In April, I made it through 15 books (read and listened — multitasking queen). Three were easy 5 stars, one was a DNF (because life’s too short for boring books and I tried for months), and the rest were just…fine. I finally caved and read A Court of Thorns and Roses — and honestly? It was just okay (don’t hate me). Everyone swears book two is where it gets good, but these books are long and I’m not sure I’m ready to commit. Thankfully, Emily Henry — my forever favorite — released a new book, and it was pure 5-star magic. I don’t know how she does it, but her writing is just so stinkin’ good. I also gave into the hype on a big popular novel (Broken Country) and shockingly fell in love (I am still unwell by the last page). Oh, and plot twist: I learned Spotify Premium gives you 15 free audiobook hours a month! So now I’m juggling Audible, Libby, Spotify, Amazon, my library, and my local bookstore…do I need a Kindle too, or does someone need to stage an intervention? If you want to check out my past reviews, they’re right here. Oh, and I finally joined Goodreads in December and loaded in all my books—let’s be bookish besties! Here’s my profile. My rating system is at the bottom. Now, let’s dive in!
The Let Them Theory 5/5 – this book deserves like 10/5 stars! It’s so good, by like page 3 there’s a tip/technique that has changed so much for me. I teared up reading this at parts, it’s so good. I don’t know of anyone who wouldn’t benefit from reading this. This should be mandatory reading for all adults. I got this from the library but am going to buy it for myself to write in.
Broken Country 5/5– ahhhhh this book. I’d seen so much hype and you can believe it, it’s so dang good. I read this in 3 days! Wow! I cried at the last page, that poem! And Frank, omg best character ever?!
Great Big Beautiful Life 5/5 – my favorite author and favorite narrator!! I loved this audiobook so much I also bought it hardcover. The story is beautifully woven and I just love how she writes characters and their chemistry. I think if I would have gotten this as a book first I might not have loved it as much because it’s a biggg book, but with the audiobook it flew by. I finished this in a day and a half – I cleaned our house and folded laundry, happily lol.
The Pisces 4.5/5– very dark and weird and spicy, but I loved it! And I need a sequel, that ending!!!! Can someone please message me with what they think happens next or what the ending meant!? Normally I don’t love fantasy books, but this one was good, and again, weird, but I loved it! Nick picked this up from the library for me and made endless fun of me, but I just laughed because it was good. But he was right – based on the cover – what you think is going to happen, happens.
Say You’ll Remember Me 4.5/5 – could have used a little more spice. Can we all agree Hank is the best? 😭“> God I cried at the end. And what a great sexy male narrator!
Wild Love 4.5/5 – Ford was a billionaire hunk muffin. I just find billionaires as characters hard to believe. Only reason for 4.5 was that I thought Wild Side was just a little better. But very cute, good banter, and spicy!
Wild Dark Shore 4/5-gripping right from the beginning. But it kept flitting to different characters which I don’t love, it was a heartbreaking book, a tad sad for me, but very beautifully written.
Just One Taste 3.5/5– got this because Emily Henry endorsed it on the cover. It was a plucky little number, I enjoyed it. It didn’t wow my socks off but it was good if you’re looking for a romance. I did like that once they got together there was no dramatic fight, the drama happened elsewhere in the story.
A Court of Thorns and Roses 3.5/5 – Speaking of big books, this is a big one. This one has been everywhere and people are hyping it. I thought it was well written but I didn’t love love it, like I won’t read the sequels or anything (even though everyone is saying book 2 is where it gets good). As my bestie said, it def had beauty and the beast vibes lol. I just don’t love fantasy books and there was like 1 sex scene- people have been saying there’s like all this hot and heavy time in the book, did I miss something? Maybe it’s just in #2.
Hemlock 3/5 – a good book that falls in both romance and mystery, good unique story. The main character was a little annoying at times. I’d say it was an ok read but not something I’d clamor to recommend
Promise Me Sunshine 3.5/5-very cute and emotional read. I cried a lot with the main character and her friend loss. Seemed to drag on in the middle. If you’re looking for a tame romance; this is for you.
Wanderlust 3/5 – picked this up at a second hand shop in Seattle. Was a fun little number but just kind of meh a little bit, I don’t know, it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great.
One-Star Romance 3/5– omg this dragggged. I just wanted the main characters to get together already. Glad this was a Libby rental and I didn’t buy it. Talk about slooooowww burn it was 75% percent when the main characters finally got together, but then still not really! Omg they only got together at 94%!! And it was the tamest closed door romance. Like omg really?
Swept Away 3/5– God I hate leaving this review because I love Beth O’Leary but this book was a little blah for me. Some parts were a little boring when they were out there, and then when they got back it all seemed way too convenient like when his brother “figured it out” it was just like really? I didn’t buy all those coincidences. But again I love the authors other books and I got this one the second it came out and I’ll keep getting her books, this one just missed the mark for me.
Still Beating 3/5 – holy cow this should come with a warning for graphic rape and torture! I found this book on a list of ‘5 books that broke my brain and f’cked me up in all the best ways’ and it was available at the library. But omg it’s rough to read though, I’ll tell you that much. This is not a cute romance. This is a heartbreaking story/romance. I just wish there would have been more of the good stuff, like when they got their s#*t together, after they got their second chance.
The Art Thief DNF- You guys – I tried, I really did, and it’s gotten so many accolades, but I couldn’t get into it, this is over the course of months and months so I’m calling it and just adding it to my DNF pile.
My rating system
- 5 stars – I loved this book and would recommend it to someone looking for their next book to read. This is a book I would re-read and am slightly jealous of anyone who gets to experience it for the first time
- 4 stars – I really liked and enjoyed this book, it was solid. Glad I read it.
- 3 stars – I liked this book enough to finish it, but wish there would have been something more – and probably wishing it had changes
- 2 stars – It was hard to finish, but I made it to the end. I don’t understand why people liked this
- 1 star – Really annoyed I finished this book, did not like it
- DNF – Did not finish, just couldn’t do it
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