What I Read in April 2024

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Hello everyone! I've been really busy with college this month, so while the goal was to read at least 20 books, I wasn't able to get there. Let's talk about the 18 books I read this month!

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on April 2nd. I had heard really good things about this author and how everyone loved her books, so I finally gave her a try and I'm glad I did. I didn't think I'd enjoy a STEM romance, but it was surprisingly funny and overall easy to get into. Though this is her most academia-focused book of her three STEM romances, I think that's partially why I enjoyed it so much. I'd recommend this to any woman in STEM, or anyone who loves a good romance.

"The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people-pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs. Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and broody older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And that same Jack who now sits on the hiring committee at MIT, right between Elsie and her dream job. Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?"

Betting On You by Lynn Painter: I rated this audiobook 5/5 stars and finished it on April 3rd. I was very excited when I decided to do this one on audio because I had tried to read the hardcover at one point and I couldn't do it, so I knew audio was the way to go. I'd never done a romance audiobook though, so I was eager to see how it would be. I found myself to be laughing through almost the entire thing! I loved hearing Bailey and Charlie's voices, while also hearing their interpretation of each other's voices in each of their POVs (points of view). All in all, I loved it. I'd totally recommend this to anyone who wants a fluffy romance, or who loves the movie "When Harry Met Sally."

"When seventeen-year-old Bailey starts a new job at a hotel waterpark, she is less than thrilled to see an old acquaintance is one of her coworkers. Bailey met Charlie a year ago on the long flight to Omaha, where she moved after her parents’ divorce. Charlie’s cynicism didn’t mix well with Bailey’s carefully well-behaved temperament, and his endless commentary was the irritating cherry on top of an already emotionally fraught trip. Now, Bailey and Charlie are still polar opposites, but instead of everything about him rubbing Bailey the wrong way, she starts to look forward to hanging out and gossiping about the waterpark guests and their coworkers—particularly two who keep flirting with each other. Bailey and Charlie make a bet on whether or not the cozy pair will actually get together. Charlie insists that members of the opposite sex can’t just be friends, and Bailey is determined to prove him wrong. Bailey and Charlie keep close track of the romantic progress of others while Charlie works to deflect the growing feelings he’s developed for Bailey. Terrified to lose her if his crush becomes known, what doesn’t help his agenda is Bailey and Charlie “fake dating” in order to disrupt the annoying pleasantries between Bailey’s mom and her mom’s new boyfriend. Soon, what Charlie was hoping to avoid becomes a reality as Bailey starts to see him as not only a friend she can rely on in the midst of family drama—but someone who makes her hands shake and heart race. But Charlie has a secret—a secret that involves Bailey and another bet Charlie may have made. Can the two make a real go of things…or has Charlie’s secret doomed them before they could start?"

Magnolia Parks, Into the Dark by Jessa Hastings: I rated this ebook 6/5 stars and finished it on April 3rd. This is the fifth book in the Magnolia Parks Universe and the third about Magnolia and BJ. I knew I would love this, but I don't think I realized how much. I loved seeing the conclusion to Magnolia and BJ's story, especially with how The Long Way Home ended. I cried towards the end of it too, that's how good it was. I recommend this series to anyone and everyone honestly. It's so good, I understand and can get behind the hype of it now.

"How many loves do you actually get in a lifetime? Everyone knows by now that Magnolia and BJ are in the stars, but is that enough? Magnolia and BJ are reeling from a devastating loss as they try to plan what’s been dubbed “the wedding of the century”. As family tensions mount and their respective pasts begin catching up to them, they finally have to look the truth in the Can they learn to trust and be with one another again, or will they die trying?"

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on April 5th. This is the first book in the Truly Devious series. I knew nothing going into this series but the cover was intriguing so I picked it up, and I'm so glad I did. It was incredibly fast-paced and it felt like I was reading something similar to The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (which I read last April). It was quick, I loved the characters and the plot, and overall thought it was great. I'd recommend this to anyone who loved Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes novels growing up.

"Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. “A place,” he said, “where learning is a game.” Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history. True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder."

That's Not My Name by Megan Lally: I rated this book 3/5 stars and DNF'd it on April 7th, about 35% of the way through. You know, I thought I was going to like this. The premise seemed interesting and the cover was cool, and it hooked me right away. But around the 100-page mark or so, I started to get bored. I didn't entirely like where it was going, and I wasn't into it. I'm still going to recommend it though, it just wasn't for me.

"She thought she had her life back. She was wrong. It was a mistake to trust him. Shivering and bruised, a teen wakes up on the side of a dirt road with no memory of how she got there―or who she is. A passing officer takes her to the police station, and not long after, a frantic man arrives. He's been searching for her for hours. He has her school ID, her birth certificate, and even family photos. He is her father. Her name is Mary. Or so he says. When Lola slammed the car door and stormed off into the night, Drew thought they just needed some time to cool off. Except Lola disappeared, and the sheriff, his friends, and the whole town are convinced Drew murdered his girlfriend. Forget proving his innocence, he needs to find her before it's too late. The longer Lola is missing, the fewer leads there are to follow…and the more danger they both are in."

The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson: I rated this book 3/5 stars and finished it on April 9th. This is the second book in the Truly Devious series. I was surprised I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the first one. I think it felt too slow to me. So much had happened in the first one, and for a cliffhanger like that, you'd think they would've done more with it to make it more interesting. It just fell flat and the twists weren't as shocking because it felt slow and boring. You have to read them in order though, so you can't just skip this one. I'd recommend the series though.

"All Stevie Bell wanted was to find the key to the Ellingham mystery, but instead she found her classmate dead. And while she solved that murder, the crimes of the past are still waiting in the dark. Just as Stevie feels she’s on the cusp of putting it together, her parents pull her out of Ellingham academy. For her own safety they say. She must move past this obsession with crime. Now that Stevie’s away from the school of topiaries and secret tunnels, and her strange and endearing friends, she begins to feel disconnected from the rest of the world. At least she won’t have to see David anymore. David, who she kissed. David, who lied to her about his identity—son of despised politician Edward King. Then King himself arrives at her house to offer a deal: He will bring Stevie back to Ellingham immediately. In return, she must play nice with David. King is in the midst of a campaign and can’t afford his son stirring up trouble. If Stevie’s at school, David will stay put. The tantalizing riddles behind the Ellingham murders are still waiting to be unraveled, and Stevie knows she’s so close. But the path to the truth has more twists and turns than she can imagine—and moving forward involves hurting someone she cares for."

The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson: I rated this book 4/5 stars and finished it on April 9th. This is the third book in the Truly Devious series and I enjoyed it much more than the last one. I loved seeing everything come together at the end too; it was very satisfying to read about. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this trilogy if you love mystery novels.

"Ellingham Academy must be cursed. Three people are now dead. One, a victim of either a prank gone wrong or a murder. Another, dead by misadventure. And now, an accident in Burlington has claimed another life. All three in the wrong place at the wrong time. All at the exact moment of Stevie’s greatest triumph...She knows who Truly Devious is. She’s solved it. The greatest case of the century. At least, she thinks she has. With this latest tragedy, it’s hard to concentrate on the past. Not only has someone died in town, but David disappeared of his own free will and is up to something. Stevie is sure that somehow—somehow—all these things connect. The three deaths in the present. The deaths in the past. The missing Alice Ellingham and the missing David Eastman. Somewhere in this place of riddles and puzzles there must be answers. Then another accident occurs as a massive storm heads toward Vermont. This is too much for the parents and administrators. Ellingham Academy is evacuated. Obviously, it’s time for Stevie to do something stupid. It’s time to stay on the mountain and face the storm—and a murderer."

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager: I rated this audiobook 4/5 stars and finished it on April 10th. I thought it was pretty good! The main reason why it got four stars instead of five was because of the twist. Nothing wrong with it necessarily, it was cool, but it didn't knock my socks off like I thought it would. I felt like the whole book was kinda just dragging on and on until the last 15% or so when it finally got interesting. I'd recommend it, but it's not my favorite by him. Take that how you will.

"No visitors. No nights spent away from the apartment. No disturbing the other residents, all of whom are rich or famous or both. These are the only rules for Jules Larsen's new job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, one of Manhattan's most high-profile and mysterious buildings. Recently heartbroken and just plain broke, Jules is taken in by the splendor of her surroundings and accepts the terms, ready to leave her past life behind. As she gets to know the residents and staff of the Bartholomew, Jules finds herself drawn to fellow apartment sitter Ingrid, who comfortingly, disturbingly reminds her of the sister she lost eight years ago. When Ingrid confides that the Bartholomew is not what it seems and the dark history hidden beneath its gleaming facade is starting to frighten her, Jules brushes it off as a harmless ghost story—until the next day, when Ingrid disappears. Searching for the truth about Ingrid's disappearance, Jules digs deeper into the Bartholomew's dark past and into the secrets kept within its walls. Her discovery that Ingrid is not the first apartment sitter to go missing at the Bartholomew pits Jules against the clock as she races to unmask a killer, expose the building's hidden past, and escape the Bartholomew before her temporary status becomes permanent."

Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage: I rated this ebook 3.5/5 stars and finished it on April 11th. This is the second book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series and follows Wes and Ada. After initially finishing it, I gave it four stars. However, after ruminating on it for a few hours, I decided to give it 3.5 instead. Normally I only do whole-star ratings, but this book was the exception. (Maybe I'll incorporate more half-star ratings in the future?) Initially going in, I was really excited about this book. I looovved Done and Dusted so much because I loved how well Emmy portrayed the ADHD representation. I knew there would be some mental health representation in this one (with Wes and his depression) but I feel like it was mentioned significantly less somehow. The chapters flew by, which makes sense, it's pretty short. I just feel like...nothing really...happened? Like, there wasn't any real conflict to me. I also feel like the ending was super rushed. All in all, I'm not angry, just disappointed. Lost and Lassoed looks amazing though so I'll definitely be reading that, just wasn't the biggest fan of this one unfortunately. Because of this, I wouldn't recommend it. I'd definitely recommend the first one though, especially if you love cowboy romances.

"She’s the city girl who refuses to be saddled with a man. He’s the cowboy who wants her anyway. The last thing Ada Hart needs is a man to take care of her. Not anymore. After failing out of her interior design program and the disaster that was her short-lived marriage, Ada clawed her way up from her rock bottom. Now, the only person she trusts is herself, and that has gotten her further than ever before. She has her own business, and one of the largest ranches in Wyoming just hired her for the most important project of her career. When Ada arrives in Meadowlark, she finds herself in a dive bar where she can’t seem to shake the eyes of a handsome cowboy. When she leads him to the back of the bar, he leaves her with a kiss that most people can only fantasize about. She almost regrets that she’ll never see him again . . . except it turns out he’s her new boss. Weston Ryder is a happy guy. Even happier now that the mystery woman from the bar is the interior designer for his dream project on his family’s ranch. He feels like he hit the jackpot. It’s too bad she wants absolutely nothing to do with him outside of work. Ada is convinced the pull she feels toward Wes will go away, but Wes can’t stop thinking about her. Even though walls are coming down around Rebel Blue, Ada’s walls are firmly in place. Can they make it through this project without giving in? Or will they both put their dreams on the line for a chance at love?"

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson: I rated this book 3.75/5 stars and finished it on April 14th. This is the fourth book in the Truly Devious series. I think it was good. Kinda slow, felt like nothing was happening for 75% of the book and then it all started to pick up. I feel like the suspenseful elements that happened throughout weren't super impactful to me, but the twist at the end caught me off guard. I'd recommend the first three for sure, but you don't need to read this one.

"Amateur sleuth Stevie Bell needs a good murder. After catching a killer at her high school, she’s back at home for a normal (that means boring) summer. But then she gets a message from the owner of Sunny Pines, formerly known as Camp Wonder Falls—the site of the notorious unsolved case, the Box in the Woods Murders. Back in 1978, four camp counselors were killed in the woods outside of the town of Barlow Corners, their bodies left in a gruesome display. The new owner offers Stevie an invitation: Come to the camp and help him work on a true crime podcast about the case. Stevie agrees, as long as she can bring along her friends from Ellingham Academy. Nothing sounds better than a summer spent together, investigating old murders. But something evil still lurks in Barlow Corners. When Stevie opens the lid on this long-dormant case, she gets much more than she bargained for. The Box in the Woods will make room for more victims. This time, Stevie may not make it out alive."

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez: I rated this audiobook 3.5/5 stars and finished it on April 16th. Before I started this on audio, I was ready to give it five stars immediately. However, as the book went on, I realized that wouldn't be true for one reason: I DESPISED Emma. I hated her. I can understand that she had lots of trauma from her mom's behavior but that's not an excuse to be a terrible human being to the only man who could ever love her, which would be Justin. I've never loved an MMC more than I loved Justin in this book. He is literally an S-tier man. He could do no wrong, other than attempting to make things work with Emma over and over again when it was clear she didn't wanna ever change her ways for him. She never wanted to let him in, she never wanted him on her little island of people she loved and trusted, and she never wanted to change her box of a life to fit him into it. I feel like that trope was similar to the one from Part of Your World, where Alexis felt like she and Daniel could never make it work because they were in "different places." Emma tried this excuse on Justin again and again, and somehow he wanted to make it work regardless. She didn't deserve him. Honestly, I can't think of a single redeeming quality Emma has that would make me want to rate this book higher than 3.5 stars. Justin however, was amazing. He took on a great parental role when he had to start taking care of his siblings about 50% of the way through. (Also, I think part of why I loved Justin so much was because Zachary Webber voiced him. I've heard him in a few different audiobooks and he's just perfect for it. I looked on Audible for who voiced the MMCs in Part of Your World and Yours Truly, and it was Zachary; he also voiced Charlie in Betting on You which was fantastic). All in all, I wish Emma could've been a better person. Maybe I would've enjoyed this book more if that had been the case. I also feel like this book shouldn't have had a HEA. It felt rushed, especially towards the last few chapters in the end. This was definitely a letdown for me, considering how excited I was to read it. If you choose to read this, I'd recommend reading Part of Your World and maybe Yours Truly before this one, there are some Easter eggs that come back to it. Unfortunately, it breaks my heart to say that I wouldn't recommend this.

"Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work. Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka. It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected–including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?"

The Fury by Alex Michaelides: I rated this book 2/5 stars and finished it on April 16th. I wasn't overly excited about this book going into it because I wasn't a fan of The Silent Patient, but the premise seemed cool, so I decided to pick it up anyway. Right off the bat, I wouldn't recommend this. While the idea of it is cool, the execution wasn't great. It was surprisingly confusing, especially given who the narrator is and how they set themselves up at the very beginning. If I had to choose a few words to describe this book, they would be boring, anticlimactic, and strange, but not the good kind of strange you look for in a thriller. I'm glad I didn't have high expectations going into this book, avoid it if you can.

"This is a tale of murder. Or maybe that’s not quite true. At its heart, it’s a love story, isn’t it? Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex–movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closest friends to escape the English weather and spend Easter on her idyllic private Greek island. I tell you this because you may think you know this story. You probably read about it at the time ― it caused a real stir in the tabloids, if you remember. It had all the necessary ingredients for a press a celebrity; a private island cut off by the wind…and a murder. We found ourselves trapped there overnight. Our old friendships concealed hatred and a desire for revenge. What followed was a game of cat and mouse ― a battle of wits, full of twists and turns, building to an unforgettable climax. The night ended in violence and death, as one of us was found murdered. But who am I? My name is Elliot Chase, and I’m going to tell you a story unlike any you’ve ever heard."

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston: I rated this book 6/5 stars and finished it on April 16th. The things this book made me feel are insane. I laughed, I smiled, I cried. Well, sobbed. It was absolutely amazing. I read The Dead Romantics by her sometime last year and thought it was great, so I knew I'd enjoy this one. I just didn't realize how much I'd enjoy it. I fell in love with Iwan and Clementine almost immediately, and I loved seeing their journey throughout the book. There wasn't a single thing I disliked. Everything was good, so well-written, and overall just fantastic. I'm actually convinced the author put crack in there because that's how addictive it was. 10/10, my favorite romance of the year so far. This is gonna be my favorite of the month, and definitely a standout for the year. Please please please go read this. I loved it!

"Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it. So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: stay busy, work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it. And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again. Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future. Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed. After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing."

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: I rated this ebook 4.5/5 stars and finished it on April 18th. This is the first book in the Naturals series. I can't believe it took me this long to finally read it, but I'm glad it did because it was great! The best way I can describe this book/series is that it's the YA (young adult) version of Criminal Minds. It's super easy to fly through and it's pretty light content-wise. I'd absolutely recommend this if you like Criminal Minds and/or true crime.

"Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie. What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides—especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length. Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive."

Romancing the Grump by Jenny Proctor: I rated this ebook arc 5/5 stars and finished it on April 20th. This is the second book in the Appies series. Thank you so much to NetGalley for sending me an arc of this book! From the beginning, I kinda knew I’d like it because I enjoy hockey romance. But it ended up being much more than that. I loved Summer and Nathan as individuals, as well as their growth together. It was funny, sweet, and I loved all the hockey in it of course. I also loved that this was closed-door because most hockey romances aren’t, and it made it much more enjoyable to me knowing the most they’d do is make out. All in all, I loved this! I’d absolutely recommend it and I can’t wait to read more of this series in the future! It comes out on April 23rd!

"He’s a grump and happy to stay that way. But can her sunshine melt the ice around his heart? Nathan Sanders didn't earn his reputation as the grouchiest player on the Appies minor league hockey team by chance. So when Summer Callahan breezes into his life with her flirtatious smiles and endless charm, he responds like he always he completely ignores her. But Summer is intrigued by the surly center, and she won't be deterred quite so easily. She's convinced that the ones with the hardest shells on the outside are often the softest underneath. And she's determined to prove it."

Saint by Sierra Simone: I rated this ebook 5/5 stars and finished it on April 21st. This is the third book in the Priest series, but each book can be read as a standalone. I..loved it. I loved it! I loved Aiden's character development throughout the entire story, and I loved it when Elijah came into it as well. I liked how being with Elijah all that time in Europe helped him become more into his faith, and I love how their relationship ended up evolving over the course of the book. The thing I was most looking forward to with this one was the mental health representation Aiden had with severe depression. I can say with confidence that I felt seen by it. I related to his emotions in a way I wasn't expecting, and it was just so well done and well-written. I absolutely loved this, and I'd definitely recommend it.

"I can't have Elijah Iverson. I can't have him because he's my older brother's best friend. I can't have him because I broke his heart five years ago; because he's now engaged to someone else—someone kind and dependable who deserves his whiskey eyes, his soft mouth, his fierce intellect. I can't have Elijah because I've chosen God instead. The Bell brothers, though . . . well, we don't exactly have the greatest track record with vows. But I'm determined to do this monk thing right—to pledge myself to a cloistered life and spend the rest of my years in chastity and prayer. But now Elijah's here. He's here and he's coming with me on my European monastery road trip, and between the whispered confessions and the stolen kisses and the moments bent over an ancient altar, my vows are feeling flimsier by the day. And vows or not, I know in my heart that it would take more than a good and holy monk to resist Elijah Iverson right now. It would take a saint. And we all know that I'm no saint."

One Last Bite by Leah Cupps: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on April 24th. Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me an early arc of this book! Honestly, I thought it was pretty good. Kinda slow to start off but I liked the characters a lot, especially Sadie. I liked seeing her growth throughout and I didn't see the twist coming at all. I liked how short it was too because it was pretty fast-paced. I'd definitely recommend this one. It comes out on April 28th!

"Sadie’s dream job is about to become her nightmare. Chef Sadie Jackson is ready to escape a troubled past, so she’s overjoyed when she’s offered the chance to work at Thistle, a new restaurant owned by her culinary heroes the legendary Devon and Norah Winthrop. Even though she’s starting out as a dishwasher, Sadie’s willing to do whatever it takes to impress the golden couple. But she soon discovers that something is off in the Winthrops’ seemingly perfect world. Sadie hears whispers of money troubles. Illegal activities. She sees the strange bruises on Norah’s arms. And then there’s the mysterious cabin at the back of the property. Why is there always a light on at night? Who is staying there? Sadie begins to understand that the Winthrops have a very dark secret. A secret which, if it’s ever revealed, will destroy their perfect lives. And that makes her wonder just how far they’ll go to protect their glowing reputation. She’s about to find out…."

Priest by Sierra Simone: I rated this ebook 2/5 stars and DNFd it on April 25th at about 30%. This is the first book in the Priest series. If you scroll up a little bit, you'll see how much I raved about Saint, the third book in the series. I knew most people liked this one the least and I could definitely see why. There was too much public sex for my taste, especially that early on in the book (I was around chapter 7 or so when I DNFd it). I wouldn't recommend this one at all.

"There are many rules a priest can't break: A priest cannot marry. A priest cannot abandon his flock. A priest cannot forsake his God. I've always been good at following rules. Until she came. My name is Tyler Anselm Bell. I'm twenty-nine years old. Six months ago, I broke my vow of celibacy on the altar of my own church, and God help me, I would do it again. I am a priest and this is my confession."

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume: I rated this book 6/5 stars and finished it on April 26th. This was definitely the standout for the month, if not the year. I could probably go on and on about how much I loved this book. The weirdest thing is that I wasn't expecting to love it, I'm not sure why. My mom loved Judy Blume books growing up and this cover was adorable (I'm a sucker for a cute cover) so I picked it up and ended up staying awake until 12:30 am reading it. IT. WAS. JUST. THAT. GOOD! I loved Vix, I loved Caitlyn, and I loved their friendship as they grew together and grew apart as the years went on. I loved seeing Vix evolve throughout the story and proving that she didn't really need Caitlyn like Caitlyn needed her. I don't think I have enough words to describe how much I loved this book. It completely altered my brain chemistry and I am no longer the same person I was before reading this. Six stars doesn't feel like nearly enough. I would absolutely 1,000% recommend this to everyone. I loved it so much.

"In the summer of 1977, Victoria Leonard’s world changes forever when Caitlin Somers chooses her as a friend. Dazzling, reckless Caitlin welcomes Vix into the heart of her sprawling, eccentric family, opening doors to a world of unimaginable privilege, sweeping her away to vacations on Martha’s Vineyard, an enchanting place where the two friends become “summer sisters.” Now, years later, Vix is working in New York City. Caitlin is getting married on the Vineyard. And the early magic of their long, complicated friendship has faded. But Caitlin begs Vix to come to her wedding, to be her maid of honor. And Vix knows that she will go—because she wants to understand what happened during that last shattering summer. And, after all these years, she needs to know why her best friend—her summer sister—still has the power to break her heart."

Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: I rated this ebook 4.75/5 stars and finished it on April 28th. This is the second book in the Naturals series and I absolutely ate it up. It was so good! I’m loving this series so far honestly, maybe more than The Inheritance Games series. I thought I guessed the twist multiple times but didn’t, and I loved how it constantly kept me on my toes. I’m so excited to read the rest of the series now. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves Criminal Minds or anything true crime.

" Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a gift for profiling people. Her talent has landed her a spot in an elite FBI program for teens with innate crime-solving abilities, and into some harrowing situations. After barely escaping a confrontation with an unbalanced killer obsessed with her mother’s murder, Cassie hopes she and the rest of the team can stick to solving cold cases from a distance. But when victims of a brutal new serial killer start turning up, the Naturals are pulled into an active case that strikes too close to home: the killer is a perfect copycat of Dean’s incarcerated father—a man he’d do anything to forget. Forced deeper into a murderer’s psyche than ever before, will the Naturals be able to outsmart the enigmatic killer’s brutal mind games before this copycat twists them into his web for good?"

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That's everything I read this month! Not nearly as much as I would've liked to, but I'll try my best next month. With starting a new job and summer classes starting again in a couple of weeks, I don't know if I'll have nearly as much time to read as I did back in January and February. Anyway, I think that's it. See you all next month!