What I Read in April
I know I say it every month, but this year is truly flying by. Even though I try to live a slower life and love my routines, it seems like time goes quicker than I can fathom. While I haven’t had as much reading time as I’d like, I still got through ** books this month. That number seems crazy to me, but I have found that reading daily has made me read quicker, and dedicating an hour a day (instead of watching TV) has enriched my life and made me feel more well-rounded as a person. There are days I don’t hit my goal, but I know it’s never due to misuse of time (scrolling, etc.) and rather to other priorities, which feels good. I highly recommend picking an “anchor” habit to add to your life - whether it’s walking, meditation, or reading. Humans are creatures of habit, and I’m grateful that reading has become an enjoyable habit for me. I may be out of the loop when it comes to pop culture chats and social media trends, but my nervous system thanks me. That said, here’s everything I read this month.
what i read in april
this story might save your life by tiffany crum
4/5 stars
This Story Might Save Your Life has been one of the most anticipated new releases this spring. A thriller-romance hybrid, it tells the story of two podcasters (not true crime) who have a very close relationship when one goes missing. The story is told from both of their perspectives with a dual timeline, which makes the story more lively and dynamic.
I will say, this leans a little more romance and mystery; you’re kept guessing as a reader, but I wouldn’t say it’s overly suspenseful. One character (the villain, so to speak), is what makes the story tense; the gaslighting and control is almost palpable, and made me uncomfortable at times.
While thriller-romance combos are becoming more popular, I was side-eying the romance aspect of this book. The dynamics between the Benny, Joy, and her husband just didn’t seem realistic and the timeline of how everything unfolded (acceptable until it wasn’t) wasn’t believable, in my opinion.
Woven together with a keen eye for detail, the author adds tension in all the right places, yet I found the ending to be a bit of a letdown. It was clever, but with how strong the book started, I expected a little more. Still a 4-star read though, so if you’re intrigued, check it out!
Read it here.
yours always by corinne sullivan
3.5/5 stars
A new release this down, I really enjoyed Yours Always and could not put it down; I finished it in less than 24 hours. With lots of twists and turns, the author did an incredible job of keeping you guessing throughout the book; every character felt like a suspect at some point. I was able to guess the ending, but it felt more like winning a game of “Guess Who?” than disappointing.
I like how the author wove different plot lines together without the book reading like a patchwork quilt, and while the ending was a little rushed, it was still fun and entertaining. No spoilers, but I thought there’d be a little more involvement from one character as the story progressed, but I can see why it was omitted since this is a shorter book (under 275 pages).
The writing was sharp and modern without being trendy; I wasn’t surprised to find out that the author is an editor at Cosmopolitan after reading. This thriller is perfect for a girls night in, and one of my favorites so far in 2026.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
janis: her life and music by holly george-warren
4/5 stars
Janis has been on my TBR list for over a year now; I wanted to read it on Kindle but stubbornly wanted to see if it’d ever be Kindle Unlimited eligible since I wasn’t sure if I’d go back and re-read it later on. Fortunately, as of April 2026, it’s now free with Kindle Unlimited so I had to download it immediately.
I’ve said this before, but it feels strange rating biographies because I’d never rate someone’s life in real life, so my 4-star review is more about the writing itself, rather than the content.
Extremely well-researched, this felt like it actually told me Janis’ life story from start to finish, whereas some documentaries are more front- or back-loaded. Joplin lived before the age of social media, so while there are actual letters and journal excerpts that give context into her frame of mind and feelings, it does feel like there’s some missing information here that will remain lost to the pre-digital era.
What surprised me was how short Joplin’s career actually was. She’s still so influential in 2026 (and has been gone for twice as long as she lived) that it’s hard to wrap your mind around how much she did with her just 4-year career.
The biography itself is sad, if I’m being honest. There are patterns of self-sabotage and a push-pull between independence and a need for belonging make this sad, especially knowing how it ends.
Overall, this is an incredible read for fans and I found it to be well-researched, easy to follow, and fair to both Joplin as well as the other characters’ in her life. Highly recommend.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
love, janis by laura joplin
4/5 stars
Another Kindle Unlimited option, I also read Love, Janis this month. Written by her sister rather than a neutral biographer, I was excited to see how this would compare to the other Joplin biography I read. There’s considerable overlap between both books, and unless you are a super-fan or want a deep dive, just read one. I personally recommend Janis, because it seemed to have more information than this book did.
Love, Janis includes more context as far as her family’s reaction to her career, but there are certain gaps that, while omitted purposefully, leave the reader wanting more. For example, Janis’ sister (who wrote this book) was the only family member that went to the funeral that Joplin had set money aside for in her will. and The other biography discussed how that was a chance for her sister to meet who Janis interacted with socially and retrieve some of her things, but there’s no mention of it in this book. As a reader, that missing section was noticeable, but as a human, I respect the distance and omissions.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the last celebrity by madeleine henry
3.5/5 stars
The Last Celebrity was so strange; I don’t know what I expected going into it, but as a dystopian thriller with political undertones, I knew there’d be a lot to unpack.
Different from anything I’d read before, I wanted to love this but the plot was too disjointed to enjoy. Slow at some parts, rushed at others, and instead of a major twist, I found it to fizzle out, leaving me disappointed.
The social commentary regarding celebrity is timely and intriguing, and while I appreciate that the author wasn’t preachy, she could’ve added a little more here since it was a main focal point of the plot. I’ll definitely look for another release by the author in the future, but this was a miss for me. That said, my low review is an outlier so check this book out if you are intrigued as many others loved it!
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the wife upstairs by rachel hawkins
4/5 stars
The Wife Upstairs was on my list to read for a post I’m working on about books that are similar to Freida McFadden’s. The plot of The Wife Upstairs has definitely been done before, but if this was my introduction to the thriller genre, I would’ve loved it.
Critically, the characterization was lacking and a bit flat, but the author created a sense of untrustworthiness that kept you hooked on the story. Adding Blanche’s POV would’ve created more depth and insight, but the page count is already somewhat long compared to other thrillers, so I can see why it was omitted.
No spoilers, but I didn’t love the style of ending - just a personal preference.
If you like books like Verity and The Housemaid, this is worth looking into. It may be too similar for you, but the familiarity might also make this a solid comfort read.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
feel good productivity: how to do more of what matters to you by ali abdaal
3.5/5 stars
Feel Good Productivity is a positive, breezy self-improvement read. Ideal for those who suffer from chronic burnout, it focuses on building energy, overcoming blocks, and long-term sustainability.
This book includes a few of the author’s personal anecdotes, but mainly synthesizes different studies. There’s not a lot of brand-new material, so if you watch his YouTube channel or binge self-improvement ideas on the regular, you probably won’t gain much from this.
While there are action steps at the end of this chapter, I didn’t find it to have a lasting impact on my life or work mindset. A nice read, but not one I’ll revisit in the future.
Favorite quotes:
“When we're failing to maintain momentum on a task, we tend to beat ourselves up. But this helps nobody. If anything, it makes things worse. The inertia drives a sense of self-loathing. And that sense of self-loathing makes us even less likely to do anything fruitful.” (p. 176)
“You can focus on the small losses. Or you can celebrate the small wins.” (p. 177)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
to his new wife by willow rose
3/5 stars
To His New Wife is a fast-paced turn-and-burn; it certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but is still entertaining enough for a quick weekend read.
This has all of the makings of an engrossing thriller: new marriage, hints of gaslighting, rich family, and sketchy step-child. If you are new to the thriller genre (or read them less frequently) it’s worth checking out, but if you read a few a month like me, this is fun but not special.
I did appreciate how well-written it was, and the letter aspect was well-done. Unfortunately, the ending was a little rushed, but if you like a popcorn thriller a la Freida McFadden, To His New Wife is worth checking out.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the guilty ones by kyla stone
4/5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised by The Guilty Ones and it’s one of the few Kindle Unlimited thrillers that lives up to its higher rating average. Parts of this plot are not unique - new mother in a Stepford-wives-like community and catty prep school drama - but the author crafts this story in a believable, engaging way that kept me hooked from start to end.
It was slightly hard to differentiate between all of the moms and daughters at times, but that doesn’t take away from your ability to lose yourself in the story. I saw one aspect of the ending coming, but the last twist really took this into “highly recommend” territory for me.
If you enjoy Pretty Little Liars or the Discovery ID channel, you’ll enjoy this one! I also think it’s one of the few thrillers that could substantiate a variety of book club discussions as it touches on marriage, motherhood, finances, grief, and more.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the nanny by a.j. rivers
2/5 stars
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of The Girl in Cabin 13, another one of A.J. River’s thrillers. My biggest complaint is that she creates mega-series with 30+ books to follow, and that’s too big of a commitment for me right now, so I was happy to see a newer standalone available to read.
The Nanny is decent. A short palette cleanser you can read in between books, but t’s not so gripping that I’d recommend it for getting out of a reading slump. Check the TWs first, as the child neglect was hard to read at times.
While it initially reminded me of The Housemaid, this was so slow, even with short chapters. A very singular read, there wasn’t much depth with the supporting characters, so I wouldn’t recommend it for book club. I was expecting a big twist at the end as it had been teased throughout the book, but the reveal was so anti-climactic that I’d recommending skipping this book.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
my body by emily ratajkowski
5/5 stars
I went into this not knowing what to expect, and while I’m a little late to the party as it was released in 2021, I was absolutely blown away. It’s rare for a memoir to be universal, but I think My Body speaks to every woman in some way and have recommended it to all of my friends.
Much deeper than I anticipated, this truly made me think and analyze my own perspective and biases. There’s a dichotomy we all deal with when it comes to our beings, not just in real life but now with social media, too. You want to be seen, but in a certain way, and we obviously don’t have full control. How you look and present yourself (and how others interpret you) can be an asset, but also a burden. I don’t know anyone who has a truly peaceful relationship with their body; we all have things we wish we could change or that bother us, and this book drives you to contemplate, but not spiral.
I appreciate how Ratajkowski also explores her upbringing and its impact on her point of view, especially as I’m also an only child and found some similarities there. Empowering in tone, this memoir was such a pleasant surprise and I highly recommend it.
Favorite quotes:
“I post Instagram photos that I think of as testaments to my beauty and then obsessively check the likes to see if the internet agrees. I collect this data more than I want to admit, trying to measure my allure as objectively and brutally as possible. I want to calculate my beauty to protect myself, to understand exactly how much power and lovability I have.” (p. 21-22)
“In my early twenties, it had never occurred to me that the women who gained their power from beauty were indebted to the men whose desire granted them that power in the first place. Those men were the ones in control, not the women the world fawned over. Facing the reality of the dynamics at play would have meant admitting how limited my power really was—how limited any woman's power is when she survives and even succeeds in the world as a thing to be looked at.” (p. 46)
“Lines were never clear between us. The house didn't help: it was a place with no boundaries. Children who grow up in homes like mine, just them and their parents with no separation, physically or emotionally, become experts in a very particular type of seeing. We learn to see things that are hid-den, and things that aren't there at all. We become particularly sensitive to the moods and emotions of others. We are nimble and excellent at shape-shifting. We oscillate between feeling special and feeling alone. We feel simultaneously capable of both saving and destroying those we love.” (p. 119)
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
bloodline by jess lourey
3.5/5 stars
I loved a trilogy that I read by this author last year (book one is The Taken Ones), and I’ve been meaning to read more of her books. Bloodline was recommended to me, and similar to the trilogy, it’s eerie, atmospheric, and dark. If you prefer truly chilling thrillers over those centered around domestic drama, this is the author for you.
A true slow burn, Bloodline is the type of book you want to speed-read through to see how everything plays out. It was creepy yet engaging, and while I didn’t love the story, I found it to be a well-written, suspenseful book and I hope to read more from Lourey in the future.
One thing to note is that this is partially based on a true story. I wasn’t familiar with the case, so I can’t speak on how closely it resembles real life, but I never love it when authors do this because it can seem like it’s taking someone’s trauma and turning it into entertainment. That said, this was well-written and didn’t go for shock value.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
the dead room by catriona mcpherson
2/5 stars
Another Amazon First Reads pick, another disappointment. If I didn’t read so much, I would probably skip these and wait for the reviews to roll in after they’re published, because I have yet to really enjoy one.
The Dead Room was a hard, tedious read for me. I saw some early reviews that said the ending makes the slow pacing worth it, but I was totally disenchanted by this and didn’t enjoy it at all.
Maybe there was a culture gap for me as a reader because the book is set in Edinburgh, but this just didn’t work for me. The audiobook aspect drew me in, but wasn’t executed well. The book is confusing at times, there’s too much repetition, and you have to work through too much text to get to the heart of the story, at which you are already looking forward to your next read.
I hate to sound so harsh, and I’d be open to reading something else by this author in the future, but this was a total miss for me.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
good sister, bad sister by jill childs
3/5 stars
A quick thriller with a premise we’ve seen before, Good Sister, Bad Sister doesn’t reinvent the wheel by any means but if you’re a fan of Freida McFadden, you may enjoy it.
It’s a little lighter than McFadden’s books, which tend to dive into the psychological side a little more.
With short chapters and multi-POV, it’s a fast-paced read that keeps you guessing. It provides more of a complete ending than you get with McFadden books, which I prefer, and the resolution was not what I expected and fairly unique considering how many thrillers I’ve read at this point.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
before you break by kyla stone
4/5 stars
A young adult book I read for a post I’m working on, I really loved Before You Break and finished it in just a day. What this made me realize is how much (underappreciated) depth you get from young adult novels that I find to be lacking in some adult-specific books. For example, some of these characters had obscure hobbies (like astrology), and that drew a sharp contrast to grown-up books that tend to revolve around marriage, kids, and career only.
Told from two sisters’ perspectives, this story centers around two kinds of grief (long-term and anticipatory) and while you can kind of guess how things will play out, it’s deeply heartfelt and a beautiful story. The characters in this book are imperfect and real, yet the book doesn’t feel too heavy. That said, I wish I had known that there would be talk of animal abuse in the beginning, so skip this if that is hard for you to read about.
Note that there are a few typos and formatting issues that can make your reading choppy at times, but it shouldn’t deter you from reading this.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
i become her by joe hart
4/5 stars
I Become Her has been on my reading list for a while, and I’m glad I finally got around to it. It’s received high ratings and lots of rave reviews, and I can see why.
Before I jump in, I want to note that if you are reading the Kindle version (not sure about the print edition), don’t check the table of contents! That gives away one of the bigger twists and I was bummed I saw that right as I started reading.
That said, this is a fun, dramatic domestic thriller. It’s fairly easy to guess the ending, but the buildup and execution makes it worth reading.
As with most domestic thrillers, there’s plenty of secrets, gaslighting, and palpable tension. What sets this apart is that the author creates suspicion around every character in a believable manner, yet I’d still consider this to be a popcorn thriller because of the high-stakes, almost over-the-top drama.
Overall, it’s a well-written story and those new to thrillers will enjoy it, but there are certain overdone tropes that prevent this from being a true stand-out for me (ex: catty mother, a politician with a reputation to uphold, etc).
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
twelve years gone by k.j. kalis
3/5 stars
This is the first book of a new series I started at the end of the month. While it’s still in the realm of crime, this is a police procedural so it felt like a slower palette cleanser in between so many popcorn thrillers.
Centered around a disgraced Chicago cold case detective named Emily Tizzano, I found the premise of Twelve Years Gone to be intriguing but the delivery to be lukewarm. It does a decent job of setting up a series, and when you read it with that in mind, the book is good, but if you plan to read it as a standalone, you’ll find it to be lacking in a few different areas like characterization and pacing. It’s slow, yet the ending is quite abrupt.
There are a few typos in this book (and throughout the series), but I don’t personally mind. That said, my criticism of the book is with the main character, Emily, who is abrasive and somewhat rude. It’s predictable for an author to add quirks to the main character of a police procedural series, but the character lacks any sort of charm or depth that make you connect to her as a reader. I figured there would be more of a reveal to justify her coldness, but now that I’m a few books in, I’m still waiting.
Read it here (free through Kindle Unlimited).
Continuing on with the series, I also read Lakeview Vendetta (3/5 stars) and Victim 14 (3/5 stars).
I liked that Lakeview Vendetta focused on real estate, rather than another unsolved murder, which added originality to this series. I was surprised there wasn’t much that carried over from the first book, especially since Emily had a more layered interaction with the on-site detective in Twelve Years Gone. The author doesn’t add to the main character’s backstory, either, which would’ve really elevated the series and reader experience.
Victim 14 gets a little more interesting, but the same flaws remain. I can see that this is a vigilante-esque series, but the pacing is still underwhelming and if you like police procedurals for their realism, it’ll drive you crazy. From this book and into the next, there’s a major plot hole that needs to be addressed and will make things interesting, so stay tuned!
