As April finally brings warmer days, I’ve been reaching for romance and fantasy, genres that capture the spring energy. With summer reading already on my mind, I hope you enjoy this month’s reads and reviews!
First Time Caller by B.K. Borison
As a fan of Nora Ephron’s You’ve Got Mail, a book inspired by Sleepless in Seattle was inevitably making it onto my list. First Time Caller introduces Aiden Valentine, a radio romance hotline host in Baltimore who has fallen out of love with love. When Lucie Stone’s daughter calls in asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, propelling both Aiden and Lucie into the spotlight. Will Aiden help Lucie rediscover the magic she’s been missing, or can a hopeless romantic warm a stone-cold heart? I was swept up in a whirlwind of warm emotions as Aiden and Lucie’s romantic journeys, though rooted in reality, still captured that touch of magic we all hope for in love. This cozy read is perfect for those rainy days before the spring sunshine comes to stay. First Time Caller is the first in a three-book series, with the next book promising a twist on When Harry Met Sally. I’m already counting down the days until its release!
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Will I read anything Ali Hazelwood writes? Absolutely. Her romances about women in STEM always earn five-star reviews from me. While I was initially skeptical about a story centered around student-athletes, Deep End did not disappoint. Scarlett, a top-level platform diver at Stanford, is struggling to rebound after an injury while applying to med school. When Lukas, a fellow swimmer, is suddenly thrust into her life due to a well-kept secret, both of their worlds are turned upside down. This romance is hot (to say the least) and ranks right up there with Hazelwood’s most recent book, Not in Love, on the spice scale. The story effectively balances the challenges of maintaining an athletic career in college, pursuing professional dreams, and navigating a new relationship. I’d recommend this book to fans of Hazelwood’s other works, and I can’t wait for her next release this summer: a romance set in Italy that promises to be just as captivating.
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordan
As I mentioned last month, I’m working my way through the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, and the second book definitely lived up to my expectations. Percy is now in seventh grade, and his life has become even more complicated. When giants invade a dodgeball game during gym class and he discovers that the magical borders of Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious foe, Percy knows this year will be unlike any other. With the fate of the camp and the world at stake, he and his companions must retrieve the antidote from the treacherous Sea of Monsters. The cliffhanger at the end had me immediately reaching for the next book, so you’ll definitely see my review for book three next month. Filled with adventure, mystery, and references to Greek mythology, this book is a fantastic continuation of the series and perfect for readers of all ages as we head into the warm summer months.
Fearless by Lauren Roberts
My most anticipated read of April was the gripping third installment in The Powerless Trilogy, which I picked up on release day and started reading the moment I got home. Set in the kingdom of Ilya, the series explores a world where people are either Elite, born with exceptional powers, or Ordinary, a status punishable by death. Paedyn, an Ordinary in hiding, must steal and masquerade as Elite to survive and protect those she loves. When she attempts to rob a prince, everything changes. As she faces the brutal challenges of the Trials and falls for someone she cannot have, Paedyn must confront the truth about herself and fight for what once seemed impossible: a world where Ordinaries and Elites live side by side as equals. Fearless delivers a powerful conclusion to the trilogy, filled with twists, tension, and emotional upheaval that kept me glued to the pages. With themes of romance, betrayal, and empowerment, this is a series I will return to in the future.
And that concludes the books I shelved in April. Thank you for reading and keep an eye out for the May newsletter for our next book club announcement, book events to attend next month, and more!