Hey there, fellow bookworms! Can you feel it? The scent of freshly printed pages mingling with the promise of new adventures? That's right, April was here, and with it came a treasure trove of books just waiting to be discovered. As I dusted off the remnants of March and eagerly moved onto my next stack of books to read, I couldn't help but feel like a kid in a candy store, eagerly anticipating the next delicious tale to sink my teeth into. From spine-tingling thrillers to heart warming poetry, April's line up had something for everyone. So, grab your favourite reading nook, brew a steaming cup of coffee, or whatever your favourite tipple is, and join me as I share my journey through the captivating worlds waiting to be explored between the pages. Trust me, you won't want to miss out on these must-reads that are sure to leave you craving more.
So, fellow book lovers, what bookish adventures did you embark on this April? Let's swap recommendations and jump into this month's reading journey together!
What's on your must-read list?
Please let me know.
Love Alis x
Let us Dive into my April book recommendations
Title: The Fall
Author: Albert Jaskula
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 494
Format: Paperback supplied by the author in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Regrets are like birthdays—they keep coming, each one a new scar slowing you down and dragging you closer to your grave. Ariel Fall, a seasoned private investigator, knew this well. After the devastating loss of his wife and young daughter, Ariel attempts to forge ahead, leaving behind the painful memories that threatened to ensnare him. But his quest for redemption proved more elusive than anticipated, and his entanglement in a series of harrowing investigations were proving rather useless, only serving to expose the darkest corners of humanity's nature and the enigmatic depths of the human mind. Haunted by the relentless pursuit of truth, Ariel embarks on a treacherous journey, encountering a seductive femme fatale and an enigmatic "guardian angel" along the way. As he delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Lavender Killer, the League of Damned, and the notorious Dirty Joe, he discovers the pervasive corruption lurking within the very heart of the London police force. In a world where rules and morality blur, Ariel is forced to confront his own limitations and question the validity of conventional approaches. Struggling with the weight of his decisions, each one seeming to lead to his downfall, he realizes that true impact requires bending and even breaking the rules. With the spectre of failure looming, Ariel must navigate treacherous waters where every choice feels like a waking nightmare.
My Thoughts: The Fall by Albert Jaskula was my book of the month for April and started as it meant to go on it was full of grit and action. At times, the prose was short and that added to the intense drama. I had to read some of the sentences twice to ensure I understood what was happening, but I think that was because it was so faced paced that the words sometimes ran away from me. It is a book that I needed to concentrate on to make sure that I kept up with the plot.
I got an intense sense of the main protagonist, and Jaskula’s way of describing things is a testament to his writing. I could feel the angst and extreme pain the main protagonist was going through emotionally as well as physically. The book followed a private investigator and uniquely for a book, goes through more than one investigation which reignites the attention span, I was nervous at the beginning of the book as it was so long, but it didn’t feel like that while I was reading.
Some of the book, in my view, was gruesome but it did pertain to the story, and I felt it was justified. The main protagonist is definitely a badass PI, but he also had another side to him that he was trying to make win over the darker side.
In conclusion this book was fast paced and very dark, dealing with the seedier side of life. There were surprises throughout the book right until the end which kept me engaged and I was wondering what happens next. A testament to Jaskula’s writing a great first novel that I fully recommend if you love a dark thriller that will keep you on your toes.
Title: Love Lottie
Author: Mel Higgins
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Dear Lottie Series book 2 0f 2
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 377
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Cathleen longs for a child to complete her family so when her parents send her sixteen-year-old sister Lottie to London after secretly giving birth to a daughter, could this new bundle be the answer to her prayers? Betty lives a good life in the city of Paris with a close knitted family around her, but when her uncle turns up the night before her wedding, family secrets are exposed, leaving her to decide where she belongs. Grace promised her unborn child that she would be a better mother than her own but while her husband Henry shows her little affection and hides away in his shed, she struggles to keep her promise. Sarah is used to her parents being different. her mum is always ill, and her dad works around the clock. However, when she starts reading books by, the author Lottie Ridley, her life changes forever.
My Thoughts: Love Lottie by Mel Higgins is an historical romance book and part of the Dear Lottie book series and although it is mentioned that you should read the first book, Dear Lottie, to get the full experience, I did not feel that my experience was any less for reading Love Lottie first. Although I have now purchased Dear Lottie.
Love Lottie starts of with a major event, and I was taken on an emotional rollercoaster that is about families, love, secrets, hatred, and betrayal. The book is extremely sad in places with regrets of what ifs. The book made me cry very early on and it continued to do so as I felt the sadness ooze from the page.
The book is definitely a book well researched for its time, I could feel myself in the midst of the time period being written about and the book travel from the 1950’s through to the 1980’s with a small bit in current time.
This was a book that I did not want to put down, the short chapters added to the intensity of the events happening. Higgins ability to create a masterpiece through the characters’ lives, emotions and events had me hooked right from the very beginning until the last page, with the surprises at each twist and turn a bonus along this truly emotional ride. My favourite book read in April.
Title: Hindsight
Author: Mary Turner Thomson
Genre: Dual Destinies
Publisher: The Book Whisperers
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 244
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend
About Book: In a fusion of past and present, Catherine’s world spirals into chaos when a mysterious childhood memory unveils haunting recollections of a life she never lived. The mesmerising saga of Merwynn, a defiant 9th-century Saxon ensnared in Viking intrigue, beckons from deep within her psyche. Every revelation from Merwynn’s era sends ripples through Catherine’s existence as she grapples with the weight of their entwined destinies. Forcing her to confront stark parallels in their quests for love and liberation in worlds that seem determined to chain them. With each layer of Merwynn’s history, Catherine’s own life frays, driving her to a precipice: will she succumb or muster the strength to redefine her destiny? Dive deep into a poignant narrative that examines the essence of identity, the scars of generational trauma, and the transformative effects of empowerment. HINDSIGHT doesn’t merely invite readers to witness a journey - it challenges them to question the very fabric of freedom. Catherine’s desperate search for clarity between illusion and reality is a testament to human resilience and the eternal hope that binds souls across ages.
My Thoughts: Hindsight by Mary Turner Thomson is a book that fuses past with present and as soon as I saw the book cover, I knew I had to read it. Then I read the blurb and I was doubly hooked. I found the book quite calming which is surprising given some of the areas discussed. It did give me time to reflect and think about the different time lines and how Catherine's life impacted her from one time line to another. Hindsight is a very thought provoking read, sensitively written. Catherine, the main protagonist, did irritate me at times with her sense of unworthiness, but that became clear by the time the book finished. I did feel the book was slow to start, but it did pick up the pace when the time periods seemed to collide and by then I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters at the beginning felt clear but Mary Turner Thomson disguised the realities really well which leaves you guessing and wanting more.
In conclusion, a through provoking book about how a past life can impact a current life, written well with well thought out characters a must for those of you readers who love a dual time line.
Title: Goodbye Stranger
Author: Blake Rudman
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Hellbound Books
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 373
Format: E book supplied by Henri ROI in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot, and recommend
About Book: Danielle Harrington has the life many women envy: She’s beautiful, rich, has two wonderful children, and is married to the Preston Harrington - the handsome, charismatic, retired quarterback who won two Super Bowls. Unfortunately, something is very wrong with Preston. Having suffered more than his fair share of injuries and concussions, he becomes quiet, withdrawn, and distant. As Preston spends more time away from his family, Danielle begins to suspect an affair without realizing her husband is involved in something much, much worse…Following a series of tragic incidents and the return of an old nemesis from the past, things begin to spiral out of control for Danielle as Preston’s dark side puts her and their children in terrible danger.
My Thoughts: Goodbye Stranger by Blake Rudman is the 2nd book I have read by this author and is a thriller. The book follows different points of view which added an interesting dimension. The main characters feel well thought through and their secrets unfold chapter by chapter.
The writing shows a distinctive style, though not entirely unique. As the story developed, you knew who the killer is, while those around them gradually begin to suspect which added tension to the storyline. Blake Rudman’s Goodbye Stranger delves into the dynamics of truth and betrayal within the confines of marriage and family which kept me on the edge of my seat.
In conclusion, Goodbye Stranger is a compelling read and a must if you love a psychological thriller.
Title: Trauma to Truth
Author: Claire Louise Robinson
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Neilson
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 124
Format: e book purchased myself
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Trauma to Truth is an inspirational , moving collection of poetry and prose that documents a journey through trauma to truth. It tells a story, in lessons from start to finish and how it is possible to go from recovery to starting the discovery of who you can become. It begins with Trauma and how it was personally viewed and moves through the process of unpicking, un-ravelling, highlighting the highs, lows and all the emotions in between. It covers anger, domestic abuse, drug addiction, grief, love and loss, finally finishing with forgiveness and finding yourself. It is a raw, honest and hope filled account of one woman's story to share, that there is in fact, light at the end of the tunnel and you do not have to be defined by your past.
My Thoughts: Trauma To Truth by Claire Louise Robinson is more than just a poetry book. It is full of raw emotion, and you can feel the honesty on every turn of the page. The background story that runs through the poems add a level of depth showing the extremely difficult journey the author has been on. The book is beautifully written and is a must read.
Title: Fall From Grace
Author: Alan Feldberg
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 234
Format: Paperback book supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend
About Book: How many bad decisions does it take to go from doting father to travelling down a very dark path? Not as many as you’d think . . .Adrian Smythe is just a regular guy. He is employed, married, and loves his daughter Grace. He even has a dog. But he can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. So, in an act of rebellion, Adrian quits his job and moves out of the family home. After disconnecting from everything in his past, he believes he is finally free from the constraints he resented so much. But Adrian’s new life may not be exactly what he bargained for. In fact, it could all end in murder
My Thoughts: Fall from Grace by Alan Feldberg is a crime thriller mystery. Adrian Smythe, the main protagonist leads a normal life with his wife and child until he quits his job and doesn’t say anything. The book unfolds through the eyes of the main protagonist and the chapters switch between the periods before he quit his job, the then, and after he quit his job, the now.
The book is a slow starter as it fills in the background, some chapters are short which adds to the tension, but I do wonder at times where the books is going.
I found the book moving and unsettling at the same time as well as challenging following the demise of the main character, Feldberg has a different way of writing a psychological thriller, from what I am used to, which is not a bad thing, it shows individuality, as Feldberg goes deep into the mind of the killer exposing his thoughts as the events unravel.
In conclusion, if you want something different to read in the way the story is put together this is the books for you a slow paced psychological thriller exploring the mind of the killer.
Title: Good Things
Author: Kate MacDougall
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Zaffre
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 320
Format: Hardback supplied by Love Books Tours ii return for an honest review
Star Rating: 4**** I liked it and recommend
About Book: Two sisters, one absent father and a grand inheritance . . .Maggie and Liz may be sisters (and yes, named after a pair of much more famous siblings), but that's about all they have in common. Maggie is a free spirit - travelling the world, flitting through life and relationships without ever really having to connect. Liz, meanwhile, is the lynchpin of Little Martin village society and determined to be the perfect wife, mother and homemaker - even if she does live in a new build. When Liz and Maggie's beloved grandmother, Queen Vic, dies in a characteristically dramatic fashion, they are left to deal with the aftermath - inheriting the family Manor, as well as full responsibility for their profligate father, a notorious womaniser who causes trouble wherever he goes. Maggie and Liz have been living separate lives for years - but now might finally be the time to put their differences behind them.
My Thoughts: Good Things by Kate MacDougall is a contemporary fiction book about two very different sisters who have been living two very different lives, one absent father and an inheritance. I found the book an easy and fairly quick read. I was able to pick it up and read a new chapter without losing the thread. I warmed to the characters, even the errant George Addison. I especially loved Albert. MacDougall has a way with words making the characters quirks, foibles and everything that makes them unique, ring on the page. They felt real, sharing the little intricacies of life.
Good Things was funny, witty and sometimes a little sad. I thought many times while reading the book ‘how true’.
In conclusion this book is about family dynamics, relationships and the intricacies of what life throws at us. It is a well observed, look at life and a must read for those of you who love reading about the funny nuances of life.
Title: The Rutland Identity
Author: Michael Dane
Genre: Crime Thriller
Series: Frank McBride series
Publisher: The Bookguild Ltd
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 277
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved, and highly recommend
About Book: Rutland 1998. When George Bowman, the publican of Leighton Parva’s Old Volunteer Inn is found dead at the bottom of his cellar steps the police dismiss it as a tragic accident. But Frank McBride and Bernard Taylor aren’t so sure.
Teaming up with their neighbour, Ron Godsmark, their suspicions centre on Joachim and Hannah Keller, the Swiss couple who manage Leighton Hall, the wedding venue just outside the village.
Bernard sends his granddaughter, Emma, on an undercover mission, working at the hall as a waitress. Together they stumble upon a web of intrigue involving fraud, smuggling and murder.
Frank believes that he can persuade his old colleagues in Customs and Excise to investigate, but Bernard has something else entirely in mind.
Crime deserves justice. Murder requires revenge.
My Thoughts: The Rutland Identity by Michael Dane is book 2 in the Frank McBride series but can be read as a stand-alone. It is a crime thriller and as soon as I read the blurb I knew I had to read it. Set in a quaint village, with a mysterious death and the locals suspecting foul play. From the very beginning I warmed to the three main characters they are witty and beguiling and their quirks and background history made them, for me, a great team, each of them bringing a different skill to the table and Dane’s writing made them all the more relatable. I also loved Oliver his lack of confidence and uncertainty was refreshing.
The plot unfolded with plenty of suspense that made the book a page turner with added touches of wit, humour and even a little romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this book it was different to my usual hard hitting crime thriller and there was an unexpected twist at the end.
In conclusion, this book was a really interesting premise, with suspense in abundance and great characters a must read for those of you who love a good mystery, crime thriller.
Title: Conflicting Loyalties
Author: Aiden Gabor
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Skyhorse
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 256
Format: E Book provided by the ESI Network in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Aiden Gabor was still a teenager when Department of Justice agents approached him with an ultimatum: spend his life in prison for racketeering, embezzlement, extortion, and conspiracy to commit murder, or become an undercover agent. Conflicting Loyalties is a sharp, honest memoir in three parts: the bloody life of a mob soldier from outside la famiglia; the death-defying, paranoid existence of an informant bringing down corrupt politicians and police departments from the inside; and unexpectedly finding peace late in life through the Baha’i faith while coping with an ALS diagnosis. Conflicting Loyalties is a visceral tale of a man who gambles with his own life in order to save it, dodging his fate while searching for an identity, a father, and a family.
My Thoughts: Conflicting Loyalties by Aiden Gabor is a memoir of a double life as a Mafia enforcer and a Department of Justice informant. The book starts off when Aiden is young and gets pulled into the darker side of life which hooks you in right from the very beginning. The writing is excellent and the prose flows so well, I didn’t want to put the book down so much so that I read it in two sittings.
What makes this book so powerful is the fact that the book is a raw, honest look at the life of an informant through the eyes of Aiden himself. It oozes with fear from both sides of the fence and shows the consequences he faces emotionally as well as physically. I could feel the sadness from Aiden caught in this ever-spiralling trap.
I did think that some of the chapters were slightly long, but that did not detract from the overall story being told.
Gabor's prose is elegant even in a world of death and corruption painting a vivid picture of life as an informant and one I thoroughly recommend if you love reading about real life.
If any of the books from my Reading this month has inspired you to purchase them, please click on the links provided, I do earn a small commission from you purchasing and thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you would like to contact me, you can via email at apagebookclub@gmail.com or via Instagram at https://instagram.com/alisbookstagram_
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