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april_reads's reviews
266 reviews
A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
A Happier Life is a romance with a mystery tied in.
Keaton Smith could really use a fresh start. After discovering that her boss, who she’s spent her entire career helping build her brand, is pregnant with Keaton’s boyfriend’s baby and has asked her to move out of the apartment so she can move in, Keaton is heartbroken and without direction. She decides to jump at the chance to go to the Deep South and get her family’s ancestral home ready for sale.
Upon arrival, Keaton finds the house to be a 60s time capsule. Since her grandparents tragically disappeared and were presumed dead, Keaton’s mom and uncle have been unable to enter the home, and it’s been left exactly as it was the night the couple vanished. Keaton also has the added bonus of a sexy marine biologist and his adorable son next door to keep her occupied.
Told in the present day as well as through journals left by her grandparents, the book weaves together a bit of romance, a mystery, and a ton of small-town charm.
The mystery is pretty obvious from the onset, but watching the characters discover the answer is fun.
This one is great, especially if you like your romance to have more of a plot and if you love all the charm the South has to offer.
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
When a group of college friends tragically loses one of their members just weeks before graduation, they make a pact to hold “living” funerals for each other. At any time, if one feels the need, they can call the group together for their own funeral.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Celebrants by Steve Rowley is the Big Chill for a new generation.
When a group of college friends tragically loses one of their members just weeks before graduation, they make a pact to hold “living” funerals for each other. At any time, if one feels the need, they can call the group together for their own funeral.
This story explores the beginning of college friendships that span decades and the deep bond between friends who become more like family.
You’ll need a tissue for this one, but it’s definitely worth it.
Until Next Summer by Ali Brady
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If you ever went to summer camp as a kid and wondered why adults can’t do the same, then this book is for you.
Best friends Jessie and Hilary met at summer camp as young girls and looked forward to spending each summer together because, at camp, both girls truly felt like themselves. They agree to become camp counselors when they get older, but when Hilary reneges on the deal, the friendship ends. Jessie goes on to become a counselor and eventually the camp director.
When the camp owners decide to sell, devastating Jessie, she decides to make the last summer a reunion of sorts, with each camp session tailored for adults who were former campers. When Hilary signs on to be the adult camp’s art director, it presents a chance for their fractured friendship to be repaired.
The book has a bit of romance and a plan to save the camp, but the heart of the story lies in the camp friendships and the realization that the friends we grow up with leave the biggest impact on our lives.
House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
House of Glass is an emotional mystery thriller that will keep you guessing.
The Barclays seem like the picture-perfect family, until the family nanny suspiciously falls through an upper-floor window and dies, leading to the discovery of an affair and an imminent divorce.
Stella is hired to be the attorney ad litem for the couple’s young daughter. A family friend, who also mentored Stella, asks her to take the job, believing she’s the only one who can help. The girl has gone mute since the nanny’s death, a condition Stella herself experienced after her own mother’s death years earlier.
While the mystery eventually becomes pretty obvious, it doesn’t detract from the story. I enjoyed this one and would recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Gaslighting
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren is really an adventure with a side of romance.
When the love of Lily Wilder’s life, Leo, leaves her family’s ranch and never returns, Lily is left to pick up the pieces. This is no easy task, especially after her dad sells the ranch from under her and dies shortly thereafter.
Years later, Lily has been earning a living as a tour guide, leading scavenger hunts in the remote wilderness using the old journals of her dad, Duke Wilder, a famous treasure hunter.
When Leo and his friends show up to take her tour, he and Lily quickly discover that the old feelings are still there, and they begin to unravel the truth about the end of their relationship.
Things take a darker turn when one of Leo’s “friends” hijacks the group and steals Lily’s dad’s journal, leading to a fight that ends in his death. The remaining group decides to go on a real treasure hunt to find “the big one” Duke always talked about.
This is more than just a romance, and that’s what makes it so good. I’m not usually a romance fan, but this one hit the spot.
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read Beautiful Ugly as part of my book club. I wasn’t thrilled with the choice since I’m not a fan of Alice Feeney, but ultimately, it turned out to be a good pick. This is the only Feeney book I’ve ever enjoyed.
With its cult vibes, intriguing mystery, and a satisfying ending, I can definitely recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting
A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I’ve enjoyed the series but the main character seriously needs to keep a better eye on her daughter.
A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This great little pallet cleanser. Gilmore girls meets Veronica Mars.
It’s funny with a bit of mystery and a fun cast of characters. An easy read that I breezed through. Read book 1 first!!! .
It’s funny with a bit of mystery and a fun cast of characters. An easy read that I breezed through. Read book 1 first!!! .
A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This great little pallet cleanser. Gilmore girls meets Veronica Mars.
It’s funny with a bit of mystery and a fun cast of characters. An easy read that I breezed through.
It’s funny with a bit of mystery and a fun cast of characters. An easy read that I breezed through.
After That Night by Karin Slaughter
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Karin Slaughter never misses, and After That Night is no exception.
While in medical school, Sara’s life was changed forever by a brutal assault. Years later, she’s picked up the pieces, becoming a successful doctor and engaged to the man of her dreams. She believes she’s finally put the past behind her. However, when a car crash brings in a young victim who had been assaulted before the crash, it becomes clear that, against all odds, Sara’s assault and this new one are connected. Perhaps it’s time for Sara to learn the truth about what happened after that night.
It’s a gripping read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Trafficking, Car accident