I’ve had a really busy month, so I haven’t read much. I plan to catch up in May, since there are a lot of public holidays in France this month, plus I have three concerts in three different cities in June so it's now or never.
Without further ado, let’s get to what I read in April and what’s on my TBR for May!
April reading wrap-up
Shipped by Angie Hockman
Synopsis
Henley and Graeme, coworkers competing for the same promotion, are forced to work together on a cruise project despite their rivalry.
Review
Rating: 3.30/5 stars
I really liked the beginning and saw a lot of potential for what was to come. Unfortunately, it’s marketed as an enemies to lovers story, even though their animosity stems from yet another easily avoidable misunderstanding.
Plus, their chemistry isn’t really developed. They’re attracted to each other from the moment they meet and don’t have any memorable banter. It’s limited to trauma bonding that’s supposed to bring them closer.
The obstacles to their relationship didn’t seem all that daunting but mostly artificial. And this was especially true at the beginning, when Graeme tries repeatedly to talk things out to clear up the misunderstanding but keeps getting interrupted. In addition to this, while she was relatable, I didn’t like how Henley spent her time explaining why they couldn’t be together.
I also feel like the ending drags on unnecessarily, adding one last conflict to resolve that has nothing to do with the romance.
That said, there are lots of funny moments, especially provided by Nikolai. Besides, I enjoyed Henley’s character development, especially through her sister (even if her flirting with Graeme was unnecessary). Graeme is adorable and his honesty is endearing.
Perfect for fans of: workplace enemies to lovers books like The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon and The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas.
A Good Person by Kirsten King
Synopsis
Lillian is determined to turn her situationship with Henry into a real relationship by becoming the perfect girlfriend. But when he suddenly breaks up with her, she puts a hex on him. When Henry is found dead, Lillian becomes the prime suspect and spirals as she tries to control the narrative, clear her name, and claim her place as his grieving girlfriend.
Review
Rating: 4.44/5 stars
I was really looking forward to reading this book, and I wasn't disappointed!
The main character is unhinged, delusional, narcissistic, and has every other flaw you could possibly find in a person. And that's exactly what makes her such a refreshing and entertaining protagonist to follow.
The book is hilarious from start to finish, poking fun at society, Millennials, and Gen Z. It's impossible to put down, despite a plot and murder mystery that aren't necessarily captivating.
The only downside is the numerous references to the 2020s. Although they’re all spot-on, they’ll undeniably be outdated very soon, and I’m afraid the book will be much less enjoyable to read in a few years because of that, since the story relies almost entirely on them.
Perfect for fans of: female rage books like A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder.
The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
Synopsis
A novelist engaged to the heir of a powerful American dynasty, is drawn into his family’s dark and dangerous holiday traditions. She finds herself playing a deadly game for the family patriarch.
Review
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
I immediately wanted to root for our main character and was expecting something fun with lots of twists.
Unfortunately, I found it very slow to get going, even boring. It takes 100 pages before the first game even happens. We also get an investigation that I wasn’t very invested in.
Harriet spends her time over-explaining things that aren’t that hard to understand, which quickly became tedious. She’s the only character the book cares to develop and that’s a shame because it makes the family members lack motives.
Besides, you never fear for Harriet. She’s clearly the final girl and is depicted as one from the get go. Although it isn’t overly predictable, I didn’t find the twist surprising or impactful, mostly because everything seems a bit illogical. Things happen because they’re supposed to happen, without necessarily having any underlying reasons. Why do they play those horrible games? Why does the killer kill? We’re just told “we’ll play that game next,” “I killed this person,” and that’s supposed to be enough.
Perfect for fans of: the movie Ready or Not, The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington.
Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese
Synopsis
A frenemies-to-lovers college romance,. Soccer star Willa Sutter and classmate Ryder Bergman are forced to work together, turning pranks and mutual irritation into an unexpected connection.
https://amzn.to/4dmzMDC
Review
Rating: soft DNF at 21%
I don’t know why i stopped reading it. It was nice, with some great representation. I think I just got too excited when The Caretaker released. And I was so wrong to read the latter instead.
The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer
Synopsis
Desperate for money to support her sister, Macy accepts a high-paying, three-day caretaking job at a remote estate in Oregon. She quickly discovers a supernatural evil lurking on the property and realizes she is the only person standing between it and humanity.
This is the sequel to We Used To Live Here, one of my favorite books of 2025. I can’t wait to finally get some answers and go back to this creepy mess.
Perfect for fans of: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
Review
Rating: 3.32/5 stars
We Used to Live Here was one of my favorite books last year. With its sequel, I was expecting more answers, but I ended up with even more questions.
This second book begins with a truly promising prologue that immediately plunges us back into the atmosphere of the first book. However, when we meet the protagonist in the first chapter, the pace drops drastically.
The book spends a lot of time introducing her, her surroundings, and her grieving process. It’s written in a very realistic and relatable way, but I have to admit I was frustrated by how much space it took up, how long it takes to get to the house, and the numerous flashbacks throughout the book. In my opinion, the supernatural mystery is far more interesting than her personal story, which is ultimately mundane. It's almost as if her anxiety becomes the main horror, and the supernatural takes a backseat. Some people will like it, that's for sure.
It’s funny at times and manages to offer some good social commentary at others. However, you constantly wonder when things are really going to start, and you’re repeatedly brought back to her father and her anxiety, which kills the pacing as well as any sense of dread you might have about the house.
It made me want to reread the first book, but I’ll have a hard time recommending this one
May TBR
You Did Nothing Wrong by C.G. Drews
Elodie moves from Australia to America with her husband Bren, hiding the fact that her young son Jude is not typical. When Jude claims their new house wants to eat them, Elodie begins to witness disturbing events that threaten her family's fragile peace.
Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer
Camille is a social media influencer who meticulously documents her "tradwife" lifestyle in a farmhouse, but she feels incomplete without a child. Her obsession with the perfect aesthetic hides a darker reality as she strives to fulfill the one role she's missing.
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
Winifred Notty, a governess arrives at a gloomy English estate to tutor the insufferable Pounds family children while secretly battling violent urges. As she endures the family's cruelties and perversions, she bides her time with one goal in mind: a very special and bloody Christmas surprise for everyone at Ensor House.
The Invited by Jennifer McMahon
Helen and Nate move to rural Vermont to build their dream house, only to realize they are inadvertently constructing a haunted home using materials from local tragedies.
What We Did to Survive by Megan Lally
Four teens on a spring break sailing trip in Mexico find themselves trapped in a storm, both at sea and within their own group.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod, son of Poseidon and must embark on a quest across America to find Zeus’s stolen master bolt before a war erupts among the gods.
I had to read The Chalice of the Gods (book 6) first for a client, which is a fun standalone. This month, Cecy, asked me to read the first book so I’m looking forward to finally reading it.
Brimstone by Callie Hart
This is the second book in the Fae & Alchemy series, starting with Quicksilver. I don’t remember much but I had a nice time with it.
Get your annotated copy of Quicksilver here!
Saeris accidentally opens a gateway to a Fae realm where she’s bound to a Fae warrior, her only hope of returning home.
Releasing 10 by Chloe Walsh
This is the sixth book in the Boys of Tommen series starting with Binding 13.
Lizzie has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she finds love with a kind boy, Hugh until a devastating truth threatens to destroy everything they've built together.
I honestly would’ve loved to never read it but someone ordered the whole series annotated available here so I have to finish it. My only hope is that it will be the best of the series.
Related posts
- March Reading Wrap-up & April TBR
- February Reading Wrap-up & March TBR
- January Reading Wrap-up & February TBR
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