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April was a pretty slow reading month, but I still finished some great books! Whether you’re looking for your next great read or just curious about what I loved (or didn’t love), this post has all the details. My goal for 2025 was to read one book a month, and so far, I’ve read 20 BOOKS!! I’ll be sharing a brief summary, my personal thoughts, and a rating for each book. Plus, I’ll highlight my top recommendation of the month at the end!
Book List Overview (with links to purchase)
- Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
- Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden
- Make a Scene by Mimi Grace
- Passion Project by London Sperry
📖 Say You’ll Remember Me – Abby Jimenez
- Genre: Contemporary Romance
- Synopsis: Samantha Diaz may have met the perfect guy–veterinarian Xavier Rush–and they may have had the perfect day, but they can’t be together. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her, but life (and love) is just not that easy.
- My Thoughts: I love anything Abby Jimenez, and this novel was no different. Even though Tik Tok disagrees, I love the deep, intense, and emotional plot in this love story. It has twists and turns, laughs and cries, and a beautiful ending. Abby Jimenez knows how to write a good love story!
- Favorite Quote: “You think it’s the big memories you should be chasing–and it is in a way. Birthdays and vacations and special occasions. But the small memories are the fabric of your life, the ones so inconsequential that you don’t even remember them. You just remember how you felt when you were making them.”
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
- Would I recommend it? Yes! — Anything that says “Abby Jimenez” on the cover gets a recommendation from me!
📖 Recipe for a Charmed Life – Rachel Linden
- Genre: Romance/Magical Realism
- Synopsis: After an angry outburst that could end her career as a Parisian chef, Georgia May goes to San Juan island to find her spark and reconnect with he long-lost mother. As Georgia May discovers more than she ever could imagine about her family, her past, and herself, she also finds the island holds magic and luck…and a legacy she never expected.
- My Thoughts: This novel was an amazing feel-good story. It reminded me of when I loved reading as a kid, and with the turn of every page came joy. The depth that Linden captured with this plot was simply mind-blowing, and although the magical realism aspect caught me off guard, this was an amazing adventure of a woman re-finding herself.
- Favorite Quote: “The real recipe for a charmed life was simple. Not easy, but simple. To do the work that filled her with wonder and delight. To walk lightly through the world, giving generously to those around her. To love all in her care as best she could.”
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
- Would I recommend it? Yes! — I really couldn’t put this one down!
📖 Make a Scene – Mimi Grace
- Genre: Romance
- Synopsis: Retta’s life took an unexpected turn when her ex-boyfriend announced his engagement…to Retta’s cousin. Because she doesn’t want pity, Retta decides to attend their wedding ceremony, but she needs a date. Hot gym owner Duncan will make the perfect fake boyfriend for this occasion, and he actually agrees to take Retta up on her offer. But as their performance comes to an end, things get a little complicated. They have to decide: is this all really fake?
- My Thoughts: After reading some heavier plots, I needed something light and simple to read, and this book was perfect! I LOVE a fake dating trope, and this one was no different. The plot was simple, the characters were likeable, and everything was well-written–no complaints!
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
- Would I recommend it? Maybe–if you’re looking for a deep plot with a surprising storyline, this sweet, predictable story may not be for you.
📖 Passion Project – London Sperry
- Genre: Romance
- Synopsis: Bennet’s life is a mess. She’s grieving, depressed, and she still doesn’t have a career. After standing up some guy she met online, she runs into him, and he decides to befriend her and help her find her passion. Henry is the kind of guy that everyone loves to be around, but Bennet doesn’t understand what makes him want to be around her. After a Summer in New York doing everything from tattooing to rappelling a skyscraper, sparks begin to fly. But Bennet has to decide: will she let the fire burn?
- My Thoughts: For most of this book, I hated the main character! She was a self-sabotaging hot mess that made me want to put the book down, but I’m so glad I didn’t! This story takes so many twists and turns, but ultimately, both characters wind up exactly where they’re supposed to be.
- Favorite Quote: “You’re safe with me. That’s all I see in his eyes when he looks at me.”
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
- Would I recommend it? No–it would’ve only gotten 3 stars, but the ending was amazing, emotional, and well-written.
My Top Pick of the Month Is…
Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden! This story whisked me away to a beautiful, magical island full of love, whimsy, and sexy oyster farmers, so of course it is my top pick for April! Rachel Linden made an amazing first impression on me, and I’ll have to check out some of her other books. It was no tough call, Recipe for a Charmed Life topped all my other April reads!
What’s TBR for May?
May should be a pretty busy month, so my goal is to read 4 books. Here’s what I’m thinking so far:
- Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan
- The Worst Best Man by Lucy Score
- What a Match by Mimi Score
- Whatever the Book of the Month pick is…
That concludes my April reading wrap-up! I’m so excited that I’ve read 20 books so far this year, and I can’t wait to see what’s next! What did you read in April? Do you have any recommendations for me? Let’s chat in the comments!
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