April Review: Books I Read This Past Month
The Love Hypothesis, Ali Hazelwood (★★★★★)
I have seen this book all over TikTok and had to try it - I love my romance, chicklit books. What starts out as a fake relationship to trick her friend turns into the possibility of a real one. I love that the characters are members of STEM, nerdy, and awkward. Yes, it’s a bit predictable and cheesy but there were so many moments I was smiling and thought everything was so wholesome. There’s a perfect mix of quirkiness, fluff, and spice in this book. I read it in one sitting - it’s a quick read but a good one! And the author has similar books out if you like this one!
Good Girl Complex, Elle Kennedy (★☆☆☆☆)
I picked this one up on a whim, it sounded intriguing - good girl and bad boy fall for each other and their relationship is forbidden by societal (townie) standards. It was a fast read but I didn’t love it. I thought the character development was weak, the main girl character annoyed me a bit. I also felt like the author was trying to cram multiple dark storylines into one which made the book feel chaotic a lot of the time.
Lockdown on London Lane, Beth Reekles (★★★☆☆)
This was cute! AND I didn’t know Wattpad published physical books now which was exciting - I used to spend so much time reading (and even writing) on Wattpad in middle and high school. In this book, an apartment building goes under lockdown for a week. Nobody is allowed to leave or enter the building. There are five apartments that the chapters alternate between. Each apartment has to figure out how to make the most of the situation - like being stuck with what was supposed to be a one-night stand. It was just a feel-good read to help get out of a slump.
You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay (★★★★★+)
Louise Hay is one of my favorite spiritual teachers. I have the workbook that relates to this book, one of her most popular, but have just now been able to have a copy of my own to read. She shares her philosophy that we create our circumstances, based on limiting beliefs and ideas, and can ultimately change our reality through the power of thought and intention. Although there are some concepts that can be illustrated as very black and white, I choose to take what resonates and leave what doesn’t. Overall, I think this is great to highlight the power of intention and how we can be more conscious creators of our reality. This book also includes her famous list of metaphysical root causes and affirmations for common dis-ease.
Apples Never Fall, Liane Moriarty (★★★★★)
I love any book by Liane Moriarty, she’s one of my favorite authors and now I’ve read every book she’s written. This one was no different - strong character development and storyline, unpredictable turns, and a good ending. The story follows a family after their mother mysteriously disappears. Nobody knows if she ran away, was kidnapped, or was murdered. While they try to figure out what happened, and if their father is guilty, many family secrets finally surface. Definitely recommend this one!
Light is the New Black, Rebecca Campbell (★★★★★+)
Okay, is easily one of my favorite non-fiction books I have read. Not because the writing or advice is particularly amazing, but because the content and truth provided made me feel seen. Rebecca Campbell channeled this text to encourage lightworkers to step into their power. By embracing our authentic selves we are able to spread love and create a higher vibrational world. This book touches topics like: the journey of souls, past lives, being an empath, being a starseed and lightworker, etc. Everything I’ve ever thought and felt seemed to be in this book and I had chills with almost every chapter. If you have felt like you’re meant for something greater, have felt “different” your whole life, or know you’re a starseed or lightworker, please read this!
It Ends With Us, Colleen Hoover (★☆☆☆☆)
Another one that was all over TikTok. I’ve read two of the author’s other books and have come to the conclusion I just don’t like her books. They’re just way too dark for me. I appreciate that she is writing from experience in order to highlight the dark / twisted side that past trauma, abuse, etc. can play in present life because it brings more awareness, but I don’t want to be reading that. I like to read to escape and feel better, not feel sick from the anxiety a book caused. I’ll stick to my spicy romance books!
The Unsinkable Greta James, Jennifer E. Smith (★★☆☆☆)
I wanted to like this, it had been on my list for a while. But the main character was an angsty woman in her mid-twenties that was really immature which frustrated me. She constantly was getting into pointless arguments with other characters and at times these fights were back to back - that’s when I about put the book down. The concept was good, estranged father and daughter forced to bond after the death of the wife / mother that kept them together. But, I just couldn’t stick with it.
The Comeback, Ella Berman (★★★★☆)
I really liked this for being a debut novel. It follows the life of an actress that grew up a famous childhood star. After a traumatic breakdown (with good reason that’s shared later in the story) she disappears to her parents home for a year, completely off the grid and out of the eyes of the media. Upon her return, she has to decide if she’s wanting to try to get her old life back or stand up for herself and rebuild. This is in the time of the #MeToo movement and highlights the corruption, abuse, and deception that can occur between powerful men and young women in the entertainment business.
Just Haven’t Met You Yet, Sophie Cousens (★★☆☆☆)
Another fluff read, not my favorite. The story follows a journalist who writes about the best “meet cute” stories. For a piece, she visits the island where her parents first fell in love - or so she was told. She discovers what her mother told her about the great love story may not be so real. She finds herself in her own fated love story while she’s visiting. The story is cute, I just didn’t love the character development so it was harder for me to stick with it.
The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune (★★★★★)
I listened to this book while on my walks and I loved how magical it was. A caseworker is sent to observe an orphanage full of magical children - a gnome, a sprite, the antichrist, etc. He is to stay and make sure that they are in good hands by the caretaker, Arthur, who ends up having secrets of his own. At first, the characters are all fearful and hesitant with the new company but progressively warms up and they form deep connections. I loved how this had me laughing, was wholesome, and touched on the importance of seeing people for who they are - beyond the surface.
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