April felt like the unofficial start of summer reading season for me — lighter reads, bingeable thrillers, and early dips into all the beachy, escapist vibes I love this time of year. I’ve been deep in planning mode for my summer reading guide, which means lots of romcoms, popcorn thrillers, and books that are just fun to fly through.

If you missed anything this month, here’s a quick catch up, plus what I’ve been reading, listening to, and loving lately.

ICYMI: April Highlights

April Book Recommendations

→ Read the full list here

Full April Reading Wrap Up

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My Quarter 1 favorites — the best of the best so far this year

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My picks for the 5 star book challenge

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 A full spring reading list to match the season

→ Read the full list here

A Few of My Favorite April Reads

Five Star Summer — Sarah Morgan

A perfect early summer read with strong friendship dynamics, emotional growth, and that signature Sarah Morgan warmth. This one balances heart and escapism really well, making it ideal for easing into summer reading mode.

→ Read the full review here

Mad Mabel — Sally Hepworth

Sharp, character driven, and quietly unsettling in the way Sally Hepworth does best. This dives into family dynamics, secrets, and perception versus reality, and kept me fully invested the entire time.

→ Read the full review here

The Anniversary — Alex Finlay

Fast paced, twisty, and incredibly bingeable. This is one of those thrillers that keeps you flipping pages with multiple threads unfolding and just enough misdirection to keep you guessing.

→ Read the full review here

Currently Reading / Listening / Watching

• Reading: Deep in summer reading guide prep, so I’ve been bouncing between summery romcoms and popcorn thrillers. Also currently reading Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister and omg… it is TENSE. Total page turner energy and I cannot wait to see where it goes.

Listening (audiobook): Fever Dream by Elsie Silver narrated in live duet by Julia Goldani-Telles and Teddy Hamilton and wow this is a true epic listening experience.

• Listening (music): The Great Divide by Noah Kahan — and I cannot stop thinking about the take that “Folklore is for sad girls and Noah Kahan is for sad boys.” Not a boy, still deeply relate. Fully leaning into a sad girl summer moment.

What’s Next

Very much shifting fully into summer mode over here and I’m leaning all the way in.

Coming soon:

• my full summer reading guide (!!!)

• beach read recommendations + themed stacks

• “books to read on vacation” style recs

• more cozy mystery spotlights because I’m still in my era

And probably:

• a summer thrillers list (because I clearly cannot stop)

• quick hit carousel recs when I find a new favorite

• chaotic mood reader energy as always

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Thank you for being here — whether you’re reading every post or just popping in when something catches your eye. I appreciate it more than you know 🤍