april_reads's reviews
238 reviews

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I went into A History of Wild Places with no idea of what it was about or what to expect.  I was surprised in the best way!


The book explores a community called Pastoral , where people love off the grid in harmony together.  There is a strange sickness in the woods that the group believes will kill them if they enter, this making everyone very isolated. 

The book explores the nature of cults and the lengths some will go to deceive the people that trust them. It’s also a great exploration of off grid living vs the rigors of every day lives post of us live. 

Dark and mysterious - I highly recommend. 
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The Wedding People by Alison Espach

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dark emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

The Wedding People had been on my TBR for quite some time. While I don’t fully understand the hype, I did enjoy the book.


The story follows the main character, who stays at a hotel where shh is the only guest not there for the big wedding. We experience all of her interactions with the hotel staff, the wedding party, and various guests.


Set just after the end of the 2020 pandemic, the book explores how even the smallest interactions with others can profoundly impact the direction of one’s life.


At times sad, at others funny, it turned out to be a very thought-provoking read.


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Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I don’t feel equipped to adequately review - either you like the series and if so should continue to read, or you didn’t like the series in which case it’s a definite no. 
Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier

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dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Jennifer Hiller never disappoints, and Jar of Hearts is no exception.


The story follows three best friends:  one becomes a cop, one is murdered, and the third ends up in prison for her role in her best friends death.


Told through a mix of past and present-day scenes, the narrative picks up when the main character is released from prison. Jar of Hearts is a gripping thriller with a deeply realistic plot that kept me hooked, eager to see how everything would unfold.


This book does come with some trigger warnings, so I recommend checking those before diving in.


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Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Margot’s Got Money Troubles is a refreshing change of pace from my usual reads. The story follows 19-year-old Margot, who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after an affair with a professor. The book dives into the challenges single mothers face, all while being funny and engaging. Our society isn’t designed to make it easy for single mothers to thrive, and this story does an excellent job of exploring those struggles with humor and heart. Highly recommend!
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Drowning by T.J. Newman

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I could not put down Drowning by T.J. Newman. From the very first page, it had me hooked.

The story begins with a passenger plane taking off from Hawaii, only to crash into the ocean moments later. While many passengers escape before the plane sinks, a handful are trapped inside. Their survival depends on a stroke of luck: the plane lands on a reef deep in the ocean, avoiding the abyss and trapping just enough air to keep the survivors alive. Once word reaches the surface that people are still alive inside, it becomes a gripping race against time to save them. Think Apollo 13—but underwater.

The book masterfully balances action, ingenuity, and heartfelt humanity. I grew attached to the characters, celebrating their victories and mourning their losses.

That said, I’m giving this book 4.75 stars instead of 5 due to one element near the end. Spoilers ahead! Among the passengers are a man and his daughter, while his ex-wife leads the rescue mission. During the climactic rescue, the ex-wife makes a critical mistake, emerging unconscious at the surface. Readers are led to believe she’s died—only to learn in a one-year-later flash-forward that she survived. While I was relieved she lived, I felt manipulated by the fake-out.

Despite this minor gripe, Drowning is an unforgettable, edge-of-your-seat thriller. Highly recommend!
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Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Night Watching by Tracy Sierra is an impressive debut thriller that packs a punch.

The story begins with a mother waking in the middle of the night to find a stranger in her home. She hides her children in a secret room to protect them and escapes, but the details of that night become hazy. As doubt creeps in, questions arise: Did this really happen? Is she losing her mind? Or is something even more sinister at play?

I’ll admit, I almost DNF’d this book. The beginning felt a bit too familiar, like many other thrillers I’ve read. But around the halfway mark, things took start to look less clear, and I’m so glad I stuck with it. The tension ramps up, and it becomes impossible to put down.

I recommend this to fans of  thrillers that keep you guessing until the end. Stick with it—this one is worth the ride!
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They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

They Never Learn is a fast-paced thriller packed with twists, including a revelation midway through that completely caught me off guard.

The story follows Scarlett, a professor at a college campus, who secretly targets men who have “behaved badly,” murdering them and staging their deaths as suicides. 
Parallel to this, we meet Carley, a student at the same college who is struggling to fit in while exploring her sexual identity and grappling with her complicated relationships with men.

I found this book highly engaging, even if the ending felt a bit far-fetched. That said, it was ultimately satisfying and tied up the story well. I’d definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a quick, thrilling read. However, be sure to check trigger warnings before diving in!
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The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The Lake of Lost Girls is a twisty mystery that will keep you guessing the killer’s identity until the very end.
The story alternates between the present day and the 1990s, when four young women went missing from a small college campus. A new podcast has reignited interest in the disappearances, and one of the victims' sisters, along with a determined reporter, is set on finally uncovering the truth.

While I’d be lying if I said the ending took me completely by surprise, I wasn’t 100% certain about my guess, which kept the tension alive. This is a fairly easy read and isn’t overly graphic, making it accessible for a wide audience. That said, I felt the book could have benefited from deeper character development, and the writing style was a bit basic.

Overall, the story itself is compelling, and I’d recommend this book to fans of true crime podcasts and those who enjoy a good mystery.
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All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

All the Colors of the Dark is an impressive blend of mystery, thriller, coming-of-age, young love, and found family, all seamlessly woven into one compelling story.
The narrative centers on Patch and Saint, two friends bound by a lifelong connection. When Patch goes missing, Saint refuses to give up, doing whatever it takes to bring him home. After his rescue, Patch becomes consumed with finding Grace, a girl he was held captive with, setting the stage for a poignant and suspenseful journey.
While the book is slow-paced and perhaps a touch longer than necessary, the payoff is undeniably worth it. All the Colors of the Dark is a richly layered tale that will linger with you long after the final page.
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