What I Read in April 2023: The Good, the Bad, and the Mediocre
April was a mixed month for my reading list, with some books that were enjoyable and others that left me wanting more. So much more. For some insight into what you absolutely need to read right now. I mean like, stop what you’re doing and read this shit pronto, check out below. And for what to steer clear of, I also gotchu.
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This one unfortunately fell flat for me. While the premise of the book had potential, the execution was severely lacking. Which is surprising because I absolutely loved loved loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by this author. But in this novel, where was the intrigue, the brilliance, the just what I wanted? The characters, if you can even call them that, were super underdeveloped. My favorite “character” was Sam, but only because he respected himself and his feelings, which I totally dug. The storytelling was overall bland, making it a slow and unexciting read. Reading this book was like a chore to me. Overall, I give One True Loves two out of five stars. However, if you’re looking for a mindless, “sappy Lifetime movie” type of read, then this book might be for you. To each her own. ★★☆☆☆
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
This one was a satisfying sequel that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The complex characters and compelling plot made for an emotional and gripping read. Atlas finally gets to really shine and he was so perfect for Lily. He had a really rough upbringing, but turned into the ideal man. Kudos to him. Lily’s a lucky girl. The only thing I wish is that they spent a little more time on the ending. It left me wanting more. Overall I give It Starts With Us four out of five stars. ★★★★☆
Finding Perfect by Colleen Hoover
This was a quick and easy read that felt like catching up with old friends. I bought the audiobook on this one since it wasn’t available at the library. I think I finished it in one day. While the plot was predictable and lacked the drama and suspense of other CoHo books, it was still a pleasant read. It was nice to see what Daniel and Six were up to. But this one is really for hardcore fans that loved the short story of Finding Cinderella. You can check out what I thought of that one here. But for the casual fan, this one can be skipped. Overall, I give Finding Perfect three out of five stars.★★★☆☆
Image by Liridon Shala from Pixabay
Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover
This one was a companion novel to Hopeless. Read my review for that one here. Losing Hope filled in some of the gaps and added depth to the characters, particularly to Holder. While some parts of the story felt repetitive, the emotional impact was just as strong as the first book. The peaceful, happy ending was a nice contrast to the heartbreaking story, and I appreciated the closure it provided. I give Losing Hope four out of five stars. If you loved Hopeless and want to know more about Holder’s story, then this book is a must-read.★★★★☆
Image by garageband from Pixabay
Confess by Colleen Hoover
This one was a mixed bag for me. It was just okay. Not a must read at all. It felt melodramatic at the end, but they developed some really good villains. I mean that mother and son were incredibly unlikable. It left me wondering how a sweet boy like Adam came from that dysfunctional family. Plus the slow start didn’t help. But I liked Owen and Auburn together, which is why we come here right? While there were enjoyable moments, the book was not one of CoHo’s best. Overall, I give Confess three out of five stars. If you’re a die-hard CoHo fan and want to read all of her books, then go for it. But if you’re looking for a standout book from her, this might not be it.★★★☆☆
In conclusion, my April book roundup had its highs and lows, with some books really delivering while others fell short. My favorite book this past month was It Starts With Us hands down. Thank you so much for going on this journey with me. I’m excited to see what May has in store for me, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you all. Happy reading, bookworms!
Check out my other book reviews here:
