Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Monthly Reads - April 2023

I hope you all are enjoying all the book reviews, since it's just another hobby of mine, it's not going anywhere! I loved doing the Monthly Wrap-up last year to share mini reviews on all the books I've read each month! 

It could be a big range from 2 to 10 books depending on how much I read, but I figure I can share a little synopsis and quick thoughts on each book. I will still be doing more in depth reviews on books that really capture me! 

I purchased the books in this post - this post contains affiliate links

So, in April I read 9 books - a mix of genres from middle grade fantasy to adult mystery. I love most genres, and I really want to keep my reads diversified this year - I think I have been doing a great job of that so far! Also, I've been trying to read a mix of old and new books, so I'm working on that (I think it was more new books this month with a mix of a couple older ones in there!) I read 8 audio books, and 1 physical book. 

Here's a quick look at all the books I read in the past month: 


The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill ~ ☆☆☆☆ - 4 stars. This is a middle grade graphic novel and I love K. O'Neill's books - they are always super approachable graphic novels with gorgeous art. I love her style! This is a cute story about overcoming loneliness, friendship etc. It was cute and an easy, warm read.

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin ~ ☆☆☆☆ - 4 stars. This is a young adult fantasy novel focused around a tea tournament - I see lots of mixed reviews on this, but I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. It's a super descriptive book that has a great tournament and turns more political as the plot carries on and the palace starts to turn on itself. Really enjoyed the characters, descriptions, tasks and overall vibes!

Tiger Lily and the Secret Treasure of Neverland by Cherie Dimaline ~ ☆☆☆☆ - 4 stars. This is a middle grade fantasy novel - it was a really cute middle grade story of Tiger Lily, this is a story where she takes centre stage to protect Neverland, make big decisions and protect her friends and family. Cute, easy read.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune ~ ☆☆☆☆ - 4 stars. This is an adult romance that was so hyped up last year - it was a really cute childhood friends to lovers (with a long gap in between) - something happens between them and we jump back and forth between now and then figuring it out. The characters are likeable and I loved the Canadian cabin setting on a lake - it was well written, cute story. (I did think it reminded me a lot of One True Loves by Christina Lauren and I did read that recently, but they are both cute stories so it was fine). Cute love story!

Love Your Life by Sophia Kinsella ~ ☆ - DNF. This is an adult romance novel and it was terrible - I read 22% and I HAD to stop reading this. I thought it started out with a cute concept, but the characters were so basic, and as soon as she fell in love way to quickly it was a no for me. (I think her cute quirky characters were funny in the Shopaholic series, but didn't work in this). I see what the rest of the book is going to be - they are going to struggle in their relationship based on having nothing in common seeing as how they fell in love in a day in Italy. Not enough Italy for me and it just wasn't good, sadly.

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle ~ ☆☆ - 2 stars. This is an adult contemporary fiction and to be totally honest - I was really disappointed from this book. I found the main character really unlikeable and the book was just her making terrible choices. I tried to to understand that she was dealing with grief, but she still treated her husband terribly. It also had a twist that I didn't enjoy I don't love time travel and I didn't think it fit - it wasn't explained whatsoever. It also bugged me that it was supposed to be about her and her mom and it really turned in to her cheating on her husband The only thing that saved this book was the descriptions of Positano since I was there last year and it's stunning! 


The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner ~ ☆☆☆ ½ - 3.5 stars. This is an adult historical fiction and I really enjoyed this author's first book so I was excited to read her follow-up. I enjoyed this story, but think I was hoping for a little more from it. I love seances and the setting this had and the story were good. Overall, I enjoyed the slow unravelling, but didn't always fully connect with the characters and a tad predicable, but still a good book!

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano ~ ☆☆☆☆ - 4 stars. This is an adult contemporary mystery and it was a quick, funny, easy read (not sure I would normally describe a murder mystery as that, but this was good!) I loved the main character and her awkward, how did this happen style as she spiralled farther and farther in to this. I enjoyed this and think this is a great, easy read.

The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi ~ ☆☆☆ ½ - 3.5 stars. This is a classic - I'm slowly trying to work my way through my must read classics . This was expectedly a little weird and it was written in the 1880s so not always the easiest to read, but a fun classic to read! 

Okay, April was a decent reading month - a few hits and misses during the month.

Here's a little refresh of my rating system:

5 Stars: Excellent/Fantastic/Amazing Read 
4.5 Stars: Really Great Read
4 Stars: Great Read 
3.5 Stars: Really Good Book
3 Stars: Good Book 
2.5 Stars: Eh, It was Okay Read
2 Stars: Finished it, but Didn't Enjoy It
1.5 Stars: Not Good at All
1 Star: DNF (Did Not Finish)

What was the best book you read this month?! My favourite of all of these was Finlay Donovan Was Killing It or Every Summer After! 

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