Where did April go?! The month absolutely flew by and I can't believe we're in May already.
April was a literary mix for me, I drifted from genre to genre, and it's been fab. I'm a romantic comedy fan through and through but I've loved exploring so many more genres over the months and I have the ideal collection to share from April.
I read twelve books in total so I've picked out six to share in this post so it's not too long but if you're looking for more recommendations head to my Instagram (alicespake) where everything else is added to my book highlights.
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
I'm currently taking part in a read-a-long for the Strike Collection by Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling before the newest edition is realised in August. The Cuckoo's Calling is the first in the collection, I was completely new to the series but felt a little reserved after realising JK was behind it, I'm not a massive fan of her writing or her in general so I struggled in parts but overall really enjoyed it. The main characters, Strike and Robin made a great twosome and I loved that the relationship wasn't romantic - some parts were really questionable and I'm not sure it's really necessary to write like a drunk person when talking for a character as I personally found it difficult to follow. It did keep me guessing to the end though, the surprise twists were great and I think I suspected everyone at one point or another. Looking forward to reading the next in the collection.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Hands down the BEST book I've read this year! You all know I fell hard for Daisy Jones and The Six and once I finished that I was recommended The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by the same author almost immediately. I recently downloaded it for 99p on Kindle and couldn't put it down. It was endearing, insatiable and electric - it would make such an incredible film because it's just packed with Hollywood glamour and excitement. This is one I'll be telling people time and time again to read.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Another 99p Kindle download, The Unhoneymooners is one I'd seen floating around for some time. I felt it was quite hyped and, to be honest, it probably was but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's pretty obvious what is going to happen from reading the blurb but the twists and turns it takes to get there are hilarious - this book had some major laugh out loud moments for me and it was the ideal pick me up during this uncertain time we're all living in right now.
Plus, you can't beat a happy ending you end up rooting for from the very beginning!
Watching You by Lisa Jewell
After reading I Found You and not being able to put it down, I added four more books written by Lisa Jewell to my reading pile as each of them came highly recommended. Watching You had me gripped from the very beginning, I love the way Lisa writes as she always manages to create really engaging characters with a clever play on perspective. I couldn't put this down, the story was great and the twists just came out of nowhere! If you love a thriller, definitely make this your next one!
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
This tells the story of Vivian Morris who was sent to live with her Aunt in New York at Nineteen and what follows is a life of showgirls, sex and everything else you wouldn't expect from a young girl in the 1940s. I was really looking forward to this one but I couldn't have been more disappointed. The characters are poorly developed, the entire book just has no real meaning and it's just quite boring. Nothing happens during the first half then there's some subtle drama and then nothing until the very end which turns out to be a touch sad but to be honest? The most pointless book I've read recently and from the reviews, I'd assume I read a different book to everyone else.
A Nearly Normal Family by M.T Edvardsson
Set in Sweden, this translated novel is told from three points of view from the father, daughter and mother. The storyline is woven together so well and brings up a number of moral dilemmas and questions on how far someone would go to protect their child. After reading part one, I was so certain I knew who the culprit was but after reading from another point of view it completely changed for me. There are some hard subjects within the book, some I wasn't prepared for but I absolutely loved the book. I'm so glad I picked it up!
