A look at some of the books coming out in April 2023. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the eARCs in exchange for an honest review.
The Plus One by Mazey Eddings
April 4, 2023 by St. Martin’s Griffin
DNF
This one is probably more a ME problem than this book’s problem. It was just too intense for me. One character was on the verge of a panic attack almost the whole time and it was making me anxious. Props for writing that was maybe too effective?
There was also too much second-hand embarrassment.
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
April 11, 2023 by Forever
Really enjoyed this one! A lot of heart, emotion, and drama – all things I love in a contemporary romance. I really liked that the characters often had multiple layers of motivations for doing things.
I actually don’t think this is Jimenez’s best work but it’s still totally worth a read. My main issue with this one was there were a few too many tropey moments worked in. This plot didn’t need it! It could have been a simpler story line. For instance, when we got to a one-bed scene I was just like, “why? This story doesn’t need this little gimmick, it’s great on its own!”
There were also a few blatant HIPAA Violations which is annoying (both MCs are doctors as well as supporting characters) but I also can see the reality of many physicians bending rules just a bit, especially when trying to find a kidney donor but whatever.
But by the end, I was in tears and my heart strings were pulled. So sweet.
To Swoon and to Spar by Martha Waters
April 11, 2023 by Atria Books
My main note is that should be called “To Spook and to Spar” since there’s a lot of spooking and little swooning.
All jokes aside, I loved this one. The premise sounds super cringe but it works on page. Jane agrees to a marriage of convenience, assuming her new husband will leave her alone in the country; just what she wants. But he stays around, so she makes the house seems haunted in an attempt to drive him out.
Jane is shy but prickly; loveably unlovable. Penvale was level-headed with a bit of spunk.
There was so much potential for second-hand embarrassment but the characters kept their dignity and still reached new emotional depths with each other.
It was all very readable! Enjoyed it a lot.
The Half of It by Juliette Fay
April 11, 2023 by HarperCollins US
This book was an unexpected win for me. Told in two timelines following Helen and how her high school experiences with love and friendship affected her entire life.
In the present-day timeline, Helen is a grandma who lost her husband and mother during COVID. She’s recently moved to be closer to one of her grandchildren and she happens to run into her high school sweetheart.
The way the pandemic was referenced was actually healing and comforting to me. The tone was sober, but mostly matter-of-fact in a way that felt very real to how I think about the pandemic today.
This book devotes a lot of time to exploring infidelity through multiple perspectives as a major theme. What does it mean to cheat, how does it affect both people in a relationship, etc.
Overall it just felt very authentic. I love seeing older women as the center of their own story.
How to Best a Marquess by Janna MacGregor
April 25, 2023 by St. Martin’s Paperbacks
DNF.
I was so bored with this book! And I was dreading picking it up. Maybe I needed to read the rest of the books in this series first, since they do have an interesting premise: a group of women realize they’re all married to the same man.
A Rogue’s Rules for Seduction by Eva Leigh
April 25, 2023 by Avon
I feel like this was two separate books. The first half was kind of boring, the second have was extremely spicy and fun!
Dom jilted Willa a year ago and now they’re stuck at a house party together. They rekindle their love and while I love a second-chance romance, this fell flat. Dom and Willa both reevaluate the way they view each other, but this comes all on its own, or by conversations with side characters. I really craved them actually having more experience with each other one on one where they could reconcile and hash out what went wrong.
When they finally got together it was very hot. Leigh knows how to write a sex scene! I definitely want to read more from her. I feel like most HR authors I like have a book or two (usually quite late in the series) that is wildly mispaced. This might be Leigh’s.
Other Books I’m Looking Forward To:
A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon (April 1) I’ve heard nothing but good things, and I love Amy Harmon; she writes with such magic and heart.
Happy Place by Emily Henry (April 25). I always enjoy reading a Henry romance. Because so many others read her, there’s always plenty of other readers to chat with!
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint (April 13). This a Greek Mythology retelling of the Warrior Atalanta! I’m excited to read about this little-known character.
Meg Loves Words 