loved Andy. And he can't work out why she stopped. Now he is. . . Without a home. Waiting for his stand-up career to take off. Wondering why everyone else around him seems to have grown up while he wasn't looking. Set adrift on the sea of heartbreak, Andy clings to the idea of solving the puzzle of his ruined relationship. Because if he can find the answer to that, then maybe Jen can find her way back to him. But Andy still has a lot to learn, not least his ex-girlfriend's side of the story…
My Thoughts: Let me just say, I both loved and loathed this book (in the best way possible). If you’re curious about what it feels like to be trapped inside the spiraling mind of a 35-year-old man post-breakup, this is the book for you. Andy is absolutely lost after Jen, the woman he’s loved for two years, abruptly ends their relationship. He’s grieving not only the relationship itself, but also the future he imagined with her. And though he doesn’t fully understand what triggered the breakup, he clings to the hope that the door isn’t fully closed. Y’ALL. Andy’s spiral is both hilarious and painfully relatable. There are so many laugh-out-loud moments born from his desperation and chaos as he tries to rebuild his life. Major kudos to the author for taking us on this emotional ride without ever villainizing Jen. In fact, the final section from Jen’s perspective is so important because it reframes the story, showing that neither character is perfect, but also that no one is necessarily at fault. This book offers some phenomenal commentary: how many men don’t have healthy outlets for their emotions, the flawed belief that women must be unhappy unless they’re in a relationship, and the misguided expectation that all women want a family. Even though I gave it 3 stars, that rating doesn’t reflect a lack of depth or quality, just that the characters are intentionally unlikable, which can be a lot. But if you enjoy British humor, emotional messiness, and character-driven narratives, definitely give this one a try.
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli
TRIAL OF THE SUN QUEEN by Nisha J. Tuli (Artefacts of Ouranos #1)
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Summary: Ten women. A deadly contest. Only one can win the Sun King's heart. Lor has endured twelve long years of torment under the Aurora King’s rule. Her only desire is to escape and pay him back for every moment of misery she's endured. When a surprise release finds her in the hands of the rival Sun King, Lor is thrust into the spotlight as she competes against nine other Tributes for the role of queen. If she wins his heart, she'll earn her freedom and finally get her revenge. But Lor doesn't belong in the Sun Queen Trials. Not only does she not understand why she was freed, she isn’t a citizen of the Sun King’s court. The other Tributes resent her presence and will stop at nothing to ensure Lor is removed from the competition, permanently. Now Lor must win, because if she loses, she dies. Or worse, she'll be returned to the evil—and now vengeful—Aurora King.
My Thoughts: This book felt like The Selection and Throne of Glass had a love child — with a healthy dash of smut thrown in for good measure. Lor was thrown into the toughest prison on the continent of Ouranos by the Aurora King when she was just a child. After enduring twelve years of torment, starvation, and abuse, she’s unexpectedly “released” to compete in the Trials of the Sun Queen, hosted by Aphelion’s Sun King. As the only human competing against nine Fae women, Lor faces impossible odds at every turn. She’s one of the scrappiest and most resilient characters I’ve read in a while — brash, sure, but honestly, that’s exactly the attitude needed to survive the trials and rescue her siblings still trapped in Aurora. After spending most of her life behind bars, it’s no surprise Lor doesn’t trust easily. And as more secrets come to light about the real reason the Sun King wants her to compete, it becomes clear that keeping people at arm’s length might just save her life. This book was such an easy, bingeable read without sacrificing quality. The magic system isn’t overly complicated, the stakes are clear from the start, and the author smartly weaves in different character POVs to give a broader view of what’s happening across Ouranos beyond just the Sun Trials. Was this book perfect? No. Was it everything I needed it to be? Absolutely.
Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tuli
RULE OF THE AURORA KING by Nisha J. Tuli (Artefacts of Ouranos, #2)
Rating: 4/5 stars
Summary: “I am not his conquest. I am not his to claim. I am my own castle.” Freed from the golden clutches of the Sun King, Lor now finds herself in the hands of Nadir, the Aurora Prince. Convinced she’s hiding something, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make her talk. But Lor knows the value of secrets—she’s been keeping them her entire life—and she’s not letting hers go without a fight. When Lor and Nadir team up to search for a lost item that holds the key to her past and her future, she isn’t sure she can trust him. All she knows is she won’t fall for another royal fae’s promises again. With the Sun King determined to reclaim her, Lor must keep on the move, but nowhere is safe. Not until she destroys him and the Aurora King. But she soon learns that the future of Ouranos depends on much more than avenging her shattered legacy.
My Thoughts: Okay, yaaaass!! We love when the second book in a series holds its own instead of just feeling like a fluffy bridge between books one and three. Now that Lor is out of the Sun King's grasp, she finds herself back in Aurora — this time under the watchful eye of Prince Nadir. He's determined to figure out why she’s so valuable to both his father (whom he loathes) and the Sun King, while Lor is just trying to keep her past under wraps because #trustissues. Even though they butt heads like nobody’s business, it quickly becomes clear they’ll have to work together to find something Lor needs to unlock her magic. I absolutely loved the tension simmering between these two — it was visceral in every interaction. Plus, with the story mainly split between Lor’s and Nadir’s POVs, we got a much deeper look into Nadir’s character, which made their dynamic even better. We also get a few chapters from the perspective of the legendary Heart Queen, shedding light on how the world of Ouranos was shaken and what really happened before its magic disappeared for half a century. Overall, this was such a strong second installment, and I cannot wait to dive into the third book!
Fate of the Sun King by Nisha J. Tuli
FATE OF THE SUN KING by Nisha J. Tuli (Artefacts of Ouranos, #3)
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Summary: With the Heart Crown now in her possession, Lor must navigate the dangers of being an heir on the run, knowing more than one power-hungry ruler is after her blood. When she returns to Aphelion to unlock her magic and recover her family's legacy, it becomes clearer than ever that all that’s gold doesn’t sparkle. No stranger to battles, she continues to fight her attraction to the Aurora Prince, understanding this might be the one she finally loses. As the past mixes with the present, Lor uncovers the truth about the Artefacts and their role in shaping her destiny. Now, her future hangs in the balance, leaving her closer than ever to getting everything she's ever wanted... or losing it all forever.
My Thoughts: Y’all. I FLEW through this book. Now that Lor has managed to unlock her magic a little bit and find the Crown of Heart, it’s finally time for her to take back the kingdom and legacy that rightfully belong to her. With the help of a motley crew made up of her siblings, the Prince and Princess of Aurora, and a few others, Lor starts to see the bigger picture of what’s truly at stake when it comes to reclaiming her throne and her future. While trying to stay under the radar of both the Sun King and the King of Aurora, the group works to uncover who knew about Lor’s existence, why it feels like every High Fae royal is trying to use her, and the deeper truths behind each kingdom’s artefacts. Not to spoil anything, but the author finally gave us the payoff we’ve been waiting for since book one, and it was so satisfying. I absolutely loved seeing a softer side of Lor in this book, and the character development across the board was fantastic — even a character I was convinced I didn’t like made a redemption arc that completely won me over. And THE ENDING?? I cannot believe the author had the audacity to leave us hanging like that. Obviously, I’ll be diving straight into the final book.
Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz
ALEX & ELIZA by Melissa de la Cruz
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Summary: 1777. Albany, New York. As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball. Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.
My Thoughts: Okay, it’s not that this book was bad or poorly written — I just found myself getting really bored and zoning out more than once. It might’ve been a victim of my mood reading, because a low-stakes, Revolutionary War romance just wasn’t hitting for me right now. I’m pretty sure if I had picked it up during one of those phases where I’m obsessed with 1700s -1800s romances, I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more. The story basically follows Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler circling each other for years. While they both start developing feelings, Alexander comes from nothing and has no fortune, making him a less-than-ideal match — especially once Eliza’s family falls into poverty after events during the Revolutionary War. To no one’s surprise though, love obviously prevails, and despite his lack of money, Eliza chooses him anyway. Overall, this would be a great introduction to romances in that era for anyone new to the genre or looking for a PG-rated love story. Otherwise, for me, it’s probably not a book I’ll remember a few months from now.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN by Marjan Kamali
Rating: 5/5 stars
Summary: In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams of a friend to alleviate her isolation. Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind, passionate girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions for becoming “lion women.” But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives. Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences.
My Thoughts: This is a story that will stay with me for a long time. Spanning from the 1950s through several decades, it follows the lives of Ellie Soltani and Homa Roozbeh - two girls from very different backgrounds who become fast friends at age seven, after Ellie and her mother are forced to move to Homa’s neighborhood following the death of Ellie’s father. Though the girls are inseparable for a few years, their lives begin to diverge when Ellie and her mother return to the wealthier part of Tehran to live with her uncle. This cycle of connection and separation continues as their lives unfold against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. The novel explores a wide range of themes including classism, feminism, political activism, immigration, and more, through deeply personal and emotional storytelling. While the book is primarily told through Ellie’s perspective, I was glad we also got chapters from Homa’s point of view because it added much more depth to both characters. Personally, I found myself connecting more with Homa, but her perspective also made it clear why Ellie would remain such an important person in her life. Beyond the story of friendship and identity, I learned SO much about Iran’s political history, from the unrest that mirrored the West’s “Red Scare” to the rise of the country’s current oppressive regime. This was one of the most powerful coming-of-age stories I’ve ever read, and I truly can’t recommend it enough.
The Circus Train by Amita Parikh
THE CIRCUS TRAIN by Amita Parikh
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Summary: Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, despite her father's overprotection and the limits her world places on her because she is disabled. Her unconventional life takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past. Over several years, as their friendship flourishes and Alexandre trains as the illusionist's apprentice, World War II escalates around them. When Theo and Alexandre are contracted to work and perform in a model town for Jews set up by the Nazis, Lena becomes separated from everything she knows. Forced to make her own way, Lena must confront her doubts and dare to believe in the impossible--herself.
My Thoughts: I am genuinely mad at myself for waiting so long to read this book. It sat untouched on my shelf for years and how dare I neglect it like that? This story was magical, addictive, and so thoughtfully crafted. We follow three main characters: Theo, a world-renowned illusionist who travels with the World of Wonders circus; Lena, his brilliant, fiercely driven daughter; and Alexandre, an orphan who stumbles upon the circus after losing his parents and quickly forms a bond with Lena. I loved that the narrative is split between their POVs, giving us a deeper understanding of each character’s emotions, motivations, and personal growth. Set against the backdrop of WWII Europe, the story carries a constant undercurrent of tension and chaos that kept me on edge. The character arcs are phenomenal, with flawed, dynamic, and deeply human choices. Lena had me gritting my teeth at times, but the emotional payoff and depth of the story more than made up for it. If you loved The Night Circus or Water for Elephants, this book is 100% for you. The circus setting is enchanting and immersive, and you can’t help but root for each of these characters as they try to navigate a world full of uncertainty.
That’s it for April! I can’t wait to share my big news with y’all next month, but in the meantime, catch me knee deep in an audiobook or walking my happy ass around a golf course somewhere lol.
2025 Book Count: 59
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YOUR TURN! What was your favorite book in April?
